City Council met in regular session on February 16, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Pete Lane
Beryl Grant
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Chief Newman, Public Works Director Mager and Attorney Green.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of February 1st were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Phil Lott did not call in but City Administrator Kennedy stated he was going to introduce himself and talk about possibly moving his trucking company to the Grangeville area from Lewiston. He has 25 trucks.
SEWER MASTER PLAN: David Watkins, J-U-B Engineers, attended via phone to provide highlights of the Sewer Master Plan. DEQ is currently reviewing the plans and it could be another 15-20 days before we hear back. The future plan is based upon a .5% growth rate on both water and sewer. For the future system, J-U-B looked at three developments the City has been talking to; these developments account for 50 years based on their size. This master plan is for the collection system. After working on the collection system for a few years, then phase II would be the WWTP facility plan. At this time, we need to meet our temperature limit in 2039; however by the end of 2024, DEQ will want to know what our solution will be for temperature. The sewer model was calibrated using storm events and during the design storm event it will show how much reserve capacity is in sewer pipe. The plan in the initial 0-5 years is to upsize key lines for those that are undersized and in 10 years work toward a 50% I&I reduction. In 4-5 years we would complete the WWTP Facility Plan. If the City doesn’t address some of the I&I issues, then the WWTP would have to handle the entire flow.
Councilor Lane understood how infiltration is tackled by replacing pipe, but questioned how inflow would be addressed. Watkins explained the annual budgeted amount for I&I reduction could be used to rehabilitate pipe or to tackle those items direct plumbed into the system like sump pump or drains. Watkins explained Mager recently found a manhole with I&I, in one of the identified lines that will be fixed.
The City will try to keep reserves at $1 million and then bond for $3 million to fund some projects upfront. Then a 4.8% increase to keep up with capital projects. It was questioned how long an environmental report is good for. Watkins explained it’s a stand along report and didn’t have the exact timeframe, however they’ve been part of the facility plans before and some are good for 20 years. If the City is approved for SRF funds, the environmental report is required.
During the evaluation, the buy in fee was calculated at $2,543 instead of $2,860. The Council will need to determine when to make the rate go into effect. The next steps are to adopt the sewer master plan and wait for DEQ comments.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Peterson to adopt the Sewer Master Plan. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
WATER AND SEWER BOND DISCUSSION: Discussion on future water and sewer bond election dates of May 2021 and November 2021 were discussed. Watkins helped staff fill out the letter of intent to DEQ stating the City is interested in water and sewer loans. The idea is to get on their roster to see if we can get funded. On the application, we originally said May 2021 but the City also has the option to do it in November. The Mayor and Council were concerned about running a bond election this year and weren’t sure how people would vote for the bond. Most felt May was too early to promote the bond.
If the City postpones a year, the costs tend to go up about 3% annually. Watkins explained the longer you wait on sewer collection, the closer the City gets to the facility plan deadline and trying to convince DEQ the City can make the changes. By Oct 2024 the City needs to make a decision on how to address temperature and then have it in facility plan. It becomes harder to convince DEQ we’ll meet deadline. Mager questioned if the City could have a temperature plan separate from the facility plan. Watkins said this is an option the City may want to consider.
On the bond election, the City wants to bond for both water and sewer together. The total would be about at $4.4 million for water and $3 million for sewer. Watkins explained JUB can attend meetings to help promote the bond and they can have panel boards with rate analysis showing how the amounts were calculated and what the improvements would be. At this time the City doesn’t know if we could apply for a block grant to help reduce the loan amount. Watkins stated they can set up a funding meeting to discuss options. Mayor Lester wants to make sure they City doesn’t ask for more than we need as it would make it difficult to pass.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to move forward with a bond election in November 2021. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works Director Mager working on trucks, little sewer, plowing snow. They are going to bring the dump truck out. New sanding truck is great!
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: The department had 92 calls for service and 15 cases written for January 2021. Chief Newman stated some officers were able to attend training now that the department is at full staff.
FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to accept the Fire Minutes of January 11, 2021. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills, in the amount of $393,635.63 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
LAND PURCHASE FROM SPENCER: Mayor Lester explained the City purchased a 100’x100’ piece of land adjacent to the current water tank above the high school for the new water tank. The title insurance and closing costs brought the total to $4,415. Spencer’s also gave the City an easement for 50’x200’ on the west side of the tank property, so the crane has a place to sit when they are working on the tanks. On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to authorize the purchase of 100’x100’ of land from Craig and Jane Spencer for a future water tank for $4,000 plus closing costs. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed
CATERING PERMIT: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to approve the catering permit for Grangeville Country Club to cater for Sts. Peter and Paul Chocolate Fantasy on March 19, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm at 330 South B Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BEER AND WINE TRANSFER: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Grant to approve the transfer of the beer and wine license from Par Hawaii LLC d/b/a Cenex Zip Trip to Par Hawaii LLC d/b/a nomnom. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
RESOLUTION NO. 276
(Resolution No. 276 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)
The following resolution was introduced by Councilor Peterson who moved for its adoption. Second by Councilor Canaday.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY AUTHORIZING DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Resolution No. 276 duly approved and adopted.
ANIMAL ARK AGREEMENT: On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Peterson to approve the Animal Ark Agreement for 2020-21. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
EQUIPMENT LEASE SKI PATROL AND SNOWHAVEN: City Administrator Kennedy explained the City has a current lease with Ski Patrol for their snowmobile. The City provides the insurance for the snowmobile; however Ski Patrol pays for all other expenses. Ski Patrol just purchased a newer sled and the lease paperwork needs to be updated to reflect the new snowmobile. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to approve the equipment lease agreement between Ski Patrol and Snowhaven for the 2012 Yamaha snowmobile. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to go into Executive Session according to Section 74-206 (f) pending litigation. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The Council returned to regular session. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
