City Council

FEBRUARY 25, 2016 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Regular Council Meeting, Thursday, February 25, 2016, 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: Councilmember John B. Radford Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember David M. Smith Councilmember Ed Marohn Councilmember Michelle Ziel-Dingman Absent: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Also present: Randy Fife, City Attorney Kathy Hampton, City Clerk All available Department Directors Mayor Pro Tem Hally invited Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Department Director, to come forward and lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pro Tem Hally requested any public comment not related to items on the agenda and stated any public comments related to the proposed Sign Ordinance will occur during the Regular Agenda item from Community Development Services. Note – due to miscommunication, Public Comment was allowed at the conclusion of the Regular Agenda. Consent Agenda Items: The City Clerk requested approval of Minutes from the January 25, 2016, Work Session, and January 26, 2016, Council Meeting. The City Clerk requested approval of license applications, all carrying the required approvals. It was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Radford, to approve all items on the Consent Agenda according to recommendations presented. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Dingman, Radford, Marohn, Smith, Hally, Ehardt. Nay – none. Motion carried. Regular Agenda Items: The Community Development Services Department submitted the following item for Council consideration: MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director 1  FEBRUARY 25, 2016 Subject: Sign Code At the February 5, 2016, City Council Meeting staff presented a revised sign code for consideration. At the meeting the Council requested further consideration for allowing electronic message center signs on Broadway between Yellowstone and Memorial. At the February 22, 2016, Work Session staff presented language which would permit electronic message centers as wall signs with a maximum of 40 square feet and only when they do not cover any building features which are of historical architectural significance. The ordinance will also require administrative review by the Historic Preservation Commission to ensure that historic elements are preserved. Any recommendation by the Commission may be appealed to the City Council. Director Cramer stated additional modifications to the Sign Ordinance specify electronic message center signs must be placed at least eight (8) feet above the public way, shall not be located above cornice lines or uppermost portions of façade walls or where architectural details, window openings, doors, or other significant details will be disfigured or concealed, and, all signs must comply with all other LED (light- emitting diode) regulations. He indicated language regarding smaller entry-way signs for Master Planned Developments has been edited to ensure content-neutrality. Director Cramer stated the downtown area does not allow pole signs as the urban design allows buildings to be located next to the street. Brief discussion followed. Mayor Pro Tem Hally requested any public comment related to the proposed sign ordinance. Kristine Staten, 6455 S. 45th W., Idaho Falls, appeared. Ms. Staten is the director of the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC). She stated the downtown area is for pedestrian traffic and is the business loop for the highway. She believes LED signs distract from the ambiance and culture of historic downtown. She requested Council use caution for allowing LED signs in the downtown area. After general comments by the Councilmembers, it was moved by Councilmember Dingman, seconded by Councilmember Smith, to approve the Sign Ordinance including the new proposed language (on Page 21) 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 – Councilmembers Radford, Ehardt, Smith, Marohn, Dingman, Hally. Nay – none. Motion carried. At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Hally, the City Clerk read the ordinance by title only: ORDINANCE NO. 3056 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, AMENDING TITLE 7, CHAPTER 9; REORGANIZING TYPES AND SIZES OF SIGNS, REFINING DEFINITIONS OF SIGNS BY ZONES; ADDING SPECIFIC STANDARDS FOR SHOPPING CENTER AND MASTER PLANNED DEVELOPMENT SIGNS; MAKING PORTABLE SIGNS MORE CONSISTENT ACROSS ZONES; CLARIFYING CONTENT NEUTRALITY, RENUMBERING; PROVIDING SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, PUBLICATION BY SUMMARY, AND ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE DATE. Idaho Falls Power submitted the following item for Council consideration: MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Jackie Flowers, General Manager 2  FEBRUARY 25, 2016 Subject: Resolution Adopting the Financial Stability and Creditworthiness Policy Attached for your consideration is a resolution adopting the Financial Stability and Creditworthiness Policy for Idaho Falls Power. This policy combines the utility’s previous Risk Management and Rate Stabilization Fund policies into one comprehensive policy. An updated policy is necessary given that the previous policies were established to comply with bond ordinances that are no longer relevant since Idaho Falls Power fully retired its debt. The new policy establishes a framework consistent with credit rating agency requirements that will ensure sustained strong financial condition of the utility. The City Attorney has developed the resolution and reviewed the policy. Idaho Falls Power respectfully requests that City Council approve the resolution and authorize the Mayor to sign the documents. It was moved by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Hally, to approve the resolution adopting the Financial Stability and Creditworthiness Policy and give authorization for the Mayor to sign the documents. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Hally, Smith, Dingman, Ehardt, Marohn, Radford. Nay – none. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-06 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO, ADOPTING THE IDAHO FALLS POWER FINANCIAL STABILITY AND CREDITWORTHINESS POLICY AND PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE EFFECTIVE UPON ITS PASSAGE, APPROVAL, AND PUBLICATION ACCORDING TO LAW. The Public Works Department submitted the following items for Council consideration: MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Chris H Fredericksen, Public Works Director Subject: Idaho Transportation Department State/Local Agreement – Intersection of Holmes Avenue and First Street Project Attached is a State/Local Construction Agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department and accompanying Resolution with respect to the Intersection of Holmes Avenue and First Street project. This agreement requires City financial contribution towards the entire project at a match rate of 7.34% for an estimated total of $29,657.00. This agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney. Public Works recommends adoption of the resolution, approval of this agreement; and, authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to sign the necessary documents. Respectfully, s/ Chris H Fredericksen Public Works Director Chris Canfield, Assistant Public Works Director, stated this project is a safety enhancement project through the State Grant Program and will assist with replacement of signalization, crosswalk, and water replacement lines. The total cost of the project is approximately $400,000.00. It was moved by Councilmember Ehardt, seconded by Councilmember Dingman, to adopt the resolution, approve of the State/Local Construction agreement for the intersection of Holmes Avenue and First Street project, and give authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Smith, Hally, Radford, Dingman, Ehardt, Marohn. Nay – none. Motion carried. 3  FEBRUARY 25, 2016 RESOLUTION 2016-07 WHEREAS, the Idaho Transportation Department, hereafter called the STATE, has submitted an Agreement stating obligations of the STATE and the CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, hereafter called the CITY, for construction of Intersection of Holmes Avenue and 1st Street. MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Chris H Fredericksen, Public Works Director Subject: Idaho Transportation Department State/Local Agreement – Intersection of Bellin Road and Grandview Drive Project Attached is a State/Local Construction Agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department and accompanying Resolution with respect to the Intersection of Bellin Road and Grandview Drive project. This agreement requires City financial contribution towards the entire project at a match rate of 7.34% for an estimated total of $10,124.00. This agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney. Public Works recommends adoption of the resolution, approval of this agreement; and, authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to sign the necessary documents. Respectfully, s/ Chris H Fredericksen Public Works Director Assistant Director Canfield stated this is a safety enhancement project and is a curve correction on the roadway. The total cost of this project is approximately $100,000.00. It was moved by Councilmember Ehardt, seconded by Councilmember Dingman, to adopt the resolution, approve of the State/Local Construction agreement for the intersection of Bellin Road and Grandview Drive project, and give authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Dingman, Smith, Marohn, Ehardt, Hally, Radford. Nay – none. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2016-08 WHEREAS, the Idaho Transportation Department, hereafter called the STATE, has submitted an Agreement stating obligations of the STATE and the CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, hereafter called the CITY, for construction of Bellin and Grandview Elevation Improvement. MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Chris H Fredericksen, Public Works Director Subject: Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Primary Treatment Upgrades Project Final Design Agreement for Final Professional Engineering Services and Task Order 14-03 Attached is proposed Task Order 14-03 for Final Design Engineering Services with Murray, Smith and Associates, Inc., associated with the WWTP Primary Treatment Upgrades project. The task order scope 4  FEBRUARY 25, 2016 of work includes providing design and bid documents to construct a new primary clarifier, providing for existing clarifier upgrades, a primary clarifier flow split structure, and various other primary treatment upgrades. Total costs to the City for this Task Order is $1,060,000. The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed task order. Public Works recommends approval of this task order; and, authorization for Mayor and City Clerk to sign necessary documents. Respectfully, s/ Chris H Fredericksen Public Works Director Assistant Director Canfield expressed appreciation to Murray, Smith and Associates, Inc. and stated due to their assistance on the WWTP Secondary Improvement project, the City was recently awarded a 1st place designation through the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Idaho, identifying the project was completed on schedule and on budget. Assistant Director Canfield stated this Final Design Agreement is approximately 10% of the construction budget. It was moved by Councilmember Ehardt, seconded by Councilmember Dingman, to approve Task Order 14-03 in an amount of $1,060,000.00 for Final Design Engineering Services with Murray, Smith and Associates, Inc., and give authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Marohn, Dingman, Ehardt, Hally, Radford, Smith. Nay – none. Motion carried. MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Chris H Fredericksen, Public Works Director Subject: Right of Way Vacation Request – Murray Street and a portion of Milligan Road Eagle Rock Engineering, on behalf of the adjacent property owners, has requested the vacation of Murray Street and a portion of Milligan Road. The Murray Street right­of­way is underdeveloped. It does not, and cannot, connect to another roadway to the east and is not necessary for access to adjoining properties. Needed right-of-way is being dedicated as part of the Milligan Commercial Plaza subdivision to construct a cul-de-sac at the end of Milligan Road. The utilities have requested their existing utilities be protected. To accomplish this, the vacation documents will need to include similar language as was used in the vacation of Milligan Road south to Bridgeport Avenue. Public Works requests authorization for the City Attorney to prepare documents needed to accomplish the vacations. Respectfully, s/ Chris H Fredericksen Public Works Director It was moved by Councilmember Ehardt, seconded by Councilmember Dingman, to authorize the City Attorney to prepare documents needed to accomplish the vacations of Murray Street and a portion of Milligan Road. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Smith, Hally, Dingman, Radford, Ehardt, Marohn. Nay – none. Motion carried. Idaho Falls Fire Department submitted the following item for Council consideration: MEMORANDUM 5  FEBRUARY 25, 2016 To: Mayor and City Council From: Dave Hanneman, Fire Chief Subject: Purchase Requisition Approval for New Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) During the FY2016 budget process an amount of $124,349.72 was approved by City Council as the Fire Department’s share of the expenses for replacing the current Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management Systems. Work has been ongoing to complete this project, and the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office has paid for the project to date. The Sheriff’s Office has submitted an invoice to the Idaho Falls Fire Department for our share. The Idaho Falls Fire Department respectfully requests that the City Council approve paying the invoice to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $124,349.72. Councilmember Marohn stated the total budgeted item for this project is $164,000.00. It was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Radford, to approve the purchase requisition to reimburse the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office for the consolidated Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System in the amount of $124,349.72. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Hally, Marohn, Radford, Dingman, Smith, Ehardt. Nay – none. Motion carried. Public Comment: Mario Estrada II, 2161 Ironwood Drive, Idaho Falls, appeared. Mr. Estrada stated it was brought to his attention the City intends to expand Tautphaus Park but he believes there are more important causes that money should go towards. He believes the Police Department should receive more money for the computer programs/records management system, assistance in the detective division, and programs at the local schools to bridge the gap between officers and the youth of the City, such as the Cadet Program. Mayor Pro Tem Hally expressed his appreciation to Mr. Estrada and stated there were recent public meetings regarding the Master Plan at Tautphaus Park but there are no immediate plans to allocate money to Tautphaus Park. He also stated the law enforcement personnel are transitioning to a new Records Management System. Victoria Estrada (Mario’s mother), 2161 Ironwood Drive, Idaho Falls, appeared. Ms. Estrada stated the current records system is not able to access records prior to 2008 and stated the computer is not compatible with the old records program. Councilmember Dingman, as head liaison of the Idaho Falls Police Department, stated there is awareness of the current computer issues and requested an individual meeting with Ms. Estrada to further discuss her concerns. There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember Radford, seconded by Councilmember Dingman, to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. which motion passed by unanimous vote. _____________________________________ _______________________________________ CITY CLERK MAYOR 6