The City Council met in regular session on November 3, 2014 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Pete Lane
Scott Winkler
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
City employees present were Chief Drew, Attorney Green, Public Works Director McFrederick and Clerk Kennedy.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the October 20th meeting were approved by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Bob Haning stated there was a miscommunication on whether he needed a building permit and asked that the double fee be waived and he asked that his sidewalk waiver was renewed. Clerk Kennedy explained when they asked, they were asking about zoning not a building permit.
Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to renew the request for the sidewalk waiver and to waive the double fee for miscommunication on the building permit. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Mayor Walker stated there is no discretion in the ordinance and double fees will be charged at City Hall. People need to get building permits and if they don’t they will get a double fee. At that point the only appeal is through the City Council. The Building Inspector is doing a great job.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Library Minutes of October 23, 2014 were accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE CHANGE: Mayor Walker asked for each Councilmembers opinion on the ordinance prior to deciding if the first reading would be read.
Councilmember Dumas asked what the City was trying to accomplish. She felt cat licensing fees could be taken out, leaving everything else intact and that the wording could be changed to humanely dispose. Dumas stated when Sara first came it was something to consider. Now that people have thought about it, it doesn’t really accomplish more than we already have on the books.
Councilman Winkler was concerned on lumping cats in with the animals on disposing. He doesn’t want an animal shot but done humanely. He would like to remove cat licensing as they are different then dogs and tend to come and go.
Attorney Green clarified the ordinance refers to Idaho code for disposal which says humanely.
Councilman Lester didn’t feel taking cat out and adding animal really changes anything. The police do have more important things to do. He would like to leave as is.
Councilman Lane wants to leave it as is. He felt cats should be licensed so if picked up the owner can be contacted.
Councilwoman Grant and Councilman Peterson want to leave as is.
Mayor Walker let the Council know if they wanted to proceed with the ordinance he needed a motion to have the first reading. No motion was made. The ordinance remains unchanged.
SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to grant an indefinite sidewalk waiver to Tom Jacobs at 702 N Mill Street; there are no other sidewalks in the area. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
TREE CITY USA: Mayor Walker explained the City received a letter asking if the City would like to renew the Tree City USA designation. After discussion, the City staff will research what needs to be done and how much it would cost and bring the information back to the Council.
BULK WATER RATES: Public Works Director McFrederick stated this discussion falls into line with service connection fees and other fees the City is not charging enough for. The City sells bulk water for $3.00/1000 gallons. Other Cities charge the following:
Gooding – the same for bulk rate as metered rates
Orofino – $7/1000 gallons
St Maries $5 up to 12,000 gallons, then $1/1000gallons after. It is reset every day.
When compared to meter costs in Grangeville, bulk water is cheap. 260 cubic feet (1944 gallons) metered is $30.71 (includes $15 bond) rather than $5.93 at the bulk water rate. The City has a private party that buys bulk water, along with some highway districts and other businesses. McFrederick also re-stated the $500.00 reconnect fee for water is not enough as the parts alone are $800. He plans to bring this up during budget time again. McFrederick would also like to install an electronic metering system so those that buy bulk water would have a card to swipe which would then activate the water.
Mayor Walker asked that the Water and Sewer Committee meet with McFrederick to discuss bulk water rates and report back to the Council.
The meeting adjourned at 8:32 P.M.
_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
