HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_12152020CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY HALL
DECEMBER 15, 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/Treasurer Keri West.
ABSENT: None.
VISITORS: Richard Large, Ramona Horton, Bill Koester and Deputy Chris Williams.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Iona Heritage Committee — Council President Geray stated this is an idea that he
brought up at the November City Council Meeting and would like to continue the discussion and
brainstorm potential ideas. He continued and stated the Iona Historical Society is mentioned in
the Iona City Code. However, Mayor Gubler stated the Iona Historical Society, as currently
established, has nothing to do with the City of Iona. Council President Geray stated he
understood that, but he is interested in establishing an Iona Heritage Commission through the
City of Iona that has different subcommittees, such as a Historical Committee, Patriotic
Committee, Iona Day Committee, etc. Council President Geray continued and stated he believes
the term "historical" when discussing committees, may have a negative appeal to this generation.
He continued and stated there may be people that would be more inclined to volunteer if the
commission encompassed more than just the history. Council Member Wadsworth stated he
liked the idea of establishing a comprehensive commission that could have volunteers
representing the arts, history, events, etc. Mayor Gubler stated he would like to get an Iona Scout
Troop involved also. He continued and stated he has already been approached by a local scout
leader that would like to have a troop chartered by the City of Iona. Council President Geray
agreed and said the scouts could have a subcommittee within the Iona Heritage Commission.
Council President Geray continued and suggested having a Chairman over the Iona Heritage
Commission with each subcommittee having a Chairman that is a member of the Iona Heritage
Commission. This will allow continuity between all the subcommittees. He continued and stated
the Chairman would need to be someone with good leadership skills and does not need to live in
the City of Iona. Attorney Rawlings confirmed this Commission could be codified in the Iona
City Code. He continued and stated the City can legally establish any commissions it would like.
Council President Geray stated he will work directly with Attorney Rawlings to get some solid
ideas put together, but would like to start advertising in the City newsletter to seek volunteers.
Amendments to City Personnel Policy pertaining to Compensation Time and Holiday Pay
for City Employees — Mayor Gubler stated the City Personnel Policy has had some updates that
he would like the City Council to approve. He explained in the past, the City was not in favor of
paying overtime. At that time, Compensation Time was established. However, the way the
Personnel Policy was written it allowed employees to compile a large sum of Compensation
Time by carrying it over from year to year. Mayor Gubler continued and stated they have now
updated the Personnel Policy to eliminate the possibility of any Compensation Time being
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carried over at the end of the year. He also stated the maximum amount of Compensation Time
that can be accrued throughout the year is 40 hours. Mayor Gubler added if an employee has
been unable to use their earned Compensation Time by the end of the year, they will be paid for
that time on the last paycheck of the year. Council Member Wadsworth asked what rate the
Compensation Time is paid. Mayor Gubler stated the pay rate for Compensation Time is 1 1/2
times the employee's regular pay rate because it is a replacement for Overtime Hours. Clerk
West agreed and stated when 1 hour of Compensation Time is input into the payroll software, it
automatically converts that to 1 1/2 hours at the regular hourly wage. Mayor Gubler reiterated that
Compensation Time is only earned when an employee is over their 40 weekly hours or is
required to come in unexpectedly on a non -work day. Therefore, Compensation Time should be
paid at 1 %2 times the employee's regular hourly rate. Mayor Gubler also stated this policy only
affects the Public Works Department, which currently only has 2 employees. He also stated any
Compensation Time being used does need to be approved by the employee's direct supervisor.
Clerk West stated she does pull reports regularly and distributes them to employees so they are
aware of how many Compensation Hours and Leave Hours they have available throughout the
year. Council President Geray asked if the City periodically evaluates the amount of overtime
that is being paid out to determine if another employee needs to be hired. Mayor Gubler stated
Director Prouse analyzes this frequently and still feels they do not need another Public Works
employee at this point.
