The City Council met in regular session on July 6, 2015 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Pete Lane
Scott Winkler
Wes Lester
Councilmember absent:
Shelley Dumas
City employees present were Chief Drew, Attorney Green, Public Works Director McFrederick and Clerk Kennedy.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the June 15th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilwoman Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. 900
(Ordinance No. 900 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF CHAPTER 4 OF TITLE 2 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, PROVIDING FURTHER REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION.
On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lester that the first reading be approved, that the rules be suspended, the second and third readings be waived and the ordinance be approved and adopted. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Lester, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 900 duly approved and adopted.
CHIP SEAL PROJECT: Public Works Director McFrederick stated the chip seal project is scheduled July 20-24. There will be a notice in the paper the next 2 weeks. By McFrederick’s calculations, the City should be able to do another 30,000 square yards. The additional amount to be done will be determined as the project is being completed.
CITY SURVEY: Postponed until next meeting
SEWER SERVICE CONNECTION POLICY: The policy was revised using the information from last meeting. The policy now references Grangeville Specification Detail C-709 and the time limit for concrete replacement was changed to 30 days. It was modified to add language allowing the Public Works Director to give an extension on the 30 days when necessary. It was noted Camas Gravel does meet the 4000 psi specifications in the detail where Quikrete does not. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to update the sewer connection policy with the new language as proposed. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE GRASS HEIGHT RESTRICTION: The Council discussed the draft ordinance and updated a few clarifications. Councilman Lester brought up that weeds will grow even when grass doesn’t. Chief Drew stated common sense needs to be in order. If there is one weed or a couple in the yard it would be up to the ordinance officer to determine if a notice would be necessary. Mayor Walker felt 8” was too short and thought 12” would be better. After discussion the height was changed to 10”. It was discussed who would enforce it; Chief Drew felt the ordinance officer needed to do the enforcement.
The ordinance was read with the changes discussed above.
ORDINANCE NO. 901
(Ordinance No. 901 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR REGULATION OF TALL GRASS AND WEEDS IN THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE; PROVIDING FOR A PENALTY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
Discussion occurred on whether the City really has hay fields or if property owners are just using the lot as hay to only mow it one time. It was discussed not exempting hay fields and instead requiring each owner to request an exemption. After discussion it remained unchained. Pastures were added as an exemption under 4a.
Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson that the first reading be approved and the ordinance pass to the second reading. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Winkler, Lester, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
AIRPORT LIFT STATION: Public Works Director McFrederick explained the pumps were installed in 1994. The City connected the Mill and a few months later the pump went down. Two pumps are ordered and 1 is being rebuilt.
PISTA GRIT STATION: McFrederick was initially told it would take 4-6 weeks by Smith and Loveless. The equipment is in engineering at this time and delivery of the equipment is slated for August. He has budgeted the $75,000 in next years’ budget in case it doesn’t arrive in time to be completed by the end of the fiscal year.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Postponed until next meeting.
TREE IN RIGHT OF WAY: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Winkler to allow the Jehovah’s Witness, 202 North Florence, permission to remove the tree from the right of way and meet with Public Works before removing.
After discussion on whether the stump should be removed or cut to the ground, Councilman Lane made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to amend the original motion to have the tree removed to ground level. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The original motion as amended carried by unanimous votes of the Council present.
CASH WELL REHABILITATION: McFrederick sent out five requests for quotes and received one response. He plans to request quotes for Myrtle well rehabilitation this year also. He hopes to have the work done in the fall in next years’ budget. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to accept Layne Pump’s quote of $76,550 for Cash Well rehabilitation. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
INVOICE CLOUD: Clerk Kennedy explained she is getting ready to move forward with Invoice Cloud as budgeted. Invoice Cloud is an Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment system which will allow citizens to pay their City bill online and have access to 24 months of billing and payment history. Citizens will have two options in which to pay: E-Check/ACH at $.95/transaction or Credit/Debit Cards at $3.95/transaction. Clerk Kennedy wanted to have one free option for citizens to encourage them to use the system; it was recommended the City absorb the E-Check/ACH transaction fee of $.85 to the City (the cost is less to the City vs user). All transactions using the Invoice Cloud system are seamless. When a payment is made, the software automatically posts to the customers’ account; man hours required will be reduced as more citizens use the service. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to have the City absorb the $.85 E-Check/ACH transaction fee and authorize the city clerk to complete the necessary paperwork agreements. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
