City Council

DECEMBER 7 , 2015 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting (Council Work Session), Monday, December 7, 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 David M. Smith Councilmember Thomas Hally (arrived at 3:17 p.m.) Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Ed Marohn Absent: Councilmember Michael Lehto Councilmember Sharon Parry Also present: Randy Fife, City Attorney Pamela Alexander, Municipal Services Director Greg Weitzel, Parks and Recreation Director Jackie Flowers, Idaho Falls Power Director Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director Kenny McOmber, Treasurer Lisa Farris, Grant Administrator John Radford Nathan Stubblefield Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:17 p.m. and requested two (2) changes to the Work Session agenda: add Receipt of Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission; and, remove Alcohol Ordinance Revisions. After brief discussion it was decided to allow discussion of the alcohol ordinance revisions. It was moved by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Marohn, to amend the agenda to add Receipt of Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission with the good faith reason the agenda template has not been updated. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Smith Councilmember Marohn Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Hally Nay: None Motion carried. It was moved by Councilmember Hally, seconded by Councilmember Marohn, to accept the Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission, December 1, 2015, meeting. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Marohn 1  DECEMBER 7 , 2015 Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Hally Councilmember Smith Nay: None Motion carried. Mayor and Council Reports: Mayor Casper informed the Councilmembers of the following events: the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) will be hosting an Eastern Idaho Water Coalition meeting on December 9; the Citizen Review Committee (CRC) reception will be held on December 10, prior to the regular council meeting; and the Holiday Open House will be held on December 22. She stated City offices will be closed on December 25, 2015, and January 1, 2016, for the holidays Councilmember Hally reminded the Council of the Festival of Lights display at Freeman Park. Councilmember Marohn had no items to report. Councilmember Smith stated a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for a planning study will be forthcoming from the Airport. Councilmember Ehardt had no items to report. Items from Community Development Services Department: Discussion of Planning Technician Position: Director Cramer stated in December, 2014, the Building Division hired an intern, Isabella Liu, to assist with projects. At the end of the internship, Ms. Liu was moved to a temporary, full-time position. Due to her education and on-the-job training, Director Cramer has proposed a full time position be offered to Ms. Liu. He described transfers of specific budgeted line items to provide the funding for the Planning Technician position. He stated if the position is approved, there will be cross training with the current GIS Analyst/Planner who expects to retire in the next few years. After brief discussion, it was decided this request will be placed on the December 10, 2015, council meeting as a consent agenda item. Discussion of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Schedule: Director Cramer stated the timeline for the CDBG is set by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He indicated at the December 10, 2015, council meeting Ms. Farris will present the CDBG program and will summarize received requests. At that time all applicants will be given the opportunity to explain their requests during a public hearing. He stated the City is at the end of the HUD-required five (5)-year plan cycle and therefore updates and priorities will also be presented. General discussion followed. Director Cramer commented the software upgrade in the Community Development Services Department will allow tracking of CDBG projects. Items from the Municipal Services: Discussion of New Fees: Director Alexander stated the public hearing for any updated proposed new fees/fee increases will be held at the December 17, 2015, council meeting. The fees will include increased fees as advised by the Golf Advisory Board as well as a clerical error regarding cemetery fees. Director Weitzel stated golf fees are generally updated in December of each year. He indicated all golf fee increases are below 5%. 2  DECEMBER 7 , 2015 Renewal of Lease Agreement: Director Alexander stated the farm lease agreement allows Todd Jenkins to utilize city-owned land which is used for the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP). She indicated the lease term is for fifty-nine (59) months, with a cost of $45,000.00, and includes a termination clause. The lease will require Council approval at the December 10, 2015, council meeting. Service Disruption for Non-Payment: Director Alexander stated the Municipal Services Department, Idaho Falls Power, and Public Works Department have been collaborating on a policy/procedure for winter disconnect of services to correspond with the recently approved Unified Utility Billing, Collection and Termination Policy Resolution. Mr. Fife offered general explanation of policies and procedures, Resolutions and Ordinances. Mr. McOmber stated the procedure indicates specific temperatures for possible remote disconnection of service for delinquent utility accounts. He indicated due to the delinquent accounts timeframe being reduced from 50 days to 30 days, the City collection rate has increased to 99.45%. Director Alexander stated the Treasurer’s Office will allow extended hours beginning December 7, 2015, to allow flexibility for payment of delinquent accounts. Item from the Parks and Recreation Department: Alcohol Ordinance Revisions: Mayor Casper expressed her concern with the proposed ordinance and believes there should be consistency regarding alcohol with variety of events in the City. Councilmember Hally believes this ordinance has been thoroughly discussed and addresses all concerns from the Council. Director Weitzel stated discussion of allowing alcohol at special events began approximately two (2) years ago and reiterated this ordinance is for special events only as requested from the community. Mr. Fife stated the ordinance was revised for clarification of food/vendor sales, boundaries, security, and hours but could be expanded as needed. He indicated this is not a comprehensive policy, this is for limited use in the parks only. After further general discussion it was decided the ordinance would be placed on the December 10, 2015, council meeting agenda. There being no further business it was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Smith, to move into Executive Session at 4:52 p.m., pursuant to the provision of Idaho Code Section 74- 206A(1)(c) to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency and not reconvene into Work Session. Roll call as follows: Aye: Councilmember Ehardt Councilmember Smith Councilmember Marohn Councilmember Hally Nay: None Motion carried. The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting (Executive Session), Monday, December 7, 2015, at the City Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho at 4:53 p.m., pursuant to the provision of Idaho Code Section 74-206A(1)(c) to acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency. 3  DECEMBER 7 , 2015 There were present: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Councilmember Ed Marohn Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember David M. Smith Also present: Randy Fife, City Attorney Pamela Alexander, Municipal Services Director Kathy Hampton, City Clerk It was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Parry, to move out of Executive Session and that the meeting adjourn at 5:20 p.m., which motion passed following a unanimous vote. CITY CLERK MAYOR 4