June 5, 2006 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on June 5, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

Mayor Vanderwall presided:

Councilmembers present:

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

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 May 15th meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Mac McBoyle and Todd Marek were present representing the Snowhaven Expansion Committee. The committee needs the City to sponsor the grant to do a feasibility study. The Committee is looking at trading land the current Snowhaven for Prairie Land and Timber property. Snow studies show that the proposed hill could possibly open in early December. The Committee would like to have the Master Development Plan completed and then a decision could be made on the future of Snowhaven. Councilwoman DeHaas would like to see the City us help them apply for the grant and see where the feasibility study would lead. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilman Zehner to allow the Snowhaven Expansion Committee to pursue grant money for a feasibility study and get a land swap agreement in place with Prairie Land and Timber. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Gary McEwen was present to explain the route and ask questions about the Triathlon he is planning. He wanted to know who was responsible for paying the lifeguards and to request that South 1st Street be closed as a safety street for the kids’ route. The bike route for adults was planned for Gun Club road. He looked at Mt. Idaho Road, but based on the amount of traffic and the speed of the vehicles, he felt Gun Club road would be safer. Mayor Vanderwall was concerned with the truck traffic on Gun Club road during harvest. The event is tentatively scheduled for August 12th starting at 7:30 a.m. On motion by Councilman Lorentz second by Councilman Houger to allow Gary McEwen to close South 1st Street between Park and Florence, run the bike race to edge of city limits toward Gun Club Road and to pay the lifeguard expense during the swimming time. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Chief Sedam stated he was satisfied with the route and that a day shift officer would help keep an eye on things. On motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lorentz to have the City donate the pool use fee of $100.00 to the triathlon event. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Camas Prairie Bowmen president, Kent Roberts, was present to request a renewal to the Archery Range. The range is used for various activities, such as local Cub Scouts Hunter Education, Bow Hunter Education and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The course has been vastly improved since the original lease and is kept clean of brush and dead trees. The bowmen would like to renew the lease for another 10 years. Councilman Lester felt a clause should be added that allowed either party to be released from the agreement prior to the expiration date. On motion by Councilman Walker, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to instruct Attorney Albers to draft a new agreement with language that would have an out clause for both parties, present the drafted agreement to both parties for approval and return to the council for a decision by the end of July. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Christie Brown asked to close South State Street for vendors during the fund raiser at Heritage Square for Camp Rainbow Gold. The booths would set up on South State Street and then the games and activities can be held in the square. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to close South State from Main to South Street on August 19th and to allow Christie to put up no parking signs on the north side between State and College. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Christie also asked to have a catering permit approved for a beer garden on the Bell Equipment lot. Councilman Zehner made a motion, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve the catering permit for the beer garden on the Bell Equipment property. 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 200 calls for service. There were 140 cases written, 36 misdemeanor arrests, 0 felony arrests, 58 citations, 21 written warnings issued, 3 dogs and 2 cats impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for May 2006 was accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Chief Sedam held a found property sale on May 31st and brought in approximately $360.00.

The Water Leak report for May 2006 was presented and it was reported that the department repaired 17 leaks (39 year to date) and installed no new service.

WATER PROJECT UPDATE: Mike Sturdevant provided numbers representing the percentage of work completed as follows:

Footage of pipe = 58%
Hydrants = 69%
Customer services = 44%
Percent of scheduled contract duration =67%

SUMMER READING PROGRAM: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Walker to donate a daily pool pass for any child that completes the summer reading program. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the council present.

SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUEST: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to grant Carroll Adkison an indefinite sidewalk waiver at 1021 North State Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

WILLIAMS SUBDIVISION: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that Lowell Williams came to him to ask if the City would be willing to split the cost of paving 10th Street. Lowell plans to pay for 1/6th of the cost which would work out to be $2,232.00 each. The quote is to pave it the width of the current curb returns which would be a 34 foot mat. Lowell has determined that he’s going to put in curb and gutter on 10th street on the north side as he would like to drain to Hall Street now instead of using the swale as originally planned. At this time, Lowell would like to split the quote equally six ways instead of basing it on a per foot price. Last years price to dust oil the street cost about $250.00. Councilman Lester didn’t have a problem with the City paying $2,232.00; however he felt both sides of 10th should have curb and gutter. He felt the street should be finished while possible. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Zehner to have the City participate in the paving of 10th Street with a cost up to $2,232.00. Motion passed, Councilman Lester voting no.

CHIP SEAL BIDS: Councilman Lester made a motion, second by Councilman Zehner to authorize public works to call for a chip seal bids. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

CITY ATTORNEY MEETING: On motion by Councilman Zehner, second Councilman Lester to allow Attorney Albers to attend the attorney meeting in Lewiston for $35.00. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

NOTICES OF P&Z HEARINGS: Clerk Kennedy brought to the attention of the Council the recommendation from AIC that stated P&Z notice of hearings should not be sent certificated mail because then if a person doesn’t pick up the notice the City has proof that they didn’t receive notice of hearing. Attorney Albers felt that the City should continue to send them out certified mail; otherwise you don’t have proof that anyone received the notice. The Council felt everything should be left as is.

REQUEST TO REMOVE TREES: The Council received a request to removed dead trees from the right of way at 704 North College. Although the trees aren’t quite dead they are close. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to allow Jeff Cook at 704 North College to remove any trees from the right of way and to let them know they have to get City permission to replant trees in right of way. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

ITEMS TO NOTE: Second quarter budget reports were provided to the Council.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.


_________________________________
Terry Vanderwall - Mayor

ATTEST:

_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk