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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 10 2012 CM107 City of Chubbuck Council Meeting Minutes January 10, 2012 7:00 p.m. Minutes of a regular council meeting held at the Chubbuck City Council Chambers, January 10, 2012. Present: Mayor Steven England, Council Members; Kent Kearns, Kermit Morrison, Kevin England, Attorney Thomas Holmes, Public Works Director Steven Smart, Clerk Rich Morgan. Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Steve England Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Jared Merrill of BSA Troop 332. Invocation was offered by Jay McMillin of the 1 S` Ward in the Chubbuck Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints. Council Member Kearns moved to approve the regular meeting minutes of December 13, 2011. Council Member Morrison seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Kearns -yes, Morrison -yes. Mayor England administered the official oath to the City's newest police officer Shane Manning. Public Works Director Steven Smart presented a new rate for Homestead Estates Irrigation. When the initial rate of $18.75 was established is was based on estimated costs. Now we can use actual costs and Steve Smart ask the Council to set the rate at $16.10. Council Member Morrison moved to approve the rate of $16.10 for Homestead Estates Irrigation. Council Member England seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Kearns -yes, Morrison -yes. Public Works Director Steven Smart lead the discussion on the Sorrell communications tower. The neighborhood has requested a pole rather than a tower and Steve has priced a 60 foot pole. The cost including installation is estimated at $3,000.00 Council Member England moved to approve the installation of the pole and affirm the appeal of the land use decision regarding the communications tower. Council Member Kearns seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Kearns -yes, Morrison -yes. Computer print -out claims for December 27, 2011 were presented to Mayor England and Council. Council Member England moved to approve the claims. Council Member Ellis seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Kearns -yes, Morrison -yes. Mayor England wished to recognize Councilman Kearns and presented him with a plaque for his service to the City of Chubbuck. Council Member Kearns served on the Land Use Board from 1989 to 1998 and on the City Council from 1998 to2012. Mayor England asked Councilman Kearns if he would like to make some remarks. Council member Kearns accepted the invitation: I have become enough of a politician to know that you always want to take advantage of a captive audience. It is the one time you can really speak what is on your mind rather than have your conversation driven by an agenda. 109 Council Meeting Minutes Continued January 10, 2012 What I have just completed is called being a lame duck. It doesn't really feel any different than not being that lame duck. I have continued to function pretty much as before except preparing this speech. Congratulations to Kermit Morrison on his reelection. I know that he will continue to do an outstanding job. Congratulations again to Brent Marshall. I wish you nothing but the best. I have been going through all my city things, throwing out a lot of stuff, saving some for staff and passing it on. It has really struck me, the things you collect over a length of time or should 1 say the burs that never were removed from underneath my saddle. I have a letter from Wilk's Funeral home wanting to work with the city to establish a cemetery. I and others would like to be interred here in Chubbuck 1 would like to see that continually pursued. 1 know Mary Harker would like to be interred in Chubbuck but she has already bought her plot elsewhere. I have kept all my night -time lighting ordinance materials. Its not communism. It's the right thing to do. Besides saving energy, at some point and time we will really miss those stars and we will be protecting private property rights. My neighbor landscapes my backyard every night from 300 feet away. I can sit on my back deck and do real nice puppet shadows on the wall. You would think that this would be addressed under state or city law in the nuisance ordinance. The nuisance ordinance includes anything that is offensive to the senses, last time I checked sight was still a sense. If it was a sound, a bad smell or vibration I could get enforcement on it. I have a quality stereo system. I could let that same neighbor listen to my music but I am sure that 1 would soon have a police officer reminding me that I have to turn down that music. So with light, for some reason, its just accepted. Luckily, the neighbor behind me planted a tree, giving much quicker results and some relieffrom his light than 1 ever got from the city. On this issue I will be back. If you have attended a lot of council meetings you might wonder why I always make the motion to approve the minutes. I don't think I have missed very many. When I first started on the council, I noticed that most the other council members were opening their council packets after they sat down for the council meeting. I did not understand how they could approve minutes they had not read. How can you approve contracts or engineering stuff you have never seen? So I made my own personal goal to make sure the minutes were correct and 1 hope they will not suffer now that I am leaving. I have some advice for the council. Read the ordinances. They should be the bases of your decisions. You can't know them well enough. They will save your bacon. Take care of city employees. We need to implement and work towards that 85% of market which now 1 am sure is outdated. We need to fund our vacation accruals. Right now as an employee accrues vacation we do not set aside the money to pay for that vacation, so when a long -term employee leaves, the supervisor cannot replace that employee until the amount of time has passed for the payment of all the vacation and compensatory time has been paid to the leaving employee. That restricts management response to filling the empty position. 111 Council Meeting Minutes Continued January 10, 2012 I have a little advice for citizens on roundabouts. Tough it up. Slow down. Its not that complicated. Round about are less expensive in the long run. Roundabouts are more eco friendly and you don't wait in a round about like you do at a light. All those idling cars are wasting energy. Property Taxes: citizens you get a great deal. You have to keep perspective and understand your tax bill. In 2011 my property taxes were $1,458.50. Remember, what people don't realize, the city only gets a portion of that total bill. $680.82 went to the city and look at the services that I have received. If I am in a crisis, 24 hours a day, 1 can get police response, fire response, paramedics, I don't get that type of service from Cable One and I paid Cable One $ 886.00 last year. We really need to keep a proper perspective on our taxes. Compare the $680 with my phone bill which was $644.00 in 2011 and I don' have a cell phone. I know plenty ofpeople who pay $200 a month or more for their cell phone. If you really want to make an impact you need to go after federal taxes. In 2010 I paid $10,638. 00 in federal taxes and $5,268 instate taxes. I only paid $681 for the services I get from the City of Chubbuck. It is the most effective tax money that I pay. I know that money is going to be spent in the city of chubbuck and directly benefit me. Ten years from now you are going to thank us for having put in the North West Sewer Interceptor. We will have avoided the expense of interest for 30 years on 21 million •—• dollars as well as the increased construction costs in a good construction year. I would like to be remembered as the one who introduced denim shirts and respectable dark levis to the council. Most of you are probably wondering where my tie is. I do wear a tie every other year but I took the liberty of no tie tonight because I won't be in any swearing in pictures. I would like to say thanks to those I have served with, Mayors Cotant and England, the council members past and present, department heads, Chief Severe, Chief King, Steve Smart, Bill Guinn, City Clerks Ron Conlin and Rich Morgan, and Tom Holmes. Please say a special thanks to all city staff for their support in making me look so good for the past 13 years. I just hope that 1 have represented them as well as they have represented me. Mr. Byrd. Keep an eye on the council and keep them in line and call me if you need help with that. And finally, this is Council Member Kearns, over not out. Mayor England administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected council member Brent Marshall. At 7:30pm Council Member Kearns moved to adjourn. Council Member England seconded and the full council approved. Meeting was called to order at 7:31pm. by Mayor Steve England. The state of the City Address was delivered by Mayor Steve England. -- As we begin another new year, I again express sincere appreciation for the privilege, honor, and humbling responsibility that it is to serve as your Mayor. The friendship, encouragement, and support that I regularly receive from those I have association with are gratifying. 1 continue to be 113 Council Meeting Minutes Continued January 10, 2012 grateful for the sense of community that I feel here. Challenges and learning opportunities still present themselves on a regular basis. It is important to recognize and express appreciation for our dedicated city employees and those who serve the city in any way, from the Department Heads to each employee and from the City Council Members to each volunteer. I again want to especially acknowledge any of these who are responsible for developing the budgets that ultimately become the city budget. We are continuing to deal with shortfalls and reduced revenue sources and they diligently work with the city administration to find solutions. I know it has not been easy. I look forward to their continued effort and want to let them know that their hard work is noted and appreciated. We will begin the New Year with a change in our city council. We have appreciated the service of Councilman Kent Kearns and wish him well as he steps down from service on the city council. Councilman Kearns has been a very effective and dedicated member first of our Land Use and Development Commission and then as a City Councilman. His initial involvement on the City Council came during a difficult time for the city. Councilman Dean Wood was killed in a tragic auto accident and Kent was appointed to finish his term. He has been a valuable asset to the city during his ensuing time in office. Thanks to Kent and his wife Marie for their service to the city. We now look forward to working with Brent Marshall as he begins his tenure in office. Even though we continued to experience a slowdown in residential growth throughout 2011, there are encouraging signs of improvement. Crossroads RV purchased the land just north of the city offices and expanded their existing business from their location next to Smiths. Development on East Chubbuck Road moved ahead with completion of Anytime Fitness, the remodeling and anticipated opening of Unforgettable Events and the continued progress of Cruise 4 Less. The Mystique Theater restructured and reopened and Hoopsters Academy, a facility sponsored by a non-profit group of local individuals, opened for the purpose of enhancing the opportunity for our local youth to be introduced to and improve their basketball skills. Yellowstone near I -15 also experienced change this last year with the closing and removal of the Parrish Store, a long time Chubbuck business, and the initial construction of Knudsen Boulevard as well as the announcement and beginning ofthe new location of a Sherwin Williams Paint Store as the first business to locate in the development. Knudsen Boulevard will be a 5 lane road that will eventually extend from Yellowstone to Hawthorne Road to facilitate commercial development in that area. It will also provide for improved traffic patterns throughout the city. Although these have been much anticipation and curiosity about what businesses may eventually locate there, at this time they are only in the discussion stage. We also continue to be optimistic about the future of the Pine Ridge Mall. It is anticipated that 2012 will see progress there as well. Without question though, the greatest impact on our local economy in 2011 was the completion and opening of the Allstate Customer Service Center. Allstate making the decision to locate here was exemplary of the cooperation between the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck and Bannock County. We were aided in this effort by Bannock Development Corporation, Idaho State University, The Chamber ofCommerce, and many other business and civic leaders locally as well as Governor Otter and multiple state agencies. It was definitely a team effort. The economic impact that the addition of these 500 -600 jobs have already started to have on our community is tremendous and should have 115 Council Meeting Minutes Continued January 10, 2012 a ripple effect for years to come as they become fully staffed. In addition, the local economy will be boosted by ON Semiconductor's expansion, HOKU's eventual opening, and Peterson Corporation leading the effort to locate businesses at the Pocatello Airport. As 1 mentioned, all of this progress has been the result of an exceptional cooperative effort by many entities. 1 think it is important however to emphasize the unique opportunity it is to have ISU located in our community. They are not only an invaluable resource in our economic development, but under the able leadership of President Arthur Vailas, vision for the future of the university and the educational opportunities are exceptional. Idaho State University is truly the crown jewel of our region. We continue to be pleased with the relationship that the city has with the Chubbuck/Pocatello Hockey Association. We thank them for the unique opportunity they provide for our community. Now that they are in their second season with an ice rink, they can not only facilitate inline hockey competition during the summer but provide for a full range of ice hockey opportunities in the winter. They continue to partner with us in funding the facility and as this year's lack of consistent winter weather has shown, hope to find refrigeration equipment in coming years to make the ice sheet conditions more predictable as well as provide for a longer season. The facility is open to the public when not being used by the league. Initially, public skating will be available most weekends to include Friday, again weather permitting. It is our desire to work together with them to create and accomplish a vision for this program and will strive to do our part to grow and promote this activity for our area. Several multi - season infrastructure projects were completed in 2011 to include Hiline Road upgrades, the widening of I -86 from Yellowstone to Pocatello Creek Road, West Chubbuck Road widening and sidewalk improvement and the sewer upgrade and expansion. This next year we will continue the work on Knudsen Blvd and proceed with improvements on the Chubbuck and Philbin Road intersection. An enhanced 4 -way stop has been designed to include some widening and right - turn lanes as well as LED outlined lighted stop signs. We are hopeful that the necessary funding can be made available to Fort Hall Irrigation to rehabilitate the siphon on Siphon Road this year as well. Other projects will also be moved forward as time and funding are available. We are anticipating being able to do some chip sealing at the end of the summer as equipment schedulingpermits. Enjoy your general reprieve from the "construction barrels" as the state is planning to begin the construction on the Yellowstone /I -86 Interchange in 2013. 1 continue to be involved in discussions and efforts to coordinate and support a unified and cooperative direction for the communities all along the 1-15 corridor in Southeast Idaho in particular, as well as work with the Association ofldaho Cities in efforts that benefit the entire state. As we look to the future it is important that we support each other in maintaining and promoting the "quality of life " that we enjoy and work together to encourage that type ofgrowth and development. Once again I believe that I can report that the "State Of The City" is good. Even though we have made significant progress in many areas in this down economy, we continue to set goals to help facilitate steady progress in others. Indications are that we will still confront economic difficulties for a while. Many of our citizens are dealing as families and individuals with struggles and 117 Council Meeting Minutes Continued January 10, 2012 challenges. Even small changes and efforts when accomplished as a community can make a difference as we look to continue our progress. There is much volunteerism and neighbor to neighbor service that is done regularly in our community without a lot of recognition or fanfare. I express my heartfelt gratitude for those in our city who joined with Pocatello residents in helping to make Brooklyn's Playground a reality. I believe as we strive to maintain and perpetuate this attitude and activity it will not only provide the intended outcome but will assist us in finding solutions to our economic struggles. Our collective character will be defined as much by who we are and are striving to become as it is by what we do. As city leaders we appreciate the support and positive input that we receive. I believe the future of Chubbuck is bright and pledge my best efforts to continue to move us forward in 2012. Thank You. Council Member Morrison moved to nominate Council Member England to be the President of the Council for the year of 2012. Council Member Ellis seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Marshall -yes, Morrison -yes. The final plat for the Paradise Lift Station was presented to the council. Council Member England moved to accept the final plat for the Paradise Lift Station. Council Member Morrison seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Marshall -yes, Morrison -yes. The revised project plan for the Chubbuck Development Authority was presented to the council for their approval. $25,000 has been allocated for the intersection project on Hawthorne and Quinn. Council Member Morrison moved to approve the revised CDA project plan. Council Member Ellis seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Marshall -yes, Morrison -yes. Computer print -out claims for January 10, 2012 were presented to Mayor England and Council. Council Member England moved to approve the claims. Council Member Morrison seconded. Roll call vote: Ellis -yes, England -yes, Marshall -yes, Morrison -yes. At 8:28pm Council Member England moved to adjourn. Council Member Marshall seconded and the full council approved. Ateve"IM_E�nglarid, Mayor Rich Morgan, 'ity Clerk