November 1, 2004 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on November 1, 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
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 18th regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman Kissinger second by Councilwoman DeHaas. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Gerald Arnzen provided a letter and map with information on a subdivision he is planning northeast of the City. The land is in the area of impact but not adjacent to the City limits. It is 45 acres and he doesn’t plan to hook up to water or sewer and he doesn’t plan to create any new roads, although he may need a couple approaches from the Grangeville Highway District. Attorney Albers stated because it is in the area of impact, the subdivision ordinance and building permits apply. Mayor Vanderwall told Mr. Arnzen that the application would be taken under advisement.

Ryan Uhlencott was present at the request of the City Council to discuss his ideas for the repair of the house at 722 Cunningham. Ryan explained that he had bought the property with his business property. His goal with the house was to fix it up and then get rid of it. He planned to fix up the foundation but never got around to it this fall. Councilwoman DeHaas reported that kids are in and out of the house, the front door is open and windows are broke out and the glass is lying in the grass. Mayor Vanderwall asked Ryan what his plans were and when he could have those completed. Ryan didn’t know exactly since he wanted to talk to a contractor about fixing the house. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman Kissinger to have Ryan meet with the building inspector tomorrow and to have the house boarded up to his satisfaction. Then Ryan will return for the November 15th Council meeting with specific plans. 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 295 calls for service. There were 128 cases written, 32 arrests, 51 citations and 12 written warnings issued. The Police and Animal Control Report for October 2004 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman McDonald.

Public Works Director Gortsema presented the Water Leak report for October 2004 and reported that the department repaired 7 leaks (158 year to date) and installed 5 services.

WATER PROJECT: The Water Grant Project is progressing with work on site at Harrison and Crooks Street. The supplier didn’t send the correct part, but it should arrive tomorrow so the contractor can have the line installed in the street and re-paved before the contractor continues work south toward the reservoirs.

Public Works Director Gortsema explained that most of pay request #2 and #3 from Debco is for materials stored on site and subcontractor work. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman Kissinger to ratify the signing of Pay Request #4 to CDBG which includes pay request #2 from Debco in the amount of $88,764.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Walker to approve pay request #3 from Debco in the amount of $25,809.41. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On the Water Bond Project, the generators will be delivered on Wednesday. The bid opening is tentatively set for January, with the walk through occurring in December. There have been setbacks for the surveyor since they need to wait for Qwest and Avista to locate the telephone and power lines.

EQUITY BUY IN: Public Works Director Gortsema informed the Council that Jim Kimball feels J-U-B should have the study completed ahead of the 90 day proposal, which is approximately December 22nd. Jim and the Lewiston staff plan to be in Grangeville to meet with staff next week during which time they will also discuss the draft NPDES Permit that was issued by EPA. Jim will return to meet with the Council the week of November 15th.

Richard Baines was present to ask if the buy-in would still be worked on for commercial lots, such as RVs and cabins. He was told that when the Council received the final report from J-U-B, it would be in the report.

RC&D FUND REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to pay RC&D $155.00 in annual dues. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SOUTH OF IDAHO AVENUE AND HALL STREET BY ROBERT BLEWETT: Mayor Vanderwall commented that the City has been inundated with possible developments and wondered if the Council should put a hold on developments until the City has determined where they plan to go with the Equity Buy In. He then noted that the City was in receipt of a letter from Robert Blewett regarding a proposed development. Councilman Walker cited 11-3-2, that an administrator shall be appointed and then has 15 days to respond to the letter. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Lester to notify Robert Blewett that the City is working on an Equity Buy In and the City has preliminary numbers, but that the finalized numbers would not be answered until the City has received the final report from J-U-B. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Councilman Walker feels the Council should begin preliminary work of appointing an administrator. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman McDonald that the Mayor be allowed to appoint an administrator of his choosing. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SNOW REMOVAL: Public Works Director Gortsema supplied the Council with a copy of Hailey’s snow removal ordinance and asked that they review it and consider something similar for the City of Grangeville. The City has had additional problems in the last few years since more people own 4-wheelers. People tend to push the snow on to the curb or into the street, rather than plowing the snow on to their own property. Councilman Lester asked that Gortsema meet with Attorney Albers to draft an ordinance for the Council’s review at the first meeting in December.

CRIMSON RIDGE DEVELOPMENT: Mayor Vanderwall informed the Public that Crimson Ridge had withdrawn their request for water and sewer services from the City. Richard Baines commented that the equity buy in fee would make lots cost prohibitive; therefore, he withdrew his request for sewer for his RVs and cabins. Councilman Walker stated that the City had hired J-U-B, so the City will have a justification if a buy in fee is established.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION, COUNCILMAN MCDONALD: Councilman McDonald submitted a letter of resignation since he is being deployed to Iraq. He stated that the City and community has been very supportive. Mayor Vanderwall thanked Councilman McDonald for his service to the City and asked that the Council regretfully accept his resignation. On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to accept Councilman McDonald’s letter of resignation. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ADA COMMITTEE: A motion was made by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to appoint Lynda Allen to the ADA Committee. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The City Code is now online on Sterling Codifiers website. Copies of the Clearwater Resource Conservation and Development Council Minutes for September 23, 2004 were provided to the Council.

The meeting adjourned at 9:05 P.M.


_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk