HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 09 2014 CM Study Session79
City of Chubbuck
Council Study Session
July 9, 2014
3:00pm
The minutes of a regular Council Study Session held at the City of Chubbuck council chambers, July 9,
2014. The Meeting was called to order at 3:00pm by Mayor England.
Mayor England asked Chief King to address the council concerning the SAFER grant.
This grant provides relief to government agencies, for two years, who are trying to increase emergency
service personnel. This grant would require the City to add 5 additional fire personnel to the
department. The total cost of this would be $387,000. The grant would cover approximately $180,000.
The City would need to cover the difference. After the two years of grant funding the City should be
ready to cover the entire cost. Chief King would like to have some assurance that the City is going to
fund the increase cost in additional personnel at the end of the grant before applying for the grant.
Council Member Ellis asked how the City of Chubbuck compares to the City of Ammon. Chief King
explained that there are several major differences between the two cities. The City of Chubbuck
provides services not only to the City but also to two fire districts. The Department not only provides
fire protection but also EMS services. The City of Chubbuck also has mutual aid agreements with other
emergency service agencies. The two agencies we most interact with are the City of Pocatello and Fort
Hall.
Chief King reported that within the City boundaries there were four structure fires last year. There were
an additional 11 structure fires in the two districts. These numbers continue to increase.
Chief King explained how adding five full time staff would not relieve any pressure from the on call
roster. There are about 10 on call firefighters that make up a core of the consistent responders. Council
Member Ellis would like to see a list of pay call responders by incident.
It was pointed out that the contracts with the fire districts need to be renegotiated.
Council Member Ellis would like some action on this item and would like it on the study session agenda
next month.
Mayor England ask the Council for input concerning the FY15 budget. Council member Ellis started the
conversation with the City of Pocatello's plans for their foregone amount. He would like to take the
forgone amount off the table. He is also concerned about the levy in Chubbuck and wants that levy to
be lower than Pocatello's. He realizes the difference is not large but is concerned because that is the
measuring stick people use. He wants to ensure that the department heads are being as frugal as
possible. He wants to see a budget based on what would not raise the City's Tax levy.
Council Study Session Minutes Continued 81
July 9, 2014
Council member Ellis would like the pay raises this year to be based on a performance measure rather
than an across the board COLA. He would like to reward the best employees, incentivize the good
employees and work to improve those who need improving. Council member Lewis stated that we need
to turn things around when it comes to retention. The City of Chubbuck has so much to offer it should
be the desired place to work, the desired destination. We need to have the hard discussions on how
we keep people around. Hopefully this will help reduce costs as the city will not be training over and
over and over again.
Council member Ellis realizes the City is dealing with increased costs such as insurance, power, fuel and
wastewater treatment. These increases have been covered by cuts to other line items.
Council Member Ellis would like to see $73,000 allocated to the chip seal line item, giving the City a
funded line item for a ten year plan, $32,000 to the fire department for breathing apparatus and the
Keller McIntyre deal funded.
Council member Marshall has looked at the budget for the last 3 years. The 3% increase is based on the
previous year's budget not on actual expenditures. He wants to challenge our department heads to
review what they are spending their money on. He would like to see the Budget broken down into the
base, or fixed costs, the variable portions, and the wish lists. He believes there can be better
management of the variable expenses. He would like to see this restructuring of how the City Budgets.
Council member Marshall agrees with Council member Ellis and would like to see the City of Chubbuck's
levy lower than Pocatello's. Pursuing commercial ventures to locate in Chubbuck will be key.
Council Member Marshall asked about the L2 spreadsheet that Rich has shown the last two years and
requested it for the next meeting.
Council member Morrison also asked for the L2 spreadsheet, he requested a report on capital
improvement. He realizes that Rich projected no raise in rates but since that time we have received
additional information from the City of Pocatello that could necessitate an adjustment in the sewer
rates. He knows we have lowered the NWSI rate the last three years and would like City staff to look for
ways to lower the NWSI again so the raise in sewer treatment could be offset.
An explanation of the Chubbuck Development Authority, its funding and recourse uses was discussed.
CDA money is used for construction or reconstruction; it cannot be used for maintenance. The funding
for the CDA comes from the tax increment within the district.
at 4:53pm Mayor England adjourned the meeting.
Kevin Englan ;,Mayor Rich Morgan, rty Clerk