Clerk West stated the other change in the Personnel Policy is related to Holiday Pay. She
continued and stated the Permanent Part Time employees do not currently have any benefits, but
are very reliable and crucial to the day-to-day office operations. She continued and stated she has
requested these employees receive Holiday Pay when the office is closed for a holiday on a day
they would normally work. Clerk West stated Mayor Gubler has already approved this change.
No questions or comments from the Council.
Mayor Gubler entertained a motion. Council President Geray made a motion to approve the City
of Iona Personnel Policy as presented in the City Council packet. Council Member Thompson
seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried.
Update on Abandoned House at 5134 E. Hansen Avenue — Attorney Rawlings stated he sent a
letter to the owner of the house with a date to address the concerns by December 29, 2020. As of
today, he has not heard anything back from the owner. Mayor Gubler stated there has been
significant progress on the landscaping and debris on the property. However, there are still
concerns with the structural integrity and safety of the house itself. Attorney Rawlings stated the
letter encompasses the health concerns associated with the house itself and recommended
waiting to move forward with any action until after the deadline stated on the letter.
General Water System Discussion — Mayor Gubler stated there is nothing to report on the
water system. He continued and said the project is shut down for the winter.
Update from Bonneville County Sheriff's Office pertaining to Law Enforcement activities
in the City of Iona — Deputy Williams stated Lieutenant Casper was planning to attend with a
report of law enforcement numbers associated with the City of Iona over the past few months.
However, he is not in attendance. Deputy Williams continued and stated he began his service
with the City of Iona on October 10, 2020. Since then, he has personally responded to 132 calls
for service, which includes everything from traffic stops to responding to house calls. He
continued and stated the largest issue he has noticed is speeding and that is predominantly on
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55th East. Council President Geray stated the police revenue is still showing at $0 for the fiscal
year. Clerk West stated the City receives checks monthly from Bonneville County for Court
Fines and Fees, but has not received anything for the current fiscal year yet. Deputy Williams
concurred and stated there is a delay right now of 3-5 weeks on all tickets and fines because of
COVID-19.
Mayor Gubler informed the Council there are still weapons and supplies from the Police
Department and asked their opinion on what to do with them. He continued and stated there is
ammunition that he has given Deputy Williams permission to use. Council Member McNamara
asked Deputy Williams how often they are able to train. Deputy Williams stated they are given a
monthly allotment of hours to go shooting. They are also required to train at an indoor shooting
range with a training scenario four times per year. Council President Geray asked what the
potential value is of the weapons and equipment and if Bonneville County would be able to take
it and offset the annual cost of our contract. Mayor Gubler stated he is not interested in giving
the weapons to Bonneville County because of their value. He also stated he knows Bonneville
County has specific types of weapons they use and is not sure if they would want the ones the
City has. Mayor Gubler continued and stated if they choose to open it up to the public there is a
process to follow that involves an appraisal, publication and public auction. Council Member
Wadsworth asked if it is necessary for the City to divest itself of the ammunition and weapons.
Mayor Gubler stated the City can keep them and is not required to get rid of anything. All
Council Members agreed to not move forward with any action at this time.
Public Comment — Richard Large asked if any decision has been made regarding the disposition
of the Stanger Building. Mayor Gubler said they have not had any further discussion of it at this
point. Ramona Horton requested to submit two letters she would like the Council to read to get
feedback from other people about the impact the Bonneville Art Association has had on residents
of Iona. Clerk West stated they can add it to a future agenda, but they cannot discuss it at this
meeting because it was not listed on the agenda.
Bill Koester stated he attended the most recent Planning & Zoning Meeting and found it difficult
to hear and understand what was being discussed. He recommended the City invest in an
overhead projector to allow meeting attendees to see plats and plans of what is being discussed.
Mayor Gubler stated they have applied for a grant from the CARES Act for this and are currently
waiting for approval. Clerk West stated she will address this further in the Regular Meeting
immediately following this Work Meeting.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:52 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: January 19, 2021
ATTEST:
Keri West, City Clerk/Treasurer
Dan Gubler, Mayor
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