City Council met in regular session on December 1, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Jared Andrews
Wyatt Perry
Amy Farris
Beryl Grant
Dylan Canaday
City employees present were Chief Newman, City Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup. Public Works Director Mager absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of November 17th were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Sherry Brannan stated her son had a trailer house on her property with an address of 155 Grangeville Truck Rte. B and they paid to have a second meter installed. The son moved but her daughter Morgan plans to move a manufactured house onto the property in a couple months. She asked for relief on the bill while it isn’t hooked up to a home. Because she is out of city, she pays double rates which are a little over $200/month. Mayor Lester stated in March of 2021, the council adopted an ordinance to require a base monthly bill when the water is turned off. City Administrator Kennedy stated at this time there isn’t a variance option in the ordinance that allows for relief. The council could amend the ordinance. Councilor Grant felt the ordinance should stay the same as the water could be turned on at any time and available to the property. Councilor Canaday stated even if the council does amend the ordinance to allow for a variance option, the total process could still take 2-7 months. No additional action was taken.
MaeLena Dalling of the Pioneer Park playground group returned to update the council on the warranty for the proposed signs. Through Landscape Structures, the sign has a 15-year limited warranty while any other company she called said 5 years or less. The sign can be double sided and range in size from a medium sign at 21.5” x 32.75” to an extra-large sign at 51.25” x 37”. The size purchased would be dependent on the number of donations received. They would like to leave the sign up for a minimum of 5 years. The front of the sign would have Pioneer Park and possibly an established date and the back of the sign would list donor names. The committee has decided anyone who donates $1,000 or more, would have their name on the sign. The bark for the project is being donated so any additional funds could be left with the city to use toward maintenance on the signs or playground. The committee decided to repurpose the original benches and just use those.
Councilor Grant asked if they had a deadline for donations. Liza Wilson stated they don’t have one as it depends on what grants they receive. The first fundraiser will be at the craft fair this weekend. Mayor Lester further explained the concern is how long it may take to raise the money. The pavilion took 6-7 years and had many changes. He asked if they have a plan of action of where the money goes if the playground group can’t get enough funding. MaeLena stated there are specific grants for community parks that will hopefully allow this to go through more quickly than the pavilion. They hope to raise the money within two years as many of the grant application deadlines are throughout this next year.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Perry to allow the sign with donors on the back in the playground area and to allow the group to adjust the size of the sign based on the number of donors. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to accept the Fire Minutes of 10/13/25 and 10/27/25. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AREA OF IMPACT MAP CHANGES: Administrator Kennedy and Mayor Lester attended an Idaho County Commissioner meeting last Tuesday to discuss the area of impact map. A mill representative came to a county meeting and said they didn’t want to be in the area of impact so the County wants the mill removed. The county is willing to include other properties the city plans to annex in 5 years; however if the city can’t service the properties or doesn’t plan to annex them, they want the area of impact line moved to the city limit line. The challenge between the city and county is that the county has minimal rules and the city has rules with orderly development and planning in mind. If the area of impact line moves to the city limit line, development could occur in that area that would block the extension of existing roads and utility lines. The revenue impact with annexation was discussed. Depending on accessed value, the property tax collected on annexation could be less than the amount collected for water and sewer at the outside city rate. Annexation could affect general, water and sewer funds.
Administrator Kennedy and Public Works Director Mager need to review all existing out of city properties connected to city utilities to determine if the city should include them in the area of impact for annexation. Chief Perry asked that fire flow and fire hydrant placement be considered when reviewing the properties. A revised map will be submitted at a future council meeting.
COUNCIL DATES 2026: On motion by Councilor Perry, second by Councilor Farris to adopt the 2026 Council meeting dates. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
FIRE CHANGES – FIRE COST RECOVERY ORDINANCE: Attorney Jessup stated he chose to amend the current ordinance on fire billing to allow billing for fire department response for motor vehicle accidents, traffic control, hazardous materials and mutual aid for fires on real property outside the city limits. Discussion included billing for only what it costs the city and adjusting the current ordinance to include Idaho Department of Land equipment rates, not just FEMA rates. Mutual aid was discussed and how it fits in with the proposed ordinance as Chief Perry, Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup have been working on a mutual aid agreement with Syringa Hospital and Rural Fire which will be presented at a future meeting. This agreement prevents the three parties from billing each other; however it would not prevent the city from sending a bill to the owner of real property for actual firefighting costs. Attorney Jessup will review the ordinance, meet with Chief Perry and make changes as discussed, for a future meeting.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Attorney Jessup stated the Johnson/Wells property sold at a tax sale due to the taxes not being paid. A lawsuit was never filed as the property went up for auction. The new buyer, Hada Wiltse, is working on getting the property cleaned up and possibly buying the trailer.
The meeting adjourned at 7:19 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
