HomeMy Public PortalAboutCouncil Minutes 2004 01/15MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Table of Contents
Call to Order and Roll Call
Public Comment
Business
AB 04-11 East Lake Street Road Closure
AB 04-13 Work session with the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding zoning
code changes and the adoption of design guidelines.
Reports
Adjournment
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Eimers called the meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 7:05 p.m.
Council Member Eimers, Council Member Robertson, Council Member Bertram,
Council Member Greer, and Council Member Muller answered roll call. A quorum
was present. City staff members present were City Manager/City Clerk Robert
Strope, Community Development Director Lindley Kirkpatrick, and Assistant to
the City Manager, Tina Clark.
Mr. Strope asked to amend the agenda to add the Rural Community Assistance (RCA)
Grant as the first business item. Council agreed to amend the agenda. Mr. Strope
outlined the intent of the grant and requested that the City Council affirm their support
for the submission of a Rural Community Assistance Grant and authorizes the Council
President to sign the request.
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Mayor Eimers moved to approve the support of the submission of a Rural
Community Assistance Grant and authorize the Council President to sign the
grant. Council Member Muller seconded the motion. All Council Members voted
aye. The motion carried.
BUSINESS
AB 04-11 East Lake Street Road Closure
Mr. Strope said at the last council meeting Robert Lyons (Chamber of Commerce
President), during public comment asked for some thoughts from the City Council. At
that time he requested the City not take action and give all interested parties time to
present information, and to provide City Council some background. Since the packet
was sent to Council, the City received two additional letters; Back Country Chiropractic,
and Northern Exposure. Staff recommendation remains unchanged. The request to
close East Lake Street should be denied.
Mayor Eimers called for comments on the agenda item.
Harry Stathis of Harry's Dry Dock and Sports Marina commented that he is tired of the
road closures and is against them in the summer and winter. He suggested that snow
be cleared from the front and side of the old Ridley's building, another alternative would
be to use the corner of Hwy 55 and Deinhard Lane.
Esther Mulnick owner of Mountain Java and co-owner of Mountain Monkey Business
explained the history of the street closures, and suggested different locations for the
snow sculptures, such as Hwy 55 and Deinhard, Legacy Park, the outdoor Ice Rink, or
John Carey's Park.
John Watkins manager and co-owner of Mountain Monkey Business said that for years
they've opposed the closure of East Lake Street for special events, and have
suggested different locations for the snow sculptures. Customers have complained
about the road closure signs, added congestion, and barricades. He stated his hope is
that this can be resolved.
Leslie Clark of Sweet Peas has heard for the past 7 years the complaints from locals
and people from out of town about not wanting to even come to their stores, because of
the congestion and confusion of the road closure. Her suggestion would be to put the
sculptures at Mountain Lakes Real Estate parking lot.
Susan Bechdel, a business owner in McCall, opposes all road closures any time of the
year. She said her business is more of a summer business and road closures during
the summer have a huge impact on the business. She stated the City shouldn't be
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closing the roads, but rather should be opening the roads and that closing the roads
closes the town to the people that live here.
Diane Wiegand, owner of McCall Vacations and the event coordinator for the McCall
Winter Carnival, talked about how her parents starting the Winter Carnival sculpture
contest 18 years ago. She said people come to town for Winter Carnival, that she
hates upsetting people, and hates the controversy, but that the bottom line this is an
important event. She said she had no idea that there was a problem until the week of
the last Council meeting.
Robert Lyons of McCall and President of the Chamber of Commerce wanted to clarify
that he has made attempts to work with people, and had talked with businesses in the
area and has worked with them to set up a passport program to try and get people in
the door. He stated they have thought about having the snow sculptures in different
locations. Mr. Lyons went on to explain that he didn't want to see any business hurt by
Winter Carnival, that he had no intention of waiting until the last minute.
Jane Dyrud with Mountain Lake Reality said she hates the traffic, right turns, crowds,
and the inconvenience, but it's a tradition and you live here by choice.
Leslie Clark of Sweet Peas said the Chamber has come in the last 2-3 years to talk
about closing the road, but this year no one has come by. She said she has been very
clear about her feelings towards the road closures and does not want to see it closed.
Chris Lott of Mountain Java, said no one is saying not to have the snow sculptures, just
don't close the road.
Mayor Eimers said wherever the snow sculptures have been moved some business has
been affected.
Covey Ruyle of McCall and owner of Northern Exposure said Diane has done an
outstanding job and he doesn't want to see the effect of her efforts ruined. He stated
that the closure does have an impact on their businesses. He said that a decision has
to be made that is something they can count on year after year.
Gary Rogers of McCall and contract owner of Huckleberry Corners plans to open a
restaurant this spring; he noted that neighbors have shared the history of the road
closures during Winter Carnival, Labor Day, and 4th of July Celebration. He said he has
concerns, Winter Carnival is important to the community, and every one has the same
issues. He said they need to figure out how to make this work, what is the flexibility,
what are the alternatives, and where else can the sculptures go?
Mayor Eimers said the Council will not solve the problem of where the snow sculptures
will go.
Harry Stathis said the Chamber has to want to move it.
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Diane Wiegand stated she didn't know if it's possible to move the snow sculptures
location this year.
Phil Feinberg of the Planning and Zoning Commission suggested John Carey's Park.
Diane Wiegand said she would like to be the contact person for the snow sculptures in
the future and that she is very open minded.
Mayor Eimers said this is a Chamber of Commerce issue.
Council Member Bertram said that she was confused and upset about the event being
possibly pulled. She went on to say that they need to look for a different location; that
she doesn't think this road should be closed for this event or any other. She disagreed
that it has to be down town, Shaver's has a large lot and plenty of parking.
Mayor Eimers also agreed, and suggested the bench behind John Carey's Park be a
possibility.
Council Member Robertson also agreed that the road should not be closed.
Council Member Greer suggested a coordination meeting to talk about the alternatives
for future events in McCall, and that he is not in favor of closing the road.
Council Member Muller said that all businesses have to be respected, and that he won't
allow businesses to be negatively affected. He addressed concerns about the safety
problem at the corner of Hwy 55 and East Lake Street and suggested that traffic be
directed at that time. He does not want to see the road closed during Winter Carnival.
He would like to see the Chamber find a spot for the snow sculptures. He suggested
the area along Rail Road Avenue might be a perfect spot, but didn't know that it would
be wide enough.
Mayor Eimers replied that the bench along Rail Road Avenue is about 100 feet wide
and at least 60 feet of it is covered with snow.
Diane Wiegand asked if they were to do something like that who is going to participate
in the excavating and the funding of clearing the snow.
Council Member Bertram responded by asking who did it before?
Mayor Eimers said that someone dug it out.
Robert Lyons said the Chamber of Commerce did it.
Harry Stathis asked Mayor Eimers if there was a problem asking the City to clear that
area.
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Mayor Eimers referred it to the City Manager.
Dave Eaton asked why not just close Rail Road Avenue.
Diane Wiegand replied that the road is on an up and down hill slope; therefore it's not
an ideal place for the snow sculptures because they could slide.
Harry Stathis reiterated that they don't want to close the roads.
Mayor Eimers said the City spends around $8 to $10,000 moving snow for Winter
Carnival.
Mr. Strope said that was correct.
Mayor Eimers said that if public works could help that would be an option and that the
City will participate with the Chamber to the extent that Public Works can help.
Council Member Muller moved to affirm the City Manager in the decision to deny
the closure of East Lake Street. Mayor Eimers seconded the motion. In a roll call
vote, Council Member Robertson, Council Member Bertram, and Council Member
Greer voted aye. The motion carried.
AB 04-13 Work session with the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding
zoning code changes and the adoption of design guidelines.
The City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a work session on
potential zoning code changes and design guidelines. There was substantial discussion
regarding several potential zoning code changes. Staff was directed to prepare public
notices and schedule public hearings for zoning code changes that would allow
buildings taller than 35' with a conditional use permit in certain zoning districts, allow
churches in all zoning districts with a conditional use permit, and allow self -storage
buildings in certain zoning districts with a conditional use permit.
The Council commended the Commission and staff for their work on the design
guidelines and potential zoning code changes.
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ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, Council Member Muller moved to adjourn. Mayor
Eimers seconded the motion. All Council Members voted aye. The motion
carried. The Council adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
14,--0-
Z- 26
Kirk L. Eimers, Mayor Date
ATTEST:
Done
Shirley K. Overton, Deputy City Clerk
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