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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-06city council minutesBook 22 Page 275 REGULAR MEETING October 6, 1981 7:30 p.m. The Meeting was called to order by Mayor McCluskey. 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: Williams, Raymond, Mallea, Hopper, Carter, and Betts. Absent: none. (APPROVAL OF MINUTES) It was MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by Carter to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 15, 1981, and the Regular City Council Meeting of September 22, 1981, and approve them as written. (AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION) MOTION CARRIED The Mayor asked if there was anyone in the audience who cared to bring anything before the City Council that was not on the prepared Agenda. Since there was no one, the Mayor declared that the Meeting would continue as outlined. OLD BUSINESS (PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES - TAD MARTIN AND WILLIAM MONAGLE) The Mayor stated that he would lake to make a delayed presentation to two young men, Tad Martin and Williams Monagle, who were interested in City Government. The certificates were then presented to them and the Mayor further explained that they would be called City Council Associates. Both Mr. Martin and Mr. Monagle were attending the College of Idaho with particular interest in Political Science and were pursuing the Truman Scholarship which required knowledge of City Government. (DOG POUND COSTS) The Mayor informed the council that he would go through this item quickly as he planned to talk about it further with the County Commissioners. He had visited with the Commissioners one day last week and showed them the information submitted by the Caldwell Chief of Police as to the costs -fl;r tkte,'City of Caldwell to handle the dogs throughout the County. The Mayor further said that the original agreement was only verbal and was misleading from the beginning. The way it was set up was that the County would take care of the City's prisoners and the City would take care of their dogs. As it turned out, the County has to take care of the prisoners. The City of Caldwell has ended up by not only taking care of the dogs brought in by the County officers, but also anyone else who has a dog in the County that they would. like to get rid of. The cost for feeding these dogs and for disposing of them has skyrocketed. The Mayor further commented that the City of Caldwell was going to have to put a stop to the rising cost and this was what he had talked with the Commissioners about. They were receptive to helping the City and the Mayor assured the City Council that he would follow up on this. (STREET LIGHT PROJECT) The Mayor stated that this item had been discussed previously. The idea was to offer to the public, primarily in new areas that do not have street lights, the opportunity to have a street light put in at a small cost which would be added to their water bill. The Mayor also said that he had talked with Idaho Power with regard to this and they were receptive to the proposal. (REQUEST FOR ACCESS EASEMENT TO BRAUN - HARRIS PROPERTY - STEVE JENSEN) The Mayor called on Ron Redmond, City Engineer, to explain briefly Book 22 what this request involved. Page 276 Mr. Redmond was recognized and informed the Council that this was an access request made by Steve Jensen on behalf of a potential buyer of property next to the Airport. They were requesting an eighty foo easement along the Caldwell Highline Canal off Ustick on the South - easterly. edge of the Airport. It would parallel the canal along an approximate forty acre piece of property that was being served by a road off Linden which circles around the Airport and eventually come to this property. This request was for a temporary road easement. This land was now under cultivation and there would be several items involved if the access easement was granted. One would be that the land would be taken out of production and it would probably be necessary to move a concrete ditch and relocate it, The purpose of it being temporary was that under the standards that the airport was currently under, the road can be temporary, but -- when the airport was extended to the point of being an instrument approach, the clearance over the road would not be satisfactory and the road would have to be relocated. The Mayor then stated that this was discussed with Mr. Jensen that afternoon. Mr. Jensen was then recognized and said that primarily what they were trying to do was provide a better access to this fort acre parcel of land that was currently zoned M -1 Light Industrial. It was realized that it would have to be a temporary easement at thi point in time. Mr. Jensen further said that speaking for the buyer he could not say whether or not he will ever construct that road. The buyer was from out of this area and was looking towards the potential future growth of the area and would like to see the airpor. expand. If the expansion does take place with the airport, the easement would probably be voided and he would have to get a new easement from either the adjacent property owners or property that the City might then have. Mr. Jensen said that he would like to impress upon the Council the need in the City of Caldwell to make a favorable climate for Industrial development as he felt the City tax base could. use it and also the employment. Mr. Jensen did not believe that the buyer would develop the property until at least one of two things had transpired; either an interchange on I - 84 and Ustick or the expansion of the airport. It was Mr. Jensen's feeling that the City should provide the means for - development in the City of Caldwell. Mr. Redmond, the City Engineer, stated that if the City Council would grant this request, he would recommend the following: (1) If the easement was granted, the initial request was for an eighty foot easement, but this was not really a temporary road. It was his recommendation that it be something less in the neighbor- hood of forty or fifty feet as it would be more in the terms of a temporary classification. (2) Restrict placement of any utilities in there in case the road was abandoned. (3) Recommend restrict upgrading the road to gravel only. (4) Limit the duration of the easement for a specified number of years. For instance, it could be done on a five year basis and renewed if feasible. (5) Make all costs associated with the temporary road the responsibility of the developer. Mr. Redmond further commented that there might be more to this list of recommendations, but it was his suggestion that if it was approved there should be some tight restraints on it. The Mayor stated that in support of this request he would say that it was an advantage to have somebody in control of this property that would be developed the way it was zoned. This was an advantage to the City. Councilman Raymond asked Mr. Jensen if the potential buyer was aware of the costs that were addressed by the City Engineer. Mr, Jensen stated that he had not had a chance to visit with the buyer since talking with Mr. Redmond that afternoon. Therefore, he was not advised as yet of the actual costs, but Mr. Jensen felt that he would be aware that there was costs involved. Again, he stated he did not know if the buyer intended to develop the road or not. The buyer was interested in the airport expansion. Book 22 Page 277 Councilman Raymond also asked if this was considered the prime access to that property in Mr. Jensen's view of future development or was there another entry. Mr. Jensen stated that there was another entry that was used now that comes from Linden Street, underneath the Freeway, over to K.C.I.D. Road and down across from the Airport Terminal and due East on a canal road. However, in discussion with the City and the Chamber of Commerce, they were trying to locate a Freeway interchange on the Ustick Interchange,: Councilwoman Mallea was recognized and asked if she understood it properly that the buyer would not develop this property unless the Airport was expanded. Mr. Jensen said that there was no need for industrial development as there was no demand for it out there now. As soon as there was demand, he would develop it. This demand would probably come upon the expansion of the Airport. Councilwoman Mallea then asked if this was the case, then why was consideration being given to the request at this time. Mr. Jensen said that he did not think that anyone would wan t to purchase property with the expectation that he would develop in the future without knowing that he has a lease on access to the property. Councilwoman Mallea then commented that it would be lost if the Airport was developed which was what he required to develop. Mr. Jensen stated that if the Airport was expanded, the City would more than likely have to acquire additional ground to provide for the landing approach. The additional, land acquired will necessitate an alternate access to the property. He also mentioned that the City owns seventeen acres directly adjacent to this property which was also zoned Industrial and it would behoove the City to provide access to their own property. The Mayor also stated that another factor to keep in mind was that this access even for farming purposes was better than going clear around. Councilman Hopper pointed out that there was a canal route now for farming purposes which was on the other side of the concerete ditch. Councilman Hopper also stated that for the record the road to the Braun property was not a canal road, but was a private lane. This was just North of the Goiri property that the City now owns. Councilman Raymond wasrecognized and stated that he was very reluctant to get locked into what he thought sounded like more of a permanent than temporary access road. If the City was going to enter into any Agreement at all, he would like to have the City Attorney and the Airport Commission view it before action was taken. This would enable the City to get stipulations now with their input. Councilwoman Williams was recognized and stated that there was a lot of money involved here; $25,000.00. There seemed to be a lot of questions about the future and when the Airport was expanded. It was her feeling that this request required some further study and would support Councilman Raymond's suggestion that there be a joint meeting with the Council, Airport Commission, and the City Attorney before action was taken. The Mayor said that he would suggest that this request be taken to the City Attorney prior to the meeting with the Council and the Airport Commission. MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by Hopper that action be delayed until further study involving the City Attorney and that permission be given to the Mayor and City Engineer to proceed with the City Attorney and the Aviation Commission to get information back. MOTION CARRIED Book 22 NEW BUSINESS Page 278 (OATH OF OFFICE TO POLICE OFFICER, RESERVE OFFICERS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY)' The Mayor stated that he was very proud at this time to have the City Clerk swear in several Police Officers into the Police Department. He was sure that everyone was aware that this year the City Council gave authorization to pay Reserve Officers for being a part of the Police Department. The City was in the process of building a better Police Department and the Mayor stated that he would like to commend the Police Chief and the other Officers from the Department for attending this ceremony of administering the Oath of Office to the new people. The Mayor then asked Mary Thompson, Administrative Secretary; John Downey, Police Officer; and Milo J. Lawson, Daniel A. Wasden, Robin Reynolds, and Cleo Witte, Police Reserve Officers to come forward to take the Oath of Office. The Mayor also said that he would like for the public to be aware that the testing process on all of these people was very extensive. The Oath was then administered by the City Clerk and those sworn in received congratulations from the City Council, Polic( Chief and members of the audience. (REPORT REGARDING CONTINGENCY FUNDS) The Mayor called on Councilman Betts to report on the Contingency funds. Councilman Betts was recognized and informed the City Council that what was necessary at this meeting was to :formally approve the transfer of funds from the Contingency Fund so to pay off some items owed. The particular items were; Three police cars, $26,841; the computer conversion, approximately $12,000.00; remodeling of the City Ball Office, approximately $4,600.00. Councilman Betts further explained that these figures were the amounts that went over° °the budget figure. This made it necessary to pay the remaining balance out of the Contingency Fund. MOVED by Betts, SECONDED by Williams that the Contingency Funds be used to adjust the amounts over spent on those particular items. `J MOTION CARRIED (DECISION ON POSSIBLE COURT CASES) The Mayor informed the City Council that he did, contact the City Attorney and asked him to attend the meeting, but he was unable to do so. One of the cases that the Mayor asked the City Attorney's opinion on was State vs. Plaza. The City Council members did receive a copy of the claim so were familiar with the case. The City Attorney informed the Mayor that it was up to the City Council entirely, but he did believe that the Police Department followed the proper procedure. The Attorney also stated that the Council should keep in mind that it might cost the City more than might be gained a_= far as attorney fees were concerned. The Mayor stated that in his opinion there was a time when the City has to stop and stand on their rights. He would ask the Council to take action on this claim., but he would hope that the Council would deny the claim. MOVED by Williams, SECONDED by Mallea that the claim of Lillian 1. Plaza be denied. MOTION CARRIED The Mayor stated that the other ease discussed was the carport for Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Withers. The Council was also aware of this and had received copies of the minutes and correspondence. The City Attorney's suggestion was that this request should come back to the City Council under the proper format. (RAWSON IRRIGATION DAMAGE) The Mayor explained that this was a claim submitted by a William Rawson on Ohio Street. Their claim alleged that the irrigation crew Book 22 Page 279 left a cap off an irrigation line which caused the water to flood and go into their basement. There was a question from the Irrigation crew and the Superintendent as to whether they did or did not do this. It was the Mayor's suggestion that this claim be turned over to the Insurance Committee for further study. The Mayor further said that Councilman Raymond and Councilman Carter would be on this Committee. (REQUEST FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT) The Mayor read a request submitted by the Fire Chief for schooling as follows: Subject: Seventeenth Annual Western Conference of Training Officers I would like permission to send Assistant Chief Buchta to the Conference of Training Directors to be held in Boise on November 30th through December 4, 1981. The total cost for registration and luncheon will be $70.00. Attached is a list of topics open for discussion. The Mayor further commented that some of the topics were Fire Department in House Training, Screening Processes, Agility Testing, Physical Fitness Program, and etc. The Mayor also stated that he would like to see somebody in the reserve component attend this kind of schooling too, but it only occurred to him at this moment as he read the topics. It was his feeling that it would be beneficial to have one of them trained with this type of background and he would talk with the Fire Chief as to the possibility of sending one of the reserves along with the Assistant Chief. MOVED by Raymond, SECONDED by Hopper that the request for the schooling as submitted by the Fire Chief be approved. (COMMITTEE REPORTS) MOTION CARRIED Councilwoman Williams informed the Council and Mayor that she had been busy interviewing as she was a member of two interviewing teams the last week. There was to be a new C.C.O.A. Director. The Bylaws state that if anyone within the organization wants the job, they will have first choice. Three people applied and their names will be taken to the Board and the job offered to the best qualified. The Library Board also has a new Librarian and hopefully she will be here for the next Council Meeting as she was very anxious to meet the Council and work closely with them. Councilman Betts had no report as the Golf Board was to meet the next day. Councilman Carter stated that he would like to have the new fees for the Golf Courses presented for Council approval at this time. (APPROVAL OF GOLF FEES) Councilman Carter read the following recommendation submitted by Laura Gamboa, the Chairman of the Caldwell Golf Course Board: The Caldwell Golf Course Board met July 22, 1981, and would like to recommend the following for your consideration: Motion made, seconded and carried that an increase in green fees and cart storage would be necessary for 1982. Purple Sage: $5.00 - 9 holes (7 days a week) 7.00 - 18 holes (7 days a week) Fairview: 4.00 - 9 holes (7 days a week) 6.00 - 18 holes (7 days a week) Cart Storage increase of $40.00 - was $110, an increase of $40.00 would make the storage $150.00. Effective the month of January, 1982 Book 22 Page 280 MOVED by Carter; SECONDED by Betts that the fees as recommended by the Caldwell Golf Course Board be approved. MOTION CARRIED (MAYOR'S REPORT) 1. Fee for putting out automobile fires. The Mayor stated that he would like to start charging a fee for putting out automobile fires. These fires have been running about sixty a year and a lot of them are on the Interstate which costs the City money. It was the Mayor's feeling that if they were not a property owner in the City of Caldwell, he would. like to start charging a fee. He had talked with the Fire Chief and he wouldestablish a reasonable fee. Most of these fees would be collectible trough insurance and if the Council would approve this procedure; the Mayor said he would proceed. The Mayor further commented that he had talked with the City Attorney and he cleared the procedure. Councilman Hopper stated that he felt that the Mayor should present the total package to the City Council for approval when he had it worked out. The Mayor stated that he would do this, but just wanted their approval to proceed at this time. 2. The Mayor then stated that he would like for the City Council to take action on the school that was mentioned at noon for Donna Talley. This school was a one day session in Boise and was a Managerical School which the Mayor stated he felt would be very beneficial. Councilwoman Williams stated that she did not believe that a one day :school could be beneficial enough for the amount of money. Councilman Carter said that he was sure by reading the programs offered that it would be a good school. Councilman Raymond commented that he felt that 560.00 for one day was expensive, but he did. feel that the City should continue to offer these classes and schools to the employees. '— After further discussion, it was MOVED by Carter, SECONDED by Raymond that permission be granted for Donna Talley to attend the school as discussed by the Mayor at a'cost of $60.00. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Carter, Betts, Raymond, and IIopper. Those voting no: Williams and Mallea. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (RESOLUTION NO. 62 -81 - AGREEMENT WITH IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT) The Mayor stated that the next item he would like to present to the City Council for action was a Resolution authorizing the execution of an Agreement for the-Nampa/Caldwell Transportation Study. The Mayor asked the City Engineer to give a short explanation as to this Agreement. Mr. Redmond explained that this was an ongoing program for approximately two years to develop the Nampa /Caldwell Transportation Study. This Agreement was the work program for the upcoming year There was a total of $19,000 proposed to be expended; $5,000 was budgeted for Caldwell and $7,000 for Nampa and roughly $7,000 for the State. The services that Caldwell would provide were traffic counts, and armhole list of work tasks that have been identified. Caldwell was expected to match $1,000 in inkind services. The Mayor then read Resolution No. 62 -81 in full as follows: RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO ,EXECUTE A FISCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF CALDWELL AND THE IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. BE IT RESOLVED That the Mayor and City Clerk of the City Book 22 Page 281 of Caldwell be, and the same hereby are, authorized to execute that certain Fiscal Agreement attached hereto and made a part hereof as if set forth in full by and between the City of Caldwell and the Idaho Transportation Department for the Nampa /Caldwell Urban Transportation Study for Fiscal year 1982. MOVED by Carter, SECONDED by Hopper that Resolution No. 62 -81 be passed as presented for the authorization of the agreement. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Carter, Betts, Williams, Raymond, Mallea, and Hopper. Those voting no: none. Absent and not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. APPROVED AS Written THIS 20th DAY OF QctQber ._�.,.,. 1981. City Clem' Councilman ATTEST: