City Council met in regular session on February 3, 2025, 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 Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman and Attorney Jessup. City Administrator Kennedy absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of January 21st were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Robin Courtright and Sadie Galloway with the EMT Association were present to let the council know the Spring Fling is a one-day event this year from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on March 1st. They have 84 attendees signed up. Life flight will be there at the speak out session and the helicopter will land at the high school weather permitting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City Administrator Kennedy was absent but Mayor Lester stated the pavilion project is completed and the city received the final pay request from Whitewater Construction. Kennedy has asked for approval on the final pay request. On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Perry to authorize payment of the final pay request of $7,471.10 to Whitewater Construction for the pavilion at Pioneer Park. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
• FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to accept the Fire Minutes of 11/11/24 and 11/25/24. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
• PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Perry to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of 1/28/25. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
• Jerry Turner and Jeff Stutes, 101 W North 6th Street Variance Request: Councilor Grant felt two years was too long. He has already had 90 days and she felt 90 more days would be sufficient. Councilor Perry asked if Stutes is looking at buying a house in town, does he just assume he can move the container to another location in town? Councilor Farris was concerned that the container was placed first and now he’s asking permission after the fact. Councilor Grant agreed. If we allow it to stay, more will come. She felt the city should fix it now or get rid of the ordinance. Councilor Winkler questioned why two years was suggested. Councilor Farris stated that when a home is being built, the city only allows 180 days to live in a camper. Councilor Andrews felt two years was too much. He was ok with 90 days and so was Councilor Winkler. Councilor Perry was in favor of an addition 180 days. He stated no neighbors have complained about it even though it’s been there. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Grant to allow the container to be on site for 90 additional days. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Andrews, Grant, Winkler, Farris, Canaday NO: Perry. Motion carried.
• Sarah Klement, 900 W Main Street Variance Request: Councilor Canaday stated he would be abstaining from discussion as Sarah is his aunt. Councilor Grant felt ITD didn’t have concerns about the sign; they are in Lewiston and everywhere. She felt the responsibility needed to be placed on drivers and the speed limit is 35 mph already. She felt P&Z hashed it out well. Councilor Farris and Winkler agreed. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to approve Sarah Klement’s variance at 900 W Main Street to install a double-sided LED message board that exceeds the size and height currently allowed in city limits, located within 200’ of an intersection and is not illuminated by indirect lighting only. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Andrews, Perry, Grant, Winkler, Farris NO: none ABSTAIN: Canaday. The motion passed.
• PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager stated they have been adding black dirt at pavilion. They replaced the culvert by LDS Church and added more spaces so some ditching was eliminated. Minor tree trimming was completed on Hall Street by the rodeo grounds. He talked with Finley’s about cleaning up some trees down there. He’s been working with Knife River on the sewer project and talked to the GHS girls’ softball coach that the Lions Park softball field is offline this year. They talked about possibly using a little league field. Public Works has been researching how they will chlorinate the pool as he hopes to move away from salt generators due to the manual labor required, the salt system not working correctly and having to introduce salt nonstop. Councilor Grant questioned going back to chlorine. Mager stated it would be a powdered form not gas.
CATERING PERMIT: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to approve the Catering Permit for the Grangeville Country Club to cater Chocolate Fantasy on March 15, 2025, 5pm to 11:30 pm at 330 S B Street. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Andrews, Perry, Grant, Winkler, Farris, Canaday NO: none ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
WIRELESS COLLOCATION AGREEMENT: Public Works Director Mager stated the equipment will be on the old water tank and it won’t interfere with city operations. Attorney Jessup stated it is for 10 years with possible renewals. On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Andrews to approve the Wireless Collocation Agreement with Airbridge for equipment on the old water tank. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Andrews, Perry, Grant, Winkler, Farris, Canaday NO: none ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
CAMPING ORDINANCE: Chief Newman stated he would like to recommend changing the offense from an infraction to a misdemeanor. As an infraction, he can’t do anything other than issue an infraction. If it’s a misdemeanor, he could actually remove them and bring them to jail if they don’t comply. A revision will be presented at the next meeting. Attorney Jessup stated the ordinance has a provision that allows the council to designate camping areas by resolution. The resolution will be introduced at a future meeting.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Mayor Lester asked Attorney Jessup to do an open meeting training at the next meeting. Planning and Zoning and the Library Board have been invited.
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
