The City Council met in regular session on November 5, 2012 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Shelley Dumas
Wes Lester
Beryl Grant
City employees present were Chief Drew, Attorney Green, Public Works Director McFrederick and Clerk Kennedy.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the October 15th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Peterson, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION FOR PHASE II OF THE WWTP: As grant administrator, Walter Steed, 1345 Ridgeview, Moscow, Idaho was present to provide comments to those in attendance about the block grant application. He is preparing and getting ready to print the Block Grant application for Phase II of the WWTP project. Cory Baune with J-U-B reviewed the scope of work and schedule. Project II is building on Phase I of the WWTP project. Phase II also has $1.5 million from the Corp. of Engineers, adding dewatering equipment, generator, non-potable water system, new motor control center and collection system work. The schedule and design contract is on the agenda for later tonight. Phase II will be in the design phase, with agency review in late January and bidding in late February. The bid opening may be in March for WWTP improvements with a new contractor on site in May or June. The sewer collection system work will be bid separately, dependent on a block grant award.
No public comments were made; the hearing was closed.
VISITORS: Don and Laurie Fletcher, 410 Cunningham, would like to have the zoning laws amended to allow chickens within the residential areas of the City. Fletcher’s handed out McCall’s policy which was changed to have hens. They would like it considered to reflect the economic times and changing attitudes. Councilwoman Dumas felt it would behoove the Council to accommodate the idea with additional research. Councilman Lorentz stated he grew up on farm with animals, and he felt farm animals belong on a farm. He would not vote for having hens in Zone A. Chief Drew explained that on the enforcement side, the department is limited and not equipped to handle complaints for chickens at this time. Councilwoman Grant was concerned about the structure that would be put up on the lot and how it would look. At this time half the Council was not interested in changing the ordinance. If Fletcher’s decide to do additional research, they can bring the information back to the Council.
John Gaither has a rental at 408 W North 5th Street. Last winter he had a family of five in the rental so the summer sewer average was higher than the minimum. Mr. Gaither now has one person in the rental that uses only the minimum. He would like the sewer bill reduced to the minimum for one month due to the change in circumstance. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to reduce John Gaither’s bill by an approximate $18 credit for 408 W North 5th Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Cory Baune, J-U-B Engineers discussed the professional services agreement for Phase II of the project which is a design only contract and does not include construction management. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the engineering contract with J-U-B Engineers for Phase II WWTP and Collection System Improvements. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Dumas, Houger, Lester, Grant, Lorentz, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department had 42 cases written, 9 citations, 3 written warnings and 137 calls for service. The Police and Animal Control Report for October 2012 was accepted on motion by Councilman Peterson second by Councilman Lorentz. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Chief Drew stated the police department did acquire the two new budgeted vehicles for the year. They are being painted, marked and equipped. The unmarked vehicle will rotate out.
HANDICAP RAMP IN THE SETBACK: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the request of Ken Nevel, 1108 Crooks Street to have a handicap ramp 1.5’ into the front yard setback. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
FESTIVAL OF TREES DONATION: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to donate a family season pool pass for 2013. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
WRITE OFFS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to approve the 2011-12 write-off of non-collectible accounts for $317.58. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SIDEWALK WAIVER: Councilman Peterson made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to grant the indefinite sidewalk waiver request by Jacobs Oil at 410 North C Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
WALTER M. STEED & ASSOCIATES: On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve the pay request to Walter M. Steed and Associates for $1,425.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ESTATE OF ORRIN WEBB: Mayor Walker provided the Council with an updated on the Orrin Webb estate. The City was named as a beneficiary in the will of Orrin Web. The City will receive 20% of the estate; of that amount, it will be split equally between the Grangeville Swimming Pool and adjacent city park, Grangeville Volunteer Fire Department, Grangeville Police Department and Grangeville public golf program being conducted at the Grangeville Country Club Golf Course. The City received the first distribution in the amount of $554,463.17.
ITEMS TO NOTE: The City received notification from Suddenlink of a rate increase for cable.
The Tree Lighting at Pioneer Park for Winter Magic is November 24, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
