The City Council met in regular session on August 16, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Michael Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Georgia DeHaas
Councilmembers absent:
Wes Lester
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Quantz, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the August 2nd and August 4th meetings were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AGENDA AMENDMENT: Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Houger to amend the agenda to include discussion on the Wastewater Plant phosphorus project. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Tera King, Northwest Management was present to discuss a proposed timber sale on the watershed. Northwest Management and Public Works Director Gortsema walked through the area on the watershed around the 4th of July. Northwest Management talked to Clearwater Paper to see if there would be an opportunity to chip the dead standing and fallen trees but it is not economically feasible. If prices were to come up to $40/ton then maybe it would work.
The second option is a timber sale. The time frame would take about 2.5 months for the harvest, and they would need a road use agreement with Prairie Land and Timber. They could start the project in the fall and/or winter, depending on the weather.
Jerry Zumalt with Idaho County explained that the County received a three month extension on the fuel break grant that was going to expire in August. They could start that project right away with a local contractor and have it done with a hand crew.
The Council decided to leave the project in Northwest Management’s hands to move forward with a harvest this fall or next summer.
Justin Wilson of TD&H Engineering provided an update on the services TD&H can provide.
Cristy Facey with the Grangeville Christian Church requested permission to close West South 1st Street for their fall round up. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to close West South 1st Street from Idaho Avenue to A Street for their round up on September 12th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilwoman DeHaas updated the Council on the ADA Committee meeting and their recommendations. One concern that was voiced was making sure businesses that are remodeling follow ADA requirements. The committee also suggested painting yellow stripes in front of the curb cuts at the City Park on South First Street and the Elementary School on Court Street and were accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Houger to approve Pay Request #3 for the sewer project in the amount of $56,939.86. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $289,600.60 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilwoman DeHaas. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SURPLUS: Chief Quantz asked to surplus a fully automatic assault rifle with a value between $5,000-$6,000 and the 2004 Chevy Impala, valued about $5,700. The department has no need for the rifle and the buyer must have class three federal fire arms license. The Chief has been in contact with Peck Guns and is looking at options of a cash sale or an offset with trading for other items the police department may need. The Chief also asked the Council to suspend the regular surplus regulations for the rifle as qualified buyers are limited. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to surplus the 2004 Chevy Impala as per the surplus resolution and authorize the Chief to sell the automatic rifle as discussed. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
WASTEWATER PLANT PHOSPHORUS PROJECT DISCUSSION: Public Works Director Gortsema and Bob Klecha met with J-U-B and members of the design team and came up with three options that the City needed to consider and then decide upon for the Wastewater Plant Project.
Choice 1: Bid and build the project. It would be ready to advertise in October and would assume a January start date. There could be a problem with weather and there would be less than a 25% chance of being in operation by July 2011.
Choice 2: Use multiple contracts for the project. Bid the project in mid-September for underground utility and contract work. While this was happening, work with equipment contractors. This would be the best chance of being operational by July 2011 at a 50% chance.
Choice 3: Work toward purchasing filter equipment and then build around it. It would be a similar timeframe as Option 1 but it would be hard to competitively bid with USDA funds.
Mayor Walker commented that the City wants the project done as soon as possible.
COUNCIL MEETING CHANGE: On motion by Councilman Bentley, second by Councilman Peterson to move the September 6th meeting to Tuesday September 7th due to Labor Day. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE: The 2010-11 budget hearing is September 7, 2010.
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
