City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION AUGUST 12, 2021 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Work Session ROLL CALL to order at 9:00 a.m. Council members present were Roger Bray, Rick Cheatum, Linda Leeuwrik, Claudia Ortega and Chris Stevens. Council member Heidi Adamson arrived at 9:06 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Representatives from the Human Relations Advisory Committee HUMAN RELATIONS were present to discuss the Committee’s goals and projects, as well ADVISORY COMMITTEE as Council’s policies and expectations. UPDATE Jenna Thompson, Human Relations Advisory Committee Chair, gave an overview of goals and projects that the committee is working on. She stated that the committee is working to support the Welcoming City Resolution by providing resources and education to the community. Ms. Thompson added community members can submit concerns by calling a hotline or submitting an online form on their website. She noted that the committee is working with the Planning and Development Services Department to diversify community input on the Comprehensive Plan. In response to questions from Council, Ms. Thompson stated only one concern has been brought to the committee. She added that the committee is working with the City’s Public Information Officer to create public service announcements to air on local radio stations. AGENDA ITEM NO. 3: Representatives from the Golf Advisory Committee were present to GOLF ADVSORY discuss the Committee’s goals and projects, as well as Council’s COMMITTEE UPDATE policies and expectations. Larry Morton, Golf Advisory Committee Chair, gave an overview of goals and projects that the committee is working on. He stated that the committee is working to improve the quality and appearance of the golf courses and encourage increased play at both courses. Mr. Morton described future planning and financial needs. In response to questions from Council, he stated there are places that have too many trees, restricting growth on fairways. Mr. Morton added that Chubbuck residents pay a non-resident fee. Greg Allbright, FORE Golf representative, explained strategies the committee has implemented to increase play at the golf courses. He noted that the new family and senior passes are selling well. Mr. Allbright added that visitors have commented on the great condition of the City golf courses. In response to a question from Council, Mr. Allbright stated that there is a resident and non-resident fee within their Point-of-Sale system. In response to questions from Council, John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, stated the cost to replace irrigation infrastructure will be approximately $1 million per course. He estimates the cost to renovate the Riverside clubhouse to be approximately $1 million. Infrastructure needs and the economic impact of the City’s golf courses were discussed by Council members. Irrigation system needs and replacement were reviewed. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Representatives from the Parks and Recreation Advisory PARKS AND RECREATION Committee were present to discuss the Committee’s goals and ADVISORY projects, as well as Council’s policies and expectations. COMMITTEE UPDATE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 2 AUGUST 12, 2021 Judy Taylor, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee representative, thanked Mayor Blad and City Council member for the opportunity to present an update. She gave an overview of the Committee’s activities which included development of the partnership opportunities brochure, new signage placement, proposed construction of dedicated pickleball courts, coordination with Bannock Historical Museum and volunteer hours. In response to question from Council, Mr. Banks stated there is a consensus choice on a new sign design and plans to place them in high profile areas. He noted that staff is working with Portnuef Valley partners to obtain grant funding to plant trees at Restlawn Cemetery. Mr. Banks added that they have received a few responses from businesses regarding funding opportunities for various projects and he feels that the Ross Park waterslide provides the highest return on investment of any of the proposed partnership projects. Council discussed the following topics: Ross Park waterslide, establishment of a tree nursery, and marmot population issues at City facilities. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Members of the Pocatello Fire Union were present to give the FIRE UNION Council an update of their activities for the past quarter. QUARTERLY UPDATE Andy Moldenhauer, IAFF Local 187 President, gave an overview of the Pocatello Union activities. He stated a working Collective Bargaining Agreement is being drafted. Mr. Moldenhauer added call volume for emergency services has increased. He noted upcoming fundraisers which include Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Coats for Kids and Firefighter Stairclimb Event. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Finance staff was present to review public comments and FISCAL YEAR 2022 Council discussion from the August 5, 2021 Budget Hearing. BUDGET DISCUSSION A motion was made by Ms. Stevens, seconded by Mrs. Ortega, to add the Fire Department ladder truck back into the budget to be paid as an annual $104,000 lease with an additional $104,000 set aside to build a fund in anticipation of the next new truck needed and that the necessary funds are to be covered by the available funding made available through employee compensation reductions rather than an additional tax ask and that the Mayor and Council member raises instituted in 2020 be rolled back to 2019 levels and reduce Council benefits by 50% and to remove the $939,000 (3% tax ask) as was previously included in the budget with discussion that it would not be used and an additional $229,000 be cut from the budget development figures approved during the August 11, 2021 Budget Development meeting in the amount of $671,000 and reductions in the amount of $200,000 in non-task ask revenue be included to bring the budget reduction to $1,000,000. Ms. Stevens stated that she feels some departments struggle to make necessary budget cuts without cutting positions and that other departments may have to shoulder a greater reduction burden that could result in a rippling job loss. She stated her goal is to prevent employee job cuts, provide critical and safety equipment for the Fire Department as per the needs list, not put department heads in an untenable position with their staff, and not increase the tax burden for property tax payers. Council discussed possible budget reductions in departments and shared their concerns regarding operational budget cuts, General Fund reductions, and staffing levels. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 3 AUGUST 12, 2021 Ms. Stevens’ motion was voted upon at this time. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Stevens, Ortega and Bray. Adamson, Cheatum and Leeuwrik voted in opposition to the motion. Due to a tie in voting, Mayor Blad was required to cast the deciding vote. Mayor Blad voted in opposition to the motion. The motion failed. A motion was made by Ms. Stevens, seconded by Mrs. Ortega, to add the Fire Department ladder truck back into the budget to be paid as an annual $104,000 lease with an additional $104,000 set aside to build a fund in anticipation of the next new truck needed and that the necessary funds are to be covered by the available funding made available through employee compensation reductions (not requiring job cuts) rather than an additional tax ask and that Mayor and Council member raises instituted in 2020 be rolled back to 2019 levels and reduce Council benefits by 50%. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Stevens, Ortega and Bray. Adamson, Cheatum and Leeuwrik voted in opposition to the motion. Due to a tie in voting, Mayor Blad was required to cast the deciding vote. Mayor Blad voted in opposition to the motion. The motion failed. A motion was made by Ms. Stevens, seconded by Mrs. Ortega, to add the Fire Department ladder truck back into the budget to be paid as an annual $104,000 lease with an additional $104,000 set aside to build a fund in anticipation of the next new truck needed and that the necessary funds are to be covered by the available funding made available through employee compensation reductions (not requiring job cuts) rather than an additional tax ask. In response to a question from Council, Dave Gates, Fire Chief, stated that if an additional ladder truck were to be approved for purchase, delivery of the equipment is estimated to take about one year. He added that the industry standard for a ladder truck life expectancy is 10-12 years. Chief Gates stated that for budgetary purposes, the Fire Department anticipates that a ladder truck would be considered a front line vehicle for 12 years and as a backup vehicle for an additional 12 years. He indicated that the current ladder truck is a 2012 model. Ms. Stevens’ motion was voted upon at this time. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Stevens, Ortega and Bray. Adamson, Cheatum and Leeuwrik voted in opposition to the motion. Due to a tie in voting, Mayor Blad was required to cast the deciding vote. Mayor Blad voted in opposition to the motion. The motion failed. A motion was made by Ms. Adamson, seconded by Ms. Leeuwrik, to adjourn the meeting. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Adamson, Leeuwrik, Bray, Cheatum, Ortega and Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: There being no further business, Mayor Blad adjourned the meeting at ADJOURN 10:55 a.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4 AUGUST 12, 2021 ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: KONNI R. KENDELL, CITY CLERK