Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCWorkMeeting_07212015CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING JULY 21, 2015 - 6:00 P.M. IONA COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council President Robyn Walker, Council Member Rob Geray, Council Member Dan Gubler, Council Member Kathy McNamara, Public Works Director Zech Prouse, Building Inspector Allen Eldridge, Police Chief Matt Lurker, Treasurer Amy Sullivan and City Clerk Julie Hammond. ABSENT: Animal Control Officer Kayla Key. VISITORS: Lee Andersen, Dan Hunting, Sally Price, Brooklyn Stolworthy, Madison Stolworthy, and Sydney Stolworthy. Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) Report: MYAC Youth thanked Council for the opportunity to attend the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) Youth Conference. One leadership and teamwork activity was held at Bodies in Motion. The youth helped with a service project at the Idaho Youth Ranch, total hours between all youth averaged 60 hours. Classes included a brainstorming session with the Twin Falls Mayor, Do the Right Thing (kindness), and the youth were asked to talk to their City Council's on what they would like to see happen in the future. Mayor Andersen will gather ideas from the Council and report to MYAC. MYAC raised $500 and a donation of $250 from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for the Ruth House by hosting a dance with Uprising. Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERSI): Treasurer Sullivan reported active PERSI Members were able to purchase life insurance at $16 per month and non -active members would pay $17 per month. She asked that everyone let her know this month whether they would like to participate. Iona Day Celebration: Mayor Andersen, Clerk Hammond, and Shara Roberts would take care of the fun run while Council President Walker, Council Member McNamara, Council Member Geray, and Mayor Andersen would help with the Hamburger/Hotdog Lunch. MYAC Members would be volunteering from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Chief Lurker would be on duty all day and Director Prouse would be available. Council President Walker and Mayor Andersen would end the day with Movie in the Park. Water Committee Presentation/Recommendation: Lee Andersen and Dan Hunting reported proposals from the Water Committee. After research the committee came up with two proposals. Proposal #1 would raise the base rate to $28 per month, which would include 15,000 gallons of water and $0.75/thousand gallons over the 15,000 gallon base, and pursue a matching loan of $250,000 for a total meter installation cost of $500,000. Proposal #2 would obtain a loan for projects with mandatory odd/even watering days, water code enforcement, and education of the public. Projects include: 1,000,000 gallon tank, drill well, obtain water rights, and upgrade the line on 49`h N and 55`h East. P1 Options would be discussed during Council. For a full proposal from the Water Committee see Exhibit "A." Budget Discussion: Council briefly discussed the FY16 Budget. There would be a $500,000 increase in the budget if the City pursues water meter installation. Reports Historical Museum: Council Member McNamara reported the museum needed a furnace cleaning for $510 and replacement of glass on a display case for $285. The museum has a budget of $1,000 per year. Meeting adjourned 6:55 p.m. COUNCIL APPROVED: August 18.2015 ATTEST: Amy SulDeputy City Clerk Brad Andersen, Mayor 7/21/15 City of Iona Water Committee Proposal Presentation Executive Summary: The water committee has been meeting twice a month since March to evaluate the options for sustaining the City of Iona's water system. The committee has evaluated many options and brought in representatives from USDA, DEQ and UCIPTA to discuss project financing options. The committee considered these financing options as a way to pay for projects that were proposed from the 2006 water study that they city had completed. Some of the projects suggested from that study have been completed over the last six years. The four big projects that remain undone are 1. Installation of water meters. 2. New Well/Well House 3. New 1 million gallon tank. 4. New Pipeline on 55`h. To complete all of these projects at one time would require a loan (most likely from the USDA or DEQ). The committee felt that it would be better to establish a fair rate structure and try to pay for the projects in cash as much as possible. Two of the issues that became a main focus of the committee were water usage and establishing a fair rate structure. Idaho uses almost double the amount of water per capita compared to the national average (Associated Press 11/16/2014), and Iona uses almost double the Idaho average. Iona has water rights to pump 5.77 cfs and a pumping capacity of 6.46 cfs. At times in the summer during peak usage it is possible that the city is pumping more water than our legal water rights. Studies have shown that water usage goes down by about 1/3 after meters are installed with a usage based rate structure. Proposal #1 below will establish a fair rate structure that will incentivize citizens to conserve as well as charge users who use more water a higher rate and users who use less water a lower rate. Proposal #1: Raise the base rate to $28 and then pursue a loan for $250,000 to match $250,000 from the Iona City water savings for installation and purchase of water meters. Once water meters are installed the base gallons be 15,000 gallons and users will be charged $0.75/thousand gallons over 15,000 gallons once project is complete. (Install meters summer 2016, Water meters installed and ready by January 1st, 2017.) Secondary Proposal being considered: Obtain a loan for projects that need to be done. Mandatory odd/even watering days to be enforced and water code enforcement with fines and educate the public about usage. a. Build a 1,000,000 gallon tank $1,000,000 b. Drill well and obtain Water rights $1,200,000 (water rights, engineering, controls, project management) c. Upgrade Line on 55th East and 49th $500,000 Exhibit "A"