HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCWorkMeeting_02162010CITY COUNCIL WORK MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2010 6:00 P.M. IONA
COMMUNITY CENTER
PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council President Dennis McArthur,
Councilmember Jane Shaw, Councilmember Dan Gubler, Councilmember Bruce Case,
Public Works Supervisor Zech Prouse, Police Chief Shannon Basaraba, City Clerk
Robyn Keyes.
VISITORS: Rick Miller, Jeff Freiberg, Willy Teuscher, Ted Hendricks, Skyler Allen
Mayor Andersen explained to Council member Case that Rick Miller with the
Development Company was meeting with the Council to advise them regarding the
City's water study with Keller and Associates.
Reports
Public Works Supervisor Prouse said only one person placed a bid for the old police
car. The bid was for $250. The Council agreed to sell the car to the bidder.
Supervisor Prouse said water usage for the City and its residents was 5.2 million gallons
less in 2009 than in 2008. Supervisor Prouse said at a conference he learned that Rocky
Mountain Power was proposing a 15% to 18% rate increase, which would impact the
City's budget.
Police Chief Basaraba suggested the City purchase bottled water for civil defense
purposes. Council member Gubler said there was enough room in the old City garage by
the square to store civil defense supplies. Council member Gubler also suggested
purchasing Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). Mayor Andersen agreed the City needed to be
prepared incase of an emergency. Chief Basaraba said he would be attending a crisis
leadership conference in April.
The Chief said the County Sheriff Department told him that the laptop he purchased was
not compatible with their e-ticket software. Chief Basaraba said he was able to download
the software and install it by himself. The Chief said he was purchasing an evidence
locker from the Idaho Falls Police Department for $10.
Chief Basaraba said the dog ordinance was not ready for approval. Council member
Shaw asked if the City issued dog licenses. Clerk Keyes said the County did. The Council
agreed that the City should issue the licenses. The Mayor said it had changed about 3
years ago, and he could not remember why it had changed.
Clerk Keyes said the settlement agreements were ready for Tolbert and Banks. The
building inspector did not want to settle until he received a letter from the concrete
contractor stating he had met the code requirements. Clerk Keyes said she was waiting
for a letter to come from the attorney, and the attorney was waiting to get specific code
information regarding the concrete.
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The Development Company. Jeff Freiberg introduced himself and the others from
Keller and Associates along with members of DEQ and The Development Company. Mr.
Freiberg said everyone was present to discuss some of the issues with the water study.
Mr. Freiberg said the water study had been approved by DEQ and once the environment
study was complete, the grant money would be released to the City for payment to Keller
and Associates. Mr. Freiberg reiterated the recommendations from the study for the
rehabilitation of the existing reservoir and new reservoir. Mr. Freiberg noted that the City
rehabilitated the existing reservoir, but still recommended the City build a new reservoir
next to the existing one and rehabilitate well #3. The proposed total cost from Keller and
Associates to build a new well and rehabilitate well #3 was $ 1,724,000. Mr. Freiberg
said the other alternative would be to do nothing, which would put the City out of
compliance with DEQ, and DEQ would force the City to comply.
Mr. Teuscher said the City did not apply for the low interest loans available last year, and
the interest rate was higher this year. Mr. Freiberg suggested the City float a bond, which
would raise the water rates to $40 a month.
Mayor Andersen said the City discussed the necessary upgrades with its residents in a
public hearing, and the residents were overwhelmingly against raising the rates to $40.
The Mayor said the City had decided to prioritize the projects and do them one at a time
as money was available, such as the rehabilitation of the main well.
Mr. Teuscher said the City would need to acquire more water rights. Mayor Andersen
said the City married its water rights from all of the wells. The Mayor asked how other
entities met the same requirement. Mr. Teuscher said other entities such as Falls Water
acquired more wells as their capacity needs increased.
Mr. Freiberg said the line on 55th needed to be upgraded from 6" to 8". Supervisor
Prouse agreed.
Mr. Freiberg again suggested the City build a new larger capacity tank next to the
existing one. Council member Gubler said the City had talked with the land owners on
the location, and they were not interested in selling the ground.
Mayor Andersen said the City Council understood the suggested upgrades, but did not
want to raise the water rate to $40. The Council decided to take care of the necessary
upgrades one at a time.
The Mayor asked when the grant money would be available, Mr. Teuscher said once the
environmental study was complete, the grant money would be available. Mayor Andersen
said once the City had the grant money, it would pay Keller for the study. The Mayor
thanked everyone for their time.
Meeting adjourned 7:00
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