02042010CouncilMinutesCITY OF AMMON
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010
AGENDA:
CITY OF AMMON
2135 SOUTH AMMON ROAD
AMENDED
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010 – 7:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Steven Fuhriman at 7:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance – Councilmember Slack
Prayer – Councilmember Coletti
MINUTES:
ITEMS FROM MAYOR:
CONSENT AGENDA:
Business License*
Accounts Payable – Exhibit A
Exhibit B
ITEMS FOR/FROM TREASURER:
PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
ACTION ITEMS:
1.Fire Dept. Exhaust System Change Order (Lee/Stacy)*
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2.Ordinance 486 – 2565 E. 17 – Rezone from C-1 to HC-1 (approved 1-21-2010)*
3.Request for Proposal – Traffic Study Intersection Ammon Rd. and Sunnyside - Direction and Scope (Lance)
4.Request for Proposal – First St. Rd. - Timing (pending Memorandum of Understanding signatures – County and City) (Lance)
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5.Hitt Road and 17 Street Final Report/Intersection Design - Direction (Lance)*
6.BMPO Appointment (Dana/Lance)
7. F35 Support- Resolution 2010-006 (Leslie)
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.Bio Life Ammon Days Presentation
2.Ammon Days Concept/Policy (Steve/Jennifer/Ken)
3.Parks and Recreation Software (Ken)*
4.Energy Grant Submission (Sean)
5.Proposed Policy on News Releases (Sean/Ron)
6.Misc.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
1.Personnel Evaluations - Idaho Code 67-2345 (1-b)
2.Real Property Acquisitions - Idaho Code 67-2345 (1-c)
3.Pending Litigation - Idaho Code 67-2345 (1-f)
MINUTES
City Officials Present:
Mayor Steve Fuhriman
Councilmember Lee Bean (via telephone, starting at 7:42 p.m.
Councilmember Rex Thompson
Councilmember Dana Kirkham
Councilmember Brian Powell
Councilmember Sean Coletti
Councilmember Russell Slack
City Attorney Scott Hall (arrived at 7:40 p.m.)
City Clerk Leslie Folsom
City Engineer Lance Bates
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City Planner Ron Folsom
City Treasurer Jennifer Belfield
City Officials Absent:
None
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Steven Fuhriman opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the City Hall building
located at 2135 South Ammon Road. Boy Scout Justin Staker led the pledge of allegiance. Councilmember Coletti
offered the prayer.
MINUTES:
None
ITEMS FROM THE MAYOR:
None
CONSENT AGENDA:
CITY OF AMMON
BUSINESS LICENSE CONSENT AGENDA
Thursday February 4, 2010
License applications, carrying the required documents, pending approval of the City Council:
GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE:
1.NEWGENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION:
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A.Peterson, Elizabeth – Daycare Employee/Lighthouse Montessori – 2664 E. 1 Street
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B.Stewart, Nichole Marie - Daycare Employee/Nana’s Daycare – 2660 E. 1 Street
C.Insure It All – Insurance – 1490 Midway
D.Owens, Jami – Daycare (Maximum 12 Children) – 3465 Senoma Cir
2.RENEWALBUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION:
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A.Richardson, Olga – Daycare Employee/Snake River Montessori – 2970 E. 1 Street
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B.Howard, Kitira – Daycare Employee/Nana’s Daycare – 2660 E. 1 Street
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C.AARP Tax – Aide – Tax Preparation – 939 S. 25 E., Suite #101 & 107
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D.Life Care of Idaho Falls – Skilled Nursing Facility – 2725 E. 17 Street
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E.Beautiful Girl – Retail Sales – 2545 S. 25 E.
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F.Steve & Harry’s Coffee Shack – Retail Sales – 125 S. 25 E.
HOME OCCUPATION PERMITS:
1.NEW HOME OCCUPATION PERMITS:
A.Pampered Totz/Baker, Melissa – Daycare – 2045 Falcon
B.JJR Computers/Rodriguez, Joe – Mobile PC Repair – 334 Bridger Dr
LIQUOR/BEER/WINE WITH GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE:
1.RENEWAL LIQUOR/BEER/WINE WITH GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE:
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A.Lawrence, Jennifer – Bartender/Texas Roadhouse – 2535 S. 25 E.
Business License: Councilmember Thompson motioned to accept the business licenses, as presented.
