HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCWorkMeeting_09212018CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL WORK MEETING
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
AUGUST 21, 2018 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Michael
Thompson, Council Member Kathy McNamara, City Attorney Andrew Rawlings, Public Works
Director Zech Prouse, Chief of Police Karl Bowcutt, Treasurer Amy Sullivan and City Clerk
Keri West.
ABSENT: Council Member John Price.
VISITORS: Tom McIntire, Ramona McIntire, Nathan Seedall, Peter Wadsworth, Boyd Inglet,
David L. Slade, Dennis Bateman.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Fiscal Year 2019 Final Budget: Mayor Gubler began the discussion by
informing the Council the property taxes were overestimated by $20,658 on the preliminary
budget. He further explained he and Treasurer Sullivan adjusted that amount out of the revenue
portion of the final budget. Treasurer Sullivan distributed copies of the final budget and
explained the difference in the numbers from the previous distribution calculations on the
preliminary budget. She informed the Council that last year they approved the budget prior to
receiving final property tax numbers from Bonneville County for new construction and they
underestimated the amount. This year, they have already received the actual numbers from
Bonneville County, so the property tax numbers on the final budget are now accurate.
Discussion of Transferring Funds Currently in Key Bank General Fund Public Money
Market to a CD with Idaho Central Credit Union: Mayor Gubler explained the desire to
move investment money from Key Bank to a higher interest yielding account with ICCU.
Treasurer Sullivan stated the City currently has approximately $158,000 in a Money Market
account with Key Bank. Council President Geray expressed his support for moving investment
money from a bank to a credit union to capture a higher interest rate. Mayor Gubler stated we are
by law, not able to put our money in a 5 year CD. The maximum term allowed is 2 years on a
CD, and that is only right after an election. He recommended a term of only 12 to 18 months, if a
CD is what the Council decides. Council President Geray asked when the Westmark CDs
mature. Treasurer Sullivan stated they mature in December or January, and we are making
approximately $1100 each year on those CDs. However, we are only making $2.69 per month on
the Key Bank account. Mayor Gubler summed up the conversation by requesting approval from
the Council to move the money. It is not considered an action item, but Mayor Gubler wanted the
blessing of the Council to investigate investment options with ICCU. Council Member
Thompson and Council President Geray voiced their approval.
Discussion of Home -Based Business License Requirements: Council President Geray
questioned where we should draw the line on when a license is required for home -based
businesses. He believes there should be parameters set up that determine when a license is
required. Mayor Gubler stated he thinks the line should be drawn when it brings traffic to the
home. Attorney Rawlings reviewed the City Code Title 4-1-1 and read the applicable businesses
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that are currently required to have a license. Mayor Gubler questioned whether there can be an
exemption written that excludes certain business types from the requirement. Attorney Rawlings
confirmed the suggestion is allowable. Council President Geray recognized Title 4 does not
mention Home Occupations and believes that is covered in Title 11. Attorney Rawlings said he
could go over both titles and return with suggestions on how to improve the cohesiveness by the
next City Council Meeting. Mayor Gubler expressed concern for being able to track it at the
office level and allowing the office staff to determine if a home -based business requires a
license, by the parameters that have been set. Council Member Thompson questioned if the
purpose of requiring business licenses was to set rules or to make money for the City. Director
Prouse confirmed the reason is to apply guidelines that need to be followed and the impact the
business will have on the City. Council Member Thompson suggested having tiers of businesses,
depending on the impact and the size of the business. Council President Geray reviewed Title 11.
He mentioned in -home occupations are permitted in Residential Zones, require a Conditional
Use Permit and have certain restrictions already in place. He continued by expressing the desire
to have consistency throughout the City Code and removing subjectivity by employees and City
Council Members. Mayor Gubler requested Attorney Rawlings to compose a list of occupations
that do and do not require a business license, to keep in the City Office.
Discussion of City of Idaho Falls Animal Shelter Increase: Chief Bowcutt explained Animal
Control is a separate entity than the shelter. When Animal Control picks up a dog in Iona and
takes it to the shelter, they charge the City. The bill the City received is pertaining to past
animals that have been taken to the shelter from Iona. The amount we owe them is due to large
numbers of dogs that have been taken and have never been paid for. He stated other cities use the
Rexburg Animal Shelter because it is cheaper. He is researching further to see if any other cities
have an animal shelter available. Council President Geray voiced his concern for how long the
shelter is keeping the dogs and states our City Code only requires 3 days. Chief Bowcutt said he
would go to the shelter and talk to the director to understand exactly what is included on the bill
and discuss the current contract.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:56 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: September 25th, 2018
ATTEST:
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eri West, City Clerk
Dan ubler, Mayor
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