City Council met in regular session on May 3, 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, Public Works Director Mager and Attorney Green. Absent Chief Newman.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of April 19th and 26th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE: City Administrator Kennedy updated the Council on activating all the old utility accounts. Debbie Urquhart tracked all the responses to the 79 letters that were sent out. Of those, 54 accounts were activated and 25 completed the paperwork to discontinue the service. This project is now complete.
The City completed the UB2 upgrade toward the end of March and the system was live for the April bills. We are still working out a few kinks with the upgrade.
The City is currently advertising for a Snowhaven Manager as Mark Vandlik resigned.
At the swimming pool, we are gearing up for the season. Jacklyn Mager will return at manager and Emma Edwards will be the new assistant manager. The City had most of their guards from last year returning, so we are only planning to hire 2 or 3 new guards. McKenzie Lewis will teach the lifeguard class in Grangeville the first weekend in June for those needing certification. The tentative opening date is June 9th.
COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday to accept the Council Subcommittee Minutes of April 21, 2021 as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
DE-ANNEXATION REQUEST: Mayor Lester asked the Council if they were ready to make a decision or if there were any questions. On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Lane motion to deny the de-annexation request by Raj Chahal.
Raj questioned the reason to deny his request. Councilor Grant stated for all the reasons discussed in detail last meeting. He then asked what he could do with the property. Attorney Green stated at this time he is in the subdivision process so he can’t sell any property. His options are to comply with the subdivision process or to request a variance to the subdivision rules for whatever variance he wants to request. Raj asked Mager if the City could serve his development. Mager answered yes to water and sewer.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
LOWER SNAKE RIVER DAMS: Mayor Lester received a letter from the Port of Lewiston, asking the City to consider adding our name to the drafted letter to Congressman Simpson opposing his concept to breach the lower Snake River Dams. Councilor Lane felt a good point was made in the letter. If the river is not utilized, roads will see a dramatic increase in use to transport product and they are already busy. Councilor Grant stated the road from the prairie to Lewiston already has a ton of traffic. If barge use on the river is removed, the roads could be like that all the way to the coast. Councilor Winkler stated Bennett lumber receives a ton of logs on the barge too and he would like to add our name to the list.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Peterson to add City of Grangeville to the letter drafted by the Port of Lewiston against breaching the dams. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Spring Clean Up Week, May 10-14, 2021
The meeting adjourned at 6:11 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
