City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AUGUST 8, 2013 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council ROLL CALL Study Session to order at 9:03 a.m. Council members present were Roger Bray, Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, and Jim Johnston. Council members Gary Moore and Eva Johnson Nye were excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Vicky Hale, Chairperson and Martin Peace, FRIENDS OF THE Staff Liaison, from the Friends of the CEMETERY COMMITTEE Cemetery Committee were present to UPDATE discuss the Committee’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Hale reported on the projects completed by the Committee this past year. She noted six manuals have been printed outlining the history of Mountain View Cemetery and will be distributed to local libraries. A DVD showing historical accounts of Brady Chapel will be displayed during Memorial Day Open Houses at the Chapel. She also mentioned Craig Barnes has created a handout about both cemeteries and includes cemetery guidelines. Ms. Hale noted members of the Committee suggested the Open House extend over the entire Memorial Day weekend and not just Monday. She added that further discussion will be held regarding this idea. Ms. Hale reported areas of the Chapel’s foundation are crumbling allowing debris and moisture to leach inside the facility. The deterioration of Brady Chapel and repairs to the rod-iron fence running along the cemetery are a great concern. The Committee will research costs for repairs and make a recommendation to the Council. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Peace stated there are concerns with entities purchasing multiple cemetery plots at Mountain View and Restlawn Cemeteries and the Committee would like Council to adopt an ordinance limiting the number of purchases. He is concerned that an individual could purchase an acre and set the prices. Mr. Peace suggested a ten (10) space limit or something similar. Council discussion followed regarding purchases exceeding ten (10) spaces needing Council approval or the purchase of multiple spaces as a business venture. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Hale noted the Committee has been asked about holding weddings and memorial services at the Chapel as a way to make revenue for improvements. She explained there is not a restroom or ADA access at the chapel so this is an issue. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 AUGUST 8, 2013 Mr. Bray suggested rental of the Chapel could be similar to a park shelter. He felt this could resolve both liability and access issues. Mr. Sepich feels responsibility of renting the Chapel should be handled by Cemetery staff and not Parks and Recreation. Most of the main issues regarding use of the Chapel have been presented. However, air conditioning in the summer months is an issue and he agreed if someone held a reception, lack of restrooms and handicapped access would also be an issue. However, the idea is certainly something to consider. Mayor Blad noted the black rod-iron fence bordering a portion of Mountain View Cemetery is on the National Register. He added that a request for funding from the Historic Preservation Commission to assist with repairs to the Brady Chapel was approved by Council on July 11, 2013. Mayor Blad encouraged the Committee to meet with members of the Commission to discuss the repairs. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Jim Koetter, Vice Chairperson; and Jerry PARKS AND RECREATION Sepich, Staff Liaison; from the Parks and ADVISORY COMMITTEE Recreation Advisory Committee were UPDATE present to discuss the Committee’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Koetter reported on activities at City Parks, cemeteries, Zoo, Outdoor Recreation programs, Team Sports and Ross Park Aquatic Center. He suggested Council start the process soon to hire a new Parks and Recreation Director to replace Jerry Sepich pending his retirement. Mr. Koetter explained the Commission would like to be part of the hiring process. He noted Ross Park Master Plan is close to completion and they are starting to hold public meetings to discuss the plan. The Commission is sensitive to budget limitations and are committed to make City Parks and Outdoor Recreation Programs a great asset in the community. On behalf of the Commission, Mr. Koetter thanked Jerry Sepich for his leadership as the Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Sepich stated it has been a great experience working with the Park Boards/Committees and they made his job a lot easier. He feels the Boards represent Pocatello citizens and they know what the community needs. Mr. Sepich appreciated the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of volunteers. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 AUGUST 8, 2013 Mayor Blad and the Council expressed their appreciation to the Committee. They also acknowledged the outstanding professionalism and commitment Jerry Sepich has provided to enhance the City’s parks and outdoor activities. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Terry and Erica Fredrickson were present PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT to discuss a proposal to start a semi-pro OF BASEBALL FRANCHISE baseball program at Halliwell Park. The AT HALLIWELL PARK team will be part of the Northern Utah Baseball League. Mr. Fredrickson feels Pocatello has a diamond in its own backyard and the baseball program he is suggesting will give the community something to get excited about. He reviewed the process regarding establishing a team in Pocatello. Mr. Fredrickson stated he and his wife Erica contacted the Blue Sox Organization and were informed the Tremonton baseball team had just dropped out of the league so there was a spot for a team from Pocatello. He referred to a newspaper article showing three Idaho State University baseball players recently moved from Pocatello to Utah and Mr. Fredrickson would like players to remain in the community to compete. Mrs. Fredrickson added they were both very excited when attending a baseball game in Utah and would like to have a similar program in Pocatello. The Fredricksons are seeking direction from the City Council regarding the proposed baseball team and using Halliwell Field for up to 20 games each season. They have already contacted various catering/concessions to provide services for the games. However, they do not wish to move forward with the process until coming before Council. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Sepich reviewed the use of Halliwell field already utilized by the American Legion program noting their scheduled games are usually over around the first of August. As a result, he feels a game schedule could be worked out. Mr. Sepich shared his concerns regarding how a field can get trodden down with a lot of use and this needs to be addressed. However, he has worked with multiple teams utilizing one field and reviewed the process of how this could be accomplished. Mr. Sepich noted additional maintenance will be necessary and the Fredricksons seem to be willing to do accommodate this. It was the consensus of the Council to encourage moving forward with the concept of a semi-pro baseball team in Pocatello if scheduling issues can be worked out. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 AUGUST 8, 2013 Mr. Fredrickson announced “Gate City Grays” is the proposed name for the team and distributed t-shirts depicting a gray owl on the front to the Mayor and Council to start promoting the league. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: David Swindell, Chief Financial Officer, FISCAL YEAR 2014 was present to discuss the Fiscal Year PROPOSED BUDGET 2014 proposed budget; public comments from the public hearing held on August 1, 2013; and to receive final guidance for preparation of the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Ordinance. Mr. Swindell reviewed the results of the Public Hearing held August 1, 2013 noting one citizen gave a comment on the legality of a city budget in general; two citizens shared their concerns with capacity fees for water and sewer; and there were questions regarding the differences in charges for Chubbuck sewer fees. He explained users located south of Interstate 86 have the same sewer fee as Pocatello commercial users and individuals located north of Interstate 86 have lower fees because they are not using the City’s collection system. Mr. Swindell reviewed the property tax situation and the valuation status. He explained the levy rate and options to help keep the rate under 1 percent. However, the following constraints need to be considered when deciding on changes to the proposed budget: a) 1% cost of living allowance; b) benefits increases; c) 10 retirements are scheduled; d) no new employees have been added, but labor costs are still up 3% which is equivalent to 1% in benefits and about 1% in PERSI; and e) some unavoidable operating expenses. It was mentioned $50,000.00 in Federal Highway money is anticipated for the Pocatello Creek Project closeout to be received the end of Fiscal Year 2013 or early Fiscal Year 2014. This revenue source would reduce a planned transfer of $87,000.00 transfer from the Street Fund to $37,000.00. Mr. Swindell gave several options he felt would help decrease the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. He recommended omitting Fire Department’s request for a mobile burn building training facility. Mr. Swindell fears costs to install the unit may be higher than first anticipated. Mr. Bray suggested Council set their minds on what the outcome should be while looking over the budget. He acknowledged there are unusual projects going on, but is not comfortable where the budget stands. He reviewed his concerns with the airport’s request for staffing and would like to find other revenue sources to help with the costs. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 AUGUST 8, 2013 Mr. Brown agreed that some of the proposed changes at the airport are a concern and he would like to put the decision on hold for now. Mayor Blad suggested City staff get together to discuss the issues at the airport and Council not make a decision until more information is available. Council decided to go through the Budget Fund Solution sheet by line item at this time. It was the consensus of the Council to remove the mobile burn building training facility from the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget and reconsider it for a future budget year. It was the consensus of the Council to include Federal Highway funds in the amount of $50,000.00 anticipated from the Pocatello Creek Project closeout. Mr. Bray suggested removing the City Survey cost and utilizing the funds for weed control issues. Mayor Blad mentioned two staff people provide maintenance for City properties and this includes weed control. Discussion regarding a designated fund for abatement costs if property owners do not reimburse the City for removing weeds on private property followed. It was the consensus of the Council to remove the $12,900.00 City Survey from the budget and place the survey on a four-year cycle. Further discussion was held and additional items were eliminated from the budget to assist with keeping the City’s levy rate down. Dean Tranmer, City Attorney, reviewed the penalty issue if Palisades Reservoir does not have enough water and the City leases too much of the acre feet available. He stated there is an impact analysis completed each year to determine availability depending on how much the reservoir is filled with water. It was the consensus of the Council to add $100,000.00 in water lease revenue to the 2014 budget. It was the consensus of the Council that the request from Pocatello Municipal Band cannot be supported by the City at this time and the band should look for funding from other sources. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6 AUGUST 8, 2013 Mr. Swindell reviewed anticipated Sales Tax revenues for Fiscal Year 2014 and suggested implementing the Association of Idaho Cities’ estimate for this revenue. He believes this revenue source will be much higher than first anticipated and would cover the increased expense for elected official compensation. He noted the last adjustment to Mayor and Council wages was in 2008. Mr. Brown considers himself a public servant and he is not supportive of raising the Council pay. However, he supports an increase in the salary for the Mayor’s position in the full recommended amount of 6.80%. Mr. Johnston feels the increase recommended for the Mayor’s position is within reasonable amounts and supports eliminating a pay increase for the Council. Mr. Bray stated after looking at the pay history, he suggested the Mayor’s position be 50% of the recommended amount. This would equal approximately a 3% increase. He does not feel the City is able to catch up with the inflationary increase of 6.80%. Mayor Blad advised the Council to keep in mind the next opportunity they will have to discuss an increase in Council salaries will be 2015 and the recommended percentage will be in the double digits. It was the consensus of the Council to increase the salary for the Mayor’s position by 3%. An ordinance will be prepared for consideration at the August 15, 2013 Regular Council meeting. Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 11:41 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK