City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO JOINT CITIES/BANNOCK COUNTY/ SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 25/ IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY MEETING OCTOBER 24, 2019 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: The Joint Cities/Bannock County/School District/ISU meeting was ROLL CALL called to order at 9:05 a.m. by Bannock County Commissioner Steve Brown. City of Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad and Council members Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Rick Cheatum, Jim Johnston and Linda Leeuwrik were present. Council member Beena Mannan was excused. The meeting was held at 10560 North Fairgrounds Road, Building A, Pocatello, Idaho. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Idaho State University (ISU) updates were given by President Kevin ISU UPDATE Satterlee. Mr. Satterlee mentioned he was pleased with the community’s great support for the ISU homecoming parade. He appreciated the support from individuals attending the week of events. Mr. Satterlee gave an overview of the following topics. (a) Unified College Town Charter Initiative Mr. Satterlee noted that Mayor Blad brought a document to him when he first arrived in Pocatello regarding the concept of a College Town Charter. He would like to further explore the concept and eventually involve the entire community. Mr. Satterlee suggested a working group be formed to work toward initiatives and projects that would help create a Community Charter. What the community brings to the university and what the university brings to the community can then be identified. Mr. Satterlee shared a story about the importance of banners depicting the ISU logo being displayed throughout the community. Mr. Satterlee explained a student told him the display of ISU banners was the reason they decided to choose ISU. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: School District No. 25 Updates SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 25 UPDATES School District representatives gave an overview of the following topics. (a) Bonneville Elementary School Building sale An organization approached the School Board interested in purchasing the vacant Bonneville Elementary School building at 320 North 8th Avenue. The District was not actively marketing the building so the appraisal was several years old. When the Board eventually placed the facility up for sale none of the bids received met the appraisal price. Three months ago NeighborWorks Pocatello came forward to make an offer on the building. Another entity came forward to make an offer and then 2 more. The offer amounts were about one-half of the appraised value. The Board reviewed the offers and opted to award the bid to NeighborWorks of Pocatello. It was mentioned that NeighborWorks will clear the property and build new structures to revitalize the property. It was also mentioned that the Bonneville Neighborhood Association was very supportive of NeighborWorks and their plans for the property. JOINT CITIES/COUNTY/ SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 25/ISU MEETING 2 OCTOBER 24, 2019 (b) Pocatello High School renovations It was announced the Pocatello High School renovation project is a little behind schedule. Phase one is wrapping up and should be completed by the end of October 2019. Board members have talked to some of the Pocatello High School students and asked them what they thought about the building renovations. The students shared they are excited about the updates. It was mentioned the contractor is doing finish work at this time and the next phase will include brick that matches the current brick on the exterior wall. Phase two of the renovation will include classrooms. It was mentioned that information about the renovation project is available on the School District No. 25 Website. (c) Board of Trustees election The School District Board election usually takes place in May. The election day was moved by the Idaho Legislature to line-up with City Elections. It was announced that Zone 3 and Zone 4 representative are on the ballot for 2019. Board members encouraged individuals to get out and vote. (d) Festival of Trees The annual Festival of Trees is approximately 3 weeks away. The event opens on November 20th at the Stephens Performing Arts Center. In addition to the display of Christmas trees, performances will take place at the Bistline Theatre. It was mentioned 2019 is the 10-year anniversary for the event. Staff and their family were encouraged to come and participate at the event. It was noted they are still seeking tree donations for the event. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: City of Chubbuck updates. City of Chubbuck representatives gave an overview of the following topics: Staff are meeting with architects to finalize plans to build a new City Hall. Staff are excited and hope to put the city hall project out to bid in January 2020. Area realtors would like support from community leaders regarding legislation to create a funding bill that would assist first time home buyers in Idaho. Saturday, October 26, 2019 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Federal government efforts to help limit opioid use were shared. Citizens are encouraged to discard prescription drugs they are no longer using in appropriate depository areas. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: City of Pocatello updates. City of Pocatello representatives gave an overview of the following topics: (a) Pocatello’s Rebranding Effort City Council is moving forward to rebrand the City and has received 28 responses to their Request For Proposals (RFP). It is exciting to see the number of RFPs received and they look forward to having a new look for Pocatello. It was mentioned the current logo/brand for Pocatello is 25 years old. JOINT CITIES/COUNTY/ SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 25/ISU MEETING 3 OCTOBER 24, 2019 (b) Senior Building Ad-Hoc Committee The number of members and their backgrounds that serve on the Committee was shared. The Committee is searching for a better location to have senior activities and has toured several properties in Pocatello. It was noted that New Knowledge Adventures must hold their events/classes in various facilities all over town because there is not a single facility that can accommodate all of their events. There are approximately 9,200 seniors in the Pocatello area. The Committee feels local seniors would support the concept of a larger senior center and a civic center in one. There are two properties that might best meet the Committee’s goals. Calvary Chapel on Olympus Drive and Farmers Insurance on South 5th Avenue could very well meet the senior’s needs. (c) Update on Student Survey In conjunction with the College Town Charter concept and economic development efforts, the City would like to survey ISU students. Staff has put together some questions and asked ISU to create a survey asking students what they would be willing to support in the way of time and money. Once identified, City officials would like to give students a place to go and things to do in Pocatello. The research will help identify where students congregate. These efforts will help move more economic development into the university area. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Bannock County Update Bannock County representatives gave an overview of the following topics. Commissioner Brown feels there is a positive feeling in the air for Bannock County. The investment of time and energy each entity has made and the positive response now coming forth in the community is exciting. (a) Event Center and Wellness Complex Excited about the progress being made and goals being met for the complex. It was mentioned that half of the water line at the soccer fields is in place. Should be utilizing their own water system in the spring. Efforts for the event center facility to be self-sustaining has been a challenge in the past. A different aspect instead of a government mindset was needed. One of the major accomplishments to overcome the old mindset was hiring a new director for the event center. The new director has an extensive business background and creative ideas to make the center more productive and usable for the community. Recent progress at the event center was shared. Staff is developing an RV park through a State of Idaho grant. There are plans to enter into a partnership with rodeos and others to utilize the RV park. Efforts to attract new events at the center was shared. A new electronic sign is now in place at the center. (b) Proposed Jail Expansion Project Working with Bannock County Sheriff’s office to resolve issues since the jail is at capacity. Overcrowding has been controlled by renting bed space in other counties. However, these other counties are also full. As a result, Bannock Officials must look at expanding the jail to accommodate inmates. Alternative funding sources to expand the jail facility were discussed. JOINT CITIES/COUNTY/ SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 25/ISU MEETING 4 OCTOBER 24, 2019 (c) Building Permits Bannock County has hired an individual to process building permits. This has resulted in a more streamlined processing of permits. Very positive move forward. (d) Veterans Services Idaho State University Veterans office has been very effective for military men and women returning to the community. It was mentioned that approximately 1,500 cases are open and running at this time. The staff has helped veterans to continue their education and go through the process to receive military benefits. Bannock County provided funding for another part-time employee to help in the Veterans office to assist with the endeavor. Closing topics - Bannock County Commissioners have attended community engagement meetings with cities to share information. The meetings have been productive and the commissioners would like to keep the dialog going. Crisis Center update was given. More walk-in patrons are utilizing the facility than first anticipated. How the Center is being utilized by police, sheriff and area judges was shared. The response has been very positive. It was noted the Center has helped take some of the burden off of the jail. Property tax levy update – Bannock County staff are still waiting for information from the State of Idaho to complete the property tax levy information. It was noted the State of Idaho provided a new software system and staff is working toward getting the new software system to work. Staff shared changing to the new system has been a challenge. However, they feel it will be good in the long run. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR PREPARED BY AND ATTEST: RUTH NEWSOM, CITY CLERK