City Council

AUGUST 8, 2016 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting (Council Work Session), Monday, August 8, 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 Barbara Ehardt Councilmember John Radford (arrived at 3:03) Councilmember David Smith Councilmember Michelle Ziel-Dingman Councilmember Thomas Hally Absent: Councilmember Ed Marohn Also present: Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director Dave Hanneman, Fire Chief Mark McBride, Police Chief Greg Weitzel, Parks and Recreation Director Pamela Alexander, Municipal Services Director Mark Hagedorn, Controller Kenny McOmber, Treasurer Randy Fife, City Attorney Michael Kirkham, Assistant City Attorney AJ Argyle, American Insurance Representative Kerry Hammon, Public Information Officer Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. with the following: Mayor’s Report and Action Items/Announcements and Calendar Items: August 9 and 10, Intermountain Energy Summit August 12, Boots on the Boardwalk, supporting the Idaho Meth Project August 11, Regular Council Meeting, including the Public Hearing for the proposed FY2016/2017 Budget August 14-16, Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) annual meeting Mayor Casper stated Hunden Partnership is performing a Market Impact Study for the proposed Event Center. She indicated Councilmembers may be contacted for their comments/opinions. The War Bonnet Rodeo was very successful with positive feedback from many sources. She expressed her appreciation to the Parks and Recreation (P&R) Department. A Police issue recently occurred with special teams being called for assistance, after several hours the issue was peacefully resolved. Crisis Intervention Team recently held awards banquet with several mental health and first responders being recognized for their training. City Council Reports: Councilmember Hally stated the annual Rotary Club Duck Race will be held August 13, with 100% of proceeds allocated to the greenbelt. There has been good attendance for Idaho Falls Raceway at Noise Park as well as the Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park. Former Mayor Tom Campbell is grateful for the new signage. Kids triathlon will be held on August 13. Northwest P&R conference will be held in Idaho Falls October 17-20. Pathways group has supplied a bike repair station on the greenbelt. 1  AUGUST 8, 2016 Councilmember Radford congratulated the P&R staff on the success of the rodeo. He indicated Movies in the Park has been a very successful Parks program, the next movie will be held August 12. Councilmember Ehardt stated she recently had the opportunity to judge the zoo conservation project. She also expressed kudos to P&R on the War Bonnet Rodeo success. Councilmember Dingman stated although she was unable to attend the War Bonnet Rodeo, she recently attended a community event and received very positive comments from community members regarding the rodeo. Councilmember Smith had no items to report. Acceptance and/or Receipt of Minutes: It was moved by Councilmember Hally, seconded by Councilmember Radford, to accept the Planning and Zoning Commission Actions from the August 2, 2016, meeting. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Dingman, Ehardt, Hally, Radford, Smith. Nay – none. Motion carried. Acceptance of Snake River Landing Division No. 11: Councilmember Dingman stated this development agreement is in conjunction with the Council approval of Snake River Landing Division No. 11 annexation and final plat at the July 28, 2016, Council Meeting. She briefly reviewed portions of the agreement. It was moved by Councilmember Dingman, seconded by Councilmember Ehardt, to approve the Development Agreement with Snake River Landing, Division No. 11. Roll call as follows: Aye – Councilmembers Ehardt, Hally, Radford, Smith, Dingman. Nay – none. Motion carried. Fee Resolution Discussion: Mayor Casper stated according to State regulations, any fees increasing 5% or greater are required to be advertised prior to approval. The new or proposed fee increases were published August 4, 2016, and will be published again on August 11, 2016. The public hearing will be held at a Special Council Meeting on August 18, 2016. Director Fredericksen reviewed Public Works Department fees and stated the proposed Sewer Division connection fee will increase 10%, although this is a reimbursable fee. Water Division sewer fees are proposed to increase 5%, as this is an estimate for installation. Sanitation Division service fees for dumpster fee costs will be reduced. Chief Hanneman stated proposed Ambulance Service Fees will increase 3%, which is a standard increase. Empty return leg fee, a new fee, includes transporting crew members who are returning to a fixed wing aircraft. Fire Inspections are proposed to increase from $50 to $70. Plan review will change to 16% of building permit valuation. Target Hazard and Commercial Hood will be issued annual permits. Chief McBride stated parking fines are proposed to increase as an attempt to collect the actual cost of one (1) parking enforcement officer. He indicated approximately 175 parking violations are issued on a monthly basis. Other fees include the Additional Dog Permit, to coincide with the recently approved updated ordinance. Director Weitzel stated golf fees are proposed to increase 3%. Councilmember Hally stated golf revenue is unpredictable and comparison of revenue and expenses will occur at the end of the year. Director Weitzel stated the Ice Arena will see a fee increase due to the Councils decision in the prior year to raise the Ice Arena fees over the course of two (2) years. He indicated due to the increase of ice rental fees as well as increased usage by the general public, the Ice Arena revenue has increased over the course of the previous year by approximately $41,000. Expenses are anticipated to decrease for 2016-2017 Season. He reviewed Recreation Center increases and believes fees are now comparable to the programs offered. Director Weitzel stated all expectations for the rodeo were exceeded and expressed his appreciation to the P&R staff. Director Alexander stated the new utility billing platform is associated with the Cayenta software system. 2  AUGUST 8, 2016 Street Fund Discussion: Mr. Hagedorn reviewed the most recent valuation number calculations as follows with general discussion: Net Taxable Market Value: 3,125,545,970 (certified) Current Property Tax Dollars: $28,766,486 Current Levy Rate: 0.009561859 Current Foregone: $6,749,150 Amount that can be levied: $36,821,799 He indicated residential property owners with valuation of $175,000 and less, as well as business owners with valuation in excess of $300,000 will only see an increase by taking Growth money plus the 2.5% levy rate increase. Mayor Casper indicated the 3% levy rate is not an increase, it’s merely catching up or breaking even with City infrastructure. Mr. Hagedorn stated previous practice has been to transfer monies from the General Fund to the Street Department. He believes better practice would be to levy for a Street Fund as there is no levy cap, unlike the General Fund. He indicated there would be no change in the overall revenue, it would only be a change in the accounting process. Director Alexander indicated over time this process would decrease any pressure on the General Fund. Mr. Hagedorn stated the Street Fund has a current negative balance of approximately $1.4 million, with annual transfers of $500,000. This Street Fund would guarantee available funds. Mr. Hagedorn stated current transfers from the General Fund needs to be clarified as covering the deficit or allowing spending authority. Transfer of cash reserves from the General Fund to the Street Fund is giving up one-time options. Brief discussion followed. Director Alexander indicated additional discussion will need to occur for approval of the Street Fund levy and the decided outcome will assist with future short-term and long-term forecasting. Director Fredericksen is not in favor of a negative balance and indicated the Street Department has not over spent, revenues did not match the expenditures. He believes it would be beneficial to utilize a phased-in levy approach of funds versus a one-time transfer. This item may be discussed at the August 22, 2016, Council Work Session for final Council decision. Additional FY2016-2017 Budget Questions and Considerations: Mr. Hagedorn indicated a benefit Option revision, as requested by Council, contained a miscalculation error for the Health Savings Account (HSA) plan. Actual calculation indicates an increase in the employee contribution amount while the City contribution decreased by $100. Councilmember Ehardt believes this option is a disservice to those employees on the HSA plan and expressed concern for possible increases in the upcoming year(s). Councilmember Radford suggested, as a good faith measure to the employees, that the City absorb one month of premiums. Director Alexander indicated any large shift from HSA to Preferred Providers Organization (PPO) will be a short-term savings to the City. General discussion followed. Mr. Argyle stated there is possibility of the rate increase to be negotiated from 6% to 3%, which would adjust all rates. Open enrollment could be extended if needed. After further brief discussion, it was decided this item will be included on the August 18, Special Council Meeting agenda. Per Council request, Mr. Argyle and Mr. Hagedorn will compile new rate comparisons/cost allocations. Councilmember Radford believes the Councilmembers were only given list of requested items and felt priorities were not discussed, such as a splash park or a library levy. Mayor Casper stated during the budget process Department Directors were tasked with identifying their departmental priorities. She indicated Priority Based Budgeting (PBB) will be used in the upcoming year and is hopeful PBB will assist in the overall budget process. Mayor Casper indicated $177,000 has been allocated in the budget for Community Support, with $102,000 spending authority earmarked for in-kind services for the Airshow. She stated Ms. Briggs will provide pertinent information from each Community Support Grant requestor as well as criteria required from the City, for discussion at a future Council Work Session. Councilmember Dingman indicated a large portion of the applicants are requesting funds for operating expenses. Councilmember Ehardt believes the City should support the Airshow but 3  AUGUST 8, 2016 believes the City should be reimbursed for incurred costs. Mayor Casper indicated a Sponsorship Agreement is still in the draft process, and upon the Council’s decision, any terms for reimbursement could be included. After brief discussion, it was decided additional Airshow discussion will occur at a future work session. There being no further business, it was moved by Councilmember Dingman, seconded by Councilmember Radford, to adjourn the meeting at 5:30 p.m. which motion passed following a unanimous vote. s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper CITY CLERK MAYOR 4