HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_10152019CITV COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY BUILDING
OCTOBER 15, 2019 6:011 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Gemy. Council Member Michael
Thompson. Council Member Peter Wadsworth Council Member Kathy McNamara, Public
Works Director Zech Proum, City Attorney Andrew Rawlings and City Cleric Kai West.
ABSENT: Treasurer Amy Sullivan.
VISITORS: Josh Williams, Kevin Casper, Susan Moon, Den Moon and Marilyn Diehl.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Josh Williams Property on Iona Road — Josh Williams stated he owns the
property on Iona Raod to the east of a development currently being discussed Mr. Williams said
he does not want his propeny to be landlocked by the new subdivision. Mr. Williams continued
and said his understanding is that the subdivision is supposed to leave a stub out to adjoining
properties. Mayor Gubler stated the developer recognizes Mr. Williams' property, but does not
consider it to be landlocked because Mr. Williams has a narrow strip of land that is wide enough
for a future road. Mayor Gubler continued saying he is hesitant to approve a subdivision that
would require two roads so close together. Mayor Gubler also stated the City has advised the
developer to contact Mr. Williams directly and come to an agreement regarding the two parcels
of land. Mr. Williams stated there have been discussions in the past when he has tried to
purchase the land and the owner would not sell. There have been no recent discussions between
the two parties to come to an agreement. Mayor Gubler stated the City would be happy to help
facilitate an agreement between the two land owners, but that is not the responsibility of the City.
Mr. Williams stated the only option he has heard from the other land owner is for him to
purchase a lot and build a stub out to his adjoining property. Mr. Williams continued and said he
does not see that as a reasonable option.
Council President Garay asked Mr. Williams what his original plan was for this lot, as it is an
undeniably odd shape with a narrow strip of land. Mr. Williams stated his intent for this land was
for his children to have a place to farm and take care of caws. Ile realized the odd shape and
assumed one party would purchase the other at some point and develop all 25 acres as one
development. Council President Geray admitted he is tom on this situation. He understands the
dilemma that Mr. Williams is now in with the shape of his land. However, he doesn't believe the
other land owner should be punished because his neighbor has a narrow strip of land and
understood the risk when he purchased it. Mayor Gubler advised Mr. Williams to contact the
other owner directly and come to an agreement. If they do not come to an agreement before the
Final Plat is submitted, the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council will ultimately
need to do what they believe is best for the City.
Discussion of Idaho Falls Animal Shelter —Clerk West introduced Irene Brown with the Idaho
Palls Animal Shelter and stated the City Council had requested to meet with her regarding the
annual contract amounts. Ms. Brown stated the contract amount for this year reduced by about
50°/. Clerk West stated the City has not received that statement yet. Council Member
Wadsworth stated the City has discussed utilizing another shelter and asked Ms. Brown why the
City should continue using the Idaho Palls Animal Shelter with such a high contract amount. Ms.
Brown said the only other option is the Snake River Animal Shelter and they only accept dogs.
Ms. Brown continued saying the City of Iona had 20 cats taken to their shelter in 2018 and 16
cats in 2017. Ms. Brown also stated their shelter panicipates in a national program called
Trap/Neuter/Retum which requires them to neuter trapped cats then return them to the area they
were found. She explained this program as being beneficial to reduce the number of homeless
cats, rather than trapping and killing cats.
Council President Gerdy asked Ms. Brown if the contract amount is based on the number of
animals from Iona they receive compared to the total costs to con the shelter. Ms. Brown
confirmed the contract amounts are based on the percentage of the Iona animals brought in
ompared to the total animals. That percentage is applied to the animal shelter's cost and is then
charged as the contract amount for that year. Ms. Brown stated the Idaho Falls Animal Shelter
was issuing and tracking dog licenses for the City of Iona and doesn't understand why the City
discontinued the licensing requirement. Council President Geray stated the City Clerk from Iona
was the one issuing the licenses. Ms. Brown stated most of the licenses issued for the City or
Iona were done by the shelter when someone picked up or adopted a dog from the shelter. She
continued and said there is a state law that requires them to issue something to identify each dog.
so now that Iona does not have a dog license program, all Iona residents that adopt a dog from
the shelter have to purchase a Bonneville County license instead.
Council President Geray reviewed the contract and stated the City was charged $135 per animal
that was taken to the shelter in 2018. Council Member Wadsworth stated when he paid to
remove his dog from the shelter he paid less than 830. Council Member Wadsworth asked why
the animal owners are not required to pay more when they pick up their animal from the shelter.
Mayor Gubler stated the City is subsidizing the cost for the animal owmers. Ms. Brown agreed.
Council President Gorey expressed his frustration for requiring the City to pay for animals that
belong to irresponsible owners. Ms. Brown said they are not authorized to collect fines at the
shelter. Those are citations issued by the officers. She continued and said they are only
authorized to collect impound fees. She also stated they are only allowed to charge the owners
what they can show it costs then to house that animal. which they have estimated as $19/day.
Council President Geray referred to the contract and argued the cost to house the animal is S135
carding to the total cost to operate the shelter on the contract. Ms. Brown stated only 30% of
the animals that are taken to the shelter are actually picked up by their owner. She also stated the
shelter used to put down 50%of the animals that came in, but the public complained. Attorney
Rawlings asked if the City gave the shelter authority to collect fees when an owner picks up their
animal from the shelter, would the shelter be willing to do that'. Ms Brawn confirmed they can
collect City fees. Council President Geray stated they will need to do more research with
Bonneville County and on the City Code to move forward with this situation. Ms. Brawn
recommended to reinstate the dog license requirement for the City.
Discussion of Water Connections outside City Limits — Mayor Gubler stated he was
approached by a resident that is interested in building a dry campground outside City limits and
asked if the City would provide water if it was in the impact area, but not within City limits.
Mayor Gubler continued and stated there are pmvislons in the City Code that would allow them
to provide water outside City limits, but wants to know if the City Council would approve this
request. Ben Moon introduced himself and stated he is the one seeking this information. He
stated if Bonneville County provides the water, they would require him to add a fire suppression
system and fire hydrant on the property, which would increase their cost significantly. Mayor
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Gubler stated the County would require them to have a Dre sprinkler system if they do not have
access to a fire hydrant. Director Prouse stated he doesn't think the Council can approve or
consider this subject without improvement drawings reviewed by the City Engineer. Mayor
Gubler stated Mr. Moon does not want to move forward with the design costs without knowing if
he could potentially hook up to the City water system. Council Member Wadsworth cautioned
Mr. Moon that with the implementation of the City's Equivalent Domenic Unit (EDU) Chart,
they need to understand it would cost more than $49/month. Mayor Gubler explained costs
relating to hook-up Ices and monthly billing scenarios depending on the design of the
campground. Mrs. Diehl asked who Bonneville County can contact at the City relating to current
zoning and zoning changes. Mayor Gubler stated he is familiar with the Planning & Zoning
Director for Bonneville County. He continued and said Bonneville County can contact him
directly with zoning questions.
General Water System Discussion — Mayor Gubler stated this item will be discussed during the
Regular Meeting immediately following this meeting.
Muting Adjoumed:6:59 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: November 19'" 2019
ATTEST: / 1.(M (A
Keri West, City Clerk