City Council met in regular session on August 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, Public Works Director Mager and Attorney Green. Chief Newman absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of August 2nd were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager stated they’ve been working on the curb and gutter project by Northwest Insurance. They will be starting patching again soon. They patched by Sts. Peter and Paul parking lot. The 240’ of sewer main was installed off E South 6th Street. The alley on Mill Street is getting entrances put and they continue to install some water services before they start to work on sewer services soon. The storm drain by on Hall Street is completed.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: The department had 111 calls for service and 25 cases written for July 2021.
FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Lane to accept the Fire Minutes of July 12, 2021. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUEST NONA DONALDSON, 810 N JUNCTION: Councilor Canaday felt it was too much fill work to put in the sidewalk. Councilor Grant stated Donaldson has worked on developing the ditch and felt the sidewalk would have to go in way too close to the house to make it work. There is no purpose to have a sidewalk there. Farris and Winkler agreed.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to approve the indefinite curb, gutter and sidewalk request for Nona Donaldson, 810 N Junction. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
BILLS: The bills, in the amount of $355,059.73 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SURPLUS: Assistant Chief Perry and Chief Mager went through the SCBA’s and found the best 5 packs that could be utilized. These packs function; you can’t get parts but they are usable to fight fire with at this time. It is suggested to donate the 5 good packs. They still have a few more they need to go through. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to declare surplus 5 SCBAQ packs, including 10 bottles, and to donate the packs to Elk City volunteer fire. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
ANNEXATION REQUEST FROM RAJ CHAHAL: This property is about 30 acres in the area of impact on the southwestern side of the City and is contiguous to the city limits. Raj Chahal has submitted a request for annexation as right now he can only sell the remaining 30 acres as one piece and he would like to split it into more pieces. Current code states if a property in the area of impact will trigger the subdivision ordinance, then the owner needs to annex and follow the City’s subdivision rules. If the City denies annexation, Raj would like to proceed with splitting the property based upon Council rules. Mayor Lester is concerned about access to the property. Attorney Green stated Raj did reserve an easement across the residential piece in the City at Elk Street extended. Mayor Lester asked who would be responsible to develop the road. Attorney Green stated because it’s an easement that is not a public right of way, a future owner could put down gravel for the road and it would be private. There is a metes and bounds description for the easement. Councilor Peterson asked if the City has enough water and sewer to allow infrastructure and development to go over there. Mager stated on water yes. The water master study was developed to Fish Hatchery Road so it’s supposed to be ok. The sewer will require more engineering and Mager didn’t know if the City has had a scenario run on that. Mayor Lester stated if the City denies annexation, the City is basically telling the County we don’t want the property. The main difference is if annexed he would follow city rules, otherwise he would follow county rules. Councilor Farris asked if people could still request annexation if the property is split. They could, but only if the property is contiguous. Mayor Lester stated until the City piece gets developed, it would be highly unlikely if someone outside the city would get services. It’s a long way to get services without a plan. Councilor Winkler stated he was not ready to make a decision on it yet and he would like to think and research a bit more. Councilor Grant asked what the pros and cons are to have him in the city. Attorney Green stated the question is do you want to control this property? If the property is put under County rules, you have no control. Mager stated the property is isolated and not located next to any infrastructure. If someone wants to put in a line to the property, do you allow them to install a service line just for their house or do they need to plan for an unknown future. Mayor Lester felt the only option might be to deny annexation and see what happens. Councilor Canaday is concerned and doesn’t think the City can provide services such as fire or garbage to that property. Councilor Farris stated there are so many people moving to the area and the City is running out of lots. She felt he could have had talked to investors but he’s not talking to the right people. She is worried the City shouldn’t let it go of the property because we may need it in the future. The City will discuss and make a decision next meeting.
WATER BOND ORDINANCE:
ORDINANCE NO. 950
(Ordinance No. 950 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WATER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO; CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY THE QUESTION OF INCURRING AN INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUING REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,400,000 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF; ESTABLISHING THE DATE AND TIME OF ELECTION; APPROVING A FORM OF BALLOT AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL BOND ELECTION; PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION OF VOTERS; PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant 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 and publish by summary. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 950 duly approved and adopted.
SEWER BOND ORDINANCE:
ORDINANCE NO. 951
(Ordinance No. 951 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO; CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY THE QUESTION OF INCURRING AN INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUING REVENUE BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,400,000 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF; ESTABLISHING THE DATE AND TIME OF ELECTION; APPROVING A FORM OF BALLOT AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL BOND ELECTION; PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION OF VOTERS; PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Lane 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 and publish by summary. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 951 duly approved and adopted.
CALCULATION OF WATER AND SEWER BOND FEES ON FUTURE BONDS: Kennedy explained there was discussion over the last year or so that our new bond fees would be charged by calculated ER. As the City is getting closer to the bond election, she wanted to make sure the Council were all on the same page in how the future bonds would be charged. Councilor Grant felt this was hashed out thoroughly at previous council meetings. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Canaday to charge future bond fees based upon a calculated ER. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. The motion passed.
ITEMS TO NOTE: 2021-22 Budget Hearing: September 7, 2021, 6pm in the Council Chambers.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
