HomeMy WebLinkAbout03 06 2019 CM Study SessionCITY OF CHUBBUCK
SPECIAL COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES
MARCH 6, 2019 — 3:OOPM
LOCATED AT
CHUBBUCK CITY HALL
5160 YELLOWSTONE AVE.
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor England
COUNCIL PRESENT: Roger Hernandez, Annette Baumeister, Ryan Lewis, and Melanie Evans.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kevin England, City Attorney Tom Holmes, Public Works
Director Rodney Burch, Police Chief Bill Guiberson, Fire Chief Merlin Miller, Planning and
Development Director Devin Hillam, Parks & Rec. Superintendent Bill Guinn, City Engineer
Bridger Morrison, City Clerk Rich Morgan, and Deputy Clerk Joey Bowers.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1- Presentation on the new City Hall Site Selection Report.
Dale Hatch represented Meyers Anderson. Mr. Hatch presented the evaluations on 6
possible site locations for a new City Hall. Mr. Hatch stated that the location on Burley
Drive rated the best overall location for presence, proximity, orientation/access, site
capacity, community context, displacement/City revenue, economic development, public
amenities, and services/utilities.
Mayor England stated that the City Hall Committee had received this information and
agreed with the results of the evaluations.
2- Update from Bannock Development Corporation.
John Regetz, CEO, Bannock Development Corporation (BDC) gave a yearly update,
and what they have to offer the City of Chubbuck moving forward.
3- Update from the Parks Department.
Parks & Rec. Superintendent Bill Guinn gave an update on the parks department. Mr.
Guinn presented a 5 year budget, equipment plan, and a parks improvement plan.
Councilmember Evans asked about indoor facility plans.
4- Discussion on Building Permits, Parks Impact Fee, and the NWSI Connection Fee.
Public Works Director Rodney Burch responded to questions from the last Study
Session, gave an explanation of the NWSI financial obligations, and summarized the
relationship/purpose of the comprehensive plan, parks master plan, capital improvement
plan/fee study, and the impact fee ordinance. Mr. Burch stated that the parks fee and
minimum sizes are defined in the parks master plan, Mr. Burch also stated that the
Chubbuck Impact Area Wastewater Collection Authority (CIAWCA) has 4 DEQ loans
associated with the NWSI at 0% interest, with contractual nonnegotiable pay off dates
from 2030-2035. These loans where designed to be paid off with a 50% growth buildout
through a connection fee of $5490. In 2008 growth dropped off because of the recession,
but the debt still needed to be paid. The City of Chubbuck had to cover the DEQ debt
with its current resident's utility bill and a grant from the Chubbuck Development
Authority. The CIAWCA now needs to reimburse the City of Chubbuck residents for
paying its debt through capital improvements, and lower utility rates. Mr. Burch stated
that the Council had given direction to change the City's current parks/cash in lieu
ordinance, and the mechanism to make that change is through impact fees.
Planning and Development Director Devin Hillam went over the history of the 2002
comprehensive's plan to develop a meaningful park plan. But since 2002 the City has
gotten park areas, not quality park spaces with quality amenities.
City Engineer Bridger Morrison gave an explanation of the 2007 rate study and how
the recommended connection fee was determined. The connection fee is made up of a
cost to service the debt and a replacement cost. Mr. Morrison went over the correlation of
connection fees, percentage of buildout, and the number of years it would take to pay off
the debt and replace the system/investment.
Councilmember Evans and Baumeister felt like for a fair share 100% of those that the
NWSI system will service should pay the debt and not 50%. Councilmember Lewis
wondered if lowering the connection fee would encourage/increase connections, and
asked city staff to start looking at doing a new rate study. Councilmember Hernandez felt
like connections are market driven and not fee driven.
ADJOURN: Mayor Kevin England adjourned at 5:56
Owers -City Clerk
Kevin England -M or