City Council

1 CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION JULY 10, 2014 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Study Session to order ROLL CALL at 9:05 a.m. Council members present were Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, Jim Johnston, Gary Moore, Eva Johnson Nye and Michael L. Orr. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Latecia A. O’Neil Herzog, Chair Person; and Terri Neu, HISTORICAL Assistant Planner and staff liaison from the Historical PRESERVATION Preservation Committee were present to discuss the COMMITTEE UPDATE Committee’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Herzog reviewed the recent accomplishments of the Committee which includes: a) four Certificates of Appropriateness have been reviewed in 2014; b) design review of exterior alterations in the Old Town Historic District; c) assisted with Chief Pocatello sign placement and Relight the Night project; and d) working with Martin Peace, Cemetery Sexton, on the Brady Chapel upgrades. She noted that $35,000.00 from the Standrod Trust was appropriated to complete repairs to the front entry door and restore roof pinnacles. Ms. Herzog reported that installation of the pinnacles will be done at a later date because the Committee is waiting for additional funding. The Committee is also working on revising the guidelines for signage in the Downtown Historical District and creating digital photography and walking tour brochures. Mr. Moore commented that Old Town looks the best it has in years. He feels restoration of the Chief Pocatello sign really makes a difference in that area of the City. Mayor Blad mentioned the City of Meridian has a walking tour brochure that is accessed by using a “Smart” cell phone. Ms. Neu reported the Committee discussed this option and they were in the process of considering a similar program for cell phones. However, that member is no longer serving on the Committee and they are looking for another source to move forward with implementing the program. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Jamar Brown, Chair Person and Kim Bristow, Benefits HUMAN RELATIONS Coordinator and staff liaison from the Human Relations ADVISORY COMMITTEE Advisory Committee were present to discuss the Committee’s UPDATE goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Brown stated she is the new Chair Person for the Committee and thanked the Mayor and Council for giving her an opportunity to serve. She also thanked past Chair Person, Susan Matsuura, for her service. In January 2014 the Committee gave a Human Rights award to Roger Chase and Roger Bray. The Committee continues to work in conjunction with other organizations regarding human rights issues. Ms. Brown mentioned their Committee volunteered for the Fair Pocatello Political Action Committee regarding the referendum of Ordinance 2921 that was on the May 20, 2014 ballot. Ms. Brown noted vandalism of church property has been a concern for the Committee. She mentioned vandalism included graffiti that was painted on an LDS Church and proposed Muslim Mosque. The Committee wants to work with School District No. 25 to educate citizens about CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 JULY 10, 2014 bullying in the community. Ms. Brown gave a brief overview of the meetings leading up to the passage of Ordinance 2921 (non-discrimination ordinance). The Committee mentioned they would like the City Council to consider a “Charter for Compassion” asking citizens to live by compassion. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: David Swindell, CFO/Treasurer, was present to review the FISCAL YEAR 2015 tentative Fiscal Year 2015 budget draft from the June 26, 2014 BUDGET REVIEW Budget Development meeting. This is the final review prior to submitting totals for publication and preparing materials for the public hearing scheduled for August 7, 2014. Mr. Swindell reviewed the Fiscal Year 2015 Tax Fund Solution Ideas Sheet that was balanced on June 26, 2014. He noted there was one item to bring to the Council’s attention. Members of the Pocatello Senior Center have asked for an additional $2,000.00 for a total of $14,000.00. Mr. Swindell feels the City will qualify for a larger purchase card rebate that first thought and this would cover the request. Mr. Moore noted he serves on the Senior Center Board and they are really struggling with high costs. He explained $2,000.00 will greatly help with increased costs and the Center is also asking other entities such as banks, etc. to help defray costs. Council discussion followed regarding maintenance costs at the Center. Mr. Orr stated he is opposed to increasing funds for the Center and offered to give $1,000.00 of his personal funds to the Center if Council did not approve the increase. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Swindell reviewed the City’s Property Tax Levy rate from two years ago and the City’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget compared to the proposed Fiscal Year 2015 budget. He explained the tax assessment process noting that final figures from Bannock County Property Assessor will not be known until October. Council discussion followed regarding the Center and suggestions were made such as holding the $2,000.00 in reserve for repairs or selling the building if it needs a lot of work. Mrs. Nye did not feel it was advantageous to sell the building at this time and supports budgeting $2,000.00 toward the Senior Center to help with additional costs. Mr. Swindell explained the City lost $2.5 million in annual revenue as a result of the PILOT Fee lawsuit and the loss of revenue is not sustainable. He shared his concerns that additional cut backs could make the problem worse in Fiscal Year 2016. As instructed by Council from the June 26, 2014 budget development meeting, larger departments have already made additional cuts from their proposed budgets and the Fund Solution Ideas Sheet reflects these cuts. Discussion followed and comparisons were made regarding monetary relief for customer’s water utility expenses as a result of the lawsuit and proposed increases in the property tax levy. It was noted that a public hearing will be held asking for an increase in City utility rates based upon new mandates set by Environmental Protection Agency for sewage discharge and on-going maintenance costs for infrastructure. Mr. Moore mentioned when he is visiting with citizens, many have told him they feel the City is meeting their needs at a minimal cost. He recalled when previous Councils cut back on paving CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 JULY 10, 2014 streets to save money. It worked for a while but the streets eventually fell into disrepair. Mr. Moore feels citizens will weigh the outcome of a decrease in utility rates and increase in property taxes. Council discussion regarding how to make cuts to the budget and still provide minimum service to citizens followed. It was mentioned that decisions made in the State Legislature have had a negative effect on funding for local governments. The consolidation of departments was discussed and having staff evaluate functions by department and eliminating processes that are not necessary. Mr. Swindell feels reorganizing departments is not something that can be done in one budget year. He noted there are outside agencies that work together with the City so processes are not duplicated. Ms. Nye shared her concerns if $600,000.00 was cut from the budget the City would need to eliminate a department such as Video Services or Community Recreation Center. She is not in favor of cutting the proposed budget. Ms. Nye does not want to pay higher property taxes, but she does not want the City to move backward. Mr. Brown mentioned the proposed Fiscal Year 2015 budget is less than the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. He suggested moving forward with the proposed budget and look at the overall picture to determine future budgets. Mayor Blad added there might be places to do more cuts such as having employees pay more for medical insurance benefits. This would be a cut that effects all departments. He acknowledged that an increase in property taxes is difficult for everyone. After additional discussion, it was the Mayor’s guidance to publish the budget with figures as outlined and if the amounts can be lowered, then it will be adjusted accordingly. It was the consensus of the Council is to increase funds for the Senior Citizen Center by $2,000.00. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Agenda Item No. 5 the Council Working Lunch in the Paradice COUNCIL WORKING Conference Room to discuss general City topics was rescheduled LUNCH to start immediately following the Executive Session. Mayor Blad announced the Study Session was adjourned at 11:18 a.m. and that Council would go into Executive Session in the Paradice Conference room. The Council Working Lunch would immediately follow the Executive Session also to be held in the Paradice Conference room. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK