The City Council met in regular session on January 5, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Linda Aiken
Del Houger
Brian Lorentz
Wes Lester
Michael Peterson
Councilmember attendance by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Sedam, Attorney Albers and Clerk Kennedy.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the December 15th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 140 calls for service. There were 80 cases written, 22 misdemeanor arrests, 4 felony arrests, 25 citations, 16 written warnings issued, 4 dogs and 3 cats handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for December 2008 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ICRMP sent Chief Sedam an invitation to have the police department manuals completely redone with ICRMP paying the bill. The first year the manuals are paid by ICRMP while the second year ICRMP pays half the $1,900 cost. Chief Sedam stated he would like to move forward with this and it would cost his department $975 for 08-09 to get all the updates. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to authorize Chief Sedam to sign up for manual update program through ICRMP. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Lorentz, seconded by Councilman Houger to accept the consent agenda as presented.
1. Approve the following Boards and Commissions:
Library Board: Carol Kinzer (2012), Judy Wayenburg (2011), Shirley Lane (2013), Joan Hall (2014), David Rauzi (2010)
Planning and Zoning Commission: Kevin Asker (2009), Michael Cook (2011), Ed Eckert (2010), Wilmer Seaver (2012), Yolanda Stout (2011), Jessica Wells (2011)
Snowhaven Ski Board: James Kingma, John Urbahn, Jerry Hill, Angie Harris, Chuck Hepner, Judy Purdy, Pauline Sullivan, Jena Daly
Snowhaven Expansion Committee: Todd Marek, Mike Sturdevant, Kevin Asker, Paul Eimers, James Kingma, John Lamb, Mac McBoyle, James Rockwell
ADA Committee: Councilmembers DeHaas and Peterson, Connie Workman, Dock Stroop, Lynda Allen, Mark Gravatt
Technical Review Committee: Mike Sturdevant, Tim Kaschmitter and Dan Tackett
2. Approve the Council Committees for 2009 (attached herein)
3. Move the second meeting of January to Tuesday, January 20th, due to Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Aiken, DeHaas, Houger, Lorentz, Lester, Peterson. The motion passed.
WAIVER OF VARIANCE FEE FOR FISHER: Attorney Albers explained that Linda Fisher would like to build a garage or carport on the north side of her house and set it within the new setback of 10’ (if the 9th Street vacation goes through). Since it’s on the east side it wouldn’t make much of a sight restriction. The agreement also asks to keep the fence in the same locations. Because of the long process and her health, Albers recommended waiving the $100.00 application fee and allowing her to pay actual publication costs. If the portion of 9th Street is vacated as per the agreement, then she can ask for the variance to build garage. Councilman Houger made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to allow Linda Fisher a waiver for the variance fee, with Ms. Fisher paying actual costs of publication. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
LETTER FROM LARRY JURKOVICH: Larry Jurkovich would like to have a stop sign placed at North Idaho and Hill Street as he felt it was a dangerous intersection. Chief Sedam stated that there have been six crashes at that intersection since 1998. All accidents were a failure to yield. Chief Sedam ran an additional report and the intersection did not make the top 10 intersection accidents in the City. All the intersections that made the top 10 are signed with stop signs. Councilman Lorentz felt the biggest problem is that people in Grangeville believe north/south roads have the right of way and they are wrong. Those on small arterial streets seem to always stop, where people driving on Hill Street feel that it is a main street too. Inconsistency within the City compounds the problem. Councilwoman Aiken would hate to have another stop sign in that area of town. Councilman Lester stated there is probably more traffic, but it shouldn’t matter because drivers still need to yield to the right. Mayor Walker stated that if the City wants Idaho to be a main through street for north/south traffic then it should be signed with stop or yield signs. Councilman Houger felt the City should try to do education first and see if that helps. Councilwoman DeHaas felt drivers should follow state law and the City could do some extra education. Chief Sedam will do some education training in the paper and on the radio and the take another look at Idaho to see if there are additional problems. He will report back in two weeks.
SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT PROJECT: Public Works Director Gortsema, Mike Curtiss, Mike Sturdevant, and J-U-B met a couple weeks ago, reviewed the project that was just completed this year and critiqued it. For 2009, Gortsema would like to finish up in the Northeast area and then move to North Florence from 2nd Street to the truck route. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to authorize J-U-B to begin design on the 2009 sewer line replacement project. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE 848: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve the summary of Ordinance #848 and authorize publication by summary. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ARMORY DEED: Attorney Albers explained that the title of the armory shows the City owning a one half interest in the property, which creates a high liability for the City since the armory hasn’t been listed on the City’s insurance. Somewhere in 1956/1957 there was an agreement between the guard, the City and the State of Idaho. It shows the City contributed 10% of the cost of the building and some of the design. The agreement was suppose to last for 25 years which was the expected life of the building. The effective control of the building has always been with the guard. The original contribution from the City was for a joint use facility where it is now exclusively used by the guard. New money has been spent since 1982 and Albers felt that the City should convey its ½ interest to the State, except for the little road to the rodeo grounds which will be excluded from the description. Albers office is currently preparing the deeds which would have a clause that states in the event that it ceases to be used as armory then the City would get its one half interest in the property back. One deed would be from the City to the State deeding the City’s one half interest and the second deed would allow the City to retain exclusive use of the road and to be able to reenter from the State’s one half interest.
RETIREMENT OF ATTORNEY ALBERS: Mayor Walker took time to thank Attorney Albers for his 35 years of service to the City. Albers first became City Attorney in 1974. The City truly appreciates all the time and dedication that Albers provided to the City. Mayor Walker presented a clock with engraved plate to Attorney Albers as a small thank you.
APPOINTMENT OF CITY ATTORNEY: Mayor Walker appointed Adam Green as the new city attorney, as previously approved by the Council.
ITEMS TO NOTE: One additional Planning and Zoning member is needed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
