City Council Regular Meeting

Star City Council Meeting Minutes August 4, 2015 The regular meeting of the Star City Council was held on August 4, 2015 at the Star City Hall, 10769 W. State Street, Star, Idaho. Mayor Nathan Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm and all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Councilmen Richard Lockett, Tom Erlebach and Chad Bell were all present. Approval of the Agenda: Erlebach moved to approve the agenda, Lockett seconded the motion. All ayes: motion carried. Consent Agenda: Bell moved to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of Claims Against the City for July 2015 and Regular Meeting Minutes of July 21, 2015, Lockett seconded the motion. All ayes: motion carried. Presentations/Public Input: Law Enforcement Budget Review – Chief John Laraway – The Chief explained the infrared gun and that it works by picking up heat signatures; it will help the officers. Business owners Robert Wurster and Ingo Stroup purchased the infrared gun for the Police Department. It will reach about 200-300 yards. The Chief discussed the proposed budget. The increase in the budget comes from the growth through the internet cable, the TIPS program and a 2% COLA. The increase is about $10,000. Bell asked what the increase in equipment was. The Chief stated the increase was for the purchase of I-phones and body cameras. The cameras cost is $800 per camera. Erlebach asked if the pictures go straight to downtown. The Chief stated they do and the deputies cannot edit the pictures. The Mayor stated that the vehicle cost went down along with gas costs. Erlebach stated he liked the cost per citizen; we’re lower than Garden City. The Mayor read the information on the Police budget report regarding the police cost per citizen; Star is at $87. The fiscal cost for the police contact is $699,000 or 60% of the operating budget of the City. Public Input: Alan King, 672 N. Devon Place, Star, Idaho, wants to bring awareness of pending problem. There is no footbridge over the canal on Plummer Road. There are more and more citizens walking that area and they have to wait for traffic to leave before they can cross the bridge safely. You can walk on the sidewalk on a majority of the road except for going across the canal. He would 1 like to encourage the Council to bring it to the attention of the Ada County Highway District. Mr. King showed pictures of the areas. He believes it needs attention before something happens. He was told that ten years ago there was a crossing over the canal and that Intermountain Gas took the crossing down. The Mayor stated that it is the Highway District’s bridge but doesn’t think they would have a problem if we put something in place. The Mayor stated that there is plenty of money with the Safe School access and we can apply for it. The Mayor introduced Sheriff Bartlett. Old/New Business: Public Hearing – 2015-2016 Budget – The Mayor declared the public hearing open. The Mayor reviewed the budget and what goes into the line items. The Mayor reviewed the revenues and expenses of the proposed budget. (See attached) The Mayor listened and responded to several questions from the public during his presentation. Public Input – Denice VanDorn, 11071 Frost Street, Star, Idaho would like to request that the City spend some of the money we have on more comfortable seats for the audience. Robert Wurster, 11497 W. Celestial, Star, Idaho stated that he believes that the Mayor and Council are doing a good job managing the city’s budget and he appreciates the effort. Wurster is part of the Star Lions and they will be coming to the Council for a request to upgrade some of the brackets for the light poles. Ingo Stroup, 11071 Frost Street, Star, Idaho stated that he would like to give some input on the skate park. He travels all over the state and sees skate parks and they are not being used. He would like Council to look at a use that covers a larger demographic; such as play stations or family oriented structures. He suggested picnic tables with shade covers. He also does not believe the corner is the best place for the kids to congregate. He believes that nothing will come in on budget. Ulysses Mori, 10073 _______ Street, Star, Idaho stated that we have a dog leash situation; he seen dogs go after people. We need to enforce. Judy Sailor, 3073 N. Cherry Laurel, Star, Idaho stated that we need to have the people with dogs pick up their poop and we need stations with bags. The Mayor stated that there are stations with bags at the River Walk and Westpointe Parks. Sailor asked about a public awareness notice telling people to pick up their dog poop. The Mayor declared the public hearing closed and entertained a motion from Council. Bell moved to amend the proposed budget for 2015-2016 by adding $8,255 to the Police Budget line item and reducing the Capital Building line item by $8,255, Erlebach seconded the motion. Bell restated his motion to amend the budget for 2015-2016 by adding $8,255 to the 2 Police Budget line item and reducing the Capital Building line item by $8,255 and approving the budget, Erlebach seconded the amended motion. All ayes: motion carried. Reports: Staff – Chris Yorgason, City Legal Counsel, stated the City has an upcoming hearing to approve the Resolution for a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment. Yorgason stated that the Idaho Code has been changed and we don’t need to wait six months to change the Comp Plan map. Yorgason is recommending changes to the development code; our code mirrors the old statute. Council – Erlebach reminded everyone about movie night Friday night. Erlebach stated that Boise City is investing $5 million dollars for a new skate park. Mayor – The Mayor stated that he has been out of town and has nothing to report. Adjournment: The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 8:45 pm. Approved: ________________________________________ Respectfully submitted: Nathan Mitchell, Mayor _________________________________ Cathy Ward, City Clerk 3