HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_08182020CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY HALL
AUGUST 18, 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), City Clerk
Keri West and Office Assistant Rylea Farrens.
ABSENT: None.
VISITORS: Arlene Riding, Connie Murdock, Dixie Hunting, Amy Crump, Doug Crump, Devin
Rowley, Bradley Crump, Sherri Crump and Kevin Casper.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Iona Historical Museum — Dixie Hunting approached the table and discussed the
history of the Iona Historical Museum and its ownership. She continued and stated the pioneer
artifacts used to be in the City Building, but there was not enough room to display everything.
There was a misunderstanding between the City of Iona and those that wanted to display the
pioneer collection of artifacts, so Mrs. Beth Olsen purchased the building that is now used as the
Iona Historical Museum, but there was never a valid contract. Recently, the Iona Historical
Society had a lawyer draw up a contract and presented it to Mrs. Olsen's family, but it was
rejected because it was not enough money to pay the mortgage. Mrs. Hunting stated they still
have no contract and do not know the balance or when the mortgage is due. Mrs. Hunting
confirmed the City has paid the utilities for the building, but maintenance and repairs have been
done by volunteers. She continued and stated volunteers have worked hard to raise money to
improve the building and pay the mortgage, but they still need help to pay off the mortgage. Mrs.
Hunting said the cities of Rigby, Driggs and Montpelier all pay the utilities and maintenance for
their historical museums. She continued and expressed her desire to have the City of Iona take
responsibility for and contribute to the Iona Historical Museum. Mrs. Hunting suggested adding
an extra $1 to the City water bill as a "museum fee donation".
Council Member McNamara asked how many years they have been paying the mortgage for the
current museum building. Mrs. Hunting confirmed they have been paying for approximately 8
years, but they still do not know what the balance is to pay off the loan. Arlene Riding stated
they believe there is approximately $50,000 left on the loan, but that hasn't been confirmed.
Council Member Wadsworth expressed concern regarding donation requests when there is no
contract stating where that money is going. Council President Geray asked who holds the deed to
the building. Arlene Riding confirmed Beth Olsen holds the deed. Council President Geray
stated from his perspective there are too many unknowns for the City to take it over. He
continued and stated he is concerned about paying for a building without a contract stating the
current owners cannot sell the building. Arlene Riding stated the museum has a 10 year
extension on the building.
Mayor Gubler stated one of the options is to hold a Public Hearing for the citizens of Iona to
come to a meeting and express their opinions regarding a mandatory $1 donation to the museum
each month. He continued and stated the other option would be to add a voluntary donation box
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for the museum on the bottom of the monthly water bill. Council Member Wadsworth is not
opposed to either option, but he agreed there needs to be a contract to acquire ownership of the
building, to protect the City and the residents. Mrs. Hunting asked if the City would consider
taking ownership, if they had a contract drawn up and signed by Mrs. Olsen's family. All
Council Members agreed. Council President Geray stated in the past, the City Council was not
interested in taking ownership of the museum and encouraged the Council Members to consider
what it means to take possession of the museum. Mayor Gubler stated he is not opposed to taking
ownership of the museum and explained misunderstandings in the past. Clerk West stated there
would need to be a contract to add it to the City water bill, or it would be a charity and that
would open the City up to accept donations for any charity in the area. Council President Geray
agreed and reiterated it needs to be clarified in a contract before the City can get involved. Mrs.
Riding said they will approach Mrs. Olsen with this idea and will be in contact with the City.
Discussion of Fiscal Year 2021 Final Budget — Clerk West stated the original property tax
revenue on the preliminary budget was overestimated by approximately $8,000. Clerk West
continued and stated she reduced expenses to match the adjusted revenue. Specifically, the
payroll account was lowered to reflect more accurate numbers with the new office staff and
Public Works Department. She also stated the training expense account was reduced to reflect
the annual Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) Conference in September that will be presented
virtually this year. Clerk West also stated as she has begun paying bills, she has noticed some
allocations between the general and water accounts, that she felt needed to be adjusted. She
continued and stated there may need to be an amended budget in the future to correct those
allocations, after she has researched the accounts in depth.
Discussion of 2020 City Events — Mayor Gubler introduced the new Office Assistant, Rylea
Farrens. Assistant Farrens described potential ideas for the Trunk or Treat and the Veterans Day
program, depending on the current risk level from Eastern Idaho Public Health. She continued
and described various levels of precautions the City can take to maintain social distancing, if
necessary. Clerk West stated Halloween is on a Saturday this year, so the Trunk or Treat can take
place in the afternoon over a longer block of time, which will help with distancing. She also
stated the morale in the City is down because of COVID-19 and Iona Days being canceled. She
and Assistant Farrens believe the City needs to have an activity in the fall to increase the sense of
community.
Council President Geray stated last year the Veterans Day program was done on a Wednesday at
Thunder Ridge High School, but it was not on Veterans Day. This year, Veterans Day is on
Wednesday, November 11 th and Council President Geray stated he would like to do the program
that evening. He also stated he would like to try and do it at Thunder Ridge High School again, if
possible, to help maintain social distancing.
Discussion of Fiscal Year 2021 Bonneville County Sheriff's Office Contract — Mayor Gubler
stated the proposed contract from Bonneville County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) for Fiscal Year
2021 has been distributed to the Council to review. He continued and stated the cost is the same
as last year and includes the same services. Lieutenant Casper with BCSO stated they have kept
the contract amount the same and have not changed any of the service requirements. Attorney
Rawlings stated he has reviewed the contract and found no substantive changes. Council
Member McNamara asked how often the City will get reports from BCSO. Lt. Casper stated the
current contract requires weekly reports, but he feels that is too often due to reporting
timeframes. He continued and recommended monthly activity reports be given to the City.
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Mayor Gubler agreed and noted that needs to be updated on the proposed contract. Mayor Gubler
stated this will be an action item at the September Regular City Council Meeting.
Discussion of Iona City Code § 11-11-26- Private Access Roads — Clerk West stated this
section was discussed at last month's Work Meeting and the Council agreed to have this
removed because it was no longer applicable. However, she has spoken with Director Prouse
because a situation has come up recently where this section is applicable. She explained this
section needs to remain in the City Code because it gives specifications on private access roads
for lots known as "flag lots", to install a private road to a lot located behind an existing lot. Clerk
West continued and stated the permit for the private access road can be done with the building
permit for the home on the back lot, but that needs to be stated in the referenced section.
General Water System Discussion — Mayor Gubler read an email from the Army Corp of
Engineers stating they still need to complete their environmental and cultural reviews, but the
water project has been fully funded. He also stated there is existing money in the budget for the
well house, so he has signed the change order for Dome Technology to start working on the well
house prior to receiving funds from the Army Corp of Engineers. Mayor Gubler continued and
stated the tank is done with minimal site work that still needs to be completed.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:56 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: September 15, 2020
ATTEST:
Keri West, City Clerk
Dan Gubler, Mayor
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