Councilmember Slack seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember
Slack – Yes, Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, and Councilmember Coletti – Yes.
The motion passed.
Accounts Payable: Leslie explained there are two exhibits for this accounts payable. Exhibit A
consisted of the current accounts payable, and Exhibit B was carried from the previous meeting, to get a breakdown
of charges from Skyview Electric. Lance reviewed the information provided by Skyview and found it acceptable.
Councilmember Kirkham motioned to accept the accounts payable Exhibits A and B, as presented. Councilmember
Slack seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes,
Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, and Councilmember Thompson – Yes. The motion
passed.
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ITEMS FOR/FROM TREASURER:
The folding inserter machine has been ordered. 50,000 perforated 8 ½
by 11 statement forms will be ordered next, along with return envelopes. The back of the statement will contain the
City’s billing policies and procedures. The statement will also show the City’s primary “ci.ammon.id.us” web
address. Use of the new statements will start when they are sent out at the end of the month for those payments due
at the beginning of March. The Council was reminded to check their City email. Councilmember Bean joined the
meeting via telephone.
PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:
None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
None
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Fire Dept. Exhaust System Change Order (Lee/Stacy)*:
Stacy Hyde, Fire Chief explained that
Fireman’s Supply has offered the City an upgrade at no cost. There is no place in the west where this newly
designed system is installed, and Firemans Supply needs a customer in the west who both has it installed, and is
willing to let the system be shown to other potential purchasers. Firemans Supply would also like some of our
firefighters to offer their assessment of the system, which they could use as testimonials. When Fire Chief Hyde
wrote the original bid specifications, he wrote them such that any of the three providers of this type of equipment
could meet those specifications. Firemans Supply responded by offering two systems, both of which met all the fire
department’s requirements, except that one was in the department’s price range, and the other was not.
Councilmember Slack compared the upgrade offer to awarding a bid for a pickup truck, then the model of the
pickup changes before it can be delivered, but the new model continues to meet all the requirements of the
specification, at the same price. The upgraded version of the exhaust system exceeds specifications, with no change
in cost or delivery time. Councilmember Bean stated his concern is that the lower cost system is a track system, but
the upgrade is a rail system. Fire Chief Hyde explained that the two words mean the same thing. He then showed
several slides showing the advantages offered by the upgraded system. Councilmember Bean asked if this could be
interpreted as the City accepting to pay for a higher priced system than the one awarded, but partially paid for by
non-monetary means. City Attorney Hall answered no, if Fire Chief Hyde is confident the new proposal meets the
requirements of the specification, then we are fine. The Council discussed an option where the upgrade would be
designated as a gift or donation to the City, but concluded this was neither necessary nor advisable. Councilmember
Bean was still concerned that testimonials from City personnel could constitute an additional form of payment for
the upgrade. Stacy responded that the testimonials would not be written, but could only be obtained when a
potential buyer called the department via phone. Scott said this alleviates the issue.
Councilmember Kirkham made a motion to approve the exhaust system change. Councilmember Slack
seconded the motion. Roll call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes,
Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, and
Councilmember Bean – Yes. The motion passed.
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2. Ordinance 486 – 2565 E. 17 – Rezone from C-1 to HC-1 (approved 1-21-2010)*:
Ron said this
zone change was approved at the previous Council meeting. This is the ordinance that actually makes the change.
This property is where Rush Auto Parts used to be located.
Councilmember Kirkham read Ordinance #486
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION
AND THE ZONING MAP FOR CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF AMMON; PARTICULARLY DESCRIBING SAID
LANDS AND DECLARING THE CLASSIFICATION OF ZONING FOR EACH SUCH PARCEL OF LAND; PROVIDING FOR AN
Councilmember Kirkham motioned that the City Council dispense with the rule requiring the
EFFECTIVE DATE.
reading of the ordinance on three different days and that the three readings be waived. Councilmember Coletti
seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes,
Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember Bean – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes, and Councilmember
Thompson – Yes. The motion passed.
Councilmember Kirkham read Ordinance #486
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION
AND THE ZONING MAP FOR CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF AMMON; PARTICULARLY DESCRIBING SAID
LANDS AND DECLARING THE CLASSIFICATION OF ZONING FOR EACH SUCH PARCEL OF LAND; PROVIDING FOR AN
Councilmember Kirkham motioned the adoption of Ordinance #486 as an ordinance of the City of
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ammon on its third and final reading. Councilmember Coletti seconded the motion. Roll Call vote:
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Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember
Bean – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes, and Councilmember Thompson – Yes. The motion passed.
3. Request for Proposal – Traffic Study Intersection Ammon Rd. and Sunnyside - Direction and Scope
(Lance):
Lance requested the Council’s opinion on conducting a traffic study now, before going much further
in trying to determine what needs to be done with the intersection and before Maverick starts construction.
Maverick has told the Fire Department that they can continue training in the old house on the property up until May.
Councilmember Kirkham asked if we had ever come to an agreement on the other three corners with Lennis Tirrell.
Lance answered no. Councilmember Bean said the other three corners are what prompted the question. The small
vacant lot on the Northwest corner particularly does not merit asking Lennis for its $90,000 share towards a traffic
light. Councilmember Kirkham asked how we should handle the other three corners. Lance said the City should
foot the bill, and then collect from whoever develops the other corners. The Council agreed Speedi Mart is already
built and shouldn’t have to contribute any more. It’s definitely time for a traffic study, both on this corner and the
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one on 1 Street. Lance stated if improving this intersection is submitted to BMPO, it will have to meet Federal and
ITD standards. ITD has “term limited agreements” with engineers throughout the State, which means an RFP would
not be needed and we can select from an authorized list. Most of the traffic engineers in this area are on the list. We
can interview a number of them and then select one to conduct the study, saving both time and money.
Councilmember Kirkham made a motion to move forward with the traffic study at the intersection of
Ammon Road and Sunnyside Road. Councilmember Slack seconded the motion. Roll call Vote: Councilmember
Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes, Councilmember Bean – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes,
Councilmember Coletti – Yes, and Councilmember Powell – Yes. The motion passed.
4. Request for Proposal – First St. Rd. - Timing (pending Memorandum of Understanding signatures –
County and City) (Lance):
Lance said his understanding is the County is very close to signing the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City. They don’t have any more comments about the MOU.
Lance would like to go to the County and propose utilizing the term limited engineer option, as already discussed in
the previous action item. Councilmember Slack asked Lance to give the new members a copy of the MOU. Lance
responded he can get them a copy of the draft, which Councilmember Slack agreed was acceptable.
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Councilmember Powell motioned to go forward with the MOU on 1 Street that Lance has put forth.
Councilmember Slack seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember Slack
– Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, and
Councilmember Bean – Yes. The motion passed.
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5. Hitt Road and 17 Street Final Report/Intersection Design - Direction (Lance)*:
Lance said
Ammon’s participation in the project will be the east leg of the intersection starting at the end of the radius point
then heading east. Councilmember Thompson asked with a 2003 date, if the cost estimates were still good. Lance
explained the study started in 2003, but was just finished in the last few months, so the cost estimates should be
fairly current. Councilmember Kirkham is fine with giving Lance full latitude with the design, but only the City
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Council can make any cost commitments. City Attorney Hall asked if it this would affect the 17 Street bridge over
Sandcreek. Lance said all current proposals stop short of the bridge. Lance will work with Idaho Falls staff on the
design and bring back options and costs to City Council. One proposal would add a raised median making the
entrance by McDonald’s right turn in right turn out only and making the entrance by Target right turn in, right turn
out only has also been discussed.
Councilmember Kirkham made a motion to allow Lance to move forward with negotiations and
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discussions with the City of Idaho Falls with regards to the design phase of Hitt Road and 17 Street.
Councilmember Powell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember
Powell – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes, and
Councilmember Bean - Yes. The motion passed.
6. BMPO Appointment (Dana/Lance):
Councilmember Kirkham said we have a vacancy on the policy
board of the BMPO. The policy board typically meets once a quarter, on a Thursday or Wednesday afternoon, for at
least two hours. Councilmember Bean said he can handle this assignment. Councilmember Kirkham said she can
act as backup.
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Councilmember Kirkham made a motion to appoint Councilmember Bean to the BMPO policy board.
Councilmember Slack seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember
Slack – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, and
Councilmember Bean – Yes. The motion passed.
The Council was advised that Lance nearly always attends the BMPO technical advisory committee
meetings and Ron also attends as needed.
7.
