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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_01182022 CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING IONA CITY HALL JANUARY 18,2022 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Peter Wadsworth, Council Member Michael Thompson (via teleconference), Council Member Kathy McNamara, City Attorney Andrew Rawlings, Public Works Director Zech Prouse (via teleconference) and City Clerk/Treasurer Ken West. ABSENT: None. VISITORS: Nathan Brian, Brooke Allen, Daniel Parrish and Evan Mann. ITEMS OF BUSINESS: Approval of Bleachers at City Park—Mayor Gubler stated Director Prouse has researched new aluminum bleachers to replace the grandstand at the City Park and has included two bids in the packet for the meeting. He continued and stated originally the Council had requested sunshades over the bleachers. However, after reviewing the cost and maintenance necessary for the sunshades, he and Director Prouse do not think they are a necessary expense. Mayor Gubler continued and stated he believes if the City would like to install sun shades in the future, the staff could build them for a much lower cost than is currently being bid. Mayor Gubler stated the plan is to remove the grandstand and leave that as green space. He continued and stated the new aluminum bleachers would replace the wooden bleachers next to the south ball field. He then stated the wooden bleachers would be relocated to the north ball field. Mayor Gubler then stated they have confirmed the bell in the City Park was the school bell from the Iona Schoolhouse. He continued and stated the base the bell is currently on is in very poor shape. At this point the decision is to either rebuild the base or remove it altogether from the City Park. Mayor Gubler stated his opinion is to remove it and keep it in the shop until it is ready to be put up on a different base or donated to the Iona Historical Museum. Council Members discussed the cost of the sunshades and confirmed the cost is almost as much as the aluminum bleachers themselves. Mayor Gubler also confirmed they would need to be removed every winter and only have a one year warrantee. Evan Mann stated the shade would be nice to have, but agrees the cost is too high. Mayor Gubler asked if all Council Members agreed to remove the sunshade from the bid and proceed with ordering the aluminum bleachers from the lowest bid. Council President Geray agreed. Director Prouse stated he received two bids and confirmed the lowest bid uses the same product as the higher bid company. He continued and stated the aluminum bleachers have a one year warrantee. Council President Geray asked Director Prouse if we were given an acceptable lead time with the lower bid. Director Prouse stated the company did not seem concerned about the timeframe, but he will confirm before he signs the purchase agreement. Mayor Gubler entertained a motion. Council Member Wadsworth made a motion to approve the bid from Kay Park Recreation in the amount of $16,562 plus shipping costs for the new bleachers at the City Park. Council President Geray seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion carried. IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JANUARY 18, 2022 Discussion with Direct Communications regarding Fiber Internet Service — Daniel Parrish from Direct Communications introduced himself, Brooke Allen and Nathan Brian to the Mayor and Council. Mr. Brian confirmed their company is currently installing fiber in the City of American Falls using the micro trenching technique that was previously bid to the City of Iona. He stated it is going well, but the snow has presented some challenges. Mr. Brian stated micro trenching has become the preferred method of installation for cities because it reduces the amount of time streets are closed. He continued and stated they are able to install 1500-2000 feet per day,which is much quicker than traditional methods. Council Member Wadsworth stated he believes the City Council all understand the benefits of fiber. However, at this point the discussion needs to be focused on cost and how the City is going to pay for it. Mr. Parrish stated they will still honor the quote they provided the City in September 2021. Council President Geray confirmed the total cost to bring fiber to the whole City is approximately $1,400,000. He continued and stated as he recalled, Direct Communications had proposed a 50/50 split in that cost. Mr. Parrish stated it ends up being more than a 50/50 split because the $1,400,000 is the cost to bring fiber to the curb. He continued and stated they would split that cost 50/50,but then Direct Communications would pay the additional amount to bring fiber from the curb to each home in Iona. Mr. Brian then stated historically the cost to run fiber from the curb to the home has been approximately $2,000 per home. Council Member Wadsworth then asked who would own the fiber once it is installed. Mr. Parrish stated that is part of the negotiation. He continued and stated Direct Communications could maintain ownership of the fiber line, which means all future maintenance and upgrades would be their responsibility. He also stated the City could decide to own it and lease it to Direct Communications which would leave them responsible for maintenance. Mr. Parrish stated they would not be interested in putting all the work and money into installing fiber and then allowing it to be an open network which allows any other company to come in and use the fiber and make changes to sections of the lines. Mr. Parrish stated there are a lot of options for ownership that can be discussed and negotiated as the City feels comfortable. Council President Geray stated his perspective would be to allow Direct Communications maintain ownership like other utility companies in the City. He continued and stated he believes when the private businesses maintain ownership, the patrons pay for their service directly, rather than the City paying for it through taxes. Council President Geray also stated he is not interested in expanding the Public Works Department to include fiber maintenance. Council Member Wadsworth asked if Direct Communications would be interested in doing the install on their own, without participation from the City, and charge the patrons the cost. Mr. Parrish stated they would not be interested in this due to the length of their return on investment and the opportunity cost involved. Mayor Gubler asked as the City grows how the fiber network grows. Mr. Brian stated once the fiber is already installed throughout the City, Direct Communications will work directly with developers. He continued and stated they will work with them on a joint trench for all utilities to be run to new developments in the City. This will have no cost associated to the City. Mayor Gubler stated the main discussion now is how the City will pay for it. Clerk West stated there are American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the City has received in the amount of$506,000 that could be used towards this cost. Mayor Gubler stated those funds will need to be used for other 2 IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JANUARY 18, 2022 items as well. Council President Geray stated the ARPA funds have limited uses and it seems fiber may be the best option. He continued and stated the City is in a good financial position to pursue multiple projects with ARPA funds and money that has been saved from previous years. Director Prouse stated if the City is interested in moving forward with these discussions, he would like to see an actual cost comparison between micro trenching and installation outside of the asphalt. He continued and expressed concern regarding trenching in the asphalt. Council President Geray asked if we could use a mix of the two installation methods. Mr. Brian stated traditionally you would only use one installation method due to the equipment and process used. Mayor Gubler asked how deep below the asphalt is the micro trenching. Mr. Brian stated approximately 8 inches of cover. Mayor Gubler stated that is a concern for some of the older roads in Iona as they will be rebuilt soon. Mr. Brian stated when that happens, Direct Communications will coordinate with the City to re-install the fiber as the road is being completed. Clerk West asked about the timeframe and when payments would be required. Mr. Brian stated they currently have enough material to begin another project once they complete the current community they are working on. However, if they have to order material, they are 22-26 weeks out. It ultimately depends on when the City joins the partnership and if any other communities commit prior to that. Clerk West stated the City could then allocate funds in the next fiscal year budget to assist with this cost. Mr. Parrish confirmed and said they will work with the City on timing and budget. Council President Geray suggested moving forward with a Town Hall Meeting to get the public's input on fiber. Council Member Wadsworth agreed. Council President Geray stated at this point he feels deliberate action moving forward is needed. He continued and stated a Town Hall Meeting should be held within the next couple of weeks so the Council can discuss this in more detail at the next City Council meeting. All agreed. Clerk West stated she will communicate with Council and Direct Communications to schedule a meeting date. Meeting Adjourned: 6:58 p.m. COUNCIL APPROVED: February 15, 2022 / Dan Gubler, Mayor ATTEST: fila �� Keri West, City Clerk/Treasurer 3