City Council met in regular session on January 5, 2026, 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
Gabriel Forsmann
Cody Edwards
City employees present: Chief Newman, Public Works Director Mager, City Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of December 15th were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
OUTGOING COUNCILORS: Mayor Lester thanked the outgoing councilors for their service to the city. Councilor Grant was appointed 10/1/12 and served a little over 13 years. Councilor Winkler was elected in 2013 and served 12 years.
ELECTION FOLLOW-UP AND INSTALLATION OF NEW COUNCIL:
OATHS OF OFFICE: At this time the newly elected officials of the City of Grangeville, Mayor Lester and Councilors Dylan Canaday, Gabriel Forsmann and Cody Edwards were sworn into office by City Administrator Kennedy and the official oaths were duly executed and filed. Each one was then presented with a Certificate of Election.
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL: A motion was made by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Andrews to nominate Councilor Farris, President of the Council. Nominations were closed. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. The motion passed.
VISITORS: John Burkenbine did not attend to request the streetlight at 1510 Crooks Street but had talked to Public Works Director Mager previously. Mager stated most streetlights are at an intersection. The installation of a streetlight at this address won’t accomplish anything for the city. There is a pole in the middle of John’s property. If the city moves forward with the light, Avista won’t charge anything for the installation of the streetlight as they can use the existing pole. There would be a monthly charge of $15/month to the city. Mager stated adding this streetlight would not be an asset for the city. The Council can choose to deny the request, approve it as a city light or authorize John to have the light installed as a personal light on his property where he would be responsible for the monthly cost. Mayor Lester stated the area is dark. There are no sidewalks in the area and the city limits is on the other side of the next property to the south. If council chose to allow John to pay for the monthly bill, Avista would still install the light.
On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Perry to allow John Burkenbine to have his own light installed at his cost. Andrews didn’t feel the city would benefit from the light addition. Councilor Canaday asked if the neighbors think the light is too bright, can Avista turn the brightness down. Maylor Lester stated the last time the Avista manager came to our meeting, they couldn’t adjust the brightness. Councilor Edwards asked if Mager talked to any neighbors. Councilor Farris also asked about the people across the road, as she felt the light placement would hit them too. Councilor Perry felt it wasn’t a benefit to others driving. Motion carried. Councilor Farris voting no.
Dave Wimer stated a map of the proposed changes to the field was submitted to the city and it was signed by both soccer and baseball representatives. They are currently working on getting solid bids for the project. He put together a packet for the council to outline the costs. Of the total cost on #1 for fencing, it could be reduced by about $7,000 since the fence won’t go all the way down left field. The dugouts are $15,000 each. Jeramie Zimmerman has been at various softball fields and most have a ton of sponsorship signs. He has two businesses who would like to sponsor the dugouts. The sponsor’s name would go over the entrance to the dugout and the second door would say home or visitors. The sign is 2’x4’ over the door. They are not trying to commercialize the park; however with two businesses donating a total of $30,000 they felt it was worth hanging the two signs. Councilor Andrews didn’t have a problem with sponsorships as the businesses help a ton locally. Councilor Edwards had no objections; he felt a sign shows appreciation for businesses willing to donate. Councilor Canady asked if they would give money if their name wasn’t on the building? He was concerned about the future sponsorships. Councilor Farris stated at Pioneer Park the donors are on the back of the sign. She has no opposition to the sign on the dugouts. Dave Wimer stated they also have a private donor but that donor wants to remain anonymous. Councilor Perry felt it was a small token of appreciation for the businesses donating. Professional stadiums are built and they get naming rights. If they donate with a little name sign, that’s great. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to allow the Lions Club to proceed with the dugouts and allow them to use the 2’x4’ signs to recognize the two businesses donating $15,000 each. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the council present.
Dave stated the infield dirt is optional in their mind and they may or may not have time or funds to get the infield done this year. They think they can get it done, but they would like to move forward with what they have. They understand that at this time, the total budget is $125,000 and total donations are $112,500 donations. The council consensus was that they could continue to move forward.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to accept the P&Z Minutes of December 16, 2025. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Decision on the variance application for Freebird Holdings LLC, 331 W Main Street, to use their electronic sign as a billboard. Councilor Edwards recused himself from discussion and voting on the application. Attorney Jessup stated when the sign was installed, it was installed as a sign for the businesses on the property. The owner now wants to change the sign to a billboard. This variance is a prerequisite before the LLC can apply through the Idaho Transportation Department for an outdoor advertising permit. The LLC initially took out a building permit for the sign as a sign for the businesses on the property, not as a billboard. On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to approve the variance application to use the existing 6’x8’ sign as a billboard for advertising and have the variance only run with the existing business. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
CONSENT AGENDA: On motion by Councilor Farris, seconded by Councilor Forsmann to accept the consent agenda as presented.
1. Re-appoint Yolanda Stout and Dan Gautney to three-year Planning and Zoning terms to expire 1/16/2029
2. Re-appoint Sandra Aiken to a five-year library board term expiring December 31, 2030
3. Approve the following Boards and Commissions:
Library Board: Brennan Wright (2029), Nancy Moser (2027), Sandra Aiken (2030),
Betty Nafziger (2028), Bridget Arnzen (2026), Dylan Canaday (liaison)
Planning and Zoning Commission: Yolanda Stout (2029), James Zehner (2027)
Kevin Asker (2027), Dan Gautney (2029), Brian Perry (2027), Lee Spencer (2027),
ADA Committee: Councilmembers Farris and Edwards, Lynda Fox, Mark Gravatt
Technical Review Committee: Mike Sturdevant, Tim Kaschmitter and Fire Chief Perry,
Police Chief Newman, Brian Lorentz, Joe Bonn, City Administrator Kennedy
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed. Wyatt will recuse himself from voting on consent agenda due to his dad on it.
POLICE VEHICLES LEASE: Attorney Jessup reviewed the leases for two vehicles. This lease is different than the previous lease, which was a 3-year lease, in that there’s a 5-year payment
obligation. The intent is still to return the leased vehicles at 3 years, which then essentially pays off year four and five payments; however the council is obligated to pay those payments if the vehicles aren’t returned. He has no objections to entering the lease. Councilor Edwards asked if some of the vehicles are being returned or auctioned off. Chief Newman stated two F150s will go away and the city is getting two new Silverado’s. That keeps the city with two new patrol vehicles. The next lease will be a 3-year lease to own. On motion by Councilor Andrew, second by Councilor Perry to approve the lease for the two police vehicles. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
KLEIN PROPERTY CLEANUP: Mayor Lester stated roughly 50 trees blew down on the Klein property during the storm. Northwest Management Inc. is coming tomorrow to look at it to decide if it’s worth logging or if some other clean up is necessary. If they get a logger lined up that can start before the next meeting, he’d like the agreement approved, pending Attorney Jessup’s review. This property was a gift from the Klein family that was in a trust. The trust was later dissolved; however the city can’t sell the property and it needs to track funds separately and only use the funds for the property. The city did some selective logging on the property, then reseeded and planted trees. Then the city created a parking lot with some of the funds and moved the original sign closer to the parking lot. Snow drifters use this property as a groomed trail to get back to fish creek. They can’t get through because of down trees and there are three widow makers on the property. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to the cleanup contract for removal of trees on Klein property, pending city attorney review. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed. Councilor Edwards asked if this is only if the clean-up happens before the next meeting? Attorney Jessup stated yes.
OPEN MEETING & NEWLY ELECTED TRAINING: Attorney Jessup provided open meeting and newly elected training for those present.
The meeting adjourned at 7:38 P.M.
_________________________________
Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
