HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_City Council Work Meeting_07192022 CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING
IONA CITY HALL
JULY 19,2022 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Dan Gubler, Council President Rob Geray, Council Member Michael
Thompson, Council Member Peter Wadsworth, Council Member Evan Mann, Public Works
Director Zech Prouse and City Clerk/Treasurer Keri West.
ABSENT: City Attorney Andrew Rawlings.
VISITORS: Scott Hendrickson, Kathy Koester, Bill Koester, Rebekah Brinkerhoff and Joel
Brinkerhoff.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
Discussion of Firework Concerns, Kathy Koester—Mayor Gubler stated he received a phone
call from Bill Koester complaining about the continual fireworks that were going off in the
surrounding neighborhoods. Mayor Gubler stated the City needs to consider enforcing the
fireworks regulations more strictly. Deputy Randall stated the City needs to encourage residents
to call dispatch, which will create a record of the incident and initiate a direct call to him. Clerk
West confirmed that is the course of action the office staff recommends when they receive
complaints. Kathy Koester then arrived. She stated they have lived in Iona for 2 years and they
are shocked by the amount of noise they endure due to fireworks. Mrs. Koester continued and
stated there are neighbors all around them that are lighting off illegal mortars for two weeks
before and after the 4th of July holiday. She stated the loud continual noises from the fireworks
have scared their animals and caused their cat to run away for five days. She also stated for those
residents that go to work in the morning, listening to fireworks until lam is not conducive to that
lifestyle. Mrs. Koester also expressed concern over the fire danger that is being ignored by the
residents lighting off illegal fireworks. She continued and stated she has researched Idaho law
and said it states aerial fireworks are prohibited. Mrs. Koester said they left town with their
animals the weekend before the 4th of July to avoid the fireworks,but the fireworks continued for
another 2 weeks. She then stated this is a noise and safety issue that needs to be addressed to
protect our residents, animals and environment. Mayor Gubler did inform Mrs. Koester the City
is doing a fireworks show for Iona Days, but it would be done by 11pm. He also stated the City
does have a nuisance ordinance, but it requires an individual to call dispatch to complain and
initiate a report. Mrs. Koester said the problem with calling dispatch is that by the time the
officer responds to the call the fireworks have stopped. Mayor Gubler stated that is not always
the case. Deputy Randall stated he addresses the fireworks situation the same as a speeding
ticket. Which means the first occurrence is a warning and the next would be a citation. Deputy
Randall reiterated there needs to be a formal complaint called into dispatch. He continued and
stated this month there has only been one firework complaint called into dispatch from the City
of Iona. Mrs. Koester then suggested having a survey in the monthly water bill to ask other
residents' opinions on this issue. Council Member Mann asked if she had any suggestions on
how to mitigate the problem, if a survey was done and found the majority of residents were not
in favor of fireworks. Mrs. Koester suggested banning mortars. Council President Geray stated
they are already prohibited by state law. Mrs. Koester then stated that fireworks tents are allowed
to sell illegal fireworks as long as the purchaser signs an affidavit that they will not launch them
in Idaho. Mayor Gubler confirmed and stated the state is not putting forth any effort or resources
to stop this type of activity. Mrs. Koester expressed frustration over this and suggested the City
IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JULY 19, 2022
does something to take a stand and enforce this law. Council Member Wadsworth suggested
establishing a timeframe around the 4th of July to allow residents to launch their fireworks. Bill
Koester stated he agrees with that course of action if the City would then aggressively enforce it
outside of that timeframe. He continued and stated ignoring the issue is only going to make it
worse. Council Member Wadsworth agreed with that suggestion. Mrs. Koester stated she cannot
be the only person that has complained about this issue. Clerk West stated she has not received
any other fireworks complaints in the City Office this year. James West then suggested from the
audience this discussion needs to begin with Bonneville County. He stated the City of Iona is
small and is surrounded by Bonneville County and even if the City did start enforcing this, it
would only make a dent in the overall fireworks impact in the area. Mrs. Koester stated the City
can try and reiterated that mortars are illegal and should be enforced as such. Mayor Gubler
stated he does not think the City is interested in eliminating all mortars but does see potential in
setting a timeframe for which the City will not proactively enforce firework regulations. Council
Member Wadsworth agreed and stated he thinks it will take a few years to get established but
considers it worthwhile to attempt. All Council Members agreed.
Discussion of Water Connection Fee—Mayor Gubler stated it has been several years since the
City has conducted a Facilities Planning Study. The last one was done in 2006 and it is time to
go through that process again. Mayor Gubler continued and stated the estimated cost to the City
will be $30,000, after a 50/50 matching grant from Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Mayor Gubler then stated this study will determine useful information such as how many
additional connections can be made to the existing system, future size of water lines, etc. Council
President Geray stated this discussion is supposed to be regarding the water connection fee.
Mayor Gubler stated the water connection fee is established from information derived from this
study. Council Member Wadsworth asked if the City could use the cost of living increase as a
matrix for the percentage the connection fee needs to be raised. Mayor Gubler stated that is not
defensible in court. Director Prouse agreed and stated the methodology is already outlined in the
City Code for how the water connection fee is established and needs to be adhered to. Director
Prouse continued and stated this discussion is going back and forth between two differing
subjects: the water connection fee and the Facilities Planning Study. Clerk West stated the reason
this agenda item specifies the water connection fee is because it was requested as such by
Council Member Wadsworth to discuss the timing and process for when the water connection fee
is assessed. She continued and stated the City Engineer had suggested the water connection fee
be paid by a developer, as part of the upfront development costs, rather than the builder when
they pull the individual building permit. Mayor Gubler stated the City Engineer had made this
suggestion because if a developer purchases a piece of property and does not immediately pay
the connection fee, the inventory of what the water system can service could drastically change
before a building permit is pulled. Council Member Wadsworth agreed and stated if a developer
chooses to develop 50 lots and is required to pay the water connection fee for those 50 lots
upfront, those connections would then be allocated for on the water system. He continued and
stated the City does not want to allocate those connections until they are paid. Director Prouse
agreed and also stated the City does need to reevaluate the connection fee itself to see if it is time
for an increase. Council Member Wadsworth stated the City Engineer said he would include that
appraisal as part of the Facilities Planning Study. Mayor Gubler then asked the Council if they
all agree to consider an amendment to the current City Code that a developer would need to pay
for all water connection fees for their development up front, as part of their development fees.
Council President Geray stated there are pros and cons,but is not adverse to it. He continued and
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IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JULY 19, 2022
stated it may be necessary to set parameters based on the size of the development when
considering this requirement. Director Prouse stated various subdivision sizes are already
delineated in the City Code and could be addressed in the Annexation Agreement. Clerk West
stated Attorney Rawlings is not present for this meeting and asked if she needs to reach out to
him to discuss this amendment for a future meeting. Mayor Gubler stated he will reach out to
Attorney Rawlings.
