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Council Minutes 9/12/2006 (72) 96 November 21, 1996 CITY OF AMMON November 21, 1996 Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council: The meeting was called to Building, 2135 South Ammon present: Mayor C. Bruce Ard Councilmember W. Lee Bean Councilmember Sherrill C. Bohn Councilmember Ira K. Hall City Clerk Aleen C. Jensen order by Mayor C. Bruce Ard at 7: 30 P.M. in the City Road, Ammon, Idaho, with the following City Officials Attorney W. Joe Anderson Public Works Director David Wadsworth Fire Chief Clarence Nelson Asst. Fire Chief Robert Farrow Others Present: Michelle Poulos, 3475 Ross Avenue, Ammon Igor Spyra Marie Elser George Watkins III, 2155 Midway Avenue, Ammon Mae Farrow, Fire Department Auxiliary President Larry D. Schuldt, Building Inspector Absent: Engineer David E. Benton Councilmember Steven J. Loveland The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Councilmember Bean, and the invocation was offered by Councilmember Hall. Mayor Ard reported on the Association of Idaho Cities Legislative Meeting held in Boise on November 15, 1996. Representatives of various cities throughout the state met to discuss legislative action that would benefit cities and to select issues to have AIC lobby for when the Legislature convenes in January 1997. The group favored unfunded mandates, local option sales tax, and a $4 property tax cap. Considered was a proposal to make it mandatory to report the selling price to the County Assessor and use of excess monies in the gas tax fund. Opposition was voiced to changes in franchise taxes which could result in a decrease in revenue for cities and to imposing jail booking fees on cities. Councilmember Bean reported on the Bonneville County-Cities Planning Committee Meeting held November 14, 1996. Bonneville County discussed their plans to pave seven miles of road per year. City of Idaho Falls reported they have completed several annexations. There was an opportunity to discuss with Chad Stanger, Public Works Director for the City of Idaho Falls, about the project they completed on 17th Street last summer. Information was exchanged about the prospects of City of Ammon doing a similar proj ect on the mile stretch of 17th Street that is in Ammon. Costs were reviewed, and it was indicated the price range is within our street budget. It was recommended that Ammon start making plans to put an overlay crown on 17th Street during 1997 fiscal year. Attorney Anderson reported on the progress being made on the recodification of the City ordinances. Four sections have been recodified, and they are ready for Council input on the amendments and deletions. A copy was left with the City Clerk. The Council requested the attorney, if possible in the future, to mark where a change is made to aid the Council in making a comparison with the existing City Code. The Planning and Zoning Commission has considered and held a Public Hearing on the new Title X, Planning and Zoning. Since that part has been basically approved, the Council asked if that section should be considered independently from the complete package to allow Planning and Zoning to operate under the new guide lines, particularly siting of manufactured homes. It will be several weeks before the total recodification is ready for a hearing, so the City Council decided to advertise for a Public Hearing on Title X on December 19, 1996. Michelle Poulos, 3475 Ross Avenue, made application for a non-commercial kennel license. She has one cocker spaniel and three miniature Pomeranians. Fourteen signatures of persons in possession of premises within one hundred fifty feet (150') were obtained on the application. She does not plan to breed dogs. The dogs are mostly kept in the house. There have been no problems with the neighbors about Poulos' dogs barking. Councilmember Bean moved to approve the non-commercial kennel license for Michelle Poulos, 3475 Ross Avenue. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hall. Roll call vote: Bean - Yes; Hall - Yes; Bohn - Yes. The motion carried. A resident contacted the City Office to have his utilities put on no-payment status while he is away from his home for a year. He was advised the City could put him on a reduced rate status but, even though the home is unoccupied, the City requires I I I I I I 97 November 21, 1996 the property owner to continue to make a partial payment for water and sewer to help repay the water and sewer bonded indebtedness. He objected to paying the reduced rate, so the City Clerk agreed to request the City Council to review the Administrative Policy on Water, Sewer, and Garbage Charges which was effective April 1, 1987. The Administrative Policy covers vacation rates, empty house charge, failure of prompt payment, and returned checks. It was decided to adopt a new resolution to update the policy and charges. It was proposed to combine the section on vacation rates and the section on empty house charge. In the event a residence will not be occupied for a period exceeding two consecutive months, the City will allow the customer to pay a reduced rate for water and sewer according to the reduction rate now specified in the Administrative Policy. The section on failure of prompt payment should be reworded to show a delinquency notice will be mailed to the residence following the 10th of the month. On or about the 25th day of the month, if there has been no response to the mailed notice, a shutoff notice will be hand delivered to the residence. When a check is returned from the bank because of insufficient funds, the check must be redeemed within five working days with cash or a money order in the amount of the check plus a $20.00 service fee. The policies and charges are to apply to everyone without exception. The Council discussed the policy providing for a deposit when a new water, sewer, and garbage account is opened. The deposit policy has been in effect for several years, and at various times by resolution the amount required has been increased. Resolution No. 89-3 passed by the City Council and approved by the Mayor on November 17, 1988, is currently in effect, and it specifies a $70 deposit. The firm of Galusha, Higgins and Galusha is currently involved in auditing the City of Ammon 1996 fiscal year financial records. The records of deposits and deposit refunds have been checked. The City is currently holding deposits in the amount of $16,691. Some of the deposits have been held on the books for several years because the resident has not always paid on time. The auditors asked the Council to research the deposit refund policy to decide about continuing to hold deposits past a year. Also, the deposits have been included in the accounting as a water revenue and expense account. It is recommended the deposit activity be classified as a liability rather than an expense. Attorney Anderson advised there should not be a problem with holding the deposit as long as there is an active account with an unsatisfactory payment record. However, some action needs to be taken on the few moved out accounts which still show a deposit. The Council did not take any action, and the deposit policy will be continued at another meeting. Counci1member Bean wants to discuss the audit with the accountants. Counci1member Bohn moved to defer action on the minutes of City Council Meetings held October 3, October 17, and November 7, 1996, until the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Counci1member Hall. Roll call vote: Bohn - Yes; Hall - Yes; Bean - Yes. The motion carried. There was not a quorum prsent at the City Council Meeting held October 3, 1996, therefore it is not an official meeting requiring approval of minutes. Attorney Anderson advised, when there is not a quorum present, the Council can accept the discussion. The drainage problem by Michael Jones' property on Midway Avenue was discussed. The Council was concerned with what caused the problem and who is responsible. The problem has been on going for a number of years and needs to be addressed. It was recommended that Public Works Director get together with Jones to work out a temporary solution for the winter months to allow Engineer Benton time to work out a satisfactory permanent solution. Larry Schuldt, Building Inspector, reported on building permit activity. In the hundred days since he has been doing Ammon's inspections, there have been thirty- one building permits issued for 17 single family dwellings, 8 multi-units, 2 commercials, 6 additions/remodels, and 3 signs. There are two permits pending for single family dwellings. Four occupancy certificates have been issued. The Council asked Larry Schuldt to attend City Council meetings on a regular basis to report on building activity. The inspector requires a twenty-four hour notice on inspections. The City Office would like the inspector to estimate an amount of time required to complete the plan check so the applicant can be advised when to expect his permit to be available. A copy of the certificate of occupancy should be filed in the City Office. Reports: Counci1member Bean requested information about parking large trucks in a residential area. Attorney Anderson agreed to research the issue. The City has a responsibility to protect residential areas. City Clerk Jensen advised Skidmore has inquired about obtaining a business license for the Indoor Soccer Arena. Plans are to open the arena early in December. Tie Breaker School PTO has requested information about City requirements for a sign to be erected in front of the school. A copy of the proposed sign was shown. The PTO should be notified to meet the Uniform Sign Code, to place the sign fifteen feet (15') back from their property line, and to pay $26.25 for a permit. (The cost of $26.25 covers L. Schuldt's inspection fee and waives the City's portion of the sign permit fee.) 98 November 21, 1996 Bob Farrow, Assistant Fire Chief, reported for the Fire Department. A written monthly report for October 1996 was submitted, and it was reviewed. The department plans to use Sunnyside Automotive for vehicle repairs. The training program is working very well. Alteration plans for the fire station were discussed. Council- member Loveland has been working with the officers to formulate the plans. There was concern expressed that blueprints, estimated costs, and construction details have not been presented to the City Council for review and approval. Councilmember Bean suggested making a five to ten year plan to show where the department is headed with equipment and construction. The communications between the City Council and the Fire Department need to be improved so the Council can support the department. A report was made on an interesting emergency call. A twelve year old boy was on I fire. The fire was out when Ammon Fire Department arrived, but the boy had second degree burns from his neck to his ankle. It was six minutes from the time Ammon arrived on the scene until the ambulance arrived. The boy got doused with gasoline. Hissister was ticked off at him, and when he went in the house to take off his clothes, she flipped a cigarette at him. Councilmember Bean called attention to an unsafe incident involving the Fire Department. The fire engine proceeded through an intersection without stopping without lights or siren. There were two trucks following the engine that did not stop either. Private vehicles with red lights on top must obey all traffic signals, signs, and speed limits. When the engine is on a non-emergency run, it should obey all traffic regulations. Claims were approved. Councilman Bean moved to adjourn the meeting, and the motion was seconded by Councilmember Bohn. C~u_D ATTEST ~ek~ CITY CLE~ I I