City Council Regular Meeting

Star City Council Meeting Minutes August 7, 2012 The regular meeting of the Star City Council was held on August 7, 2012 at Star City Hall. Mayor Nathan Mitchell called the meeting to order and all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Council persons Tom Erlebach, Gary Smith, Tammy McDaniel and Chad Bell were all present. Approval of the Agenda: Bell moved to approve the Agenda, McDaniel seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Consent Agenda: McDaniel moved to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of: Claims Against the City for July 2012, Regular Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2012 and the Wine & Beer License for Garlic Charly’s, Bell seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Presentations/Public Input: Law Enforcement Report – Chief Laraway reviewed items that have come up in the City. We had a drowning, a rape and a man shooting off a gun. Chief Laraway talked to the man that attended the last meeting that had some concerns. Everything went well. Officer Elliot will be working with subdivisions on National Night Out and get more participation in Star. There have been no issues with Maverick, officers are being pro-active. Public Input - Ray Hoene, 570 N. Cardigan Avenue, Star, Idaho, explained that he understood how circumstances could be misconstrued with regard to the gentleman that spoke at the last Council meeting regarding events that happened. Jennie Nail, 1011 S. Star Road, Star, Idaho, asked if the City had plans to put a stop light in front of Sam’s Saloon? Several people have almost gotten run over. Smith stated that the Council has talked about a HAWK light because there have been several complaints. The Mayor stated that if we want to pay for it, it will get put up. Cost is approximately $10,000. Smith would like to discuss a HAWK signal on the next meeting agenda. Discussion was held on the need for the public to be aware of cars not stopping. The City can only do so much to protect the public. Ray Stokes, 10166 Arrowleaf Court, Star, Idaho, thanked the Mayor and Council for the installation of the sidewalk in front of El Mariachi Loco. Public Hearing: 1 The Mayor reviewed the 2012-2013 Budget and stated that since we held a Town Hall meeting on this budget, we will not be reviewing the budget in detail. The Mayor stated that the total revenue budgeted is $1,412,360, with tax revenue at $811,859, which has not been increased. The only item that will need to be changed is on the expense side. If Council wants to increase the Police budget it will need to be offset by $52, 695. This can be done by taking money out of capital or increasing the budget. The increase in the Police Budget is for health insurance adjustments and increase in wages. The Mayor discussed the concrete pad and how to budget for it. Options are to leave the budget as it is and later re-open the budget when we have better numbers or we can put it in the budget now and find somewhere to increase revenues. Erlebach asked about the increase to the Police budget and what would happen if we eliminated an officer. Chief Laraway stated that we could choose to lose the Chief’s position or we would lose a field deputy. Erlebach asked whose choice is was. The Mayor stated that it would be a joint discussion between Council and the Sheriff’s Department. You would have a gap in the time for coverage if you eliminate a deputy. Erlebach stated that he loves the coverage, but at what point do we stop paying $50,000 every year. Smith asked about the impact of Maverick being open 24/7. The Chief stated that it would have an impact with beer grabs and gas drive- aways. The Mayor stated that National Statistics state that it should be one officer per 1,000 people. Right now Star is the safest City in Ada County. Bell stated that he has spoken with several people and they want the police presence in Star. Bell stated that he is all for spending the money and the increase. The Mayor stated that we could not provide the service we have for what we are paying right now if you went out for bid. Bell stated that we are getting our money’s worth, it’s a good value. Bell is in favor of taking money out of capital expenditures to balance the Police budget and wait and re-open the budget for the concrete pad. Ray Hoene, 570 N. Cardigan Avenue, Star, Idaho, stated that he went to the Police Station and all the Police were out on duty. Hoene wants to know if all the officers have their own car. The Mayor stated the City has three cars. Everything else in the parking lot belongs to Ada County, we are just a storage lot. The Mayor stated that we lease three vehicles, we don’t pay for any maintenance for them, and it’s all done through the Sheriff’s office. The Mayor closed the public hearing for the 2012-2013 Budget. Bell moved to approve the proposed budget with approval of the increase to the Police Budget taking the extra money out of the Capital line items, McDaniel seconded the motion. Roll Call: Erlebach, Smith, McDaniel, Bell – all aye: motion carried. Reports: 2 Council - Erlebach stated that Italy was wonderful. Erlebach complimented the Mayor on his idea of the flag at Hunter’s Creek, it is beautiful. Erlebach stated that he picked up large television screen from Meridian, which is a 20x14 screen for movie night. Smith asked the Mayor about Impact Advisory Committee meetings. The Mayor stated that there would probably be only three meetings and he will post the meeting dates. Smith asked about the levy changing with the new Maverick and growth of homes. The Mayor stated that Maverick won’t go on the rolls until January. Smith thanked the Mayor and Council for holding the budget/town hall meeting. McDaniel stated that she had nothing to report. McDaniel did want to let Councilman Erlebach know that he was missed at the Home Town Celebration. She is excited to see the Highway 44 widening. Bell had nothing to report. Mayor – The Mayor stated that he is not around much and will be busy. He does have a conversation going on with the school regarding Pavilion Park. Hunter’s Creek is looking better. We spent more money on sand drains and we need to cut the water zones back. Erlebach stated that the landscaper will reseed the bare spots. The Mayor will be bringing the Park Use Regulations back to the Council for a review, especially the dog/alcohol issues. Smith stated that we need to get the fourth sign up at River Walk. There is also a lot of horse poop on the sidewalks in town. Adjournment: Bell moved to adjourn the meeting, McDaniel seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm. Approved: Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Nathan Mitchell, Mayor __________________________ Cathy Ward, City Clerk/Treas. 3