The City Council met in regular session on May 18, 2015 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
Pete Lane
City employees present were Chief Drew, Public Works Director McFrederick, Clerk Kennedy and Attorney Green.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of May 4th were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lane. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Angela Baxter is working to promote wellness and healthy lifestyles with Wellness Weekends, a six weekend event. She requested 2 one day pool passes that could be raffled off during the 12 week period. On motion by Councilman Winkler, second by Councilman Winkler to donate two one-day adult swim passes for Wellness Weekend. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Dale Weeks purchased the old Grangeville car wash by the Depot to have a hub for Dales Rescue Towing. He would like City water and sewer but he doesn’t plan to annex. He needs to figure out the sewer and try to see how it lays out. Mayor Walker explained the City normally doesn’t provide services without annexation. The surrounding properties were going to annex so this property could be annexed but then the contiguous property decided not to agree to annex so the car wash property could not be annexed. Mayor Walker expressed at that time, that the property should be able to have services. Councilman Lester questioned when the Depot unhooked from the original meter that went across Dales’ property was the car wash unhooked at the time? Public Works Director McFrederick stated a new meter was installed but it’s not functioning because the service line is shot. When the Depot hooked up to their new meter, a meter was placed on the car wash property and is waiting for connection. Mike Curtiss explained there was a meter that used to go to all business in that area (as a backup if the well went down) but when they disconnected it, it was disconnected from car wash and the saw shop because the line was going bad. When the Depot connected to that meter, that line had been cut off a ways back from the meter. It is not physically connected now but it used to feed the car wash. When Dale connects to the meter and turns it on he’ll probably have a bunch of leaks. Bob Mager explained the sewer is a water/oil separator and grit chamber. It was not designed to take a toilet or any internal plumbing but it is running into the sewer main. They could not locate the sewer so Dale would need to find his line by the chamber and open it up for the City to try to locate. The water service was located last fall. Mayor Walker questioned whether Dale understood he would be paying the applicable buy in and hookup fees and Dale agreed. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Winkler to allow Dale Week at 15 Grangeville Truck Route to hook up to City water and sewer services at the current out of City rates. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITD – GRANGEVILLE MAIN STREET PAVING PROJECTS: Curtis Arnzen, ITD District 2 was present to review the projects coming up for Grangeville. He has been working with Bob Mager and Jeff McFrederick on the project. The first project is Main Street which will be a surface rehabilitation and upgrading of 13 ADA ramps that are deficient. They would like to upgrade the signal equipment at the stop light and add a camera for video detection which would allow better traffic flow. They would like the Council’s input on working hours. They could work at night on Main Street so it would have minimal impact to the community. The paving part is 2-3 weeks and they would request a detour for the project using the truck route. When planning the work, they want to avoid community events to have as little impact as possible. There is a little flexibility on construction in year 2016 or 2017.
Councilman Lane questioned the ADA sidewalks changes. Curtis Arnzen stated they don’t comply with current ADA requirements so they will be upgraded. Mayor Walker stated there is a drainage problem in numerous instances on Main Street and doesn’t feel the rehabilitation will solve the problem. From Highway 95 to Idaho Avenue the water doesn’t drain to the curb; it just sits in the middle of the street and then causes pot holes. Arnzen explained the state understands this and it is an interim fix. They have an 8-10 year design for plant mix. The micro surface repair completed a couple years ago was a band aid on serious wound and this is more major and expected it to last better. There will be a slight additional crown added in hopes to help water move to the curb. Most complete rehabilitations only occur every 40 years or so. Mayor Walker would like to see something that works. Council consensus was that night time work would be best. Mayor Walker suggested the project start after the 4th of July but be completed during the summer months. The City would like to see the project happen as soon as possible, rather than waiting until 2017.
ITD is also repairing part of US-95 from West South 1st to Johnson Road. Pavement in poor condition will be repaired and 4 culverts will be replaced.
Mark Perry, Real Life Church was present to invite everyone to the Global Leadership Summit August 6th-7th in Grangeville. It is exciting to have this opportunity locally.
Chuck Rogers, Triangle Tavern, was present to request a catering permit over Border Days. On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler to approve the catering permit for Triangle Tavern on July 3rd, 4th and 5th from 11:00 am to 2:30 am. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilwoman Grant to accept the Library Minutes of April 23, 2015. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Becky Hosman explained Serena Jackson works at Potlatch #1 Federal Credit Union and volunteered to be on the board, replacing Krista Green. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to confirm the Mayor’s appointment of Serena Jackson to a 5 year term on the Library Board. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The department had 32 cases written, 17 citations, 7 written warnings and 82 calls for service for April 2015. The Police and Animal Control Report for April 2015 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilman Lane. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Fire Department Report for April 7th, April 15th and April 27th were accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Chief Tackett reported the new truck arrived and the department is ready to surplus the LaFrance. It is worth $5,000-$8,000 and they would like permission to have Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus to sell it with a 10% commission. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to surplus the 1972 American LaFrance fire truck and authorize selling it through Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Recreation Pool Update – Clerk Kennedy reported the recreation committee set an increase for those with a WSI certification so there would be a $.50 differential between lifeguard certification/WSI certification. We are offering a water fitness class as a trial offering this summer since Ciarra is a certified instructor.
The Planning and Zoning Minutes and Findings of Fact for May 12, 2015 were accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilwoman Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Decision on the Syringa Hospital conditional use application for a helipad: Mayor Walker commended the Planning and Zoning commission for their hard work and effort in dealing with the conditional use for the helipad proposal. It hasn’t been an easy task and the City hasn’t had a request like this in quite some time. The Council now has to decide whether to accept the recommendation of P&Z and their findings of fact. P&Z has held the public hearing and accumulated oral and written testimony. That information was then submitted to the Council for review. The Council has had plenty of time to review all the information; the Council is now privy to the same information as P&Z. The Council can now accept or deny the conditional use application if they are satisfied with the information received. If they want to go beyond that or need further information or ask additional questions or testimony, then a new hearing before the Council would need to be held.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lane that the City Council accept Planning and Zoning’s findings of facts on this issue as the City’s findings of facts and deny the application by Syringa Hospital. Councilman Lane stated he reviewed all the information. He saw a poster at school that stated “ How to find a solution to a problem? Ask – Is it safe? How do people feel? Is it fair and does it work?” He felt P&Z answered those questions. Councilwoman Dumas felt it was a difficult decision and the council didn’t take the situation lightly. Everyone understands that the helicopter landing would be advantageous and are grateful for what the hospital and clinic have done for the community. She felt the proposal needed to be flawless. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
IDAHO RURAL PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY REVIEW: Councilman Lester stated the program is probably a really good program. He wished the City had more funds but felt it’s more of a chamber issue. Councilwoman Grant felt it is similar to a horizon project and felt like it should also be a chamber project as it would benefit the community. Horizon’s had good intentions but it hasn’t gotten anywhere either. Councilwoman Dumas would like the Council to think about some kind of survey to get an idea of what people feel about the City and what the City should looking at in the future. She felt the comprehensive plan is way outdated and should be worked on. Mayor Walker felt the plan could be updated, but that it wasn’t way outdate. Councilman Lane would be interested in surveying the city to see what community members feel the needs of the City are. There was additional discussion on having a survey. Councilwoman Dumas will provide samples for next meeting.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $283,125.83 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SICK BANK: Mike Curtiss explained his written request for 100 to 200 sick bank hours, including his thoughts that he hasn’t earned all his vacation on the books and how he felt a person should only be required to use all their sick and half their vacation before being granted leave from the sick bank. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lane to grant Mike Curtiss 200 sick leave hours from the sick bank at this time. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. 899
(Ordinance No. 899 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, TO EXTEND THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, SO AS TO INCLUDE CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN THE INCORPORATED LIMITS OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE BY ANNEXATION; THAT ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH ARE HEREBY REPEALED; TO MAKE THE ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE, AND TO ALLOCATE THE COSTS OF ANNEXATION; and,
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson that the first reading be approved, that the rules be suspended, the second and third readings be waived and the ordinance be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Dumas, Winkler, Lester, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 899 duly approved and adopted.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Personnel Handbook changes are due by June 1st.
Councilman Lester felt the council needed to go look at the pool and Snowhaven before budget meetings. It was then suggested looking at all City facilities prior the July budget meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
