HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_07202021 CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY HALL
1111) JULY 20,2021 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 City
Clerk/Treasurer Keri West.
ABSENT: None.
VISITORS: Daniel Parrish and R. Michael Parrish.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of American Rescue Plan Act funds — Mayor Gubler stated the City has received
information explaining that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds cannot be used for
expenditures that are already in progress. He continued and stated he has authorized a few
expenses to upgrade the internet network in the City Building and the sewer line repair on
Longhurst Avenue, both can be applied to the ARPA funds.
Clerk West stated last month Director Prouse requested feedback on using ARPA funds to repair
streets. Clerk West confirmed streets are not an eligible use for ARPA funds. She continued and
stated the funds cannot be used to pay for any projects already in place or to pay down bonds that
were used to pay for past projects. Clerk West continued and stated there are a lot of
infrastructure uses that are eligible for ARPA funds, including fiber internet, improving
recreation facilities, etc.
Director Prouse recommended using some of the ARPA funds to replace the concrete around the
City Building. Clerk West stated that would be an eligible use for the funds. She also stated there
are enough funds leftover in the Capitol Improvements budget to complete that project.
Discussion of Fiber Internet Solutions—Daniel& Michael Parrish, Direct Communications
—Daniel Parrish with Direct Communications stated their company is interested in entering into
a partnership with the City of Iona to bring fiber internet to the residents. Mr. Parrish expressed
his desire to answer questions from the Council and to learn what they believe are the main
needs of the residents here. Council Member Thompson stated he is interested in fiber internet
because he sometimes needs to work from home and has found the current provider to be
unreliable. He continued and stated he had fiber growing up in Washington and found it to be
much faster and less expensive. Council Member Thompson continued and stated he has
received a lot of feedback from residents that are frustrated with the current internet options and
would support fiber internet being an option in Iona. He also stated he would like to see a partner
be creative and figure out the best way to be frugal with the City's money, while still bringing in
a good product.
Council President Geray asked Mr. Parrish if he is familiar with the current infrastructure and
what the City already has to work with to bring fiber into the community. Mr. Daniel Parrish
explained different types of internet services available. Council President Geray stated he is
IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JULY 20, 2021
interested in knowing the capability of fiber in comparison with the current cable internet option.
Mr. Parrish stated on a wireless cable network, residents experience many problems such as line
of sight, weather, etc. He continued and stated the only way to get equal access for everyone is
by fixed line solution such as copper through a cable provider or fiber optic internet. However,
on a cable network, multiple residents will still share the same internet and will not get the
increased speeds during peak times.
Council Member Wadsworth stated he would like to know what the best option is to benefit the
community and what the total cost would be to the City and its residents. Mr. Parrish stated their
company is part of the ownership group for Syringa, which is a fiber trunkline that has already
been installed at the edge of the City on 55th East. He continued and stated they would be able to
connect to that line if the City is interested in fiber. Mr. Michael Parrish then stated the cost is
approximately $95,000 per mile and $2,000 per house. He continued and stated that is a high
estimate because of the increasing cost of materials. Mayor Gubler asked how a City this size
can afford this type of investment. Mr. Daniel Parrish stated there are grants available, but the
City of Iona does not qualify at this time because there are already internet options available. He
continued and stated their company partners with cities like Iona and will match the upfront costs
to become a preferred service provider after installation is complete. Mayor Gubler asked if their
company was involved with the City of Ammon's fiber installation. Mr. Michael Parrish stated
they were involved in the early stages, but withdrew because of challenges they saw in the
development. He continued and stated the way the City of Ammon financed their fiber install is
by putting liens on individual properties.
PIN Mayor Gubler asked how many water connections are currently in the City. Clerk West
confirmed approximately 930 homes. Mr. Michael Parrish stated he believes their company
could do the install at a lower price because of experience and new techniques, such as micro
trenching for installation in the road. Council President Geray asked the monthly fee for service.
Mr. Daniel Parrish stated their introductory plan is $54/month for 50 megabytes download and
50 megabytes upload speeds. Mr. Michael Parrish then stated if their company is doing the full
installation in the City they will cover the $2,000 per home connection fee. He continued and
stated this does not require the homeowner chooses them as their service provider. However,
they believe they can offer better service because they are familiar with the system and
installation. Council Member McNamara asked if there would be any out-of-pocket costs to the
residents. Mr. Michael Parrish stated there would not be any upfront costs required by the
residents,just a monthly service fee to their provider. Council Member Wadsworth requested to
see a proposal to show total costs and what the City would be responsible for. Clerk West stated
she would send them a copy of the engineered City map to show the City boundaries and
individual neighborhoods. Mr. Daniel Parrish stated he would write up a proposal and send
additional information explaining what other cities have done with their partnership.
Discussion of City Swimming Pool & Tennis Court Restoration Project — Clerk West stated
Council President Geray has requested this discussion because he was asked by a resident if a
City swimming pool was an eligible use for ARPA funds. Mayor Gubler stated in the past the
City had researched putting in a swimming pool and found it not to be a viable option
financially. Clerk West stated she has also talked to representatives with the City of Ammon and
OIN they are entertaining the possibility of building a recreation center with a swimming pool. She
continued and stated they were approved to conduct a feasibility study to determine if the need is
high enough to be eligible for grant money for the project. Clerk West stated she agrees the
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IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JULY 20, 2021
community is in need of a swimming pool, but she believes the City of Ammon has better
resources to fill this need.
Mayor Gubler stated the City is still working on plans for the Tennis Court Restoration Project.
He continued and stated he has instructed Clerk West to apply for a grant with the CHC
Foundation. Clerk West stated she has started the grant application and will have it submitted by
the deadline later this month. She also stated she reached out to the City of Ucon and learned
they received $23,000 in total grant funds for their tennis court rehab a few years ago. They
received grants from the CHC Foundation and the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
Clerk West then stated the estimate she has received from Director Prouse for the entire project
is approximately $154,000. She continued and stated she will do her best to apply for as many
grants as possible, but the City needs to be prepared to pay the majority of the bill.
Council Member Thompson asked if the estimate includes pickleball courts, or if it is only to
restore the two tennis courts. Director Prouse stated they would need to remove the trees next to
the tennis courts to expand and have enough space for pickleball courts. Clerk West stated the
current bid is to restore the two tennis courts. She then asked if there is a way to paint lines for
both types of courts on the same surface. Director Prouse said he is unsure if that is possible
because the courts are different dimensions. Clerk West stated the City has received a lot of
interest lately in pickleball courts. Council Member Thompson stated pickleball is a great sport
for older people that are unable to move around a full tennis court. He continued and requested
additional lighting be included in the estimate. Clerk West asked the Council's thoughts on
removing trees to expand the courts. Mayor Gubler stated it depends on cost. Council Member
Thompson stated he thinks if they are going to do the project, they should do it right and get the
most out of it as possible. Council Member Wadsworth stated he thinks a pickleball court is a
necessity and has heard a lot of interest for them within the community. Discussion continued
regarding design options on how to incorporate pickleball courts, along with a tennis court, in the
current space. City Council all agreed the need to have at least one tennis court and two
pickleball courts. Clerk West stated she will work with Director Prouse on final measurements
and design to submit for grants.
Approval of September City Council date change — Clerk West stated the annual Idaho City
Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officers Association (ICCTFOA) Conference will be held in
Boise on the date of the City Council Meeting scheduled in September. She continued and stated
it was originally scheduled as a remote broadcast conference, but has now changed to an in
person conference in Boise that she is required to attend. Clerk West continued and stated the
City Council Meeting is currently scheduled for September 21st and is requesting it either be
moved up to September 14th or back to September 28th. All Council Members approved to move
the City Council Meeting to Tuesday, September 28th
Discussion of Franchise Fees — Clerk West stated she did research on franchise fees and talked
to City Clerks from across the state regarding their current franchise agreements. She concluded
the only cities that have franchise agreements with solid waste hauler companies also have
exclusive contracts with those companies. Council President Geray stated he originally brought
0114 up the franchise fee discussion to determine if the City was charging franchise fees to the correct
companies in the correct amounts. He continued and stated if there is no real benefit of those
franchise fees, maybe the City should not be collecting them. Clerk West stated the City does
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IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JULY 20, 2021
11111 have franchise agreements with Cable One, Rocky Mountain Power and Intermountain Gas that
include exclusivity. However, she feels the City would first need to determine if they want to
have an exclusive solid waste hauler company prior to establishing a franchise agreement with
that company. Attorney Rawlings stated if any of the utility companies use a City utility
easement, a franchise fee serves as a type of rent for using that easement. All Council Members
agreed no further action necessary on this topic.
Discussion of Fiscal Year 2022 Preliminary Budget — Mayor Gubler stated the time is up for
this Work Meeting and requested to move this agenda item to the Regular City Council Meeting.
Clerk West confirmed it is already on the agenda for that meeting.
General Water System Discussion—Mayor Gubler stated the project is on track to finish below
budget as far as engineering costs and on will not go over the overall budget for the entire
project. Clerk West stated she believes the project will finish under budget when all grant monies
have been received from the Army Corp of Engineers.
Mayor Gubler stated he has been reassured the project will be completed August 0
Meeting Adjourned: 6:58 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: August 17, 2021
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Dan Gubler, Mayor
ATTEST: 4_,‘ Ujej,t—
Keri West, City Clerk/Treasurer
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