City Council

July 25, 2022 Council Work Session The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Council Work Session, Monday, July 25, 2022, in the Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls at 3:00 p.m. Call to Order and Roll Call There were present: Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper Council President Michelle Ziel-Dingman (via virtual) Councilor John Radford Councilor Thomas Hally Councilor Jim Freeman Councilor Jim Francis (via virtual) Councilor Lisa Burtenshaw Also present: Brad Cramer, Community Development Services Director Pamela Alexander, Municipal Services Director Derick Sorensen, Accountant Randy Fife, City Attorney Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Mayor Casper called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. with the following items: Calendars, Announcements, Reports, and Updates: Mayor Casper distributed calendar items for the remainder of July and August. She stated the African American Alliance held a recent BBQ event, which was very successful; a REDI’s (Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho) “What’s Up in Eastern Idaho” Event will be forthcoming; a homelessness policy staff review report will be presented at the August 8, 2022, City Council Work Session; the Idaho Falls Auditorium District (IFAD) is on schedule for construction of the new event center; a meeting will be scheduled in fall 2022 for a strategic plan regarding future city software; and The Ferguson Group has been hired to assist with grant facilitation. Mayor Casper provided an update of Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD) staff assisting with the Moose Fire in the Salmon area. Liaison Reports and Councilmember Concerns: Council President Dingman expressed her gratitude for the council’s participation in the upcoming War Bonnet Round Up Rodeo. She stated the Air Service Development Committee will be meeting on August 5, 2022, noting she will provide a future update on the Boise flights. Councilor Francis stated a group from the INL (Idaho National Laboratory) is working toward a community festival in August 2023. Councilor Hally provided information regarding a nuclear reactor project and gas plants in California per the recent ICUA (Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association) Meeting. He also stated Idaho Falls Power (IFP) was able to maintain a lower price on power contracts. Councilor Burtenshaw had no items to report. Councilor Freeman provided information regarding the Columbia River Treaty (there has been no movement), along with other topics discussed at the recent ICUA Meeting, including breaching of dams, noting $17B has been spent on fish mitigation. Councilor Radford provided an update on the recent Policymaker’s Council Meeting. He requested the councilmembers help spread the word about the upcoming War Bonnet Round Up Rodeo. 1  July 25, 2022 Council Work Session Community Development Services/Discussion: Mid-year Hire Request: Director Cramer explained this item is per the position request in the budget discussion. He displayed the number of Inspections Completed YTD Cumulative from 2017-2022, stating the workload in the Building Division has increased exponentially, noting the number of the inspection staff has remained the same for numerous years. Director Cramer requested a new building inspector position be posted now to relieve the current heavy workload. He stated the typical inspection load in a given day is 12-15, noting the building inspectors are consistently being requested to do 40+ inspections per day, which compacts the problem. Director Cramer stated as of June, the budget is $22,000 under budget for salaries and wages, therefore, there is enough funding to cover the candidate right away. Councilor Hally believes there are tight schedules and any delays cost additional money. Councilor Freeman agrees this additional position is needed now. Councilor Radford agreed although he expressed concern for a slow down of building. Director Cramer stated he is confident projects are going to happen, noting there are numerous plans in multiple phases. It was then moved by Councilor Burtenshaw, seconded by Councilor Francis, to authorize Community Development Services to post and hire their mid-hire for an inspector. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye – Councilors Dingman, Burtenshaw, Francis, Freeman, Hally, Radford. Nay – none. Municipal Services/Discussion: Last-minute Budget Concerns before Preliminary Approval: Director Alexander reviewed the timeline for the upcoming budget approvals, notices, and public hearings. She stated the draft budget for tentative approval includes $1.25 and 2.50% for employee compensation, $942,713 for a building and electrical inspector and a new vehicle, the Animal Control Services parking lot expansion, virtual training for the Police Department, new personnel radios and purchase of turnouts to support the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) Grant for the Fire Department, one position for canal trail/maintenance, a Hawk Sweeper, and site conversion funds for the Parks Department, and a partial year of an IT (Information Technology) analyst. She also stated the total not-to-exceed amount for the city-wide budget = $333,416,302, which includes the 3% statutory growth and annexation, and does not include forgone. Councilor Burtenshaw stated impact fee related credits/reimbursements will be coming through upcoming development agreements. She believes a capital improvement plan should be a high priority. She requested capital improvement projects be presented as they are not clear from budget to budget. Mayor Casper believes an approved plan versus a requested plan should be a separate conversation. Councilor Radford does not believe there is enough funding for maintenance of city buildings. He believes there should be a real list for a 5-year plan. He expressed his frustration for the State legislators. Councilor Freeman expressed his disappointment for not taking any forgone as he believes this is a statement that the city can do without that money. He believes forgone should have been taken instead of the contingency funds. Director Alexander clarified this money was reinstituting the discount on State shared revenues (sales tax) in the amount of $350,000. She also clarified there is a plan for address aging city infrastructure. Councilor President Dingman believes, due to the changeover of staff and elected officials, too many plans and visions change and long-term is unknown. Mayor Casper believes there needs to be a process in place for priorities that is doable and practicable. Discussion followed regarding forgone, the employees increase, the homeowners’ exemption, growth in the tax base, the levy rate, home values, the supply chain, and State shared revenues. Councilor Burtenshaw announced the Duck Race on August 13. Mayor Casper believes the August 12 Council Budget Session will not be needed. She indicated follow-up discussion could occur August 22 and 23. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:09 p.m. s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Rebecca L. Noah Casper, Mayor 2