HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017.03.20 Special Minutes
MINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
Joint Meeting with Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District
Idaho First Bank – Community Room
March 20, 2017
Call to Order and Roll Call
Public Hearing
Adjournment
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Aymon called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Aymon, Council Member Giles, Council Member Scott, Council Member Swanson,
and Council Member Witte (via phone) all answered roll call.
City staff members present were Nate Coyle, City Manager; Bill Nichols, City Attorney; BessieJo
Wagner, City Clerk; Linda Stokes, City Treasurer; Michelle Groenevelt, Community
Development Director; David Simmonds, Information Systems Manager; Traci Malvich, Human
Resources Manager; Nathan Stewart, Public Works Director; Phillip Bowman, City Engineer
Members of the Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District present were Jerry Vevig,
District Board Chair; Rick Skelly, District Board Member; Mark Larson, District Board Member
(via phone); Jamie Melbo, District Administrator; John Hucks, District Legal Counsel; Dale Caza,
District Operations; David Watkins, J-U-B Engineer for the District
Also present were Christian Anderson, Zions Bank; and Adam Christenson, Bond Counsel
Hawley Troxell; Gemma Puddy, Project Manager for the Langdon Group
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Aymon opened the public hearing to receive public testimony on the proposed
agreement of annexation plan,property transfer and agreement of operations subject to
conditions precedent \[draft dated 3/1/17\] to be conducted with the Payette Lakes
Recreational Water and Sewer District at 6:34 p.m.
The Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District Board (District) voted unanimously to
appoint Mayor Aymon as the Facilitator of the Public Hearing for both the District and the City
Council.
Council Member Giles moved to appoint Mayor Aymon as the facilitator of the Public
Hearing for both the Council and the District. Council Member Swanson seconded the
motion. In a voice vote all members voted aye and the motion carried.
McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 1 of 4
March 20, 2017
Mayor Aymon gave opening remarks that included the purpose of the hearing to hear public
comments as to whether the respective governing bodies should adopt resolutions calling certain
special elections related to the proposed annexation and the Idaho Code section 42-3240 the
requires the joint hearing. Mayor Aymon laid out the rules of the public hearing and explained that
the governing bodies could not respond to any testimony or any direct questions during the hearing.
However, the governing bodies would consider any and all comments when they respectively
deliberate at a later time.
Prior to accepting public Comments, Mayor Aymon introduced City Manager Nate Coyle who
presented factual information regarding the possible annexation of the City sewer system by the
District. She reiterated that there would be no questionsentertained during this presentation.
Presentation
Manager Coyle gave a brief overview of the proposed annexation that included a summary of how
each governing board had got to this point. He explained what annexation is, stating that in this
case, annexation or consolidation combines current City sewer users with the District Customers,
grant operational control of sewer operations to the District and transfer ownership of the reuse,
collection system and treatment facility to the District.
Manager Coyle explained that due to operational changes, a bond was needed for new IDEQ
required Reuse Permit which includes a new pipeline, therefore, sewer rates would go up whether
consolidation happens or not. He also gave a brief explanation of what a yes or no vote would
mean.
Manager Coyle explained that with a yes vote all sewer services in the City of McCall would be
operated by the District, ownership of the sewer collection, treatment and disposal facilities would
be transferred to the District. The City and the District customers would continue to receive quality
service. More property owners in the City of McCall would be able to vote as the District patrons
in their elections. Operational coordination between the two independent sewer agencies would be
streamlined. He stated that financial projections show that in a consolidated model, rates would be
lower. Changes that current City of McCall customers would see are a tiered-rate structure based
on square footage of residential living area; an increase in water rates and property taxes to make
up for the shortfall after annexation; an additional property tax levy from the District, regardless
of whether they have sewer service. Current District customers would see no change to the sewer
fee structure. And all customers would expect to see all existing sewer debt shared among all rate
payers.
Manager Coyle explained that if the annexation approval does not pass, the City of McCall and
the District will continue to work towards a solution. He explained that with a no vote there would
be no change to the ownership of the sewer collection, treatment or disposal facilities. The two
sewer agencies remain in the area. The City and the District would collaboratively work towards
a joint powers agreement in order to permit the wastewater treatment and reuse water disposal
facilities. All customers would continue to receive quality service. The City would continue to
share resources between water and sewer departments. As far as overall costs, the financial
projections show that in an unconsolidated model, rates would be higher. The overall project would
be delayed which would likely cause increased costs. City and the District fee structures would
not change from their current structure.
McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 2 of 4
March 20, 2017
Manager Coyle then explained the bond issue that would be on the ballot. The total amount of the
proposed bond would be $22.07 million and if passed would pay for the following:
$11.7 million would fund necessary upgrades to the reuse water disposal system required
to implement the new Reuse Permit from Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
This new permit is necessary for continuing disposal of reuse water.
$3.3 million would fund improvements to the wastewater treatment facility.
$7.07 million would finance the acquisition of the system assets and retirement and
reallocation of existing debt.
The City of McCall's outstanding debts that originated from 2004 and 2008 bonds:
o
2004 bond was a refinance for wastewater improvements.
2008 bond was a wastewater system legal matter referred to as the Wausau
Judgement.
Public Comments
The District Board voted unanimously to accept the written comments (Attachment 1) received
into the record.
Council Member Swanson moved to accept the written comments received into the record.
Council Member Scott seconded the motion. In a voice vote all members vote aye and the
motion carried.
Mayor Aymon called for public comment stating that when called to speak, all were asked to come
forward, recite their name, spell their last name for the record, and commence with their remarks.
Cherry Woodbury
was the McCall city clerk in 1995. She expressed concerns regarding the
consolidation being more efficient than running separate systems. She was concerned that the
annexation agreement question and the bond question would be on the same ballot. She felt that
these should be entirely separate and that it was unfair that the voters would have to vote on them
at the same time. She did agree that the bond for improvement was needed but was not in favor of
annexation. Ms. Woodbury stated that the sewer district has underestimated the number of
additional employees it would need to operate the city system. She felt that the District would need
to raise fees and taxes more than expected to cover unanticipated expenses.
Don Bailey,
McCall resident and former McCall Mayor stated that he thought the qualifications
of voters for the May 16 ballot and for future District Directors was unfair. Mr. Bailey thought that
the issues on who is qualified to vote needed to be clarified.
Tim Swanson
, McCall resident and former interim Public Works Director, spoke in support of the
consolidation. He expressed his appreciation for all the hard work that had been done to get to this
point. He acknowledge that it was not going to be the perfect solution, but that all are trying to do
the right thing. He welcomed the chance to end contention that has marked past relations between
the two agencies.
McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 3 of 4
March 20, 2017
Council Member Witte requested that the public hearing be kept open until the next day to receive
written comments now that people have had the chance to hear the information. This would give
an opportunity for people to process what they have learned and then make comment.Bill Nichols,
City Attorney stated that all written comments would need to be shared by both entities.
The District Board voted unanimously to keep the public hearing open for written comments only
until 5:00 Tuesday, March 21st.
Council Member Scott moved to keep the public hearing open for written comments only
until 5:00 Tuesday, March 21St. Council Member Swanson seconded the motion. In a voice
vote all members voted aye and the motion carried.
City Manager Nate Coyle addressed the qualified elector question stating that the bond Counsel
was working on qualified electors and who is qualified to vote. He stated that if the Council and
Board were to proceed there were three separate questions for consideration, an annexation
question for the City, an annexation question for the District, and a bond question.
Adam Christensen, Bond Counsel with Holley Troxell, addressed the question of a qualified
elector. He stated that Bond Counsel is working through the issues stating that there were
definitional difficulties when identifying who can vote in the city and who can vote in the District.
It is statutorily driven and are what they are. He described the different definition of each kind of
voter.
ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, Mayor Aymon adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
ATTEST: _ * SEAL ackie J. mo Mayor
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McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 4 of 4
March 20, 2017
ATTACHMENT 1
Written Comments
(6 Pages)
Gmail Erin Greaves <m cca I I a reawastewate r@g m a i I.co m>
Annexation- City of McCall & PLRWSD
1 message
Tara Woods <tara.maline.woods @gmail.com> Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 2:07 PM
To: McCallAreaWastewater @gmail.com
To Whom it May Concern,
I am a recently home and proerty owner within the City of McCall. I do not own a gigantic house, only 1900 square feet
for a family of 3 who live in McCall year round. My husband and I both work full-time in McCall as USFS and City of
McCall employees.
As I read and talk to locals about the annexation of the City of McCall wastewater and sewer water management
services with PLRWSD I see and hear red flag, and am reluctant to support the annexation.
My reasons include loss of jobs to city employees, increased tax rate to support the bond and higher rates on water and
sewer bills. We pay $77.70 each and every month. We are a family that uses a monthly budget to pay our bills, are
stretched thin as we are a middle-income household and will not support increases to both property taxes and rates at
the same time. I understand the need to upgrade to DEQ standards (I support those needs). I do not support PLRWSD
absorbing the City of McCall's waste water at $0 cost. If PLRWSD wants the business, they should pay for it; debt
included. In 2004 & 2008; voters approved bonds and associated costs; nearly 10 years later voters are asked to pay
again, plus $11.6 million in required DEQ upgrades, PLUS an additional $3.3 million for further improvements?
I beleive there is another solution out there; I am a fan of working together. As a city employee it is part of my job to
work in cooperation with oragnizations and agencies (both private and non-profit)toward the same goal. We work
together, not always agreeing or getting our way, but cooperatively. There in no denying the need for a well-run
wasterwater and sewer management system; however, at the continued expense of tax payers. I do support pieces of
the bond, but not the$22.07 million as a whole. I also do not support PLRWSD abosrbing the City of McCall wastewater
and sewer district.
Thank you,
Tara Woods
517 Brundage Dr.
McCall, ID 83638
Ph. 208-315-1890
Goa!' Erin Greaves <mccallareawastewater @gmail.com>
Bond costs
1 message
idaspud <idaspudone @gmail.com> Fri, Mar 17, 2017 at 5:54 AM
To: McCallAreaWastewater @ gmail.com
I'm an old retired engineer who worked in the paper industry for 36 years and I have watched the mismanagement of the
sewer system at McCall for many years from a distance. Now that you want to put over eleven million dollars into the
"J-pipe"system. First, what are you doing? That pipe is not that old and how in the world can you put that much money
into a bit of pipe that is already in the ground? I could get a significant start on a major project for that much money. A
million dollars a mile? How much is going into some engineering firms pockets and why wasn't the pipe originally
installed the right stuff. Just doesn't add up.
Mel Mohr, retired PE. Idaho, OR, LA,
•
•
mail Erin Greaves <mccallareawastewater @ gmail.com>
Fw: Your website
1 message
Don Bailey<dbaileybitt @hotmail.com> Sat, Mar 18, 2017 at 11:46 AM
To: "mccallareawastewater @ gmail.com" <mccallareawastewater @ gmail.com>
Tried again; had wrong address! DCB
From: Don Bailey<dbaileybitt@hotmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, March 18, 2017 10:42 AM
To: mccallareawaster @gmail.com
Subject:Your website
I've tried five times to download the Annexation Agreement, using two different computers (almost
new) with no luck. The download stops with very little of the document, so nothing is completed.
How can you expect anyone to comment if we cannot see what's being proposed?? In any case,
we completely disagree with the proposal that the voter qualifications be different between those
who are registered to vote in the City and those who own property in the Sewer District! This is
patently unconstitutional and totally unfair! We will vote NO at the election and will campaign for
others to do the same unless this unbelievably unfair and unjust difference on who may vote is
revised so that the qualifications are uniform for all!
Don Bailey and family
}
i) Erin Greaves <mccallareawastewater @gmail.com>
Comments
1 message
cpope @frontiernet.net<cpope @frontiemet.net> Mon, Mar 20, 2017 at 1:08 PM
Reply-To: "cpope @frontiemet.net" <cpope @frontiernet.net>
To: "McCallAreaWastewater @gmail.com" <McCallAreaWastewater @gmail.com>
There needs to be honest disclosure of COSTS ---will TOTAL costs to user increase with the
change? Information released to date seems to imply that there will be an overall increase in costs
to each user ... if this is case don't even ask for vote!
Will McCall increase costs in other services to "make up" for loss of wastewater job --- this is
absurd, but seems to be have been suggested?
With change there will be a "new" bill in mailbox! Will this new bill for wastewater services be the
same as McCall has been charging, lower or higher?
Will taxes increase??
Cant vote without this information ...
3
City of McCall-McCall City Council is deciding whether to take... https://www.facebook.com/cityofrnccall/posts/1257549127627580?com... -
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Iii City of McCall
Published by Erin Greaves •March 10 at 12.49pm• 1
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McCall City Council is deciding whether to take Sewer Annexation to the
May election.How do you feel about giving ownership and control of McCall
sewer to Payette Lakes Recreational Water and Sewer District?Send your
comments to McCallAreaWastewater @gmail.com or come to the March 20th
Meeting.LEARN ABOUT IT at McCallAreaWastewater.com
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1,085 people reached $13.09 Left
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Cindy Gibleau,Yesenia Anay Garcia and 3 others Top Comments
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® Wade Jorgensen So.I if we say yes,or if we say no.We're still obligated to
pay for lost law suits from the past life.I'm not happy with this.Does the new
thing reduce my water bill?Or just make it worse?Cuz right now,it's freakin
insane n
Like•Reply•Message• 2 11 hrs
Write a reply... ii
® Wade Jorgensen What are the pros and cons of this?Instead just asking a
question,how about detailing the issues?
Like•Reply•Message• 1 •March 13 at 4:23pm
City of McCall Wade,great comment.We have listed pros and cons on
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the website.Please visit McCallareawastewater.com and you can clearly ±_
see what happens when you vote yes or no.There are annexation and
bond details there.We will also be presenting the information at the
public hearing.It's an important decision for Council and they'd love to
hear your thoughts. -
Home I The Future of Wastewater
, f Home ..
MCCALLAR EA WASTEWATER.COM
Like•Reply•Remove Preview 1•Commented on by Erin Greaves
Yesterday at 9:08am
Paul Shores I seem to remember that Payette lakes water and sewer district
wants to keep adding people to the system.Folks what we are paying such a
premium price for in waste water management due to law suits and cost
overruns is nothing more than a primary mast...See More
Like Reply Message 1 Yesterday at 6:12am
lidCity of McCall Paul,please make your public comment.Your opinions
are so important to Council.email them to
Mccal lareawastewater @gmai I.com
Like Reply Commented on by Erin Greaves •Yesterday at 9•06am
Jeremy Campbell You mean,make your comment public!
Like•Reply•Message•10 hrs
MI City of McCall Jeremy Campbell"public comment"is a term used to
make your comment part of the public record for consideration by the
City Council and other governing boards and committees,but yes it
helps to make your comments public,too.Just a reminder-send your
thoughts on the topic to mccallareawastewater @gmail.com -
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