07122012CouncilMinutes
CITY OF AMMON
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012
AGENDA:
CITY OF AMMON
2135 SOUTH AMMON ROAD
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2012 – 4:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Steven Fuhriman at 4:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance – Councilmember Coletti
Prayer – Councilmember Thompson
MINUTES:
May 3, May 10, 2012
ITEMS FROM MAYOR:
CONSENT AGENDA:
Business License
Accounts Payable – Exhibit A
AMMON LIGHTING DISTRICT #1 (Convene Lighting District - City Council serves as Lighting District Board):
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.Lighting District Budget
ADJOURN LIGHTING DISTRICT BOARD AND RE-CONVENE AS CITY COUNCIL
ITEMS FOR/FROM TREASURER:
PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: (5 Minute Limitation)
PRESENTATION ON HITT ROAD:
1. Woodbury Corporation – Presentation from Engineer on Hitt Road
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
2012-015 – Proposed new and increased fees in Parks, Recreation, Ammon Days, Metered Water Rate, Commercial Sanitation, Utility
Maintenance Equipment Labor and Fees.
ACTION ITEMS:
1.Variance Request – Ryan Kirkham – 2395 Fieldstone Circle
2.Resolution 2012-011 Utility, Machinery Fees
3.Resolution 2012-012 Park, Recreation and Council Chamber Use Fees
4.Ridgewood/Newgate Signage Proposal
5.Change Order #5 – EIRWWA – Segment C – Knife River
6.Misc.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.Developer Discussion Hitt Road Proposal
2.FY2012 Budget
3.Proposed Costco Incentives
4.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)
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MINUTES
City Officials Present:
Mayor Steve Fuhriman
Councilmember Rex Thompson
Councilmember Sean Coletti
Councilmember Russell Slack (Arrived at 4:52 p.m.)
Councilmember Brad Christensen
City Clerk, Administrator, Planning Director Ron Folsom
Deputy Clerk Rachael Brown
City Engineer Lance Bates
City Treasurer Jennifer Belfield
Public Works Director Ray Ellis
City Officials Absent:
Councilmember Dana Kirkham
Councilmember Brian Powell
City Attorney Scott Hall
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Steven Fuhriman opened the meeting at 4:40 p.m. at the City Hall building located at 2135
South Ammon Road. Councilmember Coletti led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Thompson offered a prayer. Mayor
Fuhriman welcomed Jason Sorensen to the City of Ammon police force, and told Karl Noah the City appreciates him and his time
with the City. Councilmember Coletti congratulated Karl on his promotion to detective.
MINUTES: May 3, 2012:
Councilmember Thompson moved to approve the minutes, as presented. Councilmember
Coletti seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Christensen –
Yes, and Councilmember Slack – Yes. The motion passed.
May 10, 2012:
Councilmember Thompson moved to approve the minutes, as presented. Councilmember Coletti
seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Christensen – Yes, and
Councilmember Slack – Yes. The motion passed.
ITEMS FROM MAYOR:
None
CONSENT AGENDA: Business License:
Councilmember Coletti moved to approve the Business License Consent
Agenda, as presented. Councilmember Slack seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes,
Councilmember Christensen – Yes, and Councilmember Thompson – Yes. The motion passed.
Accounts Payable – Exhibit A:
Councilmember Coletti asked Lance what the IBSD (Iona Bonneville Sewer
District) Midway/Eagle billing from Forsgren & Associates is for. Lance said the billing is for design services and construction
management. Councilmember Slack asked Lance about the HK Contractors final retention payment and asked if that would close it
out. Lance said the retention payment is essentially completed, but there are some outstanding issues. Lance said there is no question
that HK is owed the amount. Councilmember Christensen asked Ray if he had rented equipment to cut the weeds in the right of way.
Ray said yes, he rented a tractor for mowing. Councilmember Christensen asked if the City had other equipment that could have been
used to cut the weeds. Ray said yes, he could have used the Parks tractor, but two years ago they were using it and it flipped a rock
injuring an employee.
Councilmember Slack moved to approve the Accounts Payable – Exhibit A, as presented. Councilmember Thompson
seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Slack – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Christensen – Yes, and
Councilmember Coletti – Yes. The motion passed.
AMMON LIGHTING DISTRICT #1 (Convene Lighting District - City Council serves as Lighting District Board):
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Councilmember Coletti moved for the Council to move out of regular session to convene the Lighting District meeting with
the Council acting as the Lighting District Board. Councilmember Thompson seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Coletti –
Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Slack – Yes, and Councilmember Christensen – Yes. The motion passed.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Lighting District Budget:
Jennifer explained that the budget for FY2013 is identical to the budget for
FY2012 and she feels that will work well this year, and would like the Council’s approval before she publishes for the public hearing.
Councilmember Christensen asked how the money is generated for the Lighting District. Jennifer said in Hawkes Landing there is a
separate Lighting District. There is a special assessment in the District on the residents that benefit from those street lights, which pays
for the lighting in their neighborhood. Discussion ensued regarding the maintenance of the lights at Hawks Landing and within the
City of Ammon.
ADJOURN LIGHTING DISTRICT BOARD AND RE-CONVENE AS CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Slack moved for the Council to enter back into regular session. Councilmember Thompson seconded. Roll
Call Vote: Councilmember Slack – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Christensen – Yes, and Councilmember
Coletti – Yes. The motion passed.
ITEMS FOR/FROM TREASURER:
Jennifer went over the budget discussion of the previous work session, and
asked if there are any comments or questions from the Council before she publishes for the public hearing to be held on August 9th.
Councilmember Christensen said he wanted to go over the other Department budgets. Jennifer asked Councilmember Christensen if
his questions could be directed to the Department Head he is over. Ron said the Council needed to have any budget information to
Jennifer before July 20th.
Jennifer said with regard to property taxes, the process is that every year on August 1st the County sends each city the
valuations. Jennifer displayed an example of an L2 Form that she completes for the County. Jennifer explained that if the City takes
the 3% increase this year, the total difference will be $54,662. Jennifer said that this last fiscal year there have been no new
annexations. Jennifer explained to the Council about how the 3% increase is calculated. Councilmember Christensen asked if the
property taxes were lower because of home devaluation. Ron said yes. Councilmember Christensen said he recognizes that the
$54,662 is not a large sum when it comes to being able to do more with the City’s budget, and over the long term it could give us more
resources. Councilmember Christensen said for the City of Ammon’s purposes today, we represent a value proposition relative to the
City of Idaho Falls in terms of our tax levy rate. Councilmember Christensen said he feels this has been good and has been the cause
for part of the City’s development over the years, but going forward if the City takes every opportunity to increase the levy rate to the
maximum level possible, we are not demonstrating that we are content to live within the City’s budget.
Jennifer explained that after all of the City’s expenses are entered, there is a positive $29,000 in the general fund. Jennifer
said if the City chooses not to take the 3% increase, she will need to take $25,000 out of reserves for the budget. Jennifer said the AIC
(Association of Idaho Cities) publishes the property tax rates for all the Cities in the State of Idaho, and the City of Ammon’s tax rate
is extremely low comparative to all cities in the state. Jennifer explained that the City of Ammon’s current property tax levy rate is
.002681644 and in the AIC Budgeting Manual it explains that a city with a levy rate under 0.004 may increase its rate to that level
upon approval by the Council. Jennifer said she took the liberty to calculate the difference between where the City is at now and if we
bumped up to the recommended minimum of 0.004 and it resulted in an additional $895,000 per year that the City of Ammon would
collect from property taxes. Jennifer said she feels it is reasonable to just increase it by $54,662 because we really do have a very low
tax rate and the City doesn’t have very many sources for revenues, and it is getting harder to maintain a certain level of service and the
Council needs to determine the level of service they want to provide. Councilmember Slack feels this conversation is a little
premature. Mayor Fuhriman said he didn’t feel it was premature at all and had been discussed pretty heavily at the AIC meetings this
year.
