October 18, 2004 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on October 18, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

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

Councilmembers absent:
Mike McDonald


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 October 4th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Patrick and Reyna Phillips, 314 West South 2nd Street, asked permission to cut down three trees next to their property line that are located in the alley. The Phillips recently tried to have the alley vacated; however, the Council denied the application on June 21, 2004. The Phillips reported that one tree comes into contact with a power pole and two trees block the alley. The branches from the third tree also hang into the street unless kept pruned. Reyna explained that they had their property surveyed and they planned to have the trees removed professionally. Councilman Walker didn’t feel trees that have been there for 25-30 years should be removed. Councilwoman DeHaas felt since the Council denied the request to vacate the alley, the alley needs to be open to the public. Councilman Lester was concerned whether Phillips knew for sure if the third tree they wanted to cut down was actually in the alley or on Winkler’s property line. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to allow the Phillips to remove the three trees in the alley after first having Public Works Director Gortsema measure the alley width (as recorded on the plat) from the Phillip’s surveyed line to make sure the three trees are in the alley. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

IDA-LEW FUNDING REQUEST: On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Lester to release the $3,000.00 budgeted for Ida-Lew funding. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Snowhaven Minutes of October 6, 2004 were accepted on motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ORDINANCE NO 778

(Ordinance No. 778 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)

An ordinance of the City of Grangeville restriction and limiting the use of non-painted galvanized metal siding or roofing within the City of Grangeville; providing for the ordinance becoming effective upon its passage, approval, and publication.

Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilwoman Kissinger 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:

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

The motion passed.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner, that the rules be suspended, the second and third reading be waived and the ordinance be passed and adopted. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:


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

The motion passed. Mayor Vanderwall then declared Ordinance No. 778 duly approved and adopted.

EQUITY BUY IN: Public Works Director Gortsema has provided numerous documents to Jim Kimball of J-U-B to determine the valuation of the system. Jim has computed the depreciated value of the plant and is currently work on the collection system. He is also working on numbers for I & I (inflow and infiltration). His estimate for the sewer buy in at this time is $3,700.00, based on the City’s current permit.

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

Payroll Fund $ 36,797.48
General Fund $ 39,952.97
Street Fund $ 16,284.06
Library Fund $ 3,372.10
Recreation Fund $ 3,996.39
Snowhaven Fund $ 260.93
Medical Insurance Fund $ 1,085.88
Water Fund $113,883.39
Sewer Fund $ 23,654.94
Sanitation Fund $ 31,369.44

CALL TO DUTY FUND DAY PROCLAMATION: Mayor Vanderwall read the proclamation establishing October as the call to duty fund month to raise money to help troops fly home before deployment overseas and then asked for the Council’s approval. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Walker to authorize the Mayor to sign the proclamation on behalf of the City. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUESTS: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to grant an indefinite sidewalk waiver on both Mill and NezPerce Streets, to June Dewey at 303 NezPerce Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to grant an indefinite sidewalk waiver on C Street to Shirley Crane at 433 North C Street since there are no other sidewalks in the area. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Brad Lutz, 617 W. No. 2nd Street was going to attend the meeting to request a sidewalk extension since he was not able to have them installed by October 1, 2004. It was notated that construction is not completed at their home and equipment is still crossing the area where the sidewalk will be installed. Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to grant Brad Lutz an extension and to have the sidewalks installed by September 1, 2005. Councilman Zehner felt that was too much time and would like the deadline to be June 1, 2005. Councilman Zehner amended the motion, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to have the sidewalks installed by June 1, 2005. The amended motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. The Council then voted on the original motion. The motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PURCHASE OF JD FRONT LOADER: Public Works Director Gortsema and Mike Curtiss reviewed estimates for three manufacturers: Case, John Deere and Cat. They have determined that the John Deere is the lowest price when comparing equal products; therefore, they recommend purchasing a 444J John Deere front loader, paying to receive the full warranty which will make the purchase price approximately $1,000.00 more than Case. The City will receive $20,000.00 in trade in for the old machine. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to authorize the purchase of a 444J John Deere front loader for $78,648.91. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

REVISED CHANGE ORDER #2: The City had originally approved changed order #2, which has been revised since a valve was eliminated. The change order is now $6,344.00 unless another change is made on the cost for the size increase of the cement slab. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to authorize Mayor Vanderwall to sign change order #2 with a maximum of $6,344.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ADA COMMITTEE: Councilwoman DeHaas asked for ideas for another ADA Committee member. Councilman Lester suggested Donald Alm. Councilwoman DeHaas will talk to him to see if he’s interested.

TASERS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Walker to authorize the purchase of seven tasers for the police department. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: Sterling Codifiers is in the process of getting the City code online as budgeted. A copy of a letter from Northwest Insurance Agency on the current ICRMP policy was dispersed to the Council.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P.M.


_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk