HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_09242019CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY BUILDING
SEPTEMBER 2d, 2019 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gabler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Michael
Thompson, Council Member Peter Wadsworth. Council Member Kathy McNamara. Public
Works Director Zech Prouse, City Attorney Andrew Rawlings and City Clerk Keri West.
ABSENT: Treasurer Amy Sullivan.
VISITORS: Marc Sunderland.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Iona Elementary Water Bill - Mayor Gubler slated he received an email from a
representative of District 93 expressing concern over the large increase in their water bill. Mayor
Gubler explained when the City implemented the Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) Chart and
increased the water rate; the water bill for District 93 increased 245%. The district is requesting
to be metered and only pay for what they use. Mayor Gubler stated we do not currently have
water meters at the school. The district representative had also mentioned that they allow the
City of Iona to use their facilities for the recreation program and the district ends up taking a
loss. Attorney Rawlings stated the Council set the water rare according to the total number of
EDUs in the City. He continued and stated if the Council reduces the EDUs for the school, they
would need to increase the rote for everyone else to pay for the water system. Mayor Gubler
stated he is not opposed to allowing the district to be billed at a metered rate, if they install water
meters at the school, at their expense. Council President Geray agreed. Director Prouse stated it
will be expensive for the district to install meters and suggested putting together a cost analysis
to give to the district. Mayor Gubler agreed.
Discussion of Jerry Hansen Water Hook -Up Fee - Mayor Gubler stated Jerry Hansen
developed property on Hansen Avenue a few years ago. At the time, Mr. Hansen was required to
hire an engineer to draw up all the plans. Mayor Gubler continued and stated when the sewer was
installed for the second lot; the engineer drawings were not followed. Director Prouse stated that
should not have affected the easement. Mr. Hansen is upset that he was required to pay $3,500
for engineer drawings that were not followed. Mr. Hansen is now requesting a discount on the
water connection tee to the third lot of his development Mayer Gubler suggested reducing the
water connection fee by $1.000. only if Mc Hansen develops the property himself and does not
sell it Council President Geray stared he is reluctant to give any discount when he doesn't feel
the City did anything wrong in this situation. Director Prouse said this has been a difficult
situation from the beginning and would suggest allowing the $1,000 discount to help complete
the proles. Attorney Rawlings stated when the resolution was passed to raise the water
connection fee to $6,944, it included a provision that allowed any plat that had already been
approved to pay the prior water connection fee of $4,859, as long as it is paid by November I,
2022. Mayor Gubler stated Mr. Hansen is not aware of this provision, so he will notify him that
he qualifies for the prior water connection fee of $4,859 and Is not required to pay S6,944.
Council agreed.
Discussion of U.S. Census Bureau 2020, Marc Sunderland - Mr. Sunderland of the U.S.
Census Bureau informed the Council the Census will take place in 2020. He also stated 250 of
people in this area of the state d0 not respond to the Census. He is requesting help from the City
leaders to help educate Iona residents of the benefits of participating in the Census. Mr.
Sunderland stated Iona has experienced growth over 30% since 2010. and the only way. to
accurately know the population is by participating in the Census. Mr. Sunderland continued and
stated Idaho received over$3.600.000.000 of federal funding based on 2010 Census information.
The Census numbers determine how much money each state receives and how many U.S.
Congressional Representatives they have. lie also stated this will be the first Census in history to
allow online responses. Mayor Gubler stated we will begin pursing this information on the
websim and newsletter.
Mr. Sunderland also stated the Census is currently hiring part-time employees starting at
81350/hour. He asked the City to help spread the word about this opportunity.
Discussion of Idaho Falls Animal Shelter, Irene Brown — Irene Brown with the Idaho Falls
Animal Shelter — Ms. Brown was not in attendance. Clerk West stated she will contact her
directly and reschedule this discussion.
General Water System Discussion — Mayor Gubler stated this will be discussed in the Regular
Meeting. Ile also stated there is a Change Order that needs to be approved at that time. He did
state the crossing of the canal on Foothill Drive is Flooded. They have worked with Progressive
Irrigation to shut the water off. But it will take a few days to go through It and determine the
problem and solution. Mayor Gubler also stated the rock saw is broken and has broken down
several times already during this project. Knife River has requested to blast through the rock
instead of using the saw- Mayor Gubler has declined that request due to the two homes in close
proximity. Mayor Gubler also stated he is disappointed in the lack of professionalism and
attention to timeline displayed by Knife River.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:53 p.m.
COUNCII. APPROVED: October lS'",2019
A RCS r
Ken st.City CI rk
D n Gubler, Mayor
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