HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-12-19Meridian City Council December 19,
2017.
A meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday,
December 19, 2017, by Mayor Tammy de Weerd.
Members Present: Tammy De Weerd, Keith Bird, Joe Borton, Genesis Milam, Ty
Palmer, Anne Little Roberts and Luke Cavener.
Others Present: Bill Nary, C.Jay Coles, Caleb Hood, Kyle Radek, Jeff Lavey, Davis
Jones, Hillary Bodnar, Chris Pope, and Dean Willis.
Item 1: Roll-call Attendance:
Roll call.
X__ Anne Little Roberts X _ _Joe Borton
X__ Ty Palmer X__ Keith Bird
__X___Genesis Milam __X__ Lucas Cavener
__X_ Mayor Tammy de Weerd
De Weerd: Well, good evening and Merry Christmas. I would like to welcome you to
our City Council meeting. For the record it is Tuesday, December 19th. It's 6:00
o'clock. We will start with roll call attendance. Mr. Clerk.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
De Weerd: Item No. 2 is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you will all rise and join us in the
pledge to our flag.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
Item 3: Community Invocation by Larry Woodard with Ten Mile Christian
Church
De Weerd: I assume that the community vocation will be led by Larry Woodard with the
Ten Mile Christian Church. If you will all join us in the community invocation or take this
as an opportunity for a moment of reflection. Welcome, Larry. You know, this is the last
meeting you can do the invocation with Mr. Bird here.
Woodard: I have notes on that.
De Weerd: Oh. You know, I would have been surprised I think if you didn't. So, thank
you for coming. So, thank you for coming.
Woodard: What a relief that will be.
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December 19, 2017
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Bird: I have appreciated every one of your prayers. They have helped us get through
these meetings. Thank you very much. thank you very much, Larry.
Wood: You bet. Thank you. Well, let's pray. Our dear Heavenly Father, we come
before you tonight to thank you for this Council and its leadership of our city in 2017, but
in this Christmas week we thank you even more for sending your son Jesus to offer us
an even better life. I pray tonight that in this Christmas season we will all appreciate the
men and women of Meridian that protect us and make this such a great place to live
and work. The growth of our city continues to amaze with new construction popping up
everywhere. I pray that the workers will be protected on these projects. In this next
year some real challenges are before us and I pray that this Council continues to exhibit
the wisdom needed to keep this city on a path that strengthens families, protects the
very young and the very old. I pray for our police as they, along with other agencies,
fight the battle against drugs moving through and into our area. It's an epidemic and
safety of our officers and our residents is needed. Sooner or later we are going to get
our winter snow, even tonight, and I ask for safety of our residents and city staff as the
snows settle into Treasure Valley. It's a dangerous time for all. An increase in wrecks,
slips on snowy sidewalks, and it's just harder to get around. Tonight may we be a part
of a national wave of prayer for our country. The threat of nuclear war is unnerving and
we ask for your protection. Be with our young men and women who are in the Armed
Services and keep our nation safe. Be with our leaders and may they make good
decisions. Our future is built in part on the great memories we have of our early years.
May the children and youth of meridian have great memories of their time in this city.
Our city continues to attract newcomers from places like California and Seattle. Many
come to unite with children who have moved here earlier. May we find that Meridian is
a great place to live and may we not lose the small town feel, even when Caldwell,
Nampa, Meridian, Star, Eagle and Boise all grow together into one large metro area.
And in closing I want to thank you for the years of service by Keith Bird. His example of
leadership of this Council will be long remembered. I pray that his years of retirement
are enjoyable and of good health and we thank you for him. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Bird: Thank you, Larry, very much.
Item 4: Adoption of the Agenda
De Weerd: Item No. 4 is adoption of the agenda.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: We do on the Consent Agenda have been requested to add a Y, which is award
of RFQ and approval of agreement to Rice Fergus Miller, Incorporated, for the Fire
Station Six pre-design and programming services project for a not to exceed amount of
93,607 dollars. This is something that we have felt could go on there, because Mark
kind of -- he brought us up to speed last week's meeting over that. So, with that I would
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December 19, 2017
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move -- or wait a minute. I'm sorry. Item 9-C, the applicant requests continuance to
January 23rd and with that I move we approve the amended agenda.
Borton: I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda as amended. All those in
favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 5: Future Meeting Topics - Public Forum (Up to 30 Minutes Maximum)
Coles: Madam Mayor, there were not sign-ups this evening for Item 5.
Item 6: Consent Agenda
A. Approve Minutes of September 5, 2017 City Council Special
Meeting
B. Approve Minutes of December 5, 2017 City Council Special
Meeting
C. Approve Minutes of December 5, 2017 City Council Regular
Meeting
D. Paramount Director Subdivision No. 1 Recreational Pathway
Easement
E. Paramount Director Subdivision No. 1 Sewer and Water Main
Easement Partial Release
F. Paramount Director Subdivision No. 1 Sewer and Water Main
Easement
G. Regency Phase 2 At River Valley Sanitary Sewer and Water
Main Easement Partial Release
H. Regency at River Valley Phase 2 Sanitary Sewer and Water
Main Easement
I. Dog License Designee Agreement between Settlers Park
Veterinary Hospital and City of Meridian
J. Dog License Designee Agreement between Meridian
Veterinary Hospital and City of Meridian
K. Dog License Designee Agreement between Idaho Humane
Society and City of Meridian
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December 19, 2017
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L. Dog License Designee Agreement between Linder Pet Medical
Care and City of Meridian
M. Final Plat for Kentucky Ridge Estates South (H-2017-0158) by T
& M Holdings located east of S. Linder Road and south of W.
Victory Road
N. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law Revised for Aegean
Estates (H-2017-0114) by Premier Investments, LLC located
East of N. McDermott Road and South of W. McMillan Road
O. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law for Movado Greens
Subdivision (H-2017-0104) by DevCo, LLC located on the south
side of E. Overland Road between S. Topaz Way and S.
Cloverdale Road
P. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law for Rapid Creek
Subdivision (H-2017-0117) by WH Pacific located near the
Southwest Corner of W. McMillan Road and N. Black Cat Road
Q. Development Agreement for Village Apartments (AZ 15-011,
MDA 15-012) with GFI – Meridian Investments, LLC
R. Second Amendment To Subrecipient Agreement Between City
Of Meridian And Meridian Development Corporation For
PY2016 Community Development Block Grant Funds
S. Approval of Task Order 10701.b for Professional Services for
“SCADA TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES for FY2018” to
CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc. for the Not-To-Exceed amount of
$50,529.00
T. Approval of Award of Bid WTR-1806-10889 and Purchase
Order #18-0166 to E.H. Wachs Company for the WACHS Valve
Turning Truck/Equipment for a Not-To-Exceed amount of
$66,325
U. Approval of Award of Bid and Agreement to DAHLE
CONSTRUCTION, LLC for the WATERMAIN EXTENSION AMITY
– LINDER project for a Not-To-Exceed amount of $899,380.00
V. Approval of a Sole Source Purchase for Fire Station Exercise
Equipment from Rogue Fitness for the estimated amount of
$12,925.00
W. October FY2018 Financial Report
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December 19, 2017
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X. AP Invoices for Payment - $3,041,853.59
Y. Amended onto agenda: Award of RFQ and Approval of
Agreement to Rice, Fergus, Miller, Inc. for the “Fire Station 6
Pre-Design & Programming Services” project for a Not-To-
Exceed amount of $93,607.00
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. Item 6 is our Consent Agenda.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: As the Consent -- as I noted earlier we had an addition, Item I, which was a
reward of RFQ and approval of agreement with Rice Fergus Miller, Incorporated, and
with that I move we approve the amended Consent Agenda and for the Mayor to sign
and the Clerk to attest.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve the Consent Agenda. If there is
no discussion, Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 7: Items Moved From the Consent Agenda
De Weerd: There were no items moved from the Consent Agenda.
Item 8: Community Items/Presentations
A. Republic Services and SWAC Updated Report on Changing
Market Conditions for Recycling Mixed Plastics
De Weerd: So, we will move into our Community Presentations. Item 8-A is under
Republic Services and our SWAC updated report and Steve Cory talked with us a
couple of weeks ago and back to give an update.
Cory: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, thank you for giving me this opportunity.
I do want to take this opportunity to specifically thank Councilman Bird for his advice
and all the support over the years. We very much appreciated it. At your request I'm
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December 19, 2017
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back here with Konrad to go ahead and talk about the recyclable markets and some
changes that we are going to have to implement. Recyclable markets have not
improved since my last presentation and, in fact, there is a development I will have to
discuss after we go through the plastics portion. Plastics recycling will change January
1st, 2018. Republic will continue to accept current materials through the first quarter of
2018, while they are educating customers, but from that point what they are going to be
making clear is the only acceptable plastics will be milk jugs, pop and soda bottles, fruit
juice bottles and jugs and detergent jugs. Republic has worked with Meridian utility
billing to determine service addresses, as opposed to billing addresses. Their current
planned outreach is to send a postcard out to each of the service addresses
announcing the changes and showing what is allowed to go into the recycle carts and
what should be thrown away or recycled elsewhere. Second, they will have an updated
municipal trash and recycling brochure and a decal -- a new decal for the recycling
materials bins to identify what is acceptable and that will be sent to each of the service
households early in 2018. Thursday we will have an updated oops card. The oops card
is a hard card that the drivers leave on the recycling carts when the cart contains
unacceptable materials. The new cards will have the updated list of acceptable plastics
and our new outreach protocol. If the driver sees unacceptable plastics going into their
trucks, there is really nothing they are going to -- the first time they are going to see it is
when the cart's being dumped into the truck. They will get out of their truck and leave a
card to say that there was a problem with that pick up. The next time they come to pick
up recycled materials at that address they will actually get out and look into the cart to
see if the material is correct and if it is not they will leave a card there telling the -- the
person that the materials are not correct and that they need to go ahead and clean up
the materials that are being left in their cart. If there are still plastics not accepted in the
program -- let's see. Well, let's see. Going ahead here. They will be asking the
customer to pull the unacceptable plastics out and Republic has offered that they will
send a truck back to collect the unacceptable materials once notified by the customer
that the cart is ready to go and, then, furthermore, in every outreach piece Republic will
be thanking the customers for their patience and Republic is moving quickly to respond
to the global market conditions. Republic has committed that all of the developed
materials will be sent to the Meridian utility billing and to SWAC for a final review before
they go out and we certainly stand ready to forward those additionally if there are other
people who want to see the material and see what's being developed. Now, as I
mentioned -- well, I should say that commercial recycling program changes will be
coming soon and the change that I was alluding to at the start of this is mixed paper is
tenuous at this point. This week the buyer for mixed paper revoked their contracts to
Western Recycling and so Western Recycling has been storing mixed paper at their
facility over on Cole Road. They will run out of room to be able to store mixed paper at
the end of this week. So, there may have to be a change to this outreach program in
association with mixed paper. Republic has indicated that based on conversations with
Western at this point, if we lose mixed paper Western may be able to run the recycled
materials across the first portion of their sorting facility over there , but they will invert
what they were doing. Whereas in the past they were just pulling out trash, now they
are going to pull out the aluminum cans, tin cans, the plastic threaded bottles and
cardboard, the stuff that we can get money for and, then, the rest of the material would
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December 19, 2017
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be going up to Hidden Hollow or the north ravine landfill area and with that that is the
current situation and a review of the education plan that we are looking at and we
certainly stand for any questions or recommendations or comments that you may have
at this time.
De Weerd: Thank you, Steve. Council, any questions for Steve or Konrad?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: What a nightmare. What -- when do we have more idea about the mixed
paper? My concern is really sending them -- getting a message out there to the people
and, then, changing the message shortly thereafter. As part of the first half, that -- the
flipside if Western is going to sort through anyway, then, why are we removing plastics
at all, why aren't we including that in whatever they are going to take out?
Cory: As to your first question on the mixed paper, basically, unless there is some kind
of a magical intervention this week, then, that will have to be addressed. So, that's
going to happen before this education campaign comes together and I would imagine it
will be included in the education campaign if there isn't an immediate improvement in
the mixed paper situation and I would tend to say at that point -- to your second point, I
think you probably stated it better than I did, which is that this will change, that basically
what can go in the bins will be in the education campaign and as soon as the public
responds over the course of this quarter that will definitely be the norm by the end -- by
March 31st. The sooner the better. And, basically, what's going to be happening at
Western is they are going to be pulling out the remaining materials that have value,
rather than what they were doing the last couple of months pulling out the stuff that was
waste.
Milam: Madam Mayor, follow up. So, in the education about the plastics, you're going
to also include the education about the paper. We are not going to have this in two
separate cycles; is that correct?
McDannel: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, correct. By the time it's printed we
will have a -- and approved by SWAC, approved by utility billing. We will have a more
clear idea on whether or not -- on where we stand with mixed paper at that time and the
goal is always do it right the first time.
Milam: Exactly. Okay. Thank you.
De Weerd: Any other questions from Council?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
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December 19, 2017
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Cavener: Steve or Konrad, give me some I guess thoughts on -- this is a -- we talked
about this the last time you were here. This is a pretty substantial shift in how we are
operating our program and I appreciate the outreach efforts Republic is making. Is
there a plan, then, from SWAC to come and provide us an update maybe at the three
month or the six month mark? I guess what is Republic's plans to address any
questions, comments, concerns that our public is going to face in response. It's one
thing to leave it here is an important piece of information so you know you're not doing it
right, to people saying, well, they believe they are doing it right, since that's the way they
have been doing it forever and I'm not saying that they should always be able to do
things the way they want, but I know that in the past we have found -- as an
organization we think we need to do X. After going through X amount of time we find
out Y is actually maybe a better route. So, can you -- has Republic contemplated any of
that? Is there a plan to provide us an update at the three months or the six month mark
and I appreciate what you're doing to the city, but your plans to come back to Council
will also be appreciated.
McDannel: Madam Mayor, Councilman Cavener, thank you for the question. Yes,
there will be a period between now and, as Steve mentioned, the end of March where it
will be an education process and I -- just as an example, my aunt is a die-hard recycler
and I told her a few weeks ago, please, hold off on your plastics. It's actually
contamination for everything else that's good for recycling at the moment and she -- she
can't let plastics go, so she -- she continues to recycle that. My point is during those
first 90 days, three months, we will be continuing to outreach with communities and
educating them on, please, just threated neck bottles, hard container bottles, ones and
twos. At this moment that's -- that's the best route for recycling. As Steve mentioned,
mixed paper is at risk and that's due to too many low quality plastics in the stream. So,
it's creating contamination for mixed waste paper and so the education will be if we -- if
we could get rid -- or not -- if we can get the material that's not wanted in the recycle
stream we will be able to save the rest of the recycling and that's -- I think that's the
point we really want to drive home. And so the first three months it will be an education
process, because we have been recycling plastics for so long now that muscle memory
hits. It's going to take some time.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, follow up if I may.
De Weerd: Uh-huh.
Cavener: Konrad, I guess, then, to that point, does Republic have a benchmark or a
goal, a hope that after 30 days that you're going to reduce the amount of plastics by X
amount percent and by 60 days X extent? Can you share with us that and kind of
where you're hoping you would -- where that finish would at least be after 90 days?
McDannel: Mayor, Councilman Cavener, thank you. I have not heard of a target goal
other than we need to get the plastics three through seven and the nonthreaded plastics
out of there as soon as possible and the less we have in the stream the better we will
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December 19, 2017
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be. I have not heard of a -- of a goal line. Steve, has SWAC discussed that or Ada
county?
Cory: Councilman Cavener, thank you for that input on this. No, I have not heard
anyone present it, but I think it's a very good idea that we need to have regular statuses
of how things are cleaning up and I'm more than happy to deliver that information to the
council as we get it.
Cavener: Great. Thank you.
De Weerd: Okay. Anything further?
Cavener: Merry Christmas.
Milam: Thank you. Yeah.
De Weerd: That's what Konrad said coming in. This is probably not the best subject
right before Christmas, but, you know, I guess what SWAC and Republic Services find
themselves looking at is either we change our recycling habits or whatever we put in the
bins gets put in the landfill, so -- and if we are going to recycle we want to recycle
correctly. So, we appreciate the information and coming back with a marketing plan
and best how to help our citizens know that a change is underway and to be good
stewards how we can continue to make sure what we throw in our recycling bins
actually gets recycled. Thank you.
McDannel: Thank you.
Cory: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Council. And we will keep you informed.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you.
Bird: Thank you, Steve, for all your work.
B. Meridian Mural Update
1. Budget Amendment not-to-exceed $16,000;
2. Master Agreement for Professional Services with Sector
Seventeen LLC: Mural Design, Installation, and
Maintenance;
3. Task Order for Mural Design: 611 N. Main Street for an
amount not to exceed $3,000
De Weerd: Okay. Item 8-B is under our Meridian Arts Commission and here is Hillary
to talk about the mural update. We are excited to see what it looks like.
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December 19, 2017
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Bodnar: Yeah. I'm not showing you what it looks like today.
De Weerd: Oh.
Bodnar: There is still one more step. I'm sorry.
De Weerd: But it's Christmas.
Bodnar: It's Christmas. That would be such a nice present for everyone. We are not
quite there yet. So, before we can get a design we need to really get that master
agreement in place and, then, a task order in place for that. I neglected at the last time
that I was before you to also have a formal budget amendment for that contribution from
MDC, so I am before you today to ask for that funding allocation, so that we have
spending authority for those 16,000 dollars that MDC has agreed to contribute for the
mural. Pending your approval of that budget amendment I just wanted to share with
you that process that we are going to go through for contracting with the artist, which is
extending them the master agreement and, then, underneath that master agreement
extending them task orders as those tasks are completed and as they are meeting the
needs of all the stakeholders involved, that being the city, the Zamzows, and MDC.
Keeping it short for you guys.
Milam: Council, questions?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Thanks for keeping it short, Hillary. But we still wanted the pictures. I know.
Have we not approved the budget amendment?
Bodnar: You approved the agreement.
Milam: The agreement.
Bodnar: But I needed to have a formal budget amendment and request.
Milam: Is that the only thing that you need today is a budget amendment approval?
Bodnar: Well -- and the approval for us to release those -- those agreements. You will
see the agreements again once they are signed by the artist, but I just wanted to let you
know that process that we are going through. So, if you're not happy with it you could
tell me no.
De Weerd: Okay.
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December 19, 2017
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Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Hillary, nothing against you or the mural, but just like the federal government's
got debt, so I have a hard time voting for CDBG stuff, MDC's got debt. They are
spending money on art. They need to be paying off their debt before they go spending
money on things like this.
De Weerd: Any questions for Hillary? Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Maybe not a question for Hillary, maybe for our two MDC board members.
How much debt does MDC currently have; do you know?
De Weerd: We did get an update. Just off the top of my head just cannot recall, but art
has been part of their plan and they do dedicate a small amount to that and in honoring
that plan.
Bird: I'm like Tammy, Luke, I don't -- I can't remember what the -- what the debt is, but I
will tell you that we stayed under budget. We -- we -- the debt was in -- taken out when
we want -- and which we hope will start driving downtown revitalization, so -- but I can't
tell you right off my head whether it's a dollar or whether it's a million dollars or ten
million dollars or what, but I guarantee you it isn't that, so --
De Weerd: I think when the board gets a COMPASS VRT building that was built into
their budget through the -- the term of the loan, so -- and they are on schedule. I just
don't know what the outstanding balance is.
Bird: And we did do our budget -- we did the Pine -- Locust Grove to Main Street on
Pine and we come in with, what, 35,000 savings from what our budget was. So, we are
-- and, in fact, Luke, we just got our audit and Kevin said it was one of the finest audits
that they do and they do do the city's, too.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Question for you, Hillary. How pressing is getting this budget amendment
approved this evening versus giving counsel an opportunity to at least tear what the
current debt is for MDC?
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December 19, 2017
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Bodnar: I think that's really up to the -- the Council. We would like -- the sooner that the
budget amendment is approved the sooner that we can move forward with the project.
That being said, the installation for the project can't take place in December and
January, so it would likely be spring. But at the November meeting that I was here you
did accept that agreement with MDC for their contribution. So, this is just the spending
authority for that allocation.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, just -- just a comment, then. Obviously, I wasn't aware that --
if this a new debt or different debt. It sounds like that at least for me there is still some
questions that are up in the air about it and see -- I don't want to get in the way of
Council moving things forward, but I would feel more comfortable at least knowing what
that number was before I would be on board with being supportive of -- I am -- Madam
Mayor, Council Member Milam, me this is new information that I wasn't pretty to and
that's what caused my -- at least change. I'm not opposed to it by any means. I just
would like to have that question answered before I would be comfortable being
supportive of a vote.
De Weerd: Well, Mr. Cavener, it's -- it's nothing new, since you served on MDC. It's the
same loan that they had at that time. So, it is not new. This is the only debt that they
have had, if that helps.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, that is helpful. Thank you.
De Weerd: Okay. Any -- anything further from Council?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
Bird: Have a motion.
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we approve the budget amendment for spending authority not to
exceed 16,000 dollars for the mural.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, nay; Palme r, nay; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: Okay. The ayes have it.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO NAYS.
De Weerd: Thank you, Hillary.
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December 19, 2017
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Milam: Madam Mayor, was there something else you needed included in that or is
that --
Bodnar: No. Just as long as you guys are comfortable with us pursuing the master
agreement and task order as we have lined out. And those will come back to you for
your approval.
Milam: Thank you, Hillary.
Bodnar: Thank you.
Item 9: Action Items
A. Appointment of Cameron Arial as Community Development
Director
De Weerd: Under Action Items, Item No. 9, Item A is the appointment of Cameron Ariel
as the Community Development director. Council, we have a summary of the interview
process and the number of applicants that we had, what they were narrowed down to
after the first set of screening, which was a telephone interview, and those names that
moved forward into the official interview process, which had a community presentation,
two panels, one employee and public based and the other one private and the partners
and, then, we moved into the second phase of interviews, moving three candidates
forward and had a second day of interviews starting with a discussion with the
Community Development director -- or department and followed up with interviews and
one-on-ones with the direct reports of the planning and the building side, as well as
myself and, then, a one-on-one with me last week. I did -- you got a memo form and
the name that you have in front of you, Cameron, has a very deep resume in terms of
how he can bring talents and his educational experience to the department to the
benefit of the city and his most recent role as the development director at Athlos
Academies where he spent the last two years going through land acquisition,
development and through entitlement processes in other states and cities, as well as
our neighboring city, bringing the experiences that he had in that realm, as well as in his
academics with his planning background and his breadth of knowledge in the public
sector. So, I'm honored to bring Cameron Aerial as my appointment as the Community
Development director and would stand for any questions.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: Not a question, but I would also like to state in 20 years and a whole bunch of
department heads, this is the first time the City Council has had a chance to interview a
candidate. I believe you took it way above and beyond the duties. Thank you.
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December 19, 2017
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De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Bird. Any questions or comments? If not, I would entertain
a motion.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird. I would move for the appointment of Cameron Ariel as Community
Development director.
Milam: Second.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve the appointment of Cameron Ariel
as the Community Development director. Is there any discussion? Mr. Clerk, will you
call roll.
Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: Thank you, Council and I know you have already heard from Mr. Ariel and
you will be certainly hearing from him again. I know he's anxious to sit down, get your --
your perspective, your vision and any ideas -- as he works with his team to move
forward. So, his starting date is January 16th and we look forward to having them on
board and I see Mr. Jorgenson sitting in the audience. Thank you for your participation
on our panel.
B. Final Plat for Castlecreek Subdivision (H-2017-0150) by
Northwest Ventures, LLC located at 2432 E. Amity Rd
De Weerd: So, with that I will move to the next item, Item 9-B, the final plat for
Castlecreek Subdivision. The applicant requests to continue to January 23rd. This --
Caleb, is there a reason that was stated for this request?
Hood: Yeah. Madam Mayor, the applicant ran into a PI water source issue and so they
are trying to figure that out and hoping that it doesn't affect the layout of their plat, but
they did run into a source water issue for their pressurized irrigation system. So, that's
the reason.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, I would entertain a motion.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
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December 19, 2017
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De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we continue H-2017-0150 to January 23rd, 2018.
Bird: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to continue H-2017-0150 to January 23rd,
2018. All those in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
C. Public Hearing for Community Development Block Grant
Program Year 2016 Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report (CAPER)
1. Resolution No. 17-2053: A resolution approving submission
and adoption of the Community Development Block Grant
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for
Program Year 2016 to United States Department of Housing
and Urban Development; Authorizing the Mayor and City
Clerk to execute and attest the same on behalf of the City of
Meridian; and providing an effective date.
De Weerd: Item 9-C is a public hearing for our Community Development Block Grant
program and I will turn this over to Chris.
Pope: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I thought we could get this a little more
exciting for our crowd here today by revisiting our discussion from last week on slum
and blight if you all are okay with that. No? No? Okay. We won't go that way. We will
-- we will do the much less exciting thing today and we will review what we talked about
a couple weeks ago with the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report
for this last program year in 2016. Just to remind everybody what this is, in case there
is anybody here who wants to give up and comment today, this -- this CAPER is what
we call it is, essentially, an evaluation of the performance of -- of the Community
Development -- Community Development Block Grant or CDBG program here at the
city over the last year in relation to the strategic plan, the consolidated plan that was put
into place back in 2012. This also is, essentially, here to account for the use of financial
funds and other resources, including time, a review of the programs, procedures and
processes, examination of timelines and the effectiveness of the programs to look at the
decisions that were made in the program over the year and, then, any accomplishments
or goals that were met or not met during this last program year and, again, just to give
you a reference between October 1st of 2016 to -- or September 30th of this year is
what we are talking about. So, anything that's happened since September 30th is not
up for discussion. There -- there is a lot that has happened and that we have talked
about and we will discuss that moving forward, but that's not part of this particular
report. Just to give a brief review of the financial accounting, there is a comma in the
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wrong place. That should say $369,250.60 of CDBG funds have been expended
throughout this last program year, focused on public services, public facilities and other
projects to some of the usual suspects, like the Median Food Bank, the Boys and Girls
Club, but also to new subrecipients, like Jesse Tree for their homelessness prevention
program, to MDC focusing on sidewalks through the city, working with contractors to --
to work on developing new streetlights in certain areas where there are none, as well as
providing ADA accessibility upgrades to the Storey Park restroom and expanding some
facilities at the elementary school and, then, obviously, there are a couple of plans in
the consolidated plan and the slum and blight plan that were completed this year in
addition to program administration expenses, the creation and distribution of the senior
resource guide through the Mayor's office and, then, also the Ada County Housing
Authority Neighborhood Works Boise home buyer's assistance programs, which were
both funded this year. And, again, this is just an accounting for the amount of money
that was spent during this program year and not what has been accounted or what has
been allotted during the program year. Just a quick review of the accomplishments.
Over 81 percent of the funds went directly to LMI residents of the community, serving
over 80,000 of -- 80,000 people, both in Meridian and throughout the county, helping
five new families being able to -- with affordable housing, allowing 22 families and
children to have access to the Boys and Girls Club's programs. Preventing
homelessness for another five families. Providing information and resources for over
900 seniors. Food access for over 7,000 people over the span of just one quarter of
this year. Three new plans that will hopefully increase the effectiveness and the
efficiency of the program and how we utilize these funds moving forward and the
development and completion of at least one new public facility over this time, with many
more to come. And how that relates to our consolidated goals or our strategic goals for
the last five years, we more than doubled every goal that we set with the funds that we
utilized, which I think is -- is good in terms of our accounting to the federal government
for using these funds in a way that really makes a difference. In addition, just to
highlight some other activities that are going to this report that the CDBG program is
involved in the Ada county continuum of care, the housing and homelessness
roundtables, the Idaho fair housing forum and other local, regional and state groups and
activities that focus on trying to understand, identify, and meet some of the needs that
Meridian residents are facing, particularly around the issues of housing, homelessness,
affordable housing and any -- any services or help that is -- or issues that face
particularly the LMI group. For those who don't know, LMI, just to make sure that I'm
clear here, is low and moderate income residents of the community. So, with that I
would invite Madam Mayor and the Council to open the public hearing to consider any
comments. I would say before so, just a reminder, that this is a report that is a reflection
on what has been accomplished. It does not propose anything moving into the future.
It is not planning or offering any suggestions about the effectiveness of the program
moving into future program years. Just what happened and what we accomplished.
But I would offer -- I would invite you to open the hearing at this time.
De Weerd: Thank you, Chris. Council, any questions?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
Meridian City Council
December 19, 2017
Page 17 of 28
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: On the slide that had all those boxes with the numbers on it, were those -- are
these the Meridian numbers? Are these Ada county numbers? What were these?
Because --
Pope: So, all of the numbers, except for the 85,000, is a Meridian number.
Milam: Okay.
Pope: Eighty-five thousand is a pretty complex conversation in terms of how it's
counted in the system that the federal government runs. There can be crossover or, for
example, if -- if there is one family who goes to the food bank multiple times over the
span of the program year they are accounted each time that they visit. In addition, the
food bank does a lot of services, particularly with residents outside of Meridian. They
don't turn anybody away. It's part of their mission. Those numbers also come into this
conversation in terms of what is reported in that 85,000 number. All of the other ones
are specifically from Meridian residents.
Milam: So, you 7,000 in a different box?
Pope: Yes. So, 7,000 in a different box. In terms of -- we have -- this number -- we are
getting into -- I get really excited about this. So, I will try not to get too deep into this,
but the 7,000 number is looking specifically at Meridian residents who are LMI who
received funding during the three months in which the Meridian Food Bank was utilizing
our funds. Because Meridian Food Bank, they are really efficient, they are really good
at utilizing the money, they generally have one quarter of work and, then, they don't
report on anything else. That's 7,000 in Meridian residents during that period of time.
But the organization also has to offer up numbers in terms of their annual reports, how
many people did this organization help. HUD wants to see where the money went
specifically, but also what do HUD-funded organizations through CDBG also do to help
the community and that's where you see this 85 number start to look at more of the
annual group of people and also the recidivism of individuals who keep -- or who
receive services on multiple occasions. So, that's kind of the variance there.
Milam: Okay.
Pope: Does that answer your question, Council Member Milam?
Milam: Thank you.
Pope: Okay.
De Weerd: On the Mayor's Senior Advisory Board, the resource guide, are those
numbers in there?
Meridian City Council
December 19, 2017
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Pope: So, the way that this is counted -- again, this is the federal government system
that we are working with. We produced -- I think if I remember correctly -- 950 reports.
Those were all intended to be -- as far as I understood from the Mayor's office, they
were all handed out to particular stakeholders throughout the community at different
locations they were made available. With this information being made available, we
were able to count every single resource guide going -- assuming that it would all go to
one person, one resource guide per person, those numbers come into here. If that
makes sense. So, if there is 900 --
De Weerd: Yes. I wondered about that. And, certainly, the locations that those went
out to -- I know our senior board members, they did distribute it to LMI eligible facilities,
but they also have access to it online and so you don't count any of those touches.
Pope: And that's where it gets more difficult. I can -- or Madam Mayor, Members of
Council, I can reach out to IT to see if we can get some more information on specific
paging.
De Weerd: I just wondered how you were tracking it.
Pope: Yeah. And I haven't even considered that. So, thank you for bringing that up.
That's something we can definitely look at in terms of our reporting and accounting.
De Weerd: And I do know we give it to our places of worship and they have been very
appreciative, because while they like the senior blue book, this does make it specific to
Meridian and they use it for their congregates. So, thank you.
Pope: Yeah. Madam Mayor -- and I would just like to add that -- and I think this
extends beyond these numbers, that we have 900 resource guides that we hope it gets
beyond 900 seniors who find this information and these resources. It becomes much
more difficult to count and, then, report, but at the very minimum we are happy to help
900 folks as much as we can with this information and that extends to some of our other
services and programs as well through this program.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any further questions from Council? Okay. Thank you, Chris.
So, this is a public hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to testify on this item? Yes,
Ralph. If you will, please, state your name and address for the record.
Chappell: Ralph Chappell. 1899 South Swan in Meridian.
De Weerd: I knew you knew the routine.
Chappell: You bet. I definitely against it, as you know, and since we have a bunch of
young kids in here, we will let them know that this money they are talking about,
369,000 dollars plus, it's not free. It's coming from the federal government. So, who is
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December 19, 2017
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going to pay this money back? You guys are. You and your kids are going to pay all
that money back over your time, all the time you --
De Weerd: You need to speak into the microphone.
Chappell: All the time you're going to work you're going to be paying for this bill. It's not
something that we really need. You just raised taxes three percent here in the city. If
you can't go building sidewalks or what have you with the money you do have, but
you're going to go to the federal government who is 20 trillion dollars in debt plus, take
that money and come in here -- no. So far as I know this is one of the programs that
President Trump is going to eliminate and the sooner the better. And that's all I have to
-- they need to know that they are going to pay for it. I will be gone.
De Weerd: Thank you, Ralph.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Ralph, would you be open to a question?
Chappell: I sure am.
Cavener: The items that we are going to be paying for with CDBG funds, would you be
supportive of the city using property tax dollars for those same programs?
Chappell: If we need them, yes.
Cavener: Thank you.
De Weerd: Is there anyone else who would like to offer testimony? Okay. Seeing
none, Council, we do have an open public hearing. If you have nothing further for Chris
or any of our public that are here, I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I move we close the public hearing on the 2016 CAPER.
Palmer: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. All those in favor
say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Meridian City Council
December 19, 2017
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Pope: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I would like to add to Ralph's comments
that after today the federal budget is now up another 1.5 trillion over the next ten years.
I just want to make that point and in addition to what Ralph said. Totally irrelevant. But
in general I'd like to move -- or invite you all to consider the action item to approve and
adopt resolution 17-2053. That gives me the authority to send this report to the federal
government.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Unless there is any comments, I would move that we approve resolution 17-
2053.
Palmer: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 9-C. Any discussion from
Council?
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Just so that Ralph doesn't smack me, the resolution is to approve the report of
what was done. We are not approving expenditure of any funds. So, I'm all for
reporting.
Pope: It's mostly about giving me the authority to actually send this in the mail, more
than anything.
De Weerd: Thank you. Thank you, Santa Claus. Mr. Clark, will you call roll.
Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 10: Ordinances
A. Ordinance No. 17-1755A: An Amended Ordinance (H-2017-0114
Aegean, Subdivision) For Annexation Of A Portion Of The NW
¼ Of Section 33, Township 4 North, Range 1 West, Boise
Meridian, Ada County, Idaho, As Described In Attachment “A”
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And Annexing Certain Lands And Territory, Situated In Ada
County, Idaho, And Adjacent And Contiguous To The
Corporate Limits Of The City Of Meridian As Requested By The
City Of Meridian; Establishing And Determining The Land Use
Zoning Classification Of 65.29 Acres Of Land From Rut To R-4
(Medium Low Density Residential District)(25.79 Acres) And R-
8 (Medium Density Residential District)(36.50 Acres) In The
Meridian City Code; Providing That Copies Of This Ordinance
Shall Be Filed With The Ada County Assessor, The Ada
County Recorder, And The Idaho State Tax Commission, As
Required By Law; And Providing For A Summary Of The
Ordinance; And Providing For A Waiver Of The Reading Rules;
And Providing An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Thank you, Chris. Item 10-A Ordinance 17-1755A. Mr. Clerk, will you,
please, read this by title.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 17-1755A, an
amended Ordinance, file H-2017-0114, Aegean Subdivision for annexation of a portion
of the NW ¼ of Section 33, Township 4 North, Range 1 West, Boise meridian, Ada
County, Idaho, as described in Attachment “A” and annexing certain lands and territory,
situated in Ada County, Idaho, and adjacent and contiguous to the corporate limits of
the City of Meridian as requested by the City of Meridian; establishing and determining
the land use zoning classification of 65.29 acres of land from RUT to R-4 (Medium Low
Density Residential District)(25.79 Acres) and R- 8 (Medium Density Residential
District)(36.50 Acres) in the Meridian City Code; providing that copies of this Ordinance
shall be filed with the Ada County Assessor, the Ada County Recorder, and the Idaho
State Tax Commission, as required by law; and providing for a summary of the
ordinance; and providing for a waiver of the reading rules; and providing an effective
date.
De Weerd: You have heard this ordinance read by title. Is there anyone who would like
to hear it read in its entirety? The entire one is even more exciting than the title.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Seeing none, I move that we approve Ordinance No. 17-1755A with suspension
of rules.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve ordinance under 10-A. If there is
no discussion, Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
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December 19, 2017
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Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
B. Ordinance No. 17-1758: An Ordinance Of The City Of Meridian
In Ada County, Idaho, Amending Meridian City Code Section 5-
4-10, Regarding Public Fireworks Display; Adopting A
Savings Clause; And Providing An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Ordinance 10-B is Ordinance 17-1758. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, read this
by title.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 17-1758, and
ordinance of the City of Meridian in Ada County, Idaho, amending Meridian City Code
Section 5-4-10, regarding Public Fireworks Display; adopting a savings clause; and
providing and effective date.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And I think Mr. Bird might need some more pins.
You have heard this read by title. If there is no questions, Council?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
De Weerd: I move that we approve Ordinance No. 17-1758 with suspension of rules.
Little Roberts: Second.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 10-B. Mr. Clerk.
Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
C. Ordinance No. 17-1759: An Ordinance Of The City Of Meridian
In Ada County, Idaho, Repealing And Replacing Title 4,
Chapter 2, Meridian City Code, Regarding Nuisances,
Specifically: Definitions; Responsible Party; Procedures And
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December 19, 2017
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Penalties For Abatable Nuisances; Procedures And Penalties
For General Nuisances; Hindering Authorized Person;
Adopting A Savings Clause; And Providing An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Item 10-C is Ordinance 17-1759. Mr. Clerk.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 17-1759, an
ordinance of the City of Meridian in Ada county, Idaho, repealing and replacing Title 4,
Chapter 2, Meridian City Code, regarding nuisances, specifically: definitions;
responsible party; procedures and penalties for abatable nuisances; procedures and
penalties for general nuisances; hindering authorized person; adopting a savings
clause; and providing an effective date.
De Weerd: You have heard this read by title. Seeing no one in the audience who
would like to hear it read further, Council.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we approve Ordinance No. 17-1759 with suspension of rules.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 10-C. Mr. Clerk, will you call
roll.
Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
D. Ordinance No. 17-1760: An Ordinance (AZ 15-012 Village
Apartments) For Annexation And Rezone Of A Parcel Of Land
Located In The SW ¼ Of The NW ¼ Of Section 4, Township 3
North, Range 1 East, Boise Meridian, Ada County, Idaho, As
Described In Attachment “A” And Annexing Certain Lands
And Territory, Situated In Ada County, Idaho, And Adjacent
And Contiguous To The Corporate Limits Of The City Of
Meridian As Requested By The City Of Meridian; Establishing
And Determining The Land Use Zoning Classification Of Said
Lands From Rut To C-G (General Retail And Service
Commercial District) In The Meridian City Code; Providing That
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December 19, 2017
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Copies Of This Ordinance Shall Be Filed With The Ada County
Assessor, The Ada County Recorder, And The Idaho State Tax
Commission, As Required By Law; And Providing For A
Summary Of The Ordinance; And Providing For A Waiver Of
The Reading Rules; And Providing An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Item 10-D is Ordinance 17-1760. Mr. Clerk.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 17-1760, an
ordinance file AZ 15-012, Village Apartments, for annexation and rezone of a parcel of
land located in the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 4, Township 3 North, Range 1 East,
Boise meridian, Ada county, Idaho, as described in Attachment “A” and annexing
certain lands and territory, situated in Ada county, Idaho, and adjacent and contiguous
to the corporate limits of the City of Meridian as requested by the City of Meridian;
establishing and determining the land use zoning classification of said lands from RUT
to C-G (General Retail and Service Commercial District) in the Meridian City Code;
providing that copies of this ordinance shall be filed with the Ada County Assessor,
the Ada County Recorder, and the Idaho State Tax Commission, as required by law;
and providing for a summary of the ordinance; and providing for a waiver of the reading
rules; and providing an effective date.
De Weerd: Thank you. You have heard this read by title. Council, do I have a motion?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we approve Ordinance No. 17-1760 with suspension of rules.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve 10-D. Mr. Clerk.
Roll call: Bird, yea; Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: Council, I do see the appointment we confirmed earlier, Cameron Arial.
Cameron, would you like to say anything? Not to put you on the spot, but, yes, to put
you on the spot.
Arial: Put me on the spot. Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, it's -- it is, indeed, a
pleasure to be with you. Apologize. I'm just rolling into town from Lewiston where I had
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December 19, 2017
Page 25 of 28
a bond closing up there. But glad to be here in one piece. But I just wanted to say
thank you. I just learned you have already voted, so I just wanted to say thank you for
that vote of confidence and just express my appreciation for the process. I think to all
involved, Crystal, Madam Mayor, others that worked hard to put all of those things
together and I thoroughly enjoyed that. I think it will make me a better director by going
through that process and I just look forward to rolling up my sleeves and partnering with
all of you to move the city forward in a positive way. So, thank you very much.
De Weerd: Thank you, Cameron. Congratulations.
Item 11: Future Meeting Topics
De Weerd: Council, under our Future Meeting Topics, we did open bids today for our
south Meridian park. This will be put on our January 9th workshop and we will bring
back the results and any add alternative that we might be able to include in the project.
So, I do know Council asked for a couple of moments to make remarks and so open it
up -- this is open mic. End of the year.
Bird: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bird.
Bird: I just want to thank all you guys for serving with me. Doing a great job. Tammy,
18 years, it went fast and now your back won't probably hurt as much, because you
won't be having to carry me.
De Weerd: Or vice-versa.
Bird: I -- I can't say enough about you, young lady. This community -- and I'm
repeating myself. This community is so blessed to have had you and Jan decide to
make it your home and, then, for you to get involved, because you have done way, way
more for this community than people ever will know and I thank you from the bottom of
my heart.
De Weerd: Well, Mr. Bird, I had a great role model and mentor and certainly while we
might not have always seen eye to eye and sometimes I didn't even like you, but I have
always loved you.
Bird: If looks could kill I would have been dead.
De Weerd: But it's been an honor to serve and I think you have left a huge legacy, not
just in what you have done in the city by advocating for business parks, like El Dorado
and Silverstone or transportation projects, like the Locust Grove overpass, that goes a
little ways back, or Ten Mile and Meridian interchange. Your heart for downtown and
your advocacy for parks, but more -- more so is for your advocacy for use. I think that
there is not very many kids who have not enjoyed athletic programs in this community
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December 19, 2017
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that don't understand that they are enjoying that because of the groundwork that you
laid and like Mr. Borton said in his comments, my kids, too, have been recipients of your
generosity and your support of our youth and I owe you a great deal of gratitude for all
that you have done.
Bird: Thank you.
De Weerd: So, thank you so much.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Little Roberts. When Councilman Borton suggested that we all say a
few words, I think we have all been so blessed that -- I keep thinking there is not much
left to say that has been covered, but I learned tonight the legacy that he leaves, even
deeper than I realized it went, and we are just so blessed that our kids and grandkids
will be blessed by the legacy that Councilman Bird has left Meridian and I have been
very blessed personally. He's always been right there -- sometimes with a -- sometimes
with a kind word, but has been just -- just really a great role model and a wealth of
knowledge that this Council is definitely going to miss and just from the bottom of my
heart thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Bird: Thank you, Anne. Appreciate it.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Appreciated the opportunity to -- to thank you, Councilman Bird, on the public
record. You are a mentor to me. I could probably summarize it best the way you taught
how to lead and you have shared the sentiment with me, nobody is better than you and
you're better than nobody. Appreciate that. Always will.
Bird: Thank you very much, Joe.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Madam Mayor. Councilman Bird, the thing that always stood out to me the
most about you is your -- you epitomize Meridian's family values by -- you demonstrate
it by our sincere concern for others and their families. It's easy to exchange
pleasantries, hey, how are you, how is your family, but there is nobody who has asked
me that, but, then, has gone through and asked how each of my children were by their
names and confirming their ages. Didn't even have to ask how old he now. It's, okay,
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December 19, 2017
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now Reagan's two; right? Or four now or -- whatever. I don't even remember how old
he is. And I have always really appreciated that and have looked for opportunities to
drop by Council early to study from here, because I knew how often you were going to
be here and the things I would be able to learn from you while you were here. So,
appreciate it.
Bird: Thank you, Ty, very much. You young bucks have got to be the leaders.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: All right, Keith, I wrote you a poem. I don't know if I’m going to be able to read
this. And I'm not a poet, okay, so -- but I wanted to say something to you that -- so,
anyway, it's called: Thank you. An ode to Councilman Keith Bird. Thank you for
creating sports leagues for our children to play. Thank you for bringing more parks for
our families to enjoy. Thank you for guiding the growth of our city for the benefit of all.
Thank you for your selfless dedication to our community. Thank you for believing in me
and your constant encouragement. Thank you for 20 years of continual service on the
Council. Thank you for always caring and asking about me and my family. Thank you
for helping me grow to be a better Council Member. Thank you, Keith Bird, for being
godfather to Meridian.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: It's very rare that I can't find words and it's fitting that when we decided we
were going to do this, I have been struggling -- Marge wants to know when's dinner. I
will be quick.
Bird: Go ahead.
Borton: Okay. No. That was perfect. Like the rest of Council, the word thanks, Keith,
just don't seem to do your service justice. I'm thankful, though, for the impact you have
made on my family, myself included. 1985 when I played Optimist baseball for the
Optimists. All the other teams would be Yankees, the Giants, but we were the
Optimists. Big chicken. Ugly jersey. And what I love is the legacy and that gutter plate
and baby and -- and Lincoln. I can't even imagine the sports that are going to resonate
from that seed that you planted and had me thinking of, you know -- I will be real
honest, I'm very lucky that I got to work with Keith in a number of different capacities
and when I started here at the city as an employee -- and I'm glad I'm putting this on the
record -- Keith Bird intimidated the hell out of me. I wish I could say that's changed, but
Keith Bird still intimidates the hell out of me. But what I noticed as an employee is that
having Keith Bird on the council meant there was always an advocate for employees.
Always wanted to make sure the employees felt like they were taken care of. If they
Meridian City Council
December 19, 2017
Page 28 of 28
had a concern, if they had a question, or they wanted to find out how to be more
involved in our community, Keith was always there for them and as an employee I
always valued that. I noticed that Keith Bird is this giant, great oak tree of our
community and what I didn't notice at the time, but I notice now today is that as that oak
tree has grown it has bared fruit and that fruit has fallen and been planted in the ground
and when you look at Meridian there are new trees that are growing, they are all as a
result of this giant mighty oak that we have had in our community and that's fruit for our
families, it's is fruit for our employment sector, it's fruit for Council, it's fruit for Meridian.
The biggest thing that I want to thank Keith for -- it's not for the wisdom, for the
guidance, for slapping me upside the head or for intimidating me or holding me
accountable, those are -- all those things that Keith did really, really well, but Keith
planted -- my favorite seed that Keith planted that I will hold dear is that no matter how
big Meridian gets, we will never be a city, we will always be a community and is there is
anybody that was a beacon that we always have and always will be as a community.
So, on behalf of a community that has benefited in more ways than we can ever count
and even though the words do not do it justice, thank you, Keith Bird, for all you have
done for our community.
Bird: Thank you very much. Thank all of you very, very much for the kind words. As I
have said before, I have received a lot more from this community and you guys
demonstrate that. I know the city is in great hands. We are going -- we are going to go
forward probably be better. Treg will get on here and do a great job. Joe's leadership.
Tammy's. It's -- and you guys all work hard. I just appreciate it. I -- words -- as you
said, Luke, words can't describe the feelings I have had over the last year since a young
lady told me that they were naming a park in my honor, I just -- it's unreal.
De Weerd: Well, Keith, you will live on in our Council meetings. Your words will ring in
our heads and I wanted to throw my pen -- I know. And with that I would entertain a
motion to adjourn.
Bird: So moved.
Milam: Second.
De Weerd: All those in favor say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:10 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
_______________________________ ______/______/______
MAYOR TAMMY DE WEERD DATE APPROVED
Meridian City Council
December 19, 2017
Page 29 of 29
De Weerd: All those in favor say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:10 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
MAYOR T Y DE WEERD DATE APPROVED
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