HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_09282021 CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER 28,2021 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Peter
Wadsworth, Council Member Michael Thompson, Council Member Kathy McNamara, City
Attorney Andrew Rawlings, Public Works Director Zech Prouse (via teleconference) and City
Clerk/Treasurer Ken West.
ABSENT: None.
VISITORS: Michael Parrish& James West.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Fiber Internet Proposal, Direct Communications—Michael Parrish with Direct
Communications distributed a map and cost breakdown sheets for fiber installation to the City
Council. Mr. Parrish explained they have hired an engineering firm to help design how they
would install fiber throughout the City, including all neighborhoods. He continued and stated the
design is broken down by City sections. Mr. Parrish stated they have broken down the costs by
section. He also stated the costs include micro trenching installation, which would save the City
approximately $400,000 compared to traditional installation. Mr. Parrish further explained the
difference in the size of lines from the main roads to the neighborhoods; 48 count fiber lines will
be the main transport lines throughout the City, 24 count fiber lines will branch off of the larger
lines and will be used to go into various neighborhoods and the "Loop Lines" will be used to
connect to each house. Mr. Parrish stated if the City is not financially able to install fiber
throughout the entire City upfront, there is an option to install one section at a time. However, as
a company they are offering to match the City's contribution dollar for dollar on construction
costs. He continued and stated the total proposal cost is approximately $1,400,000. He further
explained if the City can contribute $700,000, their company will match the remaining $700,000.
This amount would include installation of fiber throughout the entire City, with a connection to
each home at the time of construction. He continued and stated if a homeowner chose not to
install at the time of construction, they may be charged to connect at a later date. Mr. Parrish
continued and stated the homeowners are not required to subscribe to their service to have it
connected to their homes. Council Member Wadsworth asked what homeowners can expect as a
monthly service cost. Mr. Parrish stated it depends on the type of service they choose, the cost
will range from $50-$120/month. However, the speeds will start at 50 megabytes and go up from
there.
Council President Geray asked if the source of the funds the City contributes is relevant. Mr.
Parrish stated it does not affect them if the City secures grants or uses other financial resources.
Council President Geray then asked Director Prouse if he sees any concerns with the micro
trenching installation process. Director Prouse stated he does not have any initial concerns, but
would like to see detailed information on the construction process to give a better answer. Mr.
Parrish stated their company has been doing micro trenching for approximately one year and it
has been working very well. He explained it is designed to be installed below the asphalt of the
road and is installed deep enough to avoid being dug up if a road requires repairs later on.
Council Member Wadsworth stated many roads in the City are not asphalt and asked how their
IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
company would install in those roads. Mr. Parrish stated they would need to look into different
technology for those roads. Council Member Wadsworth encouraged them to look deeper into
that situation to determine a more accurate cost estimate. Mr. Parrish stated they would like to
meet with the City Engineer and Public Works Director to get a better idea of the infrastructure
of the City, but stated this current bid will be very close to the final bid amount. Mr. Parrish also
stated they recommend, if possible, doing the entire City at once, rather than splitting it into
sections for installation. All Council Members agreed and stated it would be too difficult to
decide which neighborhoods would have the opportunity for fiber first.
Discussion of Guest Residences in R-1 Zones — Clerk West stated this discussion has been
added due to many questions and requests coming into the City Office pertaining to shops with
guest suites for visitors, not necessarily meant as a source of income. Attorney Rawlings stated
the Council has been discussing basement rentals at length, but guest suites have not been
discussed. Mayor Gubler stated if the City allows a homeowner to build a second building on
their property with living quarters, at some point the homeowner will want to turn it into a rental.
He continued and stated the only way to control that is to disallow the living quarters from the
beginning. Council President Geray stated there is nothing currently in the City Code allowing or
not allowing separate living quarters in an accessory building. He continued and stated the
Conditional Uses only regulate basement rentals. Mayor Gubler disagreed and stated the R-1
Zone already specifies only one dwelling unit allowed which would require a homeowner to
change their zoning to R-2 if they desire to have a second building with living quarters on their
property. Attorney Rawlings agreed, but stated the Code currently only allows basement
occupancies in addition to the main structure of the home. Council President Geray asked if this
situation is common enough to require an immediate decision. Clerk West stated she has had 4
people in the past month call the City Office asking about regulations on living quarters in shops
for when family members visit. Director Prouse stated there are currently two shops under
construction with a guest bedroom and bathroom. Mayor Gubler stated those permits should not
have been issued in the R-1 Zone. Council President Geray stated there are regulations on
accessory buildings that would not allow that type of structure. Clerk West stated she talked to
the City Building Inspector, Allen Eldridge and Attorney Rawlings prior to issuing the permits.
She continued and stated this is why this discussion is happening to get everyone on the same
page. Attorney Rawlings read aloud City Code § 11-11-6 pertaining to Accessory Buildings:
"(A) Accessory buildings shall not be located in any required front yard area or closer to the
street than the front face setback line.
(B) Accessory buildings greater than two hundred (200) square feet in total area shall not be
located closer than five (5) feet from any side or rear property line. Accessory buildings less than
two hundred (200) square feet in total area shall not be located closer than three (3) feet from any
side or rear property line.
(C) Accessory buildings greater than two hundred (200) square feet in total area shall not be
installed or constructed unless a building permit is obtained, provided however accessory
structures in the Agriculture (A) zone may be constructed without a building permit regardless of
size."
Attorney Rawlings stated these are currently the only regulations for accessory buildings in the
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IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
City Code. Mayor Gubler stated this section needs to be amended to exclude living quarters in
accessory buildings. Council Member Wadsworth stated he thinks homeowners should be
allowed to build a shop with living quarters but will not be permitted to rent it out. Mayor Gubler
stated there is no way to control that after it is built. He continued and stated if a shop has a
residence inside, it will add to congestion on the streets and more users on the water system.
Council President Geray than read aloud § 11-11-2 pertaining to the Conversion of Dwelling to
More Units:
"(A) The front, side and rear yard dimensions will meet the yard dimensions required by the
zoning regulations for new structures in that district.
(B) The lot area per family equals the lot area requirements for new structures in that district.
(C) The floor area per dwelling unit is not reduced to less than that which is required for new
construction in that district; and
(D) The conversion is in compliance with all other building and health and safety codes and
ordinances."
Council President Geray then stated an amendment to the definition of accessory buildings may
be sufficient for what the Council is trying to accomplish. Clerk West agreed, but also stated it is
helpful when giving information to residents if all relevant information is in one section, rather
than printing an entire chapter. Council President Geray understood, but encouraged advising
residents that each section is not meant to stand alone, instead the sections are meant to work
together.
Council Member Thompson stated what the ramifications are if a guest suite is allowed in an
accessory building. Council President Geray stated increased population density, congestion on
residential streets and increased water and sewer usage. Mayor Gubler stated it will have a
negative effect on the neighboring properties. Council Member Thompson stated he does not
know if there will be enough property owners that will choose to build living quarters in an
accessory building to make a significant impact on the community. Council Member Wadsworth
agreed and stated whether a visiting family member stays in the basement or in a guest suite in
an accessory building on the same property, they are making the same impact on infrastructure
and parking. He continued and stated there has to be a way to allow homeowners to use their
properties as they choose, while also regulating the potential for more than one single family
dwelling on a lot for income. Mayor Gubler stated the problem is the potential future use of the
guest dwelling. Council President Geray restated he thinks the best way to approach this is to
amend the definition of accessory building in the Code. He continued and stated the City Code
should be used as a tool if a problem arises and the City needs to take enforcement action.
Mayor Gubler stated in relation to the "Guest Residences in R-1 Zones" agenda topic, he would
also like to discuss short-term rentals, such as VRBO and Airbnb. He continued and stated he
believes those types of rentals should only be allowed in a Commercial Zone. Attorney Rawlings
stated the Idaho Supreme Court has defined that short-term rentals are not a commercial use. He
continued and stated cities cannot use zoning as a tool to regulate short-term rentals. Council
President Geray stated he is hesitant to add anything to the Code regulating short-term rentals if
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IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
there have not been any problems regarding these types of rentals already existing in the City.
James West from the audience stated he works in the hotel industry and he believes the best way
for cities to regulate short-term rentals is with taxes. He continued and stated many communities
add a tax for short-term rentals to contribute towards the extra infrastructure and road usage.
Mayor Gubler agreed and stated that would be a good thing to research before moving forward
with Code amendments on short-term rentals.
Discussion of City Events — Mayor Gubler stated the City is holding a Halloween Carnival on
Saturday, October 30th. He continued and stated the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council (MYAC)
now has 5 members and is planning to be there to help with the event. Mayor Gubler stated the
City will also be holding a Veterans Day Celebration. Clerk West stated she and Assistant
Farrens would like the Council's feedback on the type of celebration they would like for
Veterans Day. She continued and explained a few options including: morning flag ceremony at
the City Building, evening program with a speaker in the City Building, hand delivered gifts to
Veterans, etc. Clerk West also passed around a few small options for gift ideas including an
engraved magnet or keychain. She continued and stated the City currently has a list of
approximately 40 veterans, so the total cost for either of these gifts would be around $100.
Council President Geray also added the idea to fly flags around the City on Veterans Day. Mayor
Gubler said the cost to distribute flags would be too expensive and most veterans already have a
flag if they want to display them. Council Member McNamara stated her husband is a veteran
and really appreciated the gift from last year. Clerk West stated they received a lot of gratitude
and positive feedback after last year's gift. Mayor Gubler suggested joining with Iona
Elementary School to do either a program or flag raising ceremony at the City Building. Mayor
Gubler suggested doing the flag raising ceremony at 11 am and explained the significance of that
time. Council Member Thompson suggested doing the flag ceremony at Iona Elementary to
allow more students to attend. Mayor Gubler agreed and stated if the ceremony is outside it
should allow more flexibility with social distancing. Council President Geray stated he would
love to see the City join another entity rather than trying to compete. Clerk West confirmed the
City would prefer to do a flag ceremony with Iona Elementary School. Council President Geray
agreed and suggested inviting veterans to attend in uniform.
Council Member McNamara stated she has been contacted by the wagon driver for Iona Days
and they would like to do something in the City for Christmas. She continued and said they will
dress up in costume and would like to do it along with the canned food drive. All Council
Members agreed.
General Water System Discussion —Mayor Gubler stated the project is still not completed and
one of the main contractors has COVID. He is hoping to have it turned on next week.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:57 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: October 19, 2021
Dan ubler, M yor
ATTEST: /lUAAUJita—
Keri West, City Clerk/Treasurer
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