City Council met in regular session on August 5, 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, Chief Newman, Public Works Director Mager, and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of July 15th and 18th were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Vickie Nostrant introduced herself as a candidate for District 7A House of Representatives and provided information on her platform.
Melissa Lane and Angie Green along with other swim team board members were present asking the Council to reconsider allowing them to store their swim meet items at the pool. They have been storing items since 1983 and have been a feeder program for lifeguards and managers over the years. Eight of the twelve current lifeguards and the manager are all swim team alumni. The items they store in the basement fit in a 3.5’x8’ area and consist of 6 folding tables, 12 folding chairs and 10 easy-up canopies.
Mayor Lester stated everyone understands where they are coming from and it’s all for the City. All organizations that have been asked to move are doing things for the City whether swim team, Horizons or the Chamber. Melissa stated they feel swim team is different than the other organizations because they actually support the pool. They have helped purchase the lane lines, benches, kickboards for lessons, first aid kits and sunscreen for the employees.
Public Works Director Mager stated everyone feels they take up less space when it’s someone else’s footprint. Years ago, the city stored our lawnmowers, blades and other supplies at the pool. Now the weed sprayers are being stored at the shop and other equipment is at the WWTP because there isn’t space for the city equipment and supplies in the basement. He is running out of room for city owned items. After talking to our insurance agent, if things are damaged, lost or stolen, the city is responsible for them. Councilor Perry asked if a liability waiver could be signed to hold the city harmless? Attorney Jessup stated yes. Perry felt if it’s for the pool it makes sense to store it. Councilor Grant felt the Council was forgetting Bob needs room for city equipment. Councilor Winkler felt it was a slippery slope to make an exception for one entity as then the others will be in to request the same. Councilor Farris said other people are using the storage but how many contribute to the pool? Swim team directly contributes to the pool and they reduce some expenses of the pool. Councilor Perry said he has no problem saying yes to some and no to others. Councilor Winkler would like to take a tour of the basement before making a decision. Councilor Perry asked swim team what their plan B is for their items. Melissa responded they don’t have an official plan, but will ask friends and try to find a spot. Liza Wilson stated she cleaned out her garage to hold the triathlon things and is fine taking it on because she doesn’t give back to the pool like swim team.
The Council set a pool tour on August 19th at 5pm at the pool.
Chris Wagner was present asking the City to support his request for a new driveway access off Main Street from Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for the empty lots on Main (Halls 2nd, Block F, Lots 9, 10, 11), between the Les Schwab truck center and 515 E Main Street. Les Schwab is interested in 30’-40’ of lot 9 adjacent to the truck center to store trucks and may be interested in all the lots; however Chris has someone also interested in building a new building to house a salon. He’d like to have another business in the city and he would like council support/endorsement in applying for an approach in the center of lots 10 and 11. Chris wants to get an approach approved by ITD but plans to let whomever buys it to do the install.
Public Works Director Mager talked to Shane Niemela at ITD. It was denied because there is an alley on the north side of the lots, so there is access. Mager then met with Justin at the ITD maintenance shop to talk it over onsite. Mager explained if they only rely on the existing approach at 515 E Main, if ownership changes there could be a dispute over access. From a fire standpoint, without an access from Main, the fire truck will set up in the traffic lane of Main Street to fight the fire using the hydrants along Main. Based upon Mager’s discussion with Justin, ITD may consider approval with an endorsement letter from the City.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to write a letter of endorsement to ITD for a driveway access off Highway 13. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Gina Sobrero provided a quarterly Library update. For Art in the Park they had 36 vendors and raised $975 from the used book sale. They had 220 kids sign up for summer reading.
On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to accept the Library minutes of July 18, 2024. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Mayor Lester would like to appoint Sandra Aiken to fill the vacant library term. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Perry to accept the appointment of Sandra Aiken to fill the remainder of Stacy Stone’s library board term, expiring 12/31/25. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the City had 103 calls for service and 24 reports taken for June 2024. His department has had occasional issues with homeless folks coming through Grangeville and they may sleep on sidewalks or camp in town. Currently they talk to people and try to figure out where they are going and help them move on, whether it is a bus ticket or other option. Attorney Jessup stated there is a recent supreme court ruling that allows for a no camping rule. Chief Newman asked if the Council would like to consider this on an upcoming agenda. Councilor Winkler felt this would be a good option to consider, especially with the issues in Lewiston and Clarkston when nothing was in place. David Rauzi mentioned the City of Cottonwood has been discussing this topic the last several meetings. Councilor Grant asked if travelers aid still available; Chief Newman stated yes, they are directed to dispatch.
FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to accept the Fire Minutes of 5/29, 6/10 and 6/24, 2024. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PLANNING AND ZONING: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of July 23, 2024. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Mayor Lester asked if staff had received complaints about the school. Chief Newman stated he has received calls from the school to monitor traffic, just like other schools in town request but no complaints. Administrator Kennedy’s office has not received any complaints. Councilor Perry asked about parking for high school students. A portion of the Planning and Zoning minutes on parking was read to the Council, which addressed the concerns. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Perry to approve the conditional use application submitted by Grangeville Church of the Nazarene, 515 W North 2nd Street to add 9th – 12th grade classes at Cornerstone Christian Learning Center located in a residential zone. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
POLICE SURPLUS VEHICLES: Chief Newman recommended moving forward with publicsurplus.com to auction the 2 tahoes and ram pickup declared surplus last fall. Administrator Kennedy stated if no one has an issue, then we’ll move forward as it isn’t an exception to surplus policy.
PAVILION BIDS: City Administrator stated the bids for the pavilion came in higher than expected. Grangeville Arts is working to collect additional donations to cover the difference. Kennedy asked the council to award the project to Whitewater Construction pending receipt of additional funds to cover the cost of the project. On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Perry to award the Pioneer Park Pavilion project to Whitewater Construction pending the receipt of additional funds to cover the entire cost of the project. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
CATERING PERMIT: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Grant to approve the catering permit for Idaho County Veteran’s Center to cater the ARF dinner on August 8, 2024 from 4pm – 9pm at the Senior Citizen’s Center. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
2024-2025 TENTATIVE BUDGET: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to approve the 2024-2025 Tentative Budget. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SORENSEN WELL VARIANCE: Public Works Director Mager explained Don Sorensen’s property has been on city water for decades and the water line is an old 2” galvanized line that runs from Sorensen’s property to the main line on Dawn Drive. Over the years, Mr. Sorensen has fixed the line when it had leaks; but when the line had a leak this spring, he couldn’t find the leak. Mr. Sorensen spent a couple months trying to find the leak without success and the morning of July 25th the line blew open and the water was shut off at the meter. It was determined a retaining wall was built on top the water service line. In order to repair the line, it would require an easement from the neighboring property. During the time Mr. Sorensen had the leak and couldn’t find it, he rehabilitated an old well on the property and was prepared to hook up. City staff relayed he couldn’t have a well in the area of impact without a variance from the County. Mr. Sorensen applied for a variance from the county and per the joint agreement the City needs to provide an advisory opinion.
Mager explained the state plumbing code doesn’t like services running through other people’s property and they want recorded easements for those types of services. The Blewett subdivision has the lowest pressures in the area and the City is on the border of meeting the DEQ requirements in that area. They could put in a backflow and they would also need to get an easement agreement from a different neighbor. Mager recommend decommissioning the line and recommending letting him use the well. If the City ever gets a new main line up for Kaschmitter’s subdivision, they could ask to connect at that time. This service was a shared service for Dave George and Donald Sorensen. Discussion occurred asking if the city could require them to hook up to city water if a new water main was run close to their property. Attorney Jessup stated the city has no power to make them connect because they aren’t in the city.
On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Winkler to recommend to allow a variance for Don Sorensen to reactivate the well and deactivate their city services. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed. Councilor Winkler asked if Mager would dig up and remove the service. Mager stated once approved by the county, yes.
ITEMS TO NOTE: 2024-25 Budget Hearing – September 3, 2024
Mayor Lester stated he’d like to have a mountain tour in September with Northwest Management. September 28, 2024 worked best for the Council.
The meeting adjourned at 7:27 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
