The City Council met in regular session on June 1, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Wes Lester
Michael Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Georgia DeHaas
Linda Aiken
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Sedam, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the May 18th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Rachel Young with the Grangeville Arts was present to explain that they wanted to offer a summer concert series in the park, free of charge. They have three events: July 14th Moscow blues/rock band, August 4th California All American Boys Chorus and September 12th Spokane big bass band. The Chamber will co-sponsor the event for insurance. The concerts will start at 6:00 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. Councilman Lester reminded Mrs. Young that if it is necessary to drive in the park or if tents need to be set up, they need to coordinate with Public Works because of the underground sprinklers in the park. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to grant Grangeville Arts permission to use Pioneer Park on July 14th, August 4th and September 12th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 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 164 calls for service. There were 92 cases written, 32 misdemeanor arrests, 2 felony arrests, 62 citations, 24 written warnings issued, 7 dogs and 1 cat handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for May 2009 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Chief Sedam stated that he tested the potential job applicants and interviewed four.
AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS AND BUILDING PERMITS: Attorney Green explained that at a previous Council meeting, the Council had talked about redrafting the City ordinance to remove the exemption on agricultural buildings. Attorney Green researched the situation and discovered the City could not remove the exemption based upon a State statute that says agricultural buildings need to be exempted by local governments. He suggested talking to the County to see if the owner applied for an agricultural exemption at the county and if not then to proceed as the City sees fit. Councilman Lester would like to see if the City could start with the assessor to see if the City could find out ahead of time if the owner could get the exemption. Attorney Green will check with the County to see what standard they have for agricultural building exemptions.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM DONATIONS: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to approve a day pool pass for those that complete the summer reading program. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BEER GARDEN AND CATERING PERMIT FOR BORDER DAYS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the beer garden request during Border Days and to approve the Grangeville Country Club request for a catering permit for the same event, July 2nd-4th, 2009. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
2009 SEWER PROJECT AWARD: Public Works Director Gortsema reported that the City received six bids for the sewer project with the low bid at $159,095 and the high bid at $273,130. Easter Oregon Construction is the low bidder. Minor discrepancies were reviewed with Attorney Green and they were not significant enough to not award the bid to Eastern Oregon Construction. References were called and they have all positive results. On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester to accept the bid for the project and award the bid to Eastern Oregon Construction for 2009 sewer project. Public Works Director Gortsema would like the Council to possibly consider additional work if the City is satisfied with their work and the contractor is willing to do the additional work at the same price. The City has about $65,000 additional for which engineering is ready that could be completed and was originally cut from the 2009 project.
PERSONNEL HANDBOOK CHANGES: Clerk Kennedy explained that the City departments didn’t have any handbook changes for 2009-10. If the Council has changes those can be considered. Councilman Lorentz brought up that during the review of the Snowhaven handbook, they found an area that says you can be dismissed for using prescription drugs.
COMPLAINT AT 714 NORTH STATE: There have been numerous citizen complaints about the property located at 714 North State. Chief Sedam explained that the Ordinance officer has been down there and is working through the process because of all the disrepair and unsightliness of the property. There are five registered owners of the property and no one claims occupancy. The police department is in the process of writing a report which will be sent to Attorney Green to see if the City could proceed with an injunction. Mayor Walker felt the property is way worse then it’s been; the Council as a whole wants it fixed and that’s a direct order to Chief Sedam and Attorney Green to get it fixed. Chief Sedam pointed out that it will be a case that will have to go to court.
ROAD CLOSURES FOR 4TH OF JULY: Chief Sedam stated that the road closures are the same as previous years. The carnival will arrive on June 30th and open July 1st on the Bell Equipment lot. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to approve the street closures as presented for the 4th of July. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to go into Executive Session according to Section 67-2345 (f) litigation. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Aiken, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
A motion was made by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to go out of Executive Session. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Aiken, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
No action taken.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
