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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-06city council minutesBOOK 55 PAGE 80 BUDGET VISIONING WORKSHOP May 6, 2014 6:00 p.m. The Mayor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Attendance: Mayor Nancolas, Jim Blacker, Shannon Ozuna, Rob Hopper, Dennis Callsen, Mike Pollard, Terrence Biggers, Mark Wendelsdorf, Brent Orton, Brian Billingsley, Monica Jones, Debbie Geyer, Chris Allgood, ElJay Waite, Andy Cater and Steve Donahue. Guest: Roger Gordon, 305 S. Florida Avenue, Caldwell. (DISCUSSION ITEMS CONCERNING FORECASTING DEVELOPMENT AND BUDGET MATTERS) COUNCILMAN BLACKER:  He advised that staff should now look north of Caldwell for future development and improvements in conjunction with the recent sewer project approval.  He expressed appreciation concerning the recent improvements at the Caldwell Event Center and projected future improvements at this facility. COUNCILMAN HOPPER:  Street infrastructure such as round-abouts should be considered at various sites throughout the City. Centennial & Blaine round-about project should be a priority.  Appreciation expressed for the research being done with the possible Downtown Quiet Zone Project.  Bridge repair must be considered regarding Rose Hill and Indiana Avenue.  What are the pedestrian plans at all school crossings? Has a long term plan for movement been created?  Consider revising the water bills to include a graph similar to the design used by Idaho Power. The graph would help our customers track water usage.  Legislative lobbyist position should be made available as well as a public media coordinator. The legislative lobbyist could be a contracted position and the media coordinator position could be a part-time basis.  Fire Department: Would like to see the volunteer program enhanced which could assist staff with the budget short-falls.  Research the possibility of conducting the performance reviews of appointed officials at the end of the calendar year closer to the reappoint time for the purpose of seeing project follow through and goal accomplishments. COUNCILMAN CALLSEN:  Interesting in seeing a strong utilization of a volunteer force with the Caldwell Fire Department.  Research needs to indicate if the City can afford Station 3. Can we staff it adequately?  Continue with the development of the Indian Creek Pathway behind Caxton complex as well as towards the direction of the Caldwell Event Center.  Continue marketing the Local Improvement District program.  Design a ticket booth at Simplot Station similar to the historical “HAT” transit station located in front of The College of Idaho.  Continue with the rod iron fencing all along the front of the Caldwell Event Center complex including O’Connor Field House and Simplot Stadium.  Consider implementing another Urban Renewal Agency for developing the northern portion of Caldwell. COUNCILMAN BIGGERS:  Find a permanent solution to the 911 dispatch situation. BOOK 55 PAGE 81  Continue with development at the Caldwell Industrial Airport making it more user friendly.  Upgrade equipment at the Caldwell Fire Department as needed.  Consider pay raises for employees.  Continue support of the Caldwell Veterans Memorial Hall. COUNCILMAN POLLARD:  Strongly review pay increases for employees, especially within the law enforcement division.  Have the Chief of Police look into having the CSO division assist the officers with report dictation assignments.  Continue with efforts of developing a community dog park. COUNCILMAN OZUNA:  Additional round-abouts on Ustick Road are necessary. Consider other intersection where traffic control is critical.  Need to consider employee wage increases. MAYOR NANCOLAS:  Engineering staff need to research the unpaved roadways within the City Limits. There must be a long-range plan for paving these roadways. o The unpaved area of Belmont Street near the new Disabled Veterans Garden should be a priority.  Unfinished projects must be completed: o Wolfe Field -- Bleachers are needed for the complex. o Gals Quad and Pipedream Park have unfinished projects. o City Engineer should formulate a check list of the unfinished projects for review.  City Attorney to continue his review of the Urban Renewal Agency allowed increment appropriation. A long-range plan is necessary.  Federal transportation funds have become very limited. Funding will be used basically for maintaining existing facilities and not building new roads. o How will this affect the City in the expansion of current roadways for development purposes such as Hwy. 20/26?  Look at continuing the improvements at the Caldwell Event Center.  Consider raises for employees. o The dedication of the City employees has been exceptional. o It has been six years since raises have been given. o FRF retirement program requires a $350,000 annual fee. o If raises are given to employees, what is the revenue source? BRIAN BILLINGSLEY – PLANNING & ZONING DIRECTOR:  Staff is currently working with Canyon County regarding an expansion of the Area of Impact to the north of Caldwell. An ordinance concerning this matter has been drafted and is currently being reviewed by the City Attorney.  Pathway improvements will continue in the upcoming year along the Greenbelt.  An Indian Creek Pathway will be considered for future development.  Increase of hours for the code enforcement staff member within the Planning & Zoning Department will be an asset to the community.  Review how to curtail temporary vendor violations of those who set up stands at various sites only on the weekends.  Brian and Brent have worked with Vallivue and Caldwell School Districts regarding school crossings and school zones. o City staff has met with representatives from both school districts to improve the school crossings. o Research indicates that overhead flashing lights have been very effective with school zones within other cities. o Brian has applied for a grant to assist with the installation of new flashing beacon lights in the crosswalks.  Centennial Pathway improvements this year will possibly include a switch-back pathway. BOOK 55 PAGE 82 BRENT ORTON – CITY ENGINGEER & PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR  Conduit has been included in every street which has recently been developed by the City. o Specifications need to be updated. o Councilman Hopper recommended that conduit be included in all arterial improvements.  Safety issues along Karcher Road need considered by signalization at cross roads.  Position for City Engineer/Public Works Director should be split.  Building Safety Department: New hires will be proposed.  Mapping Department: Promotion should be considered for the mapping technician to analyst.  Local Improvement Districts: Participation has doubled this past year under the direction of T.J. Frans. o Councilman Hopper suggested that follow up should be conducted with the new sidewalks to make sure that residents do not place mailboxes on the sidewalks that inhibit ADA passage requirements.  The fund balance in the Water Department indicates that a rate increase should be proposed. Discussion held concerning how the rates must stay competitive with neighboring municipalities to encourage development.  Discussion held about creating a funding mechanism chart needed to show fees and capital improvements. Include the rate structure comparison with Middleton, Kuna, Nampa, and Meridian.  Irrigation Department o Need extended boom track hoe for drains o Currently working with Pioneer Irrigation to secure the drains located within the City of Caldwell. o Revenue source could possibly be an assessment similar to what Pioneer Irrigation currently charges or the expense could be distributed among the entire public works departments. o No additional personnel would be needed to maintain drains if acquired. o Discussion followed concerning the perception by the public if a taxing district is added when the drain are acquired. o An analysis will be provided to Council regarding obtaining the need equipment.  Street Department o Maintenance worker was hired last year who has done electrical work for a variety of departments. o Construction supervisor position is needed. o Continued widening of Hwy. 20-26 is being proposed.  Sewer Department o Maintain an increase in rates of 5% per year. o Endeavor to avoid bonding to fix digesters and meet new permit.  Permit renewal has been the priority.  Airport o Need a sidewalk from the ramp to the airport. o Need administrative assistant in full-time position to be shared with other department.  Street Lights o LED fixtures to replace existing at each point of touch. o Sustain 3% annual increase in fees for 5 years.  Parks & Recreation – PAL/Recreation Center o The newly proposed PAL Center at Memorial Park looks like a feasible plan. o A round table discussion was recently held. Ultimate construction costs will be determined by the final design.  Adam Garcia is working the complete the design drawings. o Parks and Recreation have partnered with the PAL organization so the complex may be used by both departments. o Currently the Rec. Department has $700,000 within their reserve account. o This facility would assist Recreation Superintendent from not renting various sites throughout the community for classes. o The building frame structure has been donated by R & M Steele.  Capital Improvements: o Another restroom at Mallard Park. BOOK 55 PAGE 83 o New roof at O’Connor Event Center.  Bid has been received from the same company who did the roof work at College of Idaho.  $320,000 has been budgeted for this project. o O’Connor interior restrooms need to be improved. o RV dump station needs to be replaced at the Caldwell Event Center. o Exterior of O’Connor needs to be updated which would help with marketing the facility. MARK WENDELSDORF - FIRE DEPARTMENT:  Fire negotiation information will be reviewed.  Locations for Station No 3 are being researched. o Linden and Middleton Road seems to be the best option.  Updating engines will be considered. o A five year plan will be reviewed by the Finance Director.  Community fire prevention education will be the emphasis this year.  Will be looking to secure another SAFERS grant. Layoffs will occur if another grant is not secured. CHRIS ALLGOOD – POLICE DEPARTMENT:  Chief Allgood expressed appreciation for the support of Council to consider raising employee wages.  The parcel behind CPD will possibly be available this year for purchase.  Maintenance costs are high for the CPD fleet since the vehicles are becoming older. o The new Ford vehicles are an improvement over the Crown Victorias.  Maintenance costs for the CPD building needs to be considered since the building is now 13 years old.  The motorcycle traffic team has received $35,000 in grant funding from ITD to provide community education programs. MONICA JONES - HUMAN RESOURCES:  Monica expressed the need of considering employee wage increases. o Raises must be able to be sustained in future budgets. o She is looking to recommend a three percent wage increase. o Discussion followed with the suggestion that Monica provide a wage scale model for a 2% and 3% wage increase for Council’s review. ELJAY WAITE - FINANCE DIRECTOR:  CNG Vehicle and fuel options were discussed. o Could the City work to replace current fleet vehicles with CNG vehicles?  Could projects for the Street Department be bonded through Urban Renewal?  Discussion held concerning the City’s bond rating. An audit will be conducted this year regarding this matter.  Irrigation Tax Deeds amount to over $300,000. Staff is working to implement payment of these deeds by the property owners.  Local Improvement District funds are accumulating. A one-time project could be considered.  Steve Fultz will operate from an office located at the Airport and will report directly to the Mayor.  There are excess funds within the Sewer Department.  Treasure Valley Community College obligation will soon be cleared and additional projects may be funded through this extra revenue.  Discussion held concerning improvements at the Caldwell Event Center with the addition of ground along Stocktrail Road for use by the Canyon County Fair. ElJay is working with the Fair Board and The College of Idaho Administrative Team to continue the current uses at the complex as well as the uses involving the football program.  Discussion was held concerning additional revenue that could be secured through an increase in franchise fees. BOOK 55 PAGE 84  Discussion was held concerning a potential levy rate for Persi. It was noted that the FRF will continue to assess the City on a yearly basis until 2029. Mr. Gordon commented on the potential irrigation department expenses concerning the need for additional equipment and routine maintenance of the drains. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. (EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO IDAHO CODE, SECTION 67-2345, SUBSECTION (C) FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING ACQUIRING AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY NOT OWNED BY A PUBLIC AGENCY) MOVED by Hopper, SECONDED by Biggers per to convene into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code, Section 67-2345, Subsection (c) for the purpose of discussing acquiring an interest in real property not owned by a public agency at 8:50 p.m. Roll call vote. Those voting yes: Hopper, Callsen, Pollard, Biggers, Blacker, and Ozuna. Those voting no: none. Absent and/or not voting: none. MOTION CARRIED (ADJOURNMENT) MOVED by Callsen, SECONDED by Blacker to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. MOTION CARRIED APPROVED AS written THIS 19th DAY OF MAY , 2014. Mayor Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson Councilperson ATTEST: City Clerk