City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 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 and Michael L. Orr. Council member Eva Johnson Nye was excused. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Kathleen Lewis, Chair Person and Ryan Loveland, Vice Chair, PLANNING AND representing the Planning and Zoning Commission; and ZONING COMMISSION Matthew Lewis, staff liaison, were present to discuss the UPDATE Commission’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Lewis gave an introduction and brief overview of the Commission. He announced Ms. Lewis will go over the Commission’s report from the previous 12 months. Ms. Lewis gave an overview of roster, meetings, rezone applications and development applications for the Commission. She noted 9 work sessions were held in 2014 regarding the Comprehensive Plan. Several public hearings were held regarding the Area of City Impact map. She feels good questions have been received from citizens that contacted the Commission. The Commission will hold work sessions regarding transportation planning for the City. The meetings will address traffic flow and congestion in areas along Olympus Avenue and near areas of new construction. Mayor Blad and the Council stated the Commission does a great job and appreciates their work for the City. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Frank Hartlieb, Chair Person, representing the Pocatello Arts POCATELLO ARTS Council was present to discuss the Art Council’s goals and COUNCIL UPDATE projects, as well as the City Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Hartlieb mentioned in the past year the Arts Council has seen a variety of changes as far as membership. As a result, they have acquired members that have a new set of skills that will benefit the City. Mr. Hartlieb reviewed the Arts Council’s projects for the past year. He reported the first Pocatello Rocks Symposium went well. They are involved in another sculpture project and Mr. Hartlieb named various artists and their proposed projects for the current Arts Council sculpture project. He noted a traveling photo exhibit at Idaho State University’s Davis Gallery scheduled. Iconic photographs will be on display in October 2015. The Arts Council’s new website is up and running and they are very proud of the advances made on the website. Individuals can view different art venues located in Pocatello. In response to a question from Mr. Johnston, Mr. Hartlieb feels the greatest need to enhance art and culture in Pocatello is for City Council to maintain an open mind and be supportive of proposed art projects. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Brenda Pollard, representing SmokeFree Idaho; and Jennifer SMOKE FREE Poole, American Cancer Society: were present to discuss a WORKPLACE POLICY proposed SmokeFree Workplace Policy for Pocatello. PROPOSAL Ms. Poole announced as of July 1, 2015 twenty-three states have adopted smoke free laws. She feels that Pocatello should support the proposal for a healthy community/healthy workers because it is  2 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 good for business, levels the playing field and for community promotion. Their organization feels all workplaces, including bars and small businesses; patios; distance from doorways; e-cigarettes; hotel/motels; hookah/cigar bars and smoke shops; nursing homes; outdoor common areas and special events; and outdoor public spaces should be smoke free. Ms. Poole reported that Ketchum and Boise, Idaho have smoke free ordinances for workplaces. She does not feel workers should be exposed to secondhand smoke. Ms. Pollard explained she has spent 9 months canvassing the city regarding this issue. She reported a person that is exposed to secondhand smoke is affected negatively. Ms. Pollard shared her concerns with youth starting to use tobacco and becoming addicted. She would like the City to set a standard for youth and the work place by creating a clean-air environment. Mayor Blad stated he does not disagree with the smoke free concept in general. He spoke with Boise representatives and they explained all bar owners in Boise eventually supported the concept. Once this was accomplished, the City of Boise smoke free ordinance passed. General discussion regarding allowing smoking in public places followed. It was mentioned that some businesses do not feel it is the government’s right to tell people what they can and cannot do related to smoking. Conditions regarding an employee who may be exposed to second-hand smoke in their work environment were also discussed. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Poole feels state legislators are leaving the choice to be smokefree for cities to decide. The legislature may take the concept up again if there is enough interest. General discussion regarding smoking in public continued. Mayor Blad feels more research needs to be done before a proposal can come before Council in the form of an ordinance. Mr. Brown explained he struggles with which way to go. There are legitimate arguments on both sides and he feels each argument should stand on its own. Council announced they will continue the smoke free discussion. It was noted Council will need to thoroughly weigh both sides of the concept before they are able to make a decision. Ms. Pollard feels this is a perfect time to consider the smoke free ordinance with the opening of a new Wellness Complex. The proposed ordinance will encourage individuals to support a health community. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, and Kristol Coker, CALDWELL PARK representing Idaho State University (ISU) Sculptural Studies PUBLIC ART PROJECT Program, were present to discuss a proposal to design, build and PROPOSAL place a new public art installation at Caldwell Park for the enjoyment of the community. Mr. Banks explained the proposed art sculpture would be located on the existing grass area and fifteen feet inside the park, in the northeast corner bordered by Center Street and South 8th Avenue. The project has been reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and they support the proposal. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Banks explained staff will also submit the art project to the Pocatello Arts Council for their review.  