City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION JULY 12, 2012 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council ROLL CALL Study Session to order at 9:06 a.m. Council members present were Roger Bray, Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, Jim Johnston, Gary Moore and Eva Johnson Nye. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Jacquee Alvord, Chair Person, for the FORT HALL REPLICA Fort Hall Replica Commission and Jerry COMMISSION UPDATE Sepich, Parks and Recreation Director, discussed the Commission’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Alvord reviewed the hours of operation and special tours the Replica provides and that there are four new members on the Commission. She reported two members are still serving from the Bannock Shoshone Tribe so they have a continuing voice on the Commission. Ms. Alvord reported a large Boy Scout encampment was held at the Fort Hall Replica and was such a great success the Commission would like to encourage similar events. One of the Commission’s goals is to increase interest and tourism at the Replica with more activities such as dances and singing groups. It was noted that plans for the 150th Celebration for Idaho becoming a Territory and 50th Anniversary of the Replica are underway. The Commission is busy planning activities with a wide range of public and community organizations for these events. Mr. Sepich stated the Master Plan for Ross Park includes plans to open the road located between the Bannock County Historical Museum and Fort Hall Replica. He noted there are some security issues with the road, but these things are being worked out as the planning moves forward. Mayor Blad thanked the Commission for all of their hard work and dedication. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Rodger Sealey, Chair Person, from the HISTORIC PRESERVATION Historic Preservation Commission and COMMISSION UPDATE Terri Neu, Staff Liaison, discussed the Commission’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Sealey reported eight applications for Certificates of Appropriateness have been reviewed so far in 2012 as compared to seven Certificates for all of 2011. The Commission hosted a walking tour of the Westside Residential Historic District and participated in the City’s Environmental Fair. Mr. Sealey CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 JULY 12, 2012 reviewed upcoming projects for an additional walking tour brochure. He noted there are approximately eight brochures at this time and the Commission plans to have information about the tours in an electronic format so individuals can use a smart phone to learn more about sites along the tours. Ms. Neu explained the Main Street Program noting it promotes and helps economic development in a city’s main street historic district. She noted it is a national program that encourages cities participating in the program to share information with each other. In addition, individuals glean information by touring other cities that have been involved in the program. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Kim Stouse, Licensing Enforcement; Jim PROPOSED CHANGES TO Peterson, Police Captain; and Rich Diehl, CITY BUSINESS City Deputy Attorney; were present to LICENSES-DOOR TO DOOR discuss proposed changes to the City Code /SOLICITORS LICENSE to set Business License fees by resolution; update crossing guard renewal dates to match computer software; change taxi license background timelines; and replace the current door to door registration with a door to door/solicitors license. Ms. Stouse reviewed the changes being requested such as removal of licensing fees set by ordinance and placing them in fee resolutions; crossing guard license expiration dates changed to match the City’s computer software; and taxi cab driver license requirements regarding time period for background checks to go back 10 years matching the daycare background checks time period. Mr. Peterson noted the proposed changes will make these licenses more consistent with other City licenses and streamline the process. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Stouse reviewed the current door to door registration process. She noted that background checks are not required for these registrations. Ms. Stouse reported her office received a total of 12 complaint calls regarding solicitors in 2011. Since January of this year 13 complaint calls have been received and multiple citations issued. Ms. Stouse feels the problem is getting worse and stressed the fact staff cannot revoke a registration. However, staff could revoke a license. She reviewed the new requirements which include: 1) a bond requirement; 2) background check; and 3) a photo ID card showing solicitors are licensed and have met the City’s criteria. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Peterson clarified that solicitors are coming into an individual’s home, advancing CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 JULY 12, 2012 their product, and/or forcing their way onto private property and are not selling from a vacant lot or parking area waiting for customers to arrive. Mr. Diehl added that solicitors come onto private property instead of standing in the right of way, which is public property. Some of the property owners reported they have posted signage such as “No Solicitors” on their doors only to have solicitors ignore the sign and trespass anyway. Mr. Peterson explained Police Staff do not have a way to regulate solicitors because there is nothing to revoke. He noted that recently three citations were issued to one group of solicitors in the same evening. In response to a question from Council, Ms. Stouse mentioned it will take up to four to six weeks to perform background checks. Local solicitors will be completed faster. She noted the proposed changes are modeled after the City of Boise and a similar process is required in local communities such as Idaho Falls. It was also noted that no additional staff will be needed to process the proposed solicitor license. It was the Council’s consensus to have staff move forward with the proposed changes and prepare documents for consideration. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Diehl stated vendors allowed to sell in City parks are required to pay a fee to the City. He mentioned panhandlers in the right of way can be addressed and regulations set in place in order to monitor this activity. Mr. Diehl will research the State Code regarding individuals soliciting at street corners and report back to the Mayor and Council. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: David Swindell, Chief Financial Officer, FISCAL YEAR 2013 was present to discuss any changes BUDGET REVIEW desired to the City’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget prior to preparing material for public notices and public hearings. Mr. Swindell reviewed the proposed 2013 budget presentation which included the remaining budget calendar, census update, and implementing June 14, 2012 guidance from the Council. He noted city funding amounts for 2013 are higher than first anticipated and proposed changes were reviewed. Mr. Swindell noted that the City’s current software used for payroll, utility billing, grants, and budgeting is no longer supported by the manufacturer and replacement software will need to be purchased in 2013. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 JULY 12, 2012 Council discussed a new tourism support expense proposed for the 2013 budget. An estimated amount of $15,000.00 would be allocated for this expense. Mayor Blad explained the new expense is being requested as the result of a lawsuit which caused Pocatello to lose the ability to promote tourism in our local area as we once did. He noted that funds that were available to promote tourism in Pocatello are now focused on Lava Hot Springs and Montpelier areas. Jerry Sepich, Parks and Recreation Director, explained the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is no longer supported as a direct result of the referenced law suit. Since Pocatello no longer has a representative, such as the CVB, most of the funds for tourism go elsewhere. Mayor Blad noted the funds would be used to create a part-time position to manage the Visitor’s Center on South 5th Avenue and help promote tourism in Pocatello. He feels other communities will support this effort if Pocatello moves forward with the position. It was noted that Idaho Travel Council funds cannot be used to pay a salary and that is why the CVB was not able retain Rebecca Satter as an employee. They did not have support for wages which were paid by the Auditorium District noted in the law suit. Mr. Bray stated he was okay with the proposal but would like more information and additional discussion regarding the proposed expense to support tourism. Mr. Johnston feels that revenue coming into the community as a result of promoting Pocatello through tourism will more than pay for the annual costs. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell explained most of the property damage caused from the Charlotte fire was located in Bannock County. Adjustments to property values as a result of the fire should not have a major impact on property tax revenue estimates for Pocatello. Mr. Swindell summarized the proposed changes to balance the budget and it was the Council’s consensus to move forward with changes as outlined. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 JULY 12, 2012 AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Jerry Sepich, Parks and Recreation, PROPOSED CHANGES TO Director, was present to discuss the RESIDENT FEES current resident fee structure for Parks FOR PARKS AND and Recreation programs. He reviewed RECREATION PROGRAMS proposed alternatives to the fee, including the possible elimination of the current Resident Discount Card. Mr. Sepich gave a background of the current Resident Discount fee structure for Pocatello residents. He noted this has been a very common practice with Parks and Recreation departments around the country. The rationale for offering resident discounts has been that certain programs/facilities are subsidized by the City’s taxpayers. Unfortunately, those individuals living outside the City limits have the perception that they are not welcome to participate in our programs and facilities because they are required to pay a higher price. Mr. Sepich reported only 1.2% of citizens have a Resident Discount card. He reviewed proposed options to replace the card that would streamline the process and encourage individuals to use more of the City’s Parks and Recreation programs. Mr. Sepich added that some groups and individuals are choosing to visit other communities since they must pay a higher fee anyway. Council discussion continued and it was noted that the cost savings for resident discount cards are very low and underutilized. Most cards are used at the City’s golf courses and Community Recreation Center. The process to obtain a resident discount card and the cumbersome process for both residents and staff to research the discount table to determine the applicable amounts were reviewed. Mr. Sepich feels giving a discount based on percentage will make the process easier and staff would like to discontinue using a discount table. He also mentioned that discounts for a cemetery disinterment have caused some confusion based upon resident status and non-resident status. Research must to be done to go back to the original purchase of the plot and/or where the individual being buried last resided. Mr. Swindell reported the current discount table is frustrating for citizens and staff to use. In addition, it is not compatible with Park and Recreation’s current software system. He feels individuals from out of town should be encouraged to visit and use the City’s multiple facilities and supports eliminating the discount card. Council discussion regarding rates for the City’s golf courses and encouraging out of town golfers to utilize the courses followed. It was noted that the difference in cost for a season CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6 JULY 12, 2012 golf pass with the discount was minimal. In addition, if all players pay the lower rate it will make it easier on staff and less frustrating for golfers who do not like going through the process to verify their qualification for a discount. In closing, Mr. Sepich stated there will still be an issue with reserving Park Shelters and a resident card or other verification will need to be provided. It was the Council’s consensus for staff to move forward with eliminating the Resident Discount Card program and review the discount for Pocatello residents regarding the purchase of cemetery plots and internment fees/services. Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 11:19 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK