HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019.08.23 Special Council Minutes
MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
McCall City Hall -- Legion Hall
August 23, 2019
Work Session
Adjournment
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Aymon called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 9:02 a.m.
Mayor Aymon, Council Member Giles, Council Member Holmes, Council Member Nielsen,
and Council Member Sowers all answered roll call.
City staff members present were Anette Spickard, City Manager; BessieJo Wagner, City Clerk;
Erin Greaves, Communications Manager; Kurt Wolf, Parks and Recreation Director; Eddie
Heider, Parks Superintendent; Traci Malvich, Human Resources Manager; Nathan Stewart, Public
Works Director; Cris Malvich, Streets Superintendent; Eric McCormick, Golf Maintenance
Superintendent
Also, in attendance was Scotty Davenport, Business Owner;
BUSINESS AGENDA
AB 19-189 Debrief August 7, 2019 workshop on Sidewalk Maintenance and Discuss Next
Steps for a Sidewalk Maintenance Program
City Manager Anette Spickard presented the Sidewalk Maintenance Program works session. Staff
will review the results of the Sidewalk Maintenance workshop that was held on August 7, 2019
and any additional feedback received since the workshop. Those workshop attendees included
property owners and business owners from the Central Business District.
She asked the Council to summarize what they heard at the workshop and their top takeaway:
Council Member Sowers stated the people he spoke with would like the City to take over the
maintenance but to minimize costs to not disadvantage the businesses.
Council Member Giles agreed with Council Member Sowers for the City to it take over and to
figure out the details on costs and financing.
Council Member Holmes stated that some she had spoken with some at her table already had
free service as the City was currently clearing their area from a City necessity, and one new
business owner could not take on the additional cost. There was expressed frustration with lack
of ability to move the snow anywhere. The group agreed the City needs to take on the
maintenance, but minimal costs and felt the Local Option Tax funds need to take care of it in
the future.
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Council Member Nielsen did not have much to add. His table did not have a strong opinion in
either direction but did express the need for uniformity and enforcement.
Mayor Aymon stated her group wanted the City to do the job and concerned about costs. Two
concerns with is currently in place was lack of enforcement and where to put snow.
Next, City Manager Spickard asked the staff reflect on what they heard and their top takeaways.
Parks & Recreation Director Kurt Wolf heard that a program such as this benefits the entire
community and visitors not just the businesses, and the businesses should not have to absorb
the entire cost. Some were willing to pay a portion of the costs. There was some frustration
expressed why some areas are already cleared by the city and not others.
Parks Superintendent Eddie Heider stated one of the issues he heard was people were afraid
that if they buy in for the City to do the program, they will still have to clear snow though out
the day and have those associated costs on top of what they would pay for the program. They
are afraid the costs will end up being more than what is being discussed.
Public Works Director Nathan Stewart shared he heard two lines of thoughts. One person felt
that due to the headache of dealing with contractors to do the sidewalks was willing to pay a
premium for the City to take care of those snow removal concerns. Another individual was the
opposite as this person stated the sidewalks were rarely used and paying for a higher level of
pedestrian traffic was not in this person’s best interest, however, this was one individual who
possibly did not reflect the opinion of the customer base in the shopping center. He felt there
is still a lack of understanding of what the true associated costs are or what their full
responsibilities would be. He feels it is important for the City to clearly communicate of those
specific responsibilities.
Golf Course Superintendent Eric McCormick commented that Golf Course staff always assists
Parks staff with snow removal. It is possible to do less carts paths on the golf course to assist
more with snow removal on the Spring Mountain and other pathways areas. Additional costs
for the golf course would be mostly cost of gas and wear and tear on equipment since the
equipment is being used already to keep the parking lot open, etc. for the restaurant. One
unspoken issue for his staff would be the loss of vacation time as winter when vacations are
taken as the other seasons are too busy to get time off.
There was some discussion on the logistics of Golf and Parks departments clearing and sharing of
equipment, and the participation of the Streets crew to coordinate with the sidewalk clearing and
haul snow and clear gutters. Public Works Director Nathan explained the change in approach for
the new downtown care area and the need for additional staff to accomplish these tasks. Staff
shared the challenges of snow removal across all departments and the increase in work load due
to growth of the community. Scotty Davenport talked about the increase of visitors making what
was a simpler chore more work for everyone and feels the Local Option Tax (LOT) should be used
for issues like this. He brought up heated sidewalks and spoke about having to clear his roof onto
the sidewalk and wondered about those issues. Public Works Director Stewart addressed the cost
of heated sidewalks. It would have tripled the cost of the sidewalks as well as the ongoing costs to
run those heated sidewalks, so it was determined to not be cost effective. With the cost of the
installation and ongoing electrical costs, it was found to be cheaper to replace the entire sidewalk
every 5 years. There are private property owners around town who have put in that feature, but
they pay a premium for the convenience. From a cost-effective stand point, it is very expensive.
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Council Member Nielsen wanted to know what the operating cost would be for heated sidewalks
and no one had that information readily available.
Parks & Recreation Director Wolf commented on contracting the work out versus keeping it in
house. He has concerns about the possible damage, quality of work, dependability, and
administrative issues. He felt using staff would have more quality control. Council Member
Nielsen pointed out the contract could stipulate the contractor be liable for damage. The discussion
carried into the merits and issues of using contracting versus City staff. Council Member Giles
wanted to know what the sources of funding was available. In answer to his question, staff shared
there is property taxes, a fee schedule, property owners banding together to create an association
to collect money for improvements, and the tourism LOT.
City Manager Spickard ask the Council assuming there is interest in doing a program to share their
philosophy on funding the program and priorities. Staff has figured the approximate startup cost
for this year would roughly be $300,000. It is budgeted through contingent, but no funding source
has been identified within the budget. City Treasurer will be presenting those financial details at
an upcoming meeting but has identified the need for $180,000 of additional revenue to make it
implementable in a worse case scenario. Council Member Giles is interested in learning how much
real costs would be, a test run. A test run is an option and has been discussed by staff. Parks &
Recreation Director Wolf does not want to commit to a program if it cannot be implemented all
the way through. If a test run is wanted, the City needs to act quickly to get it in place in time so
staff will have to identify some funding sources for this year. The question of creating additional
revenue options, legalities, and code change was discussed. Council Member Sowers feels it is
important to know it can be done before putting out a fee schedule. He would like staff to see what
funding could be used to make it happen such as trading walking paths at golf course for sidewalks
downtown to keep it uniform. Staff shared the formation of a new Urban Renewal District may
create some options.
Council Member Giles wants to know what it costs so it can be determined what the fee would be
and if the fee would be worth it, considering political effect or would it be better if the City just
does it and take it from property taxes. He directed the questions of feasibility of starting this
winter or wait an additional year. Staff was each in agreement the need to get it done now for
safety and enforcement administration issues. It would be nice to do the program for a year and
give a report on costs and efficiencies gained. Council Member Holmes feels the City has the
ability to do it well, wants to move forward right away, and does not feel business owners should
bear the financial burden as there are many who use the sidewalks. She feels strongly the City
should provide the service and is ready for some serious discussions regarding funding and costs.
Staff addressed Council Member Nielsen’s questions about the budget. Council Member Nielsen
believes long term sustainability would be in a business improvement district and agrees a test run
is necessary before full implantation. An opt in or out is not an option that will not work, and it is
important to show it can be done. On the flipside, he feels with a full-time code enforcement officer
may make it possible to enforce the laws as it stands. Mayor Aymon is tired of talking about it and
feels it needs implemented right away for health and safety issues. She was in support an opt-
in/opt-out option for businesses like Krahn’s Home Furnishing who has invested in a heated
sidewalk and should not have to pay for services not needed. She does not think the City needs to
prove their ability as she is confident in the level of service already provided. She believes
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businesses need to pay something but not the full price, and she want to keep the cost minimal.
She looks at the plan as a partnership between the City and businesses. Council Member Giles
feels it takes a long time to get businesses to buy in so a test run would be helpful in that regard,
and he agrees businesses should pay something but is to be determined.
There was a brief discussion regarding needed equipment the right size that could be used year-
round. Staff will evaluate what is needed to give the Council a better idea of costs for the
equipment.
To reiterate the Council direction,City Manager Spickard stated a test run needs to be implemented
this winter, bring back proposed options to close the revenue gap and not charge business owners
this first year and what the budget trade-offs would be, and continue working with
business/property owners for their buy-in. She tentative put it on the September 12 Council
meeting as an action item for at least the equipment. Mayor Aymon asked when presenting the
funding choice to add a small amount from business/property owners as an option. The Council
directed staff to focus on the downtown core to start and provide a map.
Parks & Recreation Director Wolf added the programming outline shows the City would clear the
snow first thing in the morning and businesses to maintain a safe 4-foot path throughout the day
until the City can come back the next morning. Mr. Davenport pointed out keeping the sidewalk
clean in front of his store protects his floor and liability. Owners who are conscious about their
business will keep their sidewalk clean. He asked why the State lifts their blade when they come
through town. Staff addressed it is an issue of throwing snow on pedestrians and cars in a tight
area. There was a discussion about how to mitigate the ice buildup and where to maintain the salt
to keep it out of the weather. Council Member Nielsen feels sidewalks and pathways should be
considered the same as streets as infrastructure and maintenance should be built into budget. There
was a brief discussion about liability responsibility and if the City takes over the maintenance,the
liability will transfer from the property owner to the City. Staff will need to add the cost increase
for ICRMP coverage.
ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, Mayor Aymon adjourned the meeting at 10:28 a.m.
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