August 1, 2005 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on August 1, 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 July 18th meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilwoman DeHaas. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PUBLIC HEARING ON RYAN UHLENKOTT: Ryan Uhlenkott’s wife called and asked that the meeting be postponed since Ryan was out of town. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Lester to allow one additional postponement for the public hearing which is now scheduled for the September 6th Council meeting. Motion carried, Councilwoman DeHaas voting no.

VISITORS: Annelle Urbahn received a request from Ed Schumacher of the Lewiston Crankers Car Club. The car club would like to come to Grangeville and have something to do while they are here so Annelle had suggested an antique car show at Heritage Square from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on August 20, 2005. Annelle will also put together a poker walk through the downtown business, and hopefully have the Bi-Centennial and Ted Billups Museums open. The event will be sponsored by the Camas Prairie Cruisers or the Chamber of Commerce. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to allow the Lewiston Crankers Car Club to use Heritage Square on August 20th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Dana Nordin was present to ask permission for a fence to be placed in the City right of way at 713 North College for his sister. He would like to place the fence approximately 6” behind where a curbside sidewalk would be installed, if a curb, gutter and sidewalk were in place. Public Works Director Gortsema stated that this was the logical place for the fence. Councilwoman Kissinger stated with the fence being three feet tall there is no site restriction. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Zehner to allow Dana Nordin to install a fence at 713 North College and allow the fence to be placed in the right of way. 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 245 calls for service. There were 142 cases written, 29 misdemeanor arrests, 64 citations and 9 written warnings issued. The Police and Animal Control Report for July 2005 was accepted on motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present

The Water Leak report for July 2005 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 43 leaks (108 year to date) and installed one new service.

According to Public Works Director Gortsema, Bodiford has installed a total of 6,046 feet of 6” main, 2,130 feet of 8” main, 13 hydrants and 35 services. The biggest issue with the Water Project at this time is getting the lines to pass the bacteria tests. On a different issue, Gortsema explained that the City and contractor were under the impression that the bridge at North Meadow and 4th Street was a box. It was determined that the bridge doesn’t have a bottom, so the contractor has concerns that the bridge could fall in during work. The City doesn’t know if the bridge deck has ever been replaced, although the wood has been replaced on the edges and then asphalt added and chip sealed. It is recommended that a box culvert be installed. Ted Lindsley consented to removing part of one of his willow trees so the pipe is in line with the creek. Gortsema asked for a blessing to purchase a box culvert for approximately $25,000-$30,000. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Walker to authorize the Public Works Direct to purchase the pipe needed to replace the bridge on North Meadow and 4th Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The sewer project crew is currently working on North Mill Street. As of today, Atlas has installed 1,564 feet, 39 services, and 7 manholes. After Mill Street is completed, the sewer project will be about half done.

The Planning and Zoning Minutes of July 12, 2005 were accepted on motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. The minutes were from the public hearing held for a comprehensive plan change as submitted by the accounting firm of Bledsoe, Hougardy & Strauser. Councilwoman Kissinger stated that the City has worked hard to maintain integrity of the zones and felt the City should work hard to keep the policy. She felt it was better to leave the current zoning and if the ownership changes, then the conditional use would expire.

FLORENCE STREET AND CITY LIMIT BOUNDARY: Attorney Albers explained that he met with Public Works Director Gortsema to look at the street right of way on South Florence by the homes of Wayne MacGregor and Russ Lindsley. Albers stated he will try to talk to someone that did the title work to determine how the City may need to move forward. Mayor Vanderwall stated it needed to be resolved as soon as possible.

ORDINANCE ON ROLL-OFF CONTAINERS: Larry Allen stated to the Council that he didn’t understand why it’s a problem to have shipping containers in Zone C. He explained that the containers are watertight and when painted don’t look bad. He wants to be able to put a container at his property on the Mount Idaho Road, which is in the commercial zone. Councilman Walker felt that the containers are unsightly and he didn’t feel they belong on some types of commercial property such as those facing Main Street. Councilwoman Kissinger stated that the Council is trying to keep the appearance of the City upgraded. If the containers start appearing in residential areas then they could become unsightly.

Attorney Albers suggested a possible compromise by prohibiting the containers in the business district instead of the entire commercial zone. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Zehner to direct Attorney Albers to reword the proposed ordinance to say the containers are prohibited in zone A, zone B and the business district of the commercial zone. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SURPLUS: Councilman Zehner made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to surplus the library table. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Clerk Kennedy will send a thank you to Marvin and Joan Hall for making and donating the new children’s table for the Library.

ORDINANCES #785 AND #786: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman Kissinger to ratify and adopt the readings of ordinances #785 and #786 that were previously adopted on June 20th but not published within 30 days. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

TENTATIVE 2005-06 BUDGET: Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to adopt the 2005-06 tentative budget and authorize publication of the notice of hearing on the budget. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: Public Works Director Gortsema commented that Kirby Cole and John Cardwell, of Lewiston DEQ will be at City Hall on August 11th at 10:30 AM to review data they have gathered to date on Three Mile Creek. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Councilwomen Kissinger and DeHaas attended the luncheon sponsored by the hospital and commented on the excellent job done by Syringa staff of presenting information about the services offered at the hospital.

Attorney Albers explained that he is in the process of submitting a petition to vacate a portion of Idaho Avenue as instigated by George Elliot.

Chief Sedam is meeting with the County Sheriff tomorrow on the dispatch agreement and hopes to have it signed shortly, with the effective date of October 1, 2005.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.


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Terry Vanderwall - Mayor

ATTEST:

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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk