City Council met in regular session on October 5, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Lester presided:
Councilmembers present:
Jared Andrews
Wyatt Perry
Amy Farris
Dylan Canaday
Gabriel Forsmann
Cody Edwards
City employees present: Public Works Director Mager, Chief Newman, City Administrator Kennedy and Attorney Jessup.
PRESENTATION: City Administrator Kennedy recognized Keely Rowland, Treasurer, as earning her Idaho Certified Municipal Clerk Treasurer certification.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the Council minutes of September 21st were approved as presented by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Perry. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
PUBLIC HEARING: Vacation of right of way in the Hillcrest Addition, adjacent to Lots 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 as submitted by Ted Lindsley, H&J Group, LLC, Gene Warden and Stephen Kaschmitter personal representative for the Estate of Lillian Dolores Kaschmitter.
STAFF: Administrator Kennedy displayed the parcel viewer map for the Council to view the area described in the vacation in the Hillcrest Addition. Mayor Lester stated there is a building that was built in the right of way at some point.
APPLICANT: Ted Lindsley stated he found this section of right of way on the parcel viewer and when looking into it found out it doesn’t go anywhere. It dead-ends and there are very large trees in the area. He is requesting it be vacated.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE: none
SUPPORTERS: none
NEUTRALS: none
OPPONENTS: none
Mayor Lester asked Public Works Director Mager if the city needed the area for future splits on the Kaschmitter property. Mager stated Avista is not in the right of way and the city would not need the area. Water is located off South 1st and a private sewer line is already in place. Attorney Jessup stated there is no legal reason why the right of way shouldn’t be vacated.
The hearing closed 6:06 p.m.
Councilor Farris stated she has no opposition to the vacation. Councilor Andrews stated if no city services are located there nor projected to be in that location, he didn’t see a reason not to vacate. On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to proceed with the vacation and have Attorney Jessup draft the ordinance. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
VICIOUS DOG HEARING: Dillon Johnson, 127 Cunningham Street #21 was present as owner of the dog. Attorney Jessup explained to Officer Forsgren that it was his opportunity to tell the Council why the dog was declared vicious. Then the owner of the dog will get to speak.
STAFF REPORT: Officer Forsgren provided his report with Attorney Jessup asking questions and receiving clarifications. Officer Forsgren explained on 9/9/26 he was dispatched to a call of reported dog bite. The reporting person resides at 317 Nez Perce and said her mom was attacked by a dog in the house. The dog belonged to someone that was dog sitting at their house. The dog was in a kennel. The mom came back to the house with the owner of the house’s dog which she had taken to the vet. The mom also had her personal dog with her. The dog sitter’s dog escaped the kennel and attacked the mom. The reporting party didn’t want to press charges, but was concerned about the temperament of the dog being in the city and wanted the city to know. The dog was unprovoked; it escaped the kennel and attacked her and caused damages. Officer Forsgren talked to the dog owners and served them with a vicious dog declaration, as it fit the standards in code. The incident happened 4 or 5 days before it was reported. It occurred on September 4th at 317 Nez Perce which was in the city limits. The owners of the dog are Shay Morris and Dillion Johnson and they live at 127 Cunningham Street #21 which is also in the city limits.
Dillon Johnson stated they were house sitting for a lady. She had told them they could bring their dogs and kennel them before they went to work. Their dog is 5 months old, super sweet and kind. The dog has never done it to anyone else before and he probably thought she was an intruder because she’s never been in that house before when he was there. Attorney Jessup clarified some information with Dillon. The dog was in the house, in the kennel when Dillon went to work. Dillon stated yes, then once the dog got out of the kennel he went through the doggy door to go outside into the yard. Dillon didn’t know how he got out of the kennel. When the dog is at Dillon’s house and Dillon has to go to work, the dog is in the kennel. The dog is a pit bull and barely 5 months old. Dillon has another pit bull that is 2 years old but was not involved in the incident. Mayor Lester asked how the dog got out of the kennel. Dillon stated it was a collapsible metal panel kennel. The dog must have knocked down one of the sides. Councilor Edwards asked if the bite occurred in the home or outside the home. Dillon stated in the house. Councilor Farris asked if the dog is vaccinated? Dillon stated not yet.
Dillon had Billy Isabelle speak on his behalf. Billy stated he has known the puppy since Dillon brought him home at 8 weeks old. It’s been at his house numerous times when Dillon is gone. He has a pit bull too and they play together. He’s had 20 people in his yard and the puppy never hurts anyone. There is no meanness in the puppy. It’s pure excitement and joy when he sees somebody. Billy is a neighbor. Billy stated if Dillon is allowed to keep his dog, Billy will take possession of it and take care of it. He lives in a mobile home and the dogs have free range inside it. Mayor Lester asked if he had a fenced yard. Billy stated yes, but it would be on a leash outside as that is the rules of the trailer park. He lives at 127 Cunningham #46. Billy started if someone tried to come into his house, his dog would act the same way.
Attorney Jessup stated to find that the dog is a vicious animal, you have to find that the dog bit, the bite was aggressive and the victim was a person, fowl or domestic animal.
