Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 05 2017 CMCITY OF CHUBBUCK COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES APRIL 5, 2017 — 4:00PM CALL TO ORDER: Mayor England AMEND COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AGENDA: COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kevin England, Ryan Lewis, Melanie Evans, Josh Ellis, Annette Baumeister, and City Attorney Tom Holmes STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Public Works Director Rodney Burch, City Clerk Rich Morgan, and Deputy Clerk Joey Bowers 1 General Discussion about economic development. Rodney Burch public works director began discussion on Economic Development. Mr. Burch wanted to have a discussion on goals and ideas for improving the city's economic development. The main point of his comments was for the council to keep in mind who are we, and who do we want to be? During his discussion to determine who we are there was four key points that he sees that need to be addressed. Limited ability, needed focused effort, seeking funding/grant opportunities, and how to increase public input. Mr. Burch felt like that the BDC and REDI were resources for the city but we need to sell ourselves, and to accomplish this we need to hire somebody that was over economic development. This person could be out in the community promoting the city's projects and successes, increase public input, issue press releases, and manage social media /websites. Mr. Burch also felt like this person could participate in more local and regional boards to promote the city, in addition to promoting the city they could develop a plan when a business or development showed interest in coming to the City of Chubbuck that they could put their best foot forward right away. Mr. Burch also felt like by developing this plan we would have a measure to weigh every decision we make to develop Chubbuck into the city we want it to become. Mr. Burch felt like we have some great opportunities in the next 12-18 months so I don't want to miss the boat. Councilmember Ellis challenged Mr. Burch to look through his department for efficiency, also to see if there were any jobs that could be consolidated or shift responsibilities from one employee to another to open up work for current employees. Before increasing taxes to pay for a new position make sure public works was working at full capacity first. Councilmember Ellis also felt like that we needed to contact Idaho Falls to get a copy of their economic development job description, salary, scope, and a time frame that took them to develop. Councilmember Ellis felt like that we needed to make this a priority with certain announcements and known projects in the works he didn't want the city to fall behind and not be ready. He recommended contacting Twin Falls, and Meridian to see what kind of increase they found so that they city could compare current predictions to potential. Councilmember Ellis felt like we didn't need to wait for Pocatello to make the first move let's do our own thing and get ready. Councilmember Ellis is ready to move forward and look at creating a new position if public works is as efficient as it can possibly be. He feels like even if this person only stayed 5-7 years, but brought in 5-8 million dollars in tax revenue commission each year than it would pay for the position and more for the city. Councilmember Baumeister wanted to know what boards we currently sit on and participate with, also who sits on those seats. She wanted to know who currently responded to potential businesses and development requests. Councilmember Baumeister agreed with Councilmember Ellis on making sure that we were looking at all the current employees and their skill sets first before looking at hiring a new position. She was concerned that the city was in a good position financially right now and didn't want to over extend so that it could become a problem in the future. Councilmember Baumeister felt like this position sounded like a lot of responsibility for just one person and that it could possibly be split into two positions and not just one a Public Relations position and Economic Development Position. She was also concerned that this person would be consumed with local events, she did not want this person planning and coordinating events. But to be on boards and making connections with those that already had the connections to promote the city in all aspects. She suggested financially it would be better for the city to hire an outside contracted person that would be contracted to solely represent the city and nobody else. Councilmember Baumeister felt like it was important to put our best foot forward. She did not want to settle, but find the best person for the position and not just the best person that came forward and applied. She also felt like this person should be in charge of applying for grants. Councilmember Lewis felt like that we shouldn't just rely on Bannock Development. He wants to reach out to Jan Rodgers from Regional Economic Development of Eastern Idaho, and John Regetz from Bannock Development. To have them come in to Council with the City to help know the best direction to get started. Councilmember Lewis felt like if we are wanting to create a Liv Idaho (Boise, ID) concept, that they needed to get more people and the community involved in this decision than just the people in this meeting. Councilmember Lewis wanted to see how our payroll has changed over the last two years and if we do this how this would impact the city's financial status. We might not be able to do this like Boise did with our budget limitations. Councilmember Lewis felt like this was a really important opportunity for residential growth, we need to look on how we can streamline permits. We need to make Chubbuck more attractive for Developers to want to build. Councilmember Lewis suggested to ask Idaho Falls and Twin Falls if they had any great applicants that they didn't hire that they could reach out too. Councilmember Evans felt like if we are going to promote outside we need to get the plan ready first and then go forward. If a strategic plan is how other cities have done it than Councilmember Evans feels like that is the route that we need to go so we can focus on specific areas. We have these meeting every few months and then nothing happens. What can we do to start moving forward? The main concern that Councilmember Evans has was that she didn't want this to just be a public relations position, we get what we pay for. She wants to make sure we are not losing sight of the main goal we can't discount the economic development side to focus on the public relations