The City Council met in regular session on April 5, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Georgia DeHaas
Wes Lester
Councilmember absent:
Rob Bentley
City employees present were Chief Quantz, Attorney Green, Public Works Director Gortsema and Clerk Kennedy.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the March 21st meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Laura Quantz, event chair for Grangeville Relay for Life was present to thank the City for being a corporate sponsor and to invite everyone to attend the event.
Kim Thompson, rural advocate for YWCA for Idaho and Lewis Counties, was present asking for permission to hang aqua ribbons on the light posts on Main Street for Sexual Assault Awareness during the month of April. She will take them down at the end of the month. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Houger to allow Kim Thompson to hang aqua ribbons on the light posts on Main Street for Sexual Assault Awareness during the month of April. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Karen Cox with Animal Ark submitted a proposal and would like to see where Animal Ark stands and if the agreement is approved. Mayor Walker explained that at the last meeting a motion was made to have Chief Quantz get together with Animal Ark to negotiate a $25.00 fee per animal. Chief Quantz stated that the fee did not get negotiated. Mayor Walker explained to a room full of citizens that he is not going to have a bunch of people upset or let the Chief get the blame. This problem has escalated through electronic media and a lack of communication. The City is not proposing anything different except a $25.00 fee, with the majority of the animals still going to Animal Ark. The other options are available if Animal Ark can’t place the animal.
Karen Cox stated that every other group like theirs works under an agreement with the City. Chief Quantz explained that if Animal Ark is full and can’t place the animal, the City would like the option to have other agencies available. Dori Dixon has been involved with Animal Ark for 22 years. The contract has not always been signed on time but it was never changed. They spay/neuter dogs and cats, give shots and would like two things in the contract 1. If someone is incarcerated, then the animal goes to the pound. When the animal gets out, the owner would then pay the costs. 2. If an animal is hurt, then it would be taken direct to Dr. Neimi. Dori stated she felt the reason Animal Ark is present is that the pound is not kept clean. It isn’t cleaned with purex and kept sterile. Mayor Walker felt it was unfair to talk about the condition of the pound when the ordinance officer wasn’t here to talk about it and the City thought Animal Ark was coming to talk about the contract. Animal Ark would like to continue working with the City. Mayor Walker stated there are things in the agreement that need to be reviewed. The City wants to retain the ability to place a dog/cat through another shelter if the City needs to. Is the $25.00 per animal acceptable to Animal Ark? Animal Ark responded yes, but only if they have a written agreement. Mayor Walker would like the Council to agree to a non-exclusive contractive that would allow the City to use other shelters when needed. He appointed Councilmembers DeHaas, Houger and Peterson, Animal Ark representatives, Karen Cox, Mary Ann Davidson and Dori Dixon to work with Chief Quantz to negotiate an agreement. In the meantime it’s status quo. Mayor Walker then stated the Council and citizens are in support of Animal Ark and appreciate everything they do. Councilwoman DeHaas will set a time and date for the committee to meet. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the Mayor’s committee for the Animal Ark agreement renewal. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department had 74 cases written, 17 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony arrests, 5 criminal traffic arrests, 17 traffic infractions, 5 non traffic warning, 1511 service activities, 12 dogs and 1 cat handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for March 2011 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PRITCHETT PARKING REQUEST: Mayor Walker had requested the Council to review the Pritchett’s parking request prior to this meeting. Councilman Lester looked at that address along with others and he wasn’t sure why the ordinance is in the book. There are quite a few businesses that don’t comply and he felt maybe that section should get deleted. Councilwoman DeHaas made a motion to eliminate that section of the code. The motion was then withdrawn by Councilwoman DeHaas. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to allow the Pritchett’s to park perpendicular to the right of way at 317 Nezperce Street. Motion carried, Councilwoman DeHaas voting no. Councilman Lester asked Attorney Green to look at that section and see if there is a way it can be reworded.
BUDGET HEARING 2011-12: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to set September 6, 2011 as the budget hearing for 2011-12 budget. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CHAMBER DONATION REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the request of the Chamber for the budgeted $3,000.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger that an indefinite sidewalk waiver be granted to Tony Nunnally at 309 Hill Street as there are no other sidewalks in that area. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BANNER REQUEST: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Houger to allow The Hope Pregnancy and Life Skills Center to hang a banner for the Walk for Life from April 20th – May 9th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ERNIE’S STEAKHOUSE LIQUOR LICENSE: Because the steakhouse burned down, Becky Robinson is opening a Ernie’s Man Cave at 318 East Main in order to keep her liquor license. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to approve the liquor application submitted by Ernie’s Steakhouse LLC d/b/a Ernie’s Steakhouse & 41 Club pending State approval. Attorney Green explained about the state statute prohibiting a liquor license within 300’ of a public school or church or place of worship unless approved by the governing body of the municipality worship (it is approximately 280’). Green spoke with George Casteel, with the church, to let him know if he had objections he could come to the meeting. Mr. Casteel felt it was a City issue and the City should deal with it. The above motion would also approve the location within 300’ of a place of worship. Mayor Walker asked for public comment prior to the vote. No comments were made. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
DONATION REQUEST: Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to donate two daily pool passes for door prizes for the Walk for Life Rally. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE:
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