Councilor Edwards asked if it was just one bite. Officer Forsgren stated she had injury to the face, hand and back of leg and said she had to fight it off with a frying pan to get it to stop. She thought she startled the dog and that the dog thought she was a stranger. Attorney Jessup questioned how many dogs were present. He thought a total of 6 dogs were at the house. Officer Forsgren stated the victim chose not to receive medical attention.
The hearing was closed.
Councilor Farris stated she felt it was a young puppy in a new environment that was introduced to a stranger and her dog. She felt it wasn’t necessarily aggression but more excitement. She felt the dog should go home with its owner and when its time they get vaccinated and licensed. Councilor Perry felt the deciding factor for him was that the victim didn’t need medical attention. Councilor Farris felt if it was vicious; she would have reported it immediately not wait 5 days.
On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to return the dog to its owner, and that the owner does the right thing to get it vaccinated, licensed and to keep it on a leash outside and follow the ordinances. Councilor Edwards questioned if it set a precedent for our department. Attorney Jessup stated this won’t hamper the department or council in the future, as it is a fact specific determination. Councilor Perry asked if this dog is involved in a future incident will this information be used. Attorney Jessup stated if this comes before the council again, you could use this as additional information to make your decision about a new incident involving the dog.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
Attorney Jessup stated the appeal was granted, so it’s not a vicious dog and it can be in the city and all city laws need to be followed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
• PLANNING AND ZONING MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to accept the Planning and Zoning minutes of September 29, 2026. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
• Decision on the variance application submitted by Emily Vieira and Jakob Layman, 216 S Florence, enclose a carport in the side yard setback. Councilor Farris asked if the council votes in favor of Planning and Zonings recommendation, they would need a building permit. Kennedy stated yes. On motion by Councilor Farris, second by Councilor Canaday to grant the variance submitted by Emily Vieira and Jakob Layman, 216 S Florence, enclose a carport in the side yard setback. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
• Decision on the variance application submitted by Gerald Brown, 613 S Hall to build a patio cover over a swim spa deck which encroaches into the setback on E South 5th Street. Councilor Farris asked if they started without a building permit and if they would need to pay a double fee? Kennedy stated yes. On motion by Councilor Andrew, second by Councilor Canaday to approve the variance submitted by Gerald Brown, 613 S Hall to build a patio cover over a swim spa deck which encroaches into the setback on E South 5th Street. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Forsmann, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: none. The motion passed.
• LIBRARY MINUTES: On motion by Councilor Canaday, second by Councilor Farris to accept the Library Minutes of September 17, 2026. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Mayor Lester stated appointment of the new board member will occur at the next meeting.
SURPUS: Chief Newman stated this vehicle was used as training vehicle. With the purchase of the new vehicles, the Tahoe is now training car and the 2004 expedition is not needed so he would like to surplus it. On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris to surplus the Police Department’s 2004 Ford Expedition ending in VIN#22729. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
SNOWHAVEN MANAGER HIRING: Councilor Forsmann stated he would recuse from discussion as he is Joel Wasem’s first cousin. Administrator Kennedy stated the Council received the complete packet of information on hiring in their packet to review and then read the following findings.
(1) The City of Grangeville has a population of fewer than 10,000 residents based on the most recent decennial census;
(2) The position of Snowhaven Ski & Tubing Area Manager requires specific experience, training, and qualifications related to the duties of the position, and Joel Wasem meets those qualifications;
(3) Public notice of the position was published in the Idaho County Free Press on August 12, 19, and 26, 2026, and posted on the City website continuously from August 5, 2026, through September 28, 2026, consistent with the means customarily used by the City for job postings;
(4) The position remained open for applications for more than 45 days;
(5) The City made a good-faith effort to identify and consider qualified applicants, and received one application, from Joel Wasem; no applicants were rejected as unqualified;
(6) The City has maintained a written record of applications received, qualifications of each applicant, and the rationale for the proposed appointment;
(7) The familial relationship between Joel Wasem and Councilor Gabriel Forsmann — first cousins, within the second degree of consanguinity — has been publicly disclosed on the record at this open meeting prior to this vote;
(8) Councilor Forsmann will not serve as the supervisor of or exercise direct authority over Joel Wasem, and supervisory responsibility for the position is assigned to Tonya Kennedy, City Administrator/City Clerk, who is not related within the second degree to Joel Wasem; and
(9) Any future increase in compensation for the position will be limited to cost-of-living adjustments or across-the-board increases provided to all employees, unless otherwise approved by the City Council in an open meeting with the rationale made part of the record;
(10) As discussed during budget, the position will be a parttime, PERSI eligible position with limited or no hours in the off season and will cease to be listed as a PERSI 8 month seasonal position.
On motion by Councilor Andrews, second by Councilor Farris, that based upon the findings as read, move to approve the employment of Joel Wasem as Snowhaven Ski & Tubing Area Manager pursuant to Idaho Code § 18-1359(8)(a), at a starting wage of $18.00 per hour. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Farris, Andrews, Canaday, Edwards, Perry. NO: none. RECUSED: Forsmann. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:39 P.M.
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Wes Lester – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – Clerk
