City Council met in regular session on December 16, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Pete Lane
Beryl Grant
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
City employees present were Public Works Director Mager, Chief Drew Attorney Green and City Administrator Kennedy.
Mayor Lester stated Ernie Mager had passed away Friday last week. He also ran into Roy Powell, who was recently at the fire station and he stated it is the cleanest it’s been since it was built.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of December 3rd were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: The department had 96 calls for service and 27 cases written for November 2019. One police applicant is currently in background process. The second annual People’s March is January 18, 2020 at noon and will occur on the sidewalk, not affecting the police department.
PUBLIC WORKS: Public Works Director Mager worked on camera and cleaning sewers, hydroflushing, and minor patchwork. They met with DEQ on requirements at Hall Street. Park Well is fixed and the transducer installed. They are pressing a lot at the WWTP.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to accept the Library Minutes of November 21, 2019. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Farris to re-appoint Brennan Wright to the Library Board with a 5 year term to expire 12/31/2024. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Lane to accept the fire training minutes of November 11 and 25, 2019. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills, in the amount of $170,579.69 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
UNDERGROUND RIGHT OF WAY WORK VARIANCE: On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to approve a variance to CenturyLink to allow underground right of way work to proceed during prohibited months at the discretion of Public Works Director Mager and the public works schedule. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
STREET LIGHT AT SOUTH E AND COURT: Mager stated it is very dark in this area. He met on site with Eric Robie with Avista, and there is an existing pole to put it on. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Farris to accept the recommendation from Public Works Director Mager to install a street light at South E and Court Street per request from Archie Tirado. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PARK WELL GENERATOR: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to approve the purchase of a generator for Park Well in the amount of $49,301.64. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
DONATION OF SIDEWALK BRICKS FOR BAND SHELL: Public Works Director Mager was contacted by Ted Lindsley who asked about the bricks that are being removed from the sidewalks on Main Street. They would like to use them in the band shelter. Administrator Kennedy explained the project to remove the bricks should occur in May. The City would allow time for citizens to pick them up until August 31st and then the City could donate the remaining bricks to the band shell group. On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Farris to approve donating the used bricks from Main Street sidewalks for use in the proposed band shell if the people don’t want their bricks back. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SECONDHAND/PAWN LICENSES: On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Peterson to approve the applications submitted by the following business for pawn, secondhand & junk store licenses. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Brian Perry d/b/a B & B Bargain Store
Syringa General Hospital Foundation d/b/a Syringa Auxiliary Thrift Shop
Craig & Rhonda Clovis d/b/a Sissys Thrift
Sherry Jolliff d/b/a Sherry’s Closet Treasurer Thrift Store
TINY HOUSES: Administrator Kennedy explained tiny houses can be classified in three ways as follows:
• A tiny house moved to the City with wheels intact are considered an RV and they need to be titled and licensed with ITD and they must be located in established RV parks.
• They can be a modular tiny house which is built in a factory and before leaving has a state modular insignia after inspection, similar to a HUD sticker for manufactured homes. These tiny houses can be placed on a foundation on a lot in any zone allowing residential.
• They can be a tiny house site built on a lot which require a building permit and inspections from the building inspector.
The City currently does not have a minimum house size that can be built on a lot; however the code does state only one home can be on a lot. If someone wanted a bunch of tiny houses on a lot, they would need to be placed in an established park.
COUNCIL COMMITTEES: Mayor Lester asked how things went without Council committees and questioned if the Council wanted them back. The Council liked how it worked this last year but also asked Administrator Kennedy what she thought. Kennedy felt with the education endorsed by the Mayor, the Council was better informed without the committees and more involved.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to go into Executive Session according to Section 74-206 (c) To acquire an interest in real property. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The Council returned to regular session. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
