The City Council met in regular session on March 2, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Wes Lester
Michael Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Councilmember attendance by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
Councilmember absent:
Linda Aiken
City employees present were Chief Sedam, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy. Public Works Director Gortsema absent.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the February 17th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING: The public hearing was opened at 7:33 p.m. to hear the alley vacation request at 508 North A Street as submitted by Anthony Williams. The alley in question is a 12 foot alley located within Lot 4, Block G of Schmadeka’s Fourth Addition. The alley would be split with 7’ going to Williams and 5’ to the neighboring Tiptons. The hearing was declared closed at 7:35 p.m. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to draft an ordinance to vacate the alley at 508 No A Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Clerk Kennedy explained that she had an ordinance drafted if the Council chose to proceed.
ORDINANCE NO. 849
(Ordinance No. 849 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, PROVIDING FOR A VACATION OF AN ALLEY WITHIN BLOCK G OF SCHMADEKA’S FOURTH ADDITION TO THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE; PROVIDING AUTHORITY FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN QUITCLAIM DEEDS OF THE VACATED PORTION OF SAID ALLEY TO ADJACENT OWNERS; PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO SAID VACATION TO BE PAID BY THE PETITIONERS IN RELATION TO SUCH REQUESTED VACATION.
On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger 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, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 849 duly approved and adopted.
VISITORS: Joanie Gray and John Sarbacher were present to ask for an extension to keep their 5th wheel at the current location at 103 West North 7th Street. They stated that the neighbors like them and they would like to be able to stay there. Mayor Walker stated they could give them a temporary permit, but they could not stay permanently. They have no place to move. Mayor Walker stated that if they wanted to stay they would need to go through the variance process with P&Z and finally through the Council. Clerk Kennedy explained that the first meeting for the public hearing with P& Z would be April 27th.
Councilman Lester knew that when they asked to stay they were in residential Zone A and they needed the place for winter. The Council gave them temporary permission so they could find a place; however the current location is not zoned to allow a camper.
Mayor Walker responded that they were accommodated for the winter but the way the ordinance is set up they need to find another location.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to approve the request for Joanie Gray to keep a 5th wheel at the current location of 103 West North 7th pending owner approval until June 1, 2009. Councilwoman DeHaas amended the motion, second by Councilman Lorentz to say that this is the final extension. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present on the amended motion. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present on the original motion.
Ralph Rau & Jenny Fisher with the Forest Service were present to review the Travel Management Plan. A short overview of the plan was given by Jenny Fisher and then questions were answered. Councilman Houger asked why the City wasn’t contacted directly. It was stated that planned public meetings were advertised and with the history of prior involvement with forest service it was understood that the City wasn’t involved very much. Mr. Rau stated he was more than happy to provide information to the Council monthly, quarterly or yearly, based upon the Council’s request. There hasn’t been a decision made yet on the proposals. Tom Reilly will make the decision based upon the comments received.
Councilman Houger’s biggest concern was safety. With the possible reduction in motorized trail usage more people will be riding on less miles of trail. He is also concerned with safety for the disabled and the seniors as a lot of people trying to see the area have bought ATVs.
Jenny Fischer explained that the Clearwater District had about 76 miles of trails open to motorized use. They are required to designate routes where it is appropriate for the season and type of use. The next opportunity for public comment is during the appeal process of the decision.
Mayor Walker stated that he felt from the City’s standpoint it’s important to voice the opinion of the City. The City will be directly impacted by any reduced travel areas. The City is highly impacted with tourism. The Forest Service has encouraged the area to try to succeed on recreation on the forest, just as Fish and Game was here last week to do so. It’s important to the City to let you know that the economy of Grangeville is highly dependent upon the forest. Our community is not made up of young people. It is gearing toward retirement people and the age group of those coming is because of the lifestyle the area offers. If a visit to the forest is limited than why should they move here? Nationwide consistency as mentioned in the presentation earlier bothers Mayor Walker. Those rules made for everyone are not necessarily reasonable, as the City has found out through EPA and the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plan. We are unique and shouldn’t be compared to other forests.
Mr. Rau suggested that a list of projects be sent to the City Clerk from the Forest Service. If the City is interested in the topic, information can be requested from Ralph Rau and the Forest Service can then come to a meeting to present the information.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 94 calls for service. There were 73 cases written, 22 misdemeanor arrests, 2 felony arrests, 31 citations, 17 written warnings issued, 8 dogs and 1 cat handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for February 2009 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Planning and Zoning Minutes of February 23, 2009. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Councilman Lester asked if Public Works Director Gortsema felt it was a problem if Hill Street was upgraded. Clerk Kennedy reported that Gortsema had reviewed the file and had no comments other than he did not feel it would be a site restriction. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the variance submitted by Jeff Polack at 915 North Junction to build an addition eight feet into the setback which would be two feet from the property line on Hill Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
FISH AND GAME 15% FEE INCREASE: Mayor Walker stated that he thought the Fish and Game license increases were extremely favorable to local people and he felt the City should write a letter to the legislature stating the City supports the fee increase. On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester to support Fish and Game on their 15% increase on license fees and send a letter to the Idaho Legislature and give a copy to Mr. Roll. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BRANDON ASH’S VICIOUS DOG: Councilman Lorentz asked Chief Sedam if it bothered him or his department if the dog was allowed to stay in town provided he’s on a leash or in a kennel. Chief Sedam responded that as long as the following conditions were met, he was fine with having the dog in the City.
1. The dog must be kept in fence suitable to maintain it.
2. The Chief prefers an enclosed dog run; however if they use the wire dog run, the dog must wear a harness so it can’t slip the collar.
3. The dog must be licensed and vaccinated.
Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Houger to grant Brandon Ash’s vicious dog appeal, provided he complies with the conditions listed above by Chief Sedam. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CHAMBER REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to have the City Clerk send the $3,000.00 donation to the Chamber of Commerce. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ARBOR DAY: Mayor Walker read the Arbor Day Proclamation. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the Arbor Day Application in amount of $300 and the proclamation to make April 24th Arbor Day in the City. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
TELEMARKETING CHANGE: Clerk Kennedy explained that Planning and Zoning forwarded a newspaper article to the Council that talked about Moscow’s proposal to change their code for certain home occupations to be allowed without going through the conditional use process. The main push behind this is the developments in telecommuting and how some types of work do not affect the neighborhood. Councilman Lorentz felt the ordinance could be very long and it could allow for loop holes if the Council isn’t careful. Clerk Kennedy will get a copy of Moscow’s ordinance and report back to the City Council.
SURPLUS: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to surplus a broken printer and monitor from the Police Department. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE:
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
