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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_10202020CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING IONA CITY HALL OCTOBER 20, 2020 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Michael Thompson (via teleconference), Council Member Peter Wadsworth, Council Member Kathy McNamara, Public Works Director Zech Prouse (via teleconference) and City Office Assistant Rylea Farrens. ABSENT: City Attorney Andrew Rawlings and City Clerk/Treasurer Keri West. VISITORS: Leann Grover. ITEMS OF BUSINESS: Discussion of Private Road Use for Water Tank Access — Mayor Gubler stated a property owner on the hill has allowed the City to use their private road to access the new water tank during construction. This property owner has expressed concern over the amount of usage their road is getting and requested the City paves or oils the road. Council President Geray asked how often the road will be used once construction is completed. Director Prouse stated the road will still be used often for maintenance and daily well readings. Council President Geray stated the City should pave the road if it is going to be used that often. Discussion of Abandoned House on Hansen Avenue — Mayor Gubler stated there is a house on Hansen Avenue that has not been occupied for many years and it has become a hazard. He stated we have received complaints from one neighbor regarding the health and sanitary hazards it is now presenting. He continued and stated there are a couple of options the City can pursue to mitigate this hazard, including allowing Bonneville County Fire District to burn the house as a training exercise. However, Mayor Gubler said this discussion really needs to take place with the City Attorney to choose the appropriate course of action. Director Prouse stated Iona City Code Sections 6-1-3: Unsanitary Premises and 6-1-7: Dangerous Premises, are both directly related to this situation. Mayor Gubler acknowledged the Code sections referenced, but reiterated his desire to discuss this further with the City Attorney. He also stated his concern for the City spending money to tear down a house that should be the responsibility of the land owner. Council Member Wadsworth stated if the house has become a public nuisance and health hazard, the City needs to step in and take care of it if the land owner does not have the means to do so. Council President Geray stated he believes the first step is to contact the property owner and hold them accountable for their property issue and the hazard it is creating. Mayor Gubler agreed, but stated he feels Attorney Rawlings needs to weigh in on this discussion. Mayor Gubler requested to have this discussion added to next month's agenda to discuss more in depth with Attorney Rawlings present. Leann Grover stated she owns the home next door to this abandoned house and that the property owner has now put tires and garbage all over the lawn. She feels she is being harassed by this property owner and is now putting her house on the market, involuntarily. She stated she assumes he is trying to retaliate for problems they have had in the past. Council Member Wadsworth told Mrs. Grover this issue will not be a quick resolution and will take time. 1 Discussion of Code Enforcement Policy — Council President Geray expressed his concern over Code Enforcement policies and possible inconsistencies. Mayor Gubler stated the City Code allows enforcement of specific violations and the City needs to work on being consistent. Discussion of Public Restrooms — Mayor Gubler stated he has received complaints regarding public restrooms in the City Park being locked and the portable restrooms not having hand sanitizer available. He asked Director Prouse how long the portable restrooms will be available at the City Park. Director Prouse said normally he locks the public restrooms at the end of October for the winter. To stay consistent, he will have the portable restrooms removed at the end of October this year. Council President Geray stated most portable bathrooms are stocked with hand sanitizer. Director Prouse said he would call the rental company tomorrow to address this issue. Mayor Gubler stated this late in the season, he would prefer to get rid of the portable bathrooms if they are not going to be stocked with hand sanitizer. Discussion of Airbnb Properties — Mayor Gubler stated there are a few properties in the City that are being rented out as Airbnb, or vacation rentals. He continued and stated there is nothing in the City Code that prohibits it. Mayor Gubler stated the City Council has discussed this in the past and wants to know if they would like to discuss this again to decide if any changes should be made to allow or disallow this type of use in the City. Council President Geray stated he believes this is something that needs to be discussed with the City Attorney present. Council Member Wadsworth stated he has never had or heard of any problems dealing with these types of properties in our City. Council Member McNamara stated there is a property owner near her that has been renting their house and basement as weekly vacation rentals. Mayor Gubler stated this is not prohibited in the City Code. Council President Geray asked if these properties are noticeable and creating problems for neighbors. Council Member McNamara stated they are probably not noticeable, until the renters start parking on the street. Mayor Gubler asked if the Council would like to discuss this again in detail to determine if it requires any updates to the City Code. Council Member Wadsworth stated he does not think it is creating any problems and doesn't need to be addressed. Council President Geray stated the Residential Code does address Residential Basement Occupancies and asked if Airbnb would be included in that categorization. However, he would appreciate guidance from Attorney Rawlings on this subject. Mayor Gubler agreed to table the discussion to obtain more legal advice, but doesn't see the need in addressing this situation in the City Code if it is not creating any problems. Council Members agreed. Discussion of Disposition of Stanger Building — Mayor Gubler stated the lease is now up at the Stanger Building and would like to see the City divest itself of that property. Council President Geray asked if the Bonneville Art Association is aware the lease is up. Mayor Gubler was not sure since the City has not officially notified them. Mayor Gubler stated the City has been paying for all of the maintenance on the building and does not use it. He stated the City Council used to hold their meetings there, before turning the current City Building into the Council Chambers. He continued and stated the building is benefiting a small group of people and doesn't feel the City should be paying for the maintenance with taxpayer money. Mayor Gubler stated he would prefer the City give it to the Bonneville Art Association and allow them to take it over. He also stated the Stanger Building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Council President Geray stated that may complicate the process and would like to have Attorney Rawlings here for that discussion. Public Works Director Prouse confirmed the Stanger Building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Council President Geray stated this does not need to be decided tonight and recommended adding it to next month's agenda to get feedback and insight from Attorney Rawlings. Mayor Gubler agreed. 2 General Water System Discussion — Mayor Gubler stated the City and the City Engineer have decided to move forward with construction on the water project while we continue to wait for the final approval and funding from the Army Corp of Engineers. He continued and stated to receive grant money from the Army Corp of Engineers is a lengthy process and we are currently on Round 5. Mayor Gubler expressed his frustration regarding the slow speed of this process. Mayor Gubler informed the Council that Rockwell Homes has paid for an additional water hook- up to install a sprinkler system and landscaping at the 49th North entrance to the Freedom Field Estates subdivision. He continued and stated maintenance of that landscaping will be the responsibility of Rockwell Homes. Meeting Adjourned: 6:59 p.m. COUNCIL APPROVED: November 17, 2020 ATTEST: Keri West, City Clerk/Treasurer Dan Gubler, May r Dan Gubler, May r „,,,_.,.,-,•,_ 3