City Council met in regular session on June 19, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Scott Winkler
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
Pete Lane
Councilmembers absent:
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 5th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Cami Strasser was present to discuss pornography in the library. She has lived here for 10 years and is very involved with the community. She and her children use the library. The Library policy says the young adult section is for 8-14 year-old kids. She handed out a couple excerpts from two books by Sara J Maas. She would like to have the children protected from this horrible and pornographic material. Since the Council appoints and hires/supervises the librarians, she asked the Council to set guidelines on the books. She felt a rating system should be implemented, warning labels should be added to books making it a misdemeanor to share them and she has an online petition with 50 signatures. She could organize volunteers to rate and recategorize the books so it’s not a burden on the library.
Mayor Lester asked the city attorney to comment. Attorney Jessup stated the Council is in charge of selecting trustees for library, collecting taxes, helping set the budget and with the selection of real property. The Library Trustees set the policies for the board. They select and hire the library director and then the director hires other employees. The Council has the decision of who they select as a trustee but not to tell them what their policies should be. The trustees need to review the opinion of library materials that goes to them and make that decision.
BANDSHELL/PAVILION: Todd Marek, Grangeville Arts asked for the Council to consider allowing the band shell pavilion to be moved from Pioneer Park to the Lions Park on the south west side close to the Camas Prairie Preschool building. They understand they would lose the Webb funding but they feel the new location would be less expensive. The proposed area is staked on the ground. Rachel Young stated with music in Pioneer Park, they think they are parking way up into the residential areas. They know if the building site is in the flood plain, they would have to meet those requirements. It’s nice the Lions are excited.
Councilor Grant asked if they have enough money for the new plan? Todd stated they think so, but they were just getting ready to go out for bids to get accurate numbers. Everything at the new location is flat. This location allows for an expanded timeframe when building could occur as this park is much dryer. The GEM Grant needs to be the final grant so we need to get bids so we make sure that will complete it. Grant questioned if the sun would be in performers eyes. Todd stated it should be good.
Public Works Director Mager stated when the flip of the softball field is completed, it addresses ADA and everything when combining the project with the pavilion. Mayor Lester stated at the end of the meeting, everyone will get an in-person tour as the meeting will move to Lions Park.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager stated the department is getting ready for 4th of July, hopefully they will paint next week. They are cutting grass, spraying weeds, getting the pool running, patching and working on culverts. July 10th they’ll start ripping out the railroad tie wall at the Lions Park and start the project around July 17th. Well Bidding is out right now.
WATER TANK PROJECT: Mager stated we have agreed on the foundation and it is poured. They will strip the forms tomorrow and be gone Wednesday, July 10th. T Bailey will be here to set rings and between now and July 10th Tony will be setting pipes and such. We continue with weekly construction meetings.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to authorize payment to T Bailey, Inc. for Pay Application #3 on the new tank in the amount of $97,391.63. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Farris to authorize the city administrator to sign Block Grant Fund request #11 in the amount of $119,000. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the City had 89 calls for service and 20 reports taken for May 2023. They should be starting on the second truck and it could arrive close to Border Days.
LIBRARY MINUTES: Administrator Kennedy explained the Library Minutes of March 16, 2023 were updated after the Council received them but before they were approved by the Library Board. On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday to accept the updated Library Minutes of March 16, 2023. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday to accept the Fire Minutes of March 13 and 27 and April 10 and 24, 2023. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills, in the total amount of $432,756.52 (Financials $357,389.07, May Payroll $75,367.45) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
GENERAL ENGINEERING CONTRACT WITH JUB: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler to approve the general engineering contact with J-U-B Engineers for 2022-23 in the amount $60,000: $25,000 water, $35,000 sewer. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Grant, Lane, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
CATERING PERMITS: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to approve the catering permit for Jungle Gym’s Indoor Play Center & Café for 4 days, July 1, 2023-July 4, 2023 with hours of 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. to be located in Heritage Square sponsored by Lion’s Club for Border Days. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to approve the catering permit for The Rib Guy & Gal for 5 days, June 30, 2023-July 4, 2023 with hours of 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. to be located in Heritage Square sponsored by Lion’s Club for Border Days. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Winkler to approve the catering permit for Seasons Restaurant for 1 day, July 1, 2023 with hours of 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. to be located at 125 Green Acres Lane for a corn hole tournament. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
TOUR AT LIONS PARK: Most of those present at the meeting moved to Lions Park where the location of the proposed pavilion was staked for review by the Council. Discussion on the pavilion will tentatively occur at the July 17th meeting.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Budget Meetings – July 10, 11 and 12, 2023 at 6pm
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
