City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MAY 14, 2015 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Study Session to order ROLL CALL at 9:07 a.m. Council members present were Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, Eva Johnson Nye and Michael L. Orr. Council members Jim Johnston and Gary Moore were excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Larry Wilde, Chair Person for the Fort Hall Replica Commission FORT HALL REPLICA was present to discuss the Commission’s goals and projects, as COMMISSION UPDATE well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Wilde extended his thanks to Alan Green, Parks Superintendent, Jacquee Alvord and Council member Brown for their involvement in the Commission. He explained there has been a reduction in revenue at the Replica since the Collette Tours Bus business ended. However, tours at the Replica for schools have remained strong. Mr. Wilde announced the Replica’s Grand Opening for 2015 will be Saturday, May 30, 2015 with the following events: traditional chili lunch, 1800’s crafts, flag ceremony and Mountain Men activities. Mayor Blad and the Council stated the Replica is a great asset to the community and the Commission does a fantastic job. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Sean McCoy, Advisor, from the Mayor’s Youth Advisory MAYOR’S YOUTH Council was present to discuss the Youth Council’s goals and ADVISORY COUNCIL projects, as well as City Council’s policies and expectations. UPDATE Mr. McCoy announced 10 members of the Youth Advisory Council are graduating this year. The remaining members decided to add a new position to help increase membership. The new Recruiter position will be responsible for making contacts in the schools and promoting the Youth Council. Mr. McCoy noted the group has been meeting at the Chubbuck City Council Chambers and they have had mock City Council meetings there. City Council members commended the efforts by the Youth Council to encourage High School students to be involved in City Government. Mr. McCoy noted he does not wish to limit the students that can be involved in the Advisory Council based upon which school they attend. He explained there are other Youth Councils in the State of Idaho that are very active and he would like to see this happen with the Pocatello/Chubbuck Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. Mr. McCoy appreciates the opportunity to be involved with the students. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Jessica Pearson, Pocatello Interior Design, and Lynn Transtrum, CITY HALL LOBBY City Building Official, presented design concept options for the AND COUNCIL CHAMBERS Council’s review and input. The design presentation is directed UPDATE at upgrading the City Hall lobby area and Council Chambers.  2 CITY COUNCIL MEETING -STUDY SESSION MAY 14, 2015 Mr. Transtrum gave a brief overview of Ms. Pearson’s professional background and experience related to commercial interior design. He would like to utilize a portion of building funds to upgrade City Hall Council Chambers and the Lobby area. As a result, Mr. Transtrum sought the help of a professional designer to obtain ideas for the area. Ms. Pearson gave a brief overview of the upgrades which included the following: a) new carpet in the Council Chambers, as well as replace outdated blinds; b) upgrades to the front entry area to make it a friendlier and less sterile environment; c) post secure bulletin boards that will be monitored by staff. Ms. Pearson feels these additions will make the entry way more presentable to the community. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Transtrum explained there are many photos available within City Hall and other historical archives that could be professionally framed and displayed. He would like the historical pictures of the “turn of the century in Pocatello” to be protected and preserved. Council discussion followed and it was mentioned the Historical Society has prints of Pocatello available at an affordable price. It was noted the Shoshone Bannock Tribes should be contacted if the Chief Pocatello portrait is moved into the lobby for display. Mr. Transtrum offered to contact the Tribal Council and make sure they are comfortable with staff moving the portrait. A majority of the Council supported staff to move forward with the lobby and Council Chambers upgrades as presented. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Ken Wilson, Video Services staff member, updated the Council VIDEO SERVICES on recent changes to the department and gave an overview of UPDATE an updated handbook for Council’s review. Mr. Wilson distributed copies of the proposed handbook to Council. He explained the proposed handbook is the first update to the department’s handbook since 1982. Mr. Wilson reviewed the updates which include: a) definitions section and Rules of Operation; b) Residency requirement identified; c) programs are copy-righted; and d) a record request for a copy of a program must have permission from the producer in order for staff to provide a copy. Council will be asked to approve the resolution during their May 21, 2015 Regular Council meeting. Discussion followed regarding changes of the name from Video Services to Pocatello Community Media. In October 2012 the Cable Company rolled out a digital channel. As a result, channel 12 is now channel 64 and channel 11 is now channel 56. It was clarified that channel 56 is the Government Access Channel which is for council meetings and school board meetings, etc. Channel 64 is Public Access to allow individuals to come in and produce a program. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, and Peter Pruett, ZOO ENTRANCE Pocatello Zoo Superintendent, were present to update the PROJECT UPDATE Council on the Zoo Entrance Project. Staff asked for direction from Council for the following: a) discontinue use of the original design for the buildings portion of the Zoo Entrance Project; b) continue with the implementation of designed site work and native landscape; c) re-design the Zoo Entrance building to be more cost  3 CITY COUNCIL MEETING -STUDY SESSION MAY 14, 2015 feasible, realistic and in line with Zoo needs; and d) incorporate the existing restrooms on the north- west side of the lower Zoo into the Zoo Entrance Project. Mr. Banks gave a brief history of the project noting in 2012 and 2013 there was a campaign for a new zoo entrance. He feels the original design is much more elaborate than the zoo needs and does not feel it can be maintained. Funding in the amount of $256,000.00 is currently available for the project and site work has begun. Once the site work is completed $8,600.00 will be available for buildings. Mr. Banks and Mr. Pruett worked with JHS Architects to decrease costs for the proposed project. Discussion followed and a diagram of the proposed new building was reviewed. It was noted the proposed pre-fab building would give a cost savings of approximately $300,000.00. Staff would like to incorporate the red brick restrooms currently in Ross Park into the Zoo. The building would still have a rustic type of design. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Banks would like to discontinue the previous design and pursue the new design for the entrance/gift shop and incorporate the lower bathrooms into the project. It was noted that Council was supportive of the previous design. However, the final cost of the original zoo entrance was somewhat cost prohibitive. Council feels it is important that families have a good experience at the Zoo and for the project to be competed. Mr. Pruett hopes the proposed plan will make the Zoo entrance project move forward more quickly. He agrees the project needs to be completed in a timely fashion. Council discussion followed regarding cost estimates for the Zoo project and City staff keeping them informed of the progress and suggesting modifications to the project as necessary. Mr. Pruett mentioned he is estimating costs at a higher amount to keep within the budget. He noted that once everything is done there will be 8 bathrooms in the lower section and 9 in the upper section of the Zoo. Mr. Banks feels once the site work is complete, the project will get more momentum from individuals to raise funds for the buildings. He mentioned in-kind labor by the Street Department was approved by Council for the project. In response to questions from Council, Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer clarified there was a commitment to allow the Street Department to pave the Zoo project. She explained the real cost to do the project will be monitored by Finance staff through the new requirement for projects. Ms. Stroschein noted a project account is created and the costs will be measured and analyzed. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Banks reported the Trails West donation designated for the project had been withdrawn. However, he was hopeful to recover the donation by continuing with the rustic theme. A majority of the Council supported the new design concept and instructed staff to bring back the cost results to Council for further consideration and a vote.  4 CITY COUNCIL MEETING -STUDY SESSION MAY 14, 2015 AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director; and Peter Pruett, ENDANGERED SPECIES Zoo Superintendent; were present to update the Council on a DAY EVENT AND proposed annual Endangered Species Day Project and donation. CONSERVATION PROJECT The annual event will include: a) on a yearly basis, transfer funds earned through admissions from the annual Endangered Species Day event to a conservation project within Idaho; b) donate the 2015 event funds to the Kootenai River White Sturgeon Conservation and Recovery Plan; and c) allow the Zoo to provide “white sturgeon” t-shirts for a minimum donation of $10.00, with the proceeds also being donated to the Kootenai River White Sturgeon Conservation and Recovery Plan. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums require a Conservation Strategic Plan in place prior to a zoo being considered for accreditation. The proposed program would fulfill that particular requirement. Mr. Pruett gave an overview of Zoo history and the mindset of preserving wildlife and noted when the Zoo was created there was an emphasis to provide a habitat and preserve it. He reviewed modern conservation methods and the efforts being made to educate individuals to care for animals to maintain species in danger of extinction. The Zoo would like to focus on projects within the State of Idaho and local conservation projects that will give back to the community. Mr. Pruett noted the programs will also assist in the Zoo’s goal for accreditation with a conservation commitment. There are a large amount of grants available for zoos that have their accreditation status. He added that this will also make it easier to obtain animals from other zoos while giving Zoo staff more options for educational opportunities. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Pruett explained conservation projects can also be repairing pathways in Mink Creek, such as trails and vegetation. They can work with other not-for- profit groups. Mayor Blad called a recess at 10:11 a.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 10:24 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Joyce Stroschein, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer; and Ashley FISCAL YEAR 2015 Linton, Accountant; were present to review proposed May PROPOSED MAY BUDGET amendments to the Fiscal Year 2015 budget. AMENDMENTS Ms. Stroschein reviewed the proposed amendments. She explained the Police Department had eight adjustments related to revenues received and expenses not budgeted. There were also adjustments for a vacuum truck to assist to be in compliance with the City’s Storm Water Permit; Chief Theatre Stone Symposium grant that was received; Water Pollution Control bond revenues for upgrades to the facility, as well as expenses to perform the upgrades. Ms. Stroschein noted a public hearing will be held on May 21, 2015 for Council to receive public comments and provide an ordinance for adoption of the proposed amendments. Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 10:33 a.m.  5 CITY COUNCIL MEETING -STUDY SESSION MAY 14, 2015 APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK