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Council Minutes 01/18/2001 CITY OF AMMON January 18, 2001 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council: The meeting was called to order by Mayor C. Bruce Ard at 7:30 P.M. in the City Building, 2135 South Ammon Road, Ammon, Idaho, with the following City Officials present: Mayor C. Bruce Ard Councilmember W. Lee Bean Council member Harvey L. Crandall Council member Leslie Folsom Council member Ira K. Hall Attorney W. Joe Anderson Engineer Bill Manwill Public Works Director David Wadsworth Fire Chief Clarence Nelson City Clerk Aleen C. Jensen Deputy Clerk Connie R. Guymon Others Present: Sandy Born, 2735 Sawtooth, Ammon Elaine McGary, Planning and Zoning Commission Cindy Donovan, 3725 East Sunnyside Road, Ammon Tom Hunsaker, 2925 Carolyn Lane, Ammon Brad Pickett, Developer of Quail Ridge properties George McDaniel, Developer of Quail Ridge properties Judy Brower, Galusha, Higgins and Galusha CPA's Jay Doman, Galusha, Higgins and Galusha CPA's Five Boy Scouts and One Leader Council member Folsom led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Council member Crandall offered a prayer. Sandy Born, 2735 Sawtooth Street, requested a home occupation permit to open a child daycare in her home. She has six children at the present time. She will not be hiring any employees. The parents drop their children off in the morning, and they pick them up in the evening. The children are six years old or younger. She does not anticipate any traffic problems, and she has a double driveway. She is aware of the City's requirements for a home occupation permit, and she will comply with them. Council member Folsom moved to approve the home occupation permit for Sandy Born at 2735 Sawtooth Street for a daycare of not more than twelve children. Councilmember Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Folsom - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Hall- Yes. The motion carried unanimously. City Council Meeting, January 18, 2001 - Page 2 Elaine McGary reported for the Planning and Zoning Commission. The request of LaRall Kent for a rezone from C-1 to R-1A of the south one-hundred forty (140) feet of Lot 1 Block 1 Hiller Addition was recommended for approval. He wants to build a two- unit townhouse on the property. There is a commercial lot to the north and an R-1 lot with a single family dwelling on the south. The Comprehensive Plan text was scheduled for public hearing in February. The preliminary plat for the remainder of the Lawrence Ricks' farm (Briarwood) was reviewed and changes were recommended including provisions to extend the proposed John Adams Parkway across the railroad track. A portion of the Briarwood Preliminary Plat for Division No. 3 was recommended for approval. The Preliminary and Final Plat for the remainder of Briarwood Addition will be brought back for approval at a later date. The remainder of the Preliminary Plat for The Cottages was recommended for approval. Council member Bean asked for some discussion on the twin-home or two-unit townhouse proposed by LaRall Kent. There is a lot of commercial developing in the area. The townhouse will be a good buffer for the residential on the south. The townhouse will face commercial property. Also, the property is presently zoned C-1, which would allow a townhouse without a rezone. Brad Pickett, developer, discussed the plans for the water and sewer systems for Quail Ridge Division No.4. Original plans were to come up 21st Street with the utilities. The plans were pointed out on the map. When the developers got into the project, they did some test holes and for about 2000 feet they hit rock at three (3) feet deep. So they looked at different options to miss the rock. The thought is to go south on Crowley Road instead of north and then cost-share through Mark Johnson's property to the east, through The Cottages, and then over to 21st Street. Costs of over-sizing the line entered in. It does not make sense to over-size a line through a subdivision. They requested to come through Mark Johnson's subdivision and through The Cottages over to 21st Street with an eight (8) inch line and then straight up 21st Street with an over-sized line to be determined by a study. When the property is developed down below, the developer could over-size the line and tap into Eagle Pointe and complete a loop to Mason Street. The Council expressed concern that it departs from the master plan, and there would be two main water lines going up to the hill. The main line will eventually be on 21st Street for the tank on the hill. There was a discussion on the pros and cons. The sewer line has to go to the south. Engineer Manwill explained the details. A hydraulic study needs to be completed to determine the size of lines needed. The location being considered for the well and the water tank is at Scenic Drive and the water will be pumped up. We do not know what we need. We need the study to get answers. Councilmember Bean reminded the Council that the plans need to be discussed with City of Idaho Falls because the proposed trunk line falls outside of our sewer service area. Brad Pickett said the plans had been approved by City of Idaho Falls. It was questioned if it would be necessary to annex the land where the trunk line is to be installed. If we annex, the City of Idaho Falls will have to approve an increase in our sewer service area. This will be a test case. The revised plan will eventually be better. The developers' plan is that the City City Council Meeting, January 18, 2001 - Page 3 of Ammon water system will be a backup for their system if it should fail. We, of the City, are looking at the opposite. We are looking at the system up on the hill to be a backup for the City when the whole system is developed. This works out pressure- wise on the water and the sewer will be gravity all the way. Council member Folsom asked if we are tapping into good water. It was reported that the well driller has a home up there. Also, the developers have tried to stay away from the thermal area. Another item of discussion was the size of the well. If DEQ will allow, they would drill with a larger well now but only put a 1500 g.p.m. pump on it. The well would be there and a larger pump could be added later. It is questionable if DEQ will approve a large well with a small pump. Council member Bean asked for a legal description of Mark Johnson's property and information about whether or not he is willing to annex. Then Council member Bean would go to the City of Idaho Falls to request an increase ino our service area. The Quail Ridge development is moving ahead, and they want approval so they can continue to work to get the lines in. City of Ammon's approval is contingent upon City of Idaho Falls approval. The City of Idaho Falls should know we are working toward the annexation of the property, but it may be in the County for a while until all the details can be worked out. Council member Bean will get approval from City of Idaho Falls to expand our service area to cover that particular area with the idea that it will be annexed in the future. Councilmember Bean moved to approve the general layout for the water and sewer line to Quail Ridge as proposed by Mountain River Engineering and the reroute subject to the approval of the City of Idaho Falls and subject to the improvement drawings being approved by the City of Idaho Falls and the City of Ammon. Councilmember Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bean - Yes; Crandall- Yes; Folsom - Yes; Hall- Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Brad Pickett presented the Preliminary Plat for the remainder of The Cottages. Council member Folsom brought up the idea of turning the private golf course on the property into a mini-course for the City. Council members did not encourage the idea. Brad Pickett said they did not pursue such an idea because they did not want to compete with the lots and the area of Quail Ridge. They want The Cottages to be a downsize from Quail Ridge and, if they put in a golf course, that prices upscale competing with themselves. City Council Meeting, January 18, 2001 - Page 4 The developers requested approval of the Preliminary Plat for the remainder of The Cottages. Brad Pickett explained the changes made to the plat. The Division No. 1 has been approved. The Council was oriented to the area in relation to the canal, the hill, and the existing Purcell house. Councilmember Bean moved to approve the Preliminary Plat for the remainder of The Cottages as shown. Councilmember Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Bean - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Folsom - Yes; Hall- Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Judy Brower of Galusha, Higgins, and Galusha presented the City of Ammon Audit Report for the Fiscal Year 2000 ending September 30, 2000. The Ammon Urban Renewal is included in the report as a component unit. The debt shown in the report is Ammon Urban Renewal debt. The City of Ammon does not have any debt. The Ammon Urban Renewal Agency is controlled by the City of Ammon, therefore, it has been included as a unit since it came into existence. This is a clean audit report meaning there are no exceptions, and it has been done in accordance with government auditing standards. Judy Brower went through the audit pages to explain the details to the Council. There was discussion about the fund transfers, reserve accounts, and the Urban Renewal program. The City is in sound fiscal condition and in planning for the future. There will be lots of change with development. It is hard to judge how it will end up cost-wise. The City has not used all the funds for current operations, but funds have been set aside for improvements. The City Officials need to be aware of a new pronouncement on the government side called GASB 34. It will change a lot of the accounting presentation. City of Ammon will not have to implement the program until October 2003, and there is not a reason to implement earlier than required. Judy Brower suggested considering the capitalization policy. We are capitalizing at $300. That is low because it does not take much to get to $300. Generally they recommend going to the federal guideline of $5000. It is not cost effective to go with a low amount. The audit was completed off the old computer system, but the auditors looked at the new system to make sure the starting balances agreed with where we ended. Councilmember Crandall moved to accept the audit report as prepared with thanks. Councilmember Bean seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Crandall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Hall- Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Action on the minutes was deferred until the next meeting. It was suggested that the minutes be e-mailed to the City Council. Regarding Unfinished Business, Mayor Ard received a call from Jeff Cole, Postmaster. There are complaint slips at the Post Office that residents can fill in to express their concerns about the need for a post office in Ammon. The more people who respond, the more likely we are to see results. City of Ammon, January 18, 2001 - Page 5 The Area of Impact Agreement has not been returned to Attorney Anderson from Bonneville County. There are still minor changes to be considered. Since January starts a new calendar year, Mayor Ard gave a State of the City Message. The water and sewer revenue bonds have been paid off, and the City is debt free. A new Fire Station has been built, and the Fire Department has moved in. Annexations include the Beck property, Eagle Pointe, Briarwood, Ammon Ranch, and Quail Ridge. Ammon Urban Renewal is moving forward in the right direction. The biggest project started is to look at the possibility for a different sewer treatment system. We have agreed to participate in the Shelley Regional Wastewater Facilities Study. Hopefully, by fall we will see action on the Sunnyside Road project. The Area of Impact and the sewer agreement with City of Idaho Falls need to be finished. Ground has been deeded to the City for a park in Eagle Pointe, and we may be able to get some park improvements underway. As we begin the year 2001, we are looking at a City Election in the fall. We may acquire some new City Officials. The Mayor recommended Council rotation of responsibilities because, in the best interest of the City, we need to have a better understanding of other departments. Everyone was thanked for his or her dedication to the City and for the good job they have done. In the rotation, a new Council member has been assigned to be in charge, but the old Councilmember has been left in an advisory capacity. Assignments effective January 19, 2001, were as follows: Public Works Department - W. Lee Bean Advisory - Ira Kimball Hall Police, Fire and Public Safety - Leslie Folsom Advisory - Harvey Crandall Parks and Recreation Department - Ira Kimball Hall Advisory - W. Lee Bean City Office - Harvey Crandall Advisory - Leslie Folsom Planning and Zoning Commission - No Change Mayor Ard recommended that Greg Maeser be reappointed to the Ammon Urban Renewal Board for a term to expire January 6, 2006. Councilmember Crandall moved to confirm the recommendation of the Mayor to reappoint Greg Maeser to the Ammon Urban Renewal Board for a term to expire January 6, 2006. Council member Hall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Crandall - Yes; Hall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. City Council Meeting, January 18, 2001 - Page 6 Terms of three members of the Planning and Zoning Commission are expiring February 28, 2001. Ron Folsom, Elaine McGary, and Randy Waite have all expressed a willingness to continue to serve. Mayor Ard recommended they each be reappointed for a term to expire February 28, 2004. Councilmember Crandall moved to confirm the recommendation of Mayor Ard to reappoint Ron Folsom, Elaine McGary, and Randy Waite to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Council member Hall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Crandall - Yes; Hall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Council member Crandall recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission members be thanked for the special service they have given. The Planning and Zoning Appreciation Dinner has been scheduled for February 13, 2001, at the Sandpiper Restaurant. (The date was later changed to February 6,2001.) Mayor Ard talked with a dealer about purchasing another Walker lawnmower, and he requested a quote. There have been some changes in the new model. It has a wider deck and a 26 horsepower motor. A new lawn mower was budgeted for. Council member Hall moved to authorize Mayor Ard to sign the letter of agreement with School District No. 93 to make it even for the waterline on Sunnyside Road across the school property to the Ricks' property with the amount withheld from the participation in the Owen Street extension when Sandcreek Middle School was built by issuing a check to Hawkins-Smith for $7790. Councilmember Bean seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Hall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. The water meters were supposed to be installed at Edwards Theatre and Quality Water (Mike Jones' establishment) last month, but they did not get done. The City is probably losing money on Edwards Theatre. They have only been paying a minimum charge since occupancy. The meter should have been installed when the building was built. There was a meter installed but it was only on the sprinkler system. Hawkins-Smith is checking to see that a water meter is installed. When a meter is shown on the improvement drawings, the owner/builder is required to install it. Attorney Anderson advised if the plans do not specify a meter then the City is responsible for it. Mike Jones has agreed to install a meter for his bottled water, but there is a problem. Jones wants the meter to be only on the water put inside the bottle. He does not want it to meter the water to process the bottle. The water which is bottled and the water for processing the bottles can be metered, but we can not meter the bathroom facilities. Jones wants to know if we are going to charge him $36.75 for the bathroom and charge him the meter rate. Councilmember Folsom thought we should just charge for the metered rate. The Council agreed with Council member Folsom on the rate. City Council Meeting, January 18, 2001 - Page 7 Public Works Director Wadsworth showed the Council the plaque prepared for a monument in Peterson Park. The Council needs to decide what type of monument and where to place it. Action was delayed until weather conditions will allow. Unfinished Business: Councilmember Bean asked about the status of the Owen Street Traffic Study. Mayor Ard understands the school officials want to have another meeting on February 21. It was suggested that the City Council have a work meeting to discuss costs and participation before the meeting with the school officials. A work meeting was tentatively set for 7:00 P.M. on February 15. Elaine McGary added her opinion regarding the traffic problem and extension of Owen Street. The traffic study changed the way the City was thinking. The City committed to go along with the traffic study before we knew what it would say. Martin Agee has requested that the City go ahead with the vacation of Judy Street in Olson Park. However, he has been out of town a lot. Attorney Anderson has advised how to proceed with it and the City Office will contact Mr. Agee to determine a good time to proceed. Attorney Anderson is working on revisions to the parking regulations. Public Works Director Wadsworth advised some warning stickers had been placed on vehicles. There has been a problem with parking in the handicapped areas in Teton Spectrum near Edwards Theatre. The Mayor suggested that maybe Bonneville County could provide us with some ideas on handling the problem. Reports: Chief Clarence Nelson reported for the Fire Department. The carpet, tile, and trim work have all been completed. Also, the new tables and chairs have been delivered. The Fire Station roof is leaking again. Public Works Director Wadsworth agreed to check on it. Council member Folsom reported on the status of the communication tower ordinance and moved to extend the moratorium on communication towers from January 31 to February 28, 2001. Councilmember Crandall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Folsom - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Hall - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Folsom discussed animal control. The City charges $6 and $10 for dog licenses but they offer nothing for the fee. She believes the City should offer the owner something. The County will at least call the owner when the dog is picked up if it is licensed. City of Idaho Falls will also notify the owner. In Ammon if a dog is licensed or unlicensed, it gets treated the same way. It is taken to the pound and the owner is never notified. Council member Hall pointed out that this was discussed about a year ago and there were so many dog problems that it was decided when a dog is picked up to take it directly to the pound. There should be a fine if a dog is not City Council Meeting, January 18, 2001 - Page 8 licensed, but if it is licensed, there should be something to be gained. Citation procedures were discussed. On dog citations the owner can post bond in the amount of $25 at the City Office prior to the court date. Otherwise, he has to appear at court, and the judge will issue a fine and court costs will be added. It was agreed that, if a licensed dog is picked up, the owner should be called before the dog is taken to the pound. . Attorney Anderson brought the Law Enforcement Contract for Fiscal Year 2001. The contract has been reviewed, and it is ready for Council approval. Councilmember Hall moved to approve the Law Enforcement Contract for Fiscal Year 2001 (10-01-00 through 9-30-01) and to authorize Mayor Ard to sign it. Councilmember Bean seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Hall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Crandall - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. Engineer Manwill reported that at the BMPO meeting the Sunnyside Road project was discussed. They are able to go back to the State Transportation Department for increase funding for the signal project. It was funded for $250,000 and they are going back for $250,000 increase for right-of-way. Most of the increase will go to Dick Skidmore. It has been determined that he is entitled to just compensation for the right- of-way. It is understood that this should not delay the project. It will stay on track, but some other project in the State of Idaho may be delayed because of it. There will be some increased cost because there will be a matching share. There should not be any delay because of the sound barrier addition. Bonneville County and City of Ammon have their money ready to go on the project. There was a discussion on the estimate for the water system study by Benton Engineering. Engineer Manwill explained that the study is becoming critical because the developers need to know what size waterline to over-size to when they start construction of the waterline in 21st Street. It is important to model the entire existing system and to analyze in detail the future growth span. The figure proposed by Benton Engineering is reasonable and that firm is capable of doing the study. Benton Engineering is the only local firm with hydraulic modeling. It was agreed the contract should specify exactly what the City wants, include time frames, and state penalties. The figure quoted on the study is a not-to-exceed figure of $16,400 and it covers only the water system. The City wants information in digital form. Councilmember Crandall recommended that Engineer Manwill tie the contract down with Attorney Anderson so there is no "wiggle room" in it. Council member Crandall moved to approve the water system study by Benton Engineering provided Attorney Anderson and Engineer Manwill negotiate an acceptable contract. Council member Hall seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Crandall - Yes; Hall - Yes; Bean - Yes; Folsom - Yes. The motion carried unanimously. City Council Meeting, January 18,2001 - Page 9 Engineer Manwill reflected on the type of people we have in Ammon. He is on the Bonneville County Library Board. He just received the circulation report of what is happening in Bonneville County. It stated all of the zip codes that they track have either decreased in circulation through the Idaho Falls Library or stayed the same except the 83406 zip code. It has shown an increase in circulation. Mayor Ard inquired about the status of the Human Rights complaint. There was a question of whether or not any further action is necessary. Attorney Anderson suggested that he might call Linda Goodman. She signed the last letter, which was received concerning the complaint. Claims were approved. Councilmember Crandall moved to adjourn the meeting, and Councilmember Folsom seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 P.M. Mayor Attest: City Clerk