City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AUGUST 9, 2012 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Council President Roger Bray called the ROLL CALL City Council Study Session to order at 9:00 a.m. Council members present were Craig Cooper and Gary Moore. Council members Steve Brown and Eva Johnson Nye arrived at 9:02 a.m. Mayor Brian Blad and Council member Jim Johnston were excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Stephanie Herridge, Chair Person for FRIENDS OF THE Friends of the Cemetery Committee and CEMETERY COMMITTEE Martin Peace, Staff Liaison, were present UPDATE to discuss the Committee’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Herridge reported the Committee had a very successful year of events. She stated the attendance at the Brady Chapel Open House on Memorial Day was good and felt an article in the Idaho State Journal regarding the festivities helped increase attendance. Mr. Brown and Mrs. Nye arrived at this time. Painting projects at Mountain View and Restlawn cemeteries were outlined. The Committee noted they would like to take on more projects such as landscaping around Brady Chapel; fund raising through selling historical information about the Chapel; and updating the DVD usually played during the open house at Brady Chapel. Mr. Bray thanked the Committee for their efforts and noted that Mountain View Cemetery is a beautiful place and is utilized by individuals who like to walk the paths and enjoy the shade trees. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Pete Black, Chair Person for the Parks PARKS AND RECREATION and Recreation Advisory Board, and Jerry ADVISORY BOARD Sepich, Staff Liaison, were present to UPDATE discuss the Board’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Black reviewed the Board’s accomplishments and events that were held at various parks and park facilities over the past year. The Board feels the new the dog park located at Manson Park in Old Town was a great location choice. The parking area adjacent the dog park allows easier access for dog owners utilizing the park. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 MARCH 14, 2002 It was noted that Brooklynn’s Playground has been a tremendous asset to the City’s park system. Mr. Black mentioned funds are still needed for completion of the Grizzly Bear Exhibit. The Board is working toward completing the Ross Park Master Plan for approval by the Council. There are currently voluntary “no smoking” areas in the City parks. In conclusion, Mr. Black stated a process will be implemented to search for a new Parks and Recreation Director upon Jerry Sepich’s retirement. The Board appreciates all of the hard work and creative vision Mr. Sepich has brought into the community. Mr. Cooper stated he was pleased that the cost of new computer software for the Team Sports programs was much less than first anticipated. He appreciated the research done to make the savings possible. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Andrean Cavener, representing the AMERICAN HEART American Health Association, discussed ASSOCIATION research around the effects of second- PROPOSAL hand smoke and proposed language for a comprehensive smoke free ordinance in Pocatello. Mrs. Cavener gave a brief history of the smoke-free legislation that was passed by the State of Idaho. She mentioned State leaders felt that local cities would have the opportunity to close loop-holes or add exemptions that they felt were needed in the legislation. Mrs. Cavener explained she has been approached by several business owners in Pocatello to enact a smoke-free ordinance. The Heart Association feels the three most important areas to be addressed are: 1) Second-hand smoke is a health hazard; 2) no one should have to choose between a job and good health; and 3) Smoke-free laws are good for health and good for business. In response to questions from Council, Mrs. Cavener feels service workers exposed to second hand smoke should have the same safeguards in place as other workers. She added that smoke free laws are good for promoting business and does not have a negative effect on bar patronage. Mrs. Cavener provided a model ordinance the City may use while considering a smoke free policy. She offered to work with the City attorney to draft an ordinance. Mrs. Cavener noted the ordinance is not for individuals smoking on the street but is limited to designated areas. She encouraged the Council to establish a violation penalty that is reasonable but effective. A representative from the American Lung Association commented on third-hand smoke studies. She stated that studies show CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 MARCH 14, 2002 chemicals, tar and nicotine from cigarette smoke attach itself to furniture, chairs and other inanimate objects. Council discussion regarding a proposed comprehensive plan for a smoke-free law in Pocatello and Idaho State Statues that are currently in place regarding the proposal followed. The number of bars in Pocatello that allow smoking was reviewed and how their business and private clubs may be affected by the proposed ordinance. In response to questions from Council, Mrs. Cavener feels this is a worker issue because someone is pouring drinks in a bar or club and should be protected from the smoke. Mrs. Nye noted that the Council has seen presentations and received information regarding this issue. Voluntary banning of smoking in play areas at City Parks was the result of the presentations. In closing, Mrs. Cavener reported the City of Boise adopted two separate ordinances banning smoking in public areas. One referred to work places and the other to city parks. In response to questions from Council, Jerry Sepich, Parks and Recreation Director, stated as a result of a presentation by South East Idaho Public Health, signs were posted to encourage citizens to voluntarily not smoke near playgrounds or ball field areas. He noted smoking in these areas has decreased but not stopped. However, there has been some self-policing by other park attendees asking people not to smoke in the designated areas. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: David Swindell, Chief Financial Officer, FISCAL YEAR 2013 was present to discuss the Fiscal Year PROPOSED BUDGET 2013 proposed budget; public comments from the public hearing held August 2, 2012; and to receive final guidance for preparation of the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Ordinance. Mr. Swindell announced he welcomed comments from the Council and reviewed written correspondence received regarding the proposed budget. He noted that all written comments received make reference to the Pocatello Regional Transit (PRT) budget. Mr. Swindell reviewed the funds budgeted for PRT and reported that plans are on track to begin the construction of a new facility in 2013. Mr. Swindell reviewed comments made during the August 2, 2012 public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2013 budget. He reported that new information from the Bannock County Assessor shows the CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 MARCH 14, 2002 figures provided are a little less that first reported. As a result, the Levy Rate will be slightly higher than the previous year but it will still be lower than in 2011. Mr. Swindell noted there was a suggestion from the public to increase the Council Select fund amount to allow more flexibility to meet unexpected expenses and requests for funding. Mr. Moore stated he feels good where the Fiscal Year 2013 budget is and supports PRT. However, PRT’s budget is a concern that has been brought up by citizens. He suggested that over the next six months staff could do a comprehensive review on the size of buses being used to see if there are things staff can do to bring costs down. Mr. Cooper agreed with Mr. Moore’s suggestion and would like a more complete breakdown of who utilizes the bus system. The report could identify and separate riders into categories such as Idaho State University (ISU) students and passengers who request the demand response bus. Mr. Swindell reminded the Council that the Service Level Reports provided a very thorough breakdown of the transit system. He clarified that a rider must meet a certain criteria in order to qualify for the demand response bus service. Mr. Bray suggested that an ISU student be approached to complete an evaluation of the transit use. This would allow the system to be evaluated by an outside source. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell explained a proposed fee resolution will omit the resident discount for cemetery services. However, the resident discount for purchasing a cemetery plot is still in place. Mr. Swindell noted that the discount for residents purchasing an ash niche may be done away with. Mr. Moore disagreed with eliminating the resident discount for purchasing an ash niche. Mr. Swindell reviewed the proposal from Cemetery staff. Staff feels the niche wall is a service and not a purchase. Therefore, it does not fall under the discount criteria. Mr. Cooper mentioned that after a niche wall is erected, there is not much maintenance. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell stated that the proposed resolution allows the Cemetery Supervisor to have authority to determine eligibility for residential status for fee purposes. If the proposed resolution is adopted by Council, CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 MARCH 14, 2002 many of their concerns regarding Cemetery fees will be taken care of. It was the Council’s consensus to move forward with the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget as presented at the August 2, 2012 Regular Council meeting. Mike Irwin, Fire Chief, joined Mr. Swindell to discuss a proposed purchase of a brush truck for the Fire Department. Mr. Swindell reviewed the current equipment used by the Fire Department for fighting brush fires. He reported during several brush fires there were delay issues with the capability of utilizing the current brush fire equipment. Discussion followed regarding the proper housing of these units during the winter months. The Fire Department has an opportunity to purchase a water truck/fire vehicle from Bureau of Land Management at the end of summer 2012. As a result, the budget for 2013 would need to be modified by approximately $30,000.00 and suggestions were given of how this could be accomplished. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell feels State Sales Tax revenue should have a high enough growth to fund the purchase. He suggested an increase in the Sales Tax revenue amount to match the cost and amend the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget ordinance accordingly. Mr. Irwin confirmed that the brush truck is needed and will be an asset for the Fire Department. It was the Council’s consensus to modify the proposed ordinance as suggested by Mr. Swindell. Council President Bray adjourned the meeting at 10:14 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK