The City Council met in regular session on April 20, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Michael Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Wes Lester
Linda Aiken
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Chief Sedam, Public Works Director Gortsema, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the April 6th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING: The hearing was opened on the proposed new fees of a $25.00 hang tag notice and a $25.00 return check fee. No written comments were submitted. Pat Webb felt $25.00 was too much for a return check fee. After no further comments the hearing was closed at 7:35 p.m.
VISITORS: Kathy Hedberg of Muddy Buddies Jr. Master Gardner 4-H Club brought her club members to the meeting to celebrate Idaho County 4-H week and Earth Week. The club members each introduced themselves and then presented the Council with a plant.
Terra Hill with the Horizons Recreation Committee asked for permission to close South State Street from Main to South Street for the Farmers Market on September 12th from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and to use Heritage Square for a 3 on 3 basketball tournament for the day. The Farmers Market was willing to move to South State Street so the basketball tournament could be held in Heritage Square where it is safer. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to grant the Horizons Recreation Committee the use of Heritage Square on September 12th for the 3 on 3 basketball tournament and to close South State between Main and South Street from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Grangeville Farmers Market. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
MaryAnn Davidson found out this morning that no dust abatement was budgeted in the City. After she spoke with Mayor Walker she talked with Pat Web and Ima Wikoff about the 800 block of North Hall from the Armory to Mountain View Trailer Park. She understands there are others streets affected, but she is specifically concerned about this block. She has asked Public Works Director Gortsema for an estimate from Poe for paving; understanding it is the best long term choice, but probably not economically feasible. The other option is to have home owners pay to have dust abatement applied. After much discussion on how the City could help, it was determine that an article could be put in the paper explaining that dust abatement was removed from the budget and if a homeowner is interested they should call the City. The City will keep track of names and each gravel street should have a block chairman as a coordinator. Then the City will work with the contractor to schedule the work at the owners expense.
Kathy Parsells couldn’t make the meeting but submitted a written request to extend her 5 year agreement to locate a temporary soft material garage at her property at 1109 South Hall. On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester to renew the agreement with Kathy Parsells to have a temporary garage for another five years. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. 850
(Ordinance No. 850 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FEES PERTAINING TO WARNINGS AND WATER SHUT-OFF IN THE EVENT OF NONPAYMENT OF UTILITY CHARGES; PROVIDING A LATE CHARGE FOR PAYMENTS NOT TIMELY MADE; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF SECTIONS 8-5-7 AND REPEALING 8-5-9(C) OF THE CITY CODE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE RELATING TO SHUT OFF FOR DELINQUENCY AND NOTICE, AND RECONNECTION DEPOSIT; PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester 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: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Aiken, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 850 duly approved and adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 213
(Resolution No. 213 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)
The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Lester who moved for its adoption. Second by Councilman Lorentz.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE ESTABLISHING A RETURN CHECK FEE
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Aiken, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Resolution No. 213 duly approved and adopted.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $341,228.94 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CALL FOR 2009 SEWER PROJECT CONSTRUCTION BIDS: Public Works Director Gortsema explained the process and dates for the sewer project and asked for the Council to call for bids. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to call for sewer project bids as budgeted. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
JOIN IDWARN NETWORK: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the network consists of an agreement that covers reimbursements, workers compensation, payment and any other item that might be addressed and there is no fee to join. This network is for Cities or utility entities that may have water and sewer equipment that may be available if another entity has an emergency. IDWARN serves as a single location in which an entity could call if they are looking for a specific type of equipment versus calling all over to various entities during an emergency to find the equipment. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to join IDWARN network. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
WATER AND SEWER POLICIES: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to adopt the revised water and sewer connection policies. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CHIP SEAL BID: Poe Asphalt supplied a chip seal bid at $1.97 per square yard. Gortsema explained that with the bid the City would be under budget, so the City may look at adding a few more streets. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to accept the Poe Asphalt bid at $1.97 per square yard for a total bid of $124,110.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
REVENUE PROJECTED DECREASES: Clerk Kennedy reviewed the projected revenue decreases that were made in April from AIC. It is projected that the City revenues for Revenue Sharing, Sales Tax and Highway Users will be short another $12,448.00 for a total decrease since February of $23,710.00. The department heads have met and chosen to decrease spending or cut items in the following funds as follows to reduce total spending by $23,710.00.
General Fund: police department fuel and City Hall color laser
Street Fund: truck route study, unexpended snow funds
Library Fund: supplies and as a last resort books
Recreation Fund: tree trimming
BANNER REQUEST: The City received a request from Syringa Hospital to place a banner at the A Street location advertising the Cardio Fitness Fair on May 16th. Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to grant the request. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
