The City Council met in regular session on March 1, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Wes Lester
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Councilmember by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the February 16th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Charlotte Carlson asked for permission to use Pioneer Park and the pavilion from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on May 8th for the Hope Pregnancy Walk. After gathering, they will walk from the park to the high school for the rally. The police department is aware of the route of the walk. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to grant the Hope Pregnancy Center permission to use Pioneer Park on May 8, 2010. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Julie Worthington requested permission to use Heritage Square on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon, July 10th through October 2nd for the Farmers Market. If the weather is good, they would like the possibility of extending it further into October. Julie also asked permission to hang the banner for the same time period with the understanding that it is ok to take their banner down if another needs to be hung. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to allow the Farmers Market to use Heritage Square, July 10th through October 2nd on Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to noon. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Mayor Walker explained that the City recently adopted a revised banner policy stating those that are for profit can’t request to have their banner hung. Councilman Lorentz suggested that because the Farmers Market is not for profit but their vendors are, maybe Julie could go to businesses on Main Street to see if anyone objects to hanging the banner and then get the information to Clerk Kennedy.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department responded to 113 calls for service. There were 66 cases written, 20 misdemeanor arrests, 3 felony arrest, 43 citations, 12 written warnings issued, 6 dogs and 2 cats handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for February 2010 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The P&Z Minutes were read by Clerk Kennedy. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of February 27, 2010. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SANGSTER CONDITIONAL USE RECOMMENDATION AND DECISION: Mayor Walker commented that the City has no mechanism in place to review or re-visit the application and didn’t care for the recommendation. Councilwoman DeHaas could not go along with the recommendation. She has walked quite often in the neighborhood and there are numerous dogs without increasing the number allowed already in the neighborhood. Councilman Lester stated that he lived three houses from Sangsters and he drives the alley every day. When the dogs are in the backyard he has never had them come up to the fence or seen them bark. He didn’t know how the three new dogs would react. Because the City doesn’t have a good mechanism for re-visiting the application, Attorney Green suggested having it expire on a certain date and then Mr. Sangster could reapply which would give the neighbors a chance to voice their concerns if there are any.
Carol Kinzer stated she has a reputation of not being a dog lover. Her informal count of the Florence and Park neighborhood netted approximately 21 dogs. Not all owners keep their dogs contained either. If approved there would be two kennels back to back on the alley by her house. Mayor Walker asked how the kennel with Stouts works. Carol responded that she thinks their dogs are noisy, but once dogs are barking it’s hard to know for sure who it is because other dogs start barking too. Mayor Walker sympathizes with John’s situation. If they decided they would like to place them, then maybe they could work with Animal Ark to find new homes. Councilman Houger liked the idea of issuing a permit that would expire. On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lorentz to allow John and Cynthia Sangster, 210 South Florence, to have a permit for six dogs, that as they die they will not be replaced above the three dog limit, that the permit will expire in one year on March 1, 2011 and that they could reapply if they choose. Motion carried, Councilwoman DeHaas voting no.
ORDINANCE NO. 855
(Ordinance No. 855 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE REPEALING SECTION 2-4-2 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE RELATING TO SNOWHAVEN’S BOARD MEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEALER BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
On motion by Councilman Lorentz, 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: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 855 duly approved and adopted.
SEWER VARIANCE KNIERIEM: Public Works Director Gortsema stated that the property touches the City limits to the south of the Blewett Subdivision. If they put in sewer service, they would connect there and have a service line of approximately 400 feet in length. The City water would also come out there and he’s not sure the City can legally provide them with City water because of the available pressure. Clerk Kennedy believed the ground did perk for septic. Mayor Walker felt it may be good if the City allows them to hook up to sewer. Councilwoman DeHaas felt they should hook up to City sewer. Councilman Lester questioned whether they would pay the buy in. Councilman Lorentz felt the only decision the City can make is if they want water and sewer they have to annex. Mayor Walker stated the City could allow them to hook up to sewer without annexation. The County has requested a response from the City as far as a recommendation on the property. Councilman Lorentz felt the owners should be notified to annex and to hook up to water and sewer. Gortsema stated the other problem with water is that they would have to get an easement and then the water doesn’t have enough pressure. Councilman Bentley questioned why the City would require them to hook up to City water if the City could not legally provide the water. If they can hook up to City sewer, then they should. Councilman Lorentz felt the City could allow them to hook up to sewer with annexation and then they could apply for a variance to drill a well. Mayor Walker restated the recommendation: annexation, allow them to hook up with water and sewer and then if there is a legal issue with water pressure allow them to drill a well.
SPECIAL MEETING: Mayor Walker set a special meeting for March 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers to discuss the Area of Impact and to swear in the new Police Chief.
APPOINT NEW POLICE CHIEF: Mayor Walker appointed Glenn Quantz as the Police Chief. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Glenn Quantz as the City Police Chief. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ANIMAL ARK: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Lorentz to pay $1,000 to Animal Ark as budgeted. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the grant amount includes replacement of windows and doors at City Hall for those that haven’t been previously replaced and improvements at Cash Well for a total of $66,400.00. The City will provide in kind support made up of Gortsema’s time and benefits and a rebate from Avista. Gortsema recommended acceptance of the grant. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant for $66,400. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
