October 23, 2006 Regular Meeting

The City Council met in regular session on October 23, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

President Walker presided:

Councilmembers present:

Brian Lorentz
Georgia DeHaas
Delbert Houger
James Zehner
Wes Lester


Mayor Vanderwall absent

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 October 2nd regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

VISITORS: Ray Anderson of Anderson Aeromotive was present to request a sidewalk waiver at his location at 824 North D Street. The only street frontage they have is along Pine Street as they have a private access road off D Street. Mr. Anderson didn’t feel it was necessary to have sidewalks and didn’t see any value to the City. On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lorentz to grant Ray Anderson of Anderson Aeromotive an indefinite sidewalk waiver on Pine Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Melissa Malone, 1013 North State, is concerned about the safety of approximately 12 kids that get on the bus stop on North State. She would like to have “school bus stop ahead” signs placed prior to the bus stop and the possibility of an additional 25 mph speed limit sign heading North on State Street. Melissa understands that the cost of the school bus stop ahead signs is her responsibility and she is willing to pay for them. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to grant Melissa Malone permission to place school bus stop ahead signs (or another appropriate wording) on North State, at her cost, with the City ordering and installing the signs.

Councilman Lorentz suggested some additional patrols by the police department, rather than placing another speed limit sign on North State. Chief Sedam explained that he has done that additional patrols there but they can do more. He will try to get the speed trailer from the County and set it up.

Mark Green submitted a letter to the Council outlining his plan for sewer to the Greenco property east of the Grangeville Salmon Road and south of Highway 13 and requesting confirmation that he could connect to City services. Mark needed this information for the bid he submitted for the new Forest Service Building. Councilwoman DeHaas had the request clarified by asking Mark if technically a letter stating that the City would allow connection to City services would be adequate. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner declaring an intention on the part of the council to provide water and sewer services to the Green property line east of the Grangeville salmon road and south of the highway 13, contingent upon annexation, and at the owner’s expense. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Councilman Lester asked Mark to consider possibly extending the area of impact line beyond the City limit line if he ends up annexing.

WATER PROJECT: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that Bodiford started laying main line pipe today and continues to work on the service lines in the high zone area. They have no intention of requesting a winter shut down and they will stay until they get it done. They have a commitment from POE to stay here as long as the plant can operate. If everything isn’t paved, they will put cold mix in this fall and then come back in the spring to replace with hot mix. The system should be finished with an all weather surface before Bodiford leaves.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to approve Bodiford’s pay request #12 and pay request #13 in the amount of $128,870.64 and $60,466.15 respectively. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Planning and Zoning Minutes from October 3, 2006 were accepted on motion by Councilwoman DeHaas, second by Councilman Lorentz. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Council reviewed the application and recommendation for the variance application submitted by Mondo Leon, 516 West South 1st Street. Mondo’s request was to build a canopy over the front door/steps that would encroach into the front yard setback by approximately six feet. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to grant Mondo Leon a variance to place a canopy over his front porch and steps that would encroach into the front yard setback approximately six feet. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

The Council reviewed the application and recommendation for the conditional use application submitted by Yolanda Stout, 223 Park Street. Yolanda was present to explain that when they moved in March, they had 5 dogs and didn’t realize that there was a limit for the City since she saw horses and roosters in town. She has a rotweiller 14 years old, a black lab 3 years old, and three Chihuahuas, ages 8 years, 1 year and 6 months. Yolanda talked to the neighbors when she delivered the notice of hearing and one neighbor said she didn’t care but then wrote a letter against keeping the animals. Councilman Walker stated that the planning and zoning minutes reflected both positive and negative comments. Chief Sedam stated that there have been barking dog complaints in the neighborhood, but they have not pinned down the Stouts as being the neighbor with barking dogs. Councilman Lester doesn’t agree with having five dogs in town, but also understands how you get attached to them. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to accept the Planning and Zoning recommendation for the Stouts at 223 Park Street for a conditional use to have five dogs, using the same wording as P & Z minutes. Councilwoman DeHaas did not want the motion to reflect anything about a kennel license. Motion carried, Councilwoman DeHaas and Councilman Lorentz voting no. Councilman Walker asked if the dogs can be tracked through licensing and yes they can.

On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Snowhaven Board Minutes of September 13, 2006. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to accept the Library Board Minutes of September 28, 2006. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

FOOTHILLS INC. RENEWAL: Attorney Albers explained that the original Foothills Inc. lease was a 25 year agreement between Foothills Inc. and the City that gave a right of renewal. The agreement had unusual language that said if Foothills Inc. couldn’t get insurance then they didn’t have to. Albers recommended to Bruce Schoo to check on insurance and see if it is available and then check with the users to see if they will participate in the cost. When he has gathered his information, then he should contact the water and sewer committee who will make a recommendation for the City Council. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to extend the Foothills Inc. contact until December 4th. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

HANDICAP RAMP ORDINANCE: Councilwoman DeHaas would like to see the ordinance read that the only time a ramp would need to be removed would be if the owner wants to take it out. Councilman Houger thinks people may buy the house wanting the ramp. If the ramp is approved and has a building permit, why remove it? Councilman Lorentz felt it was foolish to make someone tear out a ramp if it was built correctly. Attorney Albers will have a new draft o the ordinance at the next meeting.

BILLS: The bills (including Bodiford’s pay request #12) were approved and ordered paid out of their respective funds on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

Payroll Fund $ 48,147.79
General Fund $ 70,982.01
Street Fund $ 28,810.64
Library Fund $ 4,674.25
Recreation Fund $ 9,998.68
Snowhaven Fund $ 246.06
Medical Insurance Fund $ 15,192.12
Water Fund $390,815.94
Sewer Fund $ 46,232.11
Sanitation Fund $ 39,625.88

UTILITY WRITE OFFS: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Lorentz to approve the write-off of non-collectible accounts in the amount of $1,535.35. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SIDEWALK WAIVER: Clerk Kennedy explained that Ted Lindsley, 327 North Meadow is constructing an additional building with a valuation over $5,000.00, which triggers the sidewalk ordinance. The Council needed to review his sidewalk waiver initially granted November 18, 2002. On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to extend Ted Lindsley’s sidewalk waiver on Nezperce Street. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. It was noted that Ted doesn’t have sidewalks to the North of his driveway on Meadow. If he doesn’t want to put sidewalks in, then he would need to submit a waiver request for the remainder of Meadow Street.

DONATION: On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to donate a Season Family Pool pass to the Festival of Trees as requested. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SUBDIVISION PROCESS: Public Works Director Gortsema researched some information on how the City of Lewiston processes subdivision plats and found out that they have three kinds of plats: administrative, preliminary and final, with fees assigned to each. Gortsema felt some changes needed to be made to the City’s subdivision code.

On the question of what to charge for the amended plat of the Kaschmitter Subdivision, Attorney Albers felt it was appropriate, based on the amount of time to review to waive the plat fees but have him pay the actual costs of annexation and publishing of the hearings. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Zehner to have Camas Gravel pay for the actual fees incurred on the review of the amended Kaschmitter Subdivision plat for Potlatch Credit Union. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present. Councilman Lester felt the City needs to have a fee schedule created for future use.

ROAD SIGN MANAGEMENT PLAN: Public Works Director Gortsema put into writing what the City does with signs if they are destroyed, missing or damaged. There is grant money available through LHTAC for signs and sign related hardware and also in a category which isn’t always used. In order to apply for the grant, Cities get points if they have a Sign Management Plan. Councilman Lorentz made a motion, second by Councilman Lester to adopt the Road Sign Management Plan as presented by Gortsema. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

SURPLUS: On motion by Councilman Zehner, second by Councilman Lester to declare various old water meters surplus. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

RESIGNATION: On motion by Councilman Houger, second by Councilwoman DeHaas to accept the letter of resignation submitted by Kevin Duden. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.

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

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

Motion passed.

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

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

Motion passed.

ITEMS TO NOTE: The Walco Tonnage Report for September 2006 was submitted to the Council.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 P.M.

_________________________________
Bruce Walker – President
ATTEST:


_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk