City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 8, 2021 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Budget Development ROLL CALL Meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Rick Cheatum, Linda Leeuwrik, Claudia Ortega and Chris Stevens. Jim Krueger, Chief Financial Officer, gave an overview of the previous Budget Development meeting held on June 7, 2021 in which the following department budgets were discussed: Pocatello Regional Transit; Legal; Human Resources; Employee Wellness; Finance; Building; City Hall Facilities; Public Works; Planning and Development Services; Mayor/City Council; and Animal Services. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Alan Evans, Pocatello Regional Airport Manager, and Kristy Heinz, 2022 BUDGET Management Assistant, were in attendance to give a presentation. PRESENTATION – POCATELLO REGIONAL AIRPORT Mr. Evans reviewed the organization within the Pocatello Regional Airport and current staffing levels. Service level changes and other major initiatives include:  Changes to Funds 072 due to BLM Base expansion and timing of FAA grants and projects, which may overlap multiple years  Fiscal Year 2021 Airport Improvement Projects including the Airport Master Plan, which will focus on airfield short and long-term planning and will include non-aviation property planning as funding allows  Fiscal Year 2022 Airport Improvement Project - design and initiate procurement of new Airport Rescue Fire Fighting truck. He stated that Airport staff will work with a consultant to complete an update to the Airport Master Plan. COVID relief funds are available to compensate for lost revenue due to the pandemic, and therefore, no reserve funding has been requested.  Collection of approximately $250,000 through CRRSA during Fiscal Year 2022  COVID-related revenue loss adjustment - A significant amount of capital contingency savings will be needed over the next 3-5 years to replace lost Passenger Facility Charge revenue to provide match money for FAA grants and lost revenue. This is due to the full effect of the pandemic not yet realized. Any revenue available due to CARES and CRRSA grant funds not needed for operating expenses will be used to establish this needed capital savings. Ms. Heinz added that the Master Plan would include focus on aviation-related items and information for non-aviation-related items, such as hotels and industrial building. She added that the Master Plan will include coordination from City staff, public input and outreach events. The Council will be given progress updates during the process. Ms. Heinz stated that the Airport webpage is part of the City of Pocatello website.  2 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 8, 2021 Mr. Evans stated that he has reached out to airlines that have expressed an interest in service to Pocatello. Information will be shared with potential airline carriers to develop additional air service to the area. In response to a question from Council, he added that an aggressive marketing campaign is underway to help reclaim the travelers lost to the Salt Lake City market, which represents approximately 56 percent of the Pocatello market. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, was in attendance to 2022 BUDGET give a presentation on the following Parks and Recreation PRESENTATION Divisions: Parks; Recreation; Cemetery; and Zoo Idaho. – PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Mr. Banks introduced Brett Hewatt, Parks Superintendent; Lance Clark, Outdoor Manager; and Peter Pruett, Zoo Manager. He then reviewed the organization within the following divisions of the Parks and Recreation Department: Administrative Division; Parks Division; Recreation and Zoo Division; and Cemetery Division. He discussed the following service level changes and other major initiatives for each division: Administrative Division:  No proposed service level changes for Fiscal Year 2022  During Fiscal Year 2021, the department implemented strategies designed to alleviate COVID- related revenue impacts. Parks Division:  No proposed service level changes for Fiscal Year 2022  The division maintains 302 acres of greenspace and associated infrastructure at 26 park facilities.  Provides maintenance of the Pocatello Parks system at a cost of $5,155 per acre, well below the national median average of $7,213 per acre  Continuation of safe service through implementation of modified operational plans in response to COVID-related adaptations Recreation and Zoo Divisions:  No proposed service level changes for Fiscal Year 2022  Recreation Department includes the following divisions: Outdoor Recreation; Team Sports; Community Recreation Center; Ross Park Aquatic Complex; and Highland and Riverside Golf Courses  Zoo Idaho exhibits 85 indigenous species and 98 animals on 25 acres and provides educational programs as outreach opportunities and events.  Continuation of safe service through implementation of modified operational plans in response to COVID-related adaptations. Cemetery Division:  No proposed service level changes for Fiscal Year 2022  3 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 8, 2021  The Cemetery Division maintains 67 acres of cemetery grounds at Mountain View (55 acres) and Restlawn (12 acres).  Cemetery maintenance is more labor intensive than in typical park spaces.  The Cemetery Division provided maintenance of the Pocatello cemeteries at a cost of $7,452 per acre, including lot sales and administration and all interment/burial services. The national median average is $12,213 per acre. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Banks stated that use of parks, trails and golf courses has increased significantly during the pandemic. Additional maintenance was provided to deliver necessary sanitization services. Mr. Banks stated the biggest need currently is funding for the Ross Park waterslide in order to bring it back as a revenue-producing facility. Partnership programs, which enable individuals and companies to “sponsor” Parks and Recreation facility needs, could produce compelling returns for potential partners. Partnership opportunities are available and are being shared with companies and organizations in the area. Mr. Banks stated that an active trail users group provides necessary feedback and solutions to trail needs. He stated that the clubhouses at Riverside and Highland Golf Courses are meeting the current needs, but additional upgrades and expansions will be necessary in the future. Council discussed the Portneuf Wellness Complex and the possibility that Bannock County may ask the City to contract maintenance at that County facility. Mr. Banks stated that the Parks and Recreation Department does not have the resources to absorb maintenance costs at the facility. He stated that a thorough study would be necessary to evaluate potential issues and expenses related to soil issues, irrigation, sports field maintenance, staff resources and capital needs. Mr. Banks stated that many residents use the cemetery areas for walking trails. Only foot traffic is allowed, so there is minimal impact to the facility. He added that the Fleet Department is assisting with the maintenance equipment rotation, addressing ongoing needs such as gang mowers, trim mowers and replacement of aging vehicles. In response to a question from Council, Mr. Pruett stated that live trapping of marmots continues at the Zoo and other areas where the animals are doing damage to facilities. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Eric Suess, Library Director, was in attendance to give a 2022 BUDGET presentation. PRESENTATION – MARSHALL PUBLIC LIBRARY Mr. Suess reviewed the organization within the Marshall Public Library and current staffing levels. Service level changes and other major initiatives include:  Internet usage increases of 10,676 hours of internet use and 222,120 connections made to the wireless network  4 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 8, 2021  Electronic material (E-Books) usage, which increased by 38% with correlative decreases in print materials.  Creation of 72 virtual story times and 31 take-away craft activities, which were achieved as a result of COVID-related restrictions.  Replacement of the Library vehicle used for community activities, which is at the end of its useful life  There is damage to the stucco on the south exterior of the Library which is in need of repair. The holes made by birds require reinforcement of the exterior to prevent further damage. Exterior repairs must occur within a reasonable amount of time, in order to avoid additional damage. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Suess stated that although E-books are being used more frequently, physical books are still a mainstay for the Library, as many items are not available in electronic format. Mr. Krueger stated that funds are available in the General fund balance to pay for repairs to the building. A budget amendment would be necessary to appropriate those funds for that purpose. Mayor Blad called a recess at 10:52 a.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 11:04 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Tom Kirkman, Deputy Public Works Director, was in attendance to 2022 BUDGET give a presentation. PRESENTATION – STREET OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT Mr. Kirkman reviewed the organization within the Street Operations Department and current staffing levels. Service level changes and other major initiatives include:  Match Funds - Street Operations provides $250,000 per year to provide required match funding for federal aid projects. During 2020, the funding was levied but not spent. Those funds were used to pay off the South Valley loan earlier than anticipated.  Federal Initiatives - the MS4 stormwater permit has additional requirements pertaining to inspections, reporting and maintenance. Council discussed potential funding for upcoming state and federal projects. They discussed potential difficulties regarding sufficient transportation, adequate building supplies and suitably qualified contractors for upcoming projects.  5 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 8, 2021 AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Tom Kirkman, Deputy Public Works Director, was present to give 2022 BUDGET a presentation. PRESENTATION – SANITATION DEPARTMENT Mr. Kirkman reviewed the organization within the Sanitation Department and current staffing levels. Service level changes and other major initiatives include:  Landfill fees - Bannock County will be increasing fees for use of the landfill facility. The increase in charges will be in effect October 1, 2021. The amount of the increase will depend upon the continued use of the landfill by Bingham County. An amendment to the rate study may be necessary to account for the increase in fees.  Partners in Pride Program modification – Bannock County Landfill has stopped participating in the program. If the City continues the program, annual landfill costs could increase significantly.  Recycling Costs - Recycling costs continue to increase as fewer options for recyclable material use and exporting are available. The cost to recycle materials is approximately six to seven times the cost of placing it in the landfill. Council members discussed the possibility of charging a small fee to help alleviate the costs of the Partners in Pride Program. All fees must be part of the Fee Resolution and adopted by the Council. Discussion took place regarding City administered composting programs. Compost products are typically difficult to sell. Council discussed circumstances which may arise if the recycling program were to be discontinued in Pocatello, such as costs for citizens and potential landfill congestion. Mr. Kirkman stated that further studies could be done to investigate all avenues regarding recycling and composting. Those items would be brought to the Council at a future Work Session for discussion. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Tom Kirkman, Deputy Public Works Director, was in attendance to 2022 BUDGET give a presentation. PRESENTATION – FLEET DEPARTMENT AND FUEL INTERNAL SERVICE FUND Mr. Kirkman reviewed the organization within the Fleet Department and current staffing levels. Service level changes and other major initiatives include:  Fuel and oil prices which continue to fluctuate. Fuel budgets are set based upon the previous year’s actual usage. Actual costs are difficult to estimate.  Central Supply Purchasing which could produce economic benefits through large-scale purchasing, standardized purchasing and inventory management.  6 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT MEETING JUNE 8, 2021 Mr. Krueger reminded the Council that the next Budget Development meeting would be held on June 9, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: There being no further business, Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting ADJOURN at 12:34 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: KONNI R. KENDELL, CITY CLERK