City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION JANUARY 9, 2014 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Council President Craig Cooper called the ROLL CALL City Council Study Session to order at 9:03 a.m. council members present were Steve Brown, Jim Johnston and Michael L. Orr. Council member Eva Johnson Nye joined the meeting at 9:19 a.m. Mayor Brian Blad and Council member Gary Moore were excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Matthew Lewis, Planning Manager, Dave PROPOSED ZONING Foster, Associate Planner and Terri ORDINANCE REVISIONS Neu, Assistant Planner, were present to discuss proposed changes to the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The changes specifically affect sections 17.02.170 (Variances), 17.02.180 (Title Test and Map amendments), 17.03.220 (List of Zoning Districts), 17.03.230 (Uses) and 17.03.240 (Development Standards). Mr. Foster gave an overview of proposed changes to the City’s Zoning Ordinance. He reported the proposed changes will be more flexible and based upon unique circumstances for each property. The amendments included the following: 1) Variances - clarify the definition of a “Variance” and to clarify and modify the applicable standards; 2) Zone Ordinance Text and Map Amendments –provide language clarifications and specifically differentiates an ordinance text amendment from a zoning district map amendment and requires Comprehensive Plan and Zoning designations concurrent with annexation of land; 3) Residential Zoning Districts – language clarification and deleting dwelling density numbers because the current development standards are based on minimum lot size requirements; 4) changes to the “Housing Types” section; 5) proposed changes relate to deleting the impervious surface lot coverage requirements and providing specific language that allows the use of permeable surface materials in place of standard impermeable concrete or asphalt; and 6) reflect the areas affected by other changes contained in this package. Specifically, the dwelling density numbers in the Residential Estate District, Residential Low Density and Residential Medium-Density Single Family District zones and the maximum lot coverage percentages for all residential zones. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Foster explained staff has discussed these issues with the public as citizens come in to make inquiries. He noted staff reviews the code and provides further explanation of applying the code. Mr. Foster explained there were situations staff encountered that had violations they were able to enforce and other situations that were not enforceable. When these situations occur staff will meet to review and discuss the code. Mr. Foster clarified if staff receives a complaint on a residential yard, the complaint will be researched. However, staff cannot see in a person’s  2 CITY OF POCATELLO STUDY SESSION JANUARY 9, 2014 backyard so it is more difficult to monitor. He added that permeable areas need to be included in the code to allow for stormwater control and a breakdown was provided to the Council. Council member Nye joined the meeting at 9:19 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: David Swindell, Chief Financial Officer, FISCAL YEAR 2014 was present to discuss options to reduce BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS Fiscal Year 2014 tax fund expenditures. Adjustments are advised in light of projected tax fund revenue shortfalls caused by the removal of the payment in lieu of taxes previously paid by city utilities. Mr. Swindell gave an overview of circumstances leading up to an adjustment of the City’s 2014 Fiscal Year budget. The Court of the Sixth Judicial District of the State of Idaho issued a Memorandum Decision and Order, dated November 13, 2013 requiring the City to cease and desist the collection of a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) which was calculated in the City’s sewer, water and sanitation user fees. He reviewed the suggested budget adjustments necessary to meet the anticipated shortfall in funding in the amount of $2,209,640.00. As a result, City departments supported by tax funds have responded with cutting back 2% from their individual budgets. Mr. Swindell added the City will need to consider replacing PILOT funds with real property taxes or reduce tax fund expenses in Fiscal Year 2015. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell believes there is an interest in selling the Library’s bookmobile and Council will receive more information on this at a future meeting. In response to questions from Council, David Gates, Fire Chief, explained his department has already spent $80,000.00 of their over-time budget. He noted they do not have control of the requirement to have a full staff ready at each Fire Station. Mr. Gates mentioned they will cut back training and travel costs which causes overtime in order to have coverage while staff attends training. However, he feels this is not sustainable and funds for over-time are necessary to allow training for Fire staff. Mr. Swindell anticipates a modification of the budget will need to be considered in May or June to accommodate the over-time needed by the Fire Department. He suggested Council may want to increase the over-time budget for the Fire Department by $50,000.00. Mary Remer, Animal Shelter Director, explained veterinary expenses in their budget cannot be decreased because the veterinarians have a set fee for services they provide. Ms. Remer reported during the Christmas season generous donations of food for the animals were received. She noted Friends of the  3 CITY OF POCATELLO STUDY SESSION JANUARY 9, 2014 Animal Shelter has donated funds for adoption costs and food for the animals. A local car dealership is also promoting donations for food. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell reported a credit of $11,864.00 (reflecting lower fuel costs) has been included in the proposed adjustments. In response to questions from Council, Randy Ghezzi, Street Superintendent, stated he has not seen a huge change in fuel costs. He mentioned flooding conditions in August and September delayed street paving efforts. Mr. Ghezzi explained he has already used $200,000.00 of the paving budget and it will be difficult to achieve adequate street maintenance by cutting back more. He also explained street maintenance techniques and/or treatments are learned through trainings which help staff to utilize the best methods for our area. Recommended treatments for our type of roads and climate are available through different commercial businesses. It was the consensus of the Council to increase the Fire Department’s over-time budget by $50,000.00 and have staff monitor the fund. Council discussion followed regarding HVAC needs at Marshall Public Library. The following budget plans were reviewed: Plan “A” reductions in the amount of $9,841.00 and Plan “B” reductions in the amount of $34,057.00 which included delay of HVAC project. It was noted that staff feels if the project is delayed it may result in an untimely failure during hot months. After further discussion, it was the Council’s consensus to use Library Plan “A” and modifications as proposed. Mr. Swindell announced a resolution will be prepared for Council’s consideration with the budget adjustments as recommended. Mr. Cooper adjourned the meeting at 10:22 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK