City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Work Session to order ROLL CALL at 9:01 a.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Rick Cheatum, Linda Leeuwrik, Claudia Ortega and Chris Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: No representative from the Sister Cities Foundation was present SISTER CITIES to discuss the Foundation’s goals and projects, as well as FOUNDATION Council’s policies and expectations. As a result, Mayor Blad announced the item could not be considered at this time. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Nick Nielson, Chair Person, and Jim Anglesey, Assistant HISTORIC PRESERVATION Planning and Staff Liaison, from the Historic Preservation COMMISSION UPDATE Commission were present to discuss the Commission’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Mr. Nielson gave an overview of the reviews completed by the Commission during the past 12 months. He noted that certificates of appropriateness included the refurbished Buster Brown Sign and store front at 123 North Main. Current and upcoming projects were also reviewed and it was mentioned the projects will take place in the Pocatello Historic District. Mr. Nielson explained the COVID-19 pandemic caused the Commission to cancel the annual of Memorial Day Brady Chapel and Stones to Stories events. The Commission has met to develop other fundraising events for Brady Chapel. A Scavenger Hunt will take place in Mountain View Cemetery and a Veteran’s Day event is also scheduled at Brady Chapel. Mr. Nielson shared the Commission is working with Union Pacific Railroad representatives to place the Greyhound Building on the historic register and potential upgrades for the building so it can be suitable for public use. Council thanked the Commission for their service. Discussion regarding fundraising events for Brady Chapel followed. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Nielson explained the Portneuf River is a part of Pocatello’s history. Ways to promote the river through historic efforts have not been considered by the Commission. The Commission is focused on completing the Brady Chapel project at this time. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Kailey White, Vice Chair Person, and Matthew Lewis, Senior PLANNING AND Planner and Staff Liaison, from the Planning and Zoning ZONING COMISSION Commission were present to discuss the Commission’s goals and UPDATE projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. Ms. White gave an overview of the Commissioners serving on the Board. She mentioned that 8 preliminary plats (same as 2019); 5 rezoning requests; 3 annexation applications; and several other types of applications were reviewed this year. Ms. White noted the Commission will have access to the American Planning Association Virtual Conference for 1 year. She feels this training will be very beneficial for Commission members. Mr. Lewis explained volunteers on the Commission are very dedicated and noted the Planning and Zoning application process is very time consuming. He mentioned there are two (2) vacant positions on the Commission and they are currently looking for applicants. Mr. Lewis encouraged City Council members to view the virtual training from the American Planning Association to get a better idea of what the Planning and Zoning process involves. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 2 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Council thanked the Planning Commission for their hard work and dedication. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Rituraj “Raj” Yadav, Chair Person, Ailinh Harris, Committee WELCOME RESOLUTION member; and Laura Judkins, Human Resources Consultant and PRESENTATION Staff Liaison, from the Human Relations Advisory Committee gave a presentation regarding a proposed Welcome Resolution affirming the City of Pocatello is a welcoming and inclusive city that celebrates diversity, promotes equality and fosters respect for all residents. Members of the Committee would like the City to consider adopting the proposed resolution at a future meeting. Mr. Yadav gave a brief history of why the resolution was coming before Council. The proposed resolution noted that Pocatello has long been a home to indigenous people, migrants, and immigrants, and has remained true to our heritage of welcoming everyone regardless of age, race, ethnicity or place of origin, gender identity, immigration or refugee status, political ideology, economic status or religious affiliation. General discussion noting that 2020 has been challenging because of COVID-19. Council was encouraged to consider the proposed resolution as confirmation the City is open to all individuals. It was mentioned that other community members that have been asked about having such a resolution in Pocatello have shown support of the draft. Ms. Harris feels the resolution communicates to the public that the City acknowledges individuals from different backgrounds and it will move the things forward that have not been moved. Pocatello has a great community feel and she hopes this will emphasize that to others. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Yadav feels the proposed resolution will also help bring calm to individuals in the community and gave an overview of why he felt a resolution would make a positive impact in the community. He shared that the intent of the resolution is to encourage our citizens to welcome individuals that are new to Pocatello and encourage community members to include and support our visitors. General discussion regarding the challenges that may arise when trying to bring communities together followed. A motion was made by Ms. Adamson, seconded by Ms. Leeuwrik, directing staff to place the proposed resolution on the Regular Council meeting of October 1, 2020 for Council’s consideration. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Adamson, Leeuwrik, Bray, Cheatum, Ortega and Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Val Wadsworth and Akilah Lacey, representing the Pocatello POCATELLO POLICE Police Union, were present to give the Council an update of UNION UPDATE Union activities for the past quarter. Mr. Wadsworth gave the following brief overview of fund raising projects the Union has been working on: purchase of turkeys to give families for Thanksgiving; Handcuff Hunger event has been moved to spring; and the Secret Santa program is still on schedule. Ms. Wadsworth thanked the community for supporting Pocatello’s officers. Officers have been told by citizens that they are appreciated in Pocatello. Individuals have dropped off snacks for staff at the Police Station to express their appreciation. Mr. Wadsworth reported two officers are currently in the training CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 3 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 program and two more are scheduled to start in the next month or so. He mentioned the Pocatello Police Department has a very diverse group of officers and feels this is part of their success. Ms. Leeuwrik thanked Police Union and Police staff in general regarding the diaper drive from last year. She noted all of the prizes were donated from both Pocatello Fire and Police Unions. Ms. Stevens thanked the Union for going above and beyond through fundraising activities. Especially since each day an officer shows up to work is dangerous. She would like to look more closely at how the Police department is structured. Council thanked the officers for their service and discussion regarding ways to enhance the retention of officers followed. Mayor Blad mentioned a YouTube video was released that tried to give a negative spin of our Police officers at work. He reported that the officers featured in the video acted appropriately for the situation. Mr. Lacey agreed that the officers featured in the video did a great job. He feels Pocatello is a special place and Police officers take pride in the fact they do their jobs the right way. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Ashley Linton-Welsh, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer and PROPOSED SEPTEMBER Bonny Schroeder Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Deputy FISCAL YEAR 2020 BUDGET Treasurer were present to give Council detailed information on AMENDMENTS proposed Fiscal Year 2020 September Budget amendments for the public hearing to be held on September 17, 2020. Ms. Welsh noted every year the City finds it necessary to amend the budget to account for unanticipated grants or other situations. Although the City may have been awarded a grant the Council must still authorize the new expenditures in the budget. The proposed amendments are: Mayor’s Office – AGRIP - $1,079.00; - Coffee with the Mayor $257.00; - Mayor’s Walking Challenge $1,000.00. Building Department – Bond Claim $21,369.00. Planning and Development Department – Data Collection Bonneville Neighborhood Reconnaissance Survey $6,500.00; NAPC Training $500.00. Human Resources – COVID Expenses $230.00 (desk shield), $19.00 (masks), $935.00 (standing shields); Surface Pro for Telework/Zoom meetings $1,583.00; Business Management All Access Training $1,599.00. Non-Departmental – Small Business Assistance Grants $250,000.00. Police Department – Tasers $9,815.00. Fire Department – COVID Expenses $12.00 (Plexiglass dividers), $107.00 (thermometer), $168.00 (station decontamination); Supplies $150.00; Ladder Truck Repair $8,514.00; Peer Support Course $3,900.00; Healthcare Coalition Conference $1,943.00. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Animal Services – TNR Grant (food, equipment, medical services) $50,000.00. Parks – Ifft Grant $20,000.00. Street Fund – Purchase Railroad Parcel $10,000.00; Public Works Annex Roof Repair $40,155.00; Reserves to Fund 070 for Fiscal Year 2020 projects $250,000.00. Recreation Fund – Excavator $15,000.00; Trail Equipment $69,742.00; GCI Woodwind for Municipal Band $2,200.00. Airport Fund – Origami Art Display $12,800.00. Library Fund – Permanent Glass Barriers - $12,898.00. Science and Environment Fund – Cusick Creek $7,705.00; Pocatello Creek $53,332.00; Source Water Protection $10,000.00; Stormwater Monitoring Equipment $15,000.00. Sanitation Fund – Public Works Annex Roof Repair - $40,155.00. Ambulance Fund – County EMS Budget Difference $52,281.00. Wellness Fund – COVID Expenses $476.00 (hand sanitizers), $835.00 (masks), $10.00 (wipes). Street Federal Aid Projects Fund – Fiscal Year 2020 Projects $250,000.00. Airport Construction Fund – Airfield Improvement $500,000.00. CDBG Fund – COVID Resident Assistance $264,672.00. Zoo Improvement Fund – ADA Path $20,000.00. Total amendments $2,006,941.00. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: Peter Pruett, Zoo Manager, was present to review the final draft ZOO IDAHO – REVISED version of a revised 20-year Master Plan for Zoo Idaho and to 20-YEAR MASTER PLAN seek Council input and direction regarding the plan. Mr. Pruett shared Zoo Idaho’s previous 20-year Master Plan was designed in 1998. The revised 20- year Master Plan is a long-term vision built on Zoo Idaho’s mission of “Preserving Intermountain West Wildlife and Habitat through Conservation and Education”. The Plan has been designed and prepared in collaboration between Zoo Idaho, Zoo Idaho Zoological Society (ZIZS), City of Pocatello Parks and Recreation Department and public input. Guiding principles used in the development process of the revised Master Plan are as follows: a) provide unique and meaningful animal educational and play experiences that meet the high standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA); b) develop world class exhibits that exceed all husbandry standards, while remaining cost realistic; c) focus on gaining AZA accreditation; d) focus on Idaho conservation issues and educating the community on human/wildlife mitigation opportunities; e) reflect the community it serves, while providing CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 5 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 opportunities for community support and inclusiveness; f) works within the complex and scenic natural landscape to build engaging and realistic/cost feasible exhibits; g) strategically mix major and minor improvements; h) improve guest amenities, including restrooms and rest areas; i) work to capture visitors along Interstate 15 and Interstate 86 Yellowstone corridor; and j) emphasize local products and the community. Community input – Staff has used the following efforts to solicit community input regarding the draft Master Plan: Zoo Idaho Master Plan on-line Community Survey, on-grounds Zoo Idaho survey and Park and Recreation Advisory Board meetings. Comments received were shared. Requests for Council input and further direction – After reviewing community input received regarding the revised Master Plan, and considering both the positive feedback as well as concerns expressed, it is felt that the revised Zoo Idaho Master Plan addresses most concerns expressed while remaining cost feasible in proposed plan recommendations. Staff requested that Council provide additional input to Staff regarding the final draft of Zoo Idaho’s revised 20-year Master Plan, and if appropriate, direct staff to present the Zoo Idaho 20-Year Master Plan at a future regular City Council meeting for consideration. Council discussion regarding best use of tax funds and determining zoo attendance was held. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Pruett explained the new ADA path can get individuals to the Zoo’s upper level which has been a challenge in the past. Other groups are working on getting funding to create rest areas along the path. He noted that attendance in April and May were less because of the COVID-19 Pandemic and schools were not in session. However, once people saw the Zoo was open the number of attendees increased. In response to questions from Council, David Gates, Pocatello Fire Chief, explained that the loss of income at the Zoo for April and May does not qualify for COVID funds since the funds cannot be used for loss of income. Mayor Blad mentioned that Mr. Pruett continues to enhance the exhibits at the Zoo and has built new exhibits on a limited budget. AGENDA ITEM NO. 9: Discussion regarding the implementation and administration to IDAHO REBOUNDS process applications received for the Idaho Rebounds Municipal MUNICIPAL SMALL Small Business Grant will be held. BUSINESS GRANT UPDATE Municipal Small Business Grant details – The grant is made possible through the work of Governor Brad Little, State Controller Brandon Woolf, the Association of Idaho Cities and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Governor’s Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) created this grant to help local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling cities to provide aid within their community. Parameters of the Municipal Small Business Grant; Qualifications for Application within the grant were reviewed. Per Idaho’s Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee guidance memo on May 1, 2020, each local government is allocated a share of the Idaho Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). On June 26, 2020, Governor Little provided flexibility for local governments to utilize their allocation of the CRF to create a small business support grant to aid businesses affected by COVID-19 in their communities. Cities were asked to create a detailed program and submit the program to the State. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 6 SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 Council discussion to best define the process to receive, review and document applications received by the City followed. In closing, Mayor Blad mentioned he will get information regarding the grant out to the public. He will also keep Council apprised of the grant status. AGENDA ITEM NO. 10: Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at 10:43 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: RUTH NEWSOM, CITY CLERK