City Council

AUGUST 10, 2015 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting (Council Work Session), Monday, August 10, 2015, at the City Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho at 3:00 p.m. There were present: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Sharon Parry (present until 4:25 p.m.) Councilmember David Smith Councilmember Ed Marohn Councilmember Michael Lehto (by phone) Councilmember Tom Hally Also present: Randy Fife, City Attorney Kami Morrison, Mayor’s Executive Assistant Kerry McCullough, Public Information Officer Dana Briggs, Economic Development Coordinator Jackie Flowers, Idaho Falls Power Director Bear Prairie, Idaho Falls Power Assistant Director Dave Hanneman, Fire Chief Dave Coffey, Deputy Fire Chief Roger Christensen, County Commissioner Lee Staker, County Commissioner Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director David Richards, Water Division Superintendent Melanie Marsh, Human Resources Director Bre Clark, Local News 8 Bryan Clark, Post Register Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Item from Idaho Falls Power include: Presentation of 2015-16 Cost of Service Study and other rate recommendations. Director Flowers and Mr. Prairie presented the following information with general discussion: Current Rates Proposed Rate % Change Residential Monthly Charge $10.00 $15.00 50% Base Energy Charge $0.0625 $0.0578 -8% PCA $0.000 ($0.0043) Typical Bill $72.50 $68.50 -6% *1000 kwh Commercial Demand Charge Per KW $5.75 $6.25 9% Minimum Demand Charge $17.50 $26.00 49% 1  AUGUST 10, 2015 Base Energy Charge $0.0425 $0.0350 -18% PCA $0.000 ($0.0042) Typical Bill $381.50 $322.30 -16% *6000 kwh & 22 kw Demand Small Industrial Demand Charge Per KW $6.50 $6.50 0% Minimum Demand Charge $2,000.00 $2,000.00 0% Base Energy Charge $0.0362 $0.0340 -6% PCA $0.000 ($0.0041) Typical Bill $19,680.00 $17,160.00 -13% *400000 kwh & 800 kw Demand Large Industrial Demand Charge Per KW $6.50 $6.50 0% Minimum Demand Charge $14,000.00 $14,000.00 0% Base Energy Charge $0.0350 $0.0340 -3% PCA $0.000 ($0.0042) Typical Bill $120,000.00 $107,000.00 -11% *2500000 kwh & 5000 kw Demand Temporary Power Monthly Charge $10.00 $15.00 50% Base Energy Charge $0.0625 $0.0578 -8% Security Lighting 100 Watt HP Sodium $17.50 $17.50 0% 200 Watt HP Sodium $20.00 $20.00 0% 400 Watt HP Sodium $26.50 $26.50 0% Street Lights Monthly Charge $0.00 $0.00 0% Base Energy Charge $0.1000 $0.0725 -28% Director Flowers stated a power study is completed on a yearly basis and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) rates are adjusted every two (2) years. Director Flowers reminded the Council of the upcoming Idaho Falls Power Open Houses, informing the general public of the fee changes, including the addition of the Power Cost Adjustment. She indicated the majority of Idaho Falls Power customers will see a decrease in their utility billing. The proposed change of fees will be effective October 1, 2015, upon the adoption of the proposed budget. Item from the Fire Department include: Discussion of Ambulance Contract. Chief Hanneman stated the ambulance contract with Bonneville County is updated on a yearly basis. He indicated the Fire Department has maintained personnel for five (5) ambulances for the previous 20 years but due to additional emergency calls, a request has been submitted to Bonneville County to provide personnel for an additional ambulance. In turn, due to funding issues, the Bonneville County Commissioners have requested the Swan Valley area be included in the ambulance contract. A proposal was submitted to increase the ambulance contract funding from more than $1 million to $2.3 million. This increase would allow the requested staffing as well as the addition of 2  AUGUST 10, 2015 Swan Valley, allowing coverage of the entire County under one contract. Chief Hanneman believes this contract would be the best option for the citizens of Idaho Falls as well as Swan Valley. Commissioner Christensen stated over the course of the past five (5) years the level of service in Swan Valley has been declining and the Swan Valley residents were not able to provide funding to maintain their own contract. It has been determined adequate charges for level of services were not being invoiced on a consistent level. Commissioner Christensen also believes by adding Swan Valley to the ambulance contract, this is the best option for all those involved. At the request of Mayor Casper, Commissioner Christensen stated under the proposed contract the response time to emergency calls in Swan Valley would not change and believes the response time to other Bonneville County areas would increase. Brief discussion followed regarding the ownership of ambulances. Chief Hanneman indicated the two (2) ambulances currently in use in Swan Valley would continue and there is on-going discussion regarding the location for storage of said ambulances. Chief Hanneman stated along with the proposed ambulance contract, he is requesting ten (10) additional personnel. He indicated approval has been given from the Civil Service that the recruitment could be completed by a lateral process which would allow a shortened training period. General discussion followed regarding the revenues received, including user fees. Chief Hanneman stated there is a small County Contingency Fund that would assist with any additional equipment needed. Councilmember Parry requested the amount of administrative costs for the Swan Valley contract. Chief Hanneman stated, as in previous contracts, the costs are currently included in the service contract, although not as a separate line item. Brief discussion followed, including cost of emergency calls for City of Idaho Falls, Swan Valley, and Bonneville County. Items from Public Works include: 1- Discussion of amendment to Sewer Service Contract - Heritage Charter School. Director Fredericksen stated the original agreement approved by the Council in 2013 allowed the City to enter in an outside the City service sewer connection for a single building. He stated the proposed amendment would allow service to additional buildings at the same location. Director Fredericksen indicated the original agreement is recorded through the County and the property will be annexed into the City in the future. 2- Discussion of Sanitation Autoload update and proposed implementation schedule, including ordinance change to Title 8, Chapter 6. Director Fredericksen stated the sanitation autoload is ready for implementation to a limited number of residents. He indicated key dates as listed: Flyers distributed August 10-14, 2015 Refuse carts delivered August 17-27, 2015 a. Title Ordinance changes August 27, 2015 Begin Phase I automation August 31, 2015 Director Fredericksen explained the proposed changes to the ordinance and stated there could be multiple changes to the ordinance as issues arise. He indicated neighborhoods with alleys would be the final phase. 3- Discussion of 25th Street/Hitt Road signal improvements, including Joint Powers Agreement and approval to advertise. Director Fredericksen stated the intersection is currently a ‘T’ intersection. This improvement would allow a full intersection with one-way exit from the Target shopping area. He indicated the City has incurred costs up this point and the City of Ammon has requested those dollar amounts be specifically listed in the agreement. Director Fredericksen also stated the total cost of the project would be inclusive of cost of materials supplied by the City of Idaho Falls. He indicated upon approval of the Joint Powers Agreement, a follow-up request will be required for approval to advertise for the project. Director Fredericksen indicated the City of Ammon is attempting to secure a private parcel of 3  AUGUST 10, 2015 property outside of Hitt Road right of way. He believes if the City of Ammon is unable to secure the property, the improvement plan would not be impacted. 4- Discussion of Water Facility Plan - overview of public comments and key report. Director Fredericksen stated only five (5) public comments were received regarding the Water Facility Plan. Four (4) of those comments were in favor of meter installation for water conservation and the final comment was adamant of no metering. Director Fredericksen will be seeking Council approval to accept the Water Facility Plan with the adoption of recommendations as listed below:  Continue improving available water system information specifically: o Continue updating and utilizing the hydraulic model  Dedicate $250,000 per year to the installation of water meters on the City’s largest, non- residential customers  Continue proactively managing the City’s water right portfolio  Implement recommended conservation actions based on available funding  Develop a 100-year pipeline replacement program (approximately 3.2 miles per year) o Focus on cast iron piping installed between 1902 and 1959, and then on pipes with the highest number of breaks  O&M programs should continue to improve preventative maintenance procedures and documentation to enable the City to provide high quality water  Hire additional staff to perform identified programs and overall system maintenance  Implement the projects identified in the 5-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and adopt a rate structure to fund them  Establish a new Capital Projects fund to consolidate project budgeting and capital expenditures  Evaluate the existing connection fee methodology and whether an increase to the fee is justified  Make recommended changes to the City’s existing rate structure once new billing software is implemented Director Fredericksen stated the Water Facility Plan indicated the cost for implementation of water metering would be approximately $79 million in expenditure but due to water conservation the actual net would be approximately $59 million. He stated all new commercial businesses will have meter installation. Mr. Richardson stated beginning in March 2007, the State required meter pits on all new construction properties, including residential subdivisions, therefore offsetting the previously stated cost for implementation. Director Fredericksen believes if the City converted to a complete meter system, there would be concern for the annual use of irrigation water. Brief discussion followed regarding water meters and the number of meter pits currently installed. Items from the Legal Department include: 1- Consideration of ordinance to increase Council/Mayor salaries. Councilmember Lehto stated the Council salary has not increased in the previous 16 years and the Mayor salary has not increased in the previous eight (8) years. If increases had been given in 2% increments for the previous ten (10) years, the Council salary would be approximately $13,800 and the Mayor salary would be approximately $91,600. Councilmember Lehto stated any increases to the elected official’s salaries are required by an ordinance in an election year prior to approving the City budget. Mr. Fife confirmed this information and stated any salary increases would not be effective until January 1 of the following year. Councilmember Hally believes the proposed increase would allow the opportunity for more citizens to serve on the Council and stated the proposed increase is reasonable as comparable to other Idaho cities of similar population, most of which do not include the amenities offered by the City of Idaho Falls. 4  AUGUST 10, 2015 Councilmember Ehardt believes the current salary discourages citizens from seeking a Council position, especially those in a lower-age category because of the time constraints. Councilmember Marohn believes those citizens who may wish to serve on the Council while employed on a full-time basis may feel the salary is not worth their time. He also stated there are many personal expenses that are absorbed. Councilmember Smith believes, with no disrespect to Mayor Milam, that the previous administration has performed a disservice by not recommending gradual salary increases to the elected officials as this proposed increase will appear to be substantial. After further discussion, it was recommended the proposed salaries to increase as follows: Councilmembers - $12,500 effective January 1, 2016 $13,000 effective January 1, 2017 Mayor - $84,000 effective January 1, 2016 $86,000 effective January 1, 2017 2- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between City and County prosecutor regarding case management. Mr. Fife stated the local judicial system has an initiative that suggests reducing the number of pre-trial conferences and initial hearings by combing misdemeanors and felonies that may arise from the same occurrence. Currently, if a citizen receives a citation for a felony and a misdemeanor they are two (2) separate citations. In many cases, the misdemeanor charge would be eliminated. Under the proposed initiative any felony and misdemeanor would be consolidated and handled by the county prosecutor. This would not include domestic violence, child custody interference case, no contact order violations, civil protection order violations, or any City ordinance violations. Mr. Fife recommends the City agree to the MOU, indicating this method is preferred by the local judges. He also indicated these particular cases could be assigned to the City regardless of any MOU. He believes the current staff in the Legal Department would be able to absorb any additional workload. Mr. Fife distributed information as follows: Hours Devoted by City to Juvenile Cases Per Month Current - 2 Hours Attorney Time/3 Hours Staff Time Proposed MOU - 20 Hours Attorney Time/35 Hours Staff Time Should the increased juvenile caseload prove to be too time intensive to be absorbed among the current staff, the City may need to consider hiring a part-time attorney or part-time member or both, either as an employee or as contract labor. Mr. Fife stated the MOU would be for a one-year time frame although there is a 30 day opt-out provision. He believes by accepting the MOU, the overall system will be more efficient. Mayor and Council Reports include: Mayor Casper stated letters were distributed to Senators Risch and Crapo related to the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015, including information supplied by Director Flowers. Councilmember Lehto had no items to report. 5  AUGUST 10, 2015 Councilmember Hally stated although the War Bonnet Rodeo was successful, future discussion of the rodeo may need to occur. Councilmember Marohn stated William Adams, the Chairman for the National Endowment for the Humanities, recently visited the City and the Museum of Idaho for grant possibilities. He also stated there is active involvement in obtaining a Smithsonian Water Display which would be located at the Idaho Falls Public Library. Councilmember Marohn announced he will be participating in an upcoming symphony concert as part of the IF150 celebration. Councilmember Smith indicated the Airport will be receiving bids for projects in the near future. He is also anticipating using the Priority-Based Budgeting process. Councilmember Ehardt had no items to report. There being no further business it was moved by Councilmember Ehardt, seconded by Councilmember Marohn, that the meeting adjourn at 6:00 p.m. CITY CLERK MAYOR 6