City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA CLARIFICATION MEETING AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2016 CLARIFICATION The City Council Agenda Clarification Meeting was called to MEETING order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Brian Blad. Council members present were Roger Bray, Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, Jim Johnston and Michael L. Orr. Council member Gary Moore was excused. No motions, resolutions, orders, or ordinances were proposed. No vote was taken. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: The Regular City Council meeting was called to order at 6:00 ROLL CALL AND p.m. by Mayor Brian Blad. Council members present were ALLEGIANCE Roger Bray, Steve Brown, Craig Cooper, Jim Johnston and Michael L. Orr. Council member Gary Moore was excused. Mayor Blad led the audience in the pledge of allegiance. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: The invocation was offered by Robert Raschke representing INVOCATION Grace Lutheran Church. Mayor Blad announced that Agenda Item No. 6, Collective Bargaining Agreement-Fire Union Local #187, had been pulled from the agenda. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Council was asked to consider the following business items: CONSENT AGENDA -MINUTES (a) Waive the oral reading of the minutes and approve the following minutes from January 14, 2016: Study Session; Fire and Police Union Meeting; and City Council Working Lunch; and the following meetings from January 21, 2016: Budget Restructuring Meeting; and Clarification and Regular City Council Meeting. -PAYROLL AND (b) Payroll and material claims for the month of January 2016 in the MATERIAL CLAIMS amount of $8,238,908.86. -RATIFICATION OF (c) Ratify resolution (2016-02) adopting the Pocatello Public Transit RESOLUTION Department’s Application for Federal and/or State Funding to -ADOPTING PUBLIC assist in providing community and/or human transportation TRANSIT DEPARTMENT services in relation to its grant application approved at the APPLICATION FOR December 3, 2015 Regular City Council meeting. FEDERAL AND/OR STATE FUNDING -COUNCIL DECISION (d) Adopt the Council’s decision to approve the annexation of a -CRESTVIEW ESTATES parcel of land comprised of approximately 14.44 acres of land owned by Pocatello Creek Development Company, subject to conditions. Said parcel is situated east of Lois Lane, to be known as Crestview Estates, and shall be designated as Residential Low Density (RL) for zoning purposes.  2 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2016 -COUNCIL DECISION (e) Adopt the Council’s decision to grant Kristy Jensen, the Owner -KJ’S SUBDIVISION and Developer, her request for approval of the final short plat for KJ’s Subdivision, subject to conditions. The proposed plat is for a three (3) lot subdivision, encompassing .41 acres, zoned Residential Medium Density Single Family (RMS), and is a replat of the South ½ of Lot 4, Block 1, Richland Townsite. Each lot will have access from McKinley and Poole Avenues. -COUNCIL DECISION (f) Adopt the Council’s Decision to grant Steve Ernst, his request -VISTA VILLAGES for approval of the final plat for the Vista Villages Subdivision Replat, subject to conditions. The proposed Subdivision Replat will consist of four (4) residential lots on approximately 1.03 acres, is zoned Residential Medium Density, Single Family, and will have access from Vista Drive. A motion was made by Mr. Johnston, seconded by Mr. Bray, to approve the items on the consent agenda. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Johnston, Bray, Brown, Cooper and Orr. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Mayor Blad welcomed Boy Scouts from Troop No. 359, COMMUNICATIONS AND No. 360 and No. 348. PROCLAMATIONS Mr. Brown, on behalf of Mayor Blad, proclaimed the week of February 8 through February 14, 2016 to be “Clergy Appreciation Week” in Pocatello and encouraged citizens to show their appreciation for community clergy. Mayor Blad presented the proclamation to representatives of Bannock Civitan Club, Civitan Twisted Stitchers Club, Junior Civitan Club and Friends Civitan Club of Pocatello. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Mayor Blad reminded the Council of the February 11th Study CALENDAR REVIEW Session at 9:00 a.m. immediately followed by a Council Working Lunch; which will be immediately followed by a Budget Restructuring meeting; and of the February 18th Regular Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Blad announced Youth in Government Day Events will take place on February 10th; City Offices will be closed for President’s Day on February 15th. However, garbage and recycle pick-ups will remain on schedule; and Simplot Games will be held at Holt Arena February 18th through February 20th. Mayor Blad reminded citizens to please keep their sidewalks cleared of snow and refrain from throwing snow into the street, as it becomes a driving hazard. Mr. Johnston announced “Celebrate Idaho State” would be held at the Idaho State University (ISU) Student Union Building on February 10th. He encouraged community members to attend the free event to learn about the programs offered at ISU. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: As announced earlier, Agenda Item No. 6 to consider the COLLECTIVE adoption of the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Collective Bargaining BARGAINING AGREEMENT Agreement (CBA) for the Pocatello Firefighters Local #187, had -FIRE UNION LOCAL #187 been pulled from the Agenda.  3 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2016 AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: The Council was asked to ratify a grant to fund the purchase of a GRANT REQUEST cab and a heater for the UTV used at the Nordic Center as a RATIFICATION-UTV grooming vehicle. Matching funds will come out of the existing CAB PURCHASE FOR Outdoor Recreation budget. EAST MINK CREEK NORDIC CENTER In response to a question from Council, John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, explained that the Nordic Center, located on Mink Creek Road, is a multi-use winter recreation area. He added that the cost of the cab and heater for the medium-duty grooming vehicle is approximately $5,000. Mr. Banks explained that the proposed grant would cover $3,500 of the cost and the remaining amount would be covered by the Outdoor Recreation budget. A motion was made by Mr. Johnston, seconded by Mr. Orr, to ratify a grant to fund the purchase of a cab and heater for the UTV used at the Nordic Center as a grooming vehicle. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Johnston, Orr, Bray, Brown and Cooper. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Council was asked to consider the following actions regarding DECLARATION OF the conveyance of City property: INTENT TO CONVEY CITY PROPERTY -JAMES AND JESSICA HIGGINS DETERMINE a) Determine if it is in the best interest for the City of Pocatello to CONVEYANCE convey 0.27 acres of underutilized land owned by the City of Pocatello located to the east of South Valley Road at Lester Lane, to the adjacent property owners, James and Jessica Higgins, 630 Lester Lane; and DECLARE INTENT b) If Council determines that it is in the City’s best interest to AND SET PUBLIC convey this land, publicly declare its intent to conduct said land HEARING conveyance and to instruct the City Clerk to publish a summary of said action and provide notice of a public hearing regarding said land conveyance to be held on March 3, 2016. In response to questions from Council, Deirdre Castillo, City Engineer, stated the proposal is the result of a series of land acquisitions surrounding the construction of South Valley Road. She explained that in 2010, James and Jessica Higgins signed a Possession Agreement with the City of Pocatello to allow the City to proceed with the construction of South Valley Road. Ms. Castillo added that at that time, $650.00 was deposited with the title company for the land acquisition. She stated that several trees belonging to the City have been relocated and remaining trees have been maintained by Mr. and Mrs. Higgins. Ms. Castillo added that according to the Parks and Recreation Department, continued ownership and maintenance of the land would cost approximately $1,500 per year. Therefore, she feels it is in the best interest of the City to declare the City’s intent to conduct said land conveyance and hold a public hearing regarding the conveyance, according to Idaho Code. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Castillo stated that land required for the South Valley Road project was acquired in 2010. She added that the City Council would hear comments from the public at a public hearing to be held at the March 3, 2016 Regular City Council Meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Johnston, to declare it is the City’s intent to exchange and convey 0.27 acres of real property owned by the City of Pocatello, plus $650.00 to  4 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2016 James and Jessica Higgins for approximately 0.004 acres of real property and additional consideration. The City’s 0.27 acres of rea property is an underutilized remainder from the South Valley Road project. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Castillo clarified that according to Idaho Code, the first step in the process is to announce to the public at a public meeting that a land conveyance is being considered. She added that further action would be considered after the public hearing is held on March 3, 2016. Mr. Brown’s motion was voted upon at this time. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Brown, Johnston, Bray, Cooper and Orr. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Council was asked to consider the following actions regarding DECLARATION OF the conveyance of City property: INTENT TO CONVEY CITY PROPERTY -BARRY LEWIS DETERMINE a) Determine if it is in the best interest for the City of Pocatello to CONVEYANCE convey 0.94 acres of underutilized land owned by the City of Pocatello located to the west of Kirkham Road, to the adjacent property owner, Barry Lewis; and DECLARE INTENT b) If Council determines that it is in the City’s best interest to AND SET PUBLIC convey this land, publicly declare its intent to conduct said land HEARING conveyance and to instruct the City Clerk to publish a summary of said action and provide notice of a public hearing regarding said land conveyance to be held on March 3, 2016. A motion was made by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Cooper, to declare it is the City of Pocatello’s intent to exchange and convey 0.94 acres of real property owned by the City, and $13,500.00 to Mr. Barry Lewis for 1.49 acres of real property owned by Mr. Lewis which has been utilized for the South Valley Road project. The City land consists of 0.94 acres of underutilized land-locked real property and it is in the City’s best interest to do so. In response to a question from Council, Deirdre Castillo, City Engineer, stated the land was originally owned by Bannock County and acquired by the City of Pocatello for the construction of South Valley Road. Mr. Lewis asked that the remaining parcel of land adjoining his property be conveyed to him at the conclusion of the construction project. Mr. Brown’s motion was voted upon at this time. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Brown, Cooper, Bray, Johnston and Orr. AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Niki Taysom, 4963 Yellowstone Avenue, Chubbuck, DISCUSSION ITEMS shared her concerns regarding small businesses, taxes and poverty in Idaho. Idaho Lorax, Pocatello resident, shared his concerns regarding groundwater supply safety after a recent diesel spill at the Union Pacific Railroad railyard. He feels more information should be given to citizens. Kelly Benningfield, 624 West Cedar Street, shared his concerns regarding adequate water supply for potential new businesses. He added his questions regarding the possible cooperation of Pocatello  5 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 4, 2016 and Chubbuck to provide improvements at the sewer treatment plant. Mr. Benningfield shared his concerns regarding the HOKU site. There being no further business, Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK PREPARED: KONNI R. KENDELL, DEPUTY CLERK