City Council

1 CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION APRIL 11, 2013 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council ROLL CALL Study Session to order at 9:02 a.m. Council members present were Roger Bray, Craig Cooper, Jim Johnston, Gary Moore and Eva Johnson Nye. Council member Steve Brown was excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: James Steed, Chair Person, and Dave Hunt, DISABLED CITIZENS Ex-Officio Member, from the Disabled ADA/504 COORDINATING Citizens ADA/504 Coordinating Committee COMMITTEE UPDATE were present to discuss the Committee’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Hunt reviewed the requirements under Title Two of the American Disabilities Act to make public pathways and access available for people with disabilities. He noted that the City has made great headway over the last 20 years. However, there are intersections in the City that still need to be modified for ADA access. Mr. Hunt explained the Committee has put together a Transition Plan to respond to the ADA needs in the community. He noted the State of Idaho has funds available to assist with ADA improvements. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Hunt explained the Committee has identified areas on Idaho State University campus regarding ADA issues and concerns brought to their attention from citizens. He also mentioned that projects being done in the City’s right of way are screened for ADA compliance. Mr. Steed noted the Committee will try to focus on the most significant areas that are out of compliance with ADA guidelines. Mr. Hunt added that a long range plan is in place to address ADA issues within the City. He explained the Plan is a living document and modified as needs are identified. David Swindell, Chief Financial Officer, verified there are minimal funds in the City’s ADA budget to make improvements. He explained main improvements for ADA issues are in the Street budget and these are city funds and not federal funds. Mr. Swindell noted the Pocatello Transit Department has been designated as the ADA Division of the City because they interact with many individuals with ADA needs. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 APRIL 11, 2013 AGENDA ITEM NO. 3:Kari Giesbrech, Chair Person, and Kim CHILD CARE ADVISORY Stouse, Licensing Enforcement and staff COMMITTEE UPDATE liaison, from the Child Care Advisory Committee were present to discuss the Committee’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Giesbrech thanked the Council for helping the Committee improve child care codes in Pocatello. She noted a couple of child care businesses were closed in 2012 because of compliance issues, but new businesses have opened and are doing well. Ms. Giesbrech explained the Committee is starting a new program to offer free training to child care providers on a quarterly basis. She mentioned a survey was sent out to area providers and the consensus of surveys returned asked for specific training. Idaho Stars will still provide training at a cost to providers. Ms. Giesbrech reported the Committee will continue to suggest code updates as needed to ensure the City’s Child Care codes are in-line with the State of Idaho. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Stouse explained the vehicle insurance requirement for child care transportation is similar to taxi cab guidelines. She noted that liability coverage is required, but insurance on individuals riding in the vehicle is not required. In addition, if a child is injured in a child care facility there may not be coverage for medical costs. It was noted that a child was injured in a facility in 2012 and there was no insurance coverage to assist with medical costs. The parents had extensive medical bills as a result of the child being injured. There were concerns expressed that most parents may assume that their child has medical coverage while being cared for in a child care facility. Ms. Stouse mentioned the Legal Department is researching the issue regarding medical insurance coverage for a child being cared for in a child care facility. Ms. Giesbrech reviewed the application process for child care providers and stated the Committee is interested in having a link on the City’s website to provide information for child care providers. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 APRIL 11, 2013 AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Mark Dahlquist, Executive Director, PNHS’ Pocatello Neighborhood Housing Services TWENTY-YEAR (PNHS) and Ted Booth, Booth Architecture ANNIVERSARY PROJECT were present to provide the Council with information on a proposed pavilion at Caldwell Park to commemorate PNHS’ Twenty-year anniversary. Mr. Dahlquist announced PNHS is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and the organization is planning to build a memorial to commemorate this event. He explained the organization has chosen Caldwell Park for the memorial site because the park is very visible and does not have a covered shelter. Mr. Dahlquist mentioned Parks and Recreation staff attended their Committee meetings as the pavilion design was being developed. The organization has suggested a design that will make the shelter very low maintenance once the City takes ownership the shelter. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Dahlquist reviewed the concept plan for the structure. He noted the three (3) columns will be constructed of maintenance free materials and graffiti should be easy to remove and/or paint over. Mr. Dahlquist added the roof will have similar flashing as a church located across the street and the columns will be similar colors of other buildings in the area. Grassy berms will also be constructed near the structure so events at the facility can be easily viewed by an audience. He noted an electrical access panel will be part of the pavilion so the Park’s electrical shed will no longer be necessary. Mr. Dahlquist has spoken to other organizations that have shown interest in the project and are lending their support. However, construction will not begin until all of the necessary funding is secured. Mr. Dahlquist invited the Mayor and Council to a Kick-off breakfast on May 18, 2013 where the community will have an opportunity to review plans for the pavilion. Mr. Booth noted the pavilion’s design was by Gary Ratliff and PNHS. He described each of the three pyramid columns to be hard cast stucco cement so park staff will not need to worry about vandalism and graffiti. Mr. Booth added they will combine the electrical access needs of the park and shelter in one of the columns. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Dahlquist estimated the cost for the pavilion between $60,000.00 and $70,000.00. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 APRIL 11, 2013 In response to questions from Mayor Blad, Mr. Booth stated the roof of the pavilion will be lowered to rest on top of the pillars to discourage pigeon roosting. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: David Allen, Airport Manager, Dan POCATELLO AIRPORT MacClure, Traffic Control Manager, and AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL Melvin Waggoner, representative from TOWER UPDATE Pocatello AvCenter, were present to discuss the status of the air traffic control tower and provide information on possible alternatives. Mr. Allen explained the status of federal funding for airport towers is being updated daily. He noted the previous stop date for funding of May 5, 2013 has been changed to June 15, 2013. Mr. Allen feels there is still a chance for budget changes at the federal level. He reviewed the implementation of closures for airport towers in Idaho noting that some of the airports have filed legal action. However, airports remaining on the closure list will not be included in their legal action suit. Costs of litigation were reviewed and it was noted that Mr. Allen feels Pocatello should pursue litigation measures if Council would like the control tower to remain open. Mr. Allen reviewed safety issues if airport tower staff is eliminated. He explained uncontrolled flights are common in the area during the evening hours, but during peak periods the access will be delayed. He reviewed the scenarios that may cause delays in the process of completing a flight once a plane has landed at the airport. During firefighting season the airport has a much higher volume of traffic counts per day. Mr. Allen feels a tower controller is like a firefighter. You don’t always need them, but you’re really glad they are there when you do. Council discussion regarding options and costs to maintain the tower facility followed. The options presented were: 1) Do nothing and allow FAA to cease funding the tower and close it June 15, 2013; 2) Provide a locally funded tower with maintenance costs estimated at $200,000.00 per year and the following staffing costs: a) Non-federal contract with Serco approximately $540,000.00 per year; b) City employee wages cost estimate of $300,000.00; 3) provide only air traffic advisory service at approximately $220,000.00 per year; and 4) enter into an “Emergency Tower Management Agreement” with Serco through September 30, 2013 to allow the City to better analyze and choose an option that will best serve the airport. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 APRIL 11, 2013 In response to questions from Council, Mr. Allen explained the documents provided to the federal government included information how the Bureau of Land Management utilizes the airport to support five (5) surrounding states, and other emergency needs to justify keeping the tower open. Unfortunately, even after these were presented, Pocatello is still on the closure list. It was also noted that the City of Hailey’s airport is located in a critical area because of the canyon lands and their tower is still on the list for closure. Mr. MacClure stated he believes there are four other cities with towers in the State of Idaho that are considering funding their own towers. He shared his concerns if the City of Pocatello’s tower is closed and provided contact information for Idaho’s Congressional delegation to ask them for continued funding. In response to questions from the Council, Mr. Waggoner suggested the City allow the list of closures to play out until the end and results are determined by congress. He feels the City will need to be ready to make a more informed decision regarding the airport control tower. Council discussion regarding security issues if military planes or fire tankers are not able to land and take-off quickly because the tower is not in operation. It was noted that Idaho National Laboratory had a fire a few years ago and tankers used to fight the fire flew out of Pocatello. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: David Swindell, Chief Financial Officer, PROPOSED FISCAL was present to discuss proposed “May” YEAR 2013 BUDGET amendments to the current Fiscal Year AMENDMENTS 2013 budget. Mr. Swindell reviewed the budget amendment process. He explained each year the City finds it necessary to amend the budget to account for unanticipated grants or other situations. This includes the Animal Shelter Bond that was passed in November 2012 and an amendment will allow the money to be spent for that project. Mr. Swindell noted that 46 amendments were listed in the report plus 3 additional amendments that were just received. He reviewed amendments as a result of the City’s medical insurance refund and PERSI rate increase. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell confirmed the City could take the medical insurance refund and apply it to the PERSI increase and the balance kept in a contingency fund CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6 APRIL 11, 2013 for future needs. He reviewed the fund amounts and how the funds work together. Mr. Swindell noted the general fund is the most needful of an increase and funds can always be transferred to individual budgets at the end of Fiscal Year 2013 when the City’s needs are known. It was the Council’s consensus to retain the fund balance in fund 53 after covering the PERSI increase and determine each department’s need later in Fiscal Year 2013. Mr. Swindell made suggestions to move funds among various departments to be better utilized within the department. Various grants have been received and these were reviewed so authority to spend the grants could be obtained. It was the consensus of the Council that $40,000.00 for fiber optic tools will come out of Street Department fund; $6,569.00 for Marshall Public Library will come from fund reserves; and expenses for the Edson Fichter Fish Pond project in the amount of $300,000.00 would be paid through Science & Environment and Public Works funds. It was clarified the expenses specifically outlined would not come out of the medical insurance refund. Council discussed their concerns over the request for increased legal expense funds for water rights litigation. It was noted that the City’s Water Superintendent feels this increase is necessary because of upcoming trials regarding water rights. The additional funds will help defend the City’s current water rights. It was clarified that water bond funds cannot be used for litigation purposes. In closing, Mr. Swindell announced a public hearing to discuss the proposed budget amendments will be held on May 2, 2013 and a Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Amendment ordinance will be prepared for consideration at that meeting. Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 11:15 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 7 APRIL 11, 2013 ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK