Council Minutes
City of Grangeville, IdahoMonday, February 04, 2008
February 4, 2008 Regular Meeting
The City Council met in regular session on February 4, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Brian Lorentz
Wes Lester
Michael Peterson
Councilmember attendance by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Sedam, and Clerk Kennedy. Attorney Albers absent.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the January 22nd regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
OATHS OF OFFICE: At this time Mayor Walker was sworn into office by Clerk Kennedy and the official oath was duly executed and filed.
Mayor Walker renewed the appointments of the following staff: 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 Brian Perry, Assistant Fire Chiefs. A motion was made by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Mayor’s appointments. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Doug McRoberts of Camas Lanes was present to voice his concerns over the “Resident Only Parking” signs that were installed at Jason White’s residence (approval granted December 19, 2007). When Jason first moved in to his house he knew the parking would be bad because he bowled growing up. Doug stated he realized that Jason has a parking problem. Jason is telling people who park in the resident only spots that he will have vehicles towed and he is getting worse. Jason has talked to Doug and patrons of Camas Lanes. Two different police officers have come in and one was less than pleasant. Doug felt he was being harassed and that the problem would be solved if Jason would install a driveway. Doug would like to know how many names are needed on a petition before it would be required to have the signs taken out. It was also stated that the signs are too far apart for two parking spots. Public Works Director Gortsema clarified that one parking space is approximately 22’ long. The White’s street frontage is 50’, so approximately 6’ extra is included between the signs.
Jeff Kutner was also present and stated that they have the same problem with the Gallery. People park wherever they are. He felt to allow special privileges for a resident in commercial zone is not a good idea as there is nothing to keep a business from asking for the same reason. He also felt that for some of these reasons, no new residential housing should be allowed in the commercial or industrial areas in the City.
Councilman Houger asked Doug if he had visited with Chief Sedam about the incident with the officer. Doug had not visited with Chief Sedam. Councilman Houger felt that good points were brought up concerning the commercial and industrial areas. He also felt that the City should give Jason time to install a driveway and then have the signs removed. Councilman Lester asked if there were just the two others in town: one by the elementary school and one by Lions Park. Councilman Walker felt the one by the school was valid as its location is in a residential area.
Councilman Houger made a motion to rescind the motion with Jason White referring to two parking spots on North Hall Street. The motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Walker’s recollection was that it was self-policing. If the police department gets a call they should inspect and then leave a note but do not go into businesses to try to find the owner. Chief Sedam stated that he would leave a written warning on any vehicles that park between the signs. He will also talk to Jason to let him know how things will be handled in the future. Councilman Houger suggested that if a problem still exists in 30 days, Doug can come back to the Council.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 124 calls for service. There were 84 cases written, 21 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony arrests, 60 citations, 26 written warnings issued, 8 dogs and 1 cat impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for January 2008 and the Man Hour Report for 2007 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
TERRY VANDERWALL MEMORIAL: Public Works Director Gortsema stated that a 30’ flag pole would be about $3,000.00 and maybe about $500.00 for the installation. He felt the City staff could do most of the installation, with Avista drilling the hole and an electrician for wiring the lights.
Councilman Peterson stated that the clocks range from $5,700.00 to $40,000.00. The only concern he has is that the one for $5,700.00 is only 8.5’ tall, which would need to be elevated to reduce vandalism. The clocks can be customized with Terry’s name.
Councilman Lorentz felt that both ideas were good, but he would like to know what the family thinks. Councilman Lester stated that he hasn’t been able to get a hold of Mark yet. Councilman Lester asked to have discussion tabled until the next meeting.
CHOCOLATE FANTASY DONATION: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to donate a family pool pass to Chocolate Fantasy. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Councilman Lorentz asked to be excused for the night and left.
TRANSCIVIL CONSULTING SERVICES: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the contract would be a time and materials contract and most of services would be for Mike Sturdevant as a project inspector. This contract would cover inspection costs for Pebble Creek Subdivision. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to authorize the Mayor to sign the TransCivil consulting services contract. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
RADIO READ METERS: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that radio read meters are the way to go as touch read meters will be losing support in the near future. Sensus has provided a quote to get radio read meters and the software at a discount and will meet with the City this month. Gortsema’s proposal is to leave the touch read meters as they are and continue with conversions on the remaining old meters. The touch reads will be the last to be updated to radio read. Additional discussion occurred on whether the City should update to radio read or wait for the next product to come out, such as satellite capabilities. Councilman Lester felt the City needed to move forward with the system. He felt if Gortsema and Kennedy felt it’s was a good thing for the City after the meeting, then the City should proceed. Councilman Peterson asked if the radio read works in the snow. Gortsema explained yes, that McCall currently uses radio read.
Gortsema also stated that the software to download touch read information will not be supported in the near future. The point he wanted to make is that if the City wants to spend money on something that is available in the future then the City shouldn’t waste money getting the touch read software now where the City could invest in better technology and purchase radio read instead.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to allow public works to purchase radio read meters as budgeted and to purchase the water portion of the software for City Hall. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE: The auditors will be on site February 11th through 15th.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
_________________________________
Bruce Walker - Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
Mayor Walker presided:
Councilmembers present:
Del Houger
Brian Lorentz
Wes Lester
Michael Peterson
Councilmember attendance by phone:
Georgia DeHaas
City employees present were Public Works Director Gortsema, Chief Sedam, and Clerk Kennedy. Attorney Albers absent.
The meeting was called to order and the minutes of the January 22nd regular meeting were approved as presented by Councilman Houger, second by Councilman Lester. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
OATHS OF OFFICE: At this time Mayor Walker was sworn into office by Clerk Kennedy and the official oath was duly executed and filed.
Mayor Walker renewed the appointments of the following staff: 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 Brian Perry, Assistant Fire Chiefs. A motion was made by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to accept the Mayor’s appointments. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
VISITORS: Doug McRoberts of Camas Lanes was present to voice his concerns over the “Resident Only Parking” signs that were installed at Jason White’s residence (approval granted December 19, 2007). When Jason first moved in to his house he knew the parking would be bad because he bowled growing up. Doug stated he realized that Jason has a parking problem. Jason is telling people who park in the resident only spots that he will have vehicles towed and he is getting worse. Jason has talked to Doug and patrons of Camas Lanes. Two different police officers have come in and one was less than pleasant. Doug felt he was being harassed and that the problem would be solved if Jason would install a driveway. Doug would like to know how many names are needed on a petition before it would be required to have the signs taken out. It was also stated that the signs are too far apart for two parking spots. Public Works Director Gortsema clarified that one parking space is approximately 22’ long. The White’s street frontage is 50’, so approximately 6’ extra is included between the signs.
Jeff Kutner was also present and stated that they have the same problem with the Gallery. People park wherever they are. He felt to allow special privileges for a resident in commercial zone is not a good idea as there is nothing to keep a business from asking for the same reason. He also felt that for some of these reasons, no new residential housing should be allowed in the commercial or industrial areas in the City.
Councilman Houger asked Doug if he had visited with Chief Sedam about the incident with the officer. Doug had not visited with Chief Sedam. Councilman Houger felt that good points were brought up concerning the commercial and industrial areas. He also felt that the City should give Jason time to install a driveway and then have the signs removed. Councilman Lester asked if there were just the two others in town: one by the elementary school and one by Lions Park. Councilman Walker felt the one by the school was valid as its location is in a residential area.
Councilman Houger made a motion to rescind the motion with Jason White referring to two parking spots on North Hall Street. The motion died for lack of a second. Mayor Walker’s recollection was that it was self-policing. If the police department gets a call they should inspect and then leave a note but do not go into businesses to try to find the owner. Chief Sedam stated that he would leave a written warning on any vehicles that park between the signs. He will also talk to Jason to let him know how things will be handled in the future. Councilman Houger suggested that if a problem still exists in 30 days, Doug can come back to the Council.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Chief of Police Sedam summarized the monthly report, reporting that the department responded to 124 calls for service. There were 84 cases written, 21 misdemeanor arrests, 1 felony arrests, 60 citations, 26 written warnings issued, 8 dogs and 1 cat impounded. The Police and Animal Control Report for January 2008 and the Man Hour Report for 2007 were accepted on motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
TERRY VANDERWALL MEMORIAL: Public Works Director Gortsema stated that a 30’ flag pole would be about $3,000.00 and maybe about $500.00 for the installation. He felt the City staff could do most of the installation, with Avista drilling the hole and an electrician for wiring the lights.
Councilman Peterson stated that the clocks range from $5,700.00 to $40,000.00. The only concern he has is that the one for $5,700.00 is only 8.5’ tall, which would need to be elevated to reduce vandalism. The clocks can be customized with Terry’s name.
Councilman Lorentz felt that both ideas were good, but he would like to know what the family thinks. Councilman Lester stated that he hasn’t been able to get a hold of Mark yet. Councilman Lester asked to have discussion tabled until the next meeting.
CHOCOLATE FANTASY DONATION: On motion by Councilman Lorentz, second by Councilman Lester to donate a family pool pass to Chocolate Fantasy. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
Councilman Lorentz asked to be excused for the night and left.
TRANSCIVIL CONSULTING SERVICES: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that the contract would be a time and materials contract and most of services would be for Mike Sturdevant as a project inspector. This contract would cover inspection costs for Pebble Creek Subdivision. On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to authorize the Mayor to sign the TransCivil consulting services contract. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
RADIO READ METERS: Public Works Director Gortsema explained that radio read meters are the way to go as touch read meters will be losing support in the near future. Sensus has provided a quote to get radio read meters and the software at a discount and will meet with the City this month. Gortsema’s proposal is to leave the touch read meters as they are and continue with conversions on the remaining old meters. The touch reads will be the last to be updated to radio read. Additional discussion occurred on whether the City should update to radio read or wait for the next product to come out, such as satellite capabilities. Councilman Lester felt the City needed to move forward with the system. He felt if Gortsema and Kennedy felt it’s was a good thing for the City after the meeting, then the City should proceed. Councilman Peterson asked if the radio read works in the snow. Gortsema explained yes, that McCall currently uses radio read.
Gortsema also stated that the software to download touch read information will not be supported in the near future. The point he wanted to make is that if the City wants to spend money on something that is available in the future then the City shouldn’t waste money getting the touch read software now where the City could invest in better technology and purchase radio read instead.
On motion by Councilman Lester, second by Councilman Houger to allow public works to purchase radio read meters as budgeted and to purchase the water portion of the software for City Hall. Motion carried by a unanimous vote of the Council present.
ITEMS TO NOTE: The auditors will be on site February 11th through 15th.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
_________________________________
Bruce Walker - Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Tonya Kennedy – City Clerk
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