City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AUGUST 11, 2016 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Study Session to order ROLL CALL at 9:03 a.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Steve Brown, Jim Johnston and Michael L. Orr. Council member Gary Moore arrived at 9:12 a.m. Council member Roger Bray arrived at 9:21 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Sandra Shropshire, Chair Person; Kathryn Way and Jay LIBRARY BOARD Bingham, Board members; and Eric Suess, Staff Liaison; from UPDATE the Library Board were present to discuss the Board’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Shropshire feels the City’s library is not your “grandfather’s library” any more. The use is changing and digital materials are available to library members. She noted it is a challenge to keep up with digital/technology needs and computers for access. Ms. Shropshire explained this need applies to library members from youngsters to senior citizens. She mentioned the only computers some individuals have access to are located at the library. Ms. Shropshire reviewed a list of statistics regarding library use. It was noted that Circulation and Reference Desk contacts and use of the conference room have increased. However, outreach to people has decreased and she feels this is the direct result of reduction in staff. Marshall Public Library is one of the 6th largest public libraries in Idaho and has the highest percentage of its population base holding library cards at 79%. Mr. Johnston feels the library has increased in value because of the services they provide. Mr. Bingham feels having a knowledgeable library staff is the most impressive part of the library. He described how staff members are able to walk an individual through any library process. Mr. Moore joined the meeting at 9:12 a.m. Ms. Way gave a history of her background working with libraries in other areas. She feels Marshall Public Library far exceeds the outreach programs that she has seen in other areas and staff is committed to give the community the best services that they can. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Suess shared that he is very proud of how the library has become a community center. The focus of the library allows a whole variety of resources to be available to the community and he praised his staff for their professionalism. Mr. Brown mentioned the Council acknowledges the last year it has been difficult for library staff due to changes in their budget. He expressed the Council’s appreciation to library staff and their successful efforts to do more with less. Mayor Blad commented on the significance that 79% of Pocatello’s citizens have a library card. He feels this shows the library has a high value in the community. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Sunny Shaw, Executive Director/Secretary from the Housing HOUSING AUTHORITY Authority of Pocatello was present to discuss the Authority’s OF POCATELLO UPDATE goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 AUGUST 11, 2016 Ms. Shaw stated that she will provide the Authority’s annual pamphlet of information to the Council at a later date. She noted that her update included extra information to help educate the City’s new council member. Mr. Bray joined the meeting at 9:21 a.m. Ms. Shaw gave an overview of the programs offered by the Housing Authority. She reviewed the current wait time for the following: 1) Vouchers = approximately 3 years, 2) Elderly/disabled properties = approximately 6 months, and 3) Family properties (all others) = 30 to 90 days. The program has the capacity to lease 692 households. However, that amount is not fully funded by Congress. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Shaw explained when approached 3 years ago to take over an additional housing complex the Authority was not sure of the outcome. However, the properties are looking better and needed evictions have taken place as the result of illegal drug use by tenants at the complex. She feels the situation at the complex will continue to improve. Ms. Shaw explained the difference between NeighborWorks and Housing Authority of Pocatello. NeighborWorks is more about ownership of a home and in-fill projects while the Authority specializes in rentals. Ms. Shaw clarified that as the housing market goes up the Authority still pays the difference in costs. As a result, fewer people are able to utilize the funding available. Mr. Bray shared his concerns about available funding since FEMA has had severe cuts and the negative result of the cuts for property owners/tenants. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Mayor Blad announced representatives from the Pocatello Arts POCATELLO ARTS Council were not available and they have asked to be COUNCIL-RESCHEDULED rescheduled to the City Council Study Session on September 8, TO SEPTEMBER 2016 2016. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Deirdre Castillo, City Engineer; Mike Neville, Traffic Supervisor; PROPOSED CITY CODE Zack Johnson and Sukriti Panthi, Engineering Interns; presented AMENDMENTS-VEHICLES proposed changes to Pocatello Municipal Code Title 10, AND TRAFFIC “Vehicles and Traffic”. The proposed changes are: 1) update portions of the current code and 2) implement a new section regarding speed limits within a construction zone. An ordinance has been prepared based upon said updates/amendments for Council action at a subsequent meeting. Ms. Castillo introduced Mr. Johnson and Ms. Panthi that have been working as interns in the Engineering Department. She noted the Mr. Johnson would give the presentation regarding the proposed changes. Mr. Johnson explained that several areas to be updated are as follows: 1) Change wording in several locations in City Code that refers to “traffic engineer” to City Engineer and/or his/her designee” or to Police Department; 2) Adding a no parking zone to Olympus Drive; 3) School zone speed limit nomenclature changes; 4) Speed limit reduction on Garfield Avenue; 5) Addition of speed limits to Highland Boulevard and Kirkham Road; 6) Addition of speed limit to South Valley Road; and 7) Authority to change the speed limit in a construction zone. Mr. Johnson noted that 3 sections of Title 10 will be affected. The reference to Traffic Engineer has been eliminated because this position no longer exists. These duties will now become the responsibility of the City Engineer and/or his/her designee or to the Police Department. The Police Department has historically CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 AUGUST 11, 2016 handled some traffic related issues such as: Restricted area permits, visitor permits and unlawful use of decals or permits. In response to questions from Council, Tom Kirkman, Street Operations Superintendent, explained a vehicle’s operator can be cited for parking their vehicle in the public right of way if it impedes traffic. It was suggested that City staff ask Bannock County designate the west side of the same section of road on Olympus Drive to their code as “no parking”. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Neville reiterated that State Code prohibits parking in a way that blocks the lane of traffic. As a result, additional signage is not necessary to enforce this code. School Zone Speed Limits were discussed. It was suggested that signage for School zones show a 20 mile per hour speed limit with designation times of 7:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or when a flashing signal is displayed. It was suggested that the speed limit be enforced according to School District 25’s schedule. This will allow staff the ability to change the flashing signals to coordinate with the actual school schedule. It was noted that solar powered signals with signage will be used on the busier streets and signage only will be used on the other streets. Speed limit reductions for Garfield Avenue were reviewed. Suggestions were given that may help move traffic through the traffic light more quickly. Mr. Kirkman noted the traffic light at Garfield Avenue is one of the oldest signals in Pocatello. He felt additional research will need to be done to determine the best method to move traffic through the light more quickly. Discussion regarding construction zone speed limit signs followed. It was mentioned the modified signage will provide authority for the City Engineer to temporarily lower the speed limit in a construction zone. The new signage will also allow Police Officers to write a citation if the reduced speed is not observed. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Kirkman explained Street Operations crews just painted sections on Jerome Street near Olympus Drive with a yellow “no parking” stripe. The no parking area should help keep traffic back from the corner to help move vehicles onto Olympus Drive more safely. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Richard Stewart, Animal Control Director, presented suggested PROPOSED CITY CODE changes to the code. The proposed changes are: 1) AMENDMENTS implementation of a dangerous animal registry; and 2) requiring –ANIMAL CONTROL individual cat licenses. An ordinance has been prepared based on the proposal for Council action at a subsequent meeting. Mayor Blad suggested changing the name of Animal Control to Animal Services. A majority of the Council supported the name change suggestion. Mr. Stewart explained the proposed dangerous animal section would require the owner of an animal found to be dangerous, by a Court of Law, to register said animal with the Pocatello Animal Control Department. The Dangerous Animal registry will require the animal’s owner to comply with CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 AUGUST 11, 2016 additional safety precautions such as verification of vaccinations, proper signage, and proper enclosure or confines for the animal as well as creating a monitoring/tracking system for the animal. Mr. Steward reviewed the fees necessary to cover the oversite of dangerous animals for public safety. Initial fee is $100.00 per dog deemed dangerous (currently 56 dangerous dogs are living in the City). There will be a routine inspection of animals on the list to help ensure they will not attack again and verify if they are still in the area. Mr. Stewart also recommended requiring individual cat licensing for cats 3 months or older. This would be similar to the City’s individual dog licensing requirements. The licensing will allow for proper identification of the cat as well as ownership if a cat is found at large. Mr. Stewart explained in 2015 the shelter took 526 more cats into the shelter than dogs. He noted the potential revenue by charging for a $5.00 license and the placement of a microchip for $15.00 to help cover the expense of housing cats. Mr. Stewart explained over the last few months the number of cats entering the shelter is twice as high as for dogs. However, the number of dogs returned to their owners is much higher than for cats. Mr. Stewart mentioned if a cat found at large has been micro-chipped, the officer can scan the cat and return it to the owner without ever coming to the shelter. Information was distributed to Council outlining the risks of microchip insertion. Mr. Stewart feels the return of a cat to its owner far outweighs any risk of having the microchip. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Stewart explained he used Texas as an example because they use the microchip program. He would like to use a similar program to successfully return cats back to their owners more quickly. Mr. Bray added that feral cats impact the surrounding environment by killing birds. He would like to see more being done to help control these issues. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, gave a presentation PROPOSED AMENDMENTS reviewing current policy and recommended revisions to current –USE OF ALCOHOLIC City Code (12.36.060: BEER/WINE PERMITS), regarding the BEVERAGES IN CITY PARKS allowance of alcoholic beverages in City Parks. Mr. Banks explained the current City Code states that groups of individuals may obtain a special permit to possess and consume beer/wine in conjunction with picnics and group activities in the following locations/areas: Lower and Upper Ross Park, Raymond Park and Bonneville Park. Parks and Recreation Department staff is given authority to administratively approve and issue permits for these locations, in accordance with regulations established by the director and set out on the permit or application. Mr. Banks mentioned each spring and summer during the yearly park facility reservation season (April 15 – October 15) staff receives numerous requests from park patrons and annual community-wide special events for alcohol location “exceptions” to City Code, which are in turn brought forward to City Council for consideration. Mr. Banks outlined alcohol exception requests received for facilities not specifically listed in the current code. He noted that the vast majority of requests tend to be concentrated on the following locations (in order of popularity): Centennial Park; Sister City Park; OK Ward Park; Ammon Park; Alameda Park and Fort Hall Replica. Staff is comfortable with alcohol being allowed/permitted on an on-going basis at these locations for the following reasons: 1) The proximity of pavilion areas are not directly adjacent to playground areas or homeowners at each location; 2) past Council exceptions granted at the locations have not proven to be problematic in any way (i.e. there is not a history of complaints received or concerns raised by park patrons/surrounding residents, nor are CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 AUGUST 11, 2016 park areas being left in a state of messiness or disrepair); and 3) many annual community-wide special event exception requests, which have a history of approval by Council for the benefit of the community, are hosted at the listed locations. Mr. Banks stated staff supports the revised list of facilities to be an acceptable and sufficient variety and amount of City facilities to meet current and long-term community needs in the accommodation of a wide array of functions and special events of all types for residents/individuals, groups, and organizations. Consumption/possession of alcohol will be limited to the listed locations and will NOT be permitted at any other City Park facility. Requests for an exception will not be considered. Mr. Bray suggested Constitution Park might be a good place to allow alcohol. It has off-street parking and is isolated. He agreed the smaller parks should be not considered for an exception. Mr. Johnston mentioned exceptions to allow alcohol in City Parks has been an issue for Council this year. He inquired if the City received a percentage of sales from the multiple requests approved this year. He would also like a police report to verify no issues have resulted from allowing alcohol at the parks where an exception was approved by Council. Mr. Banks explained most of the exceptions approved by Council were not for the sale of alcohol. They have been family events, weddings, etc. Since no sales are taking place, staff does not monitor the sales of items. Mr. Banks could not recall any incidents. However he will check to see if there is a report of police responding to an incident during one of the approved events. A majority of the Council supported the proposed changes and instructed staff to prepare an ordinance for consideration at a subsequent meeting. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Banks explained the parks listed have the most requests to allow alcohol during their scheduled activity. Ms. Adamson suggested expanding the list of parks Mr. Banks provided. She would like other City Parks to be analyzed for this use before finalizing the list. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: At 11:02 a.m. Mayor Blad and Council members Adamson, Bray, WORKING LUNCH Brown, 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 meeting at 1:10 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6 AUGUST 11, 2016 RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK