April 5, 2004 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on April 5, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:
Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
James Zehner
Georgia DeHaas

Councilmembers absent:
Mike McDonald
Jane Kissinger

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

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the March 15th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS SIDEWALK WAIVER: Merl Hamilton couldn’t make the meeting, however the Council reviewed his request for a sidewalk waiver at 210 Hill Street where he is building his pole building. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to approve an indefinite sidewalk waiver at 210 Hill Street for the pole building construction. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Kathy Parsells was not able to make the meeting, however the Council reviewed her request to locate a portable car cover at 1109 South Hall. According to Public Works Director Gortsema, the cover would be located in the City right a way. It would abut the existing garage and extend 20 feet west. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Walker to grant a waiver to allow Kathy Parsells to have a portable car cover at 1109 South Hall and to have Attorney Albers draft an agreement to be recorded. Councilman Zehner questioned the need to have a time limit and he suggested 5 years. The motion was amended to grant the waiver for a time period of 5 years. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Juanita Tinsman, representing the Grangeville Skatepark Committee was present to review some upcoming projects and to request approval to purchase additional equipment. The Committee has raised approximately $2,500.00 from the sale of See’s Candy, with approximately $650.00 outstanding. The City account has $4,500.00 that can be spent on new equipment which takes into account holding $2,000.00 for maintenance items. Juanita requested permission to order the combo box for $6,440.00. The Committee is also looking at having a Community Rally, holding some fundraisers to continue to raise money for the upkeep of the Skatepark and to possibly have a 1 year celebration this summer. Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to authorize the purchase of equipment for the Skatepark. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works Director Gortsema presented the Water Leak report for March 2004 and reported that the department repaired 11 leaks (25 year to date) and 2 leaking services.

Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 163 calls for service. There were 120 cases written, 40 arrests, 82 citations and 21 written warnings issued. The Police and Animal Control report for March 2004 was accepted on motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Chief Sedam reported that he had all of his officers but one attended a hazmat class. Officer Hewson started POST on Monday and should graduate around June 14th.

The Library Board minutes of March 25, 2004 were accepted on motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman DeHaas. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CROSS CONNECTIONS: Public Works Director Gortsema gave the Council additional information to consider if the cross connection ordinance is adopted. Copies of a press release, brochures and other samples were given to the Council. Mayor Vanderwall stated that the cross connection ordinance would be discussed at the next meeting when a full council is present.

HERITAGE SQUARE STRIPING: Public Works Director Gortsema asked the Council whether Heritage Square should be striped. Councilwoman Kissinger had responded earlier to Gortsema and stated she didn’t feel the lot should be striped. Councilman Zehner agreed. Councilmen Walker and Lester and Councilwoman DeHaas feel that the issue should be whether the City wants the parking utilized. If so, then the lot needs to be striped. Mayor Vanderwall doesn’t want the lot striped. After discussion, it was decided that the lot should not be striped.

SEASONAL PARK HELP: Public Works Director Gortsema asked for approval to hire seasonal parks help, at least 18 years of age during the summer for approximately four months. Gortsema hopes to keep 3 men on water leaks during the summer which leaves the parks department short a person. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to allow Gortsema to hire seasonal help for parks. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to approve the transfer of the Cable Television Franchise from USA Media Group to Cequel III Communications and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the authorization. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. (Resolution #180)

SEWER LINE PROJECT: According to Public Works Director Gortsema, the construction plans have been approved by DEQ and the City is ready to call for bids. The pre-bid walk through would be on April 20th, with the bid opening April 28th. Gortsema hopes to have a recommendation at the first meeting in May. He is bidding the project in four separate bids in case the amount is higher than the amount budgeted. If that is the case, the City can choose which bids to accept and then proceed with the project. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to call for sewer project bids. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

301 E NORTH 6TH STREET: Councilman Zehner had a citizen complaint about the clutter on the property at 301 E North 6th Street, owned by Albert Ruzicka. Attorney Albers explained the two choices the City could take to remedy the situation. The City could treat it as a criminal matter and have the Chief give him a notice to clean up or the Chief could give formal notice to clean up and if he doesn’t then have him charged as a criminal. The Chief would take pictures and then Mr. Ruzicka would have a timeframe in which to clean up.

Councilman Zehner made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to have a letter sent by the Police to start the process. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: The Chamber of Commerce sent a letter requesting a donation from the City in the amount of $3,500.00. The City budgeted $3,000.00 for the Chamber during the budget process. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Zehner to disperse $3,000.00 to the Chamber of Commerce. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FISCHER APPEAL: According to Attorney Albers, Melinda Fischer signed the agreement that Albers drafted and it has been recorded. Albers has received notification from the Supreme Court that the appeal was dismissed.

Mayor Vanderwall stated that he thought traffic was moving too fast in town, especially on Main Street.

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

Councilwoman DeHaas - Yes
Councilman Walker - Yes
Councilman Lester - Yes
Councilman Zehner - Yes

Motion passed.

A motion was made by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to come out of Executive Session. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

Councilwoman DeHaas - Yes
Councilman Walker - Yes
Councilman Lester - Yes
Councilman Zehner - Yes

Motion passed.

On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to try to negotiate an easement with Kevin Tomlinson and Mike Countryman for the water project. Councilman Zehner announced he had a conflict of interest and would abstain from voting since he is related to Tomlinsons. Motion passed. Zehner abstained.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.


_____________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:



_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk