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SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Department:
City Council
Date:
Dec 17, 2009
714 Main (North Entrance)
The purpose of the Agenda is to assist the Council and interested citizens in the conduct of the public meeting.� Careful review of the Agenda is encouraged.� Testimony from the public will be solicited for any item or issue listed under the category of Public Hearings. Any individual who wishes to address the Council on any other subject should plan to speak when Item 6� Public Comments is identified by the Mayor.� The Mayor will not normally allow audience participation at any other time.� Idaho Law prohibits council action on items brought under this section except in an emergency circumstance.
CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME PRAYER OFFERED BY: Brett Pincock
PLEDGE LED BY: Matt Brady
Present: Mayor Stronks, Councilwoman Janssen, Councilman Huntsman, Councilman Pincock and Councilman Brady.
Also Present: City Clerk Cathy Stegelmeier, City Attorney Joette Lookabaugh, Deputy Clerk Jan Warnke, Stacey Dexter, Doug Ervin, Jerry Funke, Richard Griffel, Joseph Corbett, Steve Lookabaugh, Sara Reinke, Nancy Bergman, Penny Vasquez, Jan Neish, Zach Zavoral, Allison Zavoral, Micki Funke, Blake Boyd, Denise Myler, Nancy Pope, John Scafe and Jess Warren.
Mayor Stronks opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.
Mayor Stronks welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. AMEND AGENDA:
Any items added less than forty eight (48) hours prior to the meeting are added by Council motion at this time.
A. City Business: Bergman Insurance Claim, Dog Derby Letter, Letter on New Discharge Permit, Zollinger Invoice.
Councilman Brady made a motion to accept the amend agenda. Councilman Huntsman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
2. CONSENT AGENDA:
Being considered routine by the City Council, these items will be enacted by one motion unless requested by a Councilman or a citizen that one or more items be removed for later discussion.
A. Minutes Approval of Regular Council Meeting 11-11-2009
B. Treasurers Report & Financial Statement As Submitted
C. Payables Bills for Council approval as a result of City expenditures
- Employee Expenses As Submitted
Councilman Brady made a motion to accept the consent agenda. Councilman Huntsman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
3. ORDINANCES/RESOLUTION:
A. City of Ashton Ordinance 443-09 Amendment to Ordinance #387 Amending the number of Planning and Zoning Commissioners from 8 commissioners to 5 commissioners. Work meeting with the Planning and Zoning Commissioners.
Councilman Brady made a motion to go out of order until the Planning & Zoning Commissioners are able to be present. Councilwoman Janssen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously
4. NEW BUSINESS/PETITIONS:
A. Vasik Fund Swimming Pool Grant Micki Funke.Micki Funke is at City Council to represent the Vasak fund in donating a check to the Ashton Swimming Pool in the amount of $ 7,500.00. She asks that the Council open the budget and spend the grant on tile repair at the pool. The fund does not want the money spent on operations and maintenance at the swimming pool. Mayor Stronks and the Council thanked Micki and the others representing the Vasak fund for their donation to the swimming pool.
B. Food Pantry Signs at the Community Center Klara Varga. Blake Boyd is here to represent the North Fremont Food Pantry.The Food Pantry is hoping to put up signs to show the way to the food pantry for users.The City Council asked that the Food Pantry co-ordinate the signs with the Community Center Committee.Mayor Stronks thanked Blake for coming to council.
5. UNFINISHED / OLD BUSINESS:
A. Ashton Transportation Needs Denise Myler & Kathy Pope. Denise Myler is here to talk to the Mayor and Council about a program called IWAY which can work to co-ordinate Ashton citizens with transportation opportunities. Mayor Stronks explained that there are many Senior citizens, commuters and other citizens who just dont have the means to travel to medical appointments, etc. There is a Senior citizen van but it is not equipped for wheel chairs. Councilwoman Janssen explained that the van also only travels in the community.Councilman Brady explained that there is Medicare assistance out of St. Anthony but it can be very sporadic and is not for emergencies. The Mayor and Council explained that there has been a lot of transportation talk but not any follow through from any agency or company.Councilwoman Janssen expressed that many Ashton citizens have limited resources and would not be able to pay high prices for transportation. Denise asked that some ridership applications be placed around town so that people could fill them out so as to provide them with an idea of what kind of services are needed. Kathy Pope is with the Salt Lake Express. She explained that the Salt Lake express is available for transportation to Idaho Falls for $20 each rider. A trip to Salt Lake is $ 45. The van will pick up riders at the Valley Wide Travel Plaza. The Salt Lake Express website does not show service to Ashton but anyone can call and make a reservation. Denise Myler explained that she would come back in January or February with an update on the ridership applications. Mayor Stronks thanked Denise and Kathy for their time and information.
B. Ashton Transportation Alternatives Enterprise Rental Representative. Jess Warren with Enterprise Rental came to explain a program their company has for groups of people commuting to the same place. They typically work with employees of companies looking for ways to save money and have less worry. He will leave some cards and will work in conjunction with Denise on the ridership applications. Mayor Stronks thanked him for his time and information.
Councilman Huntsman made a motion to go back into order because the Planning & Zoning Commissioners are present now. Councilman Brady seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The Planning and Zoning Commissioners asked P & Z Administrator Suzette Bollinger to give the commissions recommendation to the Council.Their recommendation is for the ordinance to read a minimum of 3 commissioners and a maximum of 7 so as help in establishing a quorum for decision making. Councilman Brady recognizes the concern of the commission and appreciates their service. City Attorney Lookabaugh is concerned with the moving target form of a commission, she is not sure of the legalities involved. Councilman Brady is concerned that with 3 commissioners, a quorum would only be two people making decisions of less community input. Much discussion was had concerning the size and input. Councilwoman Janssen questioned City Attorney Lookabaugh as to whether the ordinance could be passed as is. City Attorney Lookabaugh said that it could be passed as is and that would give her time to do some research into the legality of a sort of moving scale of commissioners. City Clerk Stegelmeier said that publication would be required and then passage by the commission and then council. Passage of the Ordinance will take until February to accomplish. Councilman Huntsman is concerned with a small sized Commission causing a lack of public input. There was some discussion on Mayoral appointment and notice given for the need for Commissioners. Councilwoman Janssen expressed the need of practical need and the Councils obligation to help the Commission do their job.
Councilwoman Janssen made a motion to continue with the publication for public hearing on the Ordinance as written. Councilman Brady seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
6. STAFF AND COMMITTEE/SPECIAL REPORTS
A. Mayors Youth Advisory Committee Jennifer Hansen There was no one from the Mayors Youth Advisory Council at the meeting.
B. Tree Committee Penny Vasquez Penny reported that the Committee will be meeting in March and that they will be electing a new chairman to replace her as she will be serving on the City Council.
C. Community Center Committee Report Sara Reinke Sara, Nancy Bergman and Amanda DeRito have been working hard on the completion of the EECBG paperwork for the Community Center. There was discussion on windows and the bidding process. The Mayor and Council encouraged the committee to complete the paperwork with bids as received and explained that bidding could be further enhanced if the grant is approved. A preference was asked for and given that vinyl windows would be best but that decisions could be approved later. Mayor Stronks thanked the committee for their hard work and commitment.
Councilman Brady made a motion to support the committees grant writing and look at budget requirement so that the grant requirements could be met.Councilman Huntsman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
D. City Business Cathy Stegelmeier Mandatory ICRMP Training St. Anthony December 17th, Cat Committee discussion, Meeting and Christmas Party December 16th, Cardio Passes at the Community Center, Main Street snow removal charge. Bergman Insurance Claim, Dog Derby Letter, Letter on New Discharge Permit, Zollinger Invoice. City Clerk Stegelmeier reminded the Mayor & Council about the upcoming meetings and then discussion turned to the Cat Committee question. Councilman Brady explained to the Council that he had done some initial leg work by talking to local veterinarians about the situation. Feral cats carry some diseases that local veterinarians find problematic to their practice and it is not likely that they would be willing to euthanize the animals. Councilman Brady explained that the City of Mountain Home has a well written animal ordinance and expressed interest in working on such an ordinance. City Clerk Stegelmeier explained that the Spinning Class teacher would like to offer a cardio class also and is interested in using the gym.The Council expressed interest in discussing the class with the Community Center Committee and then coming back to Council with any suggestions, etc. City Clerk Stegelmeier then reminded the Council of discussions last year concerning snow removal charges on Main Street. As of now, all the businesses are paying a $ 50 flat fee for the City to move the snow they take off their property and place in the street. Some businesses own a much larger area than others and there are even some who plow their parking lot snow into the street. Discussion had been that the fees needed to be equalized depending the actual amount of snow each business is having hauled. The Council asked City Clerk Stegelmeier to come up with a square footage cost and bring it to Council in January. City Clerk Stegelmeier explained the insurance claim at the building owned by Nancy Bergman. As a result, there are some sewage fees that were charged but not covered by ICRMP.
Councilman Brady made a motion to credit the account in question for the sewer service through the date of the damage. Councilman Huntsman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
City Clerk Stegelmeier was going to speak to the Council about writing a letter to the Dog Derby Committee concerning their event this year, but John Scafe was present so the Council called on him to explain what is happening. John had prepared a letter explaining the Derby plans for tracks and also brought a certificate of insurance for the event. He explained that the State highway permit had not been finalized yet, but they would have it soon. John is hoping for some help from the City but there will be businesses/farmers/contractors helping similar to last year. Blake Boyd from the American Dog Derby Committee then asked if he could ask the Council a question. Mayor Stronks called on Blake who then explained that committee is trying to bring people to Ashton for the event and would like the City to support the Derby by matching advertising funds. Councilwoman Janssen explained that although the Derby is a wonderful event for Ashton, it is a commercial event and the Chamber of Commerce is the association who could assist them with advertising. City Clerk Stegelmeier explained that the City had received information from the EPA on a new discharge permit and would be giving input to the EPA on the testing requirements. City Clerk Stegelmeier then explained that she had received a concurrence for payment from the USDA for Zollinger Construction. City Clerk Stegelmeier is concerned that a retainage should be held for problems at the lagoon. Mayor Stronks and Councilman Pincock thought that $ 3,000 had already been agreed upon as retainage. City Clerk Stegelmeier will check the record.
7. CITIZEN INPUT: (Each speaker will be allowed a maximum of 3 minutes unless repeat testimony is requested by the Mayor/Council.)
Nancy Bergman spoke to the Council as a representative of the Horizons Recycling Committee. Marla Vik had contacted the Committee in hopes that the City would be willing to provide room for a second recycling trailer for cardboard. The Council agreed to provide room for the cardboard trailer.
Mayor Stronks and the Council had no business for executive session.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I.C. 67-2345 Certain City-related matters may need to be discussed confidentially as a matter of law (Acquisition of real property, personnel matters, attorney-client communications) subject to applicable legal requirements, the Council may enter executive session by roll call vote to discuss such matters.
Advise Legal Counsel, Personnel, Land Acquisition
9. ADJOURNMENT
Councilman Brady made a motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Pincock seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
NEXT MEETING
� Regular Council 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 13th, 2009, Council Chambers. Questions concerning items appearing on this Agenda or requests for accommodation of special needs to participate in the meeting should be addressed to the Office of the City Clerk or call 208-652-3987.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Cathy Stegelmeier, City Clerk.
Attest:
