City Council

NOVEMBER 24, 2015 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Regular Council Meeting, Tuesday, November 24, 2015, in the Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho at 7:30 p.m. There were present: Mayor Rebecca Casper Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember David M. Smith Councilmember Michael Lehto Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Ed Marohn Councilmember Sharon Parry Also present: Randy Fife, City Attorney Kathy Hampton, City Clerk All available Department Directors Mayor Casper invited Wayne Whitmore, a student at Rocky Mountain Middle School and Boy Scout Troop #271, to come forward and lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Casper requested any public comments not related to items on the agenda. No one appeared. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: Idaho Falls Power requested ratification of two (2) Power Transaction Agreements with Shell Energy. The City Clerk requested acceptance of the Canvass of the Vote from the November 3, 2015, General Municipal Election. CITY OF IDAHO FALLS MUNICIPAL ELECTION COUNCIL SEAT NO. 1 COUNCIL SEAT NO. 2 COUNCIL SEAT NO. 3 COUNCIL SEAT NO. 5 4 Year Term 2 Year Term 4 Year Term 4 Year Term VOTE FOR ONE (1) VOTE FOR ONE (1) VOTE FOR ONE (1) VOTE FOR ONE (1) MICHELLE ZIEL-DINGMAN JOHN BOYD RADFORD JOHN PENDLEBURY DAVID M. SMITH EVAN K. BASTOW THOMAS HALLY DENNIS RAY EMERY PRECINCT DEAN ELLIS 01 70 76 128 59 85 48 11 83 02 58 50 87 38 75 48 9 56 03 32 42 63 30 44 16 4 55 04 48 78 106 48 75 50 11 67 05 70 58 107 70 60 58 7 67 1  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 06 37 112 122 52 102 40 10 101 07 69 68 105 71 63 47 12 78 08 48 85 103 54 77 40 11 78 09 81 65 131 51 90 71 11 60 10 242 166 341 172 208 168 42 173 11 56 129 123 51 136 51 16 124 12 103 100 169 76 125 97 19 82 13 72 96 135 62 98 65 9 88 14 41 119 114 43 120 37 12 117 15 122 133 197 115 146 114 16 133 16 77 139 160 114 125 90 12 126 17 76 126 165 66 137 66 15 116 18 83 100 159 76 111 87 11 91 19 92 143 166 70 168 96 17 129 20 130 142 232 95 168 109 29 133 21 67 63 109 48 83 61 4 68 22 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 23 6 40 37 15 31 14 1 31 24 41 86 96 43 85 58 6 68 25 64 110 148 60 117 52 10 114 26 74 70 109 64 75 66 9 59 27 154 101 178 94 101 188 8 58 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 46 63 42 93 46 57 62 13 26 Absentee 201 308 381 155 360 196 26 283 TOTAL 2,277 2,848 4,065 1,938 3,123 2,096 361 2,664 VOTING STATISTICS Total Number Number Total Number Number of % of Registered PRECINCT of Registered Election Day of Registered Ballots Cast Voters That Voters at Cutoff Registrants Voters Voted 01 883 13 896 149 16.63% 02 853 9 862 117 13.57% 03 461 2 463 76 16.41% 04 774 10 784 132 16.84% 05 819 8 827 135 16.32% 06 839 6 845 156 18.46% 07 820 17 837 141 16.85% 08 804 9 813 137 16.85% 09 1084 8 1092 151 13.83% 10 1083 45 1128 465 41.22% 11 1024 16 1040 195 18.75% 12 1007 8 1015 206 20.30% 13 1037 11 1048 171 16.32% 14 833 9 842 170 20.19% 15 1131 10 1141 268 23.49% 16 1073 10 1083 245 22.62% 17 1063 7 1070 208 19.44% 18 1096 7 1103 193 17.50% 19 918 7 925 255 27.57% 20 916 48 964 321 33.30% 2  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 21 896 12 908 134 14.76% 22 45 0 45 1 2.22% 23 302 4 306 47 15.36% 24 820 13 833 138 16.57% 25 853 16 869 185 21.29% 26 853 20 873 147 16.84% 27 633 46 679 320 47.13% 38 4 0 4 0 0.00% 46 263 17 280 148 52.86% Absentee 0 548 TOTAL 23,187 388 23,575 5,559 23.58% STATE OF IDAHO ) ) ss. COUNTY OF BONNEVILLE ) I, Ronald Longmore, County Clerk of said county and state, do hereby certify that the attached is a full, true and complete copy of the abstract of votes for the candidates therein named as they appeared on the election ballot on November 3, 2015, for the City of Idaho Falls as shown by the record of the Board of Canvassers filed in my office this 9th day of November, 2015. s/ Ronald Longmore County Clerk STATE OF IDAHO ) ) ss. COUNTY OF BONNEVILLE ) We, the commissioners of the county and state aforesaid, acting as a Board of Canvassers of Election, convened on November 9, 2015, do hereby state that the attached is a true and complete abstract of all votes cast within this county for the candidates and/or issue as it appeared at the election held on November 3, 2015, as shown by the records now on file in the County Clerk’s Office. s/ Roger S. Christensen s/ Dave Radford County Board of Canvassers (COUNTY SEAL) ATTEST: s/ Ronald Longmore County Clerk The City Clerk requested approval of Minutes from the October 19, 2015, Council Work Session, and October 22, 2015, Regular Council Meeting. The City Clerk requested approval of License Applications, all carrying the required approvals. It was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Parry, to approve all items on the Consent Agenda according to recommendations presented. Roll call as follows: 3  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 Aye: Councilmember Marohn Councilmember Lehto Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Hally Councilmember Parry Councilmember Smith Nay: None Motion carried. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS: Municipal Services submitted the following items for Council consideration: MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council From: Municipal Services Department Subject: Bid IF-16-C, Road Salt It is the recommendation of the Public Works and the Municipal Services Departments to piggyback the Idaho Department of Transportation's contract #BP001923-07 with Evans Grain and Elevator Company. The supplier will furnish the required annual road salt for the contract amount of $37.97 per cubic yard plus a fuel surcharge of $24.20 per load, which calculates out to be approximately $.69 per ton. Last fiscal year the Street Division expended a total of $67,494.71 for road salt. Councilmember Marohn stated the budgeted line item has been approved for $115,000.00, which may fluctuate with variable weather conditions. It was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Smith, to piggyback the Idaho Department of Transportation's contract with Evans Grain and Elevator Company for road salt, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign any necessary documents. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Smith Councilmember Hally Councilmember Lehto Councilmember Parry Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Marohn Nay: None Motion carried. MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Pamela Alexander, Municipal Services Director Subject: Unified Utility Billing, Collection and Termination Policy Resolution 4  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 Attached is a resolution with a proposed unified utility billing, collection and termination policy for City customer water, sewer, sanitation, electrical and fiber optic accounts. Municipal Services, Idaho Falls Power and Public Works staff concurs with the unified billing policy recommendation. The proposed changes are now being submitted to the Mayor and City Council for consideration. Director Alexander stated this Resolution will update current practices and improve and streamline the process of utility accounts. She stated language in the policy has been updated, and the time frame for delinquent accounts has been reduced from 50 days to 30 days. Kenny McOmber, City Treasurer, stated by combining individual sections of the City Code, the unified policy will benefit both the City and the staff. Director Flowers believes the unified policy will eliminate the current cumbersome process. General discussion followed regarding termination of services during the winter months. Director Alexander stated the current hours in the Treasurer’s Office will be expanded as payments for service will no longer be accepted in the field. Mr. Fife explained by approving the Resolution each individual section in the City Code pertaining to the five (5) utilities would refer to the Resolution. He stated approval of the Idaho Falls Power Ordinance and the Resolution to amend the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy will integrate with the Unified Utility Billing, Collection and Termination Policy. After further discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Ehardt, to approve the Resolution with a unified utility billing, collection and termination policy for City accounts and authorize the Mayor to sign the document. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Hally Councilmember Marohn Councilmember Parry Councilmember Lehto Councilmember Smith Councilmember Ehardt Nay: None Motion carried. Resolution No. 2015-30 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, ADOPTING A UNIFORM CITY UTILITY BILLING, COLLECTION, AND TERMINATION POLICY AND PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW. WHEREAS, the City collects funds for water, sewer, sanitation, electrical, and fiber utilities from its customers; and, WHEREAS, most of the collection “policies” for the various City utilities are currently located in the Idaho Falls City Code; and, WHEREAS, the utility billing, collection, and termination codes policies and practices within the City Code are not consistent with one another; and WHEREAS, certain collection requirements within the City Code do not appear to be internally consistent or efficient; and 5  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 WHEREAS, the presence of the billing, collection, and termination “policies” in the City Code make them more difficult to change, modernize, or streamline than would be the case if they are located within a Council Resolution; and WHEREAS, in order to promote greater predictability, transparency, and accessibility, the relevant Department Directors propose the attached City Utility, Billing, Collection, and Termination Policy be adopted by Council; and WHEREAS, Council wishes to support consistent and efficient collection policies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, AS FOLLOWS: 1. The City Council hereby adopts the attached City Utility Billing, Collection, and Termination Policy. ADOPTED and effective this 24th day of November, 2015. CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper Rebecca L. Noah Casper, Mayor ATTEST: s/ Kathy Hampton Kathy Hampton, City Clerk (SEAL) STATE OF IDAHO ) ) ss: County of Bonneville ) I, KATHY HAMPTON, CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, DO HEREBY CERTIFY: That the above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of the Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, ADOPTING A UNIFORM CITY UTILITY BILLING, COLLECTION, AND TERMINATION POLICY AND PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW.” s/ Kathy Hampton Kathy Hampton, City Clerk (SEAL) MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Pamela Alexander, Municipal Services Director Subject: Unified Utility Billing, Collection and Termination Policy Ordinance: 6  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 Attached is an ordinance to reference the proposed unified billing, collection and termination policy. Municipal Services, Idaho Falls Power and Public Works staff concurs with the unified billing policy recommendation. The proposed changes are now being submitted to the Mayor and City Council for consideration. After brief discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Hally, to approve the unified billing, collection and termination policy Ordinance under the suspension of the rules requiring three complete and separate readings and that it be read by title and published by summary. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Smith Councilmember Marohn Councilmember Lehto Councilmember Hally Nay: Councilmember Parry Motion carried. At the request of the Mayor, the City Clerk read the ordinance by title only: ORDINANCE NO. 3039 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTERS 1, 4, 5, 6, AND 13 TO STANDARDIZE BILLING, COLLECTION, AND TERMINATION PRACTICES FOR CITY SEWER, WATER, ELECTRIC, SANITATION AND FIBER OPTIC UTILITY SERVICES BY REFERRING TO THE CITY'S ADOPTED UNIFORM UTILITY BILLING, COLLECTION AND TERMINATION POLICY; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, PUBLICATION BY SUMMARY, AND ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE DATE. Idaho Falls Power submitted the following items for Council consideration: MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Jackie Flowers, General Manager Subject: Ordinance amending sections of the City Code of Idaho Falls pertaining to electric service Attached for your consideration is an Ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 5 of the City Code of Idaho Falls. The City Attorney has prepared this ordinance. The proposed changes clarify thresholds for new large single loads, establish net metering classifications, establish in-person meter reading provisions, and establish regulations and fees for electric power line extensions. Idaho Falls Power respectfully requests City Council approve the Ordinance. It was moved by Councilmember Lehto, seconded by Councilmember Ehardt, to approve the Ordinance amending Title 8, Chapter 5 of the City Code of Idaho Falls under the suspension of the rules requiring three complete and separate readings and that it be read by title and published by summary. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Parry 7  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Hally Councilmember Smith Councilmember Marohn Councilmember Lehto Nay: None Motion carried. At the request of the Mayor, the City Clerk read the ordinance by title only: ORDINANCE NO. 3040 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 5, CLARIFYING RATES FOR CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICITY, AND IN-PERSON METER READING AND ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS AND FEES FOR ELECTRIC POWER LINE EXTENSIONS; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, PUBLICATION BY SUMMARY, AND ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE DATE. MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Jackie Flowers, General Manager Subject: Resolution Amending the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy Attached for your consideration is a resolution adopting modifications to the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy. The revisions incorporate language related to the electric line extensions and associated fees, clarifying customer responsibility pertaining to secondary service, and clarify net metering application process. The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed changes. Idaho Falls Power respectfully requests that City Council approve the Resolution and authorize the Mayor to sign the document. It was moved by Councilmember Lehto, seconded by Councilmember Ehardt, to approve the Resolution adopting modifications to the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy and authorize the Mayor to sign the documents. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Marohn Councilmember Lehto Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Hally Councilmember Parry Councilmember Smith Nay: None Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-31 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, ADOPTING THE MODIFIED IDAHO FALLS POWER SERVICE POLICY (2016), 8  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 PROVIDING THIS RESOLUTION BE EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW. WHEREAS, the City owns and operates a municipal electric utility, Idaho Falls Power (“IFP”), employing a number of dedicated employees in the electric trade and providing services to many customers; and WHEREAS, the City has authorized the IFP to promulgate written rules and regulations and/or customer service policies regarding its delivery of electrical services pursuant to Idaho Falls City Code; and WHEREAS, IFP has developed a Service Policy relative to procedures for new and existing electrical services and addressing what will be required for a customer who desires to receive electric services from IFP; and WHEREAS, the Council agrees that the updated Service Policy is an appropriate policy to formally adopt by Resolution to help insure consistent and fair conditions of delivery of electrical services by IFP; and WHEREAS, the attachments to the Service Policy are appropriate to explain to all IFP customers and potential customers, what is expected to be provided relative to the receipt of such electric services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that on behalf of Idaho Falls Power, the Idaho Falls City Council hereby adopts and endorses the modified Idaho Falls Power Service Policy (2016) as the governing set of rules, regulations, and/or customer service policies regarding delivery of electrical services by IFP to electric customers. ADOPTED and effective this 24th day of November, 2016. ATTEST: CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper KATHY HAMPTON, CITY CLERK REBECCA L. NOAH CASPER (SEAL) STATE OF IDAHO ) ) ss: County of Bonneville ) I, KATHY HAMPTON, CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, DO HEREBY CERTIFY: That the above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of the Resolution entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, ADOPTING THE MODIFIED IDAHO FALLS POWER SERVICE POLICY (2016), PROVIDING THIS RESOLUTION BE EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW.” s/ Kathy Hampton KATHY HAMPTON, CITY CLERK Mayor Casper stated any concerns by the Council related to the Unified Utility Billing, Collection and Termination Policy should be submitted to staff. 9  NOVEMBER 24, 2015 There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Hally, to adjourn at 8:29 p.m. which motion passed by unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _______________________________________ CITY CLERK MAYOR 10