June 21, 2004 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on June 21, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:
Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
James Zehner
Mike McDonald
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 7th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman Kissinger second by Councilwoman DeHaas. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PUBLIC HEARING: A public hearing was called to hear comments on the application submitted by Patrick and Reyna Philips to vacate the alley located in Block A of Sophia Schmadeka’s Addition. The petitioners would like the alley vacated for privacy and they would like to fence their property. Councilwoman Kissinger doesn’t understand privacy as a reason for vacating the alley since most people put up a fence on their own property to gain privacy. Attorney Albers looked at the original plat from 1898, which had four lots. Since the original plat, two tax numbers have been created and the dimensions of the lots have changed. In order to know the property lines, the owners would need to have a survey. There is currently a utility easement on the Philips property. When the Philips fence their property, they would have a gate for access to the utility poles since actual alley access is unavailable due to some large trees. Councilman Walker pointed out that only a survey could show where the property lines were located and asked the Philips if they would be willing to have a survey. They answered yes.

Mayor Vanderwall then read the letter of protest submitted by Scott Winkler. Mr. Winkler stated he’d like it to remain City property for emergency access to the property and a thoroughfare so children can use it to walk to school. He also stated having the alley in place lays to rest any personal squabbles over the property lines, fences and trees. Councilman Walker had three findings of fact for not approving the application (for detailed record see Tape #180).

1. Mr. Winkler submitted a protest.
2. There is a utility easement for the power poles.
3. The City doesn’t know where the property lines are.

Attorney Albers then read the draft ordinance to vacate the above alley.

An Ordinance of the City of Grangeville, Idaho County, Idaho, providing for the vacation of a dedicated alley running east and west, essentially bisecting Block A of the Sophia Schmadeka’s Addition to the City of Grangeville; providing authority for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign quitclaim deeds of one-half of the alley to the adjacent owners on each side of the alley thus closed; providing for the ordinance becoming effective upon its passage, approval, and publication; and, providing for the payment of expenses relating to said vacation to be paid by the petitioners in relation to such requested vacation.

Councilwoman DeHaas made a motion, second by Councilman Lester that the first reading be approved and the ordinance pass to the second reading.

Councilwoman Kissinger stated she would like to cooperate with the Philips, but she has reservations about vacating alleys for the convenience of expanding property. Councilwoman DeHaas stated a similar alley was vacated on North 6th Street and where this vacation is not affecting anything and it’s for the good of the owners, she doesn’t see a problem. Councilman McDonald is concerned about approving the request since there is an objection. Councilman Walker would like to accommodate the applicant, however out of three immediate owners there is one for the vacation, one against and one didn’t respond. Councilman Lester and Zehner agree with Councilwoman Kissinger and are not for alley closures. Councilwoman DeHaas explained that approving the first reading allows the vacation to be on the table for further discussion, rather than killing it immediately.

A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

Councilman Zehner - No
Councilman Lester - No
Councilman McDonald - Yes
Councilman Walker - No
Councilwoman Kissinger - No
Councilwoman DeHaas - Yes

Motion defeated. The request by the Philips for an alley vacation was denied.

VISITORS: Candace Johnston requested to have Lake Street closed from 11am-12am at the Catholic School on July 3rd for the school’s 50th Reunion. The school plans to have activities most of the day. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Zehner to grant the Catholic School permission to close Lake Street on July 3rd from 11am to 12am. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilman Zehner made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Snowhaven Minutes of June 2, 2004 and to appoint Tomianne Whitten to the Snowhaven Ski Board. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Chief Sedam submitted a copy of the Police Department Operations Order for Border Days to the Council for review.

Public Works Director Gortsema updated the Council on the Sewer Project. North 6th Street is completed, and work is progressing on C Street, slowly due to rock. The contractor is a good outfit, cleans up after themselves and is very conscientious. A progress meeting will be held Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall.

Bob Walker was present to answer any questions on the Water Project. He explained that the specifications and plans for the Department of Commerce project are completed and the bids will be opened July 13th. Tomorrow is the 1:30 pre-bid meeting for contractors at City Hall. The addendum is on its way to DEQ since it was changed from having a reservoir to having standby generators. Spencer Well will be TV’d tomorrow to determine why the pump can not be lowered.

SIDEWALK AT 308 NORTH IDAHO (KINNICK): Public Works Director Gortsema had sent a letter to Daniel and Jennifer Kinnick explaining that their sidewalk needed to be repaired by June 1st. The property has now been taken over by Countrywide Home Loans. Attorney Albers explained that a letter should be sent to Countrywide to start the process over since they have never been notified. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Kissinger to send a letter to Countrywide telling them that the entire sidewalk needs to be repaired by October 1st. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BILLS: The bills were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Payroll Fund $53,822.38
General Fund $59,595.72
Street Fund $26,902.80
Library Fund $ 4,855.67
Recreation Fund $ 9,886.10
Snowhaven Fund $ 967.12
Medical Insurance Fund $12,975.81
Water Fund $23,696.99
Sewer Fund $28,058.79
Sanitation Fund $32,326.79

HIPPA WORKSHOP: On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Lester to allow Chief Sedam to attend the HIPPA workshop in CDA on June 25th for $205.00 with all expenses paid as allowed in the employee handbook. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

2002-03 AUDIT: Most of the Council met with Jo Bolen for an audit exit and the City received a good bill of health. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman McDonald to accept the 2002-03 audit. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

MEETING CHANGE: Due to a July 5th holiday, Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to move the first meeting in July to July 6th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FACILITY TOUR: Mayor Vanderwall stated that some of the Council has not been on a Facility Tour, therefore for those that want to attend, a tour will start at the Public Works Shop on June 24th at 7:00 a.m.

ERNIE’S STEAKHOUSE: On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Zehner to approve the liquor and beer by the drink license for Ernie’s Steakhouse LLC d/b/a Ernie’s Steakhouse and 41 Club. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilman Zehner made a motion, second by Councilman McDonald to approve the catering permit for Ernie’s Steakhouse LLC d/b/a Ernie’s Steakhouse and 41 Club for July 2nd – July 4th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BEER GARDEN: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman McDonald to approve the beer garden applications for the horse sale on June 26th and the rodeos on July 2nd – 4th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CHIP SEAL BIDS: Since the chip seal project is under $25,000.00 this year, notices will be mailed to those vendors that have requests for work on file. The project will most likely consist of the Blewett Subdivision. No streets will be chip sealed that are scheduled to be torn up for the water or sewer projects. Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to call for chip seal bids. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FIRE HAZARD LETTERS: Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman McDonald to send out fire hazard letters. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. The Ordinance Officer will provide a list to City Hall of those lots that constitute a fire hazard.

WORKSHOP: Mayor Vanderwall plans to have a workshop on June 28th at 7:00 p.m. to visit with the developers of Buy-The-Way and then discuss the City Zoning Map with Hunter Edwards.

ANIMAL ARK: Councilman Lester reported that the committee met and developed a draft agreement, however due to surgery, Dori Dixon can’t meet until the July 19th meeting.

ITEMS TO NOTE: Copies of the Clearwater RC&D Minutes of May 27, 2004 were given to the Council for review.

David Rauzi reported that he called in a water leak on Sunday and was impressed with the response time of the public works department.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M.


_____________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk