City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION OCTOBER 12, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Council member Gary Moore called the City Council Study ROLL CALL Session to order at 9:02 a.m. Council members present were Roger Bray, Jim Johnston and Michael L. Orr. Council member Heidi Adamson arrived at 9:03 a.m. Mayor Brian Blad arrived at 9:11 a.m. Council President Steve Brown arrived at 9:38 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Sunny Shaw, Executive Director/Secretary; and Michelle Poleki, HOUSING AUTHORITY OF Executive Assistant; from the Housing Authority of Pocatello POCATELLO UPDATE were present to discuss the Authority’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. Adamson arrived at 9:03 a.m. Ms. Shaw gave an overview of the programs offered by the Authority. Some of the programs reviewed were: Elderly/disabled properties available, Multi-Family Section 236 units (families working toward self-sufficiency). Ms. Shaw noted the biggest program the Housing Authority has is Housing Choice Voucher Program. She explained they cannot financially support the number of vouchers available and have an estimated 817 individuals on a 4 to 5 year waiting list. Mayor Blad arrived at 9:11 a.m. A Book for Every Child Initiative was reviewed by Ms. Shaw. She explained the focus of getting books into households that are on the housing program. A Summer school program was offered and this helped to prepare children returning to school. Ms. Shaw noted that 2018 will be the Authority’s 50 year anniversary and monthly events to celebrate are being planned. She mentioned the Authority is looking at changing their name to avoid the sigma of government bureaucracy, paperwork, etc. Ms. Shaw shared her concerns regarding a violation letter received regarding a storage unit placed on the Authority’s property at 635 East Bridger which is located in a residential area. She encouraged the Council to evaluate City owned property to determine if the properties are in compliance with the City Code. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Shaw explained the continued maintenance of Portneuf Towers is a concern. They have spent the last 4 years working toward extending the life of the building so federal funding is not decreased. She noted that Christensen Courts also needs work. Authority members are looking at long-term needs of the facilities. Ms. Shaw also reported that she has been campaigning for a position with the National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) and noted that housing and education has been her platform. In closing, the Authority would like to develop more housing for the City’s homeless population. Ms. Shaw shared her concerns regarding the poor quality of rental housing available in Pocatello and the need to have older properties brought up to livable conditions. Mr. Brown arrived at 9:38 a.m. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 2 OCTOBER 12, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Shannon Manning, United Senior Project Chairman; Mary UNITED SENIOR Spinner, New Knowledge Adventures (NKA) representative; PROJECT UPDATE and Angela Lucky, Snake River Horizon Band representative; were present to update the Council on their plans to construct a new complex for senior citizens and to seek Council’s support for the project. Ms. Manning noted the United Senior Project group includes members of AARP Pocatello, New Knowledge Adventures (NKA) and Snake River New Horizon Band. The group’s vision is to enhance the experiences of seniors. Their mission is to design, fund, and build a sustainable senior complex which will enhance the physical, social, and nutritional health; lifelong leaning; and provide recreational opportunities for the wellbeing of the City’s senior community. Ms. Manning explained their group has toured other facilities throughout the State of Idaho with similar goals. The cities toured are: Hailey, Twin Falls, Lewiston, and Moscow. Ms. Manning shared what programs each of the facilities visited had to offer senior citizens. Ms. Spinner gave an overview of the NKA program. She explained the program works with Idaho State University (ISU) and it is a life-long learning program. The program was started in 1997 and Ms. Spinner reviewed the benefits of the program. Ms. Lucky reviewed the goals of the Snake River New Horizons Band. She explained the members are musicians and that they offer music lessons to seniors. Ms. Lucky gave a brief history of the band noting they now have approximately 40 members. She also reviewed the interaction of band members with other entities. Ms. Manning reported United Senior Program representatives are meeting with people at ISU to develop a business plan. She explained they are working toward an April 2018 submission date to start the campaign for a new senior facility. At present they are looking at purchasing Bonneville Elementary school and have discussed the building with School District No. 25 representatives. Costs for renovation of the building are being researched and that is why their group is before the City Council. They are seeking assistance with sustainability of the building and asking the City to assume ownership once updates are completed. Mr. Orr mentioned Senior Citizen Community Center representatives gave a presentation before Council at the September 2017 Study Session. He noted that Senior Citizen Center representatives are also asking the City Council for support regarding a new facility. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Manning explained their group contacted the Senior Citizens Center Board to work together and enhance local senior programs. In February 2017 the new activity coordinator for the Senior Citizens Center announced they did not wish to continue the process. However, United Seniors is still moving forward with their plans. General discussion continued regarding other possible funding sources and United Senior representative’s desire to donate the Bonneville school building to the City once the renovations were complete. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 3 OCTOBER 12, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Rhett Nicks, Animal Services Director, is seeking Council’s ANIMAL SHELTER direction regarding the possible donation of $15,000.00 from the SURGERY EQUIPMENT Confidence Foundation. The donation will be used toward DONATION PROPOSAL purchasing surgical equipment to spay/neuter animals housed at the shelter. Mr. Nicks explained staff is asking for Council guidance toward the in-house surgery concept. He noted that the shelter currently has a room dedicated to medical use and this room could be used for surgery procedures. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Nicks reviewed plans to utilize the surgical area. It would be beneficial to sedate an animal coming into the shelter in order to perform procedures such as: a) give a thorough cleaning; and b) shaving to remove matted fur in order help the animal be more adoptable. Operational logistics toward adoption were reviewed. Mr. Nicks explained a veterinarian is currently assisting with animals at the shelter. Having a surgical center at the shelter will allow staff to spend less time transporting animals when there is a medical need. Mr. Nicks clarified that all narcotics are kept secure and if spaying/neutering services are performed, all of the services will be monitored. A majority of the Council supported Animal Services staff to move forward with the surgical room concept and to research other funding sources for this purpose. Mayor Blad called a recess at 10:14 a.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 10:24 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Matthew Lewis, Planning Manager; Melanie Gygli, Planning and BILLBOARD Development Services Director; and Rich Diehl, Deputy City MORATORIUM/SIGN CODE Attorney; were present to update the Council on proposed AMENDMENTS UPDATE amendments to the Sign Code addressing billboards, as well as other potential changes. Staff will also provide information from a recent informational meeting held with local sign contractors and other concerned parties regarding the proposed amendments. Mayor Blad reminded the audience that this update is a report from City staff to the Council. Staff will give a report on recent billboard activity and update on the status of a revised off-premise billboard ordinance. He noted that a public hearing will be held at a later date to allow public comment. Ms. Gygli gave a brief overview of the billboard sign moratorium. In order to address Council concerns regarding the use of off-premises signs (billboards) and the lack of adequate regulation to protect the public health, safety and general welfare, especially as it regards to electronic off- premises signs, Resolution 2017-09 was adopted, declaring a moratorium on the acceptance of applications for such signs; this moratorium expires November 30, 2017. At the Council’s Study Session of August 10, 2017, a majority of the Council supported a complete ban on new billboards. In addition to drafting the necessary changes regarding billboards, Planning & Development Services staff has also proposed other changes to the Sign Code. The majority of these are minor, correcting wording and formatting, adding clarifying language, or moving sections governing items CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 4 OCTOBER 12, 2017 as portable signs, for example, to the appropriate location within the code. Proposed changes include the following: 1) Billboards. Per Council’s direction, changes have been drafted to list new billboards as prohibited signs. In addition, staff has included potential language on how existing billboards could be treated; 2) Temporary signage. The current Sign Code contains different standards for different kinds of temporary signs (e.g., real estate, political signage, public issues, construction projects, etc.). To ensure compliance with a recent Supreme Court decision disallowing content-based restrictions on such signage, changes are being proposed to remove any restrictions that are based on what the sign says vs. size and placement requirements. As originally drafted, one temporary sign up to nine square feet in size, no taller than six feet, and not within the sign triangle would be allowed per lot, per street frontage. 3) Individual Wall signs in Professional Office Buildings. Staff proposed allowing individual wall signs up to 16 square feet in size for individual businesses within a professional office building, provided the business has its own entrance. Existing code does not allow for such signage; however, there have been a large number of sign exception requests for this type of signage, indicating a need to consider allowance for such. 4) Other miscellaneous changes: a. Moving the “Definitions” section (15.20.030) to the end of Chapter 15.20 b. Moving sections/subsections governing portable signs to the appropriate sections/subsections. c. Adding requirement restricting new pole/ground signs within 30 feet of another pole/ground sign. d. Clarifying definition of portable sign types. e. Removing 15.20.270, signs by Conditional Use Permits, which are considered through the sign exception process. Staff gave an overview of the informational meetings held on September 18, 2017 to update sign contractors and the public regarding the proposed changes. A “cap and trade” process was suggested through the informational meetings and various options were discussed. General sign guidelines were reviewed. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Diehl clarified the zoning of an area and transportation corridors would need to be considered regarding sign placement. Ms. Gygli explained staff is looking for direction from Council on how to move forward with the proposed sign code amendments. Ms. Adamson shared that she has concerns with other things being added to the code regarding on- premise and off-premise billboards. She would like to address a new off-premise sign code and not include other sign code amendments at this time. General discussion regarding endeavors made by staff to try and keep costs down followed. It has been past practice to have staff look at many aspects of an ordinance when it is being reviewed. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 5 OCTOBER 12, 2017 Mr. Diehl clarified there is not a cap of how many off-premise signs are allowed within City limits. However, because of the current off-premise sign criteria, there are not many areas available that a new sign will be allowed for placement. An individual would need to receive an exception to the City Code in order to place new signage. Mr. Bray feels digital billboards at complex intersections can be a hazard. He noted if a child is in a crosswalk, the attention of the driver may not be on the crosswalk and this becomes a safety issue. Mr. Bray is also concerned with light from electronic billboards spilling out into a residential area. Mr. Brown mentioned the moratorium ends in November and Council needs to address billboards in particular at this time. Mr. Diehl clarified the moratorium ends by statute on November 30, 2017. Council will need to have a public hearing regarding the issue at hand and passage of an ordinance that addresses the issue. Mr. Johnston shared his concerns that limiting billboards may cause a reduction in commerce. Mr. Diehl clarified the City does not restrict the number of signs. If Council restricts the number of signs, its effect on commerce is subject to interpretation. Mr. Diehl mentioned the City of Chubbuck has not allowed new billboards for approximately 20 years. General discussion regarding the creation of a committee to discuss the billboard issues followed. It was noted if Council chose to delay any action regarding billboards, an interim ordinance would need to be considered while the review is being done. It was also clarified that discussion would pertain to new off-premise billboards only. Mr. Moore added that Council needs to determine if they want to continue to add new billboards in the community. He would like Council to address this issue before the moratorium ends. Mayor Blad clarified that the proposed ordinance will prohibit all new off-premises billboards. He did not support an interim ordinance. He asked staff to remove all references to other sign code issues. It was noted that a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance will be held at a later date. Council asked staff to bring a draft ordinance to the next Study Session Clarification working lunch for review. Upon review, staff will be instructed to send a copy of the draft ordinance to local sign companies and others who have commented on the billboard topic. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: At 11:06 a.m. Mayor Blad and Council members Adamson, Bray, WORKING LUNCH Brown, Johnston and Orr left the Council Chambers and participated in a working lunch in the Paradice Conference Room. Discussion centered on economic development, water quality and retention of water resources, the upcoming Joint Cities meeting and general City topics. No formal action was taken. Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION 6 OCTOBER 12, 2017 APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: RUTH E. WHITWORTH, CMC, CITY CLERK