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Home My WebLink About2014-01-13city council minutes BOOK 55 PAGE 6 MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 13, 2014 6:00 P.M. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The City Clerk called the roll of City Council Members present: Blacker, Ozuna, Hopper, Callsen, Pollard, and Biggers. øÐÎÛÍÛÒÌßÌ×ÑÒæ ÝßÔÜÉÛÔÔ ÛÓÐÔÑÇÛÛ ÞÛÒÛÚ×Ì ÌÎËÍÌ ÎÛÏË×ÎÛÓÛÒÌÍ÷ Representatives from the Department of Insurance presented information concerning the structure and operation of any insurance trusts as mandated by the Idaho Code. Lois Morris, was also present representing Mercer Health & Benefits which serves in the capacity as the administrative management services for the City of Caldwell. The attorney for the Department of Insurance outlined the Idaho State Statutes for health trusts. He noted that an insurance trust account cannot be controlled by the planned sponsor; only the trustees can control the trust. A benefit statement must be issued yearly. Once funds have been deposited, the trust is then irrevocable. Each trustee must make sure that the funds are used for the purposes as stated within the trust agreement. One representative of the City Council may serve on the trustee board as a Council liaison. Trustees must not have a conflict of interest. It was noted that the trustees must outline a plan each year to the governing board (City Council) for compliance with Idaho Code concerning an actuary recommendation. ElJay clarified that the trustees work directly with the actuaries and benefit advisors. City Council decides how the rates will be funded or the necessary cutting of benefits. Employer must make contributions to comply with the State of Idaho Statute. Recommendations by the Idaho State Department of Insurance: Add one more member to the trustee board and make sure that all updated rates are forwarded to the Department of Insurance. øÔÛÊÇ ÎßÌÛ Ü×ÍÝËÍÍ×ÑÒ÷ The Mayor explained that Canyon County has the obligation to set the levy rate. He reported that property values began to decline in 2007; however, residential and commercial building permits have recently increased. Residential property taxes have declined during the economic slump; however, commercial property taxes have increased. Discussion followed. Councilman Hopper expressed that he would like Council to continue addressing the decrease of the levy rate. The overall budget will need to be reviewed each year to determine what changes must be made to continue with this effort. Robert Jenkins commented that as an owner of several commercial sites, taxes on these properties have not decreased since approximately 2008. (DISCUSSION CONCERNING ADA/TITLE VI REQUIREMENTS) Debbie Geyer, City Clerk, presented information concerning requirements of the ADA Section 504 Transition Plan for the City of Caldwell. She noted that the Transition Plan includes ADA compliance issues with future improvements to public buildings as well as right-of-way pedestrian facilities. It was noted that the Engineering Department has been diligent to address the right-of-way improvements City-wide for this report. She also reported that a Title VI/ADA Compliance Audit was conducted in 2013 and the City of Caldwell passed the requirements. Discussion followed concerning the cemetery office not meeting ADA access standards. Options were discussed which would possibly bring the structure into compliance. These options will be discussed in full with Council at the upcoming budget workshops. Mr. Paul Alldredge suggested that the Local Improvement District (LID) program be made mandatory to assist with bringing properties into compliance with residential sidewalks and pedestrian ramps. Mr. Orton commented that there has been a triple increase of volunteer participants this past year. Mr. Orton also noted that Brian Billingsley has been diligent in working with the local schools concerning the Safe Route to Schools program. Ms. Geyer reported that there would be staff training session concerning the Public Records Policy and Title VI/ADA requirements on February 3, 2014. øØ×ÙØÉßÇ îðñîê ÌÎßÒÍÐÑÎÌßÌ×ÑÒ ÐÎÑÖÛÝÌÍ÷ The Mayor reported that additional roundabouts have been scheduled for construction within the next few years. He noted that Brent Orton will present a long-range transportation plan in connection with upcoming budget workshops. BOOK 55 PAGE 7 Discussion was held concerning further expansion of Hwy. 20/26 and localization of Hwy. 30 Caldwell Business Loop (Blaine and Cleveland Boulevard). The Mayor indicated that the Idaho Highway Trust Account is basically insolvent for future projects such as the localization of Hwy. 30 (Caldwell Business Loop). The City of Caldwell can take on their own projects to address transportation projects with the use of Street Department funds. Such funds can only be used for right-of-way projects. The priority should be given to a pre-construct agreement with ITD concerning Hwy. 20/26 if the City is to finance any future expansion of this roadway. Bob Carpenter expressed his interest in a roundabout being constructed at Centennial Boulevard and Highway 19. Rob MacDonald reported that funding has already been appropriated through ITD for design of a roundabout at this location. Preliminary design work will begin this year. Discussion followed concerning the continuation of expanding Highway 20/26 and the benefits of economic development within the area due to widening the right-of-way. øËÎÞßÒ ÎÛÒÛÉßÔ ßÙÛÒÝÇ ÍËÒÍÛÌ ÑÚ ÌØÛ ßÙÛÒÝÇ÷ ElJay Waite, Urban Renewal Chairman, reported that discussion was recently held with Attorney Rick Skinner (Legal consultant for the Caldwell Urban Renewal Agency) concerning the sunset process. He noted that the Urban Renewal Agency has funded infrastructure improvements since its inception for the purpose of economic development and growth. Mr. Waite explained the possibilities of how local taxing agencies could access URA funding upon its sunset period beginning in 2015 since no additional projects would be bonded from that point forward. Existing projects where funding must be completed are the bond for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Canyon County Administrative Building construction. The Agency will continue until 2022. It was noted that the City il action. øÛÝÑÒÑÓ×Ý ÜÛÊÛÔÑÐÓÛÒÌ ÙÑßÔÍ÷ Several points of discussion were held concerning economic development by members of the audience and City representatives: Downtown and Industrial Development: Promote the expansion of existing businesses, retention of the existing businesses, and the invitation for new businesses. It was noted that development also includes commercial sites along Blaine and Cleveland Boulevard. Partner with the College of Idaho to bring students to the downtown. Possibly a mode of Could the City or Urban Renewal assist owners with an incentive program for upgrading buildings to meet code requirements? A comparison of the City of Boise and the City of Walla Walla with the development of their downtown areas was discussed. A dialogue was held as to how each of these cities revitalized their downtown areas with either developing niche retail areas in partnership with a strong downtown business association (as was done in Walla-Walla) or the purchase of properties and creation of a solid core area with anchor tenants (as was done in Boise). The placement of a city-ite on th Arthur or on 7 Avenue as currently outlined within the City Framework Master Plan. Are local businesses marketing their businesses to attract foot traffic within the downtown? Renewal Agency has approved its demolition. Mr. Orton reported that bids will be sought for initiating the demolition project as soon as possible. The need to hire an economic development coordinator for the downtown revitalization was discussed. øÛÈÛÝËÌ×ÊÛ ÍÛÍÍ×ÑÒ ÐËÎÍËßÒÌ ÌÑ ×ÜßØÑ ÝÑÜÛô ÍÛÝÌ×ÑÒ êéóîíìëô ÍËÞÍÛÝÌ×ÑÒ øÝ÷ ÚÑÎ ÌØÛ ÐËÎÐÑÍÛ ÑÚ Ü×ÍÝËÍÍ×ÒÙ ßÝÏË×Í×Ì×ÑÒ ÑÚ ÎÛßÔ ÐÎÑÐÛÎÌÇ ÒÑÌ ÑÉÒÛÜ ÞÇ ß ÐËÞÔ×Ý ßÙÛÒÝÇ÷ ÚÎÏÇØÏØ ÓÑÊÛÜ ¾§ Ð±´´¿®¼ô ÍÛÝÑÒÜÛÜ ¾§ Þ´¿½µ»® ¬± ·²¬± Û¨»½«¬·ª» Í»·±² °«®«¿²¬ ¬± ×¼¿¸± Ý±¼»ô Í»½¬·±² êéóîíìëô Í«¾»½¬·±² ï Subsection (c) for the purpose of discussing acquisition of real property not owned by a public agency at 8:38 p.m. Î±´´ ½¿´´ ª±¬»ò Ì¸±» ª±¬·²¹ §»æ Ð±´´¿®¼ô Þ·¹¹»®ô Þ´¿½µ»®ô Ñ¦«²¿ô Ø±°°»®ô ¿²¼ Ý¿´´»²ò Ì¸±» ª±¬·²¹ ²±æ ²±²»ò ß¾»²¬ ¿²¼ñ±® ²±¬ ª±¬·²¹æ ²±²»ò ÓÑÌ×ÑÒ ÝßÎÎ×ÛÜ ËØÚÎÏÇØÏØ ÓÑÊÛÜ ¾§ Þ´¿½µ»®ô ÍÛÝÑÒÜÛÜ ¾§ Ø±°°»® ¬± ·²¬± Î»¹«´¿® Í»·±² ¿¬ çæðé °ò³ò ÓÑÌ×ÑÒ ÝßÎÎ×ÛÜ The Mayor reported that no decisions were made during the workshop or executive session. BOOK 55 PAGE 8 øËÐÜßÌÛ ÑÒ ÝßÒÇÑÒ ÝÑËÒÌÇ Ü×ÍÐßÌÝØ ÞÇ ÝØ×ÛÚ ßÔÔÙÑÑÜ÷ Chief Allgood provided an update concerning Canyon County dispatch services. He reported that a letter was delivered to his office last week stating that a fee of $225,000 must be paid by the City of Caldwell to continue emergency dispatch services. This would not affect fire or non-emergency calls. Further discussion will be held with Canyon County regarding this mandate. (ADJOURNMENT) MOVED by Hopper, SECONDED by Ozuna to adjourn at 9:22 p.m. MOTION CARRIED rd APPROVED AS written THIS 3 DAY OF MARCH , 2013. Mayor Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson ATTEST: City Clerk