The City Council met in regular session on September 7, 2010 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Mike Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Rob Bentley
Wes Lester
Councilmember absent: Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Quantz and Administrative Assistant Crea. Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy were absent.
MINUTES: The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the August 16th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lorenz, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
AMENDMENTS: none
BUDGET HEARING FOR THE 2010-2011 BUDGET: Mayor Walker read the expenditures for the proposed 2010-2011 budget. It was noted that the Street Fund and Snowhaven Fund both had fee increases greater than 5%. Mayor Walker asked for comments; none given.
VISITORS: Justin Erickson with Idaho County Sheriff’s Department is in the process of writing a grant and he presented an inmate worker program and explained there would be no monetary reimbursement by the City. It is a volunteer program and the City would provide the supplies only. Chief Quantz asked who would participate and Justin explained that only inmates that had misdemeanors and background checks completed would be able to participate. He is requesting a letter of support be submitted with the grant application. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Lorentz that the City support the program and for Chief Quantz to write a letter of support for the grant. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Property owner Joe Lothspeich, requested that the designated handicap parking spot at136 North State Street be removed. The office was previously used for a doctor’s office and the designation is no longer valid. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to remove the handicap parking space at 136 N. State Street, for the City to take down the sign and post and have Public Works Director Gortsema and Joe Lothspeich determine who will paint the curb. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Charlene Fenelon was present to ask for a transfer of the beer & wine license from The Gallery to Padge LLC d/b/a Padges’s Place. Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson that the transfer be approved. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Angela Riener was present to receive permission to hold a silent demonstration on October 3rd from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. on Main Street. National Life Chain Day is the 1st Sunday in October, which is October 3rd. Those participating will meet at the city park at 2:00 p.m. for instruction prior to moving downtown. They will hold signs approximately 20 feet apart but will not speak. Chief Quantz explained that Angela had provided a plan for managing this type of demonstration and it was approved by the police department. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Peterson to approve the demonstration. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: The department responded to 149 calls for service. There were 92 cases written, 43 misdemeanor arrests, 3 felony arrest, 29 citations, 7 written warnings issued, 5 dogs and 1 cat handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for August 2010 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
WWTP MEETING: Public Works Director Gortsema informed the Council of a meeting with J-U-B and Rural Development tomorrow at City Hall to discuss the project schedule and funding requirements.
COLLEGE TUITION PROGRAM: Chief Quantz provided information about an online college education service provided by Columbia Southern University, in which there is no obligation for the City to participate; however, the City employees would get a reduced rate for college credits if the City signs the Learning Partnership Memorandum of Understanding. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to authorize the mayor to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with CSU. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ENERGY BLOCK GRANT BID FOR CITY HALL: Public Works Director Gortsema recommended accepting the low bid with Schacher Construction on the windows and doors project of City Hall. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the low bid for the door and window replacement at City Hall with the exclusion of the Council Chambers door. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
ENERGY BLOCK GRANT BID FOR CASH WELL: Public Works Director Gortsema recommended accepting the low bid with Challenger for Cash Well improvements. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to accept the low bid from Challenger Construction for $24,987 on Cash Well improvements and authorize the mayor to sign the contract. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
RATIFICATION OF NORTHWEST MANAGEMENT CONTRACT FOR TIMBER SALE: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second Councilman Peterson to ratify the signing of the contract with Northwest Timber Management for the Timber Sale on the watershed. ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed.
GENEALOGY ROOM RENT DISCUSSION: Mayor Walker brought up discussion on the idea of renting out the room Genealogy currently uses upstairs by the Library. Ida-Lew is looking for a place to rent and asked the Mayor if the City had any space available. Approximately ten Idaho County Genealogical Society members attended the meeting to show support to stay in the room. Carol Sue Hauntz has been the president of the Genealogy Society for 6.5 years and thanked the Council for the use of the room, also voicing the importance of the work that the Society does for those doing genealogical research. There were 120 visitors last year. The information is provided as a public service, although some small donations are received. Myrna DeHaas also thanked the Council for the use of the room and explained that it is a good fit as the items need to be monitored and it fits in with the use of the library. She asked that they be allowed to stay in the room. Mayor Walker asked that those items discussed be taken under consideration and then discussed at a future meeting.
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR 2010-11:
ORDINANCE NO. 861
(Ordinance No. 861 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2010, APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $9,273,850.00 TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR; AUTHORIZING A LEVY OF SUFFICIENT TAX UPON THE TAXABLE PROPERTY AND SPECIFYING THE OBJECTS AND PURPOSES FOR WHICH SAID APPROPRIATIONS ARE MADE.
On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester 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, Lorentz, Bentley, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 861 duly approved and adopted.
ITEMS TO NOTE: none
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 P.M.
_________________________________
Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Elaine Crea – Administrative Asst.
