March 6, 2006 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on March 6, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:

Bruce Walker
Brian Lorentz
James Zehner
Georgia DeHaas
Del Houger

Councilmember absent:

Wes Lester

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 February 21st meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Jessica Wells from the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation District presented the 2006 Arbor Day Grant Application for Council approval. Part of the grant this year is to plant a champion tree, one species being the Norway Maple. Ms. Wells had talked to Ernie Mager who felt that it should be planted in Pioneer Park. Arbor Day is April 28, 2006. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve the Arbor Day Grant Application. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Annette Byington explained that YWCA has a local advocate to help women who suffer from domestic abuse. The advocate is already working with Chief Sedam on domestic violence cases. YWCA received a rural grant which is how they assist local communities. They can provide trainings, workshops and presentations. Gayla Blankenship is the advocate for Grangeville and is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. She meets weekly at Health and Welfare in Grangeville.

Kevin Greig was present to request to have a fence placed in the right of way on South E Street at 824 Lake Street for owner Robert Lovell. It was explained that a fence agreement would be drawn up by Attorney Albers that Mr. Lavelle would need to sign. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Zehner to allow Robert Lavelle to have a four foot chain link fence in the right of way on South E Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

George Brown Jr. of The Vineyards stated that he extended F Street to the Cash property, but he would like to institute a latecomer fee in case the other owners develop their property using his developments. Attorney Albers explained that he had met with Clerk Kennedy and they reviewed the comprehensive plan to determine which zones in which The Vineyards should be annexed. The comprehensive plan showed the extension of Zone C and Zone A, but did not allow for the extension of Zone B. Therefore, all the annexed area will come in as Zone C and Zone A as described in the exhibits of Ordinance No. 797.

ORDINANCE NO. 797

(Ordinance No. 797 in its entirety on file in the City’s Ordinance File)

An ordinance of the City of Grangeville, Idaho County, Idaho, to extend the corporate limits of the City of Grangeville, Idaho County, Idaho, so as to include certain areas within the incorporated limits of the City of Grangeville by annexation, based upon the request of the property owners that the properties herein described be annexed; describing therein, based upon that request, the zoning classification of the annexed areas; that all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to make the ordinance effective upon its passage, approval, and publication; and to provide for the publication of the ordinance and to allocate the costs of annexation.

Councilman Walker made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner 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 Houger Yes
Councilman Walker Yes
Councilman Lorentz Yes
Councilman Zehner Yes

The motion passed.

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

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

The motion passed.

Councilman Walker then stated that the request to be annexed has been well publicized and the public has had an opportunity to comment on the request. The ordinance is to annex the property and is not dealing with the subdivision.

On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Zehner, that the rules be suspended, the 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 Houger Yes
Councilman Walker Yes
Councilman Lorentz Yes
Councilman Zehner Yes

Mayor Vanderwall then declared Ordinance No. 797 duly approved and adopted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 157 calls for service. There were 114 cases written, 29 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony arrests, 52 citations, 20 written warnings issued, 3 dogs and 1 cat impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for February 2006 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 February 2006 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 3 leaks (12 year to date) and installed no new service.

Councilman Lorentz explained that Snowhaven has had a busy and profitable year even without Christmas break. There are building issues that will need to be addressed before next season. The Council was encouraged to visit Snowhaven to see the facility and to better understand the changes that need to be made. The Council was also invited to attend the end of year get together at 4:00 pm on March 12, 2006.

On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Houger to accept the Snowhaven Minutes of March 1, 2006. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FOUR WAY INTERSECTIONS AND ONE CONTROL SIGN: On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Walker to accept Chief Sedam’s recommendation for signage at the intersections discussed (copy attached and incorporated herein, page 90). Motion carried, Councilwoman DeHaas voting no. Chief Sedam plans to work on revising the old code.

MOBILE HOME ORDINANCES: A hearing will be held before Planning and Zoning and then the Council on the mobile home ordinances prior to adoption.

ADVERTISING FOR PW EMPLOYEE: Public Works Director Gortsema informed the Council that Leroy Longmore would be retiring around June 30th. Gortsema would like to advertise for a new employee and proceed with the interviews and background checks. Mayor Vanderwall stated the personnel committee would be involved with interviews. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lorentz to authorize Gortsema to advertise for a Public Works Employee to replace Mr. Longmore. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SIDEWALK WAIVER: On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Walker to approve an indefinite sidewalk waiver for Grangeville New Meadows Auto Freight located on Hill and North D Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Houger to go into Executive Session according to Section 67-2345 (f). A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

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

Motion passed.

A motion was made by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Lorentz to go out of Executive Session. A roll call vote was duly taken with the following results:

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

Motion passed.

No action taken.

With Arbor Day coming up, Councilman Walker suggested planting a tree in honor of Jane Kissinger.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The 1993 Chevy S-10 was sold for $1,400.00.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.

_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor

ATTEST:

_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk