The City Council met in regular session on November 16, 2015 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Scott Winkler
Mike Peterson
Beryl Grant
Shelley Dumas
Pete Lane
Wes Lester
City employees present were Chief Drew, Public Works Director McFrederick, Clerk Kennedy and Attorney Green.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of November 2nd were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lane. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department had 11 cases written, 5 citations 91 calls for service for October 2015. The Police and Animal Control Report for October 2015 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilwoman Grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to authorize payment of the Ski Patrol dues for $1,232.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The Fire Department Minutes of October 5, 2015 and October 26, 2015 were accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
HELICOPTER DRAFT ORDINANCE DISCUSSION: The Council received copies of the proposed draft ordinance. Under the application process Councilman Winkler thought the 45 days should be deleted and under guidelines the City listed as additional insured.
Councilman Lane stated on the last condition it should say repair damage to public and private property. Lane questioned whether residents should sign off on the permit.
Councilwoman Grant questioned who would police it to make sure the conditions are met. The City Clerk will have to gather the information. She felt taking out the 45 days and stating repair of public and private property are good changes.
Councilwoman Dumas asked if it was arbitrary that the City can look at some of the conditions and not others. Councilman Winkler felt it would allow applicants to come prepared, knowing these are possible conditions.
On motion by Councilman Winkler, second by Councilwoman Grant that the changes listed below be in the final draft of the ordinance.
• Delete 45 days from the application process.
• Provide proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured.
• Repair damage to public and private property.
Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. ___
(Ordinance No. _____ in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROHIBITING THE LANDING AND/OR DEPARTURE OF HELICOPTERS IN THE CITY OF GRANGEVILL EXCEPT AT APPROVED LANDING SITES; PROVIDING FOR LANDINGS APPROVED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT; PROVING FOR PERMITS TO BE ISSUED BY THE GRANGEVILLE CITY COUNCIL; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
Councilman Winkler made a motion, second by Councilwoman Grant that the first reading be approved and the ordinance pass to the second reading. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Dumas, Winkler, Grant, Peterson. NO: Lester, Lane. The motion passed.
Kim Spencer with the Grangeville EMTs voiced concerns. She stated no other Cities have a permit for helicopters. She felt that the City is singling them out and picking on the EMTs. Councilman Winkler asked if there was a problem with applying for the permit? Kim responded no; it is just a bunch of hoops to jump through.
Mayor Walker told the story about when Neil Fales used to have board meetings at the Idaho Trust bank and often flew up for the meetings and landed in the parking lot. There are situations when helicopters have landed in the City non-related to medical.
Robin Embry asked if the ordinance could be changed to only planned events and not emergencies or mass casualties. She is concerned that law enforcement may not be around. Councilman Lane stated the Chief of Police or his designee will be available. This was talked about during the drafting process. There was concern about allowing EMTs who don’t work for the City to have the authority on emergencies.
Rachel Beeson stated she felt the City doesn’t understand what EMTs do and the EMTs are the main ones affected.
Brian Perry questioned if there was a difference between granting a permit and accepting liability? Attorney Green felt it would be unlikely the city would be sued for granting a permit.
BILLS: The bills in the amount of $210,739.05 were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds, on motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lane. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
GRASS ORDINANCE: Chief Drew explained the majority of property owners receiving notice complied. The City mowed two residential lawns for about $75 each. These charges were paid from the general fund. Chief Drew would like guidance on the intent of the ordinance. Some of the areas affected are residential and some are industrial areas. Mayor Walker stated the intent was to look at residential areas. Attorney Green stated maybe it could be revised to apply to certain zones.
SICK BANK: Mike Curtiss was present and asked for a meeting with the personnel committee. The committee will contact him to get it scheduled.
COMPRESSOR PURCHASE: Public Works Director McFrederick had $19,000 budgeted for a compressor. Hahn has a 2011 demo unit for $12,250 the City would like to purchase. On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler to allow public works to purchase the compressor that was budgeted. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
LOCHSA LAND SWAP: Senator Risch will be here on November 24th for a hearing on the Lochsa land swap and Mayor Walker asked if the city wanted to have any input. After discussion, it was determined the City was not prepared to write a letter as members felt the City didn’t have all the facts. Everyone was encouraged to attend the meeting and comment individually if they chose. Additional information could be brought back to the council for further discussion.
ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION LETTER OF INTENT: Councilman Peterson questioned whether there needed to be a parcel description attached to the letter. Attorney Green stated he left it ambiguous so if they met the benchmarks we could get the description at that time. Mayor Walker suggested getting the aerial picture and attaching it to the letter. On motion by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Winkler to accept the letter of intent for animal rescue foundation and authorize it’s signing. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
