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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil Minutes 2001 02/08MINUTES McCall City Council Regular Meeting Thursday, February 8, 2001 Table of Contents Call To Order and Roll Call Public Comment Consent Agenda Business Reports Adjournment Page 1 of 6 February 8, 2001 City Council Minutes CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Muller called the regular meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 7:05 pm. Ms. Arp, Mr. Muller, Mr. Colton, Mr. Eimers, and Mr. Venable answered roll call. A quorum was present. City staff members present were Attorney Dave Bieter, City Manager Robert Strope and Finance Director/City Clerk Cathleen Koch. PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor called for public comment. There were no comments. CONSENT AGENDA The following items were listed on the consent agenda: • Minutes of January 11, 2001 • Minutes of January 25, 2001 • Invoice Approval List Dated February 5, 2001 • Payroll Report for Pay Period Ending January 19, 2001 • AB 00-145 Hwy 55/Deinhard Lanes Pay Application No. 3 • Police Department Overtime Report January 20th — February 2nd Mr. Eimers stated that overtime must be controlled, not just explained. Mr. Eimers moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Ms, Arp seconded the motion. At a roll call vote, Mr. Eimers, Mr. Muller, Mr. Colton, Ms. Arp and Mr. Venable voted aye. The motion carried. BUSINESS AB 01-17 Canvassing of Votes Ms. Koch presented the results of the Local Option Tax Election. The results were as follows: Total number voting 469 In favor 167 Against 299 Number of under votes 3 Number of electors signing record 447 Page 2 of 6 February 8, 2001 City Council Minutes Number of absentee ballots received 22 Number of ballots at polls (8am) 1426 Total number of ballots to account for 1448 Unused ballots 979 Uncast ballots 2 Council discussed acknowledging and rewarding the committee members with a plaque. Mr. Colton recommended that the committee take a serious look at the issue and bring it back in November when there are more voters. It was pointed out that the issue couldn't be brought back for at least one year. Ms. Arp moved to accept results of the Special Election February 6, 2001 as printed. Mr. Venable seconded the motion. All Council Members voted aye. The motion carried. AB 01-18 Audit Report Jae Hallett and Kevin Smith, Balukoff, Lindstrom & Co., presented a slide show highlighting the financial report for fiscal year 2000. The printed slides were included in the record. The auditors pointed out the general fund balance of $867,381 and the special revenue fund balance of $684,478, which is mostly from the street fund. The city must retain a minimum of 30% in fund balance for the first quarter of each year since property taxes do not come in until the second quarter. Mr. Hallett explained that if the city chooses to spend fund balance, it must target one-time projects. The auditors recommended an appraisal for the delinquent parcels in LID #3. They were uncertain as to whether or not the property values exceeded what was owed on the parcels. The other areas that were highlighted included the general fund expenditures exceeding appropriations and the capital projects fund, which did not show any budgeted amounts. A material weakness was recognized in the Golf Fund. The Golf Course was operating at a deficit. Significant changes will be necessary in the Golf Department in order to remedy the situation. The auditors recommended allocating money from the general fund or implementing better controls. The contracts need to be reconsidered to consider privatizing/selling the Golf Course or the City should consider managing the entire operation. Mr. Pillard stated that a business plan was being prepared for the City to consider taking over the operation. The auditors made suggestions such as implementing a family pass in order to generate additional revenues. They also stressed the importance of maximizing the current contract situation. Page 3 of 6 February 8, 2001 City Council Minutes Mr. Smith pointed out that the responses received from Mr. Strope and Ms. Koch were very positive. Reportable conditions that were addressed were resolved immediately. Mr. Strope was pleased with the reportable conditions having been reduced from 11 in the prior year to 5 in the current audit report. There was discussion as to whether or not the city should be subsidizing recreation fees and whether or not they should be in the gymnastics business. Mr. Hallett pointed out that fees should be commensurate with the activity. He also noted that some cities offer recreational activities free or for an annual fee. The programs that should be offered are more of a philosophical discussion. Mr. Colton moved to accept the audit report as printed. Mr. Eimers seconded the motion. All Council Members voted aye. The motion carried. AB 01-19 ITD Enhancement Grant Application Mr. Kirkpatrick explained that the South Corridor Task Force and the McCall Improvement Committee had been focusing on the Four Corners Project which includes landscaping and beautification on all four corners of SH55/Third Street — Deinhard Lane Intersection. The project is eligible for funding under the ITD Enhancement Grant Application for $500,000 with a $50,000 cash match from the City in fiscal year 2004. Some in -kind donations have already been received. Mr. Eimers moved to authorize the use of City rights -of -way and authorize the Mayor to sign the completed application. Mr. Colton seconded the motion. At a roll call vote, Mr. Venable, Mr. Colton, Ms. Arp, Mr. Muller and Mr. Eimers voted aye. The motion carried. AB 01-20 VAR 00-8 for the Rich Sabala Memorial Foundation Mr. Kirkpatrick presented a variance application submitted by the Rich Sabala Memorial Foundation. The Planning and Zoning Commission found that the proposal did not satisfy the requirements of MCC 3-30-010 and recommended that the City Council deny the application. An appeal was not filed. Council discussed whether or not the Sabala's understood the appeal process. They wanted to confirm whether or not the denial of the application was significant to the ice rink project. Council directed staff to contact the Sabala's and notify them of the process. Mr. Bieter pointed out that the applicant must have a legally sustainable position to change the Planning and Zoning Commission's findings and conclusions. Mr. Muller moved to table VAR 00-8 until the next Council meeting. Mr. Eimers seconded the motion. At a roll call vote, Mr. Muller, Mr. Eimers, Mr. Venable, Ms. Arp and Mr. Colton voted aye. The motion carried. Page 4 of 6 February 8, 2001 City Council Minutes AB 01-21 Revision of McCall City Code 1-9-4 Mr. Strope presented a draft revision for MCC 1-9-4 concerning appointment and removal of committee members. He asked Council to give specific recommendations for changes to the draft. Council was concerned with the section of the draft giving the City Manager the authority to remove committee members. Ms. Arp pointed out that committee members should not be removed for something that has nothing to do with City business. Mr. Bieter stated that a "for cause" requirement is not in the code. Mr. Colton asked that a section be added to outline how committee members should be recruited. REPORTS City Manager — Robert Strope A termination letter has been issued to St. Clair on the J-Ditch Project. A corresponding letter was sent to the bonding company telling them that they must act quickly. Mr. Bieter explained that the City could have discussions with other contractors and subs after 7 days of the notice of termination. The Surety wanted to know how the City felt about St. Clair or the subs completing the contract. Mr. Strope made it clear that the City does not want St. Clair to complete the contract. A request for proposal was published for a construction engineer. Council clarified that FEMA would only pay for a water treatment plant if one already existed and burned down. A meeting was held for the water rate study. The group will be reconvening in 3 weeks. A conservative estimate will be presented to Council. Ms. Arp asked if surcharges were legal for those services provided outside of the City. Mr. Strope voiced his support for a flat fee for all recreation programs. Mr. Colton pointed out that the City would have to spell out what is received for a flat fee. Ms. Arp discussed the inequity between the adult and youth programs. Mr. Strope stated that the parents association is working on a proposal to ask the City to enter into a partnership for the gymnastics programs. Page 5 of 6 February 8, 2001 City Council Minutes ADJOURNMENT Without further business, Mr. Eimers moved to adjourn. Mr. Muller seconded the motion. All Council Members voted aye. The motion carried. The Council adjourned at 10:00 pm. ATTEST: /( irector/City Clerk ram..• er, Mayor Page 6 of 6 February 8, 2001 City Council Minutes