The City Council met in regular session on November 15, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Michael Peterson
Rob Bentley
Wes Lester
Councilmembers absent:
Brian Lorentz
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Chief Quantz, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy. Public Works Director Gortsema was absent.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the November 1st meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AGENDA AMENDMENT: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to add discussion for Mike Curtiss on the fire training; the reason being that the incident happened this weekend. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF SOUTH HALL STREET RIGHT OF WAY: A public hearing was held on the request to vacate a portion of South Hall Street right of way adjacent to Lot 6, Block B and Lot 7 Block A, South Addition. Bruce Chapin explained that the property lines along East South 9th Street are off and this vacation will allow the property owners to continue with the process to make the property lines match the historical fence lines. No other comments were made and the hearing was closed. An ordinance to vacate that portion of South Hall Street right of way will be drafted for consideration at the December 6th meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED AREA OF IMPACT ORDINANCES: Mayor Walker stated that the City would take comments on the two Area of Impact ordinances that were drafted and available to the public for review and comment. No comments were made and the hearing was closed.
VISITORS: Jim Fogelman was present to submit a list of people in the area that signed showing their displeasure with the condition of Pine Street, including himself. He stated there is not much difference between summer and winter as there is either mud or dust. He felt the City needed to do something. Councilman Lester stated that some years ago, owners along Pine Street were contacted to see if they were interested in participating in a paving project. At that time, it was not unanimous amongst the property owners.
Mayor Walker explained to Mr. Fogelman that the majority of the paving in Grangeville had been paid by the property owners, either by LIDs or a private project funded up front by adjacent property owners. The City cooperates with property owners when they want to move forward to pave a section. However, if property owners are willing to help fund their property lines, then the City takes care of the City’s footage. The Council took the position that dust abatement would be cut from the budget during budget shortfall.
Councilman Houger felt sorry for those that were “eating dust” and he knows what people are going through since he too lives on a gravel street where not all the property owners are willing to participate in a paving project. Times are tough for the whole City and cuts have to be made.
Mayor Walker will talk to one of the property owners in the area to see if they would like to coordinate a possible project. The City will see if they have any other ideas to fix Pine Street.
Mike Curtiss, 426 North A Street, was present to talk about his house that was damaged during a fire department training burn on November 13th. His siding was damaged during the burn from the intense heat and a claim was filed with the City Clerk. When Mike met with the fire chief prior to the burn, he stated he didn’t want water to enter his attic area because of the vent and open soffit but it was ok to wet the siding. Instead it got back to the fire department that he didn’t want any water on his house. He had two concerns: lack of notification to the neighborhood and no policy whether general or written for burning a house down in a residential area. Only one or two property owners in the neighborhood knew about the scheduled burn. One neighbor had breathing problems and had to leave until the burn was completed. Mike felt that it was wrong that notification didn’t have to happen. If it’s an emergency then no one should get in the way. However, when it’s not, they need to look at the health and safety of the neighborhood. The fire department did a great job, but procedure was wrong.
Mayor Walker apologized for any inconvenience and stated he couldn’t speak for the fire chief who was out of town. The objective of the controlled burn was to be able to have live training without life threatening complications. The department does have a policy which used to be to burn just because. Now the department tries to evaluate and make sure it is safe and a good thing and controllable. It didn’t turn out that way. He appreciated Mike bringing it to the City’s attention and the department will do their best to have learned from this experience.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to accept the Snowhaven Minutes of November 4, 2010. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $321,378.68 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.
GET ACQUAINTED ISSUE: Discussion occurred whether the City should participate in the Get Acquainted issue for 2011. Councilman Peterson commented that with new personnel it would be nice to have picture in the issue. The size of the ad, ranging from quarter page to full page was discussed. On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester to buy a full page ad in the Get Acquainted Issue. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
IDA-LEW CONTRIBUTION: Clerk Kennedy explained that an IDA-LEW invoice was received requesting a $3,000.00 contribution; however, she didn’t believe a decision had been made during the budget sessions on whether to contribute $2,000.00 or $3,000.00. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Bentley to contribute the $2,000.00 budgeted to IDA-LEW for 2010-11 year. Councilman Peterson commented that he’d like to see the amount raised to $2,500.00 since they aren’t getting money from the state this year. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. 862: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to suspend the rules and read Ordinance No. 862 by title only. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
ORDINANCE NO. 862
(Ordinance No. 862 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, REPEALING TITLE 10, CHAPTER 9, AREA OF CITY IMPACT; DEFINING THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF CITY IMPACT; PROVIDING THAT ALL ORDINANCES AND PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE ARE HEREBY REPEALED; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION WITH PASSAGE OCCURRING AFTER A HEARING BEFORE THE GRANGEVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, AND A HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, AND AFTER APPROVAL BY THE IDAHO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AFTER HEARING, AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson 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: Houger, Lester, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 862 duly approved and adopted.
ORDINANCE NO. 863: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to suspend the rules and read Ordinance No. 863 by title only. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
ORDINANCE NO. 863
(Ordinance No. 863 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE, IDAHO COUNTY, IDAHO, ESTABLISHING PLANS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE AREA OF IMPACT AROUND THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE; PROVIDING THAT ALL ORDINANCES AND PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE ARE HEREBY REPEALED; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION WITH PASSAGE OCCURRING AFTER A HEARING BEFORE THE GRANGEVILLE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION, AND A HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, AND AFTER APPROVAL BY THE IDAHO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AFTER HEARING, AS PROVIDED BY LAW.
On motion by Councilman Lester, 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: Houger, Lester, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 863 duly approved and adopted.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to create a summary of Ordinance No. 863 for publication. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE: Suddenlink will be increasing prices as of December 2010.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
