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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-05-20city council minutesBook 26 REGULAR MEETING May 20, 1985 7:30 p.m. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor McCluskey. Page 82 The Mayor requested that everyone stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Mallea, Marcus, Cowles, Raymond, Norman, and Carter. Absent: none. (APPROVAL OF MINUTES) MOVED by Cowles, SECONDED by Norman to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 6, 1985, and the Regular City Council Meeting of May 13, 1985, and approve them as written. MOTION CARRIED (AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION) The Mayor asked if there was anyone from the audience who cared to bring anything before the City Council that was not on the prepared Agenda. As there was no one, the Mayor declared that the meeting would continue as outlined. (REQUEST FOR CHANGE IN THE AGENDA) Councilman Raymond stated that he would like to MOVE that Committee reports be considered first on the Agenda so that one of the Committee members could be excused from the rest of the meeting. SECONDED by Mallea. MOTION CARRIED (REPORT FROM COMMITTEE ON SALARY STUDY) Councilman Raymond stated that some time back he volunteered to look into the salaries of the City employees. A Committee was selected which included himself and Sylvia Robison. A third member, Larry Hammons, the Manager of Caldwell Auto, was selected to serve on the Committee as well. The purpose of the Committee was to determine that if in relationship to other employers in Caldwell, the City as an employer was meeting responsibilities in salary and benefits. Each member of the Committee approached the task independently without knowing salary figures of City employees. Seven City job classifications were chosen and each Committee member set out to see what a similar job would pay from another employer. After completing their survey, it was determined that there was enough disparity to justify a closer look at the City of Caldwell 's salaries. The suggestion was made to contact the Idaho Employer's Council and the Association of Idaho Cities for assistance in a City wide evaluation as it would require professional expertise to achieve this. The Committee also suggested that the City provide to the employees in their pay envelope at least once a year a benefit explanation sheet to include cost factors and value to employees. In doing the City salary evaluation, the step in grade system was to be continued with training for Department heads provided to insure that the step in grade was utilized properly. The possibility of pursuing a study on the salaries was discussed at some length by the members of the City Council with an explanation given of the step in grade system by Ms. Talley. The Book 26 Page 83 Mayor stated that it was an excellent report. It was the Mayor's suggestion that the Idaho Employer's Council be contacted as well as the Association of Idaho Cities. Mrs. Robison commented that since there was not enough time to have the study completed for this year's budget, would it be possible for the Committee to submit a reasonable salary adjustment figure based on the current price index to the City Council for consideration. She felt that there was not enough time for the study to be made before the budget was put -- together. It was agreed by the City Council and the Mayor that the Idaho Employer's Council and the Association of Idaho Cities would be contacted to pursue the study. OLD BUSINESS (BILL NO. 8 - AMEND CODE TO IMPLEMENT CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL SYSTEM - WATER DEPARTMENT) The Mayor explained that this Bill was on the Agenda for the last Regular Council Meeting, but it was felt that no action would be taken at that time due to the Council members not having access to the Bill for their study. The Water Superintendent was present at this time to answer any questions the Council might have. Councilwoman Mallea informed Mr. Dearden that she had a number of questions with regard to this proposed Bill. She was told that one business in Boise required $13,000 to bring their system up to date. She was told that a building would cost from $8,000 to $10,000 or $13,000 to a facet. Mr. Dearden immediately stated that this was not factual and explained at some length the possible charges for businesses in the Caldwell area. Mr. Dearden explained that the backflow problem could happen at any time. It never has happened, but you could not use this as an excuse to not comply with the backflow prevention device that has been certified by the Division of Environment, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The cost to the City was minimal. The City Engineer, Mr. Redmond, stated that one of the things in Caldwell that was dear to the residents was the untreated water. It was also one of the things that could potentially make one of the biggest liabilities because by not treating the water, the City does not have a means of stopping it if there was a contaminant backup in the lines. Normally, the water systems have a certain amount of chlorine to take care of a bad situation, but Caldwell does not have this assurance. Mr. Redmond emphasized that some thought should be given to this possibility. It was MOVED by Mallea, SECONDED by Marcus that a Committee be appointed to bring some more information and a recommendation back to the City Council. MOTION CARRIED The Mayor then appointed Councilwoman Mallea, Councilwoman Marcus, and Councilman Cowles to the Committee as requested. The Mayor then read Bill No. 8 by title only as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CALDWELL, IDAHO, AMENDING TITLE III, CHAPTER 3A OF THE CALDWELL CITY CODE, BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SECTIONS 3 -3A -34 THROUGH 3- 3A -42, PROHIBITING CROSS CONNECTIONS TO THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF CALDWELL, DECLARING SUCH CROSS - CONNECTIONS TO BE A NUISANCE, AND PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT THEREOF AND PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION OF THESE SECTIONS. Book 26 Page 84 The Mayor then declared that this would be considered the first reading of Bill No. 8. NEW BUSINESS (PUBLIC HEARING ON VACATION OF PART OF EASEMENT IN NEW COUNTRY MEADOWS) The Mayor requested that Mrs. Robison give a brief explanation of the request for vacation of part of easement in New country Meadows. Mrs. Robison stated that basically, the house plan that was to go on Lot 1, Block 5 of New Country Meadows was too large for the area because there was an easement on the West side. They could meet the other setbacks and it was a corner lot. Ordinarily, the other side setbacks would be four feet, but since there was an easement there, they would have to say ten feet from the property line. Mr. Hibbard was requesting that the City vacate five feet of the easement. There was letters received from the Gas Company, Idaho Power, and the Telephone Co. stating that they have no lines in that easement and the City also has no lines in that easement. There was still ten feet on the other side of the property line on the adjoining property and with the five feet, it would allow enough room for any repairs that might be needed. The Mayor then declared the Public Hearing opened, but stated that no one had signed up to speak to this request. The City Council members declared that they had no questions at this time. The Mayor then closed the Public Hearing and ask for action from the Council. MOVED by Raymond, SECONDED by Carte: to dispense with the rule requiring the reading of a. Bill at three separate times and that Bill No. 10 be read by title only for the one reading. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Raymond, Norman, Carter, Mallea, Marcus, and Cowles. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED The Mayor then read Bill No. 10 by title only as follows: AN ORDINANCE RECITING PETITION FOR VACATION AND RECITING APPROPRIATE NOTICE THEREFOR WAS GIVEN; AND DETERMINING THAT VACATION OF THE EAST 5 FEET OF A 10 --FOOT UTILITY EASEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL PROPERTY IS IN THE BEST PUBLIC INTEREST FOR THE CITY OF CALDWELL, IDAHO: LOT 5, BLOCK 1, NEW COUNTRY MEADOWS SUBDIVISION, THE OFFICIAL PLAT OF WHICH IS ON FILE AND OF RECORD IN THE OFFICE OF THE RECORDED OF CANYON COUNTY, IDAHO. MOVED by Raymond, SECONDED by Carter that Bill No. 10 be passed and entitled Ordinance No. 1695. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Raymond, Norman, Carter, Mallea, Marcus, and Cowles„ Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (ADOPT IDAHO STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION) The Mayor requested that the City Engineer discuss this item on the Agenda. Book 26 Page 85 Mr. Redmond informed the City Council that he would like for them to consider changing the City's standards for public works projects. In the past, the City has developed their own standards for every project which required printing up a rather lengthy book for each one. The book contains general conditions, special provision, and general contract conditions applicable to all contracts but have never been updated. Each City has had their own standards and all contractors who come in to bid have to deal with the fact that every city is different. A couple of years ago the Engineers and Contractors got together and worked on a group of standards to try to establish a set of standards - for the entire State. The final draft was now published and was called the Idaho Standards for Public Works Construction. It was hoped that all of the cities in Idaho will adopt this set of standards so that contractors will generally know what to expect when bidding a job. When dealing with an individual contract, an addendum would be prepared in addition to the book on Standards. The addendum would only address changes and then a copy of the Idaho Standards for Public Works Construction would be made available to the contractor. Mr. Redmond further said that he was requesting direction from the City Council by motion to adopt these Standards. About twenty -nine cities in Idaho have asked for copies of the book from the Association of Idaho Cities. Not all of them have adopted the Standards, but are in the process of reviewing. Updates will be sent out by the Association of Idaho Cities on a regular basis. Requirements in the Standards book are much the same as the City of Caldwell has been requiring in the past although perhaps a little more stringent. Mr. Redmond also said that there should be a reduced bid price due to the uniform base for bidding. MOVED by Carter, SECONDED by Cowles that the City of Caldwell adopt the Idaho Standards for Public Works Construction. MOTION CARRIED Councilwoman Marcus commented that in his remarks, Mr. Redmond stated that there could be some portions of the Standards that he might want to delete. Would it be possible for him to delete with the motion as stated. Mr. Redmond said that he would hope that the City Council would give him the authority to modify the Standards as deemed necessary. Every contract is going to be a limited modification of the Idaho Standards for Public Works Construction Manual as there will be those things that will be applicable and those that will not be. It was determined by the Council that the intent of the motion was to allow the City Engineer to use this book as his basis. (CONSIDERATION OF LEASE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT) Councilwoman Mallea addressed this item by stating that a work session was called for the City Council to discuss the lease with the School District for the Stadium Complex. A letter was received from the School District requesting that the Council determine what direction they planned to take with regard to this lease. Those members of the City Council who attended the work session decided that it would in the best interest of the City for the School District to be offered a lease with the same terms for one year. MOVED by Mallea, SECONDED by Cowles that the School District be offered a lease for one year under the same conditions as previously offered. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Mallea, Marcus, Cowles, Raymond, Norman, and Carter. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. Book 26 MOTION CARRIED (LETTERS REGARDING CLEAN UP WEEK) Page 86 The Mayor read the following letter received from Browning - Ferris Industries% With the cnclusion of the annual special clean -up project for the City of Caldwell, I would like to report that as in years past, it was very successful and worthwhile. The extra truck that ran this past month, with help from city personnel collected 17 compacted loads of extra debris. This translates into 340 yards of compacted waste or approximately 136 tons of waste. In addition, our regular garbage routes collected a lot more material than normal. This project required 128 B.F.I. man and truck hours, matched by the City of Caldwell, and used 280 gals. of fuel. The dump fees which I assume were waived by the Canyon County Commission, amounted to $306.00. with everyones cooperation, this year's special efforts could be deemed very successful and Caldwell a cleaner and better place to live. /s/ Larry K. Peterson The second letter was received from the County Commissioners and was as follows: Congratulations on another successful annual city spring cleanup! We know this project helps to beautify your city and can tell the program has been very successful by the number of loads dumped on your cleanup days at the County landfill. We have reviewed your annual requests to have dump fees waived at the County landfill. In previous years this fee was waived by resolution of the Board and was honored by your city. However, we find that this year cities and organizations requesting waiver of fees for these special cleanup days have deviated from the resolution making it difficult to keep track of loads on which dumping fees have been waived, or the arrangements to have the fees waived were not made at all. To simplify this situation it has been decided to allow your city free dumping for your annual cleanup day (s) by a dollar amount - not by loads dumped. The County will waive dumping fees on an annual basis for two (2) cleanup days in an amount not to exceed $200.00. Please refer this information in the future when making advance arrangements to have dumping fees waived. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your consideration regarding this matter. The Mayor stated that he wanted the Council to be aware of the two letters. (FINANCIAL REPORT) Councilman Norman reported that the Finance Committee met and went over the bills for the City. The payroll was in the amount of $162,789.81 with fringe benefits of $52,659.02 making a total of $215,448.83. The accounts payable were $287,181.59 making a grand total of $502,630.42. MOVED by Norman, SECONDED by Mallea that the checks be issued and that the requests for payment be filed in the office of the City Clerk. Book 26 Page 87 MOTION CARRIED (COMMITTEE REPORTS) Councilwoman Mallea reminded the Mayor that the next. Monday was a holiday so the meeting time for Council would have to be changed to Tuesday. The Mayor stated that if possible, he would hope that there would be no meeting at all. He would inform the City Council. Councilman Carter informed the Council that he attended the Senior Citizen's Commission meeting. They were scaling back their plans for the addition to the Center due to the fact that they did not receive the Grant. He also stated that he attended the Airport Commission Meeting. The Fixed Base Operator has been operating a small restaurant at the airport for about a year. He has indicated that he will be closing it down the lst of July as he has been running it at a loss. Councilman Raymond attended the Caldwell Days at The Turf Club last weekend which was a good time. Councilwoman Marcus reminded the City Council of the Air Pair to be held on June 2nd. Posters were handed out to the members of the Council. The big bombers were planning to fly over two times at about 2:40 p.m. Councilwoman Marcus also asked the City Engineer if anything had been done with regard to the crossing at Cleveland and Blaine by the College of Idaho. Mr. Redmond stated that he thought this had been painted, but would check on it as soon as possible. A report was also given on the Crimestopper's programs and a reminder of the Grand Prix which will'. be on May 25th. (MAYOR'S COMMENTS) The Mayor stated that the initial meeting of the M.A.D. group was held. The cities of Nampa and Caldwell have combined forces. Dennis Callsen, Caldwell Fire Department, was presented a plaque from Van Buren School for work in fire prevention. Dennis is the Safety Director for the City of Caldwell. A meeting of I.L.O.T. was held and it was decided that a prize of $250 would be given to the person who made the best design for the monument where the plaques will be placed. Letters will be sent to major schools in the area. An appeal from the decision of the Caldwell Planning and Zoning Commission regarding a Special Use Permit granted to Andrew G. Easterling was received from Mr. and Mrs. Russi. The Mayor regeusted that the Council members take a look at this location before it comes before the City Council in July. Councilman Carter further reported that he attended a Law Seminar on Friday and Saturday. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. APPROVED AS written June , 1985. 31 T D � 4 T ;D 7 * i1sa 7 11 0 S-ale d I T 0 u n Q3 I -6�1_-,---k d E� T(lou .2 �.d - — unoo_ "' 77 88 E?5pd 9 F --,[OCEI