City Council met in regular session on April 1, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Dylan Canaday
Scott Winkler
Jared Andrews
Wyatt Perry
Amy Farris
Beryl Grant
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of March 18th were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Brandon Steely-Johnson, Inland North Waste and Clearwater Composting was present to introduce himself as general manager and to provide a little information on their company. They are a 3rd generation business and recently were approved as a CDL school for their employees if they commit to 6 months on board. The City currently contracts with Clearwater Composting to take the WWTP’s biosolids. Last year, they took 200 tons of biosolids from the plant which after adding additional material created 600 yards of compost. As part of the contract, the city can receive 250 yards of compost free. The city currently doesn’t use the compost; however the city could choose to pass that on to the citizens of Grangeville if they want to pick it up in Lewiston. Public Works Director Mager stated they have been a great partner during the 5-6 years we’ve been contracting with them. Brandon will work with City Administrator Kennedy to outline some options for those city citizens interested in picking up some of the free compost.
Cathy Wassmuth, Grangeville Horizon’s committee thought a meandering sidewalk through Pioneer Park was already approved since it was mentioned during previous pavilion discussions. The Horizon’s committee would like to install a 6’ sidewalk starting at the northeast corner of Pioneer Park that would meander across the park and connect to the pavilion. They want to add lighted arches during winter magic that will be removed when the decorations come down, not like Locomotive Park in Lewiston where the arches remain year-round. The holes will be capped to keep out debris. The bricks from downtown would be embedded in concrete along the edges of the sidewalk. They would like to possibly get bricks engraved and sell them as a fundraiser.
Councilor Winkler asked if she had a map. Cathy passed around a hand drawn map for the council to view. Councilor Grant stated Pioneer Park is different; Locomotive Park is only used for Winter Spirit. Pioneer Park is used for a variety of things, including volleyball, soccer, frisbee, baseball and kids running and playing. She is worried a sidewalk would interfere with those using the park. She didn’t feel a sidewalk is needed in the middle of the park.
Cathy stated they wanted to make it level so it will be easy to mow over. There was discussion that in the winter the sidewalk would have to be plowed and there were concerns with how long the concrete will last when using ice melt. Councilor Winkler asked what the distances are from the proposed sidewalk to the backstop. Cathy stated she would get it and report back. Councilor Perry hadn’t thought about what the park is used for. He’s not opposed, but the location would need to be right for him to like the idea. Cathy felt a sidewalk would enhance the park.
Mager stated their crew would need to plow it from November when the lights go up until the lights are turned out in January. It would also require conduit. The bricks don’t hold up to deicer as they are a softer material. Mager questioned where the group plans to store the hoops. He explained the existing picnic tables are poured on concrete slabs and they end up getting sod in so the sidewalk will do the same and not be level.
Mayor Lester question how the ice melt will affect the grass. Mager stated the city uses 5-6 pallets of ice melt when we have a snow year. A 6’ sidewalk 100’ long could potentially use 2-3 50# bags/day. They plow with the 4-wheeler so there would most likely be a berm on both sides of the sidewalk. It would probably take about 30 minutes each time they plow and sand the sidewalk and how many times/day will vary depending on snowstorms. Councilor Grant felt it would be a logistical nightmare for the city.
Councilor Farris would like to see the pavilion built before any decision is made on a meandering sidewalk to the pavilion. After the pavilion is built, she would be willing to discuss it at that time. Cathy will bring the measurements back to next meeting.
Carly Decker, Grangeville Farmer’s Market requested permission to use Pioneer Park for the Farmer’s Market again in 2024. The park has worked great; last year they had over 30 vendors. Public Works Director Mager stated he had no complaints or issues. Councilor Grant has heard nothing but good comments. The market has had good variety. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Grant to allow the Farmer’s Market to use Pioneer Park for the Farmer’s Market June 22 – October 5, 2024 (excluding July 6) from 7:30 am – 2:00 pm to allow setup and take down. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Carly Decker asked permission to hold her 2024 kids yoga camp at Pioneer Park again. She has submitted a certificate of insurance naming the city as additional insurance. She had about 10 kids last year and she hopes it grows this year. She does yoga poses and nature crafts. Last year they used a grassy area under the trees. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Grant to allow Carly Decker to hold a kids yoga camp in Pioneer Park July 12, 19 and 26 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
TRAFFIC STUDY – INTERSECTION OF W NORTH 7TH AND N STATE STREETS: Chief Newman provided a written traffic survey to the Council with a recommendation based upon traffic volume to place stop signs on W North 7th Street for both east and west bound traffic at its intersection with N State Street. He did not feel it was appropriate to create a four way stop. There is 3 times the amount of traffic on State Street as W North 7th Street. Councilor Andrews agreed a 4-way stop would not be a good. City Administrator Kennedy provided additional information from the report: there is a total of 6 crashes at the intersection in 10 years with 5 investigated by Grangeville police with only the 2024 crash being investigated by the Idaho State Police. Approximately 99% of the vehicles traveling on W North 7th were traveling at or below the posted 25 MPH speed limit and approximately 93% of the vehicles on N State were travelling at or below the posted 25 MPH speed limit. There were 1900 vehicles on W North 7th and 5814 vehicles on N State during the survey period. Mayor Lester asked if they are doing patrol on N State as there were some high speeds during the survey. Chief Newman stated Sgt. Quintal has a location on N State that he monitors traffic on most of his shifts. Sometimes, drivers try to speed up when a traffic trailer is out to get a “high speed” on the display. When traffic studies are conducted, the display is not active.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to follow the chief’s recommendation to place stop signs on W North 7th for east and west bound traffic, at the intersection of W North 7th and N State. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Andrews. NO: Perry. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
CATERING PERMIT: On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Perry to approve the catering permit submitted by the Rib Guy and Gal for the Pilant benefit at the Eagles Lodge, 218 N C, on May 18, 2024 from 5pm – 11pm. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
