HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_05192020CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY BUILDING
MAY 19, 2020 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Michael
Thompson, Council Member Peter Wadsworth, Council Member Kathy McNamara, City
Attorney Andrew Rawlings, Public Works Director Zech Prouse (via teleconference) and City
Clerk Keri West.
ABSENT: Treasurer Amy Sullivan.
VISITORS: None.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Stop Sign on Olsen Avenue— Mayor Gubler stated he has received many calls
recently complaining about speeding in the City of Iona. He continued and stated one of the
worst cases he has heard about is the intersection of Olsen Avenue and Steele Avenue. Mayor
Gubler suggested changing this intersection from a 2-way stop into a 4-way stop. Mayor Gubler
continued and said the state of Idaho discourages the use of stop signs as a speeding control tool.
However, Mayor Gubler does not know what other tools we have to reduce the speeding at that
intersection. He continued and stated he does not believe a 3-way stop would be as effective as a
4-way stop. Council Member Thompson asked if speed bumps were an option. Mayor Gubler
stated speed bumps are not usually used on public roads. Director Prouse stated Bonneville
Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO), Bonneville County Road & Bridge and several
engineers reviewed the design of this intersection prior to construction. He continued and stated
his concern with installing a 4-way stop is for the traffic going eastbound on Rushton Road and
turning southbound onto Olsen Avenue. He does not believe there would be sufficient space
between the two intersections to display advanced warning signs of the 4-way stop. Director
Prouse highly recommended obtaining approval from Bonneville County Road & Bridge prior to
installing a new 4-way stop. He continued and stated if the City creates a traffic situation that is
outside of the manual specifications, we create a liability for the City. Mayor Gubler requested to
have Director Prouse research those specifications. Director Prouse agreed. Mayor Gubler said if
Director Prouse researches and finds a 4-way stop is in compliance, the City will move forward
with it. If it is against compliance, the City Council will have further discussions. All Council
Members agreed.
Discussion of Tree Planting in Honor of Dennis McArthur — City Clerk West explained that
Dennis McArthur's widow, Linda McArthur, has asked the City if we would be willing to accept
money on behalf of Dennis McArthur and use it to plant a tree in the Iona City Park in his honor.
Clerk West continued and stated there does not need to be a plaque or any type of designation,
she just thought it would be a nice way to honor a community member that served the City for so
many years. Council President Geray asked if a family member wanted to supply and install a
plaque near the tree if the City would allow that. Mayor Gubler stated he does not believe any
plaques of that nature would be appropriate and would not support that. All Council Members
agreed to allow the tree planting in Iona City Park in honor of Dennis McArthur.
Discussion of Belnap Christmas Light Show — Mayor Gubler stated he has been contacted by
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neighbors of the Belnaps. The neighbors complained about the noise and disturbance they have
dealt with for many years to allow the Belnaps to continue their Christmas Light Show. Mayor
Gubler continued and reminded the Council at last year's meeting with the Belnaps, they assured
the Council that all of their neighbors were supportive of their Christmas Light Show. It is now
evident that is not the case. Mayor Gubler also stated the neighbors that have complained about
the light show have tried discussing their concerns with the Belnaps and have seen no
improvement or compromise. Mayor Gubler said he has not spoken to the Belnaps directly yet,
but he is considering shutting down their Christmas Light Show due to it being a public
nuisance. Mayor Gubler said the City has done a lot to help support the show, including paying
for the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office to do extra patrol during light show times and
changing the speed limit signs. Council Member McNamara suggested having the Belnaps and
the neighbor come to a City Council Meeting to talk and come to a compromise. Mayor Gubler
stated they have done that in the past and it was not productive. Council President Geray
suggested writing the Belnaps a letter and trying to establish an appropriate compromise. He
continued and suggested even requiring signatures from neighbors showing their support.
Director Prouse suggested reviewing Iona City Code Title 5, Chapter 8 regarding the Public
Nuisance. Attorney Rawlings agreed to review the code and draft a letter to the Belnaps.
Discussion of FY2021 Property Taxes — Mayor Gubler stated Treasurer Sullivan requested the
City Council to discuss the percentage increase the Council would like to require in property
taxes for Fiscal Year 2021. Mayor Gubler stated that with the current state of the economy, he
does not want to increase property taxes at all, no matter what the cost is for individual
taxpayers. Mayor Gubler distributed spreadsheets from Treasurer Sullivan reflecting the
numerical differences between increases of 1%, 2% and 3%. Mayor Gubler recognized the
difference was not significant, but he still does not support any increase with the current
economic situation. Clerk West further illustrated that a 3% increase would be an average
increase of $19 per household for the year. Clerk West continued and stated as a City, the total
would be approximately $16,000. Clerk West also reminded the Council the regular revenues for
next year will be lower due to the economic impact also. Mayor Gubler reiterated he is not
concerned with the amount; he is just opposed to any type of tax increase. Mayor Gubler
continued and said he understands it will need to be a lean year for the City and reminded the
Council the importance of reviewing and understanding the annual budget. Mayor Gubler
continued and stated he believes the City has enough money without an increase to take care of
all the City needs. Council President Geray agreed and stated he also does not support a tax
increase. All City Council Members agreed to a 0% increase in property taxes for Fiscal Year
2021.
General Water System Discussion — Mayor Gubler stated that he misunderstood and explained
that the City cannot use money from the Army Corps of Engineers grant to reimburse the City
for the purchase of water rights. Mayor Gubler also stated that he has spoken with the
Department of Environmental Quality and they said the City can use additional bond money to
pay for the water right. However, that would be increasing the bond amount by $500,000 at a 3%
interest rate. Mayor Gubler continued and said he does not see the need to do that when the water
right has already been paid for out of our water savings and it has not impacted our City budget
negatively. He further stated he does not agree with borrowing money unnecessarily. Mayor
Gubler also stated the well house plans should be here next week and they will begin drilling
next week also. Council President Geray agreed to not accepting the $500,000 as part of the loan.
All Council Members agreed as well.
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Meeting Adjourned: 6:59 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: June 16, 2020
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ATTEST:
Keri West, City Clerk
Dan Gubler, ayor
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