January 3, 2006 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on January 3, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:

Wes Lester
Bruce Walker
Brian Lorentz
James Zehner
Georgia DeHaas
Del Houger

Councilmember Absent:

Jane Kissinger

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

The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the December 19th meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Irene Talent was present representing the Idaho County Historic Preservation Commission. In about 1963 the sign on the Courthouse lawn was installed by the City of Grangeville, Grangeville Chamber of Commerce and Idaho County Commissioners detailing the history of the use of the steam engines. The County Commissioners had a thought that maybe the sign should be changed instead of just restoring. Mrs. Talent is asking for support from the City of Grangeville, whether in labor or dollars. She would also like to have a committee member involved representing the City. If anyone is interested in attending, the next meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 9th at US Bank.

George Brown Jr. was present to request annexation of The Vineyards. Previously owned by Buel Williams, the approximate 47 acres on the Southwest is entirely within the area of impact. Mr. Brown explained that he is a land developer, and his wife, Elizabeth (Rockwell) is a lawyer. He wants to bring in all the 47 acres that is within the area of impact, starting with a master plan concept and then letting the market tell him what to develop. The request is to annex the residential area which is just north of the dump road and south of the commercial zone along Highway 95. He had Hunter Edwards replicate the existing lots of Grangeville and would like to begin subdividing with the first phase being approximately 51 lots. He does not have plans to develop the commercial area of the property and only wants to deal with the residential. Gerald Arnzen was present to ask how the property is accessed and who pays to put in the streets, sidewalks, move fences and other improvements along Court and Elk Streets. Mr. Brown stated that his subdivision would be accessed through Court and Elk Streets and he would pay all developer costs, such as sidewalks, streets and utilities. He does not plan to propose an LID because he feels that those developments are the developer’s cost. Public Works Director Gortsema brought up the agreement with the property know as Lincoln West and the existing block 19 that is currently zoned residential zone B. Gerald Arnzen wanted to know if traffic studies had been done for only two access streets. Henry Arnzen also stated that he has an approved easement off Highway 95 but the State wouldn’t let him open it up. Attorney Albers explained that with a voluntary annexation it falls under Category A and would follow the zoning patterns that are contiguous with existing zones. If Mr. Brown chooses to change the zoning of the land adjacent to Zone B, a public hearing would be held prior to annexation. Councilwoman DeHaas felt a nice subdivision would be to the City’s benefit. Mr. Brown stated that The Vineyards would be a subdivision to be proud of. Mayor Vanderwall stated the annexation will be discussed at the next meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 127 calls for service. There were 102 cases written, 26 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony arrests, 45 citations, 13 written warnings issued, 4 dogs and 1 cat impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for December 2005 was accepted on motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lorentz. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Water Leak report for December 2005 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 5 leaks (178 year to date) and installed one new service.

CONTRACTOR LICENSING AND BUILDING PERMITS: Attorney Albers had a draft ordinance from AIC that would help protect citizens having work done by an unlicensed contractor. Albers read draft from AIC and explained some changed he would like to make. Albers once again stated that under the new law, it is criminal to not have a license as a contractor. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to have Albers redraft the ordinance for the meeting on the 23rd. Sub contractors are not covered under the current wording of the ordinance.

OATHS OF OFFICE: At this time the following newly elected officials of the City of Grangeville, Mayor: Terry Vanderwall and Councilmembers: Bruce Walker, Wes Lester, Brian Lorentz and Delbert Houger were sworn into office by Clerk Kennedy and the official oaths were duly executed and filed. Each one was then presented with a Certificate of Election.

A motion was made by Councilman Lester, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to nominate Councilman Walker, President of the Council. There being no other nominations the motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

APPOINTMENTS RENEWED: Mayor Vanderwall then renewed the following appointments: Dennis Albers, City Attorney; Tonya Kennedy, City Clerk-Treasurer; Wayne Sedam, Chief of Police; Ken Gortsema, Public Works Director; Dan Tackett, Fire Chief; Bob Mager and John Sangster, Assistant Fire Chiefs. The appointments were ratified on motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman Zehner, seconded by Councilman Lester to accept the following items as part of the consent agenda.

A. Approve the following Boards and Commissions:

Library Board: Carol Kinzer (2007), Betty Spickelmire (2011), Kay Stumpf (2008), Joan Hall (2009), David Rauzi (2010)

Planning and Zoning Commission: Wilmer Seaver (2006), Nancy Kaschmitter (2006), Michael Cook (2008), Hunter Edwards (2008), Dick Haener (2007), Darcie Bentley (2008)

Snowhaven Ski Board: James Kingma, John Urbahn, Jerry Hill, Mike Brewster, Pauline Sullivan, Judy Purdy, Kim Peterson, Tomianne Whitien

Snowhaven Expansion Committee: Todd Marek, Mike Sturdevant, Kevin Asker, Paul Eimers, James Kingma, John Lamb, Mac McBoyle, James Rockwell

ADA Committee: Councilmember DeHaas, Connie Workman, Dock Stroop, Lynda Allen, Mark Gravatt

Technical Review Committee: Mike Sturdevant, Tim Kaschmitter and Dan Tackett

B. Council Committees for 2006 (copy attached and incorporated herein, page 76).

Roll call vote on the motion.

Councilwoman DeHaas Yes
Councilman Houger Yes
Councilman Walker Yes
Councilman Lorentz Yes
Councilman Lester Yes
Councilman Zehner Yes

The motion passed.

P&Z APPOINTMENTS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to re-appoint Nancy Kaschmitter and Wilmer Seaver to the Planning and Zoning Commission for three year terms, to expire January 3, 2009. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

RESOLUTION ON THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS PROPERTY: A few comments were made to try to shorten the length of time between advertising and accepting the bid. Attorney Albers will review and make a few changes for the next meeting.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The Council was in receipt of a letter regarding proposed legislation to require testing and inspection on hydrants.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.


_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor

ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk