City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 14, 2013 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council ROLL CALL Study Session to order at 9:01 a.m. Council members present were Roger Bray, Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, Jim Johnston and Gary Moore. Council member Eva Johnson-Nye was excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Roland Smith, Airport Commission Chair AIRPORT COMMISSION Person, and David Allen, Airport Manager, UPDATE were present to discuss the Commission’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Roland reviewed members of the Airport Commission and what their duties within the Commission are. He noted the Commission’s focus this past year has been community outreach. Mr. Roland reported multiple news releases were submitted and covered well by the media. A Facebook page was recently created to attract more interest through the internet. He explained the Commission anticipates the number of boardings at the Airport to increase because of the extensive outreach. Mr. Roland stated research has shown it is cheaper to fly out of Pocatello than Idaho Falls and it is more cost effective than paying for travel and parking to utilize the Salt Lake City, Utah airport. Mr. Roland reviewed the different facilities located at the airport and their use. He described the land available at the airport and recent runway maintenance. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Allen reported there are 60 leases at the airport and these generate approximately $500,000.00 in receipts per year. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Roland explained airport maintenance is the current priority followed by focusing on additional jet service. He noted the Commission feels as the economy improves, more flights will happen at the airport. Mr. Moore agreed the costs to fly out of Pocatello are comparable to flying out of Salt Lake City when compared to the travel expenses and convenience. Mr. Allen noted the cost comparison is based upon discount seats per flight. Consequently, if no discount seats are available this will not be an accurate comparison. Mayor Blad announced that the Japanese Sister Cities Subcommittee agenda item had been pulled from the agenda at the request of the Subcommittee. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 FEBRUARY 14, 2013 AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Kelly Thompson, Animal Shelter Advisory ANIMAL SHELTER Board member, and Mary Remer, Animal ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE Shelter Director and staff liaison, were present to discuss the Board’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Thompson reviewed the volunteer activity at the shelter reporting that approximately $26,000.00 in labor costs are saved each year by allowing volunteers to help with animals. She reviewed the Board’s fundraising efforts to promote animal adoptions at the shelter. Ms. Remer reported the number of cat adoptions were up because of reduced fee programs supported by organizations such as Friends of the Animal Shelter. Ms. Thompson noted cat adoptions actually doubled from the previous year as a result of the reduced fee program. Ms. Remer reviewed the 15th Annual “Run With The Big Dogs” event. She reported over $12,000.00 was raised and event attendance continues to grow each year. Ms. Remer stated the new Animal Shelter facility campaign took up most of the Board’s time last year. She explained that educating individuals regarding the Animal Shelter bond election was a key factor in its successful passage. Ms. Remer noted that only private donations were used to promote the new facility. Council discussion regarding cost estimates and progress of the proposed new animal shelter facility followed. It was noted that a bid request seeking a manager to oversee construction of the new facility is in progress. It was mentioned as the bid process for materials and labor move forward, a breakdown of actual costs of construction will be known. Ms. Remer noted that some contractors mentioned they are willing to donate some of the labor/materials toward building the new shelter. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: As reported earlier by Mayor Blad, the JAPANESE SISTER Japanese Sister Cities Subcommittee CITIES SUBCOMMITTEE update was removed from the agenda at the UPDATE request of the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee is scheduled to give an update to the Council in December 2013. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 FEBRUARY 14, 2013 AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Dr. Jack Mooney from the Pocatello POCATELLO ZOOLOGICAL Zoological Society, and Scott Ransom, Zoo SOCIETY-PUBLIC Superintendent, were present to discuss RESTROOMS AT ZOO the placement of permanent public restrooms at the Zoo. Dr. Mooney described the Zoo’s Grizzly Bear exhibit and feels it is a quality display in the community. He reviewed the City’s ADA requirements when he constructed a new addition to his building. Dr. Mooney feels, as a result of the ADA requirements, additional patients can now access his business. He noted the Zoo Society is concerned with minimal ADA access at the Zoo and reviewed their apprehensions. The Society would like special attention given to the following concerns at the Zoo: permanent public restrooms; design of a new zoo entrance; and ADA access to the upper 60 percent of the Zoo to view the new Grizzly Bear exhibit. In response to questions from Council, Dr. Mooney estimates it would cost approximately $120,000.00 for an ADA entrance to the Zoo. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Ransom stated Zoo entrance costs were being reviewed. The addition of a gift shop and snack bar at the new entrance would help raise funds to maintain the Zoo entrance. Mr. Ransom noted that $5,000.00 was approved by Council to research the cost of a new entrance and promote the idea to the public. Dr. Mooney feels citizens will donate toward new restrooms if ADA issues could be resolved. In response to questions from Council, Jerry Sepich, Parks and Recreation Director, stated developing the Zoo Master Plan has been a long process. Staff is waiting for a conceptual plan followed by public meetings to help decide on a Master Plan. Mr. Sepich noted architectural plans are being created for the Master Plan. He explained the footprint of the new Animal Shelter is being included in the Master Plan. However, ADA compliant paths were not included in the plan. Mr. Sepich announced that public hearings will be held in mid-March to receive input on a plan. Dr. Mooney would like the Council to consider the concerns mentioned by the Zoo Society and utilize the Zoo’s current footprint. He feels the Zoo is one of the greatest assets in the City. In closing, he mentioned that tour buses that once frequented the Zoo are not returning because of ADA concerns and no access to a snack area or permanent bathrooms. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 FEBRUARY 14, 2013 Mayor Blad announced that Agenda Item No. 7 will be considered at this time. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: David Gates, Fire Chief, was present to FIRE DEPARTMENT discuss a proposal to add three (3) STAFFING REQUEST personnel in March 2013 to increase each of the Fire Department’s platoons by one. David Gates, Fire Chief, reported that 50 percent of Fire Response staff time is spent on EMS calls. He explained the department has been out of resources five or six times this year when trying to respond to EMS calls. Mr. Gates feels the increased need is from the following issues: 1) aging baby boomers; 2) construction of larger structures; 3) volatile fuel; and 3) Wildland Urban Interface. Because of this increase staff training time has been reduced; sick leave usage has increased; and there are resource shortages. He feels there should not be additional costs to add three positions because it will decrease actual overtime costs and should be cost neutral. Mr. Gates explained more personnel will be available to cover during shifts. The end result will be an increase in personnel safety while also being cost effective. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Gates stated he used 2011 and 2012 to calculate the average cost for overtime in a typical year. He explained an additional staff member could have been added for the same cost. Council discussion regarding the need of fire engines dispatched to life threatening calls and transfer costs to transport individuals to other hospitals followed. It was noted the number of transport calls has decreased due to the new cardiac facility in Pocatello. In response to questions from Council, Curtis Smith, Pocatello Fire Fighters Union President, stated Union members are exhausted from working long hours and support the use of overtime funds to hire additional personnel. Mayor Blad announced that Agenda Item No. 6 would be considered at this time. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Randy Ghezzi, Street Superintendent, was ARMY CORPS OF present to update the Council regarding ENGINEERS RATING the unsatisfactory rating by the Army -PORTNEUF RIVER LEVEE Corps of Engineers (ACOE) on the Portneuf River Levee and to review the process needed to come into compliance with the ACOE’s requirements. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 FEBRUARY 14, 2013 Mr. Ghezzi reviewed the minimum maintenance criteria for the levees and the concerns noted by ACOE during a periodic inspection. The most notable areas of concern are as follows: Animals – mammals (rock chucks) are burrowing into the levee. Seven locations were found showing holes of 12 inches or greater allowing the water to infiltrate the levee. Staff has captured the animals and removed them from the area. Culverts and pipes – this will remain unacceptable until the City has completed the closed circuit television camera search. Shoaling – sedimentation build-up inside the channel. It is on an average of 2 feet deep and continuing to build. Staff feels this is the result of a design flaw because the speed of the water is not great enough to erode the sediment. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Ghezzi stated equipment could remove the sediment. However, if removed, a great amount of dirt will need to be distributed to another area and the water will become dirtier while this is being accomplished. He suggested a conversion dam could be constructed in order to control the sediment from flowing down stream. Council discussed ideas to help prevent future silt issues from upstream sources. The concrete section of the channel was reviewed. It was noted that various trees larger than 4 inches in diameter are growing behind the concrete walls. This has resulted in noticeable damage, cracking, and tilting of the walls. Mr. Ghezzi clarified that trees growing on private property are causing damage to the concrete channel. He explained citizens have planted trees in the easement and the trees will need to be removed. A public meeting will be held to discuss the issue. Mr. Ghezzi noted relief wells along the concrete channel are located in private backyards and covered by manhole covers. The ACOE is now requiring the wells to be inspected and cleaned every 90 days. He noted that the ACOE has not required the well inspections in the past. Jim Johnston was excused from the Council Chambers at 10:20 a.m. Mr. Ghezzi shared his concerns that the relief wells and the under seepage relief wells have never been duly noted on any previous inspections. In addition, the design of the wells will not allow the inspections being asked by ACOE because there is no access. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6 FEBRUARY 14, 2013 Council discussion regarding the issue followed and concerns with the additional requirements from ACOE. Mr. Ghezzi reviewed a list of acceptable findings which included: the amount of allowable vegetation in sections 1, 2, and 3; slope stability; erosion; rutting all weather surface; and flap gates. He also mentioned the City received an acceptable rating on the flood response plan; interior drainage features; erosion protection; and the development and adoption of a maintenance manual. Mayor Blad stated Mr. Ghezzi has been in contact with ACOE regarding the rating status of the levee. Mr. Ghezzi announced Pocatello is part of the Walla Walla District. The District office contacted him to participate in a task force regarding levees in the United States. He explained thirty stakeholders will serve on the task force and he will represent the Walla Walla District. Mr. Ghezzi noted that Pocatello has a five mile section of levee to maintain. David Swindell, Chief Financial Officer, asked for clarification regarding the hiring of three additional employees for the Fire Department. Mayor Blad stated that Council members will consider the proposal and inform the Fire Chief of their decision. Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 10:49 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK