HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_07162019CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY BUILDING
JULY 16, 2019 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Gemy, Council Member Michael
Thompson, Council Member Kathy McNamara, Council Member Peter Wadsworth, City
Attorney Andrew Rawlings, Public Works Director Zech Prouse, Treasurer Amy Sullivan and
City Clmk Keri West.
ABSENT: None.
VISITORS: None.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Fiscal Year 2020 Preliminary Budget —Treasurer Sullivan distributed copies of
the preliminary budget to the Council. Mayor Gubler stated he talked to Bonneville County and
they informed him properties in our area increased by 14% this year. That information should
help Treasurer Sullivan when setting the numbers for the upcoming fiscal year, Mayor Gabler
also recommended the City Council consider a IN or 2% increase on property taxes this year.
Mayor Gubler also stated he has informed Treasurer Sullivan to leave the budget for the Police
Department as is, even though the City may be contracting with Bonneville County Sheriffs
Office (BCSO), to allow future changes as necessary. Council President Geray stated if the City
contracts with BCSO that does not eliminate all other police expenses He continued saying the
City would still be paying approximately $9,000 for Dispatch through the City of Idaho Fells,
and there is one final payment on the Durango that would remain on the budget. Mayor Gubler
stated another item that needs to be addressed on the budget penains to the Idaho Falls Animal
Shelter, He stated this is something the City is hoping to include in the BCSO contract, but there
are logistical challenges that need to be addressed. No other items on the budget were discussed.
Discussion of Amendments to the Iona City Code Sections II-1-5 and 11-11-12, Pertaining
to Home Occupations — Mayor Gubler stated Attorney Rawlings is working to emend the City
Code pertaining to home Occupations, due to discussions and conflicts that have come up in
recent City Council Meetings, Council Member Wadsworth questioned what he benefit to the
City would be for requiring business owners to obtain a business license and Conditional Use
Permit to run a clerical business out of their home Anomey Rawlings stated the way he is
proposing to change the business license requirements is to base it off annual revenue. For
example, the City would not require a business license for businesses that gross less than
$6,000/year. Council President Gemy stated even if a business is purely clerical, it is good for
the City and other residents to know what types of businesses are being conducted within the
City limits Council President Gemy stated the City should be allowed input on what types of
businesses are allowed in the City. Mayor Gubler stated he does not like the idea of requiring
business licenses based on re -enue He continued and stated he thinks the requirements should
be based on traffic and how the business impacts the neighborhood. Director Prouse stated traffic
is not the only factor that should be considered to determine if a business is hazardous or has
negative effects an a neighborhood. Council President Gemy reiterated the need to set up
parameters for the City to be involved in allowing only certain types of businesses in
residential zone. Attorney Rawlings stated the $6.000/year is an arbitrary number and can be
discussed further. He also stated as of right now the Conditional Use Permit chapter is connected
to the Business License chapter of the lona City Code, The City Council can decide to keep those
two chapters connected or make them independent from each other_ Council Member
Wadsworth stated he does not think the City should be micromanaging residents by telling them
what they can and cannot do in their homes, as long as it does not negatively affect the
neighborhood. Council President Geray stated he does not believe it is micromanaging to require
a business license. Council President Geray also recommended Attorney Rawlings and Council
Member Wadsworth work together directly to come up with a good compromise to amend the
City Code to benefit the City and residents who desire to have a home based business. Council
Member Wadsworth and Attorney Rawlings agreed.
Discussion of Amendments to the Iona City Code Sections 41-1, Pertaining to Business
Licenses —This item was discussed in conjunction with the previous agenda item discussion.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:52 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: August 20th 2019
ATTEST:
Ken
est, City Clerk
Dan Gubler. Mayor
2