HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 11 2014 CM Study Session7V A -
City of Chubbuck
Council Study Session
June 11, 2014
3 :00pm
Minutes of a regular Council Study Session held at the City Council Chambers, June 11, 2014.
The meeting was called to order at 3:OOpm by Mayor Kevin England.
In attendance was: Mayor Kevin England, Council members: Josh Ellis, Ryan Lewis, Kermit
Morrison, Brent Marshall.
General Business
Highway Streets and Roads / Public Works Budget.
1. Steve explained that he has been working on the budget with his department heads. Rich has
not had the opportunity to enter the figures on the budget worksheet. He will get that to you
shortly. There will be some juggling of expenses in each department, however, the overall fiscal
year 2015 budget will remain the same in total as the fiscal year 2014 budget. We do anticipate
that if the council does give an increase it will be in the Chip Seal line item of Highway Streets
and Roads.
Steve addressed the salt shed. Council member Lewis asked about the one bid received. Steve
explained that there were seven invites to bid sent. Council member Lewis asked about the base
as part of the bid. Steve explained that the bid was only the shed. The shed is designed to be 50
feet by 60 feet and will be located at 252 Highway Ave. The Fire Department is scheduled to
burn the home at 252 Highway next week. The shed will be put on the foot print of the home
with the opening facing north into the city yard. This will leave the closed part of the shed toward
the prevailing winds.
Steve addressed the sewer flush truck. The truck the city owns currently is getting old and the
maintenance on the current piece of equipment is climbing. Steve thinks its time to replace this
piece of machinery. He estimates around $250,000.
Steve addressed the city's culinary water System - Steve showed the council a graph depicting
pump time for the city during June 9, 2014 and June 10, 2014. There was one pump, well #4,
that was in use, pumping, 22 hours a day. During this same time well 45 and well #3 were
pumping several hours each day. Steve pointed out that it is early in the summer season and as
we get into July and August it is possible that all three wells could be running most of the day to
serve the City's demand. Steve then explained that if one of the wells went down for several
days it would he highly likely that the city would have to restrict water use. The City has taken
the first step, by purchasing water rights, to mitigate the problem. The next step is to bring on
additional production. Steve has tried to pick up a piece of property for a well and has not been
successful. Steve explained the variable nature of drilling a well and the problems that can
occur. This will need to be an ongoing discussion.
Nuisance Ordinance.
2. Mayor England turned the floor over to Council member Marshall who suggested the council
have this discussion. Council member Marshall would like to have a continuing discussion on
this topic. He would like to see the ordinances reviewed and the city increase enforcement.
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Council member Marshall would like to see organized beautification take place with the backing
of the City. Tom, the city attorney commented that more ordinances really is not the problem it
is about more enforcement. Aaron Harker, the City's code enforcement officer, explained that
historically, the city hasn't looked for problems but rather dealt with complaints. There are many
cases and Aaron only works code enforcement part-time. In comparison, the City of Pocatello,
with two full time code enforcement officers, processed 800 cases last year. During the same
time frame, working part-time, Aaron processed 515 cases.
Currently the first contact with a violation is a request for the citizen to become compliant with
the law. If the citizen refuses to comply, then a series of steps ensuring due process is followed
until eventually the citizen is arrested. Aaron explained that the City is extremely efficient,
however, increasing enforcement without more resources would be hard. There is a man power
issue if we want more enforcement.
Council Member Lewis thought this was going to be a different discussion and asked about the
panhandling problem in Chubbuck. There are issues with the panhandlers. They have freedom
of speech and freedom of assembly rights that we need to be aware of. There are ordinances to
panhandling and they are hard to enforce. Part of our problem is a really great community that is
very generous. Tom commented that he believes the City's panhandling ordinance is sound.
One of the reasons this has been on Council member Marshall's mind is he sees some problems
the city is having with the transition from rural to urban. We are getting the wellness center, the
auditorium, we need to transition with this and get our city looking as nice as possible. There are
people always asking for things to do, can we use them as a volunteer force?
Mayor will look at doing something more organized.
Steve mentioned the Family Dollar store. They were required to construct the water retention
pond between the back of the store and Chubbuck Rd. In this case, the manager of the store just
does not understand what the landscaping should look like. To force a property owner to make
their property look like you in vision is hard to enforce.
Cross Connection and Control
3. Steve presented a draft of the letter the City is preparing to send out. When citizens come into
City Hall we have prepared a list of certified contractors for their information. The council
would like the price each contractor charges, included on the referral sheet. If the Citizen is out
of compliance, the City will terminate water service.
Keller McIntyre
4. The Mayor continued the discussion on hiring the firm Keller McIntyre to represent the City
of Chubbuck in Washington DC to the federal government. They will seek federal dollars for
our water system, our fire department and other areas. Council member Lewis would like to see
what will be specifically sought after. If the Council would like to have a conference call with
Keller McIntyre they would be willing to do that.
At 5:1 1pm the Study Session was adjourned.
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