HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Meeting_07112019CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
JULY 11, 2019 — 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Kathy
McNamara, City Attorney Andrew Rawlings and City Clerk Keri West.
ABSENT: Council Member Michael Thompson and Council Member Peter Wadsworth.
VISITORS: Ron Roberts, Tony Glenn, Bob Davenport, Jolyn Louk, John Stanger, Jason
Canker and Kevin Casper.
Mayor Gubler welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of Allegiance. A roll call was taken to
open the meeting.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Bonneville County Sheriff's Office Contract— Mayor Gubler stated the City
Council is meeting tonight to simply go over the contract options as presented by the Bonneville
County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). He also stated there will be no decisions made tonight, they
will be voting on this item at the Regular City Council Meeting on July 16, 2019. Mayor Gubler
stated they requested two contract options from BCSO. The first is a total of $159,000 to pick up
patrol and cover all Animal Control and Code Enforcement. The other option is a total of
$212,000 and includes all of the above with the addition of a 40 hour/week officer for the City of
Iona. Council President Geray stated the City has requested to have Officer Hinton hired by
BCSO and have the option to patrol for Iona. Lt. Casper with BCSO stated he has passed 3 out of
the 4 steps to be hired by BCSO and the fourth step is in progress.
Mayor Gubler stated the City is requesting a statement on the contract to allow the City to
remove itself from the contract at any time if unsatisfied with the service provided by the BCSO.
Lt. Casper recommended setting that as a certain amount of time up to 6 months, rather than a
specific date. Attorney Rawlings recommended 180 days. Mayor Gubler and Council President
Geray agreed.
Mayor Gubler also stated the City vehicles need to be addressed in the contract. Lt. Casper stated
they will just need to add the vehicles to their insurance, but the City can retain ownership.
Mayor Gubler also stated BCSO needs to maintain the city vehicles since BCSO will be using
them. Lt. Casper agreed to add that language to the contract. Lt. Casper did confirm the 40 hour
employee would be in the Iona vehicle at all times. Mayor Gubler stated he does not want the 40
hour employee to be on a set schedule. Lt. Casper stated that employee will have varying shifts
and BCSO will take guidance from the City as to the specific needs of the City.
Attorney Rawlings advised BCSO to have the contract detail the patrol hours and other services
the City will be receiving with both contract options. He stated this area has been a source of
confusion and thinks it will be much easier to understand what is expected if it is written out in
the contract.
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Mayor Gubler stated he is requesting weekly reports and weekly schedules for all City
employees to be informed of what hours will be patrolled. Lt. Casper agreed.
Mayor Gubler discussed the need to reduce costs for taking dogs to the animal shelter and
inquired whether BCSO would be able to take dogs from lona to a different shelter. Lt. Casper
stated they would be willing to take dogs to a local shelter, if it did not create a logistical
problem. Lt. Casper also encouraged the City Council to review the City Code sections regarding
animal control to ensure everything is spelled out and enforceable.
Mayor Gubler asked if anyone from the public has any questions. Jolyn Louk asked who would
be responsible to hold BCSO accountable. Mayor Gubler stated that is the responsibility of the
Mayor and City Council. Mayor Gubler also stated calls will be taken depending on priority.
Mayor Gubler stated he presented the question previously of how much police coverage is
needed in the City of lona. He continued and said the answer he has gotten most is that people
want more coverage. He stated BCSO will be able to provide more coverage than the Iona Police
Department. Mayor Gubler also stated the City has never had a full-time contract with BCSO.
The only contract that has ever existed is a part time, supplemental contract. He continued and
said he believes a contract with BCSO is the best option to get the coverage that we need.
Council President Geray said his opinion is that the City needs to give BCSO the opportunity to
provide full time service to the City of Iona and the residents need to keep an open mind during
the transition. Mayor Gubler also stated there are 9 BCSO Deputies that live in the City of Iona
and are therefore highly invested in our community.
Council Member McNamara asked whether BCSO has bodycams on their uniforms. Lt. Casper
asked BCSO employee Tony Glenn to stand up and show the body cam that he and other BCSO
employees wear every shift.
Mayor Gubler stated the City Council will be voting on these contract options at the Regular City
Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: July 16's. 2019
ATTEST:
Keri West, City Clerk
Dan Gubler, M -or
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