City Council met in regular session on June 15, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester:
Councilmembers present:
Wyatt Perry
Jared Andrew
Dylan Canaday
Gabe Forsmann
Amy Farris
Cody Edwards
City employees present: City Administrator Kennedy, Chief Newman and Public Works Director Mager. Attorney Jessup absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of June 1st were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Marietta Holman and BJ Walker of Walco were present to explain they got hit with a tonnage increase of approximately 30%. After a review of all the accounts, they are asking for a residential only increase of 4%. This accounts for the yard waste program which has expanded to cover an extra couple months. They feel the commercial accounts are covering their costs at this time.
Kim Wolfrum with Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) was present to request an increase in for the upcoming Animal Rescue Contract. They are asking for an increase from $100 to $200 per month, effective July 1st if approved. In 2025, ARF cared for five dogs on behalf of the City of Grangeville. The average direct cost was $550 per animal or $2,750 in expenses. The city currently pays $1,200 per year and to help offset the costs, ARF is asking for the increase. Mayor Lester stated the council will consider this during budget, and if approved, would be effective 10/1/26 with the new budget year.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• CITY ADMINISTRATOR: City Administrator Kennedy stated in addition to normal day-to-day operations, they are working on the budget. They worked with the new pool managers to get the pool open. The deep-water swim test was re-implemented with adjustments and with the reduced hours during week one, in-service training on swim lessons was completed to help guards be better prepared for lessons. The military flyover has been approved for July 3rd during the rodeo; once Michael Pfefferkorn has the details, he will spread the word to the public.
• SNOWHAVEN PROJECT UPDATE: Arnzen Construction is planning to start excavation and site work on June 24th and the foundation the week of June 29th. Per the mayor, Public Works Director Mager is Morris Arnzen’s contact for any construction questions, followed by Administrator Kennedy.
• PUBLIC WORKS: Public Works Director Mager stated the crew has been mowing, weed eating, spraying and crack sealing. They crack sealed at Heritage Square and will do a patch overlay in the middle of the lot to get it prepped for the Herco overlay which will occur after the 4th of July. At city hall, he may have the fire department wash off the parking lot to prepare for the Stripes-a-Lot seal coat. Mike Tackett came down during the phosphorus plant start up and it will run for the next 3 months. The softball field construction is moving along. The block portions of the east dugout is done and the south dugout is being constructed and then the roofs should go on. The fencing should occur after the 4th. Then it’s just field work left. The fiber optic crew is starting to move again. They are headed down Airport Road toward the Search and Rescue building. Clearwater Well is online and running but not in the system yet. It did pass all bacteria tests. The tentative schedule to go through the completed start up is June 24 – July 4th, depending on the resolution of warranty issues.
• POLICE REPORT: The department had 113 calls for service and 28 reports taken for May 2026. The department is gearing up for Border Days and the first new truck is in service.
• FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry to accept the Fire Minutes of May 11 and 26, 2026. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills in total amount of $364,974.79 (Financials $265,313.96 May Payroll $99,660.83) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CATERING PERMITS: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Perry to approve the catering permits as presented. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
• The Trails Restaurant & Lounge, 101 E Main St, July 3rd – 5th, 2026 from 11am – 2am for the Border Days Street Dance
• Simmons Endeavors d/b/a The Range Cigar Lounge, 102 E North St, July 2nd – 5th, 2026 from 9am – 2am for Border Days
CLEARWATER WELL FENCE: Public Works Director Mager stated now that the well is close to being in service, he received a quote for budget to install the fence. It came in lower than expected, so he would like to be authorized to use preventative well maintenance funds and proceed this fiscal year. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to authorize security fence install at Clearwater Well through Valley Fencing, up to $45,000, using preventative well maintenance. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
NORTHWEST MANAGEMENT – MANGEMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT KLEIN: Administrator Kennedy explained the Management Service Agreements are with Northwest Management. They manage our timber, mark all the trees for harvest, supervise the logging and overall manage the timber. We have two agreements: one for the Watershed property and one for the Klein property. The Timber Harvest contracts are with JG Logging – Jesse Geis: one for the Watershed property and one for the Klein property. Councilor Canaday asked if the city will make any money on the harvest. Mayor Lester explained we hope to break even, but basically the funds will be used to pay the logger and Northwest Management.
On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to authorize the mayor to sign the Management Service Agreement with Northwest Management for the Klein property blowdown, pending legal review. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
NORTHWEST MANAGEMENT – MANGEMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT WATERSHED: On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to authorize the mayor to sign the Management Service Agreement with Northwest Management for the Watershed property blowdown, pending legal review. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
TIMBER HARVEST CONTRACT – KLEIN: On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to authorize the mayor to sign the Timber Harvest Contract with JG Logging – Jesse Geis for the Klein property blowdown, pending legal review. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
TIMBER HARVEST CONTRACT – WATERSHED: On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to authorize the mayor to sign the Timber Harvest Contract with JG Logging – Jesse Geis for the Watershed property blowdown, pending legal review. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Budget Meetings: July 7-9, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 6:34 P.M.
_________________________________
Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:_________________________________
Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
