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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-11city council minutes MAY 11, 2011 6:00 p.m. Attendance: Mayor Nancolas, Bob Sobba, Shannon Ozuna, Rob Hopper, Jim Blacker, Jim Dakan, Mark Wendelsdorf, Brent Orton, Brian Billingsley, Monica Jones, Debbie Geyer, Chris Allgood, ElJay Waite, Rob Oates, and Robb MacDonald DISCUSSION ITEMS Mayor’s Comments: The Mayor outlined possible budgetary concerns for the upcoming budget sessions: Reduction of tax revenue from Canyon County Workman’s Comp insurance modifier increase this year. (Research is being conducted by the Human Resource Director on the possibilities of modification to the personnel policy concerning this issue.) Revenue sharing from the State of Idaho may be lowered. Rise in fuel costs. Lack of revenue for employee raises. Engineering/Public Works/Parks Departments General Vision for Public Works: Multi-level training to staff (internal training meeting): o Exchange in-class training to larger group. Utilize/share existing internal expertise. Internal Training Meetings o Exchange in-class training to larger group. Utilize/share existing internal expertise. Staff intern to other public works departments. Consider sharing training resource with private sector. Advocate approach to customer service: Customer service inside and out. o Development Team structure. o Better serve customers. Modular growth. Improve code to meeting infrastructure needs while minimizing less productive requirements (e.g. o Storm Water Manual). Idaho Standards for Public Works Construction re-adoption and Supplemental update. Water Model – Informed planning to a greater level of detail: Improved Capital Improvement Prioritization. o Transportation Model: Partner with COMPASS. o Traffic counts at approximately 40 intersections have been completed. o Utilize and Enhance Abilities of the Technical Department – Canyon County Hosting Model: Working with Canyon County to lay communications conduit. o Work with Canyon County with the GIS maps. o Building Safety: Certifications among staff will continue to increase. o Digitalization of all files. o Mapping & Modeling Department: Inventory complete by the end of 2011 of all sidewalks and ped ramps for compliance with ADA o standards. Continue development of intranet mapping application to service other departments with City o infrastructure data. Water Department: Continue the meter transition from touch read to radio read. Estimated completion time is four o years. Consolidate and secure all the water rights into one (1) blanket water right. o th 10 Avenue Sidewalk Project. o o Present an excellent level of service. Begin Master Planning effort on Regional Pressure Irrigation System with Engineering o Department. Explore methods to bring down the delinquencies (unpaid irrigation bills). o Prepare for future maintenance of drainage facilities. o Street Department: Perform preventative maintenance to prevent premature loss or failure of street, roadway, or o drainage. Seal cost City-owned parking lots Continue with the Street Department Shop Building. o th Crossing at 10 Avenue (near Paul’s Market) and more stop signs around Canyon Springs School o at uncontrolled intersections. Consider the asphalting of gravel roads still existing within City Limits. o Road grader must be replaced – needed this summer for road projects: o Current grader can possibly be used for snow plowing. Estimated purchase price would be approximately $250,000. Airport Game Plan: o Add Street Department Employee. Utilize teams of the Street Department staff as needed. Sewer Department - Consider future of operation contract: Contract expires in FY 2011. o st Official Notice of Intent due 1 of June 2011. o Propose new contract with initial term of one year. o Research various options for operations. o Will bring contract options to City Council in June 2011. o Parks Department Continually seek for improved maintenance efficiency. o Standardize park amenities (picnic tables/benches/etc.) o Adding several parks – must add to parks staff. o Mallard Park o YMCA Family Values Park o Lincoln Road/Van Buren School park o Pipedream Park South o Ward park o Pathway System o Enhance restrooms at Simplot Stadium and O’Connor Field House. Rebuild Restrooms at Rodeo Grounds? . Analyze value of hydrothermal heating at Caldwell Pool Caldwell Industrial Airport Advance construct of taxi lanes on west side to allow construction of hangars for airplane owners. Relocate .500 Lateral/Canyon Hill Lateral to predetermined alignment or preferred alignment (with .400 Lateral as a combined facility) Advance construct the 10 plus Ramp/Runway – property acquisition must be considered. FAA will reimburse for property acquisition. Rob Oates addressed the desire of individuals who have contacted the City about adding names for the sake of recognition to the Caldwell Industrial Airport. The idea of a “Hall of Fame” being created was discussed. Street Lights Consider LED fixtures that will fit our existing lighting system as the bulbs fail. More research will be done concerning longevity. Include the lighting and conduit locations in the as-built drawings for subdivisions. Continue assisting the downtown LID lighting project. Sanitation Allied Waster contract expires: June 30, 2013. Notice due in January 2013. Give notice before June 30, 2013. Consider renewal or rebidding. Cemetery Resolve ADA accessibility for staff and customers at the office facility. Options being considered. Internal roads need immediate repair and possible widening in spots. Continue excellent service to customers through caring and diligent staff members. Two CSO positions will not be filled. New building at 423 Blaine Street will be occupied by CPD. Restructuring within the departments has taken place which will assist with the budget. RFQ will be published for prosecution services only. Research is being conducted regarding patrol car replacement options. Research is being conducted regarding a motorcycle unit to help defray the cost for fuel. Canyon County Issues: Animal Control issues. o Dispatch fees for dispatch services. o Lack of jail space. o Fire Department Call volume has continued to increase. Negotiations are underway concerning the labor union. Station #3 options are being reviewed. “Standard of Cover” project is being researched. The Fire Department’s rules and regulations are being reviewed by the Fire Chief. Command Staff: Additional training is underway to include the Blue Card Certification program. Planning & Zoning Public Transportation: Reported that there is a push to bring VRT to the Sky Ranch area. Funding for this initiative is o difficult at this time. Bikes Routes & Pathway Committee Requests: I-84 pedestrian overpass needs to be updated. Estimated cost: $15,000. o Trees along the new YMCA pathway o Bike lanes on Montana and Ustick o Van Buren and Washington School paths. Brian will be applying for funding through the “Safe o Routes School Grant” program. Planning & Zoning Department is currently being staffed with three full-time and one part-time staff. All codes have been updated this past year. The current project is to rezone the north side of o Caldwell with the new Neighborhood Mixed Zone classification. Neighborhood meetings and public hearings will be conducted. City Clerk CDBG Funding Application – Still pending news if an award will be granted from the Department of Commerce. Winter Wonderland – Trees continue to grow and thus need additional lights this year. Brent noted that he will include funding in the Parks and Street Department funds. Friends of the Depot are planning to add a kitchenette/sink unit to the depot to assist with catered events. Funding will be provided from grant dollars from Idaho Transportation Department. The archiving of pertinent public documents is ongoing within the department. Crossing training staff from other departments has allowed for additional help to complete this project. Human Resources Research is being conducted concerning longevity pay options for the Police and Fire Chief positions. Research is being conducted concerning employees being allowed a time off option in lieu of wage increases. Monica is creating a Worker’s Comp policy which will be presented to Council. Finance Department Golf Course funds are being closely monitored. Council will need to consider options within the budget. The migration of Springbrook Version #7 will be of help to all departments. The contract is being reviewed by staff for presentation to City Council. Reduction of funding from Canyon County will impact the budget. The Recreation Department is researching the use of the St. Mary’s facility for future community recreation-sponsored classes. Collette Sanders is working with the St. Mary’s administration concerning the details. If the facility is available, classes currently scheduled at the YMCA facility room will be relocated to this building. Urban Renewal: The main focus has been economic development within the downtown area. The Urban Renewal Incentive Funding Plan focuses on job creation. He noted that he has spoken with the Canyon County Commissioners concerning the re-evaluation in the commercial property taxes for downtown businesses. Councilman Blacker suggested that the fee schedule for Curtis Park be reviewed with possible preference given to community residents. He also noted that the Caldwell Housing Authority (Farmway Village) is desirous of expanding their facilities. Currently a feasibility study is being conducted by CHA concerning the expansion options. A loan in the amount of $25,000 has been requested of the City by the Caldwell Housing Authority. Councilman Dakan, Sobba, and Ozuna all expressed their support of further research by the Human Resource Director concerning “time off” options for personnel in lieu of raises. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m. th APPROVED AS written THIS 6 DAY OF JUNE , 2011. Mayor Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson ATTEST: City Clerk