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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil Minutes 1997 11/20CITY OF MC CALL MINUTES Regular Meeting McCall City Council Thursday, November 20, 1997 Table Of Contents Call To Order And Roll Call ............................................................................................. 3 Public Comment .............................................................................................................. 3 Airport Sewer Extension ............................................................................................ 3 Public Hearing ................................................................................................................. 3 Downtown Mater Plan ................................................................................................ 3 Consent Agenda .............................................................................................................. 5 Unfinished Business ........................................................................................................ 5 Airport Manager Position ........................................................................................... 5 Ordinance No. 711 ..................................................................................................... 6 Sally Sloan Sign ......................................................................................................... 6 Comprehensive Plan .................................................................................................. 7 Local Option Tax ........................................................................................................ 7 City Manager Position ................................................................................................ 8 Quit Claim - Valois Property ....................................................................................... 9 J Ditch Phase 1 ........................................................................................................... 9 Mather Road Sewer Project ........................................................................................ 10 Golf Course Irrigation ................................................................................................. 10 Carico LID .................................................................................................................. 10 Request For Adjustment - Renfro ............................................................................... 11 Request For Adjustment - Potter ................................................................................ 11 Request For Adjustment - Williamson ........................................................................ 11 Request For Adjustment - Ross .................................................................................. 11 Golf Course Committee .............................................................................................. 12 Resolution No. 11-97 .................................................................................................. 12 Christmas Tree Decoration ......................................................................................... 12 Grant Deed - Goodman ............................................................................................... 12 Staff Reports ..................................................................................................................... 13 Mayor And Council Comments And Reports ..................................................................... 13 Adjournment ...................................................................................................................... 14 2 MINUTES The meeting was called to order by Mayor Killen at 7:00 p.m.. Ms. Arp, Mr. Eimers, Mr. Colton, Mr. Killen and Mr. Martens answered the roll call. A quorum was present. Members of the staff present were Acting City Manager Jim Henderson, City Attorney Ted Burton, and Acting City Clerk Cherry Woodbury. Airport Sewer Extension Jackie Fields reported on the proposed amendment to the agreement for consultant services on the airport sewer extension project. Ms. Fields stated that staff had evaluated using in-house personnel compared to outside services. It was felt that the existing design team currently working on the project and working with the Airport Advisory Committee knew what was needed. Ms. Fields stated that this was not an FAA project. Mr. Killen inquired if funds were already in the current budget. It was stated that funds ware allocated to sewer line extensions. Ms. Fields explained that this would eliminate the septic and holding tanks that are currently used by the airport hangers. And, the Central District Health wants the hangers off holding tanks. This extension would start at the smoke jumpers building and is part of the master sewer plan. Mr. Henderson stated that approximately $100,000 per year is set aside for sewer projects. Mr. Eimers inquired if Ms. Fields made the decision to 100% outsource. Mr. Arp inquired if the liability coverage was the current version in the amended agreement. Mr. Colton moved to approve the amended agreement. Mr. Arp seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing Downtown Master Plan Andy Locke gave an opening presentation on the plan. There are basically 5 components of the plan with the concept being to provide a pedestrian friendly easy to get around downtown area. Mr. Locke reviewed the changes to the plan that the subcommittee recommended. The major changes included: - Leaving the land west of the Yacht Club residential instead of changing it to commercial - Eliminating the marina zones - Clarifying funding for the improvements - Acquiring designated areas for parking - Changing land use map and extending area - Beautifying of highway and main street 3 - Including park and recreation master plan - Listing variety of sources for funding and eliminating general tax from that section and setting priorities for funding - Compiling an guide for developers setting expectations Curt Spaulding commented on the modifications and praised the work the subcommittee had done. He state his desire to see some sort of tree program and a year-round multi use recreation complex. He recommended adopting the plan and commence applying for funding. Glen Gore expressed his concern about parking area with the current and additional marinas. He also stated concern about the lake water quality with the extra marina. Marian Johnson stated that the revised plan seemed to incorporate some of the desires of the citizens west of the Yacht Club. Her concern was about who was going to subsidize the project and felt that only business improvement district funds should be used - not public funds. Ron Jeffries stated that the number one problem needed to be addressed - a city with a downtown that has a state highway running through it. He stated that before something is done with the downtown, the need for a by pass road should be addressed. Mr. Killen closed the public hearing portion of the meeting. Andy Locke commented that 2 parcels west of Paul's are in the commercial zone and define the boundary of the plan. Mr. Killen pointed out that any rezoning has to be done through a specific procedure. Mr. Locke stated that passage of Ordinance No. 708 would adopt the downtown plan. Ms. Arp commented that some confusion is present because the plan has been referred to by two names - the Central Business District Plan and the Downtown Master Plan. She recommended referencing it as the Downtown Master Plan. The plan is a part of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Eimers inquired if it was urgent that the plan be adopted. Mr. Locke stated that adoption would give more credit when applying for grants. Mr. Martens pointed out that other pieces of the Comprehensive Plan such as the Park and Recreation Master Plan could be pulled later. Mr. Eimers inquired about financing for maintenance. Mr. Burton stated that it could be obtained various ways such as from an LID in which maintenance is trusted to the property owners or be incorporated into the parks and streets budgets. He stated that council would most likely determine how maintenance would be provided. Mr. Colton stated that if the expense falls to the city, it would have to be factored in during the next budget cycle. 4 Mr. Martens noted the required timeframe under the Priority #1 and felt that 1 month after adoption was too aggressive. Mr. Locke responded that the subcommittee wanted the 1 month timeframe removed. Ms. Arp also recommended taking the time constraint out but leave the rest of the statement under Priority #1 as is. Mr. Burton and Ms. Arp informed the council on grant writing and applying for grants. Mr. Burton stated that the Urban Renewal project could be used for matching funds. Mr. Martens moved to adopt the Downtown Master Plan with changes specified. seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Council instructed staff to Ordinance NO. 708 at the next regular meeting. Ms. Arp present Consent Agenda -Minutes Of November 6, 1997 - Regular Meeting - Minutes Of October 28, 1997 - Special Meeting - Vendor Invoice Approval List Report Dated November 17, 1997 - Payroll Report Dated November 4, 1997 - Pay Requests By JUB Mather Road Project - $238.20 Lift Station 9A - $584.52 - Pay Request No. 7 On J Ditch Project On IFarm Irrigation System - $105,439.80 Pipeline - $43,482.68 To Idaho Power - $34,045.50 - Request Hand Check For December Utility billing - Request Hand Check For Alcohol Beverage License - Clubhouse Corrections were noted to the minutes. Council members had the following were questions pertaining to the accounts payable list - Why late charges are still showing for credit cards used? - Were two bill from the Best Western duplicates? - Why and what were the expenses for the cell phones? - Was the gun holster a return but the entry looked like a payment? Jackie Fields stated that Phase I of the J Ditch was complete but large payments ware still being made. She stated that there was still $800,000 left to proceed forward with the winter storage cell project so invoices for expenditures are still being submitted. Mr. Burton gave status of appeal and stated that headway was being made with the possibility of incorporating a clause that if the city is unable to obtain reasonable financing it would not be able to proceed. 5 Mr. Colton moved to adopt the consent agenda as amended. Mr. Martens seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Airport Manager Position Mr. Henderson reported that the contract had been signed by Gene Heikkola. The agreement was written by Mr. Burton and went through the Airport Committee. The agreement runs from fiscal year to fiscal year. Ms. Atp inquired about the use of an assistant. Mr. Henderson responded that the responsibility had been transferred. Mr. Martens stated that it was still vague on the notification procedure if the manager was unavailable. By requiring notification, it would also be a good means of monitoring. Ms. Atp noted that the agreement does not provide for any overtime. Ms. Arp moved to approve the contract as amended. Mr. Martens seconded. At a roll call vote Ms. Arp, Mr. Martens, Mr. Killen, Mr. Eimers, and Mr. Colton voted "aye". Ordinance No. 711 Andy Locke reported on the changes to the sign ordinance. Mr. Eimers felt that only hand written window signs would be an issue and all other points in the revised ordinance was non-threatening. Mr. Martens was concerned about dropping the grandfather clause and the date specified. He would tike some future date to have all signs in conformance. Mr. Burton stated that the current ordinance deadline for conformance was in the very near future - December 1st - so some decision had to be made. Kathy Showers responded that until the Comprehensive Plan was in place that the change was proposed until consensus could be reached on the issue. Mr. Colton suggested pulling that section out and addressing it with the group of controversial items that were not included in the revised version. Julie Eddin$ stated that the committee had included it because a request to council for another extension would be sent back. She then read an excerpt from a Wyoming ordinance. Mr. Killen moved to suspend the rules and read by title only Ordinance No. 711 as amended, moving the date to December 1, 1998, in Section 3-24-050. Mr. Colton seconded. At a roll call vote Mr. Killen, Mr. Colton, Mr. Eimers, Ms. Arp, and Mr. Martens voted "aye". The ordinance will be considered by the Valley Commissioners for their first meeting in December. 6 Ms. Arp directed the City Attorney not to enforce the current December 1, 1997, date for non-conforming signs. Sally Sloan Sign Andy Locke reviewed the circumstances and actions taken thus far on this issue. The P & Z commission recommendation had been to OK the sign with the exception of the reader board which could be located on the building but not on the sign. Mr. Locke stated that the commission did not use aesthetics in determining the decision on the reader board. Mr. Killen noted that the sign could be used as is by just leaving the reader board portion blank. Ms. Arp moved to adopt the findings and conclusion of the committee. Mr. Colton seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Eimers inquired if it was denied, would it present a law suit. Mr. Colton moved for a 10 minute recess. unanimously. The meeting reconvened at 9:55 PM. Mr. Martens seconded and the motion carried Comprehensive Plan Andy Locke reported on the status of the plan schedule and noted the scheduling timetable options. Two of the three options required additional personnel but would not entirely free up the Staff Planner for other projects. Mr. Killen inquired about the possibility of utilizing interns. Mr. Locke stated that a GIS intern had been included in the FY 1997-98 budget. Local Option Tax Mr. Killen gave an overview of the public meeting held on this issue and reported that overall input from attendees was uniformly against the 5% bed tax. However, the feeling was that there was favorable support for some small sales tax and a small accommodaters tax. Mr. Killen commented on the deadline to take action for the upcoming February election. Mr. Henderson stated that the code was not real clear on items up for vote that aren't election issues. Mr. Colton felt that the February date to take this before the people was too close and to look at the next voting date opportunity. Ms. Arp agreed and stated the need to better define how the revenue would be spent. She suggested looking at the May voting date. She also stated her perception was that there was more favorable support for a combination sales and accommodation tax. Mr. Martens stated that since the newspaper article on this issue, he had heard negative public comments re a sales tax. He stated that more revenue could be raised by some sort of combination tax but that there was definitely a need to specify where it was going to be spent. Mr. Eimers felt that in light of the 1997 economy hit by road washouts, water rate increases, etc. that this was not the right time to present an option tax. He also supported the idea of 7 a combination tax. Mr. Colton suggested reviewing the option tax proposal during the budget cycle. He felt by coordinating it with the budget period, that it would be beneficial to know if funds would be available to use on upcoming projects. If the option tax was on the August ballot it would allow voters to see what projects listed in the budget could be done. Mr. Colton moved for council to table the proposal and reconsider it the 1st meeting in March. Mr. Eimers seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Martens felt that the option tax committee should continue investigation various combination options, projected revenues, and possible projects. Mr. Henderson would be able to work up the revenue amounts generated by the various combinations. City Manager Position Mr. Henderson reported that that he had contacted the 11 final candidates and 4 had dropped out. Selection committee members reported the following from contacting references and other sources: * Taylor - Mr. Eimers reported the responses to be that this candidate was competent and would do what was told, but not a go getter. Mr. Eimers recommended excluding him. * Baltz - Mr. Colton reported that every response-was favorable. Mr. Colton also spoke directly with Mr. Baltz who was very interested in the position. Mr. Colton was very much in favor of this candidate. * Stock - Mr. Muller reported that a lot of the people contacted did not want to comment. Of the ones that did respond some gave good and some uncertain recommendations. The candidate had been terminated from 2 cities. Mr. Muller recommended excluding this candidate. * Koelsch - Ms. Kelker reported that the responses had been positive with the exception of a weight .issue. Ms. Kelker express some concern with the several positions held. Apparently he was doing well in Jackson Hole but went to Arizona and was not currently working. * Olson - Ms. Kelker reported that the responses had been extremely positive, but that the candidate only had 4 years of experience. * Filip - Ms. Arp reported that the candidate had been released by the city's council because the feeling was that things were not getting done. There was some feeling that the candidate was past his time. Ms. Atp would not recommend him. * Miles - It was decided that this candidate should still be included in the list for phone interviews. 8 * Bingham - Mr. McMurry reported that responses had been that this candidate was highly respected. He had currently been at his present position for 7 - 8 years and the staff members spoke highly of him. Other city managers had praise and he had experience working with government agencies. It was stated that he could possibly be too goal orientated and it was unclear why he was leaving. Mr. McMurry recommended candidate. Discussion followed as to the next step of the selection process, whether to do phone interviews or face to face interviews, selecting a date for the final candidates to visit McCall and meet the public, etc. Ms. Arp recommended and members agreed to Monday, December 1st as the date to conduct phone interviews. It was also decided that December 13th would be a good date to have the meeting with the public. Quit Claim - Valois Property Jackie Fields reported that the property owner had a garage which stuck out in a section of land. The owner was quit claiming a strip for the collector street right of way in exchange for the garage area. Mr. Killen moved to approve the exchange of quit claim. Mr. Martens seconded and the motion carried unanimously. J Ditch Phase 1 Mr. Eimers noted that there were different cost figures and questioned that point. Mr. Colton moved to approve change order no. 2 in the amount of $1,574.40. Mr. Killen seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Arp moved to approve application for payment no. 4 for $167,989.69 to Warrington Construction. Mr. Eimers seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Colton moved to approve JUB invoice of $29,956.93 for construction services. Mr. Martens seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Killen excused himself from the meeting and remanded to Ms. Arp. Mather Road Sewer Project Jackie Fields reported that the change order no. I was incurred due to sewer lines entering the property and incorrectly connected sewer lines. Mr. Martens questioned where the funds for the additional cost would come from in the budget. Mr. Henderson stated that there w~re funds from the prior risc, al year carried over. Mr. Martens moved to approve change order no. I in the amount of $2,975.01. Ms. Arp seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Colton moved to approve application for payment no. 1 for $103,751.88 to Brown Construction. Mr. Marten~ seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 9 Golf Course Irrigation Mr. Henderson reported that after contacting Scott Kuhn it was learned that change order no. 2 had not been approved by council as yet. Mr. Henderson recommended approval of pay request no. 7 in the amount of $53,576.00 less change order no. 2 in the amount of $31,776.00 and approval of pay request no. 8 in the amount of $68,394.50 to Turf Sprinkler. Mr. Martens moved to approve partial payment of pay request no. 7 and full payment of pay request no. 8. Mr. Colton seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Carico LID Mr. Henderson reported on the Flynn Lane extension. The right of way had been retained 9 and the road constructed. There is still grading and some road work to be completed in the spring so the retainage is being withheld. By approving this request, it would allow closing the LID and stop the interest payments from continuing. Mr. Colton moved to approve partial pay request no. 5 in the amount o f$37,965.73. Mr. Martens seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Request For Adjustment - Robert Renfro Mr. Eimers stated the water committee was looking at dealing with the rate charges for the first month or so under the new system. Ms. Atp and Mr. Martens recommended following the way adjustment requests had been handled in order to be consistent. Mr. Martens stated the city had delivered the water to the meter and it was the customer's responsibility from that point. Mr. Colton recommended referring the request to the water committee. Ms. ^rp moved to approve staff's recommendation of denial. Mr. Martens seconded. Ms. Atp and Mr. Martens voted ~aye". Mr. Eimers and Mr. Colton voted "nay". Since it was a tie vote, Ms. Arp moved to table the request until the next meeting and direct staff to take no enforcement action. Mr. Colton seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Request For Adjustment - Robert Potter Mr. Eimers stated that he believed the customer was sincere and did not use or understand how the high usage was incurred. Mr. Burton mentioned that the neighbor had been watering the yard for the customer and it could not be determined how much was used for that. Mr. Martens moved to approve staff's recommendation of denial. Mr. Colton seconded. Mr. Martens, Mr. Colton, and Ms. Arp voted ~aye". Mr. Eimers voted "nay". Request For Adjustment - Max Williamson Mr. Henderson reported that Public Works had investigated the water in the meter pit. stated that the meter and MXU do operate properly in water. 10 He Mr. Williamson commented that he had looked in the meter pit over the years and there had never been ground water present. He also stated that since his house was lower than the pit, there should also have been ground water in his basement. After the meter pit was pumped, the water did not return. Mr. Martens moved to grant an adjustment from 34,000 gallon usage to 16,000 gallons based on the average monthly use for the one month in question and to adjust the charge accordingly. Mr. Eimers seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Request For Adjustment - Roger Ross Ms. Arp moved to approve staff's recommendation of denial. motion carried unanimously. Mr. Colton seconded and the Golf Course Committee Ms. Arp inquired as the advertising for committee members. Since this was not done, Ms. ^rp was not willing to approve the nomination. No motion was made on this item. Mr. Max Williamson reported on the discussion the committee had regarding realigning the Park Department under Recreation. He commented that with the additional 9 hole golf course and responsibility of maintenance that the committee felt more time should be spent by the superintendent on the maintaining the condition of the 27 hole course. Also Mr. VVilliamson presented a list of tasks and priorities that the committee would like see completed. He stated that the committee felt that since the golf course was operating as an enterprise fund, it should not be subsidizing the parks. Mr. Martens presented a written statement of his view on the issue. He commented that the additional 9 hole course was already in place and the parks responsibility was already established when the Golf Course Superintendent wes hired and accepted the job. He had talked with both the Golf Course Superintendent and the Recreation Director regarding their respective salaries. Mr. Martens pointed out that the equipment for grooming the golf courses was also available to maintain the parks. He felt that the parks looked the best ever. Mr. Martens pointed out that the Golf Course Superintendent's salary had been increased by $5,500 per year for taking on the additional responsibility of the parks and that could be charged to the park fund. He also felt that the committee's priority list could be completed since there were more workers. Mr. Colton stated that any reorganization would take more money and none was in the budget. He felt the time to address this was at the next budget cycle. No action was taken on this issue. Resolution No. 11-97 Mr. Henderson reported on this resolution amending the Personnel Policy Manual Policy # 106 (Productive Work Environment) and also Policy # 310 (Employee Grievenace) 11 regarding the public's right to know about complaints filed against the city. He stated that Policy Number 408 pertaining to job descriptions was also added. The draft of Resolution No. 11-97 was sent out to department heads for any input. Mr. Colton moved to adopt Resolution No. 11-97. Ms. Arp seconded and the motion carried unanimously,J Christmas Tree Decoration Council considered the request by the Star News to decorate the tree in Art Robert Park for the holidays. Ms. Atp moved to approve the request. Mr. Eimers seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Grant Deed - Ron and Joyce Goodman Council considered approval of a grant deed from Urban Renewal Agency (Ron and Joyce Goodman) to the City of McCall for a parcel of land between Toll Station Pizza and the Railroad Avenue project. Mr. Colton moved to approve the grand deed. Ms. Arp seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Staff Reports Interim City Manager Mr. Henderson reported on the following: - Yearly audit was in progress - Looking at human resource training for supervisors and inviting the county and hospital to participate - Review of project finances with Joe King, DEQ Ms. Arp inquired about the status of the water meters and how many still needed to be installed. She commented on the fairness to customers regarding this matter. City Attomey - A written report was noted Mr. Burton reported that the wastewater phase 1 funding included acquisition of property for the winter storage cell and discussion was taking place with the property owner. Mr. Burton reported on the status of the J Ditch project that the grant would be between the Bureau of Reclamation and the city and that the DEQ would not be involved. He gave an update on the administrative appeal and that there would be language pertaining to the city's financial ability to meet requirements. Acting City Clerk - A written report was noted 12 Mayor And Council Comments And Reports Mr. Eimers commented on the length of the agenda and inquired about reducing it. expressed concern about focusing the efforts of the city staff. Mr. Martens stated that he would not be at the December 4th meeting. He Adjournment Without further business, Mr. Colton moved to adjourn. Mr. Martens seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The Council adjourned at 1:10 A.M. ATTEST: William M. Killen, Mayor Cherry ~o db ry A ing i(~ Clerk 13