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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-13city council minutesBook 38 Page 116 SPECIAL MEETING JUNE 13,1997 12:00 Noon The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Winder. The Mayor requested that everyone stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The Roll of the City Council was called with the following members present: Houchins, Evans, Earl, Nancolas, and Wells. Absent: Langan (CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM A SPECIAL OVERRIDE ELECTION FOR AUGUST 5,1997) Mayor Winder explained that the purpose of calling this Special Meeting was to consider approving a Resolution to proclaim a Special Election for the City of Caldwell. The proposed Election could either involve a specific override or it could also include an increase in the Idaho Power Franchise fee. A meeting was held with Staff on Wednesday to discuss this issue. The amount of money involved in our projections amounts to approximately one million dollars a year. The franchise fee would generate about two hundred sixty thousand dollars above what we were now collecting so it was not considered a principle source of funding for the projects the City had in mind. We would make some accounting adjustments to the budget in that the funds to be raised were designated for specific capital projects and the money that would have been spent for many of those would then be used for other expenditures including salaries, maintenance and operation and etc. The Finance Director was here to explain any questions the Council might have about the budget. The Mayor continued stating that the reason for the Special Meeting was to meet the time frames required by State Code. At first the Election Board at the County said they could not do the election because of the time frame. They suggested that the City consider using only three polling places which would cut down on personnel required and the physical location of the polling places. With this agreed to, the County said they could do the election. From a logistical standpoint, we had to do it now prior to the General Election in November. The issue of salaries will have to be considered before the November election. A packet of material was distributed to the Members of the City Council. The proposal would be to hold an election in which the public would be asked to approve an override. With just the override, it would consist of approximately one million dollars. The body of the Resolution simply states as follows: Section 1. A Special City Election will be held in and for the City of Caldwell on the 5 ° ` day of August, 1997, for the purpose of voting upon the question and proposition of approving a general fund override ad valorem tax levy of $1,000,000 for two (2) consecutive years, commencing with the tax levy to be certified in September, 1997, for the tax year commencing January 1, 1997, for the purpose of providing funds to renovate the Caldwell Events Center, for capital improvements and maintenance for Parks and Recreation Facilities, for Parks and Recreation equipment purchase, and for tearing down the Old Jefferson Junior High School. The other Resolution included in their packet dealt with an override election as well as an increase in the franchise fee which was worded as follows: The election will be for the purpose of voting on increasing the Idaho Power Franchise fee to three percent (3 %) as provided for in Chapter 4, Title 50, Idaho Code and upon the question and proposition of approving a general fund override ad valoren tax levy of $750,000 for two consecutive years. Book 38 Page 117 Mayor Winder also stated that the franchise fee would go for the Iife of the Franchise Agreement which was a number of years. The three percent does not have to be specified specifically as to what it will be used for. That would be a budget matter for Council to determine. He also noted that they "included both options for Council to consider. However, he did believe there was some risk in including both issues. Councilwoman Earl stated that she felt they really have to consider the impact on the general public with regard to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This was going to happen. Councilman Houchins commented that this was discussed at the meeting. If the election was approved, any information to the public was to include the increase in the sewer fees for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Houchins suggested that the first step at this time was to decide whether they would have just an override election or an override election plus the franchise fee increase. Councilman Evans remarked that he was in favor of only asking the voters for the override and not even bringing forth the suggestion of the franchise fee. Another area that was of concern to him was how the public would be notified regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He felt something should be done on a mass mail basis to the people. Some kind of a letter needed to be sent to the public explaining that they will soon be asked to vote, but that there was also going to be an increase in fees regarding the Treatment Plant. To include this information on the water bill was a good idea. Mayor Winder explained that the Judicial Confirmation process regarding the Treatment Plant requires public notice, a public hearing prior to going to the court for that process. That information will be going out through the media as well as the opportunity to use the water billing as suggested. Councilwoman Earl also commented that it was more economical for the City to send the information out with the water bill rather than doing a separate letter. They did ask the finance Director to prepare a concise paragraph regarding the sewer fee increase. This was prepared after working with Mr. Law, the City Engineer. She also agreed that they not take on the franchise fee at this tire. Councilman Nancolas stated that he believed that at some point they would have to find some long term answers and did feel the franchise fee was a possibility. However, he agreed that the most important item was the Treatment Plant which was going to happen. The Council needs to be realistic and at this time just approve the override. After more discussion, the Mayor presented the title of the Resolution as follows A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING A SPECIAL CITY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 5, 1997, DESIGNA"T"ING THE POLLING PLACES, AND ORDERING TIIE CITY CLERT� TO GIVE NOTICE OF SUCH ELECTION. MOVED by Nancolas, SECONDED by Evans that the Resolution proclaiming the Special Election be passed. Again, Councilman Houchins emphasized that all information regarding this Election include the explanation regarding the increase of fees for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Book 38 Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Nancolas, Wells, Houchins, Evans, and Earl. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Langan. MOTION CARRIED (ADJOURN) Page 118 MOVED by Nancolas, SECONDED by Evans that since there was no further business, the meeting be adjourned at 12:25 p.m. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Nancolas, Wells, Houchins, Evans, and Earl. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: Langan. MOTION CARRIED APPROVED AS written THIS 23rd DAY OF .Tune 1997. y Mayor 1 / CcKcilperri � ,Councilperson ,, -Cour cilpersop r Counci rs Co ncilperson Councilperson ATTEST: City Clerk