City Council

December 4, 2018 The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Meeting (Utility Extension Discussion), Tuesday, December 4, 2018, in the Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls at 4:00 p.m. Call to Order and Roll Call: There were present: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Councilmember Thomas Hally Councilmember John Radford Councilmember Shelly Smede Councilmember Jim Freeman Absent: Councilmember Michelle Ziel-Dingman Councilmember Jim Francis Also Present: Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director Kerry Beutler, Assistant Community Development Services Director Chris Fredericksen, Public Works Director Randy Fife, City Attorney Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. with the following: Utility Extension Discussion: Director Cramer stated the document, per previous discussion, included red-lining the utility extension section per Council’s direction. He indicated the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission recommended the City consider, in very limited circumstances, to extend sewer and water services into the County in the Area of Impact (AOI). The document was written based on this recommendation from both P&Z Commissions. If Council agrees to this version, a policy will indicate the City’s discretion if it’s the right thing to do and at the developers cost. There was also agreement this would only apply to properties not already eligible for annexation. The document originally read if a property divides land and would not be contiguous, the property would not be eligible for services. In that event, the developer would be responsible for the upfront fees and a development agreement would require immediate annexation upon becoming contiguous. Councilmember Radford believes extending utility services can cause islands within the City. Councilmember Freeman believes the ability to receive utility services in the County may de- incentivize for annexation. Director Cramer stated if the City extended City services it would be to City standards although the services would need to be approved by the County. He indicated the County was willing to accept this section of the document. Mr. Fife clarified City standards for utility services versus City standards for development. The County can adopt standards equal to or exceed City standards within the AOI. Director Cramer stated if the City is agreeable to extensions, development standards would be the same. He reiterated if a property is contiguous, the property would be annexed. To the response of Councilmember Hally, Mr. Fife stated the City could charge out-of- City customers a higher utility rate to recover the said costs. Director Fredericksen confirmed higher fees are currently being charged. Director Cramer reviewed the specific areas (on the AOI map) of extension of utility services. Mayor Casper questioned leaving the language as is and having an internal policy to be used on a case-by-case basis as this would not bind future Councils. Director Fredericksen stated due to previous lower construction costs and the ability to extend utilities, he believes the City may have deemphasized internal development. He noted sewer services have been provided to the City of Ammon, the Iona Bonneville Sewer District (IBSD), the City of Ucon, and various other agreements outside of the City. Without this service, the urbanized development may have occurred within the City. Director Fredericksen stated County discussion has occurred with the IBSD regarding management takeover of the entire system. He stated in 2013, a resolution was drafted to not extend utility service although this resolution was put on hold for issues with the North Loop Project. Director Fredericksen commended the Council for the recent internal annexations although he noted the City may have a lack of infrastructure, including the roadways, for 1  December 4, 2018 contiguous annexations. Director Cramer stated this was pointed out to the commissioners. He reviewed building permits issued for the previous years for the City, Bonneville County, and the City of Ammon. He noted Bonneville County residences have grown faster than both cities. General comments followed regarding funding, taxes, farmland, and farmland taxes. It was noted no information is revealed regarding potential annexation of County islands during the purchase of a home. Director Cramer strongly recommended/advised the document not be returned to P&Z as he believes that process would reduce the AOI. He prefers to leave the red-line version and not extend utility services. Mr. Fife stated the AOI was designed to determine and manage growth. Councilmember Radford believes the AOI is important. He also believes the County concern is the extension of utility services. Director Cramer stated utility extension would be a case-by-case basis. He also stated a pilot project policy/document could be developed to consider utility services. He indicated the southwest and northeast corners are concerns for the County. If these areas are removed from the AOI, the City would not be able to annex these parcels if needed. City utilities are currently located in the northeast corner. Director Fredericksen stated the City has been performing snow removal on Sunnyside. Mayor Casper requested Director Cramer present a pilot project in the event the County will not accept the red-lined version. Director Fredericksen strongly believes City residents should not pay for utility service extension into the County, all costs should be paid by the developer. Councilmember Smede questioned the ‘why’ of the County and City. She believes the City and County standards should be consistent so there would be a match within the Comprehensive Plan in the event of annexation. Brief general comments followed. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m. s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper CITY CLERK MAYOR 2