City Council met in regular session on June 17, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Dylan Canaday
Wyatt Perry
Jared Andrew
Amy Farris
Beryl Grant
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman and Attorney Jessup.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of June 3rd were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Cody Funke and Rick Stephens with Ski Patrol were present to request that EMS providers be added to ski patrol. Ski Patrol is hurting for people and after discussions with other hills they have discovered other hills are adding EMS providers to their ski patrol. If we work with Syringa Hospital, Snowhaven can be a second station that would work with Dr. Told as the medical director. Right now the City pays National Ski patrol dues for ski patrollers at approximately $122 per person, but it may increase to $140. The patrol class is about $360 where EMS certification is cheaper. There are current EMS individuals interested in serving on ski patrol if they don’t have to be certified as National Ski Patrol. This could save the hill money and gain us new people to help serve the hill. Ski patrol has written protocols that you have to volunteer a set number of days annually to have the city pay for the dues. Supplies are currently purchased by ski patrol. There are three patrollers who are EMTs that would let their ski patrol certification expire if EMS is added to the hill. Ski patrol protocol requires two patrollers on the hill at a time. If EMS is added, they could have 1 ski patrol person and 1 EMS. The Basic EMT is the same level of care as a ski patroller. There are 8 new EMT’s interested in joining ski patrol if EMS is added. We currently have 16 ski patrollers. Rick stated he currently has a class of 12 that are midway through the class. There would need to be some cross training on the hill such as toboggan training if EMS is added. Other hills have already gone this direction, Bald mountain, Brundage and maybe Cottonwood.
Councilor Perry questioned if there is a benefit to ski patrol compared to EMS. Funke stated if you are a national ski patrol member you get to ski almost anywhere for free. Councilor Perry felt it was a good idea, and that it would be great to have volunteer patrollers. Councilor Winkler felt it was a good idea to have Attorney Jessup investigate it.
On motion by Councilor Perry, second by Councilor Winkler to approve adding EMS (Emergency Medical Services) to Snowhaven Ski Patrol. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
CONSENT AGENDA: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Perry to approve the consent agenda as presented.
1. Accept the following minutes
a. Accept Planning and Zoning Minutes of May 28, 2024
b. Accept Fire Minutes of April 8 and 22, 2024
2. Approve the following catering permits
a. The Trails Restaurant & Lounge catering for Border Days Street Dance & Beer Garden at 101 E Main St, July 4 – 6, 2024 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
b. JBEBERT d/b/a Seasons catering for the fundraiser cornhole tournament at 125 Green Acres Lane, July 5, 2024, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
3. Approve the owner transfer on the beer license from Triangle Tavern LLC d/b/a Triangle Tavern
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS – PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager stated they have been busy getting ready for the 4th of July and working with JUB on the well and sewer projects.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the City had 111 calls for service and 30 reports taken for May 2024. With warmer weather there have been additional calls. Now that the department is fully staffed, they completed their taser training and have had people take some of their vacation time. They are getting ready for Border Days and continuing to work on trailers and illegal parked vehicles.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT: City Administrator Kennedy stated the pool is up and running as of June 1st and fully staffed. The May utility bills included the first month with the 2021 water and sewer bonds added and have been generating additional questions. Kennedy has been working with the architect and committee on the pavilion and the project will run through the City with Kennedy as the main contact. The architect agreement is later on the agenda. The office has been processing building permits and reviewing and processing street closures and insurance forms for Border Days. Keely is preparing to submit the financial information to the state registry for transparent Idaho. We continue to attend water and sewer project meetings and process pay applications and interim financing requests as needed. We are gearing up for budget.
SEWER LINE PROJECT UPDATE: Knife River finished by Mountain View RV Park on N Hall. They are waiting on good weather to pave it. They moved to the airport by the new pilot lounge and to the east side of the weed shed. Then they will move to North State close to the truck route, then to the trailer park by LDS church and then into the softball field after the 4th of July. They can’t do a lot in Lions Park until the boring crew arrives. The CIPP crew hopes to arrive in mid-July. They hope to be out by end of November if all goes well.
The bills include Pay Request #2 to Knife River for $235,799.50.
BILLS: The bills, in the amount of $580,599.85 (Financials $494,739.30, May Payroll $85,860.55) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CEDA REPRESENTATIVE: Mayor Lester explained Councilor Canaday has been the CEDA representative for years and they normally have quarterly meetings in Lewiston. We are looking to have someone replace Canaday. Councilor Perry volunteered to be the representative.
PAVILION AGREEMENT WITH WEMHOFF ARCHITECTURE: City Administrator Kennedy explained the City will sign the agreement with Wemhoff Architecture and move forward with the pavilion. Grangeville Arts will turn their funds over to the city. Kennedy will track all expenses and submit for reimbursements through the GEM grant. Discussion occurred about possible change orders; however the City will be in charge of awarding the project based on bid and would need to make sure funds are available prior to approving a change order. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Perry to authorize signing of the agreement with Wemhoff Architecture for the Pioneer Park Pavilion. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
POLICE SURPLUS VEHICLES: Chief Newman stated The Bancorp provides a service to pick them up, strip equipment for around $250 and auction them off. The tahoes are estimated at $15,000-$20,000 and the Ram significantly less. Councilor Perry asked what happens to the removed gear? Chief Newman stated everything of value or use to the department has already been stripped, so they don’t want anything else. Councilor Farris asked what percentage do they take? Councilor Perry would like to know before it’s authorized. Chief Newman wasn’t sure but will find out and report back at the next meeting.
VERTICAL BRIDGE TOWER LEASE WITH VB-S1 ASSETS LLC: Mayor Lester, City Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup have been working with Vertical Bridge on a new tower lease. They have most everything agreed to but would like approval to sign the proposed lease but with the ability to negotiate the signing bonus from $8,000 to $10,000 and if they won’t agree, then possibly reduce the lease from 50 years to 40 years. On motion by Councilor Winkler, second by Councilor Andrews to authorize signing of the Vertical Bridge tower lease agreement with VB-S1 Assets, LLC with an effective date of July 1, 2024 with the ability to negotiate the signing bonus from $8,000 to $10,000 and years on the lease from 50 to 40 years. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Budget Meetings – July 8, 9 and 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
