HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 06 2017 CM Study SessionCITY OF CHUBBUCK
COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 2017 — 4:OOPM
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor England
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Josh Ellis, Annette Baumeister, and Melanie Evans.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Hr. Director Scott Gummersall, Fire Chief Merlin Miller and Staff,
City Clerk Rich Morgan, Mayor Kevin England, City Attorney Tom Holmes, Public Works
Director Rodney Burch, Devin Hillam, Bridger Morrison, Paul Hathaway, Bryan Hall, Deputy
Clerk Joey Bowers.
Mayor England excused Councilmember Ryan Lewis from the meeting.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
1 Bureau of Land Management to present award to Chubbuck Fire Department
Kevin Conner representing the Idaho Falls Bureau of Land Management District
Office presented the Excellence in Wildland Fire Safety Award to the Chubbuck Fire
Department. Mr. Conner stated that only four out of 50 fire departments will receive this
award.
2 Snow Removal Policy and Ordinance
Public Works Director Rodney Burch presented Paul Hathaway as the new
superintendent over Streets and Sanitation. Mr. Burch then presented a snow control
policy, and priority removal map. He also stated that this will change the current snow
emergency from 3 inches to 6 inches. Mr. Burch explained staffing hours and operations.
Councilmember Baumeister wanted to make sure that if a snow storm came in on a
Sunday evening that the City would have sufficient staff to handle removal on Monday.
3 Discussion of updated City Personnel Policy
HR. Director Scott Gummersall presented updated changes to the personnel policy.
Mr. Gummersall stated that most of the changes were wording clarifications. The two
main corrections was the adding of bereavement leave, and removing random drug
testing for any employee not in a safety sensitive role per federal law. Mr. Gummersall
stated that the City can still do drug testing if there is reasonable suspicion on any City
employee, this change only applies to the random drug testing policy.
Councilmember Ellis wanted staff to talk to the City's liability insurance company
ICRMP about the random drug testing changes before making this change.
4 Discussion of proposed land use procedural changes
Planning and Zoning Director Devin Hillam presented changes to the land use
procedures. Mr. Hillam felt like the City is very good at this but wants to make these
changes to make the City more efficient. The proposed subdivision preliminary plat
process would start with a planning conference with staff, move to a preliminary plat
review by the Land Use Commission, then a final plat review by Council, then a
construction plan approval by staff ,and finally construction and acceptance of the
subdivision. Mr. Hillam stated that final plats will still come before Council, these
changes are for preliminary plats. Mr. Hillam stated that State Code does not require a
public hearing, but there would still be a public hearing option if multiple citizens
petition for a public hearing.
Councilmember Ellis didn't want to remove the Council because there still needs to be
some oversite from the elected officials for checks and balances.
Councilmember Evans felt like if the Council could fine tune the City's
comprehensive plan and strategic plans; then the Land Use Commission would be able to
make better and more informed decisions. Councilmember Evans was concerned about
the public's response to not having public hearings for input.
Councilmember Baumeister felt like that since Land Use Commission is an appointed
body, that there should still be some oversite from the City's elected officials.
Councilmember Baumeister is worried about the Land Use approving the preliminary
plat and have the developer move forward, if there is issues and concerns that come up
from the Council at the final plat.
Public Works Director Rodney Burch stated that whether you are an elected or
appointed official; both bodies needed to make their decisions based on the standards of
the City that the City Council has approved.
Mr. Hillam also presented a change to the PUD process. The proposed PUD process
would start with a pre -application meeting, then move to a preliminary plan public
hearing by the Land Use Commission, and then final plan review and approval by staff.
Mr. Hillam stated that he would add the Council review and approval between the
preliminary plan and the final review by staff.
Councilmember Ellis felt like this process was taking away the legislative branch of
government and the checks and balances that the City Council needs to always be part of
for these decisions.
5 Pastor Jacqueline Thomas Fund request for Big Mamma's House
Mayor England updated the council on changes to Pastor Jacqueline Thomas's Big
Mammas House. Pastor Thomas has gotten assistance from a company called
AmeriCorps Vista. They are looking for assistance for 4 computers, 3 monitors, 5
software licensing packages, some adaptors, and office furniture. Mayor England asked
for approval of the Council to match other Business donations up to $3000.
Council felt like they should not spend any taxpayer's money until the project was
further along. Mayor England challenged the Council to reach out to their contacts in the
community to help Pastor Thomas with this request.
ADJOURN: Mayor England adjourned the meeting at 5:35
e Owers -Deputy Clerk
Kevin Eng and- ayor