City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION FEBRUARY 13, 2014 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council ROLL CALL Study Session to order at 9:04 a.m. Council members present were Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, Jim Johnston and Michael L. Orr. Council member Eva Johnson Nye arrived at 9:06 a.m. Council member Gary Moore was excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Roland Smith, Chair Person and David AIRPORT COMMISSION Allen, Airport Manager/staff liaison from UPDATE the Airport Commission were present to discuss the Commission’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Smith reviewed highlights from 2013 noting the Commission strives to present a positive image to the communities served by the airport and gain public support for airport issues. He noted the number of passengers using the airport increased almost 9 percent in 2013 over 2012 and the Commission would like to continue strengthening air service. Council member Nye arrived at this time. Mr. Smith outlined the Commission’s desire to develop commercial use of airport land in accordance with the Airport Master Plan with an emphasis on attracting aviation related businesses. He also reviewed the purpose of the Airport Commission. In response to a question from Mr. Johnston, Mr. Allen explained a federal grant to help with costs of providing jet service is still open. He noted the schedule of one jet per day has been self-sustaining and he would like to pursue a second route, but needs to close out the first grant before proceeding. Mr. Smith announced an Airport Day community outreach event is scheduled in August 2014. He noted this is part of a major community outreach to advertise the airport and services it provides. Mr. Allen reviewed land development issues. The Commission feels infrastructure upgrades at the airport need to be addressed in order to attract businesses. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Barbara Stone, Chair Person; and Mary ANIMAL SHELTER Remer, Animal Shelter Director/Staff ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE Liaison; from the Animal Shelter Advisory Board were present to discuss the Board’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 FEBRUARY 13, 2014 Ms. Stone gave an update on construction of the new Animal Shelter building. She noted that underground plumbing was installed in 2013 so space heaters are in place in the construction area so the ground does not freeze. Ms. Stone anticipates staff will move into the new facility in December 2014. Ms. Remer gave an overview of volunteers at the shelter. She reported 29 volunteers donated over 4400 hours in 2013 and there are five foster homes that help care for animals. Ms. Remer mentioned ASPCA’s “Share The Love” adoption event was very successful and a cat adoption event helped find homes for several cats. There were over 1200 adoptions in 2013 which is more than in past years. The income received through adoptions decreases the amount taxpayers pay to house the animals. Ms. Stone shared the importance of Friends of the Animal Shelter (Friends) and their involvement with adoption events. She mentioned veterinarian care is needed before a pet can be adopted and the Friends organization helps by reducing fees. However, donations for the year are down about $20,000. Ms. Stone noted one of the Board’s goals for the upcoming year is to educate citizens that monies donated to the Animal Shelter go toward adoption costs and not the new animal shelter facility. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Remer explained the City has a contract with Bannock and Power Counties and other outlining cities to assist them with animal issues. She reviewed how the contract works and noted the City is reimbursed for expenses. Ms. Remer mentioned staff refers people to PAWS and Bannock Humane Society for help with animal issues. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Pat Hokanson, owner; Brandie Samuelson, SMOKING IN PUBLIC Manager; Five Corners Bar (address: 100 PLACES UPDATE Randolph, Pocatello ID 83201) and Kris Miner, Rumors Bar owner; were present to discuss their opposition to a proposed Smokefree Ordinance in public places such as bars/taverns. Ms. Samuelson reviewed the concerns local bar owners have expressed regarding the proposed ordinance. She stated there is not a smoking ban at this time so bar owners, their employees and bar patrons have the choice of a smoking or non-smoking environment since there are bars that cater to both. Ms. Miner stated she does not own her building and is concerned with regulations that may require construction of a smoking room in addition to the regular business area. She feels this may be an added expense and very costly if her landlord will not make the required updates to the building. Ms. Miner noted petitions CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 FEBRUARY 13, 2014 against the smoking-ban were signed by smokers and non-smokers that frequent their facilities. Copies of the petitions were made available for Council to review. Mayor Blad mentioned he has been told patron participation in bars located in Boise has increased since they passed a non-smoking ordinance. However, he has not seen the statistics to confirm this. Ms. Samuelson stated there are non-smoking bars in the area. She noted that Rumors reported an increase of approximately 20 customers when other bars in the area eliminated smoking. Discussion regarding the costs of doing business, possible effects on state tax revenue and changes to the customer base for small neighborhood bars/taverns if a non-smoking ordinance was enacted followed. Mayor Blad thanked the representatives for sharing their concerns and noted the information provided will be considered by Council for further discussion on this topic. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Andrew Kelly, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army PORTNEUF RIVER FLOOD Corps of Engineers (USACOE), and Herb REDUCTION PROJECT Bessey, USACOE Levee Safety Program –US ARMY CORPS Manager; and Randy Ghezzi, Street OF ENGINEERS Operations Superintendent; were present to review information regarding a System Wide Improvement Framework (SWIF) proposal regarding the Portneuf River Flood Reduction Levee Project. Mr. Ghezzi gave a brief overview of the Portneuf River Flood Reduction Project and SWIF proposal. He noted the SWIF will place Pocatello back into “Active” status with USACOE so the City may be eligible for federal funding for repairs if the levee is damaged during a flood event. Lt. Kelly reviewed the public law program dealing with levee systems. He explained if the levee is maintained under their guidelines, and an emergency event occurs, USACOE will repair the levee. Lt. Kelly added the Federal Government has revamped the levee program and he feels they are doing a better job at comparing rating systems. After Hurricane Katrina it was found there were a lot of issues regarding maintenance of levee systems. This gave an opportunity for communities to bring their systems back into compliance. Lt. Kelly stated the SWIF is a voluntary program and backed by a commitment of resources. In response to questions from Council, Lt. Kelly clarified USACOE does not have funding available to correct levee issues. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 FEBRUARY 13, 2014 However, they will provide the expertise, resources and assistance to help communities through the process. Mr. Johnston shared that he liked to walk where trees once grew along the levee. He noted that many citizens do not feel the current program is a good system because of the removal of vegetation. Citizens would like to have more opportunities to provide input regarding maintenance of the levee. Lt. Kelly reiterated the City of Pocatello is in an “Inactive” status at this time. He explained if there was a disaster that damaged the levee, USACOE would not be able to come and restore the levee to its previous condition. Mr. Ghezzi announced a Town Hall meeting will be held to discuss the levee and allow the public to ask questions. He noted the SWIF plan includes a section where the City may apply for a vegetation variance that would allow a few more trees to grow along the levee. Lt. Kelly mentioned concrete channels are not popular in the northwest. However, they do help provide protection from flooding. In response to a question from Council, Mr. Bessey acknowledged the river is a resource for the community. However, allowing vegetation to grow, especially large tree roots, can lead to problems along the levee. If a tree topples, it will take out a large section of the levee and if this happens during a storm/flood event it makes the matter worse. Mr. Bessey added that the City will need to apply for an analysis if vegetation is requested. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Ghezzi stated there are other options besides dredging the river to deal with silt issues. He mentioned the SWIF program will allow staff to look at other options to enhance the levee. He stressed the importance to return to “Active” status. Discussion regarding silt that enters into the river and possible causes followed. It was suggested areas up river could be modified to change the flow and filter out silt before coming into Pocatello. It was clarified the SWIF program only applies to the levee system and not upper stream issues. Dorsey Hill, Pocatello citizen, shared concerns regarding the SWIF program. She hopes once the letter is approved, it will not prove to be too much for City to handle. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 FEBRUARY 13, 2014 Mayor Blad explained the City will submit the letter and, if accepted into the program, USACOE will restore the levee if disaster strikes while the City is working toward coming into compliance. Deirdre Castillo, City Engineer, shared her concerns with post- levee repairs such as damage caused by rock chucks burrowing into the levee. Mr. Bessey clarified the SWIF Program is to help the City with repairs if disaster strikes, not the result of deferred maintenance. Lt. Kelly reviewed the expectations for USACOE and entering into the SWIF program to move forward with levee maintenance. Mr. Ghezzi announced a letter regarding the SWIF will be prepared for the Mayor’s signature and placed on a future Council agenda for consideration. Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 10:41 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK