The City Council met in regular session on May 6, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided
Councilmembers present:
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Pete Lane
Dylan Canaday
Amy Farris
Councilmember absent: Scott Winkler
City employees present were Chief Drew, Treasurer Arnzen, Attorney Green and Public Works Director Mager. City Administrator Kennedy absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of April 15th were approved as presented by Councilor Peterson, seconded by Councilor Lane. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Carla Wilkins, LCSC Outreach, asked the Council to waive the pool rental for a scuba diving class through the LCSC Outreach Center on July 13-14. She also provided basic information on what the Outreach Center does for the community, such as college test proctoring, tech certificates, work force trainings, and enrichment courses. Councilor Grant made a motion, seconded by Councilor Canaday, to waive the pool rental fee for the LCSC Outreach Center Scuba diving class on July 13th and 14th. LCSC will pay for the cost of the lifeguards. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Elizabeth McKeag and Rebecca O’Neil, Grangeville Farmers Market, requested permission to hold the Farmer’s Market in Pioneer Park on Saturdays from June 22nd-September 28th, 9am-1pm, and at the Thursday night Summer Concert Series July 11, 18, 25 and August 1st from 5-8pm. Councilor Grant made a motion, seconded by Councilor Peterson, to approve the above dates for the Grangeville Farmer’s Market for the 2019 season. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Dan Tackett, Idaho State Elks President, invited Mayor Lester and Chief Morgan to attend the first day of the Elks State convention and address/introduce the convention on June 6th at 8:00 a.m. during the kick-off ceremony. The Elks State Convention is June 5-8.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works Report – Last month was extremely busy. They worked on pothole patching, a property line issue on South 9th Street, repaired meters, and new blowers and doors installed at the Sewer plant. There was a sewer issue by the old laundry mat in which a new sewer main was found and repaired. JUB installed the flow monitors on the sewer lines and caught the entire rain event so it will be interesting to see their data. The crew also dealt with flooding on April 9th, starting mowing parks, and got new benches and tables assembled for the pool. Public Works Director Mager also discussed the band screen motor that broke and his plans to cobble it together for $2,000. Discussion occurred on the cost of replacing this filter with a new one and the possibility of getting this replacement on next year’s budget. Public Works director Mager also explained how he has cross trained Michael Adler for Mike Tackett’s maternity leave and the training is going well. Councilor Grant asked about the condition of the pool and maintenance was discussed. It was noted that there is a spot in the pool floor that needs replaced but they ran out of time and will have to do it this fall instead.
POLICE AND ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT: The department had 109 calls for service, 31 cases written, 13 citations, and 0 written warnings for April 2019. The police department is still waiting on the state-wide electronic equipment but were notified that it will be 2-6 more months because of a state issue. Jason Brainard graduated from POST and will be out on active patrol after he gets back from National Guard training in the month of June. Mike Quintal received an officer of the year award from the Free Press. Chief Drew has the police officer job posted on Facebook and the State POST website.
SIDEWALK WAIVER: Public Works Director Mager recommended a sidewalk waiver for Bruce Graham, 514 Elm Street, for the sidewalk on Boulevard (Elm already has a sidewalk). A motion was made by Councilor Peterson, and seconded by Councilor Grant, that a sidewalk waiver be granted for 514 Elk Street. Motion was carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE ON WEEDS: A discussion regarding the need for an ordinance and the interpretation of the code occurred between the Council and Fire Chief Bob Mager. After this discussion the ordinance was voted on and approved.
ORDINANCE NO. 933
(Ordinance No. 933 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF TITLE 7 CHAPTER 3 OF THE GRANGEVILLE CITY CODE RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF WEEDS AND TALL GRASS; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION.
On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant, 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: Canaday, Farris, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Lester then declared Ordinance No. 933 duly approved and adopted.
IDA-LEW SUPPORT: The City received a request for support of Ida-Lew’s application for Economic Development Professional Grant Funds. The amount requested is $2,000. A motion was made by Councilor Lane, seconded by Councilor Grant, to support the donation of $2,000 for Economic Development Professional Grant Funds. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed
EIMERS WELL PROPERTY PURCHASE: Attorney Green stated all the title work has been completed on the property adjacent to Eimers Well and the appraisal should be done soon. Mr. Kirby, appraiser, let him know, due to the unique needs of the City for this property, the value should come in close to the selling price of $6,850. The City would buy the property from J.C. Group, LLC for $6,850 plus appraisal fee, title insurance and closing costs.
Public Works Director Mager explained the property by Eimers Well is necessary to allow for any well maintenance on the property. There is not room to have a crane on the property, pull the casing and set the pipe on the ground without landlocking the crane. The City has been using this property since the well’s existence. The land purchase is vital for maintenance of the well and is approximately 75’x18.5’. Purchasing the property also allows for additional wellhead protection. The City needs to purchase the property because if not, the City may have to pay rent in the future during well maintenance.
Mayor Lester explained during the Title search, the Title company didn’t find an easement on the original property and the City will be looking into obtaining an easement from a different property owner.
On motion by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor Peterson, that the City proceed toward the purchase of the well property subject to standard title exceptions. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilor Peterson, second by Councilor Grant to enter executive session according to Section 74-206 (c) Land Acquisition. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Canaday, Farris, Lane, Grant, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