side. Councilmember Evans suggested that they needed to have a study session every council meeting for a few months so they can move forward and get things done. Mayor England feels like that it would be better to have this person on from the beginning to help put together the plan. He also feels like this will be a big process and maybe we start small until they prove themselves and then it can become a full time position. Mayor England felt like we need to do something different if we want different results. He suggested maybe bring in some advisors from Idaho State University first, and then look at hiring. Mayor England felt like it was time to bring in the community to teach us and lean on their expertise. He felt like they could create a position that one person could do both public relations and economic development. Mayor England felt like having an exclusive outside contacted individual might not be a bad idea. Mayor England felt if they wanted to have more meetings that would be great idea. They just needed to have a plan for those meeting and not just meet together. In conclusion the Mayor, Councilmembers, and staff decided that they would like the final number to join Regional Economic Development of Eastern Idaho, and Bannock Development. They also concluded that starting on April 19, 2017 they would have a study session before each city council meeting until they felt like they were ready to execute the City of Chubbuck's Economic Development vision. Mayor England committed to have the final numbers for Regional Economic Development of Eastern Idaho, and Bannock Development. Public Works Director Rodney Burch, and Human Resource Manager Scott Gummersall would talk to the City of Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Jan Rodgers, and John Regetz, and have the information that for the council requested ready for discussion at the next study session. 2 General Discussion on funding requests Mayor Kevin England started the discussion on funding requests. The councilmembers discussed the funding requests for Aide for Friends, Family Services Alliance of SE Idaho, Big Mommas House (Pastor Jackie), SEICCA, Visit Pocatello, and Biggest Show in Idaho. During the discussion Councilmember Lewis rescinded himself from Big Mommas house since he was currently on the board. Councilmember Evans was curious if they were still moving forward or had decided to call it quits on Big Mommas house. Councilmember Ellis had a concern about Visit Pocatello for the way that they had been portraying the City of Chubbuck. Councilmember Baumeister agreed that if we are going to spend money we needed to be recognized. Mayor England talked about his experience with SEICCA's meals on wheels and how great of a program it is for their community. Councilmember Ellis agreed that not everyone stayed in town for the biggest show in Idaho but the cost per household was so minimal for those that did stay and enjoy the show. Mayor England agreed and adjourned the meeting. CITY OF CHUBBUCK COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 5, 2017 — 6:00PM CALL TO ORDER: Mayor England PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: Councilmember Evans INVOCATION: Tanya Burch COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kevin England, Ryan Lewis, Melanie Evans, Josh Ellis, Annette Baumeister, and City Attorney Tom Holmes GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. Acceptance of CDA annual report for fiscal year 2016 Public works director Rodney Burch presented the Annual Report Everyone received a copy of the full report but Mr. Burch wanted to highlight a few points. Urban renewal projects CDA $228,000 payment for the northwest sewer project. Allstate did meet employment obligation and qualified for a $250,000 tax assistance. We finalized Whitaker road construction at just over $457,000. In 2016 we spent $1.5 million on Stuart additions in 2017 we will be spending the remaining $650,000 that will complete the road construction. You can see the budget and the expenses ended the year with $2.96 million budget balance. We do repeat some of the expenses this year and next. Rodney last page before financial representation of the cash balances of the Pine Ridge Mall renovation. They are investing much faster than we are reimbursing. Councilmember Ellis motioned for approval, motion seconded by Councilmember Evans. Roll call Ellis -yes, Evans -yes, Baumeister -yes, Lewis -yes. 2. Discussion and decision on request for funding for fiscal year 2017 Aide for Friends- Councilmember Evans motioned for $2,000, motion seconded by Councilmember Ellis Roll call Evans -yes, Baumeister -yes, Lewis -yes, Ellis -yes Family Service Alliance of SE Idaho- Councilmember Lewis motioned for $5,000, Motion seconded by Councilmember Evans. Roll call Baumeister -yes, Lewis -yes, Ellis -yes, Evans -yes. Big Mommas House- Council decided to put on hold until they are ready to open and then they can come back to represent the project before the Council for reconsideration. SEICCA- Councilmember Lewis motioned for $5,000, motion seconded by Council member Evans. Roll call Lewis -yes, Ellis -yes, Evans -yes, Baumeister -yes Visit Pocatello- Councilmember Baumeister motioned for $5,000 which $2,500 would be distributed now, and for Visit Pocatello to come before Council with what they had done for the City of Chubbuck in October for the other $2,500. motion seconded by Councilmember Evans Roll call Ellis -yes, Lewis -yes, Evans -yes, Baumeister -yes Biggest Show in Idaho- Councilmember Ellis motioned for $5,000, motion seconded by Councilmember Baumeister Roll call Evans -yes, Baumeister -yes, Lewis -yes, Ellis -yes 3. Approve records for destruction City Clerk Rich Morgan Presented the records for Destruction Councilmember Lewis motioned for approval, motion seconded by Councilmember Baumeister Roll call Baumeister -yes, Lewis -yes, Ellis -yes, Evans -yes CLAIMS: Computer Printout claims for April 5, 2017 as presented to Mayor England and Council. Councilmember Evans was curious about vehicle repairs. Public Works Director Rodney Burch said have a lot of older Vehicles that we are maintaining. We are looking to see if it is cost efficient to keep maintaining or to start replacing these vehicles. They will present their findings before the Council for consideration in the future. Councilmember Ellis motioned for approval, motion seconded by Councilmember Baumeister Roll call Evans -yes, Ellis -yes, Baumeister -yes, Lewis -yes GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: ADJOURN: MAYOR KEVIN ENGLAND CLOSED COUNCIL MEETING f f XLl� Rich Morqan Kevin Enqland City Clerk Mayor