3 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 Ms. Coker explained her group is part of ISU’s sculpting department and they are proposing the art project. She noted as the group developed the art proposal they contacted other entities to help create a theme for Pocatello. As a result, the group felt wild animal tracks indigenous to the area would be a great theme. She noted the sculptures would be educational for students. The Natural History Museum and Pocatello Zoo could be contacts to keep children learning about the animals. General discussion followed and it was noted the rock formations would be created by using five boulders, set in the ground to create a communal circle; resembling a campfire ring. Each rock would be placed in holes and backfilled to stabilize the rock. One rock would support a bronze plaque dedicating the public art sculpture and naming contributing artists, donors, and community leaders who helped with the project. Handprints of local students will be attached to the rocks and displayed for students to view. The sculptures are intended to teach future generations about local wildlife. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Coker explained the costs for the project are yet to be determined and they are looking at obtaining funding. Grants may be available for the project. It was mentioned that Pre-history Park might be another option for the rock display. Placing paw prints that are prehistoric would be a great addition to the park. Ms. Cocker noted the proposed art project at Caldwell Park will be native animal tracks and children hand prints. Ms. Coker also felt the visibility of Caldwell Park would help encourage individuals to visit the project. A majority of the Council was supportive of the concept, but would like alternate locations to be researched and have the Pocatello Arts Council review the proposal. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, Mori Byington, GREENWAY TRAIL Bannock Transportation and Planning Organization SYSTEM USAGE TRACKING representative, were present to review a proposal received from PROPOSAL Bannock Transportation Planning Organization (BTPO) requesting permission to install trail usage counting devices at various locations on the Portneuf Greenway Trail System. Mr. Banks gave a brief overview of the Usage Tracking proposal for the following Greenway Trails: 1) Red Hill Trail, 2) AMI Trail, and 3) Riverside Trail. Mr. Byington explained many studies have been done to collect data for vehicular traffic. However, pedestrian and bicycle traffic has not been done in Pocatello. Their organization would like to put infrared trail counters on three trails to start collecting usage/activity counts of the Greenway Trail System. The information will be used in future development of performance measures, to monitor usage of various facilities, and to assist in other planning efforts. Mr. Byington explained counters have the ability to collect hourly activity for about three years on a single battery. In the future, BTPO would like to expand the trail counters. The data will be helpful to know how many individuals are utilizing the trails. Mr. Banks mentioned the tracking system will be provided by BTPO and there is no cost to the City. He feels the information gleaned from the counters will help in the development of a budget for maintenance and future plans for the greenway. Mayor Blad called for a recess at 10:35 a.m.  4 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 10:47 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Eric Statts, Staff Engineer, Idaho Transportation Department ALAMEDA ROAD AND representative, presented information regarding an upcoming YELLOWSTONE AVENUE project to improve the intersection of Alameda Road and INTERSECTION UPDATE Yellowstone Avenue. The project is beginning initial –IDAHO TRANSPORTATION investigations this fall with construction scheduled for 2019. An DEPARTMENT overview of the purpose of the project and schedule will be covered. This project will also consider safety improvements to the segment of Yellowstone Avenue from Cedar Street to Alameda Road. YELLOWSTONE AVENUE AND ALAMEDA ROAD INTERSECTION - Mr. Statts introduced Corey Krantz, Traffic Engineer; Bashman Abbassi, Staff Engineer; and Ed Bala, District Engineer from District Five Idaho Transportation Department that were in the audience. Mr. Statts reviewed the existing conditions and crash history of the intersection. He explained the intersection is currently ranked No. 1 in crash history for District No. 5, and was No. 2 in 2013 for the State of Idaho. Mr. Statts noted there were 48 crashes from 2012 to 2014. The purpose of the project is to improve intersection safety while increasing the flow of the number of vehicles utilizing the street. The proposed modifications include: 1) do nothing; and 2) corridor Plan (Traditional Widening). However, these two modifications do not address the safety component. Alternatives for detailed analysis are: 1) displaced left turn (continuous flow intersection or CFI) and 2) median U-Turn (Through U) vehicle will pass through the intersection and use the express left turn to head North or South. Council discussion regarding driver safety and distracted drivers followed. It was noted there are safety issues on Yellowstone Avenue for drivers attempting to turn left. Mr. Bala reviewed the model for alternative median U-turns, how data will be collected and the scenarios used. Mayor Blad mentioned the through U-turn concept was reviewed by Council at a presentation for a different intersection. He noted the U-turn concept was not a favorite of the Council. Mr. Moore would like whatever concept that is decided upon, to be made available in a presentation for public review. After public review, ITD should come back to Council with the top pick. Once a decision is made, educate the public on how to maneuver in the intersection. YELLOWSTONE AVENUE BETWEEN CEDAR STREET AND ALAMEDA ROAD– CONFLICT POINTS Mr. Statts reported 70 Crashes occurred between 2012 – 2014 along the section of Yellowstone Avenue between Cedar Street and Alameda Road. The severity of the crashes was reviewed. His department feels it is in the best interest of drivers to change the format of the area. It is possible the intersection concept chosen may help with the safety issues along Yellowstone from Cedar to Alameda. They will need to do further analysis of the traffic flow. His department will start creating traffic models and plan to have these complete by the end of 2015. Once the traffic models have been prepared, ITD staff will update the Council on the progress. Construction on the project may begin in 2019. Mr. Statts announced the proposed project will be completely funded by the State of Idaho.  5 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: At 11:31 a.m. Mayor Blad and Council members Brown, Cooper, WORKING LUNCH Johnston, Moore, and Orr left the Council Chambers and participated in a working lunch in the Paradice Conference Room. Discussion centered on economic development, Council involvement with City advisory boards and general City topics. No formal action was taken. Mayor Blad adjourned the Working Lunch meeting at 2:05 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK