The City Council met in regular session on March 15, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Michael Peterson
Wes Lester
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Councilmember attendance by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Quantz, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the March 1st and March 8th meetings were approved as presented by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Pam Ceniga works for YWCA in Lewiston and is an advocate for victims of sexual assault and violence. During the month of April, Pam would like to put teal ribbons on the light poles along Main Street and then the last week in April move them up to the park. On April 28th she would like to use the pavilion for a candle light vigil. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to grant Pam Ceniga permission to place ribbons for Sexual Assault Month on the light poles along Main Street, move them to the park at the end of the month and then use the pavilion for a candle light vigil on April 28th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Snowhaven Minutes of March 4, 2010 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $222,356.12 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
GRANT SPONSOR FOR GRANGEVILLE YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM: Mayor Walker explained that the Youth Baseball Program does not have the correct designation for the grant from Sterling; therefore, they would like the City to accept the funds for the program. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to accept the grant check from Sterling Bank for the Grangeville Youth Baseball Program and for the City to run the funds through City funds. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
DONATION OF COMMAND TRAILER IN EXCHANGE FOR TWO VEHICLE DONATIONS: Chief Quantz explained that the command center trailer was purchased using homeland security grant funds and has not been used by the City, nor does the City have future plans to use it. The trailer can be declared surplus and then donated to another law enforcement agency under the grant restrictions; however it can never be sold. Chief Quantz would like to donate the trailer to the Idaho Country Sheriff’s department. In return, the Sheriff’s Department would donate two vehicles to the City. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to surplus the police command trailer with generators, flood lights and jacks that was received on a homeland security grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
After the City’s donation, Idaho County will donate a 2001 Tahoe with emergency equipment (radio, lighting) and a 2003 Chevy pickup with emergency radio, lighting equipment and cage to the City. Chief Quantz endorses the personal vehicle system in which an officer is assigned to a specific vehicle, during which they take care of the cleaning, maintenance and overall care of the vehicle. This allows quicker response time, and better maintenance accountability. A Fleet system has no accountability and usually a shorter vehicle lifetime.
On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester to allow the Chief to donate the trailer and accessories to the Idaho County sheriff’s office. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. The County’s donation will take place at the same time.
HORROCKS ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that TransCivil merged with Horrocks Engineering and was the company Mike Sturdevant worked for. Mike now works for Horrocks Engineering. The agreement is time and material unless the City contracts for a specific job. The City primarily uses Mike as project inspector for sewer projects; however he also helped on the water model. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to authorize the City to sign the professional services agreement with Horrocks Engineering. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to grant Lloyd Welborn a sidewalk waiver at 28 Highway 95 North. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BURIAL OF HUMAN REMAINS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY: Mayor Walker explained that in the past, the City has had inquiries about burying a spouse on private property. At this time, it appears that the City does not have anything to prohibit it. Councilman Lester felt private property should be discouraged as a burial plot, although cremated remains aren’t as big a concern to him. In the County this occurred and the County asked the owners to designate that property as a cemetery site for tracking purposes. Attorney Green explained that it becomes a law enforcement issue if remains are dug up in the future and no one knows about it. Mayor Walker questioned what problems could occur if you had a small acreage and wanted to designate a family cemetery. Attorney Green explained that the biggest issue is in marking and recording. Some people might think they own the property forever but then family moves away and years from now no one takes care of it. Councilwoman DeHaas felt that no form of human remains should be buried in the City. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to have Attorney Green create an ordinance that would not allow human remains, including cremation, to be buried in the City limits, unless buried within an established cemetery (not a personal family cemetery). Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
