Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-01-25city council minutesBook 29 SPECIAL MEETING January 25, 1988 7:30 p.m. The Meeting was called to order by :Mayor Cowles Page 15 The Mayor requested that everyone stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Raymond, Winder, Houchins, Mallea, and Jarboe. Absent: Straight. The Mayor stated that he would prefer to get one or two small items off the Agenda before beginning the discussion on the irrigation system. Council agreed to this arrangement. (CATERING PERMIT) The first item was a Catering Permit request. The event was the Basque Dance to be held at O'Connor Fieldhouse on the 30th of January from 6:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. The Corral was to cater the affair, the Chief of Police has given his approval, and the fee received. MOVED by Mallea, SECONDED by Raymond that approval be given for the Catering Permit as presented. MOTION CARRIED (REQUEST FOR REAPPOINTMENT OF MARY HIGDEM TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION) Mayor Cowles informed the City Council that he would like their approval of the reappointment of Mary Higdem to the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOVED by Raymond, SECONDED by Jarboe to approve the reappointment of Mary Higdem to the Planning and Zoning Commission. MOTION CARRIED (DISCUSSION REGARDING LAKEYS) The Mayor requested that the City Engineer, Ron Redmond, address this item on the Agenda. Mr. Redmond stated that he distributed copies of the draft contract amendment between Blakley and the City of Caldwell to the members of the City Council. This amended agreement was for the development of the City's Facilities Plan Update. Some time ago, the City was approached by the people at Lakeys with regard to their sewer problems which involved the cafe, motel and a couple of trailer parks in the vicinity. Lakeys also contacted the State Department of Health, who in turn contacted the City; the reasoning being that Caldwell was the nearest municipality that could potentially provide sewage disposal capabilities for Lakeys. Lakeys was currently not on any of the priority lists for pursuing planning grants. However, Caldwell is now pursuing their planning update. Therefore, the State requested that Caldwell consider modifying their planning grant to consider Lakeys in planning possible solutions to their problems. Mr. Blakley drafted an Engineering Agreement Amendment to include costs, that would include Lakeys in the City's study. Also, included was a portion of what could become City property on the east side of the Interstate near the 20 -25 Interchange. It was a reasonable assumption in the near future that this property will develop and request to be included in the City's services. Two things have to be determined. The first would be whether the City would consider, either through strip annexation or through a special contract, to allow Lakeys to discharge into the City's system. Book. 29 Page 16 Mr. Redmond continued by stating that proceeding to review this possibility has a lot of benefits. Lakeys, being in a crisis situation, opens the door for possible grants which could become available. They could fall in the category of an imminent threat grant because of their sewage disposal problem. This would entitle them to one hundred thousand dollars of Community Block Grant Funds. Secondly, they might also be in line for some E.P.A. monies to help solve their problems. If their solution to their disposal problem also assists. Caldwell in providing sewer to the other side of the Freeway, both can benefit. They would solve their sewage problem and the City would get funds to expand their sewage system in an area having a good probability of development. Hopefully, the City Council would give their approval to expanding the magnitude of the Study which in turn would help Lakeys solve their problem. The City Council discussed this item with the City Engineer at some length. The Council addressed the feasibility of annexing the area as versus the agreement approach. Mr. Redmond stated that the decision necessary at this time was whether to pursue the planning study. The key ingredient of the Planning Study was whether the City would be willing to accept sewage from the Lakey area regardless of how it was worked out. Mr. Redmond further said it was his recommended preference that the City try to work out a contract agreement„ MOVED by Mallea, SECONDED by Raymond that the City Engineer be allowed to expand the contract witla Blakley Engineers to allow for study of the development of the sewer system at Lakeys. The Mayor asked for a roll call vote. Those voting yes: M- allea, Jarboe, Raymond, Winder, and Houchins. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Straight. MOTION CARRIED The Council President, Jack Raymond, stated that he failed one of his responsibilities in not informing the City Council that Councilwoman Straight was ill. She expressed concern about the importance of the ` "- meeting and not being able to attend. It was her request that the Council members communicate with her so she would be aware of the discussion at this meeting. mayor Cowles informed the City Council that he would be asking for an Executive Session regarding personnel, possible litigation which the City Attorney will be here to discuss. A motion would be requested later in the meeting. (CITY STAFF DISCUSSION WITH CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE CALDWELL MUNICIPAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM) The Mayor explained to Council that Ron Redmond, the City Engineer; Gene Enebo, Engineering Supervisor; and Steven Potts, the gentleman in charge of the Irrigation Department, were present to (Ii.sr.uss and answer questions to the Caldwell Municipal Irrigation District. Mayor Coviles further commented that under the conditions that Mr. Potts has had to work with and a system that is in poor condition, he would compliment him for a job well done. Mr_. Redmond explained that their discussion would include three major areas. 1. An Orientation by Mr. Enebo giving the new Council members an overall view of the Irrigation District, number of accounts, a little about the distribution system, our staffing and current budget. 2. The City Engineer, with Mr. Pott °s assistance, will attempt to identify some of the major problems. 3. Some recommended solutions. All of these points have a bearing on financing as the financing will dictate the direction the City decides to proceed. Book 29 Page 17 Mr. Enebo proceeded with his presentation which was attached to the minutes as Exhibit A. Mr. Redmond's presentation pertaining to Caldwell Municipal Irrigation District Operational Policy for the year 1987 -88 was attached to the minutes as Exhibit B. Also a Memorandum of Opinion was attached to the minutes as Exhibit C. Mr. Redmond discussed the budget for this year as relates to the Irrigation Department: This year's budget totaled $297,990.00® In looking at the budget sheet, there was a carryover of $59,890.00 which leaves a revenue necessary to balance the budget of $238,100.00. Using current rates, the City can expect usable revenue this year in the amount of $211,009.00. The amount of revenue needed to balance the budget is $238,100.00 which indicates a minimum of 13% increase in rates to balance. The District was operating under a carryover of close to $60,000.00. Mr. Redmond discussed with the City Council possible solutions to the problems facing the District. He explained that at this time, they City was not replacing the system, they were repairing the system. At the end of thirty years, it would still be a repaired system and would not be any better than it was now. At this time, they wanted to present to the City Council a concept of attempting to pursue the pressure system on a much lesser scale than proposed previously. Regardless what is decided, the City does need to establish some guidelines for the operational policy. This will allow Steve Potts to pursue his job and allow people to know what they will be responsible for. Mr. Redmond called the Council's attention to Exhibit B which was a draft for Caldwell Municipal Irrigation District Operational Policy for the year 1987 -88 explaining that to his knowledge, this type of policy has never been attempted. The purpose of the policy was to state the duties and responsibilities of the users within the district and to outline the framework under which the Caldwell Municipal Irrigation District shall operate in performing the function of delivery of irrigation water to users within its boundary. Mr. Redmond further explained this policy to the Council. Mr. Redmond continued by stating that if the guidelines are established to work with, they would like to phase in the construction. This would apply whether it was the gravity or pressure system. In their discussions, they felt that individual areas should be determined and reconstructed spending Capital Improvement monies on a scheduled basis. They would continue year by year until the whole system was completed in an organized manner. If they continue just replacing sections of line, they will only perpetuate the problem. The recommended procedure at this time was the pressure system. The attempt would be to pressurize small areas of town and perhaps apply for grants as time goes along. At least after a number of years, the City would have something stable. Essentially, a good part of the pressure system layout was already completed. The recommended solution was that the Irrigation Department pursue on a phase construction system. Again, the City Council discussed the information, recommendations, and possible solutions to the many irrigation problems. Considerable discussion ensued regarding the possible finances available to the District to phase in the new system. Mr. Redmond stressed the necessity of the Department being assured from a planning standpoint that there was monies available to use for capital improvement. The City Engineer further said that he was hopeful the Council would take action on the possibility of phasing in the pressure system and consideration of the operational policy. Councilwoman Mallea stated that there was considerable cash in this budget; it may not have been used, but it was there. She also suggested that the large number of people who have left the Book 29 Page 18 system are the downtown business areas. It was not unreasonable to impose a fee on this area for drainage costs. The Street Department also has an involvement in irrigation and could participate to the extent of about $50,000 a year. As irrigation erodes streets, it is in the Street: Department's best interest to see that this does not happen, It was her suggestion that perhaps the Council could dedicate the two percent or the two mill capital improvement fund for a certain period of time to facilitate the steps that the Engineering and Irrigation Departments have recommended. Councilman Raymond stated that these were good suggestions, but he did have some difficulty with the two percent levy. This was a City wide levy and the irrigation district was a small area of town. There was further discussion between the City Council and _.. the Staff with regard to the fiinancing of the Irrigation District. Councilman Raymond addressed the Council saying that he certainly agreed with the Draft Operational Policy that establishes fees and rates to help the District. He asked the members of the City Council if they could agree that this was a fair concept and were prepared to take action at this time. Councilman Jarboe commented that one of the duties of the water user was to coordinate water use among neighbors and he wondered how the City would monitor this and if there was complaints between neighbors, does the City have action that could be taken. John Connolly, the City Attorney, was present and informed the Council that the City does have the power to draft: an ordinance to deal with problems of this kind. MOVED by Jarboe, SECONDED by Mallea to authorize the Engineering Department to pursue the Caldwell Municipal Irrigation District Operational Policy. The Mayor added that if any of the City Council or Staff have concerns pertaining to this Policy, contact the City Engineer who will in turn make corrections and bring back to the Council. MOTION CARRIED Mr. Redmond stated that the Council should now consider what rates they would propose for the coming year. The Finance Director informed the City Engineer that the amount of the rates do not have to be determined at this time. The Resolution establishing the rates will be presented on the 8th of February. Mr. Redmond further said that he would like for Council consideration in the near future on the funding, finalize the draft policy, and a decision on the direction they would like to have him pursue. This direction would be whether to proceed on the phase construction and also pressure vs. flood. Plans and specifications need to be prepared to bid out the projects as the construction season will be here soon. MOVED by Mallea, SECONDED by Winder that the City proceed to adopt a pressurized irrigation system on a predicated plan unit development. MOTIO14 CARRIED (EXECUTIVE SESSION) Councilman Raymond then MOVED and it was SECONDED by Winder that pursuant to Idaho State Code, Section 67 -2343, the City Council convene into an Executive Session at the adjournment of the Regular City Council Meeting for the purpose of discussing personnel, probable litigation as the City Attorney was present, and possible property acquisition. Book 29 Page 19 Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Raymond, Winder, Houchins, Mallea, and Jarboe. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Straight. MOTION CARRIED There being no further business, the Regular City Council Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. and the City Council convened into an Executive Session which was adjourned at 12:15 a.m. APPROVED AS written T H I S 1st DAY OF February 1988. Mayor C4u i 1 p - ers�c — n,/ Councilp rson 4� Council-o6rson Q-G� ncilPerson Council.; er sor, counc i 1-Der son . Cleik-