Review Fiber Internet Responses to the Request for Proposal (RFP) — Mayor Gubler stated
he received this information yesterday and does not think he has had enough time to review
everything in detail. All Council Members stated they have reviewed it extensively and feel
comfortable discussing it. Council President Geray stated he reviewed it and the takeaway he
noticed was the City's investment of approximately $1 million from the Silver Star and Direct
Communications proposals. He continued and stated Fybercom was a lesser amount and the
Rucon Engineers' proposal was a completely different approach. Clerk West and Council
Member Thompson both stated the Direct Communications proposal included a total investment
from the City of $450,000. Council President Geray read through the Direct Communications
proposal and stated on one of the lines it shows the "total construction costs for drops to be
$1,000,000.". He continued and stated that was a portion the City had discussed as their
responsibility. Clerk West stated she interprets that section as the total value of the project, not
the City's portion to pay. She then asked members of the audience from Direct Communications
if they are reading that correctly. They confirmed the section read aloud was pertaining to the
value of the construction costs and the City's entire investment would be $450,000. Mayor
Gubler stated he feels Direct Communications has the best monthly service options. Council
Member Wadsworth then confirmed with the representatives from Direct Communications that if
the City moves forward with their proposal and pays them $450,000, they are ready to go and
will not request additional money from the City during the entire project. Members of the
audience from Direct Communications confirmed. Council Member Mann then asked them what
their estimated timeframe is to complete the project. Audience members confirmed project
completion by the end of 2024. Council Member Mann then asked if microtrenching is their only
install method. Direct Communications representatives stated they have outlined different install
methods in their proposal and it may be discussed to decide what is best for both parties in each
area. Director Prouse stated that is outlined in the proposal and gives the City the ability to
express concerns over various methods. Council President Geray asked if anyone from the
audience was representing Silver Star. No response. Mayor Gubler stated the City Engineer has
not reviewed the proposals and that is necessary before the City makes a decision. Council
President Geray agreed. He then stated the Rucon Engineers proposal is based off the Ammon
City model and he is not in favor of that model for the City of Iona. Council President Geray
stated the Fybercom proposal stated the City's portion to pay would be $398,000 for the entire
project and have an expected completion timeframe of 18 months. He continued and stated that
does not seem feasible for this size of a project. Council Member Mann stated it may be possible
because they are already installing fiber a few blocks from Iona.
Clerk West returned to this agenda item at the end of the meeting to ask how the Council would
like to move forward with this project. Mayor Gubler stated the City Engineer needs to review
the proposals and the Council will hold a Special Meeting to award the project to one of the
candidates and to enter into contract negotiations. Clerk West asked if the Council is still
interested in holding a Town Hall Meeting, as discussed at a previous meeting. Mayor Gubler
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IONA CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING—JULY 19, 2022
stated he does not want to hold a Town Hall until the contract is more clearly defined. He then
asked the Council if they were available to meet the following Tuesday for a Special Meeting.
All Council Members agreed to a Special Meeting the next Tuesday, July 26`h at 6:00pm, as long
as the City Engineer can review the proposals before that day and can be present at that meeting.
Council President Geray asked if a Town Hall Meeting is necessary. Mayor Gubler stated he
would like to give the residents an opportunity to hear all the information pertaining to the
contract and the project itself. Clerk West stated the original intention of the Town Hall Meeting
was more about the American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) funds and if the majority of the residents
are in favor of using those funds for fiber internet. Mayor Gubler agreed and stated it will be a
good opportunity to engage the public.
Discussion of Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Budget — Clerk West stated she made the
adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Budget as suggested at last month's Work
Meeting. She continued and stated she also adjusted the "Fund Balance Carryover" revenue line
items in both the General Fund and Water Fund to reflect more accurately what she is estimating
the City will carryover from the current fiscal year. Clerk West confirmed she has now included
three full payments towards the water bond, after the Council advised her to aggressively reduce
this debt for the City. However, this action still allows for $292,000 to be allocated to capital
improvements for the Water Fund. Council President Geray agrees that is a good buffer. Mayor
Gubler stated the City's agreement with DEQ states the City is required to have a full year of
payments in reserves. Clerk West stated this is the annual operating budget and does not have
anything to do with the City's savings accounts for General and Water. Clerk West then stated
she has greatly reduced the Payroll expenses for the Water Fund from past years. She continued
and stated the Public Works Department employees specify a percentage of their time on each
timesheet for General and Water tasks. She then stated she adjusts their allocations each pay
cycle to more accurately reflect those percentages, which is why the Water Fund Payroll
expenses have reduced drastically this year. Council President Geray asked Clerk West for an
estimate on those percentages. Clerk West stated the percentages do fluctuate throughout the
year, but Director Prouse is usually 80% General and 20% Water. She continued and stated the
other Public Works employees are usually around 95% General and 5% Water. Mayor Gubler
expressed appreciation for this change and the accuracy of this method.
Meeting Adjourned: 6:54 p.m.
COUNCIL APPROVED: August 16, 2022
Dan ubler, M or
ATTEST:
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eri West, City Clerk/Treasurer
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