The City Council met in regular session on March 21, 2011 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Wes Lester
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Councilmember by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Chief Quantz, Public Works Director Gortsema and Clerk Kennedy.
Attorney Green absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the March 7th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Bentley. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to amend the agenda to add George Fischer to unfinished business as he received information too late for agenda. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: George Fischer explained that it could take 3-5 years to get a fishing pond ready in the City of Grangeville. He is looking at options for a location as specified at the previous meeting. He received some calls from people that were excited about the possibility, but right now Fish and Game does not have any funding in grants. Mr. Funkenhouser was present in support of a fishing pond as he was in Cascade and part of the Chamber of Commerce when the Cascade fishing pond was built. The pond gets a lot of use and it is a good thing for Cascade.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Snowhaven Minutes of March 3, 2011. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
DISK GOLF PROPOSAL: Nancy Asker introduced Logan Peterson, a Boy Scout, who was approved for an Eagle Scout project if the disk golf course moves forward. Rae Bros. had positive comments and Councilwoman DeHaas reported she had received positive comments also. Councilman Lester stated that he understood that the park couldn’t really be used for both a disk golf proposal and a pond. He felt the Lions Park is the only place for disk golf, but he felt there might be other places available for the pond. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Bentley to allow the Lions Club with Kevin Asker as Chairman to install a disk golf course at Lions Park according to the proposal supplied at the last meeting. Councilman Lorentz wanted to make note to thank Kevin Asker and the Lions Club for an excellent proposal. Councilman Lester also stated that Kevin needs to meet with Public Works Director Gortsema to determine all park issues and to coordinate the entire project through Gortsema. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
DIAGONAL PARKING REQUEST: Mayor Walker explained that the Police Department was to come back with a list of areas that would need to be changed so an ordinance revision could be done all at the same time. Chief Quantz stated that research was completed by Ken Hoogland and it was split between residential and commercial. The commercial parking was sporadic and not an issue. On the residential areas, all other issues throughout town have complied with parallel parking and only Pritchett’s have requested a variance. Chief Quantz recommended not to deviate from the current ordinance and commented that Attorney Green agreed that there wasn’t any justification to change the ordinance.
Councilman Houger felt the Council needed to take the advice of the police chief and city attorney. He felt it could open a bag of worms if an exception was given. Councilman Lester questioned the nursing home’s diagonal parking and stated if the Pritchett’s had to comply, then the nursing home needed to comply. The Mayor felt residential and commercial areas needed to be treated the same. Councilman Houger also brought up the church on State Street as they park diagonal. Councilman Lorentz doesn’t feel the City should maximize parking in residential areas. Mayor Walker suggested tabling it until next meeting. Prior to next meeting, the Council should individually look at the Pritchett’s property.
ANIMAL ARK AGREEMENT AND OPTIONS: Chief Quantz explained that Animal Ark has had a 3 year agreement in the past and it expired in 2007. As part of the agreement, the City pays Animal Ark $1,000 per year. Chief Quantz presented some different options available to the City as follows:
1. Use a shelter in Orofino and pay $25 per dog. No cat option.
2. Transport cats to a destination 70 miles away to be destroyed. No dog option.
3. Use a shelter in Orofino and pay $25 per cat or dog.
4. Remain with Animal Ark at $1,000 per year.
5. Use a combination of all three shelters at $25 per animal.
Councilman Lester questioned the gas and time required to get animals to Orofino and McCall. He also stated it is hard to budget when it’s not a set amount. His biggest concern is driving all of the time to Orofino and McCall.
Councilman Bentley agreed with the Chief.
On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Bentley to authorize Chief Quantz and Ordinance Officer Hoogland to negotiate a new agreement with Animal Ark, based on a $25 fee. Mayor Walker asked a couple questions and Councilman Lorentz clarified that Animal Ark needs to agree to the $25 per animal but not necessarily have a written agreement. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $286,263.76 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
QWEST REQUEST FOR SECURTIY FENCE: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to allow Qwest to install a 6’ chain link fence topped with barbed wire at 320 South C Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
MEETING DATE CHANGE: On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Peterson to move the April 4th meeting to April 5th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
CALL FOR BIDS: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to authorize Public Works Director to call for bids for the handicap restroom at Pioneer Park. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to go into Executive Session according to 67-2345 (c) Labor Negotiations. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: DeHaas, Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Walco Tonnage Report – 2010-2011 First Quarter
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
