HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCSpecialMeeting_01042018CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 04, 2018 — 6:00 P.M.
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council President Dan Gubler, Council Member Rob Geray,
Council Member Dan Garren, Council Member Kathy McNamara, City Clerk Shara Roberts,
and City Attorney Dale Storer.
ABSENT: Public Works Director Zech Prouse and Chief of Police Karl Bowcutt.
VISITORS: Council Elect Michael Thompson.
Review of the Proposed Amendments Relating to Title 7 — Building Regulations: Attorney
Storer explained many local jurisdictions decide to make unique modifications to their building
codes to provide for flexibility. However, these modifications can be no less stringent than what
is mandated by the State. Additionally, if any modifications are made to the Residential Building
Code it requires a public hearing.
Attorney Storer expressed Building Inspector Allen Eldridge's initial thought was to get into
lockstep with surrounding jurisdictions in regards to modifications to their building code
regulations, such as the City of Ammon and the City of Idaho Falls. The proposed modifications
they were making to the Residential Building Code would have required a proper public hearing
process.
However, based on the Council's direction from the last city council meeting they would prefer
to go into lockstep with what the State has directed and do no more or no less.
Mayor Andersen expressed that's how the Council feels, but would like his legal perspective as
the City's Attorney.
Attorney Storer expressed it has been a very time consuming and frustrating process to try to go
back and figure out what exactly the State has adopted so the City can cross reference the correct
codes. He then passed out a memo from Terri Ottens who is the Administrative Director for the
Idaho Association of Building Officials for the Council's review. He explained it includes a list
of the codes that were adopted by the State in May of 2017.
By adopting exactly what the State has with no modifications, the City is not required to go
through a proper public hearing process. He explained the draft ordinance the Council has in
front of them for review tonight is black lined against the version last week, and now includes
cross references to additional amendments contained in the Idaho Building Council or other
administrative rules.
Attorney Storer recommended to the Council they move forward with approving the ordinance,
recognizing nothing is ever set in concrete and they can always make changes in the future.
Additionally, the codes are designed to complement one another and work together, and
recommended that the Council look at updating a number of the building regulation codes in
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their city code book that aren't being updated in this particular ordinance. When referencing
Title 7 of the Iona City Code, 6 out of the 11 chapters are being amended to 2015 versions. Some
of the remaining codes currently go back to 2006 or 2009.
Council Member Geray suggested a more generic ordinance be drafted which outlines the City
hereby adopts all the codes mandated by the State so the Council isn't having to revisit this every
few years.
Attorney Storer followed up by explaining the draft ordinance outlines exactly what the State has
adopted, but leaves in place the other codes the State has not adopted. Additionally, the
ordinance includes a provision which would allow the Council to simply continue to be in
lockstep with the State, as long as, the Council was comfortable with what the State was doing in
regards to building code regulations. If ever a time comes the Council is not comfortable with
what the State is doing they would go through the proper notice and public hearing process.
After further discussion, Council Member Geray agreed the ordinance captured his intent of the
City simply going into lockstep with the State mandates he was just suggesting a more simplified
version that didn't list out the specifics. However, he outlined for clarification there is a direct
correlation between the chapters which are being outlined in the ordinance to be repealed with
what is currently written in city code, with the exception of Chapter 6 which is titled the
International Residential Code. He inquired if the International Existing Building Code directly
correlates as its replacement. Overall, he would like to ensure there is proper alignment between
what the draft ordinance is stating and what the title of the ordinance is outlining for the Council
to adopt and repeal.
Attorney Storer will go back and recheck for proper alignment before the next regularly
scheduled city council meeting on January 16th so the Council can move forward with approval
of the ordinance.
Council Member Garren suggested Council President Gubler as Mayor Elect pursue direction
with the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) to implement a one stop shop for cities to be able to
find exactly what codes are being amended instead of the current complex process.
General Discussion of the Water System Improvement Project with Greg Hansen: Clerk
Roberts reported she was never able to confirm with Mr. Hansen he could be present for
tonight's meeting. The discussion was tabled until the work meeting on Tuesday, January 16th
Meeting adjourned 6:57 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: January 16th, 2018
Brad Andersen, Mayor
ATTEST:
Shara Roberts, City Clerk
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