City Council

CITY OF POCATELLO, IDAHO CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION OCTOBER 14, 2021 AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Mayor Brian Blad called the City Council Work Session ROLL CALL to order at 9:04 a.m. Council members present were Heidi Adamson, Roger Bray, Rick Cheatum, Linda Leeuwrik, Claudia Ortega and Chris Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 2: Representatives from the Pocatello Arts Council were not present POCATELLO ARTS at the meeting. COUNCIL UPDATE AGENDA ITEM NO 3: Representatives from the Planning and Zoning Commission were PLANNING AND present to discuss the Commission’s goals and projects, as well as ZONING COMMISSION Council’s policies and expectations. UPDATE Krystal Chanda, Planning and Zoning Commission Chair, gave an overview of the following accomplishments of the Planning and Zoning Commission for the period of October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021: Review of 20 Preliminary Plats. During the 2019/2020 period, eight (8) Preliminary Plats were reviewed and four (4) annexation applications with findings and recommendations. This is a significant increase over the 2019/2020 period. The Commission currently has 2 vacancies on the board and 2 new members. Members are working with staff on the Comprehensive Plan, providing input and receiving updates. Ms. Chanda expressed the importance of formal trainings for new members of the Commission. Council members discussed the importance of trainings and onboarding activities for all advisory board members to help them understand policies and procedures. Council members thanked Ms. Chanda and the Planning and Zoning Commission members for their service. AGENDA ITEM NO. 4: Representatives from the Senior Ad Hoc Committee were present SENIOR AD HOC to seek a letter of recognition from the Council in support of the COMMITTEE value of a Senior Center in Pocatello and endorsement of the need ENDORSEMENT for a facility to meet the changing demands of seniors to provide REQUEST nutrition, recreation and lifelong learning opportunities in the community. Dr. Trent Stevens, representing the Senior Ad Hoc Committee, gave an overview of the Committee and its goals and objectives. He stated the committee was organized three years ago and represents various programs for seniors, and includes representatives from United Seniors Project and New Knowledge Adventures. Dr. Stevens stated that the committee is seeking a letter of recognition and endorsement of the value of a new senior center facility. He emphasized that the committee is not seeking financial support beyond that which is currently provided. The endorsement letter could help aid in obtaining donations and grant funding. Council members discussed the following: possible expansion of the current facility; use of other community facilities to meet the growing needs of the members; parking and capacity issues. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 2 OCTOBER 14, 2021 Dr. Stevens discussed the need for possible expansion of activities, services, educational opportunities, entertainment and community involvement through the senior center. The activities allow the community’s growing number of seniors to continue to live longer and more active lives. A motion was made by Ms. Leeuwrik, seconded by Ms. Stevens, to approve a letter of recognition from the Council in support of the value of a Senior Center in Pocatello and endorsement of the need for a facility to meet the changing demands of seniors to provide nutrition, recreation and lifelong learning opportunities in the community. Ms. Leeuwrik clarified that the endorsement would be to endorse the concept, not specific details of the proposed project. Ms. Adamson shared her concern regarding approval of a letter prior to seeing the details of the letter and the purpose of the letter. Mr. Cheatum stated that the letter would serve as an endorsement of the senior ad hoc committee which represents over 9,000 seniors living in the city of Pocatello. The letter could be valuable during fundraising and grant applications. He stated that the letter would emphasize that the community recognizes the need for a larger, more functional community facility. Mrs. Ortega shared her concern regarding endorsement prior to the composition of the letter. Mayor Blad clarified that the action being requested is to support that a letter be drafted and that all Council members would have the opportunity to make changes prior to final signatures. Ms. Leeuwrik’s motion was voted upon at this time. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Leeuwrik, Stevens, Bray and Cheatum. Adamson and Ortega voted in opposition to the motion. The motion passed. AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: The Pocatello Police Department has requested permission to add an INTERNET CRIMES additional officer to serve as a full-time Internet Crimes Against AGAINST CHILDREN Children (ICAC) Investigator. The investigator will be tasked with (ICAC) INVESTIGATOR investigating National Crimes for Missing and Endangered Children REQUEST - POLICE (NCMEC) referrals, while working with other ICAC investigators in DEPARTMENT southeast Idaho. All wages and benefits, including overtime and training, for the position will be paid for by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office. Roger Schei, Police Chief, Bill Collins, Police Captain, and Chris McCormick, Idaho Attorney General’s Office, were present to discuss the possibility of pursuing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Idaho Attorney General to add an additional officer to serve as a full-time Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Investigator. Chief Schei stated that funding for the position, including salary, benefits, retirement, overtime, equipment and training would be paid for by the Idaho Attorney General’s Office. He explained that Internet Crimes Against Children has risen dramatically, an approximately 80 percent increase since 2019. Current resources do not allow to have an officer fully dedicated to the issue, but there is a great need. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 3 OCTOBER 14, 2021 Captain Collins stated that one half-time detective is currently dedicated to ICAC, but the need for additional resources is great. Mr. McCormick stated that the Attorney General has identified the need for dedicated officers and is dedicated to supporting agencies to investigate ICAC cases. There are currently 18 full-time officers throughout Idaho located in the Treasure Valley, Idaho Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Moscow. He stated that the Pocatello officer would predominantly provide services within Pocatello, and may be asked to provide aid in other communities, if necessary. Council members discussed the following: multi-jurisdictional clarification; funding sustainability if funding ceases from the Attorney General; vehicle needs for the position; and hiring/training process for the proposed position. A motion was made by Mrs. Ortega, seconded by Mr. Cheatum, to direct staff to proceed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to add an additional officer to serve as a full-time Internet Crimes Against Children Investigator and that the MOU will be brought forward for Council consideration at a future Regular Council meeting. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Ortega, Cheatum, Adamson, Bray, Leeuwrik and Stevens. Mayor Blad called a recess at 10:42 a.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 10:56 a.m. AGENDA ITEM NO. 6: Ryan Satterfield, Satterfield Realty and Development, Inc. and City CRESTVIEW ESTATES staff were in attendance to discuss a public park proposal as DIVISION 4 – PUBLIC proposed within a future subdivision to be called Crestview Estates PARK CONCEPT Division 4. Carl Anderson, Senior Planner, gave an overview of a proposed park within the Crestview Estates Division 4 Subdivision. He clarified that the discussion is only pertaining to the park proposal, and not the subdivision, which would be considered by the Council at a later date. Ryan Satterfield gave an overview of the park concept and explained that the proposed subdivision plan currently includes a park area of approximately 4.8 acres of land which would be partially used for stormwater retention and partially used as a City park. He stated that there are currently no neighborhood parks in the area. Mr. Satterfield explained that the property would be graded and then dedicated to the City for further development and maintenance. He stated that the location of the park would be behind the homes on Legacy Drive. Mr. Satterfield stated that donations for development of the park are promising. He stated that if the park area is not accepted by the City, then the subdivision would be replatted and the area would be developed into additional single family homes. In response to questions from Council, John Banks, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that there is a great need for neighborhood parks and usable greenspace. Development of the park amenities could be provided incrementally as resources become available. He estimates that infrastructure, including irrigation, pathways, future electrical needs would be approximately $200,000. Addition of other amenities would be evaluated as funding allows. Mr. Banks stated that due to sloping areas, the usable space of the park would be approximately 2.5 acres of flat space. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4 OCTOBER 14, 2021 Council discussed the following: possible park amenities; landscaping; possible partnerships with the LDS Church for development; timely development of the park area; maintenance costs; safety concerns for the stormwater pond area; and possible phases of development. A motion was made by Mr. Cheatum, seconded by Ms. Leeuwrik, to direct City staff to proceed with the subdivision application process with Ryan Satterfield, as proposed and that final acceptance of the donation would be considered by the Council at a future Council meeting. Mayor Blad encouraged staff members to discuss the matter with residents during upcoming Comprehensive Plan outreach events. He announced that an outreach event is scheduled to take place October 28, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at Highland High School. Jared Johnson, City Attorney, clarified that staff would work with Mr. Satterfield to draft an agreement with Satterfield Realty and Development which would be considered by Council at a later date. Mr. Cheatum’s motion was voted upon at this time. Upon roll call, those voting in favor were Cheatum, Leeuwrik, Adamson, Bray, Ortega and Stevens. AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Jim Krueger, Chief Financial Officer, and Heather Buchanan, CITY PURCHASING Human Resources Director, were present to discuss the City’s AND FISCAL POLICIES purchasing and fiscal policies and purchase card (P-Card) program AND PURCHASE CARD policy. PROGRAM POLICY Mr. Krueger discussed the following with Council members: capital improvement projects; current financial policies, including the current reserve policy and purchase card (P-Card) policy; Budgeting best practices; and GFOA recommendations. Mr. Krueger proposed that a “Financial Subcommittee” be formed, comprised of two members of the Council, Mayor, City Attorney and Chief Financial Officer. The Subcommittee could identify policy strengths and weaknesses, provide procedure recommendations, enforcement capabilities, accountability, and other budgeting items. Recommended items would be brought to the full Council for consideration. In response to a question from Council, Mr. Krueger stated that input from the auditor would be valuable for the subcommittee, but their membership on the subcommittee is not recommended. Jared Johnson, City Attorney, stated that formation of a subcommittee would need to appear as an action item at a future Council meeting. He added that all subcommittee meetings would be subject to conditions of the Open Meeting Law. Mr. Krueger outlined current financial policy guidelines and policies and the importance of adopting updated policies on a regular basis. Mayor Blad called a recess at 2:16 p.m. Mayor Blad reconvened the meeting at 3:09 p.m. Mr. Krueger continued discussion with the Council regarding the following: P-card policies; purchasing procedures; fund reserve policy; and formation of a financial subcommittee. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 5 OCTOBER 14, 2021 Mayor Blad stated that formation of a Financial Subcommittee would be brought before the Council at a future Regular Council meeting. Parameters of the subcommittee, goals and objectives and membership would be considered at that time. AGENDA ITEM NO. 8: There being no further business, Mayor Blad adjourned the ADJOURN meeting at 3:39 p.m. APPROVED: BRIAN C. BLAD, MAYOR ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: KONNI R. KENDELL, CITY CLERK