November 15, 2004 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on November 15, 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

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 November 1st 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 FOR CDBG WATER PROJECT: Walter Steed conducted a public hearing as required for the block grant. Mr. Steed explained that two public hearings must take place; one during the application phase and the second during the construction phase. Public Works Director Gortsema informed the public that the contractor had laid approximately 1600 feet of pipe. The generators are set and most of the wiring that can be done is done until after the pumps are completed. The project is between 70% and 80% completed with a completion date of mid December.

VISITORS: Ryan Uhlenkott reported back to the Council on his decision on the house located at 722 Cunningham. Ryan wanted to leave the structure until next spring when he could tear it down and re-build it at the same time. He feels he could start at the end of March and have it down by the end of April. Councilwoman Kissinger felt it would be better for the area to have a new structure if we can get a commitment from Ryan to start in March. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to allow Ryan to leave the structure until May 1st, at which time the structure needs to be down. Ryan also needs to cut the boards off that were installed when boarding up the front window so they are even with the edge of the house. Councilwoman DeHaas voting no. Councilwoman DeHaas stated that Ryan was originally notified in June and given a deadline of October 1st and then that was extended until October 15th. She wanted Ryan to agree to the terms of the motion in writing. Ryan had no problems agreeing to that. Councilman Lester also asked the glass be cleaned up on the property.

SNOWHAVEN BOARD AND JIM KINGMA: Jim Kingma explained to the Council that the board had been discussing a tubing hill for several years now. They would like to ask permission to purchase the lift and have it funded by private loans totaling $45,000.00. Mayor Vanderwall stated he would have liked to know ahead of time about the whole loan process instead of it coming up at the last minute when the lift needs to be approved. Jeff Kutner informed the Council that he had attended a board meeting in December a year ago and it was discussed to try to find private funding. They did end up finding three individuals who were willing to loan the money to Snowhaven. Attorney Albers also explained that the loan would have to be written similar to a municipal lease, where the City can not obligate more than one year at a time. If the City can not make a payment, then the lender would receive a secured interest in the equipment. Clerk Kennedy reported that she had talked to the auditor and the auditor recommends having Snowhaven borrow from one of the other City funds if at all possible, instead of borrowing from private citizens. Councilman Lester asked why the other purchaser did not take the tubing lift the board hopes to purchase. Todd Marek explained that they decided to go a different route and buy a “magic carpet” which is basically a large conveyor belt. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to loan Snowhaven $45,000.00 from the Timber Fund, to be used for the tubing hill. The loan would be repaid in five years at five percent interest. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITOR: Todd Yocum, a Grangeville citizen was present to voice his concerns about the Crimson Ridge Development. He felt the buy-in costs, the water at 2.5 times the City rate and the sewer rates at 2 times the City rate were extremely high for the developers and felt mistakes had been made but also asked what the Council could do to correct it and start working with the developers again. He felt the development, which could include a donation of land to expand the golf course to 18 holes is important to the City. Mayor Vanderwall stated that he didn’t feel that there is a person on the Council that doesn’t want the project to go forward. The City is taking the necessary steps to determine those costs and where the City should go by having a workshop on Wednesday night. The citizens are the main concern of the Council. Todd asked the Council to make two motions: to contact Buy the Way and get back to the drawing table and to call a public hearing to get public input. Mayor Vanderwall responded that the Council is trying to protect the citizens of Grangeville because adding outside users could affect the plant. In doing that, the buy-in came up and now the City has hired J-U-B to have them complete a rate study. Jeff Kutner felt the City first has a responsibility to the citizens of Grangeville. He also stated that everyone else (other Cities) has development fees and the City agreed to give the developer 80 lots without a fee and the developer could always return to the City with a request. Councilwoman DeHaas stated that with the new permit for the sewer plant, the City may be required to pull out of Three Mile Creek which would cause major changes to the sewer plant. Because of this, the City needs to be cautious and move slowly. Mayor Vanderwall stated that no matter if someone is the Council, the developer or the citizen; everyone is in the same situation.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Snowhaven Minutes of November 3, 2004 were accepted on motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WALCO REVISED CONTRACT: Attorney Albers provided a revised contract for the Council to review. The Council should let Albers know of any changes and then the contract will be discussed at the December 6th Council meeting.

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 $ 36,982.41
General Fund $ 63,632.76
Street Fund $ 17,198.80
Library Fund $ 3,988.83
Insurance Fund $ 40,509.00
Recreation Fund $ 4,299.63
Snowhaven Fund $ 1,434.16
Medical Insurance Fund $ 25,250.01
Water Fund $387,594.24
Sewer Fund $ 30,128.92
Sanitation Fund $ 32,427.31

PLANNING AND ZONING APPOINTMENTS: Mayor Vanderwall asked that the Council approve his appointment of Dick Haener and Darcie Bentley to Planning and Zoning for three year terms. The Idaho County Commissioners approved the request for Darcie to represent the area of impact at the Commissioner meeting earlier in the day. On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to approve the appointment of Dick Haener and Darcie Bentley to the Planning and Zoning Commission for three year terms. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CHANGE ORDERS #5 AND #6 FOR THE CDBG WATER PROJECT: Public Works Director Gortsema reviewed change orders #5 and #6. Change order #5 is for upgrades in the SCADA system. Change order #6 is to increase the size of the pump at Spencer well and to change the electrical service as required by Avista. On motion by Councilwoman Kissinger, second by Councilman Lester to approve change order #5 in the amount of $11,347 and change order #6 in the amount of $10,362.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Gortsema explained that the change order amounts are still less than 10% which is normal for a project of this size.

SCADA SYSTEM: Public Works Director Gortsema reported that there will be emergency equipment at Spencer Well and reservoirs and Myrtle Well; however, there is no way to communicate between the Public Works Shop and these areas except manually. By purchasing the SCADA system, everything can be switched on and monitored from the shop. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman Kissinger to purchase the SCADA system for Spencer Well and reservoirs, and Myrtle Well for approximately $15,000.00. Motion carried, Councilman Zehner voting no.

SEWER PROJECT, ATLAS RETAINAGE: On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to pay the retainage to Atlas in the amount of $8,466.79. 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 to Rick Peterson who is building on Highway 95 at the old Grangeville Meats location. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

BLEWETT AND ARNZEN SUBDIVISION ADMINISTRATOR: Mayor Vanderwall stated that he plans to appoint Public Works Director Gortsema as the administrator for the subdivisions proposed by Robert Blewett and Gerald Arnzen. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lester to allow the Mayor to appoint Public Works Director Gortsema as the administrator for the Blewett and Arnzen proposed subdivisions.

2005 SEWER PROJECT: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to approve J-U-B services for the 2005 sewer project in the amount of $45,500.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The Council will have a workshop on November 17th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss sewer rates and buy-in with J-U-B.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.M.


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Terry Vanderwall - Mayor
ATTEST:


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Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk