City Council

JULY 25, 2016 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting (Council Work Session), Monday, July 25, 2016, 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 (by phone) Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember John B. Radford (arrived at 3:03) Councilmember Michelle Ziel-Dingman Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Ed Marohn Also present: Kerry Hammon, Public Information Officer Mark McBride, Police Chief Kerry Beutler, Community Development Services Assistant Director Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director David Richards, Water Superintendent Randy Fife, City Attorney Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. with the following: Mayor’s Report and Action Items/Announcements and Calendar Items: July 26, Council Budget Session 3:30-6:30p.m. July 30, fundraiser for the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park sponsored by the Tautphaus Park Zoological Society August 3, War Bonnet Rodeo kick-off events in the downtown area August 4-6, War Bonnet Rodeo with August 5 designated for elected officials August 4, Crisis Intervention Banquet August 9-10, Intermountain Energy Summit August 14-16, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) conference Mayor Casper directed those interested to view the City website for City-wide construction updates. She will be conducting a de-brief with pertaining Department Directors to review the recent power outage. She indicated the Legal Services and Fire Department Citizen Review Committees (CRC) are in process of writing their respective preliminary reports with final reports to be presented to Council later in the year. She stated steps are being taken to formally bring Sister Cities Committees (adult and youth delegations) into the City organization. Mayor Casper expressed her concern for possible Councilmember fatigue with extra meetings/committees, however, she indicated strategic planning will require discussion in the near future. City Council Reports: Councilmember Hally indicated interviews are being conducted for the Human Resources (HR) Director on July 26, all Councilmembers are invited to meet with the individual candidates during the scheduled lunch. He, along with Councilmember Radford, have recently met the City of Ammon officials regarding Hitt Road and 17th Street intersection. Councilmember Marohn stated he and Councilmember Ehardt recently met with two (2) City of Ammon officials regarding the Mutual Aid Agreement with the Fire Departments, all conversations seem to be positive. Councilmember Ehardt had no items to report. 1  JULY 25, 2016 Councilmember Dingman stated Coffee with a Cop will be held on July 28, as a community event. Councilmember Radford had no items to report. Councilmember Smith had no items to report. Acceptance and/or Receipt of Minutes: It was moved by Councilmember Radford, seconded by Councilmember Marohn, to accept receipt of Planning and Zoning Commission actions from the July 19, 2016, meeting. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Radford, Ehardt, Hally, Smith, Marohn, Dingman. Nay – none. Motion carried Police Department presented the following item: Dog Ordinance Discussion: Mayor Casper indicated this item is being re-introduced due to the failed motion at the July 14, Council Meeting. She is committed to passing this ordinance as the internal conflict between the Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) and Community Development Services Department, regarding ‘kennel’, needs resolved. She believes pet ownership can cause a nuisance within the City but can be addressed. Chief McBride indicated the current nuisance regulations will assist with dog control. Councilmember Dingman stated she has met diligently with IFPD and Animal Services Department. She indicated the neighborhood input was removed from the previous version presented on July 14. This modified ordinance, currently being presented, will allow neighborhood input. The permit process and the number of dogs allowed has not changed. This proposed ordinance is only removing zoning issues. Councilmember Ehardt believes compliance should occur and the number of dogs allowed should be a separate discussion. Chief McBride stated the permit process would include an inspection process by Animal Services to ensure no nuisance is occurring. He believes any nuisance creates problem for other property owners. He briefly reviewed the process of nuisance calls received by dispatch, indicating the complaints are more difficult to enforce if the complainant chooses to remain anonymous. Councilmember Radford believes neighbors should have input through a special use permit. Mr. Beutler stated a Conditional Use Permit requires a formal hearing with the Planning and Zoning Commission and this issue could become very cumbersome with the small amount of permit applications. Mr. Fife believes the current process is unconstitutional as the neighbors are allowed to have input, not the Council. He stated a variation for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) animals has been included in the current version, per State regulations. Mayor Casper stated the Councilmembers have been elected to make ordinances for the City, although their decisions may not always please the community members. This item will be presented at the July 28, Regular Council Meeting. Public Works presented the following item: Water and Wastewater Billing Changes: Director Fredericksen indicated this is a follow-up discussion from the May 23, Work Session presentation, outlining potential changes to water and sewer classifications as per Water Facility Plan recommendations. He stated the intent of the fee structure is to:  Update the existing rate structure, making it more transparent and easier to convey information to the customer  Provide more realistic assessment between flat rate billing and estimated water use  New Cayenta software allows the ability to more easily modify existing rate structure  Current irrigation and DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) fees charged once a year, surprising customers with a sudden increase in an otherwise flat bill 2  JULY 25, 2016 Director Fredericksen reviewed the proposed rate structure for non-metered water and wastewater customers as follows: Non-Metered Base Monthly Number of Water Monthly Rates Wastewater Monthly Rates Customer Domestic Water Rate Customers Existing Proposed Proposed Existing Proposed (Proposed)* w/5% Increase (rounded to nearest nickel) Single Family $17.70 15963 $27.20 $27.45 $28.90 $21.66 $21.70 Duplex/Condo 17.70 1059 27.20 22.70 23.90 21.66 21.70 4-Plex/Apt 14.20 4503 20.94 16.85 17.75 16.27 16.30 Apt (per unit) 14.20 796 20.94 16.85 17.75 16.27 16.30 CAT2 25.20 1523 35.21 30.55 32.05 33.40 21.70 CAT3 31.50 369 47.40 37.80 39.70 39.40 39.40 CAT4 83.30 94 65.30 86.90 91.25 58.58 57.60 CAT5 120.00 24 171.35 131.30 137.85 107.48 107.50 CAT6 250.00 17 759.40 291.05 305.60 623.73 623.73 Director Fredericksen noted Column 2 indicates costs prior to the proposed 5% increase. He indicated the proposed rates will generate revenue neutral rates. Comparison of annual rates are as follows: Water Rates Wastewater Rates Current Proposed Current Proposed Residential: Single Family Detached $326.40 $329.40 $259.92 $260.40 Residential: Duplexes 326.40 272.40 259.92 260.40 Residential: 4-plex/Apartment 251.28 202.20 195.24 195.60 Commercial: 4-plex/Apartment 5,874.00 4,734.60 4,881.00 4,890.00 Commercial: Auto Repair or Shop 305.40 316.20 259.92 260.40 Commercial: Bar 305.40 318.00 259.92 260.40 Commercial: Church 422.52 953.40 259.92 260.40 Commercial: Office Space 482.52 343.20 311.52 260.40 Commercial: Retail Sales 365.40 323.40 311.52 260.40 Commercial: Salon or Parlor 361.68 325.20 290.64 260.40 Commercial: Warehouse 305.40 334.20 259.92 260.40 Commercial: Auto Sales or Auto Body 422.52 431.40 259.92 472.80 Commercial: Convenience Store 532.32 422.40 328.68 472.80 Commercial: Day Care 562.80 433.20 378.00 472.80 Commercial: Fast Food 806.52 417.00 690.72 472.80 Commercial: Medical Office 573.12 456.60 389.40 472.80 Commercial: Restaurant/Bakery 923.64 1,049.40 690.72 691.20 Commercial: Small Hotel or Assisted Living 1,659.96 1,587.00 1,328.64 1,290.00 (20 rooms or less) Commercial: Large Hotel or Assisted Living 9,166.67 3,489.00 7,805.76 7,485.00 (more than 20 rooms) Director Fredericksen stated the categorization encompasses all users and emphasized the need to be equitable as possible without metering. He indicated wastewater rates will be adjusted in the near future due to recent Council approval of wastewater study. General discussion followed. Director Fredericksen stated Public Works staff will meet with customers on any substantial increases, especially those customers with large landscaped areas. He indicated other landscaping options can be used in lieu of grass which may be the first step in realizing the value of water. Director Fredericksen stated the next steps include implementation of the proposed billing structure with new rates included in the fee resolution to be effective October 1, 2016. However, he indicated Cayenta implementation delay 3  JULY 25, 2016 of go-live could delay billing structure to a later date. Next steps also include change to the rate resolution, distribution of form letters to customers outlining changes, and modifications to water/wastewater ordinances. There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Ehardt, to adjourn at 4:37 p.m. and to move into Executive Session which has been called pursuant to the provisions of Idaho Code Section 74-206(1)(j) To consider labor contract matters authorized under Idaho Code section 74-206(1)(a) and (b), and Idaho Code Section 74-206A(1)(a) Considering a labor contract offer or to formulate a counteroffer, and, not reconvene into Regular Work Session. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Dingman, Smith, Marohn, Ehardt, Hally, Radford. None – nay. Motion carried. The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting (Executive Session), Monday, July 25, 2016, at the City Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho at 4:47 p.m., pursuant to the provisions of Idaho Code Section 74-206(1)(j) To consider labor contract matters authorized under Idaho Code section 74-206(1)(a) and (b), and Idaho Code Section 74-206A(1)(a) Considering a labor contract offer or to formulate a counteroffer. There were present: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Councilmember John B. Radford Councilmember Michelle Ziel-Dingman Councilmember Barbara Ehardt Councilmember Ed Marohn Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember David Smith (by phone) Also present: Pam Alexander, Municipal Services Director Dave Hanneman, Fire Chief Randy Fife, City Attorney There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember Marohn, seconded by Councilmember Dingman, to adjourn the meeting at 5:31 p.m. which motion passed following a unanimous vote. s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper CITY CLERK MAYOR 4