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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. Page 1 of 6 January 15, 2004 City Council Minutes 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 Page 2 of 6 January 15, 2004 City Council Minutes 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. Page 3 of 6 January 15, 2004 City Council Minutes 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. Page 4 of 6 January 15, 2004 City Council Minutes 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. Page 5 of 6 January 15, 2004 City Council Minutes 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 Page 6 of 6 January 15, 2004 City Council Minutes