Ron said the City went for a quite a while without taking a tax increase, and then when it did take the increase it was quite a
shock to the residents. Councilmember Thompson said the City’s expenses have gone up 3% or more and if we don’t take the 3% to
keep up with that, we will get behind and provide less and less services. Councilmember Coletti said it just directly affects the general
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budget, and you can’t reduce the public works budget to make up for it. Councilmember Christensen said he would like to see what
the City of Ammon’s history is with taking increases and not taking increases. Ron said he lived in Ammon for 30 years and the City
has never had to vote on a levy increase. Discussion ensued regarding foregone tax increases.
PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: (5 Minute Limitation)
None
PRESENTATION ON HITT ROAD:
1. Woodbury Corporation – Presentation from Engineer on Hitt Road:
Ron informed the Council that he
was making a conference call to the Albertson’s representatives so that they could be available for the discussion.
Scott Bishop, Woodbury Corporation, 6688 Benicia Drive, Salt Lake City Utah, thanked the Council for giving them the
opportunity to give this presentation. Scott said at the last meeting he had spoken about the improvements along Hitt Road. Scott said
he left the last meeting with the intent to hire an engineer to see if they could come up with a better plan for traffic control for that area
in general, because the plan that the City of Idaho Falls had outlaid had problems. Scott said Albertson’s, Target, Woodbury
Corporation, and General Growth hired Kittelson Engineering out of Boise. Scott said they have going back and forth over the last
month looking at alternatives and ways to improve the plan. Scott turned the time over to Sonja Hennim.
Sonja Hennim, Kittelson and Associates, 101 South Capital Boulevard, Suite 301, Boise, Sonja explained that Kittelson
Engineering is a transportation engineering and planning firm. Sonja said she would like to explain the alternatives they developed for
the businesses along Hitt Road, the analysis they have completed working with the businesses with what they felt was the most
promising concept, and where they see this going in terms of next steps. Sonja explained the City of Idaho Falls currently has a project
that they are proposing along Hitt Road between 17th Street and 25th Street. It includes intersection improvements at 17th Street,
some turn lane extensions and intersection improvements. Sonja said the bulk of the project is to construct medians along Hitt Road
between 17th and 25th Street have some breaks that allow for U-turn movements, but essentially create an access control project along
Hitt Road. Sonja said Kittelson reviewed what the City of Idaho Falls and their consultant had proposed, and it became very apparent
that the reason they wanted to move forward with this project was because there is an accident history along this corridor.
Sonja said Kittelson has developed something that they hope would meet both the needs of the City of Ammon and the City
of Idaho Falls. Sonja explained that Kittelson was retained to review the information prepared by the City of Idaho Falls and work
with the businesses to develop some alternative concepts to assist in balancing safety concerns, traffic operation concerns, and the
business’s needs. Sonja said Kittelson developed four different alternatives for that section of Hitt Road that they feel are a better
balance of safety traffic operations and the business needs. Sonja said instead of creating medians all up and down the corridor, they
proposed to develop a new signalized intersection that would provide a consolidated access for the mall, Target and the other
businesses in the plaza. Councilmember Slack asked about the 15 foot increase in the slope up to McDonalds. Scott Bishop said there
is the same issue there now, but it is not prominent because it gradually grades off. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed
signalized intersection. Councilmember Coletti asked if the mall was aware of this proposal. Scott said they have been involved every
step of the way and they see that these improvements are necessary. Councilmember Christensen asked about the recent improvements
at the McDonalds and asked if there are going to be any issues. Scott said he didn’t feel there would be because he will have a light
right at his location and it would increase traffic to his business. Sonja said there is room to shift the traffic light to the south a little.
Councilmember Slack asked how far the traffic light would be from the main intersection. Sonja said approximately 500 feet from
17th Street. Sonja said both Kittelson and the City of Idaho Falls’ proposals will improve safety.
Councilmember Coletti asked if there are any medians in this proposal. Sonja said there would still be medians between 17th
Street and the new traffic signal, and between the new traffic signal and the access proposed. Councilmember Thompson asked if that
would get rid of the entrance north of the McDonalds. Sonja said yes at least on the north side it would need to be closed off. Scott
said he feels this is a major improvement. Discussion ensued regarding traffic accident statistics for Hitt Road.
Councilmember Thompson asked if this proposal still only has right turn out of all the exits. Sonja showed on the slide
where the left turns would be located on Hitt Road. Scott said eliminating the medians may reduce cost. Councilmember Slack said
medians will also complicate snow removal. Discussion ensued regarding the medians and right of way. Councilmember Christensen
asked about cost estimates. Scott said he has the preliminary cost estimates, but needs to refine them a little bit and he still needs to see
the City of Idaho Falls cost analysis. Scott said the major cost difference would be the traffic light. Councilmember Thompson asked
if the businesses were amiable about sharing the expenses. Scott said the businesses are fine with how it is now. When the mall and
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Ammon Town Center were built these improvements were there and they were sufficient and so now all this growth has occurred and
they feel like the City of Idaho Falls is pushing this new project on them. The mall hasn’t expanded and feels that if the City of Idaho
Falls wants to make these changes, they should do it at their own cost. Councilmember Thompson asked about land acquisition, and if
the property owners are willing to donate the property for the traffic light. Scott said yes, they are willing to come up with a plan.
Councilmember Slack feels that the City of Idaho Falls may buy off on this easier if there was a left turn at 25th. Councilmember
Christensen asked if the new traffic light will create the ability for the Mall to add another pad there to sell. Scott said it does present
the opportunity for additional income and additional property tax, and it helps access in and out of the mall too. Councilmember
Christensen said this is very exciting, because it solves the problem of the turn into Target. Councilmember Christensen complimented
the stake holders for putting this plan together. Scott said that he tried to get all the major players’ input, and that it will not be hard to
get other businesses from Idaho Falls and Ammon to join in on the plan. Scott asked for suggestions on how to approach the City of
Idaho Falls with the proposal. Councilmember Coletti said he feels it would be beneficial to get all the business owners together to
show them this proposal and get them on board before they present it to the City of Idaho Falls. Councilmember Christensen said he
feels it will be better that this proposal come from the businesses rather than the City of Ammon. Councilmember Slack said he thinks
the approach the City of Idaho Falls prefers is the businesses meet with their City’s engineers without council present to work out
some of the details before showing the alternatives to the council. Sonja said the deciding factor will be something besides traffic
operation number or safety numbers. The goal is to elevate beyond engineering facts, to weave in community values and business
vitality. Discussion ensued regarding approaching the City of Idaho Falls with this proposal. Scott asked if he could represent that he
has the approval of the City of Ammon. Councilmember Christensen said he feels it would be a great idea to have the proposal
available at Ammon Days. Councilmember Coletti asked if Scott would be comfortable coming to Ammon Days to speak to
constituents from the City of Ammon. Scott said he would be willing to do that. Councilmember Christensen suggested also showing
the City of Idaho Falls’ proposal so that the citizens of Ammon can view both proposals.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:2012-015 – Proposed new and increased fees in Parks, Recreation, Ammon Days, Metered Water
Rate, Commercial Sanitation, Utility Maintenance Equipment Labor and Fees:
This item was removed because it was
published and scheduled for July 9, 2012.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Variance Request – Ryan Kirkham – 2395 Fieldstone Circle:
This item has been removed.
2. Resolution 2012-011 Utility, Machinery Fees:
This item was removed because it was published and scheduled for July
9, 2012.
3. Resolution 2012-012 Park, Recreation and Council Chamber Use Fees:
This item was removed because it was published
and scheduled for July 9, 2012.
4. Ridgewood/Newgate Signage Proposal:
Councilmember Coletti said he had some concerned property owners
regarding safety at this intersection. Ridgewood is on one of the roads used for the 17th street construction detour. The concern is not
the detour, but that it has led to increased traffic. Councilmember Coletti said the concern is with the way the intersection was
designed, because it leads to vehicles coming around the corner really fast. One of the homeowners is concerned for their children’s
safety when they are crossing the street. Councilmember Coletti displayed some photos of the intersection and pointed out the areas
the citizens are concerned about and explained what they are asking for. Councilmember Coletti pointed out a home that had trees
along the fence line that were obstructing the view of a yield sign. Councilmember Coletti feels the City can help the situation by
installing a warning sign, such as, yield ahead or posting a stop sign and a warning sign. Lance reported that there has only been one
accident at this intersection in the last three years, and it was a slide off due to icy road conditions. Councilmember Coletti said he is
disappointed the land owners are not at the Council meeting to voice their concerns. Lance said the visibility along Newgate going
into Ridgewood is impacted. The fence runs along the property line, so there is nothing the City can do about the fence, but there are a
number of trees in the right of way. Lance said removing the trees would improve visibility of the yield sign. The trees are currently
in City owned property.
Tom Hunsaker, 2135 South Ammon Road, Planning and Zoning said when his family moved into Ammon in 1997, the
Public Works Director advised him on the rules to follow in order to have trees in the swale. Tom asked Lance if everybody in the
City were following the law that trees cannot have any branches lower than 7 feet above the ground, how much that might help to
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solve the problem. Lance said there would still be some problems along the street, but you would have less of a problem with the
trees obstructing the view.
Lance said when you are talking about MUTCD (Manual and Uniform Traffic Control Devices) in these areas, the stop sign
and yield sign factors that need to be considered are vehicular, pedestrian, site distance available, and reported crash experiences.
Lance explained that for yield signs or stop signs the threshold for truly needing a stop sign is 2000 units (vehicles, bicycles, and
pedestrians) per day. Lance said this intersection does not meet the criteria. Lance said other charts say a yield sign is applicable for
an area like this with 400 vehicles per day or peak hour. Lance said out of curiosity he looked up where the City has the most
accidents, and the highest number was at 17th Street and Curlew with 12 accidents. Lance said about five of the accidents were failure
to yield even though it is a signalized intersection. Lance said it is a difficult area in that it is harder to see the yield sign. Lance said
installing a yield ahead sign, will alleviate the homeowners concerns, but installing a yield ahead sign doesn’t guarantee compliance to
the sign. Councilmember Coletti said he wants to do something about the blind corner and provide some relief there. Councilmember
Christensen said it sounds as though the problem has been exacerbated by the construction. Lance said it is the people that know the
yield sign is there and still fail to yield. Councilmember Coletti said he doesn’t want to wait until there is another accident. Lance said
he would recommend removing the trees to improve visibility, and install a yield ahead sign. Councilmember Coletti said for certain
drivers, they will slow down and feels it will make a marked improvement.
Councilmember Coletti moved to approve installing a yield ahead sign at an appropriate location on this road to give enough
notice of the yield ahead. Councilmember Coletti said the Council can look at the rest of the issues as they come up. Councilmember
Christensen seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Coletti – Yes, Councilmember Christensen – No (Because it’s just installing a
sign to let people know there is another sign), Councilmember Thompson– Yes, and Councilmember Slack– No (Because he doesn’t
think a sign will improve the situation). Mayor Fuhriman was asked to break the tie vote. Mayor Fuhriman voted no to installing the
yield ahead sign. The motion did not pass.
The Council directed Ron to have the City’s enforcement officer speak to the home owners with the trees blocking the view
of the sign.
5. Change Order #5 – EIRWWA – Segment C – Knife River:
Lance explained the change order addresses several
items. Lance said the first item is at the corner of York Road and Hitt Road there is an existing irrigation structure that is basically a
hole on the side of the road and as the sewer line was installed, they ended up with a manhole right at the side of the irrigation
structure. Lance said this addressed the erosion caused by installing a pipe there, and the remediation of piping it across and filling it
in. Lance said there have been several accidents from people driving into the hole. Lance said because of the accidents, Bonneville
County has agreed to offset the cost of this portion of the change order by 50 % at a cost of $4,163. Lance said the second item
addressed sand attenuators, or barriers by the Riverbend lift station. Lance said because this is right next to New Sweden Road and the
river, Bingham County required a barrier there to keep people from running into the lift station. Lance said the other portion is a berm
for storm water retention in Bonneville County. Lance said Steve Seer from the County said the City of Ammon had to build the berm
around the retention area. Lance said it truly isn’t much of a berm, and it was not much work. Lance said overall it increases the
contract to Knife River $11,000, of which $4,163 will be reimbursed by Bonneville County. Councilmember Thompson asked Lance
if he feels this is a good idea. Lance said he feels it’s a good thing, it will improve the York Road & Hitt Road intersection
tremendously, and it made it so that in the future Bonneville County could possibly straighten the curved portion of York to get an
intersection that will function well. Lance said all of the work has been completed, and he is asking for approval. Councilmember
Thompson asked if the money is coming out of the sewer bond. Lance said yes.
Councilmember Slack moved to approve Change Order #5 – EIRWWA – Segment C – Knife River for $11,000 and
authorize the Mayor to sign it. Councilmember Coletti seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Slack – Yes, Councilmember Coletti
– Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, and Councilmember Christensen– Yes. The motion passed.
6. Misc.:
None
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Developer Discussion Hitt Road Proposal:
See above Hitt Road Presentation.
2. FY2012 Budget:
Jennifer said she is publishing for three public hearings. The first is for opening the 2012 budget,
the second is to adopt the 2013 budget, and the third is the 2013 Lighting District budget. Jennifer said the total amendments we are
looking at amount to $44,000 and it is broken into two main items. The first is $39,000 to technology. The City has determined that if
there are technology expenses they should be paid out of the technology fund. Jennifer explained that in 2012 some technology related
items were budgeted for in other funds, and so we are transferring those funds from other funds to the technology to show how much
is actually spent on technology. Jennifer said the $39,000 is not additional monies, it is money transferred from other funds that were
already budgeted. Discussion ensued regarding how funds would be moved from the general budget into the technology budget.
Jennifer explained the copier contract that had an error and the City wasn’t being billed correctly. Councilmember Christensen said the
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City needs to look at another copy supply company other than Yost. Councilmember Slack feels the toners on the HP’s could be
reduced by half. Ron said staff is eliminating as many HP printers as is possible to reduce costs. Discussion ensued regarding the
reduction of HP printers from departments that don’t need them. Jennifer explained there is a $5,000 transfer to the Building
Department. Jennifer said the Building Department has done everything they can to minimize expenses, but in forecasting she
anticipates that their overall expenses will be more than they anticipated. Councilmember Christensen asked if it was one particular
line item that was over. Jennifer said no. Jennifer asked the Council if she has their approval to publish for open the FY2012 budget.
The Council was in agreement.
Jennifer said as the Council was talking about Costco, she needed to confirm if the Council anticipates any additional costs, it
would be best to budget for them now instead of opening the budget again. Ron said if we are estimating $1.5 million dollars for road
improvements we should probably include it with the new budget.
3. Proposed Costco Incentives:
Ron explained there was a change to the original proposal where they would pay
to construct the intersection and the City would reimburse them as the area around Costco is developed. Ron said he and Scott Hall
worked on the language that would remove the language where the City reimburses Costco, and put language in that reads;
Construction of Costco on the property located south of Sunnyside Road and east of South 25th East Hitt Road will require road
improvements. The City of Ammon will improve said roadway as needed to accommodate the access points for Costco on South 25th
East subject to the City’s exclusive right of way reimbursement of all costs associated and any frontage fees that may be applicable
based on the development of the balance of Non Costco development of property located within the Ammonside Development. This
reimbursement would be made as the property is developed.Councilmember Christensen asked if the original proposal had it fronting
Sunnyside Road. Ron said the original proposal had Costco facing Sunnyside, but it was clear back of the Woodbury property.
Ron said he doesn’t think the final location would be determined at this point because they haven’t made a final decision.
Councilmember Coletti said the road that needs the real improvements is 25th East. Ron said the City needs to determine how far
south we want to improve 25th East depending upon where Costco will go on the property. Ron said the bottom line is the traffic
heading north on 25th East is not going to get any bigger, because it is not a real access point for most people. Councilmember Coletti
said we are only committing to Costco to improve the access points they are going to use. Councilmember Coletti said
Councilmember Powell confirmed to him that both he and Councilmember Kirkham are both in approval of the entire letter.
Councilmember Christensen asked Rachael if she had customers ask about Costco coming to the City of Ammon. Rachael said she
hadn’t spoken with any customers directly, but the staff in the front office has. Ron said that everyday people are asking if Costco is
coming to the City of Ammon.
Brent Wilson, 4530 South 5th West, Idaho Falls, said he is the local real estate broker that has been engaged by Costco. Brent
said Ron mentioned that there were no improvements necessary on Sunnyside to accommodate a large format store like Costco. Ron
said yes. Brent said if Costco were to choose this site, the site planning would just be getting started and it is possible that things could
change and the access could come off Sunnyside in the future. Brent asked if it would be possible to add a statement to the letter that
there won’t be any improvements needed on Sunnyside, because that statement would go a long way. Councilmember Christensen
said the City of Ammon is 100% committed to this and he feels it won’t hurt to have language to that effect and that our citizens are
thrilled about the prospect of it. Ron said he can anticipate that Costco may be thinking about a stop light at that intersection, but
thinks that if the Council evaluates the placement of the light that it doesn’t fit the required standards. Ron said Kohl’s paid ¼ of the
cost of this light, so Costco could be looking at that and thinking that they may have to put a traffic light in there. Discussion ensued
regarding the additional language in the proposal regarding Sunnyside Road improvements. Lance said as far as improvements to
Sunnyside Road, if there is an entrance or access point off of Sunnyside Road into Costco, you are talking about infrastructure
improvements to get off of Sunnyside to get to the property. Lance said there may be curb entrances, or other minor costs, so he
hesitates to say no improvements. Ron said the City would not require any additional improvement above and beyond what they
would need to get into the parking lot. Lance said he just wanted to clarify. Councilmember Thompson said over time, when
Sunnyside Road gets busier, you won’t be able to make a left hand turn going north. Discussion ensued regarding possible future road
improvements on Sunnyside Road.
4. Misc.:
Ray Ellis, Public Works Supervisor presented information for improvements for the grounds at the City’s
water pump stations. Mayor Fuhriman said this has been triggered by the City’s desires this summer to get weeds off of lots and make
them look nicer. Ray said Mayor Fuhriman and Councilmember Kirkham toured the City the other day because they have had some
concerns from citizens about the areas around the City’s pump houses. Ray displayed photos of pump house nine. Ray asked if the
Council would like to put grass back in there, turn it into a community garden, or perhaps start our own tree farm. Ray said he is
asking the Council for their direction as to what standard they would like the property developed to. Lance said the property is
approximately two acres, and was originally thought of as a location for a fire station. Ray said he has had a couple of football coaches
approach him about leveling out the property and using this location as a practice field. Discussion ensued regarding other pump
houses needing upkeep, and safety fences. Councilmember Slack said these pump house locations should match the surrounding areas
to look like the neighborhood. Ray said Councilmember Kirkham had expressed an interest in having a community garden at the
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location on 21st Street. Councilmember Coletti asked about the community garden in Quail Ridge. Ray said that garden never came
about, because they were unable to raise the money for the water connection. Ray said the City of Idaho Falls recently signed an
agreement with someone to have a tree farm on the unused property at the Idaho Falls Airport. Mayor Fuhriman asked the Council if
they wanted to take a proactive approach and show citizens how the area should look, or do we just want to follow the example that is
already there. Mayor Fuhriman said he feels the City should set the example of what the properties should look like. Councilmember
Christensen said to keep the weeds maintained. Councilmember Slack said to maintain the areas. Councilmember Coletti said to keep
the areas maintained. Lance said there are a lot of things that could be done as light maintenance, but it still costs money. The Council
agreed to maintain the weeds and not make any improvements. Councilmember Coletti asked about the big lot and if the Council
wants to open it up for use. Ray said the property information could be added to the newsletter. Councilmember Coletti would like to
peak some interest from citizens that might consider doing the upkeep without it being on the City’s dime.
Jennifer said Costco has signed up for a booth at Ammon Days. Jennifer asked the Council if they were all ok with serving
dinner at the event and said if they knew anyone that may benefit from having a booth to have them contact her. Jennifer gave the
Council examples of times she would like them to be available at Ammon Day’s. Councilmember Coletti suggested other contests,
like a chili cook off, a cooking competition, and baking contest. Jennifer the problem with those types of contests, are issues with the
Health Department and having people prepare food in their own kitchens.
Ray Ellis reported that the road construction on 17th Street has been completed, and it will open up tomorrow afternoon. Ray
said the construction was completed two weeks early.
Ron said the BLM (Bonneville Land Management) called about two fires burning out on the desert, and needed the Fire
Department’s two water tenders. Ron reported the Fire Department was paid $1,000 per day, plus labor and fuel. Ron said he would
ask Stacy Hyde to come to the next Council meeting and report on the fires. Councilmember Thompson asked the Council if they had
received the notice from the Bonneville County Fire District stating they wanted their trucks back. Councilmember Slack said that
notice really soured him that they would try to force the City’s hand and said it got them the opposite affect they thought it would
have.
Councilmember Christensen said a citizen contacted him specifically about the safety of the pedestrian crossing at the 1st
Street and Ammon intersection. Lance said that intersection is all Bonneville County, but they expect to receive funding in 2013 to
install a signal.
Councilmember Coletti asked Ray about the street work going on at Midway and down into the original town site. Ray
reported they chip sealed Molen which was repaved last year, and continue to work with Bonneville County and Intermountain Gas on
the 49th street project. Ray reported that Intermountain Gas will be paying $150,000 to the City. Ray said he spoke with Kevin
Eckersell at Bonneville County and they figure their portion to remove the asphalt, rebuild the road base, and get it pave ready for the
49th Street project would be about $115,000. Ray said the City can piggy back on the 17th Street project to get an asphalt price. Ray
said the City will need to pay for engineering, design, and testing and the City’s cost will be about $70,000. Discussion ensued
regarding the recent areas that have been chip sealed. Councilmember Coletti said he received a complaint from some people who
work at the Life Care Center regarding the sidewalk in front of both care centers on 17th Street, and said it is getting really bad. Ron
said the adjacent property owner is responsible. Ray said his Department has at times unofficially cared for this area, and have swept it
and sprayed the weeds in the sidewalk cracks.
Councilmember Christensen said it feels like the City is making some major traction on issues that citizens feel strongly about.
Councilmember Christensen said it seems that the City gets all the blame when things are going bad, but when things are going
fantastic and the City is doing really needed things, he doesn’t feel like the City gets the credit it deserves.
Ron reported that Sven Berg has left the Post Register and will be working with the Idaho Statesman. Councilmember
Kirkham is going to contact the Post Register to have another reporter assigned to the City.
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 Coletti moved to adjourn. Councilmember Slack seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Coletti – Yes,
Councilmember Slack – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, and Councilmember Christensen – Yes. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
_________________________________________
Steve Fuhriman, Mayor
_____________________________________________
Ron Folsom, City Clerk
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