HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 13 2014 CM Study SessionCity of Chubbuck 93
Council Study Session
August 13, 2014
3:00 p.m.
The minutes of a regular Council Study Session held at the City of Chubbuck council chambers,
August 13, 2014. The meeting was called to order at 3:OOpm by Mayor Kevin England.
Mayor England started the discussion regarding the City's handling of storm water,
predominately in the low-lying areas. Some specific areas that were addressed are West Burnside
near the Motel 6 and Burley Drive, South from Chubbuck Road. Steve Smart discussed the
problems on Burley Drive, stating that the natural topography indicates that as a low-lying area,
would require additional storage/infiltration system which would be costly, and our current storm
water budget is very minimal. Council member Ellis added, at what point does the obligation
shift to the property owners to make sure they have proper drainage? It is a balance with the
City's planning and designing of such areas.
Council meeting pledges and invocations were addressed by Mayor England. Starting with the
August 20, 2014 Council Meeting, each Council member will be rotated through to invite
someone in for the invocation and pledge. We will start alphabetically with each Council
member, having Council member Ellis inviting someone to do the next Council Meeting.
Steve Smart discussed the review of the City's platting process. In review from the July 16
Council meeting, Briscoe 8t" subdivision preliminary plat approval was on the agenda. There was
much of the testimony that revolved around the land use rather than the platting of the area.
Motion was made to approve the plat subject to the review of the zoning. Including such a
motion creates a potential legal issue with the applicant because they have already
addressed/covered all the land use issues in the earlier application process. Area is zoned as R2
but how it was being developed met the R1 requirements and a suggestion was for the plat to
come back as a RI zone, but the plat would've come back the same. Councilman Ellis addressed
the fact that the reason the issue came up is the large shops being built in the area, which have
businesses being run from them, violating the City ordinances. Further discussion ensued from
the ordinance issue, but Councilman Ellis believes that these shops are being built as warehouses
with businesses being run out of them yet they are not being cited for the ordinance violation
even though much smaller operations, such as a vehicle detailing businesses that washes cars in
the driveway are considered a violation of the ordinance. It makes it appear that the City is
selectively enforcing the ordinances. Many of the threats/violations are based on what is reported
to us because our one part time ordinance officer does not have the man power to enforce all the
ordinances across the board.
Sewer treatment fees are increasing from the City of Pocatello, and it will be necessary for us to
increase the sewer treatment fees to the City of Chubbuck residents. Steve Smart pointed out the
Pocatello plant improvement in excess of $20M which has updated the Pocatello rate to
$3.28/1,000 Gallons, which was $3.01 last year. The City of Chubbuck has not adjusted the
general sewer rate since the inclusion of the NWSI in 2011. Our 2011 rate that we were paying
Council Meeting Minutes Continued
August 13, 2014
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for sewer service was $2.45/1,000 Gallons and that is the figure currently being used in our
sewer rate calculation. We will need to adjust our rates to cover this difference.
City of Chubbuck website update is in process and the completely new site will be up and
running by September 1, 2015.
Councilman Marshall wanted to discuss the condition of the Cotant Park baseball fields. Fields
were in really good shape this year and would like to see the City create a destination sports
facility similar to what the City of St George has been able to do in that area. He suggested that
we may be able to generate more tournaments between the baseball fields at Cotant, the softball
fields at Capell and the new tennis courts. He also noted that some of the tennis courts, such as
those at Cotant should be razed and reconstructed as featured items of our City. Councilman Ellis
would like to see the parking lot at Capell to be covered with asphalt if possible with some of the
other road projects that have been coming in lower than expected.
Councilman Marshall wanted to discuss regulating light in the City of Chubbuck. He was unable
to find a lighting ordinance in either Chubbuck or Pocatello, multiple locations are asking about
such ordinances. Mayor England addressed two issues regarding lighting ordinances, one, getting
the right wording to make it enforceable, and two, the difficulty of actually enforcing such an
ordinance. The City would need additional enforcement to address such an ordinance.
Chief King addressed the cleanup of the dilapidated Parrish property on the North side of West
Burnside. There has been some confusion over the letter between Chief King and Mr. Parrish
regarding the cleanup, Mr. Parrish believes that he will only be required to clean up the
foundation and not the remnants of what is left from a controlled burn. Chief King specified that
if there is Asbestos present, the City cannot be part of the demolition for safety purposes.
Announcements -
Keller McIntyre will be here on 8/14/14 for a meeting and tour of the City.
Chubbuck Days including the movie in the park was a great success, and there are several
businesses that are interested in sponsoring a potential monthly movie in the park.
Portneuf Wellness Complex will remain owned by Bannock County, but there will be a multi -
governmental agreement for mutual aid and caring for the property.
Hiline guardrail is scheduled for construction on 8/19/14.
At 4:17 Mayor England adjourned the meeting.
Pell ;
Kevin Eng , Mayor Rich Morgan, City Clerk