City Council met in regular session on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester:
Councilmembers present:
Wyatt Perry
Jared Andrew
Dylan Canaday
Scott Winkler
Amy Farris
Beryl Grant
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Chief Newman, Attorney Jessup and Public Works Director Mager.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of December 1st were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Snowhaven is waiting for snow as they lost most of it with the warm weather. They had their employee meeting on Saturday but they still need lift operators to open. The new fees on invoice cloud online billing took effect today.
• PUBLIC WORKS: Public Works Director Mager stated trucks are ready for snow. They finished sweeping for the year. They have been trimming willow trees, working on ditches and finished the gravel road maintenance. Huber went through the press at the WWTP so it’s rebuilt and should be good for 3-5 years. Jim Lund was hired for the plant. He is a class III operator and starts January 5th. The vacant public works position from when Bob became director has been filled by Jonathon Phipps. PumpTech will move up to Spencer well when down with Clearwater well.
• CLEARWATER WELL UPDATE: Public Works Director Mager stated PumpTech broke down last week, so now they will mob today to Grangeville and start finishing the pump tomorrow. Then electrical will finish up. If everything goes well, we could be pumping water at end of the week for the testing.
FIRE COST RECOVERY CHANGES AND ORDINANCE: Attorney Jessup modified the ordinance to include FEMA and IDL fees in the fee schedule section, outlined personnel costs are based on hourly wages plus benefits and consumable supplies and materials and specialized equipment are charged at actual cost.
ORDINANCE NO. 988
(Ordinance No. 988 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO, AMENDING SECTION 3-2-6 OF THE GRANGEVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE TO EXPAND THE AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES TO INCLUDE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, TRAFFIC CONTROL, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE, AND MUTUAL AID FOR FIRES ON REAL PROPERTY OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Winkler 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: Farris, Winkler, Canaday, Andrews, Grant, Perry. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 988 duly approved and adopted.
BILLS: The bills in total amount of $395,119.57 (Financials $297,566.85 November Payroll $97,552.72) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SURPLUS: Public Works Director Mager asked to surplus the 2008 Chevy Colorado pickup VIN#1GCDT19E488165446 Ken Gortsema used to drive. It has low miles but it isn’t being used. On motion by Councilor Andrew, second by Councilor Farris to surplus the 2008 Chevy Colorado pickup. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PAWN, SECONDHAND & JUNK STORE LICENSES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Winkler to approve the applications submitted by the following business for pawn, secondhand & junk store licenses, pending payment of application.
Brian Perry d/b/a B & B Bargain Store
Bill Gaul d/b/a Gaul’s Getaway
Syringa General Hospital Foundation d/b/a Syringa Auxiliary Thrift Shop
Craig & Rhonda Clovis d/b/a Sissys Thrift
Peggy Wright d/b/a The Rustic Rabbit
Animal Rescue Foundation Inc. d/b/a Animal Rescue Foundation Inc.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX: Attorney Jessup explained at the last meeting it was asked if a local option sales tax could be put on the ballot for Grangeville. Jessup explained that resort cities can charge the tax if passed by the voters. To be eligible, the city needs a population of 10,000 or less and it derives a majority of economic wellbeing from tourism. If that criteria is met, then it would be placed on the ballot and it would need a 60% voter approval. The Council would need to make a formal finding that Grangeville derives most of the income from tourism. Based upon information Jessup collected, he didn’t feel that the majority of income from Grangeville is from tourism. The courthouse, school, hospital and mill are the major employers. He doesn’t feel that these count as tourism. If the council made a determination that the economic wellbeing of town was a majority of tourism, then the council should have a study done to provide documentation.
Councilor Grant stated when she was on the chamber, Grangeville was considered a flow through to get to their destination. Councilor Perry felt the city needed to look into it as an option. There are people that come from outside the area to come to Grangeville. Councilor Canaday questioned how the city would move forward to get a study. Councilor Farris stated for those people on a fixed income they received a $60 COLA and Medicare went up $100. People are going backwards. Mayor Lester stated the council has a hard budget coming up. He felt the franchise fee is the fairest option. Otherwise we pick and choose who pays. Councilor Farris felt most people coming to Grangeville stop to buy groceries as they head elsewhere. The city is a passthrough. Councilor Farris stated she knows the city needs to find resources for funds, but doesn’t think it’s a good option now. If the city re-addresses the franchise fee, when could it go on the ballot again? Councilor Canaday stated the city could do town hall meetings to further explain the franchise fee. He would like to figure out how to tax those that aren’t locals. Cody Edwards stated most people would prefer non-locals to pay rather than residents. He would prefer that. Hotels and liquor are tracked by the state, so those sales should be available. David Rauzi suggested contacting Lisa Grigg, the Idaho Department of Labor regional economist, as she reports economic information for the area.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Perry to go into Executive Session according to Section 74-206 (f) Pending Litigation. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
The Council returned to regular session. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 6:59 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
