HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_01192021CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY HALL
JANUARY 19, 2021 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
Assistant City Clerk Rylea Farrens.
ABSENT: City Clerk/Treasurer Keri West.
VISITORS: Richard Large, Neil Burrell, Carma Hobbs, Brett Hobbs, Dixie Oswald, Irene
Peterson, Scott Kelly, Jolene Eborn and Ramona Horton.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Stanger Building — Mayor Gubler stated the Council has discussed the
disposition of the Stanger Building in the past and would like to discuss it further now. Richard
Large stated he is the current President of the Bonneville Art Association (BAA). He continued
and stated over the last 50 years, the BAA has educated adults and children of Iona and
surrounding areas and has encouraged their creativity through art. Ramona Horton also spoke to
the Council as a representative of the BAA. Mrs. Horton stated when the City received the
building, there were no BAA board members that were residents of Iona. Mrs. Horton also
displayed a picture of the Stanger Building when it was acquired by the City and a current photo
to highlight the improvements made by the BAA. She explained further the BAA completed and
paid for renovations on the Stanger Building during the 1970s in excess of $17,000.
Jolene Eborn also approached the Council as a representative of the BAA. Ms. Eborn stated the
BAA has always supported Iona Days and considers itself part of the community. She continued
and highlighted the history of their Art Shows and the ways they invite community members to
participate. Carma Hobbs, another representative of the BAA, stated she does not live in Iona,
but has strong roots to this community. She continued and stated the City of Iona and the BAA
have been partners for over 50 years. Ms. Hobbs stated the BAA has been able to grow their
organization by utilizing the historic Stanger Building. She continued and stated the City of Iona
has benefited from this partnership because of the great care the BAA has put into maintaining
the Stanger Building. In addition, the art workshops benefit the children and adults of Iona.
Mr. Large stated the Stanger Building is the only building in the City of Iona that is on the
National Register of Historic Places and is designated as an "art gallery". He is hopeful the City
and the BAA can continue their partnership to allow the Stanger Building to be used as originally
intended.
Council Member Wadsworth stated the City cannot give the Stanger Building to the BAA
because they are not a government entity. He explained it would need to go through a bidding
process. Member Wadsworth stated he agrees the current activity at the Stanger Building is a
worthwhile activity, but is concerned about the cost of maintaining ownership of the building, to
the citizens of Iona. He continued and mentioned the possibility of renewing the lease, but find a
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way to reduce the cost and add greater value to the residents of Iona. Mr. Large explained the
BAA already incurs many of the maintenance costs for the building itself and is willing to
address future issues as they arise. He also stated the BAA does most of the landscaping, but the
City does do the lawn mowing and snow removal.
Council President Geray stated with the age of the Stanger Building and its placement on the
National Register of Historic Places, future maintenance costs will likely be expensive. He stated
he recognizes the value of the current use of the building, but is concerned with the increasing
costs of maintenance. Mr. Large stated as a building on the National Registry, there is available
assistance for major repairs.
Mayor Gubler stated his concern is the single use of the Stanger Building. He continued and
stated if the City owns the building, there needs to be additional benefits to the residents of Iona.
Mrs. Horton stated there have been weddings and family parties held at the Stanger Building as it
is available for residents to rent. Mayor Gubler stated this may be the case, but the City has no
control over those reservations and is not receiving the revenue from those rentals. He also stated
there was an incident a few years ago when the City asked to use the Stanger Building for Iona
Days and was rejected by the BAA. Council Member Wadsworth stated if the City takes over
control of rentals of the Stanger Building, they would also be in charge of cleaning after such
events. Council President Geray suggested spelling all of the details out in the Lease Agreement
and keeping much of the arrangement as is. He continued and stated he supports allowing the
BAA to continue scheduling the events as they have done in the past, with a caveat dictating a
cost threshold for the City. Council Member Wadsworth agreed and suggested allowing Iona
residents to rent the Stanger Building at a discount. All Council Members agreed. Audience
members suggested adding this to the City newsletter.
Director Prouse stated he has no concerns with moving in this direction. Mayor Gubler instructed
Attorney Rawlings to draft a new Lease Agreement with the Bonneville Art Association for the
Stanger Building, to include the additions that have been discussed. Mr. Large agreed to this plan
of action on behalf of the BAA.
Discussion of Country Haven Park — Director Prouse is ready to start purchasing equipment
for the Country Haven Park and has found that costs have increased over his original estimate.
He continued and stated the Council originally set a budget of $20,000 for the park and he is now
requesting an increase of $2,500 over that amount. He continued and stated he has compared
various types of playground equipment and has decided to move forward with a swing set and
slide combo, with extra space for single use playground equipment. Council Member Thompson
stated he will speak with the Country Haven resident that owns a sod company to get a bid for
the park. Director Prouse stated he has spoken with another sod company and is looking forward
to comparing bids.
Discussion of Iona City Code § 5-5-7, "Placing of Fill Prohibited", pertaining to Public
Streets — Council President Geray stated he requested to discuss this again, after discussing it
briefly at a previous Council Meeting. He is concerned with the language used and how it may
be interpreted by the general public. Mayor Gubler agreed it is not well written and he and
Director Prouse have been working with the City Engineer to address this section of the City
Code, as well as 20+ others that need to be edited. Mayor Gubler stated they are continually
working with inconsistencies in the City Code. Council President Geray stated he appreciates
this specific section being addressed to better clarify the requirements.
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Discussion of City Building Improvements — Director Prouse stated his top priority for City
Building improvements is the concrete work on the walkways and steps for all entrance points to
the building. This includes re -sloping of the concrete and drainage work and estimates this cost
to be approximately $25,000 plus $5,000 for the steps. He continued and stated if excavation
work requires additional foundation work, this could cost an additional $5,000 - $10,000.
Director Prouse explained this includes completely repouring the steps, flatwork for the concrete
in front of the building, and the sidewalk on the North side of the building. Council President
Geray asked if concrete was the best option in the long-term, or if there may be another option
that may cost more up front, but has lower long-term maintenance costs. Mayor Gubler stated the
current concrete has been there since the 1990s, so he feels that concrete is still the best solution.
Mayor Gubler continued and stated the additional item to consider is drainage to help the
concrete last even longer. Council President Geray stated he believes this project will end up
being closer to $50,000 - $60,000 when completed. Mayor Gubler agreed. Director Prouse stated
all of this exterior work needs to be done together and is the top priority. He continued and stated
the rest of the needed improvements are interior. Mayor Gubler stated Director Prouse has
already been completing small projects to help mitigate future problems. Council Members all
agreed to move forward with this project and instructed Director Prouse to begin getting bids.
Council President Geray stated the City has approximately $300,000 budgeted in the Capital
Improvements expense account. He asked if there are any other projects slated to take place this
year that would utilize these funds. Director Prouse stated he would like to start discussing in the
near future the reconstruction of existing roadways. He continued and stated in the near future,
the chip seal is not going to be enough and the sub grade of the roads will need to be replaced.
Mayor Gubler agreed and stated the need to prioritize which roads need to be addressed first and
reach out to the Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) for funding. Director
Prouse also stated there are some recreation areas that need attention, such as the tennis courts
and baseball fields. Mayor Gubler stated his desire for the City to look into grants with the CHC
Foundation to upgrade the tennis courts. He continued and stated he will instruct Clerk West to
look into available grants.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:56 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: February 16, 2021
ATTEST:
Keri West, City Clerk/Treasurer
Dan Gubler, Mayor
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