HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes_CCMeeting_07092009IONA TOWN MEETING
JULY 9, 2009 7:00 P.M.
IONA COMMUNITY CENTER
PRESENT: Mayor Brad Andersen, Council member Jane Shaw, Council member Dan
Gubler, Police Chief Shannon Basaraba, Police Commission Chairman Bruce Case,
Acting City Clerk Kathleen Keyes.
VISITORS: Adrian Beazer, Barbara Schreier, Angie Schreier, Michael Schreier, Sharon
Welker, Brian Stutzman, Clip Holverson, and Mike Taylor.
Mayor Andersen welcomed the attendees and introduced the Council, and Police
Commission members. He then explained the reason for the meeting, i.e., to hear public
opinions/suggestions regarding the speed limit change on Owens Ave. (Iona Road). He
then asked Police Chief Basaraba to say a few words about his view on the effectiveness
of the reduced speed limit.
Chief Basaraba described the need for caution and safe driving in this area of town;
school children walking across and near the edge of Owens during the school year, as
well as the increased number of all pedestrians in the summer crossing Owens to get to
6-12 store and the city park. He also described the positive effect that lowering the speed
limit has already had.
Council member Gubler added that the intent of lowering the speed limit was purely for
public safety and not for increase of government revenue.
The meeting was opened for public discussion.
Mike Schreier would like to see this, and all public issues, put up for public vote.
Clip Holverson expressed his appreciation for the board and disagreed with Mr. Schreier,
stating the board was elected to represent the public and vote in the best interest of the
community. He also expressed appreciation for the work Chief Basaraba was doing and
agreed that strict enforcement of the speed laws was needed. He would, however, like to
see the speed limit 35 mph.
Council member Shaw asked how long it took to get from one side of town to the other
(Mike Taylor volunteered it takes 1.5 minutes longer at the slower speed) and if it is
really worth the saved 1.5 minutes to change the speed limit and possibly endanger the
pedestrian traffic.
Brian Stutzman relayed that he'd been hearing rumors that Iona was becoming a ticket
trap and believed people were avoiding Iona Road for fear getting ticketed. He
recommended that a consistent 30 mph limit would be good.
et,
Mike Taylor was in favor of a 25 mph limit.
Adrian Beazer agreed with a 25 mph limit but would like to see it consistent through
town.
A discussion, initiated by Sharon Welker, ensued regarding the awareness of the public
about issues and meetings. The mayor explained that the information was included in
written form with every water bill, as well as posting in public places and available on the
City of Iona internet website.
Mrs. Welker complained that the speed limit was not being enforced on Olsen Ave., and
stated problems with teenagers in the early morning hours at the church on Denning.
Chief Basaraba explained that he covered all areas of town but could not be on duty 24
hours a day. He described the contract between Iona and Bonneville County Sheriff s
Department, stating that when he was not on duty, the Sheriffs Department was
responsible to respond to all calls.
Council member Gubler said he was aware that the Sheriff's Department had not been
performing as expected, and said he would address the issues at that level.
Chairman Case commended the Chief and said the problem of speeding, as well as other
traffic violations on his street (50th), had improved greatly, and the three way stop has
helped too.
Council member Gubler talked about the change in the number of children walking to
school due to the change in the School Busing. He stated he was in favor of the reduced
speed limit.
Mike Schreier would like to see a path through the Bigelow field, and better child
education on pedestrian traffic rules. But he was against the three way stop on free Ave.
and 50th
Mike Taylor agreed with lower speed limit.
Mayor Andersen reviewed the suggestions made, saying they would be reviewed by the
board, and thanked all who attended.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00