October 3, 2005 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on October 3, 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

Councilmember Absent:

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 September 19th meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester. 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 164 calls for service. There were 121 cases written, 33 misdemeanor arrests, 0 felony arrests, 70 citations, 7 written warnings issued, 4 dogs and 2 cats impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for September 2005 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Water Leak report for September 2005 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 15 leaks (160 year to date) and installed four new services.

Water Project: As of today, services are being completed on Nez Perce Street which will complete all the services on the North side. The only remaining section is to tie in the line on Nez Perce at Mill Street and Nez Perce at Meadow. The line to the airport will be completed when the vault is delivered and installed. Poe Asphalt will be up next week to complete the paving on the North side.

The sewer project is completed. Atlas has completed all the work on the punch list, although Poe Asphalt has a small amount of patch work to complete.

On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Library Board Minutes from September 22, 2005. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilman Walker explained the discussion that occurred between the Snowhaven Expansion Committee and the City Council last week. The Expansion Committee would like the Council to allow them to find out land values of various City properties in the Snowhaven and Watershed area through an informal appraisal process for a possible future land swap for Snowhaven expansion. Councilman Lester explained that when the situation was originally proposed, Snowhaven was going to lease land from Prairie Land and Timber and the City and now that has changed to a possible land trade. Councilman Walker felt the Council should consider whether they would be interested in trading the land in the future. If not, then they should tell the Expansion Committee now. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to let the Expansion Committee know that the City isn’t interested in trading property for Snowhaven unless it’s the Snowhaven property for future expansion of the hill. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SEWER REVISION ORDINANCE: Attorney Albers read the first reading of Ordinance No. 791 and explained that once adopted, Ordinance No. 790, to increase sewer rates would be discussed. Both ordinances will be addressed at the October 17th meeting.

ORDINANCE NO. 791

(Ordinance No. 791 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 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF GRANGEVILLE RELATING TO THE FORMULA FOR BASIC SEWER RATES WITHIN THE CITY; DESCRIBING A METHOD OF BILLING RESIDENTIAL SINGLE FACILITY, MULTIPLE FACILITY, AND COMMERCIAL UNITS WITHIN THE CITY; REPEALING CERTAIN LANGUAGE RELATING TO A 150% THRESHOLD FOR SEWER BILLINGS; INCLUDING A 100 CUBIC FOOT INCREMENT BILLING SYSTEM FOR SEWER RATES BASED UPON WATER USAGE; RETAINING BASIC DEFINITIONS; 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.

Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Lorentz that the first reading be approved and the ordinance pass to the second reading. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

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

The motion passed.

WRITE OFF: Councilman Lester stated the write offs have increased the last three years and will probably continue to do so. Councilman Walker responded that the write off amount is low compared to the total revenue collected. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve the write-off of “non-collectible” accounts in the amount of $1,335.39. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ICCTFOA CONFERENCE: Clerk Kennedy reported one change for the Council to consider after attending the conference. It is recommended that the Council representative for Planning and Zoning be removed from the Commission due to the possibility of exparte communications. An ordinance revision would be necessary to change the make up of the commission.

POLLING PLACES FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION: Clerk Kennedy informed the Council that the polls will be open on November 8, 2005 from noon until 8:00 p.m. at the following polling places:

First and Section Precinct: Grangeville Centennial Library
Third, Fourth and Fifth Precinct: Council Chambers of City Hall

UTILITY BILL AND BUDGET WINDOWS UPDATE: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to authorize the city clerk to purchase the windows based utility billing and budget software updates for City Hall. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

NEW WATER VEHICLE: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the Idaho bid law changed and now allows him to buy a vehicle for $25,000.00 or less without receiving bids. This new vehicle will replace the vehicle Mike Curtiss currently drives. The vehicle will then be moved to the WWTP and a WWTP vehicle will be sold. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz authorizing the Public Works Director to purchase a pickup for the water department. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: Chief Sedam had State Trooper Brower talk to him about a citizen complaint of trucks parking on Main Street to unload. Chief Sedam will compile a list of trucks on Main Street for the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.


_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor


ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk