July 5, 2005 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on July 5, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:

Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
Brian Lorentz
James Zehner
Jane Kissinger
Georgia DeHaas

City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Sedam, City Attorney Albers and Clerk Kennedy.

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the June 20th meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Jeff Kutner was present as the City’s representative for CEDA and Ida-Lew and gave an overview on both programs. Ida-Lew also would like to request that the Council budget $3,000.00 in the 05-06 budget, as they have in the past.

On a side note, a group of motorcyclists are working with Greg Towerton and the Hinkson family to get the motor cross track up and running. They feel the track potential is as one of the best in the Northwest.

Shaun Maxey reported that the fiber optics project will not be able to go forward since the school levy failed; therefore the school will not be able to provide the match.

Jim Barger, 919 South C Street, was present to ask the Council to reconsider their decision from June 6th, which was to deny his sidewalk waiver request. Jim explained that he is at a dead end street with very little foot traffic. The property has a fair amount of slope and there is a light pole located where the sidewalk would be placed. There is approximately 2’ of slope from his property to the top of the curb. The area is currently landscaped and he would hate to tear it out. No other houses on the street in that area have sidewalks.

Councilwoman Kissinger made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to postpone the decision until the July 18th meeting so everyone has a chance to review the area. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 208 calls for service. There were 132 cases written, 34 arrests, 52 citations and 15 written warnings issued. The Police and Animal Control Report for June 2005 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Over Border Days, Chief Sedam pulled the beer and wine license from Camas Café and plans to research who the owner really is.

The Water Leak report for June 2005 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 19 leaks (65 year to date) and installed no new services.

Gil Walker, Bob Walker and Mike Sturdevant were present to review the project and to answer questions on the Water Project. The City will meet with Bodiford tomorrow morning to discuss a few issues and resolve any outstanding problems. The contractor is not maintaining the schedule as planned since he is still tied up on another project. About 3000 feet has been currently placed in the ground. The compaction tests have been above the standard.

The sewer project started last Wednesday. They too are short handed, since they are trying to wrap up projects in Lewiston. The compaction tests have been good and everything is going well.

ORDINANCE ON ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman Kissinger to include semi-truck beds for storage. The school & Norco currently use semi-truck beds for storage. Councilman Lester felt that commercial zones should be allowed to use them for storage. Councilwoman DeHaas originally thought it was for Zone A and B only. Councilman Walker felt that because it is a zoning issue, a variance could be applied for. Councilman Lester felt that van trailers should be included at the same time so the ordinance is all encompassing. Attorney Albers will work on re-vamping the ordinance and possibly adding definitions. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Walker to postpone the ordinance for discussion on July 18th after it’s refined by Attorney Albers.

SNOWHAVEN EXPANSION MEETING: The meeting between the Council and Expansion Committee needs to be rescheduled and will most likely occur in August. The date and time will be determined at a later date.

RYAN UHLENKOTT HOUSE AT 722 CUNNINGHAM: Attorney Albers explained that an administrative search warrant was issued today which allowed the building inspector to inspect the property and bring along the fire chief. The City is waiting on a report from the fire chief based upon his inspection today with the building inspector. Mr. Uhlenkott submitted a letter letting the Council know that his 3rd party will be ready to discuss the issues at the next meeting. The Council would like to have the building inspector at the July 18th meeting during which a hearing will be held on Ryan’s appeal. Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to set a hearing on July 18th for Ryan Uhlenkott in relation to his building at 722 Cunningham and have the letter served. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilwoman Kissinger was excused from the meeting at this time.

PERSONNEL HANDBOOK CHANGES: The Personnel Committee met and made the following recommendations on the personnel handbook to the City Council that would take effect October 1, 2005. Councilwoman DeHaas read the committee recommendations to the Council and then the Council voted on each item individually.

1. On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Walker to deny the request to have 30 days of vacation after 30 years of continuous service. Motion carried, Councilman Lester voting no.

2. Councilman Zehner made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to add Holiday pay and Vacation pay for part-time employees who work 40 hours per week after three continuous years of part-time service. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

3. On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to change the meal reimbursement policy to $20.00 for a travel day and $35.00 for a full day. The tips are included in the maximum reimbursement and receipts are required. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. (The committee’s original recommendation that was modified by the above vote had $30.00 for a full day.)

4. Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to change the mileage reimbursement to $.36. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

5. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to accept the sick leave policy as recommended. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

6. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to accept the revised employee definitions. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to go into Executive Session according to Section 67-2345 (c) to acquire property. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

Councilman DeHaas Yes
Councilman Walker Yes
Councilman Lorentz Yes
Councilman Lester Yes
Councilman Zehner Yes

Motion passed.

A motion was made by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to go out of Executive Session. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

Councilman DeHaas Yes
Councilman Walker Yes
Councilman Lorentz Yes
Councilman Lester Yes
Councilman Zehner Yes

Motion passed. No action taken.

ITEMS TO NOTE: A Wastewater Facility Plan Meeting is scheduled for July 6th at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall. Budget Workshops are scheduled for July 19th, 20th and 21st.

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.


_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk