The City Council met in regular session on May 2, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Lester presided
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Scott Winkler
Beryl Grant
Pete Lane
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
City employees present were Public Works Director Mager, Attorney Green and City Administrator Kennedy. Chief Newman absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of April 18th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, seconded by Councilor Canaday. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Steve Clark, 806 S A requested permission to keep the two cargo containers on his property while the insurance job is being completed. He has had issues trying to get contractors to complete the job. Last summer water heater broke when he was out of town and it flooded house. The insurance has finally told him they’ll pay but he needs to find someone to redo the hardwood floors. They have been out of town since September due to a family death and just got home this week. Steve has talked to his neighbors so they all know what’s going on.
Councilor Grant asked if State Farm would give him options. Steve stated they use king services and they won’t respond. He hasn’t heard from them since July 7th. Councilor Winkler asked if he has a timeframe? Steve stated he doesn’t have anyone lined up yet, but now that he’s home he’ll be looking to get someone scheduled. The consensus of the Council was to let him continue using the storage units to get him through his insurance problem.
Mike Tatko, Avista reviewed how franchise fees would work if the City chose to implement. The City has a franchise agreement with Avista that was signed in 2001 for 25 years. The franchise fees are separate process. If the City chose to implement a franchise fee it is based upon your usage in the City limits. Avista would bill and collect that fee on their bills and then submit to the City quarterly. The City can implement 0-1% by ordinance. If the City wanted to increase to 2% or 3%, the utility can grant or it can go to the voters on an election. Avista never grants them; they always have it go to the voters. Based on 2021 usage in the city limits and approximately 1912 meters in the city, it would generate about $37,000 in revenue for the City. This number is what was billed in 2021, however Avista only gives what they collect. Various cities have fees. In 2001 there was a note during negotiations that a franchise fee was discussed with Terry Vanderwall. Usually if a City adopts a franchise fee, they specify a use for the franchise fee, such as snow removal, curb gutter or any other specific items. Of area cities, the following have 1% franchise fees unless stated otherwise: Elk River, Kamiah, Lapwai, Kendrick, Kooskia, Lewiston, Potlatch, Pierce, St. Maries, Moscow (3%), Orofino (3%) while Genesee and Stites have none.
Paul Kimmell, Avista did a presentation on the community assessment Avista sponsored from November 2019 on “13 Ways to Kill your Community”. The results were compiled and Avista is now presenting to the various communities that participated in the survey. Paul highlighted different aspects of the survey, and how each community should look at the opportunities offered due to the survey. There will be an upcoming workshop to discuss assessment results and generate ideas and then the City can apply for a rural vitality grant to help fund a small community project.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief Brian Perry explained at last meeting we’d have a new agreement. He wanted to clarify to the Council that the 2017 Rural Fire Agreement does state the new rental fee will be equal to one-half the hydrant water fee. He wanted to make sure the Council was aware rural fire did pay rent.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Public Works Director Mager explained at the Lions Park there is a sediment backup in the culvert which caused water to back up and create a little lake at the park. The culvert is 4’ on one end and 30” on another. They are working on it and slowly making progress. The culvert is 430’ long and it’s very deep.
FIRE MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler to accept the Fire Minutes of February 14 and 28, 2022 and March 14 and 28, 2022. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE TO VACATE A PORTION OF THE ALLEY AS REQUEST BY MIKE HAUGER: Mayor Lester asked if the alley was vacated in the rest of the lot. Public Works Director Mager explained the alley can’t be abandoned from Norco to the east due to the sewer main in that section of the alley.
ORDINANCE NO. 957
(Ordinance No. 957 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 A PORTION OF THE ALLEY LOCATED WITHIN BLOCK G OF NORTHWEST ADDITION TO THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, ADJACENT TO LOTS 7, 8, 9, AND 10; PROVIDING AUTHORITY FOR THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO SIGN A QUITCLAIM DEED FOR THE VACATED PORTION OF SAID ALLEY TO ADJACENT OWNERS; PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDNG FOR THE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES RELATING TO SAID VACATION TO BE PAID BY THE PETITIONERS IN RELATION TO SUCH REQUESTED VACATION.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Winkler 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.
Councilor Lane asked about the danger of someone driving off the alley onto the loading dock. Mager stated it was slim. People could drive in that area but there is no reason to go up there. Norco parks equipment there to help protect it. This section of the alley has not been opened in his lifetime. There has always been a fence. There is also an old building sitting partially on alley.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Winkler, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 957 duly approved and adopted.
NON-CONFORMING USE OF PROPERTY BY BILEJO AND LINDSAY KLAPPRICH: Attorney Green stated he drove by the lot and could only find one steer. Mager agreed. City Administrator Kennedy explained last year they had more than one steer on the lot and were notified of non-compliance. They did not move the steers at that time, because the fair was coming up in a month and they had nowhere else for them to go because the kids had to be able to work with the animals. They understood they couldn’t have two steers on the lot. After the fair, the animals came back as they couldn’t get into the butcher. The City extended the deadline to allow a temporary stay until they went to the butcher. Kennedy and Lindsay talked about 4-H for the following year and the possibility of applying for a variance to see if it would be approved. They discussed allowing enough time to get through the process if Lindsay chose to apply. No application was submitted and this spring they had two steers on the lot again. Councilor Grant felt the City had been very nice in all the Klapprich’s previous requests.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Spring Clean Up Week is May 9th – 13, 2022
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
