City Council

October 9, 2018 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Meeting (Council Work Session), Tuesday, October 9, 2018, in the Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho at 3:00 p.m. Call to Order and Roll Call: There were present: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember Michelle Ziel-Dingman Councilmember Jim Freeman Councilmember John Radford Absent: Councilmember Jim Francis Councilmember Shelly Smede Also present: Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director Royce Clements, Police Captain Dave Hanneman, Fire Chief Eric Day, Division Fire Chief Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director Kerry Beutler, Assistant Community Development Services Director Michael Kirkham, Assistant City Attorney Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. with the following: Acceptance and/or Receipt of Minutes: There were no minutes to accept. Calendar, Announcements and Reports: October 11, Idaho American Planning Association (APA) Presentation; Microgrid, Storage and Smartgrid Speaker Presentation; Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD) 3rd Annual Block Party; and, City Council Meeting October 13, Sister City Farewell Reception October 16, Idaho Falls Police Department (IFPD) Awards Ceremony October 17, City/County Area of Impact Discussion; and, Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) Policy Board Meeting October 22, City Council Work Session October 24, IFPD Officer Swearing-In October 25, Idaho Falls Power (IFP) Board Meeting; and, City Council Meeting October 27, Real Heroes’ Trunk or Treat Mayor Casper briefly reviewed the recent arrival and events involving the Tokai Mura, Japan Adult Sister City delegation, including discussion regarding Economic Development in Tokai Mura. Liaison Reports and Concerns: Councilmember Hally believes the City has experienced a good year of long-range planning, he commended the Public Works Department. Councilmember Freeman briefly reviewed current construction projects. 1  October 9, 2018 Councilmember Dingman stated the Airport director is currently in discussion with additional airline services. She also stated Boo at the Zoo is forthcoming. Councilmember Radford had no items to report. Recent Recycling Initiatives and Glass Recycling Agreement Discussion: Director Fredericksen stated a $90,000 grant was received from the Department of Energy (DOE) for water conservation, storm water, and, recycling. He presented the public awareness advertisements, as well as vehicular signage, related to recycling. Director Fredericksen stated a tour recently occurred at Momentum Recycling in Salt Lake City regarding glass recycling. He introduced John Lair, President of Momentum Recycling, LLC. Director Fredericksen indicated 3-cubic yard glass recycling containers would be located adjacent to the 13 current recycling locations with signage for the receptacles as part of the agreement with Momentum Recycling. Costs for the containers would amount to approximately $8500 with approximately $1000 for container signage. The receiving pad would be located adjacent to the City equipment facility. Director Fredericksen stated initial cost would amount to approximately $38,000 with monthly costs anticipated at approximately $1800. Any portion of the $30,000 DOE grant (1/3 of the total amount) would be allocated to this total cost. Director Fredericksen does not anticipate a rate change. He briefly reviewed the proposed agreement, including collection/transportation of glass and terms. Mr. Lair briefly reviewed the process of collection, stating the cost is approximately $20-$25 per ton. Director Fredericksen stated in the event the glass recycling program is unsuccessful, all costs could be repurposed. Brief comments followed. This item will be included on the October 11 Council Meeting agenda. Distracted Driving Ordinance Follow-up Discussion: Councilmember Freeman noted additional Idaho cities have adopted a distracted driving ordinance. He reviewed minor adjustments to the previous draft ordinance of exceptions. Brief discussion followed regarding difference of laws between States. Captain Clements believes enforcement may be difficult. Mr. Kirkham stated an officer would need probable cause for a citation. Councilmember Freeman reviewed the exceptions included in the ordinance related to law enforcement and emergency vehicles. Chief Hanneman stated hands-free devices will be included in future IFFD budgets for IFFD vehicles. Captain Clements stated IFPD vehicles are being equipped with bluetooth capabilities. General comments followed including citizen feedback, officer training, public awareness, and, infraction, misdemeanor, and felony fees/fines. Mr. Kirkham recommended a fee hearing to include a gradual increase in fees/fines. There was consensus of the Council to advertise fees in the amount of $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second offense, and a third offense would result in a misdemeanor. This item will be included on the October 11 Council Meeting agenda. Ambulance Collections Update: Director Alexander recognized the additional Ambulance Account Review and Management Committee members: Chief Hanneman; Eric Day, IFFD Division Chief; Maria Escobar, IFFD Ambulance Billing Clerk; Jennifer Strong, Municipal Services Treasurer Cashier. She stated the committee continues to evaluate ambulance collection and account write-off process; review and audit billing and collection procedures; establish committee guidelines; and, process oversight and coordination. Division Chief Day reviewed ambulance call volume by calendar year. Director Alexander reviewed collection terminology; ambulance collection process (includes Wittman Enterprises and three (3) active collection agencies); and, City write-off process and policy. She also reviewed total charges and receipts for:  2016 – total charges = $4,937,607.37, receipts = $2,614,843.76, total charges less Medicare and Medicaid Write-downs = 28%, total write-offs = $1,523,730.53  2017 – total charges = $5,567,937.85, receipts = $3, 024,134.71, total charges less Medicare and Medicaid Write-downs = 30%, total write-offs = $1,788,214.00 Brief comments followed regarding Medicare and Medicaid fees. Director Alexander stated the Medicare and Medicaid Write-downs appear to be consistent. She reviewed aged collections graph for current (100%) to three (3) 2  October 9, 2018 years past due (-88%); and, aged collections for the previous five (5) years (estimated collections by aged collections chart = $390,151.31, potential write-off = $1,341,710.52). She also reviewed ambulance charges request for write- off for 2014-2017, total = $4,397,679.80. Director Alexander stated the collection agencies are continuing to collect charges. General comments followed including the methodology and process in the private sector. Chief Hanneman indicated the collection rate has increased over the previous years due to Wittman Enterprises and the collection agencies. Director Alexander stated the committee will continue to meet on a monthly basis to review accounts and status of collections as well as quarterly reviews with the credit agency. This item will be included on a future Council Meeting agenda. Utility Service Write Offs Update: Director Alexander stated the utility service write-offs follow the same City process and write-off policy. She indicated the request for 2013 write-off = $349,319.40 (923 accounts). She believes the revised payment extension policy will be fair and consistent to all citizens. This item will be included on a future Council Meeting agenda. Area of Impact Preparation/Questions and Answers: Mayor Casper stated a follow-up Area of Impact (AOI) meeting with the Bonneville County Commissioners will be forthcoming. Director Cramer reminded the Council that State Code requires the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commissions meet together and propose a recommendation of the AOI map and determine whose plans and ordinances will apply. He indicated the Supreme Court has determined the County’s plans and ordinances apply, although the City can recommend policies for standards. He stated the upcoming meeting with the Commissioners will determine if there is agreement with the map and the policy. In the event there is agreement with the Council and the Commissioners, an ordinance will be adopted followed by a public hearing. In the event there is not agreement with the Council and the Commissioners, changes would be required which may involve the P&Z Commission. Director Cramer reviewed staff concerns with general discussion throughout. Concerns include extending City services outside of City limits (not recommended by staff); the proposed AOI City boundary map (this has been reduced from previous proposed area, the AOI map contains approximately 25 years of annexation growth); and, growth philosophy (there is a challenge to amend the Comprehensive Plan by the City and the County). Director Cramer believes there is value in being in the City. Brief comments followed. Annexation Parameters Discussion: Director Cramer stated all available Category A annexations have been completed. He reviewed several smaller locations, approximately 100 parcels, which are not currently annexed and requested Council direction to proceed. He also reviewed parcels that currently have a City utility. He questioned larger areas surrounded by City and which may eventually develop. He indicated criteria can be established for annexation, possibly in phases. Councilmember Freeman stated he is not comfortable annexing farm ground which is not enclaved. Councilmember Dingman believes farm ground would be the easiest land to annex. Director Cramer stated he does not want to proceed with annexations if the Council is not supportive. General comments followed including exceptions, enclaved areas, and service of City utilities. Mayor Casper believes there are advantages for City annexation. Director Cramer believes annexations need to be on-going. He also believes as the City growths there will continue to be enclaved areas which will require a long-term strategy. Discussion followed regarding an annexation manifesto and a planners’ statement. Councilmembers Radford and Dingman expressed concern for proceeding forward due to the absence of Councilmembers Francis and Smede. Following additional brief discussion, there was consensus for Director Cramer to proceed with the residential annexations with future discussion regarding the larger areas. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m. s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper CITY CLERK MAYOR 3