City Council met in special session on July 14, 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 City Administrator Kennedy, Treasurer Rowland, Chief Newman, Public Works Director Mager and Snowhaven Manager Joel Wasem.
Snowhaven
Joel Wasem lowered a few line items, so the expense was closer to what the last couple years have been. Under professional services he budgeted $5,000 to spray the hill. The T-bar needs a bearing replacement at the top and bottom of the hill for $21,000. Snowhaven has new tubes, but they need to purchase at least a dozen new handles.
On the building project, Roto-Rooter pumped both septic tanks and filled them with gravel. The locate has been called in and a perk test will be done soon. Arnzen Construction will be up once we do the perk test.
Street
Public Works Director Mager stated he is wanting to wait on purchasing a grader for this budget year. He wants to budget $20,000 to replace four of the ADA ramps on Main Street. Mager had an estimate to apply epoxy coating and a new grate for $20,000. Mager stated the old ADA was breaking because the deicer and salt is too hard on it and the epoxy should hold up better. It was questioned why the city is doing the repair on a state highway. Mager stated the city has an agreement with ITD stating the city needs to maintain sidewalks.
Recreation
Mager carried over the $40,000 to repair, strip, dry, reseal and paint the pool. He also increased the propane budget. Heritage Square needs seal coated, costing $15,000.
Water
The city closes on the water bond next week. Next year the city will have two bond payments. Clearwater Well Project should only have about $650,000 left.
Sewer
Professional services reflect the amount the city pays E-3 Consulting and Mike Tackett. Everything at the plant is showing its age. Mager placed the SCADA and thickener repair on maintenance schedules. The press and step screen have an annual maintenance agreement as these are things our employees can’t do. He budgeted capital outlay for a landia mixer and propeller and a drain pump.
The city closes on the sewer bond next week. Next year the city will have two bond payments.
Mayor Lester felt like the city shouldn’t wait to raise rates as we may need funds for match on future projects. We may need to consider raising rates higher than the 4.8% recommended by the engineers.
General
City Administrator Kennedy budgeted for a new email management system which allows for record retention for public records. The cost is $94/city email split across multiple departments. At city hall, capital projects included seal coating the parking lot at $10,000 and repairing the front sidewalk at $22,680.
Wages
Public Works Director Mager suggested moving starting wage from $17/hour to $24/hour; then each water/sewer license is a $3/hour increase. Currently, the city pays $.50/hour for a new license. If this is approved, we would get rid of the step increases on the salary schedule and do COLA only and rely on the department heads to not get too far behind. Since Cody quit, the city will now be looking for a WWTP class 3 with a lab. Mager felt he needed to be able to get better personnel so they can learn everything that is needed and get their certifications. The best equipment is great, but you have to have employees that can operate it. Grangeville Highway District is starting at $25 with no experience and the same benefits including health insurance.
City Administrator Kennedy stated she would also like to implement the $3 increase for certifications. With that she would move City Treasurer to $26/hour and Utility Administrator to $19/hour with the option of a merit increase later next year. She researched what other cities, Idaho County and Mountain View School District were paying their employees. She agrees with moving away from the salary schedule and looking at COLA only. Kennedy also proposed a wage increase for the Library Director to $20/hour and the Assistant Director to $18.00/hour.
After research, the on a WWTP Class 3 plus a lab license the range is $55,000-$90,000. Currently we have $75,000 budgeted, depending on the applicant.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
