March 17, 2025
City Council met in regular session on March 17, 2025, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Council President Winkler:
Councilmembers present: Scott Winkler
Wyatt Perry
Jared Andrew
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
Beryl Grant
Mayor Lester absent
City employees present were City Administrator Kennedy, Attorney Jessup and Chief Newman. Public Works Director Mager absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of March 3rd were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Jane Spencer Grangeville Arts was present asking permission to host the summer concert series at Pioneer Park on July 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7. Councilor Grant asked if it will be their grand opening for the pavilion? Jane said they haven’t discussed it recently. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to approve Grangeville Arts request to use Pioneer Park for the Summer Concert Series. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Miles and Larry Hater and Derrick Nuxoll with Legacy Beef were present. Derrick Nuxoll stated they are up and running in Clarkston and process about 12-15 head/week. They are supplying local beef to the area. They would like to move inside city limits in Grangeville. They are already supplying beef to Cloningers now and want to bring their business to Grangeville. There would be no slaughter blood entering the system; 99% of raw nitrate blood is shipped out. They want approval to be able to move back home to the local area. Councilor Farris asked where they are looking in the city? Miles Hatter stated they are looking at areas in town, specifically the basement of the Gallery, which is accessed from the back street. They think they’d have 15 head a week at the most. Councilor Grant asked if they were going to slaughter in town? Miles said right now they aren’t slaughtering but would like to look at that some day. Right now they explained they will have chilled carcasses hanging and they will be cutting meat at the location. They already have to capture blood and guts in big containers at their current location and that and the trim will be shipped out to landfills. The hanging carcass doesn’t drop much blood. Councilor Farris asked if they’ve talked to Public Works Director Mager. Miles stated they have not. They felt his biggest concern is blood nitrate levels and it won’t be entering the city’s system. Council Farris asked if they would be slaughtering and meat packaging? Attorney Jessup asked for clarification if they planned to slaughter onsite. Miles stated they are looking for the ok to do this. At this time they plan to open the shop for retail. In future, they would like to explore going through the correct permitting channels to slaughter onsite. At this time they would be butchering, not slaughtering. Farris questioned whether they’d be dead when they arrive in the building. Miles stated that is correct. Councilor Grant asked if the store front would be upstairs or in the basement. It will be in the basement. Miles explained they are not looking at slaughter at this time but could look at it in the future. Right now they just want a store front downstairs. Attorney Jessup explained this is similar to what is happening at Cloningers, Cash and Carry and Western meats. Miles stated about 50% of beef that will go through the location are already here in town. Having it here will help Cloningers with transport fees. They would like to get an idea if the council is in favor of hanging carcass only or also the permitting for slaughter. Attorney Jessup stated the Gallery is zoned commercial, so processing of chilled beef/poultry is allowed. Slaughtering is not allowed in the current zone and the Council can’t really comment on slaughtering today as it would have to go through the Planning and Zoning commission.
Councilor Grant asked if what they are asking for today is already allowed? Attorney Jessup stated if they are processing slabs of chilled meat like Cloninger’s they wouldn’t need anything additional from us. Councilor Winkler stated Cash and Carry and Western Meats are already processing chilled carcasses. Miles stated they are shock shy so wanted to get the Council’s opinion before they moved forward with a land purchase. Attorney Jessup stated he will do additional research and meet with Kennedy to make sure they are both on the same page.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following committee reports were presented.
• CLEARWATER WELL PROJECT UPDATE: Knife River already poured the electrical pad and the footings for the transformer and multiple subs should be here this week working. By the end of the week, they should be close to setting footings.
• POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: Chief Newman reported the city had 92 calls for service and 28 reports taken for February 2025. All surplus vehicles are gone at this time.
15-MINUTE PARKING LAKE & SOUTH A: Councilor Winkler explained at last meeting they discussed some ideas for 15-minute parking by the school on Lake and South A, between S B and South 1st Street due to traffic, congestion, snow plowing and cars parked permanently on the street which is L shaped. City Administrator Kennedy explained after the meeting Mager and Attorney Jessup talked and came up with a proposed ordinance to address the snow portion of the problem. It’s not a final draft, but it’s an idea to consider if the Council chooses not to move forward with a one-way or 15-minute parking or a combination of the two. Attorney Jessup checked with other cities, including Idaho Falls and Sandpoint. They have an ordinance and then they base their traffic changes on snow events. When a snow event occurs, the cities send out information via Facebook, radio, and/or texts and then the traffic changes based upon the snow event and how long it lasts. This way you don’t have to have year-round traffic changes based on snow restrictions when they are unnecessary.
Councilor Grant asked if the school weighed in. Kennedy stated Councilor Andrews has a copy of one letter, but Kennedy hasn’t received it yet and she’s expecting an additional letter. These will be presented at the next meeting. Councilor Perry asked how a snow event is determined. Is it when the snow hits the ground or the weatherman says it will. Attorney Jessup stated it’s when the city decides it’s a snow event based upon snowfall that hits the ground. It could be 2” or 3” or other. Perry stated since our winter is sporadic, how long does a snow event last? Jessup stated it would be lifted if it’s not needed. Perry felt it wasn’t efficient. Farris agreed. She felt the council was wasting time talking about something that doesn’t have a sensible solution because this isn’t the only place in town during a snow storm that’s a problem. So if we accommodate this one how many others in town will we accommodate because there are a ton of areas. I think people need to use common sense. Councilor Grant said that’s why she asked about the school. If the school took responsibility and had drop off and pickup on Idaho it would be better. It’s wide, has good parking and is close for kids.
Councilor Winkler felt that’s why Mager and Jessup designed the ordinance so it’s not just one street. Farris stated it was written for one street. Jessup explained the ordinance is currently only written to limit one area in town but could be modified it to include all or different options. Some cities say you can park on one side of the street certain days to allow for plowing. Farris stated she had suggested alternate parking on different sides of the street so the city could plow but was told it wouldn’t work. Councilor Canaday and Andrews remembered Mager stating it wouldn’t work based upon how they plow streets. Councilor Grant stated the city received no input from the public. Kennedy explained the city really was advertising public input for April not this meeting. Farris felt the council needed to wait for public comment as they can’t make a decision today. Maybe no one cares. Councilor Winkler stated Mager cares when it’s a pain to plow snow. Councilor Farris stated it’s an inconvenience for everyone, everywhere in town. There is nowhere to put the snow when it does come.
Winkler asked what we’ve done to ask for public comment. Kennedy stated we were waiting to see if the Council chose to move forward or drop it completely. The Council stated they want public input. Kennedy explained after the tour at the next meeting, the hope is that the council will have a direction so the public can comment on it. If the council has a recommended idea, then the city can post that so the public can come in and comment on the plan. Councilor Andrews felt the council could come up with options so the public can comment on the options. Kennedy stated once the council has a direction, then city hall will post the direction and then invite the public to comment at the 2nd meeting in April.
Farris felt the comment period should be limited to city residents only. Andrews stated that many people that drop their kids don’t live in the city. Farris felt if the school had dedicated drop off and pickup area, it would make a difference. Grant thought the school decided to use Idaho Avenue for drop off and pickup years ago. Councilor Winkler stated it sounded like an ordinance would be good because it can be city wide and not just targeted to one area. The tour and discussion will occur at the next meeting.
BILLS: The bills, in total amount of $717,277.50 (Financials $597,907.45, February Payroll $119,370.05) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CATERING PERMIT: On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to approve the catering permit for The Canteen/Idaho County Vets Assoc. to cater the Grangeville Community Foundation event at the Senior Center on May 1, 2025 from 5-8pm. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CLEARWATER WELL CHANGE ORDER #2: Kennedy explained there was a misunderstanding when the bids went out that the local control panel and instrumentation wasn’t included in the contract. On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Perry to approve Clearwater Well Change Order #2 for $124,824: Cost for the addition of the local control panel and instrumentation to Challenger’s scope of work to be included in Knife River’s contract. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Grant, Perry, Andrews. NO: none. ABSTAIN: none. The motion passed.
2025 CHEVY PW BUDGET: Kennedy explained Mager had $45,000 budgeted for a used vehicle for public works with a tommy gate. Mager went to Gortsema’s to try to find a used vehicle and they had a new 2025 Chevy, crew cab, white to match the fleet, with rebates, a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, and 5 year/100,000 mile power train warranty for only $733 over what is budgeted. Mager would wait to get a tommy gate until the new budget or if he has money left in his budget toward the end of the year. Perry suggested using the old tommy gate on the new vehicle. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to authorize purchase of the 2025 Chevy pickup over the budget amount in excess of $733. Wyatt no. Motion carried; Perry voting no.
SIDEWALK WAIVER 220 N C: Kennedy provided information from Public Works Director Mager that the department just completed a large portion of culvert and ditch work at the Eagles to make all the drainage work correctly along N C Street. There is also fiber in the right-of-way. Sidewalk, curb and gutter would not be beneficial to the city. The property due north on W North 2nd Street owns part of the street. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Andrews to approve the sidewalk, curb and gutter waiver for Madden Family Trust at 220 N C Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. 979
(Ordinance No. 979 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO, AMENDING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 10, SUBSECTION 3A2 OF THE GRANGEVILLE CITY CODE RELATING TO NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIANCE APPLICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry 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: Farris, Canaday, Andrews, Grant, Perry. NO: none. The motion passed. President Winkler then declared Ordinance No. 979 duly approved and adopted.
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
