HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-04Meridian City Council September 4,
2018.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:17 p.m., Tuesday,
September 4, 2018, by Mayor Tammy de Weerd.
Members Present: Tammy De Weerd, Joe Borton, Luke Cavener, Genesis Milam, Ty
Palmer, Anne Little Roberts and Treg Bernt.
Also present: C. Jay Coles, Bill Nary, Caleb Hood, Clint Dolsby, Mark Ford, Kevin
Fedrizzi, and Dean Willis.
Item 1: Roll-call Attendance:
Roll call.
X__ Anne Little Roberts _ X _ _Joe Borton
X__ Ty Palmer _ X__ Treg Bernt
__X___Genesis Milam __X___Lucas Cavener
__X_ Mayor Tammy de Weerd
De Weerd: I thank you all for waiting. Sorry we are getting a late start. We appreciate
you joining us. For the record it is Tuesday, September 4th. It's 17 minutes after 6:00.
Mr. Clerk, will you start with roll call attendance.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
De Weerd: Item 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 Troy Drake of Calvary Chapel Meridian
De Weerd: Item 3 is our community invocation. Tonight we will be led by Pastor Tor y
Drake with Calvary Chapel here in Meridian. Thank you for joining us. We always
enjoy seeing you.
Drake: It's good to see you, too, Mayor, Council Members. Would you join me in
prayer. Well, God, first I just wanted to acknowledge your sovereignty and that you're
good and you're just and we just appreciate that we live in this free country and this city
that you have given us and just appreciate that we can worship you or not or pursue our
dreams. God, we just appreciate what we have. Just want to acknowledge that
gratitude first and -- and, secondly, Lord, I just pray for the safety of our city tonight and
every night. God, those people that provide the -- that security. The police and fire and
-- the firefighters and the paramedics, those who watch out for us, God, I pray that you
just give them the ability to keep us safe, Lord, and that you provide those -- for those
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who -- who need, Lord, especially, God, our concern is for those who are hungry or
homeless. We pray, God, that they could find their way into a helping hand. And, lastly,
Lord, I just pray for our time here in this session and that you would bless everything
that happens. I know that you care about big things and small things and so we just
pray for these -- these people, these men and women who are our elected
representatives and -- and ask, God, that you give them a lot of wisdom in the decisions
they have to meet -- meet -- or make today and every day and we just appreciate them,
God. Ask for a special dose of grace for them for the sacrifice that they give to serve
their community and so just pray for all these things and it's in your son's name Jesus,
amen. God bless you guys.
Item 4: Adoption of Agenda
De Weerd: Thank you. Item 4 is adoption of the agenda.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: We have on the Consent Agenda Item 6-J, which is going to be removed. It will
come back probably next week. And, then, we are going to add Item 13, which is an
Executive Session, just carrying additional discussion from earlier this morning and that
would be under Subsection 74-206(1)(a) and (1)(b). See how the night goes if we have
time to continue discussion. So, with those amendments I would move that we adopt
the agenda.
Milam: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and second to adapt 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)
De Weerd: Item 5, Mr. Clerk.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. We do have a couple of signups this evening. First
is Rick Burke would like to address Mayor and Council about the Comprehensive Plan.
De Weerd: Good evening, Rick. If you will, please, state your name and address for
the record.
Burke: My name is Rick Burke. 6092 North Santa Rita Avenue here in Meridian.
83646. Just a couple of things I wanted to -- to address with you folks today is
regarding the Comprehensive Plan and revisions to it. Additions. I would like to see if --
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September 4, 2018
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if we can somehow suspend any -- any other changes to the Comprehensive Plan as it
is now and hold off until the new Comprehensive Plan is -- is complete. A lot of time
and effort has gone into the Comprehensive Plans over the years and -- and moving
forward and we shouldn't -- I -- you know, for lack of a better term, shouldn't willy nilly
make changes to the plan to accommodate the contractors or builders who just want to
drop a structure in the middle of a residential area. Any discussion about the
Comprehensive Plan by the Council or anybody else should be done in a public forum,
give the public a very good chance to make comments, voicing any concerns. It's just
what I would like the Council to take a good hard look at and -- and help the citizens of
Meridian be involved and help the -- the Mayor and the Council to make wise decisions.
I ask that it pay a little more attention to the public, take a little more time to address
these issues and not be so quick to pull the trigger on new projects. Thank you, Mayor.
De Weerd: Thank you for your comments.
Coles: Second signup this evening was Sally Reynolds. Very similar topic, talking
about the comp plan.
De Weerd: Good evening, Sally. If you will, please, state your name and address for
the record.
Reynolds: Good evening, Madam Mayor and Members of City Council. My name is
Sally Reynolds and I reside at 1166 West Bacall Street in Meridian, Idaho. So, I'm here
tonight representing the Southern Rim Coalition and several residents in north Meridian
to request that the city consider suspending any substantial changes to the Meridian
Comprehensive Plan until the new Comprehensive Plan takes effect. As this Council
has heard time and time again, Meridian residents depend on the comp plan for
information when they buy a home or start a business. They want to be able to trust it.
In January the coalition launched a change.org petition entitled limit residential density
in Meridian, Idaho and called for the City Council to suspend all residential zoning step-
ups until the new Comprehensive Plan is completed. The coalition submitted 1,109
signatures, which included residents from all over Meridian. These signatures were
gathered by word of mouth in a brief two to three week window. We did not walk door
to door or undertake an active effort to gather signatures. Those 100 -- those 1,100
plus residents represent a very passionate response, especially when you consider that
the current comp plan survey has just over 1,000 responses as well. The context of the
petition was to ask our city leaders to tap the brakes on uncontrolled growth without a
cohesive inclusive vision. The city has made a significant investment to hire a
consultant and launch an enormous effort to create a new Comprehensive Plan. We
believe that this investment of public dollars and of staff and community -- community
participant hours and effort should be protected and respected to the highest degree.
Substantial changes at this time to the city's Comprehensive Plan would, one, diminish
the public trust in the Comprehensive Plan process. Two, effectively discourage public
support and input, which would, three, erode participation in the new Comprehensive
Plan and thereby diminish its eventual quality. Four, question the purpose and viability
of the revised Comprehensive Plan, including the current steering committee's work.
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And, five, creating the impression that the city's new Comprehensive Plan is merely
insincere and a PR exercise. Clearly we believe approving any substantial changes to
the city's zoning designations are inappropriate at this time. Should the staff or an
applicant recommend an amendment to the comp plan for compelling reasons, such as
public safety or welfare or improved amenities, we would support the Council's
discretion for such approvals. In closing Meridian's residents have every right to ask the
city to honor the Comprehensive Plan process for a fresh, long range vision for
Meridian. The Meridian Southern Rim Coalition and its city-wide supporters
enthusiastically encourages residents to participate in this planning process. In the
interim we respectfully ask the City of Meridian closely adhere to the guidelines and
intent of its existing plan. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you, Sally.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I know we typically aren't supposed to provide comment after these. It's just
an opportunity for us to take information in, but -- you can do whatever you want, Sally.
It belongs to you. You 're a citizen. I guess I just would ask to encourage your coalition
members to participate in that survey. You , obviously, have 1,100 people that feel
strongly about our community and we would love to see that translate into participation
throughout this process.
Reynolds: We agree and we have -- we have representatives in Spurwing and
Bainbridge and Paramount and, then, the Southern Rim as well and we have kind of
banded together to try and get on any -- NextDoor is the best way to get the word out,
but -- and I see, you know, the post from the city as well. But the stuff gets buried so
fast on there and so we try to put that on there again and we try and get flyers out to our
neighbors, because, you know, people have a lot going on, but we do try and make it
visible and we are encouraging them that this new plan will affect, you know, what --
what pops up around them and so we want them to pay attention. So, we are happy to
do that and if there is -- you know, if there is ways that you all would -- suggestions
that you have for us to contact our neighbors we are happy to -- to help in any way we
can.
De Weerd: That's awesome. Thank you so much.
Coles: No other signups, Madam Mayor.
Item 6: Consent Agenda [Action Item] Approved as noted
A. Approve Minutes of August 21, 2018 City Council Joint
Meeting
with Meridian Development Corporation
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B. Approve Minutes of August 21, 2018 City Council Regular
Meeting
C. Approve Minutes of August 28, 2018 City Council Pre-Council
Special Meeting
D. Caven Ridge Estates East No. 2 Pedestrian Pathway Easement
E. Oaks West Subdivision Phase 1 Pedestrian Pathway Easement
F. Oaks West Subdivision Phase 2 Pedestrian Pathway Easement
G. Findings of Fact, Conclusion of Law for Bountiful Commons
Subdivision (H-2018-0067) by TMEG Properties, LLC, Located
at
5960 N. Linder Rd.
H. Findings of Fact, Conclusion of Law for Cherry Blossom
Subdivision (H-2018-0018) by Doug Jayo, Jayo Land
Development Company, Located at 165 W. Cherry Ln.
I. Findings of Fact, Conclusion of Law for Fairbourne
Subdivision
H-2018-0052) by Fairbourne Development, LLC , Located at the
Northwest Corner of W. Chinden Blvd. and N. Black Cat Rd.
K. Final Order for Bountiful Commons Subdivision (H-2018-0084)
by TMEG Properties, LLC, Located at 5960 N. Linder Rd.
L. Exchange Agreement, Easement, and Deed for property
exchange at well lot 28
M. Approval of Award of Bid to RMT Equipment for “Parks Turf
Sprayer ” equipment for a Not-To -Exceed amount of
$65,253.00.
N. Fifth Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with
Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. (TIP ) for an amount not to
Exceed 12,769
O. Approval of AIA B133 Agreement to CSHQA, Inc. for the
“Design, Construction Drawings and Services During
Construction – Scenario Village” project for a Not-To -Exceed
amount of 69,993.00.
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September 4, 2018
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P. City Financial Report for July 2018
Q. AP Invoices for Payment 9/5/18 - $922,266.06
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. Okay. Item 6 is our Consent Agenda.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Item 6-J, which was removed earlier is -- is gone. So, with that removal I would
move that we approve the Consent Agenda as amended and for the Mayor to sign and
Clerk to attest.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve the Consent Agenda as changed.
Mr. Clerk, we will you, please, call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 7: Items Moved From The Consent Agenda [Action Item]
De Weerd: Okay. There were no items moved from the Consent Agenda.
Item 8: Community Items/Presentations
A. Citizens for Transportation
De Weerd: So, we will go to Item 8-A, which is a presentation from a familiar face, Mr.
Charlie Rountree, for Citizens For Transportation. Welcome.
Rountree: Madam Mayor, thank you. Council Women, Councilmen, I can't tell you what
a pleasure it is to be on this side of the dias.
De Weerd: If you start with your name and address that would be awesome.
Rountree: That's before anything I have to say. Charlie Rountree. 2696 North
Greenbelt Place, Meridian, Idaho. 83646.
De Weerd: Thank you.
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Rountree: Folks, I'm here tonight to give you some information about a ballot measure
that will be on the ballot this November. The ballot measure is to increase the local
portion of the registration fee for vehicles. I represent the co-chair of a committee of
citizens for better transportation and I can tell you I did not raise my hand to do this
work, but I'm enthusiastic and passionate about the work. I was in the midst of finishing
up review of the first 750 comments to the Comprehensive Plan and with very few
exceptions transportation and infrastructure were comments -- and comments not
necessarily particularly complimentary to what's going on in Ada County. The
registration fee increase is a -- is a tool allowed by the legislature to the locals who have
a countywide highway district. Therefore, at this point Ada County Highway District is
the only district in the state and the only body that can do this, other than recreation
areas. It requires a 50 percent vote of the votes cast and the measure would generate
approximately 7.5 million dollars. The money would be used for congestion relief and
for community projects. And by congestion relief I'm talking about things such as --
such as hardware for intersections. We are all getting accustomed to the yellow
flashing lights in the -- in the left-hand turn lanes. Those kinds of things more and more.
We are seeing new pedestrian crossings with bouncing balls instead of red light, green
light, yellow light. We are seeing some turn lanes. We are seeing intersection
improvements. Those kinds of things would be funded with this particular program. As
far as community projects go, we are looking at safe routes to school, sidewalks, bike
lanes and being able, then, to -- in addition to those two areas, be able to match impact
fees. Impact fees have to be matched by dollars by the highway district for new
infrastructure. Impact fees cannot be used to replace current infrastructure, but only to
improve what's there. The committee was formed through the state statute. We are
functioning and out soliciting support and donations for our cause to get a positive vote
on this particular initiative and I'm here this evening asking for your support and to
answer any questions you may have about what's being done or what's -- what we
are trying to accomplish. You have before you a resolution. I think the resolution is
pretty thorough in explaining what's going to go on for the -- for the audience. You folks
already have the information. But the fee increase is -- on average vehicle registration
at the local level is -- the local level portion is about 28 dollars. The increase to that
would be 18 dollars or about a nickel a day. Now, that's just the local portion. There is
the state portion and some other things that go on your registration fee, but the
breakdown is on -- a newer car today it's 40 dollars at the local level that would be
raised by 30 dollars to 70 dollars and a newer car is two years or newer car three to six
years old would be raised from 30 dollars to 70 dollars and a newer car is two years or
newer. A car three to six years old would be raised from 36 dollars to 63 dollars and a
seven plus year old vehicle would be raised from 24 dollars to 42 dollars. But the
average is 28 dollars or about an 80 dollar increase. All of the money generated will be
used for capital projects. So, it will all go into these projects. In the last seven years
Meridian has had 21 projects in the program that's currently funded with registration fee
increases and has received a little over 3.6 million dollars in projects. So, there is a
fairly significant benefit for the city and you could just go outside across Meridian Road
and you can see a lot of this -- the work that was done with the community projects with
sidewalks added to some of our neighborhoods that have access to Meridian Primary
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and other facilities in the area. So, those are the kinds of things that the city could
benefit with these particular increases. I don't really have any additional information to
bore you with, but I have a lot of information if you have questions and I would welcome
any questions.
De Weerd: Thank you, Charlie.
Rountree: And if -- and if there are not I would currently appreciate a positive
endorsement of the resolution you have. A similar resolution has been passed by
Eagle. I believe Kuna is taking up the same resolution tonight. Boise I understand will
be talking about it in workshop next week. And Star has been asked. COMPASS has
approved the resolution. And there are a number of folks that have provided support
and lent their support by name, as well as donations. You can get a hold of us at
www.citizens4bettertransportation.com and our web page has a lot of information -- a lot
of useful information. It has frequently asked questions and answers. Answers. And
some rather general statistics.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Rountree: Thank you. No questions?
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes, Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Good to see you, Mr. Rountree.
Rountree: Good to see you, too, Treg.
Bernt: Just one quick question. I remember -- and refresh my memory -- when was the
last time they raised the --
Rountree: It was on the 2007 ballot and it -- it passed resoundingly. It passed with just
short of 70 percent of the vote.
De Weerd: Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Again, great to see you, Mr. Rountree. Do I understand correctly that certain
vehicles of certain weight, though, are omitted from having to pay the fee? Can you talk
a little bit about that?
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Rountree: Sure. Madam Mayor, Commission Cavener, motorcycles and vehicles for
hire will have to pay a rate increase. Vehicles 8,000 pounds and heavier, in terms of
commercial vehicles, do not pay the local fee -- or will not be subject to this local fee
increase and that's per state statute. It was disallowed in the statute to establish this
mechanism for the counties to raise those rates. So, that would have to be done by the
legislature.
Cavener: Okay.
Rountree: And we as a committee and ACHD as an entity are working with legislators
to try to get that modified and get those vehicles who are using our roads in the county
to pay their fair share. All the other vehicles on the road would be subject to this.
De Weerd: Okay. Any other questions? Council, Councilman -- Former Councilman
Rountree --
Rountree: Former.
De Weerd: I have to put former in front of there. He is asking for some action in looking
at perhaps putting this resolution on next week's agenda for action.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Madam Mayor, I -- I trust the citizens and their ability to research and make
decisions for themselves on what will be on their ballots. I feel awkward and -- that it
would be inappropriate for us as a body to tell the citizens how they are going to vote on
their ballot, just as this body doesn't endorse candidates on ballots, I don't think that we
should be endorsing other items that are on the ballot. I think we should just let the
citizens have their voice and make their choice and that be the decision. I -- I
personally -- I intend to vote on it. I believe in user fees and I think that it would be
appropriate for Councilmen as individual citizens to make those statements if they so
choose, but I think as an official action of this board to endorse something that's on the
ballot wouldn't be appropriate.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Appreciate that perspective. I think there is circumstances like this when it's
commonly done -- in this valley in particular where our partner agencies can provide
some valuable input, because we do have so much overlap and the tasks of one
impacts that of another. I'm supportive of the resolution. I think it's appropriate for us to
send that message. I'm trying to not only give the voters an opportunity to provide much
needed funding, but it's also in a -- in an area that we don't directly control. ACHD does
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control that. But, nonetheless, we work hand-in-hand with that agency and -- and I
think this is a -- a sound opportunity to show our support, along with some of the other
sister cities in ACHD meeting its goals in transportation needs that as Charlie rightfully
cited, our community has benefited from and -- and should this pass our community and
citizens will benefit from. So, while we don't get involved in lots of things, we have on
occasion provided some of that unified direction and support and I think this one is -- is
well worth it, so --
De Weerd: Okay. Well, I would look for direction to bring this back.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
Borton: Oh, go ahead.
Cavener: Just some -- some added comments for what it's worth and -- it was a
struggle, because I hold Mr. Rountree in the highest of regards and I think I have
learned a lot being on the City Council by serving with him. I think this is something that
Luke Cavener, citizen Luke Cavener and City Council Member would say, yep, I support
this and I would encourage my friends and family to do it, too. When we take an action
like this it opens up our body to a larger philosophical conversation. There is two other
statewide ballot measures that will be before the voters in November. We as a body
plan to weigh in on those as well. One of which impacts the public health of our
citizens. Also a very significant issue. Is that -- is that the precedent that we are going
to set? While I very -- feel very favorably towards this and actually all of the other ballot
measures that will be before the voters, I struggle with saying as a body that we need to
-- to weigh in on this. Just my -- my two cents. I appreciate what's trying to be
accomplished and I think it's incumbent upon all of us as elected officials to weigh in in
the public square if we support or we oppose ballot measures, just like many of us get in
the public square if we support or oppose public officials. I just worry about the
precedent that we set if we take an action as a body saying we endorse particular ballot
measures or choosing not to endorse particular ballot measures. I think it also says a
lot to the public. Just not something that I'm completely comfortable with.
De Weerd: I would just I guess put my two cents in in terms of this has been a number
one issue that has risen to the top in our surveys and our letters to the Mayor's office
and -- and numerous ways and -- and certainly when we ask them to weigh in on
transportation projects and -- and looking for funding tools to -- to do that, our citizens
have -- have voiced their concerns. This is a tool that we are asking them to weigh in
on and I do think it's appropriate for the city to -- it would be just like putting this on the
ballot for our citizens to vote on as well. This is a solution. It is a user fee, as Mr.
Palmer mentioned, and it is -- it is a fair method. Now, it's up to the citizens to weigh in
and say is it important enough for them to pay for it.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Is there another Council Member -- Mrs. Little Roberts. And, then, I will
come back.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor, thank you. Madam Mayor, Charlie, thank you so much
for all your work on this. You said it so well, Mayor, that our citizens come to us asking
about our roads and opportunities to fix the roads and I think this is a good opportunity
not only for us to show our support in a way that we can address the road issue, but
maybe some opportunity for your office, Mayor, to do some education as to why the
Council can't do roads most of the time when people are asking us to -- to utilize this
opportunity to not only support a way of getting some road repair and fixtures done, as
well as some education as to how ACHD and the city all do interact together.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Good to see you, Charlie. Thank you. Not to be redundant, I -- you know, I am
-- I am supportive of this. I think that it's the only -- it's not telling people how to vote
necessarily, but it's saying this is -- we support this, because this is asked of us on a
regular basis from -- from the citizens and since we don't really have any other ways
and means to change transportation, I think us taking a stand and saying, hey, this is
something we support. If you want to improve the roads here is a way to do it and so --
De Weerd: Okay.
Rountree: Madam Mayor, if I might interject here. I -- I have heard some things and I
don't disagree with what I heard. What -- what I do want to thank you is I think
individually you support it and I understand the philosophical differences and concerns.
My position -- or I wouldn't be here -- is I don't think this is the city telling people how to
vote, I think this is the citizens telling the city -- the city is aware of what you are telling
us and one of the ways out of this is to increase funding for transportation. Folks, we
are 335 million dollars short annually to do the unfunded projects in the two county area
of Ada and Canyon county. That's staggering. I have no way to tell you how that's
going to be accomplished. But programs like this will make a dent in those things that
can make some significant improvements for not a lot of money. The signalization
work, the hardware that was installed between Locust Grove and Highway 16 on
Chinden Boulevard improved the efficiency of the intersections 20 percent. You may
not notice that driving through there, but that's pretty significant. Paid for by this
program. That's helping your citizens, our citizens -- my friends and neighbors who
were telling me do something about this, because you used to do this kind of stuff and I
said I -- all I can do is say, okay, I will -- I will do this and see what happens. But you're
hearing it in your -- in your surveys. Ada County Highway District is hearing it in their
surveys. You are hearing it in the comments on your Comprehensive Plan --
significantly hearing it. And, again, this -- this is telling the public you endorse this as a
method to help solve some of these issues. If you don't like it, you don't have to vote for
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it, but as a city -- as your elected officials, as we look at the problem, here is -- here is
one of the few tools that the local -- the locals have available to them to raise funds.
There is very few methods, other than property tax, to raise revenue for transportation
and that's not a very efficient tool.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I -- I agree with Charlie. I do believe -- if I'm -- I can remember correctly, that we
-- there -- there are few instances in the past where this body has made endorsements
and made recommendations and because of its infrequency to offer these
endorsements, I think it shows to the people how important they are, you know, when
we get involved as a body and so I agree that we are not -- but by an endorsement we
are not saying -- you know, telling people how to vote, but we are saying, hey, you
know, take a look at this. Take a look at this very seriously, because it is a major
problem that we are facing and in 7.7 some million dollars is a drop in the bucket
compared to like how much money is truly needed to fix what we have on the roads.
So, I'm in favor. Thanks, Charlie.
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Madam Mayor. I appreciate that yourself and Councilman Rountree have
brought up that our citizens have been asking us, even though there is very little we can
do as a city, to -- to do what we can to help solve the transportation issues. I'm
intrigued that that 7.5 million is a significant enough -- because I believe it -- I believe
that it is a significant enough number to make a noticeable difference in our
transportation issues and because that I believe that a few million dollars can make a
big difference, there has been multiple times that I have brought up maybe considering
using some of our unanticipated excess revenues from growth towards partnering with
ACHD, whether it's purchasing right of way or -- or working with them on -- on our
priority projects to help move them up the timeline to ensure that they get completed.
You know, however, I'm usually shut down and told, oh, that two million dollars isn't
going to make a big enough difference or we are not interested in taking the time to
discuss that. So, I'm really excited that seven and a half million dollars is a big enough
issue for us to -- to go out of our way to have this conversation on this resolution and
would hope that sometime in the very near future we can have a discussion about the
city using some of our unanticipated excess revenues from growth to partner with ACHD
to see what we can do about helping the situation further.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I would be glad to take you up on that discussion with our CFO and the
allocation of -- of those types of revenues and -- and our current consolidated financial
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September 4, 2018
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plan and -- and how they may or may not be allocated and designated already, along
with our capital improvement plan. I think an in-depth review what is and is not
available is a worthy discussion. Would be glad to go through it and see what, if
anything might be available. For the purposes of today I would move that we bring back
a resolution in support as presented by Mr. Rountree for next week for a vote.
Understand positions of Council, but I think it should come back tomorrow for our vote
and I will certainly support it.
Cavener: Second.
Milam: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. I have a number -- do you want to second, too?
Palmer: No.
Cavener: Just thought I would give you that opportunity. So, the motion is to bring this
back next week for the resolution and a vote by Council. All those in favor say aye. Any
opposed?
Palmer: Aye.
De Weerd: Okay.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE NAY.
Palmer: Madam Mayor, I do have a question. Is there a way to either include on the
resolution the vote results from the vote on the resolution or to remove my name from
the resolution?
De Weerd: The clerk does put the votes on -- on the -- don't you?
Coles: It will be in the minutes.
De Weerd: It will be in the minutes.
Coles: Madam Mayor, it will be in -- correct. It will be in the minutes.
Palmer: But not on the resolution itself.
De Weerd: The resolution is signed by me.
Palmer: Madam Mayor -- correct. But my name is at the top of it and it says that the
Mayor and City Council of the City of Meridian endorses and recommends. I just don't
want to be guilty in association.
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De Weerd: You are part of this group.
Palmer: I understand that.
De Weerd: Sorry. Kind of part of your oath to office. You are one of six.
Palmer: Madam Mayor, while that may be true and I -- but I don't feel like whatever
results from this board I'm obligated to you as a person. I feel like Council may have
approved it, but it does have my name on the top of it and I won't be approving it. So, if
-- if this goes out to anybody they are going to read this and see the board, the City
Council, the names all at the top and, then, at the bottom the Mayor and City Council
endorse --
De Weerd: When we bring this back next week we will tackle that one.
Palmer: Fantastic. Thank you.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you, Charlie.
Rountree: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Council. Thank you for your time. Wish you all
well.
B. ValleyRide Bus Service Update
De Weerd: Okay. Item 8-B is under ValleyRide and I see that we have -- I was going to
turn it over to Kelly, but there you go.
Hunt: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, thank you for the opportunity to be here.
My name is Stephen Hunt and I'm principal planner of Valley Regional Transit and
wanted to talk to you about a couple of things tonight. I'm not here to ask for any money
tonight. We are just talking about changes to services that will be coming up we expect
in the first part of 2019. It says fall of 2018, but we will be making these changes we
anticipate in January of 2019. Want to make sure you are aware of that, as well as -- as
well as talk about changes that could come in 2020 and begin the conversation about
how we can be better integrated with the -- with the City of Meridian Comprehensive
Plan. There has been a lot of discussion tonight about how -- how we can
accommodate the growth that's coming to Meridian and looking at both roadway and
transit ways of addressing that -- that demand. So, to start off I wanted to talk a little bit
about what services are currently available in Meridian and the performance of those.
So, there are three -- three routes, plus Harvest Transit that serves Meridian. There is
also -- there is also the -- the trips to the hospital that are not included on this, but there
is Route 40, which is a fixed route between Nampa and Meridian and gets off at Ten
Mile, serves the Ten Mile park and ride, comes in at Meridian. The highest ridership
stop on that route is actually just on the opposite side of Roaring Springs, Black Marlin
and Overland. There are a lot of people who use that location as a park and ride and
continue on into downtown. That's the highest ridership route in Meridian carrying about
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1,200 to 1,500 people a month -- a month. And in May -- we offered free rides in May
and you can see the ridership responded to that. We had our highest -- our highest
ridership over the last four months in May. Routes 41 and 42 provide more local
connections. They serve the business park just to the south side of -- excuse me -- the
north side of the freeway between Meridian and Locust Grove and that carries about
300 to 400 boardings in Meridian each month. Harvest Transit also is between 800 and
900 boardings -- boardings a month and as you know that serves seniors and people
with disabilities. So, I wanted to put those -- that performance in context of the
contributions that Meridian provides. So, last year, based on the local service
contributions, Meridian paid about 172,000 dollars to VRT for that -- for those services
and we estimate that that is about 300 active riders or people who use the bus more
than -- once a month or more often, getting on or off in the City of Meridian, which
comes to be about 570 dollars per person per year and that supported about almost
20,000 -- 19,000 trips to come to a total of about just under nine dollars a trip. Each of
those riders providing an estimated fare of about 55 cents per -- per trip. And when we
compare that to other types of transportation, depending on how far you are going -- if
you're looking at doing that in your own private automobile -- this is just the operating
expenses. This isn't the capital costs of driving. It's about $3.30. If you just keep going
across towns this would be from the north side of town out to the south side of town,
about six miles, or -- it would be about a six dollar trip if you're going maybe from here
into Boise. So, it's not actually that -- more expensive on -- on transit than in our own
private automobiles. If you look at taking Lyft or -- Lyft or a taxi it's -- it's significantly
more expensive using those options. So, just wanted to show that we do feel that even
at the levels of service that -- that Meridian is funding right now, it is providing a benefit
to the community and in a -- in a cost-effective way.
De Weerd: Do you have a breakdown of the cost by route?
Hunt: We could get that.
De Weerd: Okay.
Hunt: In fact, that's one of the things that we will be looking at doing more in this
coming year is really looking at how we are allocating funds across the region and being
able to break down those costs by route and by jurisdiction, so that each jurisdiction can
understand better the -- the services that they are supporting. Let me make a quick
note. So, this is a map of those two, three services in Meridian. Again, I mentioned
Route 40, which gets off at Ten Mile and, then, get back on the freeway -- this is
actually outdated. This is showing getting on at Eagle and gets back on at Meridian
Road and, then, Route 41 you can see how it moves through the business park there
between Meridian and -- and Eagle. So, the purpose of the restructure that we are --
that we would like to take out to the public is to improve the on-time performance of the
intercounty routes. That's one of the most common complaints that we get from our
riders is that the service isn't running on time and so we are looking for ways that we
can streamline the service, as well as get more resources to add to the time. In other
words, the way we run on time is make sure that the bus has enough time to get from
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the start to the end and right now there isn't enough time in the schedule to do that. So,
we need to add time to the schedule, which -- which means we need to look for more
resources to -- to keep that bus running on time and the way we are going to -- the way
we are proposing to do that is in downtown Boise on the 40, turning what is two way
service into one way -- a one way loop. So, we come in on Idaho, go out to Broadway,
come back to BSU, and, then, head back out. Today we do half of that hook and, then,
turn around and come back and that adds extra time into the schedule and so we are
proposing to continue to serve all the places we do downtown right now, but do so in a
one way fashion, which allows us to save some time and we are able to take that time
and put it back in the schedule. On the -- on the 41 and 42 what we are proposing to do
is combine those into a single route. The 41 goes all the way downtown. The 42 only
goes as far as the mall. Otherwise, they are the same. And what we would be doing is
we would be ending all routes at the mall, rather than taking 41 all the way to downtown.
We would also be streamlining the 41 and 42 through Meridian. This actually shortens
the 42 by about five miles round trip, which allows us, again, to -- to stay more on time.
It's less turning. It's a much more streamlined service. It does come with a reduction in
service. So, that's what the red box is. That area would no longer be served by -- by
fixed route transit and those dots are the areas where we do have riders that we would
expect it -- would either have to move to the north side -- sorry -- the south side of the
freeway or use other connecting services to -- to use fixed route transit in Meridian, but
it also provides an opportunity to pick up some new areas. The apartments that are
going on -- that have been constructed and our expanding there at Ten Mile and
Franklin would be served by -- by fixed route transit. It will also go by the -- the Ten
Mile crossroads, which is I know not fully developed, but is under development, as well
as the new development that's going in on Overland between Ten Mile and -- and
Linder. It would go by the high ridership stop at Black Marlin and Overland, as well as
continue to serve the other highest ridership stop in Meridian, which is there at
Silverstone on Overland and -- and Eagle. So, we do know that this will have an impact
on riders. That's one of the reasons we wanted to make sure to get it in front of you, so
that you would know that there may be some people who -- who will feel this in a
negative way, but we believe that by shifting the route to be, again, straighter, faster and
go by areas such as the apartments that are there on Overland between Locust Grove
and -- and Eagle we will be able to actually pick up more riders than we do today on --
on services in Meridian and so that's what we are hoping to accomplish. So --
De Weerd: Before you move on to that, you know, if we are looking at apartments, we
also have a number going in down Franklin. You also serve the corporate park that you
were at one point going through as well. Now have a medical university -- or a medical
college with students there that might be using it as well. Have -- and maybe even the
employers in that area. Have you talked to anyone about this change?
Hunt: So, what we are -- where we are in the process -- this is what I was going to
mention -- I will mention it again at the end -- is we would like to release this for final --
this final proposal to the public by the 12th of September and solicit feedback from the
public on -- on these concepts. So, we will have another opportunity to -- to hear what
people have to say about these particular changes. We didn't want to get ahead of -- of
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you all in terms of what we are proposing to the public about services that are in your
community and as it relates to those specific concerns we would still be serving
Overland and -- going by Overland and Locust Grove where we would expect to have a
stop where they could make a relatively short walk across the freeway over that
improved bridge there to the -- to the medical center there and -- but, basically, Madam
Mayor, what it comes down to is we do believe that we will be able to get higher
ridership out of being on the south side of the freeway serving Overland more directly
than the way we are turning through the corporate park today. Plus I would say we
can't expect to serve all of the -- all of Meridian's needs with a single route and that's
what we get at when we look towards the future in terms of where we are with 2020 and
Valley Connect, is we -- we anticipate increasing the amount of service to Meridian
serving both the north and the south side of -- of the freeway, but doing so with -- with
more than one route and that's -- that's, basically, where we are at right now. We
believe that we can serve the people that we can serve more efficiently if we pick a side
and, then, grow from there. Shall I proceed?
De Weerd: Yes.
Hunt: So -- which leads us to the next part of the conversation, which is what's coming
up in 2020 and the relationship to Valley Connect 2.0. So, I mentioned that we will be
looking at all of our allocations from local jurisdictions and -- and reviewing how we --
how we charge those costs to each local jurisdiction and we also at the same time will
be -- will be reviewing our fare structure looking to increase the -- our -- internally -- or
our directly generated revenues in 2020 -- well, this year for the 2020 budget. We also
would like to continue to work with -- with Meridian staff and the other jurisdictions that
we serve to draft additional service enhancements, where we might be able to serve
more parts of each community and have that conversation in enough time that it can be
considered for our 2020 budget. So, the foundation of those -- those concepts would be
Valley Connect 2.0, which includes two different scenarios as an intermediate and the
growth scenario and the growth scenario is actually what would bring us up to speed
with where we should be by 2025, according to the -- the regional transportation and
land use plan COMPASS has. So, there is -- the previous conversation was all about
how we accommodate growth and development and -- and the reality is we are not
behind -- only in -- in the highway side, we are also behind in -- in the amount of transit
service that we are providing to our communities and so what Valley Connect 2.0 --
what the growth scenario would do would be bring us up to speed with where we have
been planning as a region to be for transit, but haven't been able to make progress on.
We would have 15 minutes service all day on -- on several of the major connections
through Meridian on -- on Fairview, Overland Pine, and Emerald. It would be improving
local connections on both sides -- both to the south and to the north, connecting with
Eagle, connecting better with CW I in Nampa on -- on local connections on Franklin.
The intermediate scenario is -- is a step halfway there, so it's one of the -- kind of growth
concepts that we want -- if we can't take the whole growth network at first how would we
break that up into a smaller bite-sized piece and that's what the intermediate scenario is
intended to do. It gives us a look at where -- where we would grow next and so that
does bring Saturday service out to Meridian. It would also connect service -- extend
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service on Fairview and Overland and make improved connections between -- along the
interstate and out Chinden Road in between Meridian and Nampa and Boise. When we
-- when we prepared the Valley Connect 2.0 we -- we had over 1,200 comments from
the public and 11 percent of those were from the city -- were from residents with
Meridian zip codes, 90 plus comments, but what was interesting is the more than 450
comments referenced Meridian as a destination, a place that people were wanting to
get to. So, many more people were trying to get to Meridian who filled out the survey --
in other words, people from -- from Boise, people from Nampa, people from other
places who identified Meridian as a destination than even Meridian residents who
commented on the plan. So, it just highlights the fact that when we talk about
transportation and transit, it's more -- it's more than just the communities we serve, but
how people in our communities get to other places and -- I mean I feel like I'm going
over a lot of the things that were talked about earlier, that transportation is a major
concern for the residents of Meridian and when -- when -- when we -- when we call out
transit specifically for the second year in a row BSU did a survey with -- a public survey
for the residents of the Treasure Valley and in Ada county 76 percent of the people
responded that -- that we need more transit services -- that the Treasure Valley could
use more transit service options and, then, the 2017 Meridian survey satisfaction with
public transit was significantly below, not just the national peers, but -- peers, but also
the -- our regional or mountain west peers and that a majority of residents would likely
support increased funding for public transportation. So, we know that that's what we are
hearing from the public and what Valley Connect does is it shows us how we start to
grow out of that and I mentioned, again, the -- the two different scenarios. This is just
another way of looking at kind of how we work -- how we are today compared to what
the gross networks would do. The intermediate scenario -- we have over a thousand
active riders in Meridian. We anticipate that the cost -- the contribution per trip would
drop almost -- not quite in half, but significantly down from the $8.90 that we do today,
because we will be providing more frequent service, it would be more productive
service, and we also anticipate that we would be raising the amount of directly
generated revenue. So, our -- our cost per -- our fare per rider goes up as well. You will
notice that goes up from 55 cents to $1.20. In the growth network we have over 1,200
active Meridian riders. So, people in the City of Meridian who are using transit more
than once a month -- and you can see there, again, the contri -- the contribution per trip
is -- is now less than half of what it is today and so these are ways that we -- that -- that
we hope you see us as an extension of your staff to help your community meet the --
the development and growth pressures that -- that are here with travel -- transit as an
option. So, this just goes over those -- those two scenarios. Again, I'm just going to
look through that and show graphically -- this is what the existing service looks like.
This is what the intermediate scenario would look like. You can see you have got
services there on -- on Cherry Lane and Linder, as well as connections from Kuna to
Eagle and, then, in the growth network it becomes a lot more concentrated. You have
got services all the way across Cherry Lane, Franklin, north-south connections on
Locust Grove, out to the Y -- the south Y in Meridian. Frequent services up and down
Pine. One of the locations that really becomes a center for Meridian transit would be
around The Village. It's a destination that -- that people talk about today as wanting to
get to and the sum of all of this service is really about trying to get more people to more
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places IN less time and so one way we can illustrate that is by looking at these kinds of
maps that show how far can you get on transit in 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and if you
were at The Village right now and you ask that question, this would be your answer.
You can -- you can get as far as you can walk in that amount of time; right? Because
there is no transit service out there. But with the growth network The Village really
becomes the central place to -- to the valley. You can get to it from both the east and
the west. Yo u have -- sorry. Real quick. Over 125,000 people that are within -- within
45 minutes of The Village on trans -- with the growth network it's over 82,000 jobs. It
really changes what people look at when they see what is transit doing for this location.
It really makes it much more accessible and that's what we are trying to do, not just for
The Village, this was just picking out one location. But what we are trying to do is
connect more people to the opportunities that exist throughout the -- throughout the
valley. So, the last thing that I wanted to talk about before I do a recap is it's not just
about funding those services, but what else can we do. We want to work with your staff
to incorporate the -- the capital needs for transit within the Comprehensive Plan and
begin looking -- thinking about where would we site those. So, why would we -- what
would a Meridian transit center look like of B? When we look at the Valley Connect plan
The Village pops out as a location where we would likely need facilities to -- to be able
to have buses turn around, maybe have a bathroom for -- for the bus drivers and it
could be -- it could offer other opportunities if there are -- are city needs there or you
could do a joint development opportunity, but lots of things that we can do with -- it
doesn't just have to be a place to park the bus, it can be a real amenity for -- for the
community, but we need to think about now how would we make that work with -- with
the development that's around that. We also want to work with your -- your staff on
incorporating transit corners when -- we talked about priority on signals earlier in the
previous conversation and transit can benefit from those same types of things. So, we
want to work with your staff to incorporate that vision of -- of priority along a corridor to
make transit be a real part of the transportation network and, then, how do we make
space for -- for -- for not just a sign and a bench, but also the other passenger
information that -- that would make it easier for people to take transit within the Meridian
-- the community of Meridian, looking at park and rides, all of -- incorporating all of those
things within the comp plan. So, just to recap. Mentioned that we will -- we anticipate
going out to the public with these service changes by September 12th and we want to
get feedback from the public about how those changes could impact them. We will
have a public hearing where they would have an opportunity to share their concerns
with the VRT board at the end of September and we would anticipate that the board
would make their final recommendations on the service changes in October. We will
begin a fare review -- a review of our fare structure this fall going into next year and we
will continue improving on performance reporting like we will share with you today on --
on the value that we get -- that the residents of Meridian get through the contributions
that this Council makes to public transit and we would like to ask that we work with --
continue to work with Meridian staff and committees to prepare some scenarios for
2020 about how we might be able to grow transit, even going into the 2020 budget
discussion, as well as identifying capital needs and opportunities if they are -- there --
we have had some discussion about doing a joint -- about the opportunities of co-
locating transit facilities and -- and police facilities, potentially, if that's an opportunity,
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but just ways that we can think about how can we bring more value to the communities
that we are -- that we are serving and with that I would take any questions. But thank
you for your time.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Mr. Hunt? Right?
Hunt: Yes .
Palmer: Can you go back to your -- I think it was like the second slide. The one that
showed how much money we throw at you and how many people ride it and everything.
Hunt: This one?
Palmer: Yes . So, I don't pay that much attention to the buses as they are driving
through town, so help -- how many -- how many buses go through on a day? So, we
get -- it was 1,670 rides was on the routes for that -- for May that went through Meridian;
right? Is that what this means?
Hunt: So, on Route 40 in May there were 1,500 boardings in Meridian. Correct. And,
then, on 41 and 42 there were 370. So, you would be 1,900.
Palmer: Okay. So, does that just go one -- how does that work? How do the routes
work?
Hunt: So, if I -- I should have this more memorized than I do, but there are, I believe,
six or seven trips on the 40 in the morning. So, round trip there is -- there is 12 to 18
trips on the 40. Don't quote me on these things. We can get them for you, but -- and,
then, there is about the same on the 41 and 42 throughout the whole day.
Palmer: So, about 24 times a bus stops in Meridian and they -- at least 24.
Hunt: I would want to confirm that, but, yeah, that's probably a rough ballpark.
Palmer: Madam Mayor. Sorry. I was asking --
Hunt: And that would be trips through. There are multiple stops in Meridian, right, so
that -- if you want to talk about every time a bus stops in Meridian you would have those
times the number of stops in Meridian.
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Palmer: Madam Mayor, if I may. How many -- how many -- are -- is all the -- are the
buses all the same size? How many seats are on a bus?
Hunt: They are not all the same size. We have -- and the length of the bus matters.
The type of the bus matters. But they range from -- I believe about 30 seats to about 45
seats.
Palmer: Madam Mayor. So, we are looking at -- well, more about the seats, but at least
24 trips through Meridian. That includes stops in Meridian. And -- and we are looking
at -- at the peak when it was free, 62 people a day, so that -- while, you know, we look at
-- okay. It's a couple bucks cheaper than Lyft or Uber, but a couple bucks more than if
you took your own car. My concern is -- is the cost of sending these buses through
town and paying for them to stop and there is nobody getting on them and we can say
there is 1,900 in a month, but that's 62 people a day, despite the fact that there are
hundreds, if not thousands of seats, you know, driving through and stopping in Meridian
and you're planning on asking here in a couple years for three million dollars more than
we are paying now, hoping just throwing more buses and throwing more seats and
throwing more money at it will increase the percentage of butts in seats enough to -- to
lower the per trip cost. I just can't wrap my head around how this makes any sense to
do if -- if -- if you are tweaking routes constantly just to try to find an extra three people
to get on the bus -- public transit is not a successful thing in this valley and I don't know
that throwing tens times more money at it is going to make it successful.
Hunt: Madam Mayor, Council Member Palmer, the -- questions that we get in terms of
why don't we have service that runs to the airport, why don't you have service on the
weekend, why don't we have service that runs later at night, why do we have service
that runs more often. All of those have the same answer and that is because we don't
have enough money to operate the bus that often. The fact that transit in the Treasure
Valley -- it performs at the levels that it does is more -- more related to the amount that
we invest in it than the people's attitudes or willingness to take transit. If you look at
comparable cities -- so, if we look at say Reno, not Meridian, but kind of to the broader
area, they -- they outperform us in terms of ridership. They outperform us in terms of
productivity and the biggest reason for that is because they have service that's much
more attractive to them. When we add seats, we are not adding seats to the -- to a
service because we need more seats to -- to accommodate the people, we are adding
those trips so they can travel more often. It's the same thing that -- that question -- that
map of freedom that I was showing you earlier is directly related to how often those
buses come, because if you have to wait for 30 minutes for your bus, then, you have
spent half of your time -- half of your 30 minute commute is just -- just waiting for the
bus and the attractiveness of transit is directly related to how -- how easy it is and how
frequently that bus -- how easy it is to get on the bus and how frequently that bus takes
you to the locations that you want to get to. So, I just would disagree that transit can't
work in the Treasure Valley. It is certainly can. There -- the -- the fact that it operates at
the levels that it does today is the reason that we have the poor performance that we
do, in addition to the fact that without thinking about what transit can do for the valley
there -- there isn't a way that we can build the roads that we need to -- to accommodate
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the -- the development that -- that we are permitting when we look at -- since 2013 the
percent of multi-family units that have been permitted in Meridian is about -- is more
than 30 percent of all the units are multi-family units and accommodating that kind of
growth and increase in the density that -- that is asked for across the valley requires us
to think differently about how we move people and transit -- transit will work and -- and
we don't need to -- we don't need to hope on that, it works because you can connect
more people to more places and that's something we can show right now. I don't -- you
don't need a magic ball to -- to ask if that could be true, you can say how many people,
how many jobs, how long does it take to get there and all of those things can be -- can
be shown.
Palmer: Madam Mayor? And it wasn't too many years ago when a previous council --
and, please, correct me if any of my numbers and facts that I'm about to throw out are
inaccurate -- but I believe that we spent 65,000 dollars. So, you mentioned Saturday --
why don't we have a Saturday service. Well, it's because there is not enough money to
-- to try it. Well, this Council tried it. We had a route that went through what was
anticipated to be the most popular spots for stops. I believe The Village was one of
them. Roaring Springs. Other popular locations. That failed experiment ended up
costing one hundred dollars per ride.
Hunt: Right. That's right. I mean there are examples of -- of poorly executed projects
and poorly conceived projects. What -- what we would ask -- what we are asking --
what VRT is beginning to ask the -- the region to consider are how do we look at moving
more people to more places in -- in less space and at lower cost than -- than we do
today. We spend one and a half billion dollars every year on getting ourselves around
using our personal automobiles. We spend 15 million dollars a year on transit
operations, roughly. So, what you -- what we are asking people to do when we say why
don't you give transit a try, we are asking people to step out of a world of one and a half
billion dollars worth of freedom into a world of 15 million dollars of freedom. So, the
question as to why people don't ride transit is pretty clear, because there isn't enough
transit for people to use and the example of the fun bus that was -- that was done here
in Meridian, the -- the challenges with that is that it was a Saturday only service. So, it
was service that you had to -- you had to remember, okay, Saturday, I have the
opportunity to do this. No other day of the week do I have the opportunity to do this. It
comes once an hour and it goes within a circle within Meridian, which isn't the way most
people travel and it's not the way most people think about how they are going to make
their trips. What you want to be able to do is have a reliable trip that runs frequently,
that runs consistently throughout the week and makes connections, not just within a
jurisdiction, but across the jurisdictions. The Village is right on the very edge of -- of
Meridian and Boise. You have a lot of people from Boise that are trying to get to The
Village and a lot of people from Meridian that are trying to get to The Village and it
doesn't make any sense for us to divide our operations between jurisdictions and so
what -- what the purpose of Valley Connect is really focused on is how do we connect
more people to more destinations and we can measure that and I am sorry about the --
the bad taste that the fun bus left in -- in this Council's mouth, but that certainly is not
what transit can do and it -- and I guess I would just ask if you're not going to consider
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the role that transit can play in terms of moving more people and -- and accommodating
the growth -- the future growth, what other options do you have available to you?
De Weerd: Council, I would ask if there is other questions?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Thank you, Stephen, for this well done report and I know there are a lot of other
communities, you know, similar size with much more robust transportation -- public
transportation options that are much more heavily used than ours. I honestly -- I think
growth scenario is the only thing that's going to I think really fill the buses up and get --
and improve the ridership to the amount that we would like to see it at. Unfortunately,
we need to work with our state legislators on some other funding options, because we
don't have enough in our -- we don't want to increase our property taxes to cover it.
However, I -- you know, I am supportive of -- supportive of you working with our staff to
at least have these discussions about what it looks like, you know, coming up for 2020,
but everybody out there hit up your legislators, we need some funding -- funding options
for transportation and, unfortunately, we just don't have them.
Hunt: Thank you.
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, thanks. Just a comment. I can appreciate the challenges that
this Council faces when it comes to the question of public transit, specifically how to
fund it. I think that for me the question is not if, but when. I believe that we need public
transit, not just for riders of need, but to build a robust system for riders of choice. I
would love to be one of them, but it takes me 90 minutes to ride the bus from my home
to the office, not very appropriate for me to get to and from -- from work and I know that
there are many people who have -- not just in Meridian, but across the valley that find
themselves in a similar situation. You can continue to swing back and forth, should we,
should we not, do we want to put our pinky toe in, okay, now maybe -- maybe a knuckle.
I mean we have got to just decide if we want to get behind public transit or not. I think
we should. I also believe that this -- the interim model should be part of our budgetary
conversations as we develop the 2020 -- 2019 budget -- I guess fiscal year 2020 budget
and it should not be after we have put together a budget considering what we can fund
for public transit. We are a municipality of over 100,000. When you reach that hundred
thousand threshold you have got to start making tough decisions about the community
and I think public transit is one of them. We don't have a lot of resources like other
states have to rely on state funding, public option -- local option, excuse me, to fund
this, so it's incumbent upon us. The city to the east has decided to fund public transit a
significant amount and we have benefited from that. I think that it's just high time that
Meridian starts paying our fair share.
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
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De Weerd: Any other comments? Okay.
Hunt: Thank you very much.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Palmer: Madam Mayor, one more question, just -- what -- have you tried -- what
happens if you increase the -- what do we call it -- the price to ride on the bus to what it
costs to run and expand it?
Hunt: That's a great question and one that we will be looking at doing in terms of our
fare analysis. It is one that you would want to be careful about how you -- how you
implement it. You will hear a lot of folks that talk about how the -- the farer recovery,
which is -- so that's how much people pay to ride the bus compared to how much it
costs to operate the bus. There isn't a -- there isn't a transit agency in the country that -
- that covers a hundred percent of their costs via their fares, but what you can talk about
doing is making sure that everybody that rides pays for the -- the portion of the trip that
they consumed. So, it's -- it's certainly possible for us to -- so, you pay for your seat,
right, you're not -- because the challenge is if you have something that -- that only has
ten people on it, the cost for those ten people goes up a whole lot more than if you have
45 people on it, right? And -- and what you can set your fares to and one thing that
we will be looking at doing is making sure that everybody that does ride pays for what
they consume, which is their -- their portion of the service that -- the seat that they are
riding and the space on the vehicle that they are riding and that's -- that's a fair way to
look at fares and making sure that -- that the riders are paying their share.
Palmer: Thanks.
De Weerd: Where is the incentive when you get a flat amount from the city, regardless
of ridership, you know, that's the concern and from the riders I have talked to there is no
incentive, because it takes just as long to get to their destination, if not longer, because
they drive their own cars door to door. If they take transit they first have to go to a park
and ride and, then, they have to go to the route, sit in the same traffic that their cars is
going to sit in and, then, get off at a bus stop and they will have to get from there to their
work. The incentive is lost and -- from both the rider and to fill the bus. The city will pay
X amount, regardless of how full that bus is, and it just -- when there is more on how
can you get the incentive of the riders having some form of getting there faster than
anyone else. It's not going to work.
Hunt: So, there are a couple of incentives that you talked about. How do you get -- I
think the question is how do you get people to ride transit and, then, the other point that
you were making is how do we make sure that there is incentive on VRT's part to
ensure that we recover a reasonable amount in directly generated revenues, as
opposed to just relying on the largesse of the cities that we serve. Something to that
effect.
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
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De Weerd: Yeah . Because where is the value -- we are going to have to add a new
service that competes with the dollars that we fund police and fire and parks and -- and
every other service we are currently doing today. Now, we have to come up with three
million more. I don't know where that's going to come from, but it just needs to add
value to our community.
Hunt: Sure.
De Weerd: Right now we don't even do roads to justify that this would be under our
wheelhouse. So, I guess, you know, sitting in a county -- in a city and a county that
doesn't provide transportation, this is a big change.
Hunt: If --
Milam: Madam Mayor? Oh, sorry.
Hunt: Madam Mayor, if I may. The -- one of the things that I really have enjoyed,
actually, about my last year plus being here has been the opportunity to share with all of
the communities the -- the importance of transit and what -- what is it going to take to
get there and one thing that I think is really important for us to realize is that you are
right, you are not going to fund this out of kind of the couch cushion money, you're not
going to just accidentally find the amount of money that is necessary to fund
transportation and that's been kind of fun I think for me to highlight, because transit --
but -- but it's not because transit is inefficient or is wildly out of proportion with the value
that it brings, there is a couple of points to bring on that. In Ada and Canyon county we
spend about 39 million dollars a year on student transportation alone. So, for the nine
months of the year that school is in session all the public and charter schools, we spend
about 39 million dollars to move just that section of population to and from school every
day. We spend again 15 million dollars on the public transportation system, which is
intended to serve everybody, not just students, for all different types of trips, not just to
get to school. So, it's -- and, then, when we consider how much people spend on their
own personal transportation, that -- that was that one and a half billion dollars a year
that we spend on getting ourselves around. The place that that three million dollars
comes from isn't from what you're going to spend on police and fire, but it's a way to
offset what the public is already spending on their own private transportation. So, the
incentive, believe it or not, for an individual to take transit are economic ones when
transit is convenient enough for them to take and when transit is convenient enough to
take is largely driven off of how often that bus runs, which is exactly related to your
operating budget. So, until we can have a transit system that runs frequently and is -- is
extent -- broad enough to get to the places that people are traveling to, there is no
amount of incentive that you can provide an individual to take an extra two hours out of
their day to do something, just because we say it's the good thing to do. That's not what
we are talking about doing. What we are talking about doing is becoming a much more
important part of the transportation system. So, becoming relevant to everybody's travel
-- which means it's -- it's super hard to be relevant to -- so, if we can frame it this way:
The entire travel budget is one and a half billion dollars a year, right? That's what we
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
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are spending on getting ourselves around and for transit to become relevant we got to
grow from 15 million to something a bit more, not because we want to spend money, but
because it takes money to provide that kind of transportation and -- and access. So,
once that is there -- and we have examples whether you talk about Spokane or Reno or
Tucson or Salt Lake or -- I mean there are many examples where transit is becoming a
much larger part of the travel transportation network and it's -- I appreciate the comment
earlier that this will take some discussion as a region to figure out how we fund this. It's
not going to come from us just begging from different city jurisdictions to find it in your
general fund to make it happen.
De Weerd: And that won't work. Yeah. And I think Mrs. Milam had a good point there.
Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Madam Mayor. I just -- you were asking about benefits and I guess one way to
look at it is some benefits are not having to drive and get road rage and you can do your
work and text, which you're not allowed to do when you're driving. So, there are some
benefits to riding in public transportation and they are not asking for three million dollars
right now from us, they are just asking us to increase our budget a few hundred
thousand dollars and at least work with staff to see where -- what we can do and where
we can create new routes and efficiencies. The three million dollars, obviously, isn't
going to come from the city, it's going to have to come from multiple areas, which could
be some -- you know, some private partnerships with maybe businesses and people
who want to help get their employees to work and maybe some schools. So, I mean
that's a much larger picture that -- something that they are going to need to work on that
-- that funding aspect of it, but right now we are looking at the small picture. I just like to
jump to the big picture, because I really think that that's when it becomes truly
successful as the options.
De Weerd: Well, thank you for joining us tonight.
Hunt: Thank you again.
Hood: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: No answers today. Yes, Caleb.
Hood: Well, you just said that, so I have got to rethink what I was going to say. No.
Unless I hear otherwise from you -- I mean I didn't hear any direction, but staff will
continue to work with VRT staff and evaluate if an enhancement for FY-2020 makes
sense and at least start that dialogue -- well, further that dialogue after tonight and really
vet that through the transportation commission. That's how I envisioned this happening
for both the Comprehensive Plan and any future enhancements. So, are we okay with
at least that level of effort at this point, talking with VRT , with the transportation
commission and potentially bringing something forward in the coming year?
De Weerd: Yes .
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 27 of 55
Hood: Okay. Thank you.
Item 9: Action Items
A. Resolution No. 18-2100: A Resolution Appointing Dom
Gelsomino To Seat 1 Of The Meridian Parks And Recreation
Commission.
De Weerd: Okay. Okay. 9-A is under Action Items. Council, in front of you is
Resolution 18-2100. This resolution is filling seat one that has been vacated by Hannah
Sturtevent and with Dom -- and we just made sure that this seat stayed with someone
who has a really difficult last name, so -- Gelsomino. Gelsomino. Council, I sat with the
chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission. We interviewed eight people and
Dom's name was the one that I am bringing to you this evening to bring a unique voice
to our Parks and Recreation Commission and a voice that is closest to the -- the person
and the voice that she brought to the Commission. So, I would stand for any questions.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I just wanted to thank you for, you know, putting -- I mean it took some time,
but it seems that almost everything there might be one left out there. Almost everyone
who is -- who ran for Council has found a place else to serve in the city and so I just
wanted to thank you for finding places for them to be able to still take their enthusiasm
and their desire to serve the city and finding things for him to do.
De Weerd: Thank you. And I appreciate candidates that want to continue even after
finding that the Council seat wasn't their place yet, that they still show an interest in -- in
serving. So, that's nice. I will ask you after they vote for you, because I don't want you
to back out yet. So, hold on. Any other questions?
Cavener: Madam Mayor, if there is no other questions, I'm happy to move that we
approve Resolution No. 18-2100 appointing Dom Gelsomino to seat one of the Meridian
Parks and Rec Commission.
Palmer: Second.
Bernt: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion and a second. Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 28 of 55
De Weerd: All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: Dom, if you would like to say a few words. Please come up to the podium.
And you might want to introduce who you brought with you, too. Who had to sit through
those wonderful presentations prior to your appointment.
Gelsomino: Yes, Madam Mayor, City Council. Thank you so much. My name is Dom
Gelsomino. I am a long -- quite a long time resident of Meridian. Not as long as many
of you on the Council, but I'm a proud Idahoan of the last ten years. I will not mention
where I moved from for -- for fear of being driven out, but, Madam Mayor, City Council,
thank you so much for this honor. I do have with me my -- my father, my grandfather,
my grandmother. My mother, unfortunately, is not able to join us, neither is my
stepmother. Both are working late into the evening this evening. I have one of my
mom's friends Bobby and Austin with me here as well. So, I want to take the time to --
to thank you for this incredible honor. I was counseled by a very wise voice after the
election result last year that just because you lose an election it doesn't mean you go
into the shadows and hide. I made that mistake the first time when I lost my race for the
state legislature. I chose not to make that mistake again when I was unsuccessful in my
bid for City Council and since then I have been blessed with being able to work with the
kids on MYAC -- the students on MYAC . I don't think they are really kids anymore. The
students on MYAC. They have been the biggest dream come true since being in --
since being politically -- politically active over the last decade or so of my life. Being
there to nurture and -- and really build and feed the flame of passion that these students
have to be involved in and become the future leaders that they really are is -- is
incredible and to now be more involved hands on with the Parks and Rec Commission
is -- is an incredible honor that I -- excuse me -- that I do not take lightly. So, I want to
extend my appreciation for your trust and -- and your consideration and as well as your
approval tonight. So, Madam Mayor, thank you so much. This is an incredible honor,
not only for myself, but for my family being a first generation college graduate in the
United States, as well as the first in my family to pursue public office. So, thank you,
Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Thank you, Dom. Now, you might have to tell Council what is your favorite
park.
Gelsomino: This was actually expressed -- I expressed this to you during our interview.
It is Storey Bark Park. It is where I take my three year old every day -- my three year
old fur child with me every day. I also expressed, because of my, you know, unsurety of
who was the chicken and which one was the egg as far as the speedway versus the
bark park. My -- my dog suffers from epilepsy and every seizure he's had over the last
two years has changed some of the wiring in his -- in his brain and things he used to not
be frightened or nervous about do make him nervous and I have noticed that when I do
take him to the park -- not just in him, but in other dogs is the loud noises from the
speedway, you know, causing a little bit of fright amongst the dogs and not only that, but
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
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when the speedway is packed the parking lot for the -- for the dog park is no longer in
use, so dog owners can't take the dogs to the park and I understand that's also the case
for Storey Park, that the speedway parking is -- is a bit of a congestion. But of all the
parks Bark Park is always number one in my heart.
De Weerd: And -- and he brought a unique answer to that. So, I -- we were excited that
someone chose the Bark Park as that -- that first one and I was glad you asked me that
question and not Councilman Bird on what came first, because, of course, the
speedway -- speedway has come before all of us.
Gelsomino: Madam Mayor, I would also like to add, even though it is not in my
jurisdiction as Parks and Rec Commissioner, but I would like to applaud the Art Week
this week. I think that is an incredible -- an incredible tool for people to show their
uniqueness and show the culture and uniqueness of the City of Meridian. I was thankful
and privileged enough today to donate my -- and gift my work that I made over the
weekend to the Meridian library where it will be on display, so --
De Weerd: Are you going to donate your owl, too?
Gelsomino: No. That owl has been gifted already, so --
De Weerd: Okay. Anything further from Council?
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Dom, I'm the parks liaison and so on behalf of the Parks Department and all they
do we welcome you and I can't wait to work with you.
Gelsomino: Thank you, Councilman Bernt. It's -- it's been a fun year already working
with you and it will be fun going forward. Madam Mayor, I also wanted to note one
quick aspect was on the letter you sent you mentioned the term of expiration of -- the
term would be August 31. However on the resolution it would be October 31st. May I
have some clarification on which of the two dates it would be?
De Weerd: Yes . It's October.
Gelsomino: Thank you, ma'am.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 30 of 55
Cavener: I just wanted to make sure that we corrected the record seeings how we have
got such a distinguished member in our audience. I think it's supposed to be known as
the Rountee Bark Park, if I'm not mistaken.
De Weerd: We really tried hard to make it the Rountree Bark Park.
Cavener: I just wanted to make sure that that was notated on the record.
De Weerd: That thought had crossed my mind, too.
Gelsomino: Madam Mayor and City Council, thank you so much. I'm excited to see the
impact we can have.
De Weerd: Thank you, Dom. And thank your family members for joining you and we
appreciate your support of him.
Gelsomino: Absolutely.
B. Final Plat Continued from July 24, 2018 for Hill's Century
Farms
No. 11 (H -2018-0068) by Brighton Investments, LLC, Located
East of S. Eagle Rd. and South of E . Amity Rd.
De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. Item 9-B is continued. This is regarding H-2018-0068.
Caleb.
Hood: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. This is a final plat
consisting of 62 building lots for single family residential detached homes and 11
common lots on 19.31 acres of land in an R-8 zoning district. This item would have
otherwise been on your Consent Agenda for this evening, but we did not get the
applicant's consent to the conditions in the staff report until after the deadline. So, I can
go into more details if you would like on this project, but, again, we do have written
confirmation that the applicant -- that they are in agreement with the staff report and I
would stand for any questions or, again, if you want to hear more information about this
project.
De Weerd: Thank you, Caleb. Any questions from Council, if not --
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: With no questions I would move that we approve Item 9-B, H-2018-0068.
Cavener: Second.
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September 4, 2018
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De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 9-B. Any discussion? Mr.
Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
C. Public Hearing for Gurney Office Condos (H-2018-0080) by
Horrocks Engineers , Located at 1803 and 1831 S. Topaz
Way
1. Request: Short Plat to convert existing 11,160 square-foot
multi-tenant commercial building in to 3 tenant spaces
De Weerd: Item 9-C is a public hearing on H-2018-0080. I would open the public
hearing with staff comments.
Hood: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. This is a short plat for a
condominium of airspace in an existing 11,160 square foot building. The proposed
condominium short plat will create three separate units out of that existing structure and,
then, some common area, so that those spaces can be sold for ownership purposes.
Similar to the last project we do have written confirmation from the applicant that they
are in agreement with the staff report and the conditions of approval and, again, staff is
recommending approval of this project located near the intersection of Overland and
Eagle on Topaz Way. With that I would stand for any questions you may have.
De Weerd: Council, any questions? Any comments from the applicant? Good evening.
If you will, please, state your name and address for the record.
Breski: Peggy Breski. Horrocks Engineers. 2775 Navigator Drive. The only comment
that we have is that we are in support of the staff report and appreciate the time that the
city took to put in. We are here to answer any questions that the Council or Madam
Mayor may have.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us. Any -- any questions from Council?
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Are you guys in the Paylocity building now?
Breski: We are.
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 32 of 55
Palmer: So, that was Navigator Drive.
Breski: Uh-huh.
Palmer: I think this is the first time we have had an applicant before us that has given
us an address off Ten Mile. So, that's exciting, so -- that was all I really --
De Weerd: Very exciting. That was a stumper of a question for sure. Any other
questions from Council? Thank you so much.
Breski: Thank you.
De Weerd: This is a public hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to provide testimony
on this item? Okay. Council, if there is nothing further I would entertain a motion to
close the public hearing.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I move that we closed the public hearing for H-2018-0080.
Little Roberts: Second.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and second to close the public hearing. All those in favor
say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I move that we approve Item 9-C, which is H-2018-0080.
Little Roberts: Second.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 9-C. If there is no
discussion, Mr. Clerk.
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 33 of 55
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
D. Republic Services FY19 SW Rate Adjustment Report
De Weerd: Item 9-D is a report from the Republic Services and Rodney. Thank you for
joining us.
Remling: Thank you, Madam -- Madam Mayor and Council. Also joining me tonight is -
- I'm sorry. Rodney Remling. Republic Services, controller. And that's it.
Tibbetts: John Tibbetts, General Manager, Republic Services.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us.
Remling: So, thank you. So, thank you for taking the time to hear from us tonight. We
are presenting our annual increase in our rates for -- for trash and recycling services.
We presented this to -- excuse me. We presented this to the SWAC committee on -- on
August the 22nd. They recommended that -- approval of it and -- with two conditions
and those conditions are to modify the rate sheet to improve transparency in the actual
cost of residential trash and residential recycling and the addition of a contract
amendment to allow for the addition of recycling processing and disposal fees to -- to
continue Meridian's residential, commercial and industrial recycling programs. This
amendment is drafted to be in effect for fiscal 2019 only and this was brought because
staff felt that this request was outside of the contract -- existing contract. The CPI is 90
percent. They allowed -- the contract allows for 90 percent of the CPI -- change in the
CPI. That's 3.28. The 90 percent is 3.28 percent this year. That's the highest we have
seen in ten years since 2008 and is a reflection of the economy. The rate -- the CPI
increase to residential households is 43 cents per month, per year, along with this
request is an adjustment to the household hazardous waste program. In fiscal year
2016 household hazardous waste was separated and a rate of 24 cents per month was
-- was added and that is to pay for the household hazardous waste program. The -- the
use of that program by residents has not kept pace with the growth of -- with the growth
of households in the City of Meridian and so a surplus has accumulated. A
reconciliation was done for fiscal 2016 through May 2018 and a check for $26,033.47
was cut to the City of Meridian, delivered August 14th. The current run rate supports
about 20 cents per month and staff and Republic agree on that rate and so our request
includes a reduction in household hazardous waste, so four cents down to 20 cents.
The new rates that we are asking for re -- revolve around the recycling service that we
provide to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Historically, the market
has -- has supported the household hazardous waste prior to October 2015. Secondly,
it supported Republic Services downside when the market did not cover the cost of
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 34 of 55
processing and, thirdly, it provided cash to Meridian's city's recycling fund. In 2017-
2018 the global recycling markets collapsed and with -- with China effectively shutting
the door to recycling materials and so other markets had to be located. They were done
internationally and those markets have become overwhelmed and domestic markets --
or uses of this material are being actively sought. Our request is to add 83 cents per
residential household per month for the processing, baling, shipping of commodities --
recycling commodities and, then, for 75 cents to commercial yards and that, again,
covers the cost of -- of sorting and baling and shipping to markets. These amounts --
this market -- the recycling market commodities cover a portion of the cost. Even with
this change of 83 cents to residential and 75 cents to commercials, it's still being
partially subsidized by the -- by the value of the commodities that remain. So, this is not
a long-term or a permanent fix. As the market changes it may go up, it may go down,
there is not a lot of people that think it's going to go up. Most think that it's going to
continue to erode. So, the downside to Republic is it's still a real -- it's still a real
possibility, but if approved the increase to residential rates -- it will be $1.23, detailed as
follows: CPI increase of 43 cents, which we -- I mentioned at the beginning. The
recycling increase of 83 cents. The tax on the cart rental increase of a penny. And the
household hazardous waste decrease of four cents. Are there questions?
De Weerd: Council, questions?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Just I guess one question. Regarding the -- the new rate for recycling, should
the Council not be supportive of that, what happens for your guys' business operations?
Are they impacted?
Remling: Well, so Republic Services already suffered losses of 325,000 for the
previous 12 months that covers the CPI period of July 2017 through June 2018. So, we
have already suffered those losses and, frankly, we don't have the stomach to continue
those losses. The most recent -- the most recent run rate for the last quarter is closer to
half a million dollars. We worked with staff extensively, both with Legal and with
Finance, to work these rate sheets and work the -- the contract amendment and to
come to an agreement and we are -- we are asking for, essentially, a revenue increase
of 432,000 dollars. That's what these numbers represent 25,000 -- 26,000 of that
represents the franchise fee. So, in reality, Republic Services is asking for 406,000,
which is about 30,000 short of our current losses. So, we think we got -- got really close
and agreed to a time frame with the city and we appreciate their partnership on it, but
we don't think we can continue sustaining these losses in recycling materials.
Cavener: Madam Mayor? So, I appreciate the added historical information. I -- I'm just
a dumb farm kid from -- from Meridian, so chat me up. What -- what happens -- if the
City Council says that we are not supportive of this -- passing on this rate increase to
our customers, what happens to recycling in Meridian as we know it?
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September 4, 2018
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Tibbetts: Madam Mayor, Council Member Cavener, unfortunately, we would have to
landfill that material at that time. We can no longer continue operating at a loss on
recycling. So, until the global markets would restore, if they ever restore, we would be
forced to landfill.
Cavener: Madam Mayor? If I'm hearing you right, if -- if we don't agree to this, then, the
recycling program as a whole in Meridian would cease to exist.
Tibbetts: Under the current market conditions that is correct.
De Weerd: Other questions? Do we have staff that want to make any comment?
Okay. Staff is also available for questions as well. They have worked with Rodney and
Rachele and Don to look at all the -- the different information. Staff, then, worked with
SWAC and -- and Steve as our chair has vetted that as well. So, this has been through
a number of different efforts that is the accumulation of the recommendation in front of
you tonight.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I have never been shy about the feeling I have had that it should be
subscription based, rather than, you know, forcing everybody to play and if -- I feel like if
-- if we are going to continue to force recycling on the citizens and force them to pay it,
that we shouldn't be burying the company providing the service. So, if -- if Council
believes that we need to continue to force the citizens to pay and participate, then, we
need to increase it. If we -- if it's another option that if -- if the materials are going to be
going to the landfill anyway to cease it and reduce the fees for the time being, to, then,
pursue an advisory vote of the citizens to find out if they want us to charge them and
implement -- re-implement the program, I think that is the best route if it's one that can
function that way, if that's -- if that's an option. That's my preference. What does
everybody else think?
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Little Roberts.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor. Out of all the issues that I have dealt with in the three
years that I have been on Council I think recycling has some of the most passion behind
it and so I will thank you for all of the work that has gone in with glass recycling and this
and the market goes up and down and it is not an easy task, but everyone that I have
talked to and following on NextDoor, our citizens are very passionate about recycling
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and so I hope we can continue this and to continue to see how we can make it the most
successful for all of us.
De Weerd: Thank you. Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Appreciate I think what Council Member Palmer
is trying to accomplish. I just don't think that that approach is prudent. If -- if that's the
direction that we as a city want to go, I don't think that we can suspend recycling for a
year or for six months while we try and figure out what it is that the citizens want. I am
concerned that this is the first -- if I'm -- if I'm not mistaken, this is the first time we have
passed on a fee for recycling on to our residents. I know that when this was initially sold
to the public the thought was the recycling was built in to your trash payment and that
citizens who participated in recycling wouldn't pay anything extra. That's a pivotal shift
for me and so I guess the question for staff is action tonight, do we have an opportunity
to have this as a public hearing to allow our citizens at least the opportunity to provide
any feedback about if they want to be paying for a service that we traditionally have told
our citizens that -- that was optional.
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, so, yes, we still would have to advertise
for a public hearing for the fee increase, so you would have an opportunity for the public
to weigh in and -- and -- let me make it clear. So, the cost for recycling collection has
truly been built into the fees. The -- the requirement to recycle, you're correct,
Councilman Cavener, isn't required, but it is already built into the fee. This is -- this is a
change on the collection processing portion. So, you're correct there.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, if I may.
De Weerd: Uh-huh.
Cavener: I know that I got to be the bad guy up here some of the time and -- and --
and, honestly, I think Republic over the past two or three years has really just improved
dramatically in your level of service. The Mayor and I were talking earlier about how
great it was to get a phone call to let me know that my trash is going to be delayed a
week. Those are great services that our -- that our citizens really appreciate. I know
that those come at a cost, but this is a strong shift from what we have told our citizens in
the past about recycling and I think that we all as Council members need to be really
cautious about the decision we make because of the long term implications it is for our
citizens and your customers.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Well, this is something we have been working on in SWAC for a really long time
trying to come up with a resolution and a number to this and -- and although none of us
want to pay more, I believe that it is the right thing to do based on the feedback that I
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have got from members of the community about recycling, the 83 cents, you know, is a
little under ten dollars a year -- it sucks, but it is what it is and it's not Republic Services'
fault that the market has crashed on the recycling products, so I really think that most of
the residents would prefer to pay ten dollars a year and continue to recycle than know
that all of their recycling goods are going to the landfill and just being buried. So, I
would like to see this move forward to a public hearing.
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt?
Bernt: Madam Mayor. Appreciative of your numbers in your -- in your presentation this
evening. I think up until now the City of Meridian and its residents, in my opinion, have
strongly supported the recycling program. I think by not supporting this -- this fee I think
would be going backwards and I don't think that that would be a wise choice. However,
I do feel like -- I think it is important to just gauge the public's opinion just to see what
they think and -- and get their -- their interest and so I would be open to having a public
hearing. Obviously, you know, to get -- get their feedback. But generally speaking I'm --
I'm very much in favor of this fee.
De Weerd: Okay. Any other discussion or questions for Rodney or Don? Or to Steve
or our -- our staff team? Okay. Council, I think the action that we are looking for is to
move this forward for public hearing. Correct, Mr. Nary?
Nary: Yes , Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, we would be looking for September
25th as the date for the public hearing.
De Weerd: Okay. That would require a motion.
Milam: Madam Mayor. Do you say you need a motion?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we move this forward to a public hearing on September 25th.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor
say aye. Any opposed?
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: Thank you so much.
Remling: Thank you.
E. Interagency Memorandum of Understanding Between Boise
and Meridian: Community Development Block Grant Program
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Assistance
De Weerd: Thanks, Steve, for coming and for staff to be available for questions. Okay.
Item No. 9-E is under our community development. Our Planning Department.
Hood: So, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, this is an action item for you. There
is a memorandum of understanding between the City of Meridian and the city of Boise
for some technical assistance services. So, as you know, Christopher Pope is no longer
with the city and shortly before his departure we were game planning kind of the interim
condition until we could backfill his position in FY-19 and one of the options we have
talked about and I have been working with Finance since has been in providing that
service from another contract or other city that also has a CDBG program. The city of
Boise has responded to that request for some help for the next -- at this point two
months, basically, and so you have before you, a -- again, a technical assistance
memorandum of understanding, so that they can give us help. Essentially what it says -
- and you can certainly read it for yourself. It's in your packet. But -- but Housing and
Urban Development is coming to town later this month and we need some help kind of
prepping our files and getting ready for their audit of our program. So, that's a lot of
what we have asked them to do is kind of go through our files, make sure everything
seems to be in order, maybe call out some changes for how we have things organized
or where things might be missing. Print them off, put them in the file, those types of
things. But, basically, cleaning and organizing our files for that upcoming audit and,
then, as we move into a brand new program year, helping us do some more technical
assistance in doing the environmental clearance for those projects that we have coming
up that will start at the first of the year and even prepping some of the sub recipient
agreements with those parties, so that we are ready to roll after we get our allocation
from the federal government. So, we do have some money in the administrative --
unallocated administrative portion of the grant that can pay for this. So, we do have the
grant paying for this contract. It is up to -- we are anticipating roughly 240 hours of
service at a cost not to exceed -- where did it go -- 8,660. Thank you. So, if there are
any questions -- oh, maybe I can -- excuse me -- just give you a quick update on
backfilling that position. We did have the first round of applications closed and so
looking to schedule interviews. Had a pretty good applicant pool. So, I'm excited about
that. We hope that we can have somebody on board and ready to go the first part of
October, again, when this position goes to full time in the upcoming budget. So, roughly
30 days hope to have this position, but there will be -- can't expect that person to come
in and totally hit the ground running, so we will need a little bit of overlap with this
contract and, then, with our new hire hopefully we can get on board here, again, within
the next month or so. So, just a quick update on -- on the overall program where we are
with backfilling this position and again, kind of this interim request to -- for some
technical assistance, so -- and with that, then, I will stand for any questions you may
have.
De Weerd: Council, questions?
Borton: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Not a question, but a brief comment. This is a great example -- and hats off to
the city of Boise and I know you probably already expressed it, but opportunities for the
communities to help each other out when they are in a pinch, this is one of probably
many examples. So, I appreciate their willingness to step in quickly and help us through
this transition. Classy move.
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Madam Mayor, did you need a --
De Weerd: I need a motion.
Palmer: -- motion to approve the MOU?
De Weerd: Uh-huh.
Palmer: I move we approve the MOU between Boise and Meridian for CDBG
assistance.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Mr. Clerk, will you call role.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 10: Department Report
C. Council: Update on Proposed Non Discrimination Ordinance
De Weerd: Okay.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Schedulewise, timing, I think Council Woman Milam might have to leave early.
If it would be okay, Items C and D are relatively short compared to A and B. If we would
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like to amend the agenda and take up C and D and, then, backtrack A and B, if Council
would be so open to that.
De Weerd: Okay.
Borton: Okay.
De Weerd: Okay. Well, I will turn this item over for you to -- your lead.
Borton: Sure. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Relatively quick, this is listed under
Department Reports. It's following up Item C and D on a couple of items that were
discussed months back. Item -- oh, next. Item C is a nondiscrimination ordinance.
This discussion came up to Council. I had asked in getting feedback from Council
members to advance this issue and I was given some -- some majority direction to bring
something back for consideration. So, today is that -- what C.Jay is passing out is what
has been drafted as a proposed nondiscrimination ordinance for Meridian. The purpose
of today's update is to get it to everybody, to be made available to the public and to
schedule a public hearing for this. That was the direction that was provided last time
and that's where we will head. The date for that was proposed to be September 25th.
So, that's the date for the public hearing on the nondiscrimination ordinance. Just real
quick, the structure of this is modeled in very large part with what the city of Boise has
done, their prosecutors provide prosecution services for the -- for the City of Meridian
and it mirrors in many ways the language from their ordinance, which I think has already
been shared with everybody, with a couple of nuances that -- that I think make it a little
more clear, a little more balanced and appropriate for at least our consideration. So, it
wasn't a -- this isn't a public hearing or discussion for this topic, but at least to get it all in
front of you. Mr. Clerk, will make it available to the public. Scheduled on the Council
agenda for the 25th for public hearing and decision by -- by this Council. The Legal
Department for the City of Meridian has been very helpful in providing a lot of data on
what other cities have done, how they have structured it and they have also helped draft
this and put it into the proper forum, at least for our consideration. Language here isn't
set in stone by any means, but it's a good launch for our discussion and considerations.
That was Item 10-C.
De Weerd: Okay. I would need a motion to put it out for public hearing.
Bernt: So moved.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion and a second to put this item out for public hearing.
Any discussion?
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
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Palmer: I'm not voting against the motion because I'm necessarily against the
ordinance, but because I would like some time to review the ordinance before saying,
yeah, let's put this out to the public. That's just explaining my vote.
De Weerd: Okay. That is fair. Any other discussion? Okay. The motion was to put
this out for public hearing on September 25th. Those in favor say aye. Any opposed
say nay.
Palmer: Nay.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE NAY.
D. Council: Compensation Schedule for Elected Officials
De Weerd: Okay.
Borton: Thank you, Madam Mayor. So, we got feedback, obviously. Feel free to reach
out to our Legal Department or myself for any questions prior to that. Item 10-D. This is
a follow up real quick on a parking lot item that -- if we recall a while back there was a
discussion -- our ordinance has a citizens committee created that every two years it
reviews the compensation for Council and Mayor and one of the challenges that arose
this year and historically has happened is the committee does great work, diligent, long
hours, difficult process, makes a recommendation and for whatever reason, right, it's
oftentimes declined by the Council and it -- it seems historically every two -- or four to
six years, then, a Council will accept a recommendation and compensation will -- will
change. That seemed to create some strife that might not be necessary, so the idea
that I'm bringing back was whether or not we want to bring forward language for
everyone to see that would amend our ordinance that instead of requiring that citizen
committee to do its process and review and recommendation every two years, it would
do it every four years. So, if everyone thought, no, I don't want to do that, let's still do it
every two years, then, the concept will move on and we will tackle more issues that
Council members want to grasp, but if there is some desire to see that -- what that
would look like and chew on it, we can bring that forward.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I was lucky enough to be on that committee a couple different times and it is a
drawn out process and it is a fair amount of time and effort, so I agree with Mr. Borton's
comments on that. I just -- a point of clarification. In the past what have been the main
reasons for denying the recommendation from the committee?
Borton: Madam Mayor? This is probably very fact specific based on each committee's
recommendation. Each recommendation when there has been an increase it's been
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backed up by data. I don't recall one where it's been solely a desire to raise
compensation for elected officials, because -- or just because they like us. There has
been some -- some comparative analysis that seems to justify it, but elected officials
oftentimes are reluctant to vote for compensation increases regardless and I think some
of that creates that in the lag where it historically -- especially for Council, you know, it
gets a no, no, yes, no, no, no, yes and Mr. Nary had provided a way back, but I made a
note of it. The Council compensation -- this happens every two years, but it changed in
2000, 2006, 2014; right? So, you kind of have this slower sequence of compensation
changes. I'm not saying the work is -- is not accurate, it just seems if we call a
committee together the reality is we are probably not going to make changes as
frequently as even the market would warrant. Well, that's -- I don't want to get a
committee together and frustrate their purpose, so --
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Just -- just a thought and it's -- it's hard, because I -- if the City Council does
what the Committee recommends and they feel good about it and it was well worth their
time and they deemed they were glad that they did it, if the City Council doesn't accept
their recommendation, then, the feeling is, oh, this was a waste of time and that's hard
for me to say, because they are -- they are a recommending agency. They are not --
they are not a decision maker. I have got fans who agree. So, I also worry that do we -
- does the process continue regardless if it's two years or four years and is it every --
every 12 years, every 16 years that the City Council says, no, now -- now, it's -- it's
appropriate. Do we -- are we trying to solve the problem of a committee feeling like they
are not being utilized appropriately or are we trying to solve an issue related to Council
and Mayor compensation and if we are trying to solve an issue related to Mayor and
Council compensation, I think every two years is appropriate. If we are trying to say,
boy, is there a better mousetrap that we can build, so that people who are involved in
the recommending process feel like it's a better use of their time, I'm open to that, but I
don't think that moving it from two years to four years necessarily solves that.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I -- I have been pretty outspoken on this topic every time it comes up, because I
-- I am one of those who believes that we have a committee that we put together, they
put in a lot of time and year after -- and every time we say, n o, thank you for telling us,
but, no, we just don't -- we don't want to vote for raises for ourselves, so -- and the
reason that I do is because I think that this Council is going to fall behind the times.
Down the road it's going to be hard to get people to -- willing to do this job, because it's
going to be so far behind the market, just like we tell the rest of our -- just like we -- you
know, what we discussed about the rest of our employees, we need to keep them up
with market. I think if you do it every four years and the same process happens, yes,
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then, now you're looking at eight or 12 years in between every time. I don't know if
there is a different methodology. I would think that it would make more sense that -- the
Council doesn't vote on giving themselves a raise, it's very uncomfortable and this isn't
about me, this is -- I'm talking about future councils, because I'm not going to be around
forever, but, you know, it will -- it will get catch up to us and I think it will bite -- it will bite
us in the -- in the behind. So, if there could be a set amount every year or every two
years or just a percentage or however it works, I think that type of methodology would
be much better than voting on raises and having people work and volunteer to -- to form
a committee to give an advisory that the Council, then, denies.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: It sounds like some of the comments might be let's explore ways to build a
better mousetrap or -- or -- or process it, but not -- not necessarily change it from two to
four years, but maybe revisit the manner in which it's looked at.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: We are spit balling, we are just making suggestions, so here is -- here is a
thought is they have got -- ideally they have got to bring a recommendation back before
next year's election; correct? They need to probably get together and start working on
that process, because they did it a year ago and it's every two years. My thoughts
would be let this process play out again this year and while -- and ask that group at the
same time you have been involved, you felt frustrated because Council didn't
necessarily adopt your recommendation, how would you change the process? What
recommendations would you bring in and allow them to bring, one, a recommendation
for compensation, if any, and, two, recommendations for Council to consider for change
in ordinance to improve that process. I would trust them who are in it day in and day out
to come up with better suggestions than us here up at the City Council, for what it's
worth. I see head nods.
De Weerd: Okay.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Thank you. That was it. That was feedback. We get the ideas. One of the --
and we talked about this in the spring about if someone's got an idea they want to float,
discuss, bring up, if it goes forward, great, if it goes nowhere we will move on. Great
feedback. It sounds like we have got some direction and we will incorporate that and
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see how maybe the next committee can help solve some of the problems, so their --
their time is valued and -- perfect.
De Weerd: Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I just wanted to thank you Council Member Borton. I think this is -- can be a
daunting process getting some of these questions answered and, again, whether the
body agrees or disagrees with some of the issues that are before us, we are -- at least
we are answering them and we are not allowing them to lay in limbo any longer and so
that we can report back to the public. This is what we did with X, this is what we did
with Y and the question, at least for the short term, has been answered and appreciate
Council Member Borton keeping the process moving forward.
A. Citywide Annual Fee Update
De Weerd: Item 10-A is citywide annual fee update. Brad, I believe you're the one
tagged on this. Reta is really good at that.
Purser: I have Jenny to thank also for --
De Weerd: Oh, Jenny.
Purser: -- this distinguished opportunity. Mayor, City Council, I -- first time being here,
long time viewer relatively speaking. First time I have had the opportunity to be here
before you to talk about our citywide fees. You know, as you know a year ago we
consolidated all our fees into one consolidated fee schedule. Over the last -- since I
started in January I have been going through all the departments consolidating all of the
changes that they want to bring forward and that's what I'm bringing to you today.
Without further adieu, we have 19 fee changes. If you look on your screen the -- the
items highlighted in tan are the ones that are greater than or in excess of five percent
either direction. Seventeen of the 19 items highlighted in tan are related to Public
Works. It's related to changes in the price of the meters and we have people here from
Public Works if there is questions on that. Near the bottom you will see there are two of
these fees -- near the bottom there is the QLPE review. That is a contract change. It's
an increase of 30 dollars per the contract and you also have a daycare inspection, as
you can see, you know, the state cap increased and they want to increase our cap as
well. That rounds out the -- the changes. There are two new fees. Those are
highlighted in orange on the very bottom. This is with fire. It's basically for a -- either
two or a four person EMS bike patrol team -- not EMT. It's my mistake on that part.
This is for a private event if they wanted to contract to have a bike team on the ground.
This would compensate us for that. That rounds out all of the -- the -- the changes.
Moving forward I would guess we would need to have a public hearing on the 25th,
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along with the other fees that we are doing with a resolution and to be effective the 1st.
If I misspoke please correct me. I believe that is the schedule hopefully we are hoping
to keep to. Any questions happy to talk. I think there is some people here if there is
questions about some of the fees we can address those. If we can't I'm happy to get
back to you if we need to, so -- okay. Council, any questions for Brad? Okay. This
would need to be put out for public hearing, so I would need a motion. When -- when
do you anticipate this coming back, Mr. Nary?
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I believe it was the 25th of September
as well, because we are going to have it in place prior to October 1.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I move that we set this for public hearing on September 25th.
Bernt: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to set this over for public hearing on
September 25th. All those in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: Thank you.
Purser: Thank you. Have a good night.
B. Comprehensive Plan Change Applications Processing
During Development of New Comprehensive Plan
De Weerd: Okay. 10-B is under our Comprehensive Plan application processing for
discussion. Caleb.
Hood: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. This is coming up -- come
up a couple times over the past few months and I want to have a discussion about how
staff moves forward with potential amendments to our Comprehensive Plan, including
the future land use map while we are in the process of developing, refining that vision
for our community in the next -- in the coming decade. So, I have heard it pretty
resoundingly, the Council encouraging folks to be involved in the Comprehensive Plan
and that there is some hesitancy to tweak the plan any further with additional comp plan
map amendments or text amendments while we are in the process of developing that
vision. Really, the question before you tonight -- or the direction that staff needs is how
we move forward with that direction. Is it staff just highly encouraging people to wait
and be a part of the comp plan process and really reiterate that, you know, you're kind
of swimming upstream and most likely that you wouldn't get approval if you apply in this
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interim condition. Interim condition being about roughly a year. We hope to have it
adopted, you know, late fall -- by late fall next year. But, again, we have still got 12 or
14 months of work to do here or option two, if it's just not staff verbally, kind of
discouraging that, but still it could apply. There is an opportunity to make it an absolute
no and an active moratorium that said we aren't going to -- we aren't going to take,
accept, or process any comp plan applications for the next -- well, by state statute we
have 182 days is the most time that that would buy us. In that case it's -- it's really more
symbolic saying, hey, we really are putting and investing into this process and while we
are going through that process we aren't going to consider anything period. So, really,
that's kind of the direction and -- and -- and feedback that we need as staff. Again, we
will relay this information to our -- our customers and potential applicants is, hey, we
would -- we would highly encourage you to wait on changing anything or add it to our list
of potential changes right now and we will carry that ball forward, if you will, through the
overall process if you're interested in either. So, essentially, that's the direction that I
need or -- or if there is a change in what we have been hearing that you're not too keen
on -- on processing comp plan amendments and you're like, no, it's fine, just business
as usual, that would be good to here, too. But I don't think that's the case. So, while
you're kind of pondering that a little bit, we did get some swag that we are going to be
handing away. So, I was going to give you each one of these, even though -- I don't
know if you have participated or not, but these are lanyards that we just ordered. We
are using the hashtag mymeridian for each phase. So, we are in the mymeridian
visioning phase right now. You don't have to keep it. You can hand it out. I see the
Mayor's already got one.
De Weerd: Mine is MYAC .
Hood: Oh, you got the MYAC version. So, we have two versions. We are really trying
to get up to 19 demographic more involved since they are likely to be pretty affected by
what happens in this plan. So, we are going to some safety summits and some other
things. And even MYAC meetings. But anyway. So, I'm going to take one and pass it
down. I do have more if you would like more. But we are going to be handing these
out, too, at our booth as we are continuing to engage and get feedback from the public.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I would say continue with business as usual. I would hate to hamper business
running their business while we go through this as much as is possible, while still
looking for opportunities certainly to -- to make sure that they are aware of an
opportunity to try to work with you to do it in the process, if it is possible. But if it's not
something that makes sense to work on it then, to go ahead and bring it to us. If the
rest of the Council feels otherwise, please, say so, so that they don't get here --
De Weerd: They will.
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Palmer: -- and we tell them to go away.
Hood: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt. Yes.
Hood: Sorry. I just wanted to put this out there so you can also have it be part of your
consideration as you make your comments as well. But I did get some comments from
Susan Karnes that I just wanted to also -- I was writing down Mr. Palmer's note and I
saw a note that I had that she did respond. In fact, you heard -- you heard it earlier this
evening from Sally Reynolds, essentially, read from the Southern Rim Coalition, some
of her concerns, but I did receive that request kind of reiterated and I'm just going to
read -- state a couple of the things. They are asking the city to honor the
Comprehensive Plan process for a fresh, long-range vision for Meridian. So, again, this
process we are going to. They respectfully ask that the City of Meridian closely adhere
to the guidelines and intent of its existing Comprehensive Plan for public safety, welfare,
and improved amenities that are forthcoming with this plan. So, thank you. I told her I
would carry that -- that message forward. Mrs. Reynolds was here as well. But I
wanted to get that on and I'm sorry, Mr. Bernt, that I interrupted there.
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Thank you, Madam Mayor. I -- I think that this process is far more complicated
than just, you know, saying we are not going to allow anymore, you know, high density
building going on in the City of Meridian for the next year. I think that the ramifications
of saying that and -- and, then, following that advice would -- would be hugely
detrimental to -- to our community. I think that I would urge discretion and -- and deep
thought in regard to this. I -- I don't know if we should say, you know, continue as
business as usual, but just know that the development community needs to know that --
that we are -- we may be a little bit pickier and maybe just them showing up with -- with,
you know, proposals, just with, you know, minimums and dotting every I and crossing
every T to the minimum amount maybe won't fly, you know, maybe they need to -- and
this is just me speaking out loud, but I would -- I would entertain a discussion more on
that regard than saying -- you know, putting a complete halt on these type of projects
going forward. I think that would be a huge mistake in my -- in my opinion.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Before we would go to you, Mr. Palmer, is there another Council member
who has comments? Mrs. Little Roberts.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor. I agree with Councilman Bernt. I think that we need to
maybe exercise discretion, but I think -- I just don't think we need to be in a situation
where we are not listening to our citizens and our developers, as well as our residents,
we are all citizens of Meridian and so I think we need to continue to have things brought
before us, Caleb, but if you can -- you and your team can educate them that, you know,
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September 4, 2018
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we are in this process, if you can wait that would be optimal, but, yes, we can still get
you in front of City Council. I don't want us to just suddenly have the doors closed.
Bernt: Right.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I might have a little bit different view on it. If -- if it's the narrow focus of comp
plan amendments -- we are not, you know, talking annexations or plats and -- so this is
a relatively rare and unique circumstance, I would -- the recommendation of strongly
encouraging them to wait and participate, to be blunt, I think is most appropriate. At
least that's probably how I'm going to lean, so when people come into the process they
know that this will be done in a year and comp plan amendments are, you know, drastic
shifts and it becomes very difficult to understand what today's Meridian wants in relation
to those requests. So, in light of that narrow scope that we are talking about comp plan
amendments, I -- I wouldn't use the word moratorium or stop entirely, but I think it's the
best business decision to participate actively with your proposal in our existing planning
process and bring it forward consistent with what comes from that.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I think there is some slight confusion as to exactly what we are talking about. I
would absolutely love to have the conversation that -- about whether we are open for
business with certain times -- types of applications, but as Councilman Borton pointed
out, we are specifically talking about Comprehensive Plan amendments and so that -- I
think it's important that we understand that that's what we are talking about. As to
whether we want to tell them, hey, wait or Council is still open to them.
Borton: That's what we just -- Madam Mayor? I think that's what we were just
answering was everyone's perspective. That was what I understood. What I thought
everyone was talking about was the narrower focus of comp plan amendments, so --
De Weerd: Yeah. This is -- this is specific to Comprehensive Plan amendments and
staff wanting to have a better gauge as to what Council's willing to entertain.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I tend to agree with -- with I think the comments -- where I think everyone is
trying to get maybe with different verbiage, with -- with I guess one specific caveat. I
think there is an important piece to take into consideration is that there are some in the
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September 4, 2018
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development community that embark on their process before we made a change to ours
and how -- how are we going to accommodate those who have brought forth a project
before we said we are making a change to our Comprehensive Plan. I don't know how
many there are, if there are anymore at this point, but, you know, a couple weeks ago
we denied a project that -- for a wide variety reasons, but one of the -- some of the
reasons cited by Council members is that we are going through this process. They
began before we updated our process. So, that's the only piece that I have got a little
bit of heartburn about is that the development community has moved forward with the
understanding of our -- of our process and -- and -- and the way that our comp plan is
laid out and now we are saying, well, we are going to press hold on all of that after you
have already started. So, I guess that would be a question for Caleb is do we know
how many active applications are -- that are out there even a ballpark that were initiated
before we started this?
Hood: Madam Mayor, Councilman Cavener -- and, again, just to put that clarifier in
there, I can -- and I can answer it sort of. Applications in process that are for a comp
plan map or text change that were submitted before we started our process is going to
be next to zero, if not, none. I can let you know that -- I'm sure you recall, Councilman
Cavener, we had two. One of them was approved and one of them was denied on -- on
the same night. The one that -- those two were both submitted in the spring just before
we started this. So, anything coming up -- and they -- they hit some roadblocks, too,
with some of -- one of them in particular having to go back to ACHD being continued a
couple of times, so that's why I'm pretty confident to say we don't have any in the queue
now. I will just clarify, though, if there is something in the queue, they are vested with
what we have on the books now. Just because we are going through this process we
evaluate it against the codes and --
Cavener: Sure.
Hood: -- whatever we have in process now and that's still true. I mean -- and, again,
that's kind of why the question now. Anyone comes in and submits now, we can -- and I
appreciate that discretion. We will have the conversation and look at these on a case-
by-case basis and go, oh, one acre, hey, maybe that makes sense for some office
there surrounded by other office and we have it shown as something else on the map. I
think we can gauge that. But -- but getting off on the right foot to -- for them to let -- this
is a big lift, even at one acre change this was developed by our community. We don't
take these lightly. So, the onus is on you to justify any change and it's especially
magnified right now as we are looking at overall vision for our community. So, I think
we can relay that information and kind of back off that if necessary or really press on it
more and say, listen, this 20 acres -- that changes the numbers we are running if we
look at how much industrial lands we have for the future and you take that 20 acres
away, now all of a sudden our analysis gets skewed, because we take that out of the
mix. So, again, I appreciate some of the comments there with some staff discretion in
how we relay this. I'm not overly concerned about the ones that are already in process,
because I don't believe -- give me a minute and I can look in Novis and just see what we
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September 4, 2018
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have coming up for hearings, but I don't believe there really are any additional map
amendments that we have taken in in the past two months.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I think, you know, going back and trying to think of the projects where we have --
we have had -- where it's caused a little bit of heartburn has been mostly, you know, big
high density stuff and so, again, just -- I think that it's important and I think -- I agree with
staff, you know, exercising discretion, you know, for your example, Caleb, with the acre
parcel and changing it to -- in looking at that, knowing what this Council -- the direction
this Council has taken in the past, knowing that, hey, this is not going to be a big deal, I
think you're going to be okay, but I think, you know, the Southern Rim's concern is just
density, you know, high density and so maybe going forward just having discretion in
regard to that, making sure that -- you know, that if we -- if we are presented with a
project that it's been vetted and, you know, making sure that it makes sense for the
greater good of Meridian for the next little while, you know, because we are in the
process of redoing our Comprehensive Plan.
De Weerd: Councilwoman Milan mentioned before she left that she would support
holding off on any Comprehensive Plan changes while we are in the process of
updating our Comprehensive Plan and, you know, frankly, unless there is some kind of
emergency that -- that would warrant not participating in the new Comprehensive Plan, I
don't know why you would come in to -- to change it and not be part of the process. I --
I started -- when I was on Planning and Zoning our Comprehensive Plan update, it took
a while and we did hold off on changes and even at that time changes to the
Comprehensive Plan were -- were only allowed every six months and I think there was
a state code to that, that only allowed changes that -- that infrequent. It did allow for a
more thoughtful process. I think the question about step-ups have also been brought up
and that's something we are considering not having in our -- our updated
Comprehensive Plan. So, these kind of things I do think show value to the citizens'
participation and to their voice and does encourage our property owners and the
development community to be involved. They were involved at that time and maybe
they had even more reason to be involved, but also our development community
stepped up, alongside our property owners, when we did the Ten Mile areas specific
plan as well and while the city did continue to process applications, it was to the
Comprehensive Plan and whatever was incorporated as part of that Comprehensive
Plan update for that area specifically, those were agreed to by the -- the applicant to
adhere to. So, this isn't new. It's been practiced in the past and has been -- it didn't
stop the development community from working with us and being part of the -- the
process and part of the vision. It didn't stop growth and I think it allowed us to grow as
gracefully as we possibly could in the midst of tremendous growth pressures. So, I -- if
this Council's direction is instead of just saying no as the direction, but be very
discriminating and maybe give our staff the -- the leeway of saying, unless you can
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September 4, 2018
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really give a good reason why this should be considered, you may want to wait for the
Comprehensive Plan update.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I think just some additional context, especially because Mr. Burke has sat
through our meeting and I appreciated his comments earlier today. When we started
talking about changes and maybe pressing pause on things until we complete the -- the
update to the Comprehensive Plan, that means a lot of things to a lot of different people
and as I have heard from the public there are those that want us just to press pause on
reviewing all land use applications until it's completed. You hear from those that say,
no, we just don't want you to process any high density residential or depending on the
part of town I don't want you to process any commercial. So, we have got -- as a body
have to be pretty uniform in our comments on this and moreover we need great citizens
like Mr. Burke to communicate that to his neighbors in the north and the Southern Rim
Coalition to communicate that to the neighbors in the south, so that we are consistent
with everybody that we are talking to, because I think the biggest challenges occur is
when somebody thinks they hear one thing from a member of City Council or a staff
member or a developer or their neighbor or they read on NextDoor and it's counter to
whoever they hear from somebody else. So, really trying to be as clear and concise
and consistent in our comments, both with anything that comes before us, as well as
anything that's in the pipeline.
De Weerd: Any further discussion? I -- Caleb, do you have a sense of where Council is
coming from?
Hood: Well, Madam Mayor, if I -- if -- unless there is a motion or direction to bring back
some type of -- of -- I don't know, Mr. Nary, if it's a -- if it is a resolution or an ordinance,
if we went moratorium, which I don't -- and that's not what I'm hearing.
De Weerd: No. There is no -- no interest that I have heard in a moratorium.
Hood: So, I think -- again, I think we can relay the information and use that discretion
and direction. Just the last point I would like to make --
De Weerd: And -- and, Caleb, forgive me for interrupting you. Again, this is on
Comprehensive Plan changes.
Hood: So, just maybe two quick things, to circle back on Councilman Cavener's
question about ones that are in process now. I just went back and Creamline Park and
Tanner Creek were both August 21st. Those are the last two we had that were pre this
process. Compass Charter School was also processed this year, as was Lost Rapids,
the Costco one. Those are the four we have done to date now. Now, have we met with
people in the last couple three months about them? Maybe. I'm not in every meeting.
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September 4, 2018
Page 52 of 55
But we don't have any applications right now that we have accepted. So, we can give
that direction that we just discussed and highly encourage them to participate in this
process. I guess that leads me to my second point that I wanted to make is if they don't
-- I mean one or two things; right? They can apply now or in the interim. If they apply
after we develop -- I think we are going to be very defensive of this thing after we get it
adopted. So, it's either you -- you -- you have three options, you process it now kind of
at your own risk, you come along as part of the comp plan, or you wait until after. The
first and the last don't seem like good options in the -- in the current environment for any
-- any changes to the vision for our city and again, I think we can relay that to people.
Hey, let us help you through this larger public involvement process of developing our
vision. Let's play that alternative future for your property out or whatever your interest is
through the public in this new Comprehensive Plan. So, again, I would just say it's not
wait until after it's developed and, then, submit your map amendment or your text
amendment, because we just got done developing and put a whole lot of resources into
this thing. So, I would hope we don't tweak it or change it much after -- after you adopt
it next fall. So, anyways, just the last kind of point that raised and I think we have
direction. Thank you.
De Weerd: Do -- do you need to do that through a resolution? Not unless you want a
black and white.
Hood: Yeah . Madam Mayor, I don't need to. I think you could -- it could send a
symbolic message if you wanted to do something like that, but it doesn't carry any
weight necessarily; right? I mean it wouldn't prohibit somebody from still -- even if staff
is saying we don't -- no, don't do this, they can still submit their application, but it could
be some symbolic gesture that says -- I don't know exactly all the whereases there, but I
mean you could if you want to, but we don't need to.
De Weerd: I think you can always point them back to the discussion on the -- on the
public record.
Hood: Uh-huh.
Nary: Madam Mayor, it sounds like that's the direction. That's good. I wouldn't
recommend doing a resolution. If you -- if you want to do a moratorium that's fine. I
wouldn't do that -- I think you would be subject to challenge that you're trying to subvert
the moratorium process by creating something else and I don't think we should do that.
Item 11 : Ordinances [Action Items]
A. Ordinance No. 18-1745A: An Ordinance Of The City Of
Meridian, Idaho Amending Ordinance No. 17-1745, The
Appropriation Ordinance For The Fiscal Year Beginning
October 1, 2017 And Ending September 30, 2018.
Appropriating Monies That Are To Be Allocated By The City Of
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 53 of 55
Meridian, Idaho In The Sum Of 10,112,632); And Providing
An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Okay. Highly discouraged. Okay. Ordinance 11 -A is 18-1745A. Mr. Clerk,
will you, please, read this by title.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 18-1745A, an
ordinance of the City of Meridian, Idaho amending Ordinance No. 17-1745, the
appropriation ordinance for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017, and ending
September 30, 2018, appropriating monies that are to be allocated by the City of
Meridian, Idaho, in the sum of less 10,112,632 dollars and providing an effective date.
De Weerd: You have heard this ordinance read. If there is no questions or discussion,
I would entertain a motion.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I move we approve Ordinance No. 18-1745A with suspension of rules.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve 11-A. Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, absent; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea;
Bernt, yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
B. Ordinance No. 18-1790: An Ordinance, Pursuant To Idaho Code
50-1002 And §50-1003, Providing For A Title And Findings,
Providing For The Adoption Of A Budget And The
Appropriation
Of $130,464,302 To Defray The Necessary Expenses And
Liabilities Of The City Of Meridian, In Accordance With The
Object And Purposes And In The Certain Amounts Herein
Specified For The Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2018 And
Ending On September 30, 2019; To Levy All Such Appropriate
Taxes And Levies As Authorized By Law Upon Taxable
Property; And To Collect All Authorized Revenue; To Provide
For The Waiving Of The 2nd And 3rd Readings Pursuant To
Idaho Code 50-902; And Providing For An Effective Date And
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September 4, 2018
Page 54 of 55
The Filing Of A Certified Copy Of This Ordinance With The
Secretary Of State.
De Weerd: 11-B is Ordinance 18-1790. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, read this by title.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 18-1790, an
ordinance, pursuant to Idaho Code 50-1002 and 50-1003, providing for a title and
findings, providing for the adoption of a budget and the appropriation of 130,464,302
dollars to defray the necessary expenses and liabilities of the City of Meridian, in
accordance with the object and purposes and in the certain amounts herein specified for
the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018, and ending on September 30, 2019; to levy
all such appropriate taxes and levies as authorized by law upon taxable property; and to
collect all authorized revenue; to provide for the waiving of the 2nd and 3rd readings
pursuant to Idaho Code 50-902; and providing for an effective date and the filing of a
certified copy of this ordinance with the Secretary of State.
De Weerd: You have heard this ordinance read by title. Is there any questions or
discussion? If not, I would entertain a motion. Or not.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Little Roberts.
Little Roberts: I move we approve Ordinance 18-1790 with suspension of rules.
Borton: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Mr. Clerk, we will call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, absent; Cavener, yea; Palmer, nay; Little Roberts, yea;
Bernt, yea.
De Weerd: The ayes have it.
MOTION CARRIED: THREE AYES. TWO NAYS. ONE ABSENT.
Item 12: Future Meeting Topics
De Weerd: Any items under 12?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Real briefly. I know the members of the school district are -- are in the lobby.
I don't know if they can hear this. Today a great educator was laid to rest by the name
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 55 of 55
of Greg Grove. Greg served with Mark Enger with the Skills USA, was an accomplished
educator for 34 years in the Western Ada School District, was a great guy and taught
me a lot and a good friend and I just thought it was great that we saw so many
members of our school district and educators at his funeral today and just wanted to put
that on the record.
Item 13: Amended onto agenda: Executive Session per Idaho State Code
74-206(1)(a): To consider hiring a public officer, employee,
staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective
qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a
particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to
filling a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about
staffing needs in general and 74 -206(1)(b): To consider the
evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints
or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff
member or individual agent
De Weerd: Thank you. Well, Council, we did add a No. 13.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: What is your desire? Mr. Borton.
Borton: We will -- it's so early. Well, we will see what happens. I'm going to make a
motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to 74-2016(1)(a) and(1)(b) with all the
best intentions that it's relatively --
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion and a second. If there is no discussion, Mr. Clerk.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, absent; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea;
Bernt, yea.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
De Weerd: Council, just before we go off the public record, just to remind you, it is
public -- it's Heart Week in downtown. Coffee with the Mayor next week -- next
Tuesday. The ICOM ribbon cutting tomorrow. And so, hopefully, we will see you all
there. And a special meeting for Costco design -- Caleb, when is that?
Hood: It's whenever their public hearing was scheduled for. September 11th, I believe.
Coles: September 11th, 6:00 p.m.
De Weerd: Okay. Very good. Thank you.
Meridian City Council
September 4, 2018
Page 56 of 55
EXECUTIVE SESSION: (8:56 p.m. to 9:28 p.m.)
De Weerd: I would entertain a motion to come out of Executive Session.
Bernt: So moved.
Borton: Second.
De Weerd: All those in favor say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
De Weerd: Do I have a motion to adjourn?
Bernt: So moved.
Borton: Second.
De Weerd: All those in favor?
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:28 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING-,,O—N-- F E OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
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