The City Council met in regular session on September 8, 2009 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Michael Peterson
Brian Lorentz
Wes Lester
Councilmember absent:
Georgia DeHaas
Linda Aiken
City employees present were Chief Sedam, Attorney Green and Clerk Kennedy. Public Works Director Gortsema was absent.
The meeting was called to order.
AGENDA AMENDMENT: none
MINUTES: The minutes of the August 17th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
BUDGET HEARING 2009-2010: Clerk Kennedy explained that there was a proposed 6% increase in water and sewer, both on the base and demand/additional consumption (for base rates alone that equates to $.79 per month on water and $1.30 per month on sewer), a $.03 per gallon increase in gray waste at the wastewater plant and a $1.70 per month increase in street light.
Larry Clark, 412 No B Street stated that there has been a water increase each year over the last three years that has amounted to about an 18% increase. When that amount is added to the $15.00 bond that was voted on it comes to about $80.00 this month. He felt maybe it should be scaled back. Inez Rose agreed with his comments.
Mary Ann Davidson questioned whether the street light was a reimbursement on the cost that Avista charges the City. Clerk Kennedy explained that the City determines how much Avista charges and then passes that charge on to the users. The City had not checked or raised the street light charge in a lot of years and got behind.
Mayor Walker explained that for many years the City didn’t increase the utility rates enough to keep up and now they City is trying to keep on schedule.
The hearing closed at 7:40 p.m.
VISITORS: Mary Ann Davidson attended to discuss the option of LIDs on gravel streets in the City and dust abatement. She was interested in finding out what it cost to maintain gravel streets versus paved streets. Mayor Walker had Public Works Director Gortsema research the last five years in costs; Gortsema then provided a cost per mile for paved versus gravel streets. When Mary Ann was reviewing the five year figures provided by Gortsema, she found out that on the average, maintenance costs are approximately $4,000.00 per year more for paved streets than gravel streets. Her request is that based upon these numbers, the Council continue to provide dust abatement for the gravel streets.
Councilman Lester felt that once the abatement starts to wear out, then those on the street get an oily dust instead of dusty dust. He felt that it doesn’t seem like the product lasts like it should based on the money being spent.
Councilman Lorentz stated that asphalt streets don’t require the chip seal every year. Budget constraints come into the account and realistically dust abatement should be done more frequently to be able to compare it more accurately with asphalt streets. .
Mayor Walker responded that dust abatement isn’t in the budget for 2009-10. He can’t say anything now, but if the City has a light winter and has funds left over then maybe the City can look at the dust abatement.
Linda Fisher called to let the City know she could not attend.
Pat Web was present to discuss the $15.00 water bond charge at 824 North Hall Street. He stated he can’t rent out the property because the City won’t let him have a trailer on the lot and he’ll just take the City to court before he’ll pay the $15.00 bond charge. Clerk Kennedy explained the general content of Ordinance #851 that allows a disconnection in services if the property owner chooses; eliminating the $15.00 bond charge. Pat was not interested in that option. Mayor Walker stated his request would be taken under advisement.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 166 calls for service. There were 94 cases written, 27 misdemeanor arrests, 3 felony arrest, 37 citations, 26 written warnings issued, 9 dogs and no cats handled. The Police and Animal Control Report for August 2009 was accepted on motion by Councilman Loretnz, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Peterson to accept the Library Board Minutes of July 23, 2009. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ORDINANCE NO. 852
(Ordinance No. 852 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, 2009, APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $5,152,436.00 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 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, Lorentz, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 852 duly approved and adopted.
ORDINANCE NO. 853
(Ordinance No. 853 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 8-5-5 OF THE GRANGEVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO METER RATES; INCREASING METER RATES BY A SIX PERCENT (6%) RATE; REPEALING ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND, PROVIDING FOR ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION.
On motion by Councilman Houger, 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.
Pat Web commented that a lot of people try to raise a garden but the rates are too high already. Mayor Walker explained that the City would like to keep as low as possible, but the City went too many years without raising the fees. He hopes to get it to the point where the City doesn’t have to increase it.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 853 duly approved and adopted.
ORDINANCE NO. 854
(Ordinance No. 854 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF SECTION 8-5-3-1 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE RELATING TO SEWER RATES; PROVIDING FOR INCREASE IN SEWER RATES AND INCREASING THE RATES OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE; CONTINUING THE DEFINITION OF THE USAGE RATE AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THE EARLIER DRAFT OF 8-5-3; PROVIDING FOR THE RETENTION OF THE REMAINDER OF SECTION 8-5-3; PROVIDING FOR THE ORDINANCE BECOMING EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION; AND, PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
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, Lorentz, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Ordinance No. 854 duly approved and adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 214
(Resolution No. 214 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN CERTAIN WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT FEES PURSUANT TO GRANGEVILLE CITY CODE SECTION 8-5-3-2.
The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Lorentz who moved for its adoption. Second by Councilman Lester.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Resolution No. 214 duly approved and adopted.
RESOLUTION NO. 215
(Resolution No. 215 in its entirety on file in the City’s Resolution File)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE PROVIDING FOR AN INCREASE IN STREET LIGHT FEES PURSUANT TO GRANGEVILLE CITY CODE SECTION 8-4-3.
The following resolution was introduced by Councilman Lester who moved for its adoption. Second by Councilman Lorentz.
ROLL CALL VOTE: YES: Houger, Lester, Lorentz, Peterson. NO: none. The motion passed. Mayor Walker then declared Resolution No. 215 duly approved and adopted.
AUDIT CONTRACT 07-08: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to approve the audit contract for fiscal year ending 9/30/08 with Gibbons, Scott and Dean. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
TEMPORARY FENCE AGREEMENT REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to approve the request by Jean Olson, 411 Madison, to have a five foot chain link fence in the right of way on Madison and to allow the fence to be taller than three feet when within fifty feet of the corner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
HERITAGE SQUARE REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to approve the boosters to use Heritage Square on September 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for a homecoming bonfire, to close Heritage Square at 3:00 p.m. and to approve the parade route as per the Chief’s plan. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
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Bruce Walker – Mayor
ATTEST:
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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