F35 Support- Resolution 2010-006 (Leslie): Leslie announced the F35 just came through the
Association of Idaho Cities and if we want it, it has to be acted on tonight. Councilmember Kirkham made a motion
to amend the agenda due to the short notice that had been received on this resolution and to add Resolution 2010-
006. Councilmember Powell seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes,
Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember
Slack – Yes, and Councilmember Bean – Yes. The motion passed. Councilmember Kirkham made a motion to
approve Resolution 2010-006, and to authorize the mayor to sign. Councilmember Powell seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes,
Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes, and Councilmember Bean – Yes. The motion passed.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Bio Life Ammon Days Presentation:
Parks Director Ken Knoch introduced Cody Smith. Cody
introduced David Taufatofua. Cody thanked the Council for allowing them to be a part of Ammon Days and would
like to do this again. David said they closed Bio Life down for the day and had 70 staff members at Ammon Days.
He felt a big part of last year’s success was due to Ammon staff, particularly Ken and Jennifer.
2. Ammon Days Concept/Policy (Steve/Jennifer/Ken):
Mayor Fuhriman wanted to know if Ammon
Days should be expanded to allow businesses in the surrounding region to participate, or if it should be more or less
limited to businesses located in Ammon. Councilmember Kirkham felt this is Ammon Days and it is an opportunity
for our businesses to showcase themselves. Everyone would be invited to come to Ammon Days, but the main
participants would be from our City. Jennifer explained that last year, personal invitations were sent to all Ammon
businesses. Some businesses outside the City contacted us asking to participate; we were also able to work each of
them in. The philosophy is we don’t turn non-Ammon businesses away, but we do not send them an invitation.
Councilmember Kirkham feels Ammon is always tagged to Idaho Falls. The Idaho Falls Magazine throws in some
Ammon businesses on the back page. At the end of the map section, the Idaho Falls phone book throws in an
Ammon map. Ammon Days is the City’s opportunity to show everyone throughout the region what Ammon itself
has to offer. Councilmembers Powell and Bean concurred. Councilmember Coletti would like to consider business
owners who live in Ammon, but have businesses in Idaho Falls. Councilmember Kirkham feels the best choice is to
“move your business to Ammon”. Councilmember Slack mentioned Cooper Norman has always had an Ammon
Days booth; there simply aren’t many tax people in Ammon. Jennifer explained we don’t send invitations to non-
Ammon businesses, but we do advertise, affording outside businesses an opportunity to contact us. Councilmember
Slack agreed this is the correct approach. Councilmember Powell said we need to provide space for Ammon
businesses first and then whatever space is left becomes available to others. Mayor Fuhriman said his only concern
was emphasizing Hitt Road as an imaginary dividing line that the public and some businesses don’t want to cross.
Councilmember Bean said the City boundary is what it is. Mayor Fuhriman emphasized if we don’t work to break
down invalid perceptions, the problem will always be there. Councilmember Bean responded the line is there.
Idaho Falls charges us more to use their golf courses, they charge us more to enter their zoo, and it is always going
to remain that way. Councilmember Powell said we need to be careful to not over commercialize this, there needs
to be a limit to the total number of businesses that can be there. Councilmember Kirkham said the amount of space
available takes care of this. Ken agreed and then explained this year Ammon Days will expand to the north and we
need to work to keep it fresh each year for everybody. Leslie said since everything is free, this limits the businesses
that are willing to participate. Jennifer said at the end of last year’s Ammon Days the organizing committee and
City Council sat down together to talk about what had worked and what could be better. It was decided in order to
help guide future organizing committees, to create an Ammon Days Policy and Guidelines. Councilmember Powell
said it keeps growing every year, its fun, its family oriented, and it’s at no cost. Councilmember Kirkham
mentioned it’s great to have the contributions from Bio Life and others, but it is important for the City itself to
continue providing support to Ammon Days. When Councilmember Powell asked when Ammon Days would be
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held this year, Ken answered the date hasn’t been set yet, but the Committee meetings are about to start, so the date
will be set soon. Councilmember Kirkham said it should be some time in August. Ken explained we may not be
able to schedule it the weekend after school starts, because District 93 has changed when school will start, and there
are a lot of other events taking place in Idaho Falls. We want to get it on the Chamber of Commerce schedule, so
other events can be planned around us this time. Jennifer stated in order to have the Polynesian dancers back again;
we need to start scheduling them now. Councilmember Kirkham said that’s the one thing everyone talks about, so
we do want the luau. Councilmember Coletti stated he would like comment cards available for the constituents at
the information booth, to provide input on what they would like to see next year. Jennifer elaborated that the
information booth will provide brochures with a map of the Ammon Days layout and a section for feedback on what
worked, what didn’t work, and similar input.
3. Parks and Recreation Software (Ken)*:
Ken said in the eight years he’s been here, the City has
grown substantially and so have the demands of what people want from the City. This has been obvious in Public
Works and people also want to do more out in their parks. We are ready to start providing these additional
programs, events, and things to do, with the help of some tools. Last month the Council authorized the formation of
a parks and recreation commission, which is the first tool. It will be advertised for participation soon.
The second tool is a parks and recreation software package. It will allow us to plan events, and to calendar
shelters, sports events, and various programs. It will provide online registration for all our programs, and online
reservations for our playing fields and park shelters. It also has marketing, tracking, and demographic capabilities.
Bruce Patterson explained the package includes a SQL database on the City’s server and clients on our PCs, and a
web portal hosted by the provider for which we pay an annual fee. Bruce and Councilmember Powell discussed the
package’s protection of customer data. Credit card information is never present on the City’s side of the system.
We hire an outside third party to come in annually and analyze our security. Bruce is still analyzing all of the
security implications. Jennifer said this is safer than the way we currently collect funds. Each team lead collects
funds at different locations, takes them home, counts and organizes them, then brings them into the City. Our last
audit indicated we needed to increase security on our recreational funds. The proposed package deposits the money
directly from the customer into the City’s account and Jennifer can get a report daily on how much was collected for
what. She will then use the report to enter this information into our Clarity system. Customers can also use the
computer outside the City counter area to sign up and pay. The old way of collecting fees will be abolished with this
system. Scott mentioned this takes pressure off our personnel from irate customers when a given session becomes
full. Jennifer explained the software shows when a session will become available, how many slots are still open,
when it is full, and what other sessions are still available. It will also provide waiting lists. The waiting lists will be
managed manually by team leads. She stated the fee we will charge will be the same, whether paid for by cash,
check, or credit card. When asked whether we should accept checks, Jennifer explained that in a typical month we
have 6 bounced checks, and during the summer months when recreational activities are offered, the rate only goes
up by an additional 2 bounced checks per month. Bruce said the price would be broken out over two years for
purchase, at $5047 per year. The annual hosting fee would be $662. There also are some hardware costs. These
would be paid for out of the Parks budget. The Parks Department can shift funds from other projects to cover this.
If we were to pay the upfront price, the purchase price for the software would be $7458, customer care and hosting
would be $1125, and equipment would be $1015. We have negotiated to pay them $5047.50 this year to go towards
installation, software, and the first year’s hosting. We will then give them the same amount next year to finishing
paying for installation and software, and for the second year’s hosting. We will buy the hardware up front for
$1015, consisting of a bar code scanner for the key fobs, a cash drawer, and a thermal printer to collectively serve as
a point of sale device at the pool. There are still some development costs for the gateway and processor, which
Bruce and Jennifer are still evaluating. These costs will be at IT’s expense. Pool fees could be paid for by cash at
the pool, or by putting money on the key fobs. Key fobs can also be used as time cards to track employee time,
which would cost less than the time clock currently planned for Public Works. Council feels it’s a great idea. They
asked for the final details to be worked out and put on a future agenda as an action item.
4. Energy Grant Submission (Sean):
Councilmember Coletti stated the Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant is approximately $250,000 and is for solar panels and possibly a wind turbine located on
City property, to help generate electricity for City buildings. He has reviewed it and thought it would be worth
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applying for, which the City did on January 22. At the previous Council meeting there were a lot of concerns
about the wind turbine, particularly the time available to get required zoning changes, and the overall acceptability
of wind turbines to people in the neighborhood. Councilmember Coletti spoke with John Chatfern with the
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Department of Energy about possibly changing the grant by replacing the wind turbine with a doubled up number of
solar panels. Mr. Chatfern responded any request for a major change to the grant application would have to be e-
mailed to him or someone else in the Department of Energy by Monday. The specific items applied for under the
grant cannot be changed after it is awarded. Councilmember Kirkham asked if we are prepared to allow every
business that sits on a one-acre lot to have one of these wind turbines. The answer is probably no. We lead by
example. It would be unfair to allow ourselves to have a wind turbine then deny others the same opportunity.
Councilmember Coletti also asked Mr. Chatfern if anyone ever backs out from accepting a grant. Mr. Chatfern
responded the grant would simply be awarded to the next applicant. Councilmember Thompson asked about the
possibility of locating the wind turbine on the seven acres the City owns near the cell tower on the south side of
Sunnyside Road. When he looked at something like this for his own house, it would cost $14,000 and take 20 years
to break even. Councilmember Powell said he understands being green since his house is set up this way, but if we
could save the entire cost to power the City Hall building which currently is $850 per month, it would take 294
months or 24.5 years to recoup $250,000 and he would not do this. He feels it is great they are trying to promote
green, but this is a waste of taxpayer money. Councilmember Thompson thought the wind turbine might have a 30-
year lifetime. Councilmember Powell doesn’t know what the maintenance costs would be. Councilmember Slack
said the solar panels might have a 5 to 10 year lifetime. We would need some way to clear snow off the panels
without damaging them, or to install them steep enough to prevent snow from accumulating on them.
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Councilmember Coletti stated the awards will be announced on March 22. Within 60 days of notification that the
grant has been awarded, the project must be started. These 60 days includes the entire bidding process and he’s not
sure, if this is possible. Lance said the only way the deadlines could be met was if the bid applications were ready to
be published the day the bid was awarded. Leslie commented it takes significantly longer than this to create an
ordinance that would allow a wind turbine on the land. Ron commented currently this would be granted via a
conditional use permit. Councilmember Coletti warned that the grant would be awarded on a reimbursement basis
only. Reimbursement would be made 21 days after they receive an invoice proving the work has been done,
meaning we would have to carry the invoice for at least this length of time. Leslie stated the budget would have to
be opened. Several people within the City have received indications that the probability is pretty good that we
would get the grant. Councilmember Thompson stated the system he looked at would put electricity into Rocky
Mountain’s grid, for which they would reimburse us. Bruce Patterson said he talked with Paul Flander at the Idaho
Office of Energy Resources and they are looking for communities to receive these grants. Rocky Mountain Power is
asking the Public Utilities commission for an 18% increase in May. Because of the smart grid initiative with high
CO taxes and equalizing those people paying 16¢ per kilowatt-hour with our paying only 6¢, it is likely rates will
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be adjusted so we will end up paying 13¢ to 14¢ per kilowatt-hour. This would be a commercial wind turbine that
generates considerably more electricity than small residential turbines. We don’t have enough roof space for all the
solar panels, so they are talking about pods in the lawn to hold the rest of them. Lance agreed that covering the
entire roof of both buildings cannot produce the amount of electricity they are planning to generate. Councilmember
Coletti said the Office of Energy Resources and the Department of Energy requires monthly, quarterly, and annual
reports on how this is working, which is an administrative cost. Bruce Patterson warned the power company buys
power back at a far lower rate than what we pay to buy power from them. A wind turbine on the City’s seven acres
south of Sunnyside would not give the City any real return. Mayor Fuhriman said that Ted Hendricks and people at
the Energy Center recommend we conduct a feasibility study. The Council said the terms of the grant don’t leave
enough time to conduct a feasibility study. Bruce warned the management portion will be substantial and if not
followed exactly will cause them to ask for the money back. The Council still wanted to apply for the grant, but to
remove the turbines because of all the logistics involved with turbines. Fire Chief Hyde asked if he wanted to install
a wind turbine at his home, if his property is big enough, and his neighbors don’t mind, then why would the City say
“no you can’t do that”? City Attorney Hall answered it’s not an approved use. Councilmember Powell said it’s the
same as if he didn’t want to use the city’s water, so he just drilled a well at his house. Mayor Fuhriman asked if we
should help our citizens determine what they themselves can do by trying alternate energy sources, so our citizens
can know if those alternate sources actually work or not? With no more hydro-electric facilities, no more coal
powered plants, no more oil powered plants, no more nuclear plants, where else can we get electricity?
Councilmember Bean said he doesn’t feel that it’s the government’s responsibility to be blazing the trails. The
government’s responsibility is to provide the opportunity. We need to have enough time to evaluate whether we
want to allow wind turbines in the City. If we decide we do, we need to provide the opportunity through zoning
ordinances that allow them to go in. A critical part of the process is public input on whether wind turbines can be
put into households or not. The Council is worried whether there is enough time to pull this off. Councilmember
Powell still feels it is not a wise investment, because the rate of return simply is not economical, especially in light
of the administrative, maintenance, and replacement costs. Lance asked if generic alternative sources could be
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applied for, without specifically stating solar panels or wind turbines. Bruce Patterson said we could see significant
energy savings by upgrading our furnaces. Other parts of the State are beginning to see the use of LED parking lot
lights. A closer examination of the terms of the grant showed it didn’t allow any of these options. The grant is only
for alternate energy sources, the specific type or types of alternate source or sources must be specifically stated in
the application and the energy must be used by public buildings. Councilmember Coletti commented the first time
we heard about this was the last meeting and the City hasn’t had time to evaluate it properly. The Council decided
to modify the grant request by dropping the wind turbine due to current ordinance restrictions and insufficient time
to change those ordinances, to apply for solar panels only, then to learn more about our options with both solar
panels and wind turbines at the next week’s work session.
5. Proposed Policy on News Releases (Sean/Ron):
Councilmember Coletti presented a rough draft to
the Council for discussion and any suggestions. The Council decided to postpone discussion, until the following
week’s work session. Since City Attorney Hall does not normally attend work sessions, he brought several things to
the Council’s attention to include in their discussion. He warned that “items of significance” needed to be defined,
that timing such as weekends needed to be considered, to avoid creating situations requiring public record or giving
rise to lack of public record and he wasn’t sure what direction “C & D” would take. Fire Chief Hyde stated that the
fire department had its own Public Information Officer to release information to the media during emergencies.
Councilmember Kirkham agreed the Council needs to determine if this is still appropriate. At the very least
department heads need to coordinate with their Council member, before making releases to the media.
6. Misc.:
Stacy requested an executive session with the members of the management group who were
present to discuss personnel matters.
Lance warned the Council if they haven’t been inundated with concerns about water, they probably
will be as the season progresses. The Henry’s Fork of the Teton River is at 63% of normal snow pack. The Snake
Basin above Palisades is at 59% of normal. The Willow, Blackfoot, Portneuf area is at 63% of normal. Lance has
some information about current water cases and information covering what has been and is going on in Idaho’s core
systems regarding water rights. It is written by the attorney representing the group of ground water users, of which,
the City is a part. Lance will provide copies to everyone.
Councilmember Kirkham reminded the Council that at the previous meeting, they had decided to ask Idaho
Falls for some specific information and to pay the $2000 fee required by Idaho Falls to produce this information.
Since then, Ron and Lance discovered we already have some of this information. The letter requesting the
information has been amended to include only those items we don’t have yet. The Mayor and Council reviewed the
letter and with one grammatical correction, agreed, it was ready for the Mayor to sign.
Councilmember Kirkham announced that School District 93 has approached the City and would like a
reciprocal insurance agreement. Basically if a City group was using school property (as an example for baseball
practice) and someone was injured, the School District’s insurance would kick in first. If a school group was using
City property (as an example for swim practice) and someone was injured, the City’s insurance would kick in first.
They have drafted an agreement that Councilmember Kirkham would like City Attorney Hall to review.
The Council determined that at the next week’s work meeting, Forsgren would first need to discuss specific
costs to run the plant, then provide an update on IBSD, and end with anything else such as more details on the
comment made earlier in the day during the tour of the new plant about being able to bring Ammon online sooner.
Leslie asked that anytime a member of the Council knows he or she will not be at a specific meeting (even
a year in advance), to please let her know, so as the time for the meeting approaches she will know to check with the
rest of the Council to verify they will still have a quorum.
Leslie asked the Council if they wanted to require a minimum bid for the old LaFrance fire truck. It was
agreed no minimum was needed.
The owners of the house located at 3055 Teton St. (just south of well 6 and just west of Hillview
Elementary) are asking the City and School District 93 if either one of us would like to buy it, before they put it on
the market. Leslie and Lance were assigned to get more information.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
1. Personnel Evaluations - Idaho Code 67-2345 (1-b)
2. Real Property Acquisitions - Idaho Code 67-2345 (1-c)
3. Pending Litigation - Idaho Code 67-2345 (1-f)
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Councilmember Kirkham made a motion to move into executive session pursuant to Idaho Code
67-2345 (1-b) and (1-f). Councilmember Slack seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham –
Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes,
Councilmember Bean – Yes, and Councilmember Powell – Yes. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.
_____________________________________
Steve Fuhriman, Mayor
__________________________________
Leslie Folsom, City Clerk
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Council Minutes 2-4-10