August 23, 2004 Regular Meeting

184. August 23, 2004

The City Council met in regular session on August 23, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:
Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
Jane Kissinger
Georgia DeHaas
James Zehner

Councilmembers absent:
Mike McDonald

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

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the July 19th regular meeting and August 11th special meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas second by Councilwoman Kissinger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Jim Chmelik attended the meeting to ask the Council to review information on the Snake River Water Agreement and if the Council chooses, to adopt a resolution opposing the proposed settlement agreement with the Nez Perce Tribe. The Council will take the request under advisement for the September 7th meeting

Jackie Brooks asked for a clarification on the number of dogs she can have at her home. She has three dogs of her own; however her daughter (who has a medical prescription for her dog) and son-in-law live in the same building and have two dogs of their own. The home has complete living quarters upstairs and downstairs and the daughter rents one floor. She wants to know if that counts as separate premises so they can all keep their dogs. Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to postpone a decision until next meeting when the Council can consult with the Attorney Albers. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Christine Reuter has helped organize a non-denominational group for Mothers with small children. The group would like to be able to use the covered area under Heritage Square on September 11th from 9:00 a.m. until approximately 1:00 p.m. and be covered for liability under the Chamber of Commerce. They plan to have a baked food and yard sale. On motion by Councilman Kissinger, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to allow Moms Heart to Heart to have a baked food and yard sale on September 11th from 9:00 a.m. until they conclude around 1:00 p.m. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Hunter Edwards, representing Richard Baines was present to request outside City sewer hookup and request that the City apply for a Highway 95 easement. Hunter explained the Richard is creating a subdivision and would like to request 20 hookups to the City sewer. There would be approximately 9-15 residential hookups and the remaining would be commercial hookups. Councilman Walker felt that information was vague and he wanted to know what they were really doing. Richard Baines explained that he hopes to have 11 houses (the current house on the property and the one he plans to build for himself and then sell 9 additional lots for homes), 20 RV spaces and 30 cabins. There would be a recreation building/bathhouse for overnight guests. Councilwoman Kissinger stated that a decision could not be made until Public Works Director Gortsema has a chance to review the information and a later agenda item on a moratorium on outside hook-ups would need to be discussed.

Adam Aiken has a home at 405 Washington. He was repairing the garage and working with the building inspector on whether to fix or tear down the wall that had problems. According to Adam, the building inspector said it would be better to tear down the wall and then rebuild it, which would be fine since it was an existing structure. Adam applied for a building permit and it was notated on the permit that he couldn’t rebuild his garage because it was only 3 feet from the property line. Adam proposes to have an open carport approximately 14 feet by 30 feet in size and would like the Council to consider his request to build the carport since the building inspector gave him inaccurate information. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to approve the carport for Adam Aiken on the current foundation. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SIDEWALK WAIVER: Randy Smith requested a sidewalk waiver at 315 North D Street. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Zehner to grant Randy Smith an indefinite sidewalk waiver at 315 North D Street. 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 176 calls for service. There were 145 cases written, 35 arrests, 72 citations and 10 written warnings issued. The Police and Animal Control Report for July 2004 was accepted on motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Public Works Director Gortsema presented the Water Leak report for July 2004 and reported that the department repaired 24 leaks (102 year to date) and 5 leaking services. Gortsema reported that the Sewer Project is completed and he was pleased with Atlas’s work. They have a pay request in the bills.

The Library Minutes dated July 1, 2004 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner. 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 Zehner, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Payroll Fund $ 46,534.92
General Fund $ 39,724.64
Street Fund $ 44,069.07
Library Fund $ 3,105.73
Recreation Fund $ 25,366.36
Snowhaven Fund $ 1,516.02
Medical Insurance Fund $ 12,548.05
Water Fund $ 99,646.42
Sewer Fund $134,564.98
Sanitation Fund $ 34,633.05

MORATORIUM ON OUTSIDE HOOK-UPS FOR WATER AND SEWER: During budget workshops, the Council discussed an equity buy in program since the City had received multiple inquires for outside water and sewer hook-ups. In order to get a program in place, it will take approximately 90 days. Councilman Walker feels that a moratorium of six months may be needed until a decision is reached on the equity buy in. Councilwoman DeHaas is no expert, but feels that six months is too long; that the Council needs to get on the situation and get it resolved. She doesn’t feel that a moratorium is needed. Councilman Lester feels that with the DEQ issues at the plant the City may be adding to the problem and not trying to fix it. Councilwoman Kissinger would prefer to have the moratorium be open ended and then try to make a decision as soon as possible.

Richard Baines asked the Council to consider how a moratorium would affect developments and his in particular. He stated that if the Council has a moratorium, his employees would be laid off and the project would halt. He has a plan that would bring revenue to the City and the Council should consider that when making a decision.

Councilman Lester suggested an alternative to a moratorium and that would be to pick an estimated buy in amount until the actual number is determined. Then the developer would pay more if the amount increased or receive a refund if the amount decreased. No decision was reached on creating a moratorium.

DEBCO CONTRACT: On motion by Councilman Kissinger, second by Councilman Zehner to authorize the Mayor to sign Debco’s contract and the Notice to Proceed. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

THE HONG FA: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to approve the beer and wine by the drink license for The Hong Fa Restaurant pending State approval. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

GENERATOR BIDS: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that Smith Detroit Diesel Allison, Inc. had included tax in their bid; therefore, their correct bid for three generators is $91,968.09. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to award the bid to Smith Detroit Diesel Allison, Inc. for $91,968.09 and authorize the Mayor to sign the notice of award. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: Kooskia Mayor Schurbon sent a letter concerning the Snake River Basin Adjudication Agreement and the resolution adopted by Kooskia, as discussed Jim Chmelik early in the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M.


_____________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk

August 11, 2004 Special Meeting

The City Council called a special session on August 11, 2004 at 7:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided.

Councilmembers present:
Wes Lester
James Zehner
Bruce Walker
Georgia DeHaas


Councilmembers absent:
Michael McDonald
Jane Kissinger

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

The meeting was called to order to discuss items on the posted special meeting agenda.

ENTRANCO CONTRACT FOR THE WATER PROJECT: Due to the change in the scope of the block grant project by removing the generators and adding Entranco services, the Department of Commerce required an addendum to Entranco’s contract. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman DeHaas to adopt the addendum and authorize the mayor and city clerk to sign the amended contract with Entranco. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR 04-05: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to adopt the tentative budget for 2004-05 and authorize publication of the “Notice of Hearing” on the budget. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The meeting adjourned at 7:05 A.M.


_____________________
Terry Vanderwall – Mayor

ATTEST:



_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk