City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AUGUST 10, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Study Session to order ROLL CALL at 9:01 a.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Steve Brown, Gary and Michael L. Orr. Council member Jim Johnston arrived at 9:02 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Sandra Shropshire, Chair Person; Jay Bingham, Board member; LIBRARY BOARD and Eric Suess, Library Director and staff liaison; from the UPDATE Library Board were present to discuss the Board’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Shropshire thanked the Council for their continued support of the Board. She noted that of 29 largest libraries in Idaho, Marshall Public Library ranks second in the percentage of population served who hold a library card at 83%. Highlights of events held at the library over the past year included: hosting a large display of entries for new city flag selection; Science, Technology Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) for teens/youth; Nerds programming club; and an upgrade of lighting fixtures using reserve funds will save $11,400.00 on power bill. The lighting project is underway and should be complete in December 2017. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Suess reviewed the lighting upgrade project. He noted that the costs are almost half of what was initially estimated. The project is taking longer than expected, but it will still be cost effective. Mr. Suess explained the Library’s STEAM program works with School District 25 programs. The Library program has added an art portion to the STEM program. Mr. Suess gave an overview of Library programs and noted that staff encourages girls to pursue technical field oriented careers. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Ryan Satterfield, Chair Person, and Matthew Lewis, Planning PLANNING AND ZONING Manager and Staff Liaison; from the Planning and Zoning COMMISSION UPDATE Commission were present to discuss the Commission’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Lewis noted that four new Commissioners have been appointed since March 2017; training for the new Commission members has been held. Mr. Satterfield reported the Commission reviewed 2 conditional use permits, 3 rezoning applications, 2 annexation applications and 2 preliminary plat applications. Training was provided to Commission members as well as Hearing Examiners the evening of July 26, 2017. Mr. Satterfield felt the training was well done and the Commissioners are prepared to move forward. Goals for upcoming year – a) involvement with revision of the Zoning Ordinance, including holding work sessions and public hearings as needed; b) Sign ordinance revisions (public hearing(s) and recommendation); and c) continued review and recommendation of land use applications as needed. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Satterfield feels the development processes set by the City have improved. However, as with any process, there is always room for improvement. He pointed out that Pocatello is a great place to live. The citizens come to public hearings where they get to learn and be a part of the development process. Mr. Satterfield added that input received from public hearings are great and he would like to see even more input from citizens. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 AUGUST 10, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Mayor Blad announced that Senior Activity Center SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER representatives asked that their item for discussion be moved to UPDATE POSTPONED the September 14, 2017 Study Session. The Center was scheduled to discuss topics pertaining to the building where the Center is housed at 427 North 6th Avenue. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Heather Buchanan, Human Resources Director, was present to PROPOSED EMPLOYEE discuss proposed changes and clarification in the City’s EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK Employee Handbook. CHANGES Ms. Buchanan reviewed the items prepared for discussion: Items presented in December 2016 without opposition from Council: 1) Personal appearance; 2) Tobacco use; 3) Social Media; 4) Donation of Time; and 5) Religious Accommodation. In response to a question from Council, Ms. Buchanan explained under the tobacco use policy if a City employee is observed smoking in a City vehicle they are subject to discipline which would include coaching, verbal warning, a written warning and eventually due process. Concerns Council had in December 2016 – 1. Cap on Vacation Payouts a. Sign off from ICRMP and Legal that we can do this. b. We need an implementation date General discussion regarding how the vacation payout system works; cap on vacation hours and the amount of vacation time that is accumulated followed. It was noted that more research is necessary to modify the current system. Mr. Orr recommended that a new 200 hours cap be established for new employees. He feels the smaller cap will allow the City to hire additional employees so all employees will be able to take time away from work. Council discussion /debate continued regarding vacation hours and the accumulation and possible mixed modifications to the cap. It was mentioned that possible mandatory time-off or the employee will lose their vacation hours could be considered. This will force employees to take vacation time since that is the reason vacation time is offered by the City. 2. Bereavement Leave a. Human Resources is asking for a change and has data points from other cities as requested. General discussion followed regarding the pros and cons of Bereavement leave. There were concerns with staff covering for a longer duration of time. 3. Exempt Employee Vacation Time a. Moving to 4 hour increments b. Are we interested in moving sick leave at this time? CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 AUGUST 10, 2017 Rich Diehl, Legal Department Acting Manager, explained the proposed change will help burn down vacation banks if exempt employees are allowed to take 4 hour increments of vacation. He noted that under the current policy - if an exempt employee leaves work early, they cannot take vacation time. 4. Organ and Bone Marrow Donation a. Want confirmation Council guidance – supports the proposed change. New to this presentation - 1. Fire Department applicable sections a. Handbook signoff ICRMP discount 2. Conflict of interest 3. Harassment policy modification and new section a. ICRMP recommendation and new section on Bullying 4. Political Offices addition a. ICRMP recommendation Mr. Moore feels a City employee should be able to run for political office and not jeopardize their job. If elected, an employee must then choose between their job and political office and not when they are running for office. Council guidance - stay with current policy. 5. Inclement Weather 6. Salary Administration a. ICRMP recommendation 7. DeMinimis Rule 8. Employment Categories a. ICRMP recommendation 9. Grievances a. defines what is a grievble and non-grievable item Ms. Buchanan asked for guidance from the Council regarding the proposed changes. She explained a final draft of the proposed changes will be prepared for Council consideration at a future meeting. Mayor Blad called a recess at 10:53 a.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 11:06 a.m. Mayor Blad announced that Agenda Item No. 7 would be heard at this time. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 AUGUST 10, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Mike Settell, Watershed Guardians, Inc., Director; (mailing PORTNEUF WATERSHED address: P.O. Box 634, Pocatello, ID 83204) presented a HEALTH PRESENTATION proposal to evaluate the effectiveness of using beavers to enhance surface and groundwater supplies along the Portneuf River. Mr. Settell reviewed information regarding the benefits of beavers they are: improving water quality, preventing flooding downstream, regulating water flow, creating and maintaining wetlands, benefiting other species, raising water table, conserving water and potential tourist attraction. He noted that potential problems are – feeding on softwoods and crops; burrowing through dikes; eroding river and ditch banks; flooding or water logging land (e.g. road, agricultural land); and undermining fields and roads. Mr. Settell feels if beavers are allowed to do what they normally do they will benefit the Portneuf River. He mentioned that beavers may actually help control flooding in flood zones. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Settell explained he is not aware of water from area beaver bonds being utilized to help with local fires. However, he did note that beaver ponds have been used to obtain water more quickly to put out fires in other areas. He is not aware of any beavers living in the Gibson Jack area. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Terri Neu, Associate Planner; and Rich Diehl, Legal Department BILLBOARD Acting Manager; were present to discuss with Council proposed MORATORIUM UPDATE options for off premise signs (billboards) in the City of Pocatello. Staff is seeking guidance on how Council would like to proceed on the matter. Ms. Neu clarified that she researched cities along the Interstate 15/Interstate 86 corridor to obtain signage information. She explained this corridor is a highly used area for the placement of billboards. Options for billboard regulations were reviewed. 1. Cap and trade: In order to put up a new billboard, they have to submit an application to demolish an existing one they own. (Boise, Nampa, West Jordan, West Valley) 2. Ban all billboards. When an existing billboard becomes structurally unsound it will have to be removed. (Sandy, South Jordan, Murray, Woods Cross, Bountiful, Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Chubbuck, Twin Falls) 3. Ban only electronic billboards. (Salt Lake City) 4. Allow new billboards and conversions of traditional to electronic through the conditional use permit process only. (West Jordan, North Salt Lake) 5. Keep existing separation standards between billboards but increase the separation between the billboard and a Residential zoning district, Residential Commercial Professional zoning district, designated historic district, park, school, church or cemetery to 300 feet (or more from residential zoning districts) from 250 feet. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 AUGUST 10, 2017 6. Have different standards for electronic billboards vs. traditional billboards. (e.g. greater separation requirements from an electronic billboard to a predominately residential area) In response to questions from Council, Ms. Neu clarified a ban on all billboards would require the following: if the billboard needs major maintenance, the board must be removed. This does not include painting or lighting maintenance done to the billboard. Ms. Neu commented that research has shown that most people are no longer using billboards because these individuals have a smart phone that provides detailed directions and information. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Neu reported that a business person in Idaho Falls stated they would send information showing billboards are less of a hazard than a Smart Phone. However, staff never received the information. Ms. Neu clarified the difference between business signs and off-premise signs. General discussion was held regarding the following: concerns with more off-premise billboards; have different criteria for electronic signs and regular billboards; increase the notification distance to inform residents; and regulate lighting standards and time limits on billboards. Matthew Lewis, Planning Manager, clarified that the sign by Grace Lutheran School and Interstate 15 did go through Planning and Development. He noted that the State of Idaho reviewed it and had expressed a few concerns. The proposed billboard met all of the City’s processes and the sign was eventually approved by the State. Mr. Lewis noted that lighted billboards located in the darkest areas of town are unfortunately going to shine the brightest. A device that directed the light downward and from the sides may help with the bright lights. Council may wish to consider that any traditional billboards not be changed to electronic. Mr. Bray would like regulations that will require billboard lights be turned off between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Mr. Diehl explained a billboard moratorium is in place and that is why staff is seeking direction regarding billboards that are currently operating. Staff can look at retrofitting the signs with proposed shielding to correct lighting issues. General discussion regarding lighting of billboards at night continued. Mr. Diehl noted that staff will continue to work on a draft billboard ordinance that includes the following: shielding, lighting brightness, and shutting off the lights during the night. A majority of the Council supported the ban on all billboards and proposed changes to current signs. The Council asked staff to work with local sign companies to help create the new regulations. A final decision will be voted upon at a later date. Mayor Blad adjourned the Study Session at 12:11 p.m. so Council could begin a Working Lunch session in the Paradice Conference room. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6 AUGUST 10, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: At 12:12 p.m. Mayor Blad and Council members Heidi WORKING LUNCH Adamson, Roger Bray, Steve Brown, Jim Johnston and Michael L. 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 1:28 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK