HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-26Meridian City Council February 26, 2019.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:01 p.m., Tuesday,
February 26, 2019, by Mayor Tammy de Weerd.
Members Present: Tammy De Weerd, Joe Borton, Luke Cavener, Ty Palmer, Genesis
Milam, Anne Little Roberts and Treg Bernt.
Also present: C.Jay Coles, Bill Nary, Caleb Hood, Warren Stewart, Jamie Leslie, Mark
Niemeyer, Colin Moss, 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: Well, good evening. I would like to welcome all of you to our City Council
meeting. Always like to have our citizens in attendance. We will start tonight's meeting.
For the record it is Tuesday, February 26. It's 6:01. We will start with roll call attendance,
Mr. Clerk.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
De Weerd: Item No. 2 is the Pledge of Allegiance. If you all rise and join us in the pledge
to our flag.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
Item 3: Community Invocation by Michael Pearson of 7th Day Adventist
Church
De Weerd: Item 3 is our community invocation. Tonight we will be led by Pastor Michael
Pearson. Pastor Pearson is with the Seventh-Day church -- Adventist Church. If you will
all join us in the community invocation or take this as an opportunity for a moment of
reflection. Thank you for joining us, Pastor Michael.
Pearson: Thank you. Good to see you all. Eternal Father, Ancient of Days, we invite
your presence with us this evening. We ask for your blessing on the proceedings and
when all is done we ask that you will give safe passage for everyone back t o their homes
this evening. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Item 4: Adoption of Agenda
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De Weerd: Thank you for joining us. Item No. 4, adoption of the agenda.
Borton: Madam Mayor, I move -- 10-A, there is no discussion, so 10-A will come off the
agenda. With that change I move that we adopt the agenda.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda as changed. All those in
favor say aye. All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 5: Future Meeting Topics - Public Forum (Up to 30 Minutes Maximum)
De Weerd: Mr. Clerk, anything under Item 4 -- or 5? No. 5.
Coles: No, Madam Mayor.
Item 6: Consent Agenda [Action Item] Approved
A. Approve Minutes of February 12, 2019 City Council Workshop
Meeting
B. Mountain View High School Addition - Water Main Easement
C. Final Plat for Sky Mesa Commons Subdivision No. 2 (H-2019-
0012) by Jon Breckon, Breckon Land Design, Located at 5689
S. Montague Way
D. Development Agreement Summertown (H-2017-0142) with the
Estate of Ruby E. Ward located at 745 W. Ustick Road in the NE
1/4 of Section 1, Township 3N., Range 1W (Parcel#S120112113)
E. Approval of Award of Bid and Agreement to L2 Excavation, LLC.
for “Sewer Line Point Repairs” for a Not-To -Exceed amount of
221,206.00
F. Approval of Bid and Award of Contract to Weidner Fire for the
Fire Station Diesel Exhaust Removal System” Project for a
Not-To -Exceed Amount of $187,569.04.
G. AP Invoices for Payment 2/27/19 - $1,297,104.13
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 6 is our Consent Agenda.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: There were no changes to the Consent Agenda. I move that we approve it as
published, 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. 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.
Item 7: Items Moved From The Consent Agenda [Action Item]
De Weerd: There were no items moved from the Consent Agenda.
Item 8: Community Items/Presentations
A. Parks and Recreation Commission Annual Report
De Weerd: So, we will move into our community presentations. We will start with our
Parks and Recreation Commission annual report. Hello, Jessica. Thank you for joining
us.
West: Thank you for having me. So, my name is Jessica West and I'm the current
president of the Meridian Parks and Recreation Commission. I have been on the
commission for about three years and I have absolutely loved it, working with the Parks
and Recreation Department staff on the wonderful amenities and activities that they are
constantly planning and implementing. But tonight I will just be here to discuss some of
the top things that -- from our goals and accomplishments for last year when I was vice-
president. So, our number one goal, which has been a goal for the last three years I have
been on the commission and continues to be a primary goal today, is the -- supporting
the development of our pathway system and the connections of those pathways systems.
So, we -- each year we continue to make wonderful progress. I think some of the items
that we were able to complete last year were like Segment F, the Linder to Ustick Roads
near Tully Park, that was the ten foot widening project that widened that pathway. That
was completed last year. The Segment H, the Pine Avenue, that pathway system was
completed, along with ACHD's project to widen Pine Avenue. But moving forward into
this year we are going to continue to work towards adding a rest area at the road crossing.
So, that project -- the pathway has been completed, but we are continuing to work towards
adding a rest area right there. Another part was Segment H-2 was completed and we
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had the ribbon cutting last year on Fairview. That connected Fairview to Pine Avenue.
So, that -- now that connected pathway system is up and running. And one of the things
that I really enjoy is the spring pathway bike tour. I think everyone is invited on that . I'm
not quite sure. But that's a wonderful event, because this is our number one goal and it
really gets us out there. We are able to ask questions and get answers immediately and
see the progress each year that the staff has been able to make and really to see the
improvements in action. So, I know -- I thoroughly enjoy it and each year we try to keep
it relevant to the projects that we are working on. So, last year we started out at that
segment H-2 and Fairview Avenue and worked all the way up to segment D, which I kind
of skipped over, but that's the Ten Mile and Black Cat Roads where we are trying to add
a trailhead, but we were able to get on our bikes and go all the way through some of the
parks, Tully, Reta Huskey, and really get to the whole other side of Meridian. So, that was
really wonderful and we continue to try to do that each year. So, this year I think we are
still defining our pathway tour, but we are looking at seeing how close we can get to the
upcoming high school location. So, we will see how that goes. There is a lot of
disconnections there, so we are going to see -- but that puts it into focus and so when we
are planning those pathway systems we know exactly what we are talking about, because
we are all on our bikes, we were there, we can kind of discuss in detail the surrounding
areas. So, it's a wonderful opportunity and I hope many of you are able to make it this
year or potentially next year. The next major goal and update that we would like to discuss
is just the Discovery Park. That is well underway under construction and is expected to
be open this summer, so that's just a wonderful project. It will be a huge amenity for our
community and everyone is really excited about that. So, we continue to work hard.
Parks and Rec staff were able to make a lot of progress through the months of December
and January, because we had wonderful weather. Right now not so much, but we were
-- you know, they continue to be ahead of schedule and under budget on their projects ,
so it's just wonderful. And, like I said, it will be open this summer. The next item is the
band shell at Kleiner Park. This is for the performers. That's well underway. Construction
on that should start, weather permitting, as soon as possible, but it will be installed before
Gene Kleiner Day in June. So, we can all look forward to that. It will probably be installed
earlier than that, but by Gene Kleiner Day in June. We continue to coordinate with the
city of Eagle, their commission. This is the next item to connect our communities,
because I know it's a major goal of mine personally and the entire commission and the
department to be able to connect our two communities together, as people in Meridian
will be able to get to Eagle and specifically the greenbelt, it would be a wonderful amenity
to be able to get on your bike and get to safely and vice-versa, Eagle being able to get to
all our wonderful amenities here in Meridian. So, we will continue to work with them. We
anticipate -- they are coming next month to present some other updated projects , but we
will just continue to focus on that as much as we can to connect the amenities. The next
item is along the same lines. We continue to try to build and develop partnerships for
different amenities in our area. Last year we completed the Heroes -- the art -- worked
with the arts commission to complete the Heroes Park art installation and also another
partnership that was well underway and completed was the Fix-It bike stations that were
in coordination with the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council. This year I think you guys just
recently approved the two artwork -- the sculptures for Champion and Renaissance
Parks. So, we will continue to progress and work through those installations. Our
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commission continues to try to be actively involved and present at these community
events, so that we can provide adequate feedback and input to the parks and recreational
staff and departments and that's really something that we really put on one of our goals
and items, because we all want to be involved as much as possible , so that we -- when
the department is planning them we have relevant feedback. We understand and can
represent our community members as best as possible. One of our biggest events is the
Winter Lights Parade. Of course, we get to ride on a float, like all of you, and really get
to see all the community members and get a chance to enga ge with them. Jo Greer
continues to be leading that commission and so that's just a wonderful event that we all
really look forward to. And, finally, I just want to mention -- we are always looking for ways
and agencies to work with to build amenities or collaborate with to add more for our
community and one of the things that we recently heard about was with the senior
advisory board. For instance, they are proposing a project which we -- or we will see the
details of next month to potentially have a fishing dock at Kleiner Park for the seniors.
So, that's going to be a really exciting project, just one of the many that we are hoping to
continue to work to in partnerships with other agencies. Last month we were able to see
-- the library presented a reading storybook idea for Kleiner Park, which we also thought
was wonderful, where the books could be interchanged. I don't know if you -- you did
receive the updates on that, but it's a storybook walk where there will be installations of
different pages and the books can be swapped out, but it allows seniors to have visitors
and do a short walk with say their grandchildren or other family members and read a book
together in like a small walking area near the senior center at Kleiner Park. So, we are
continually looking for different agencies to work with to add amenities to our parks and
also add exciting stuff to our events. So, I just want to say those are the top things that I
thought you guys might want to hear updates on , but, like I said, we continue to look for
projects and I just want to say I really enjoy being on the commission. I love being able
to work with the Parks and Recreation Department. They do just wonderful things. They
are constantly impressing us and going above and beyond and it's just really exciting to
see all the fun activities and amenities that are coming to our community, so --
De Weerd: Thank you, Jessica. And I know they appreciate the commission and every
member and the things that you bring to the Parks Department in the discussion and
bringing ideas to life as well. You're a very active commission, you put a lot of time and
effort into it and -- and you personally going the last three years, now you're chairing it, it
certainly underscores the dedication that you have brought to your position as well.
West: Well, thank you so much and thank you for the opportunity. I really appreciate it.
De Weerd: Thank you. Council, do you have any questions for Jessica?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Okay. Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Maybe a comment and, then, just a thought. Jessica, thanks for the report. As
many times as I have heard this, this is the first time I have learned that pathways are the
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number one priority of the parks commission. So, I really appreciate you passing on that
piece of information. I applaud the commission's effort to kind of look at this regionally
and connecting Meridian to Eagle, I think that's really forward thinking. I don't know who
the parks liaison is -- oh, Genesis. I guess in light of hearing that pathways is the number
one priorities as we go into budget season, I would hope to maybe see an increase in
funding for our pathways than what we have seen in years past. I think if that's the number
one priority of our parks commission, let's put some additional finances behind that , so
that we can support this commission with that priority. So, that would be my
recommendation.
De Weerd: Well -- and I think there has been a lot of work on the next section of pathway
and I was thrilled to hear about the spring tour looking at how we get to McDermott in a
safe manner. That will be interesting. I'll be there with my bike and my helmet. Well --
seeing how that works. Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Madam Mayor. Jessica, great presentation and I just want to say thank you to
you and to all of the commissioners. I know you spend a lot of time and have very
thoughtful discussions at meetings, sometimes go late, but that's good. That's because
you really -- really put a lot of love and care and thought into every decision and everything
that you're doing, so thank you very much for your --
West: Thank you.
B. Transportation Commission Annual Report
De Weerd: Any other questions? Thank you for joining us tonight and I hope you will
extend our thanks to the rest of the commission. Okay. Item 8-B is under our
Transportation Commission. Mr. Ballard. I know you guys are very much kept busy with
prioritization and parking and all kinds of fun things.
Ballard: Yes.
De Weerd: We look forward to your update.
Ballard: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, Mrs. Roberts, Mr. Borton, Mr. Palmer,
Mr. Bernt, Mrs. Milam, Mr. Cavener. It's my privilege to address you this evening. I'm
David Ballard, I'm currently the chair of the Transportation Commission and I would first
like to recognize the city's efforts, if you will, about getting a place at the table with
transportation groups. The question comes up the city doesn't build roads, but I recognize
through your efforts you have created a partnership with the road building agencies and
that leads me into part of my conversation is as part of the Transportation Commission
we get to interface with those agencies, ACHD, ITD, the police department, VRT,
COMPASS. So, there is that opportunity to have a small voice in a larger voice that you
share. But I would also like to recognize that I collaborate with eight other very
enthusiastic involved members. They come, they have done their work, we get into the
weeds, if you will. I recognize we are an advisory commission and we can make
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resolutions, recommendations, but we take our work seriously, but I think we also have
fun doing it. Now, I have been on the commission for five years and I have come to
develop a greater appreciation for the movement of people and freight in the city. By
movement of the people I'm talking about cars, talking about bikes, and, yes, scooters
and a lot of emphasis on walkways. We have spent a lot of time talking about crosswalks
and the safety of children and that leads us to parking issues around schools that we
have had a conversation with, and people ingressing and -- ingressing and egressing the
schools. When I also talk about the agencies, an issue near and dear to me, are the
freight issues. So, we have heard from the freight advisory group and that's information
that's brought up that we pass on to the city. We have spent some time and just recently
concluded the prioritization and I would single out Mr. Lewis on the commission, he has
kind of shepherded us through what he thinks are priorities, but, interestingly, as we look
at those prioritization projects, each member seems to bring something to the table in a
discussion, should it move up, should it move down, is that a good idea, is there a better
idea. So, we get a good sense there. One that is kind of interesting is speed zones and
traffic controls. We have an opportunity to make requests to have speed studies and so,
again, we have a voice, we talk to ACHD and we can get that -- at least get that process
initiated, if you will. We have had several instances of traffic going through
neighborhoods. One in particular is the traffic being able to cross a private lot, if it will, to
get between two subdivisions. We can't make a decision on that , but, again, there is a
fair discussion about are there some resolutions and it brings some information to the
table. Been talking about traffic. We had conversations -- had a report from Sergeant
Arnold about right turns and the hazards of turning on left blinking yellow signals. So, we
analyze -- or at least have a conversation on a number of risks and some input how to
address those. One fun one was to hear from Harvest Transit. We had a field trip over
there. I think that's a wonderful project that the city has been able to implement and
develop and that is a bus, if you will, for senior and impaired citizens. A couple other
issues. Again, that's -- on my private side we had a conversation about compression
brakes for trucks inside the city and also a truck route and made recommendations to the
city on those issues, an ordinance being taken up I think maybe on comp brakes, for the
compression brakes. Truck routes was not an issue that was passed up to City Council,
at least from the commission. That's a general overview. I bring a little color commentary.
I think you have had an opportunity to read the report, but those are my impressions and
what stands out to me and what keeps me involved and, again, I would be remiss if I
didn't recognize the other eight members, because they bring something -- like I say, a
lot of enthusiasm, a lot of involvement and I think it's a very good conversation and an
opportunity to hear from the citizens of the city and residents and, then, two of us have
participated in the transportation side, reviewed the comp plan, comprehensive plan, so
we have had our fingers, if you will, in a lot of different areas. Questions for me?
De Weerd: Thank you, David. Council, any questions for Mr. Ballard?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
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Cavener: I don't have any questions, but as a staff -- or the liaison to the transportation
commission I just want to echo what Commissioner Ballard -- or President Ballard, excuse
me, said -- that commission -- I enjoy all my commission roles, but there is a lot of media
issues that our transportation commission weighs and we have seen many of those
issues come before the Council -- many in the past 12 months since you have last been
here and I just wanted to share to the Council that it is a robust collaborative group that
takes on these issues in a -- in a unique way. It was a lot of different stakeholders being
represented. I think President Ballard does a great job of chairing the meetings. I think
it's also important to recognize Caleb and he does a great job as our staff liaison to keep
the -- the commission moving forward and on point. He has scheduled outings for the
commission to actually go and see some of the projects they worked on. It's really a well-
oiled machine and a great team and I just want to say thanks for -- for serving and just for
the -- the Council, for the public to be aware, it is -- so much of what we do impacts our
transportation. It is a great place for our citizens to be involved, I'm so glad we have this
commission and appreciate all they do.
Ballard: Mr. Cavener, I appreciate it and I'm somewhat embarrassed, because I needed
to make a bigger star next to Mr. Hood's name, because he does a wonderful job of -- of
keeping us on task organizing us and, I apologize, I should have two stars next to his
name.
De Weerd: I would echo Mr. Cavener's comments about the work you have done. You
know, David, you are at almost every community event, listening to the citizens and
listening to the conversations about traffic and other related issues that come up , like
parking near school zones and path -- even getting into pathways and -- and safety on
sidewalks and many areas that are on top of the mind of our citizens. We appreciate that.
You -- you take your responsibility as a commissioner to that next level and that is noticed
and greatly appreciated.
Ballard: Thank you, Madam Mayor. I appreciate that. It's important to keep the
infrastructure in mind and, again, how we move people and freight.
De Weerd: And, you're correct, you guys touch on many different aspects of the moving
goods and services and people through our community. So , thank you again for your
service and for your report.
Ballard: Thank you. Appreciate it. Have a good evening.
De Weerd: And, Caleb, you have been exemplary in -- in our transportation efforts, key
to that collaboration with all of our agencies, so thank you for that. Anything further?
Item 9: Action Items
A. Resolution No. 19-2130: A Resolution Appointing Michael
Venard as Youth Commissioner to the Meridian Transportation
Commission.
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De Weerd: Item 9-A is Resolution 19-2130. This is a resolution appointing our youth
commissioner to the Meridian Transportation Commission. Michael is here in our
audience and before I asked for your approval of th is resolution I will see if Michael has
anything he would like to say.
Venard: I just want to say that I'm honored to be -- have the opportunity to be appointed
to the commission and I look forward to serving the community.
De Weerd: And so, Michael, maybe you can tell us a little bit about your interest in the
transportation task force -- or, I'm sorry, commission.
Venard: Commission.
De Weerd: That just shows you how long I have been around.
Venard: I mean I'm a fairly new driver, so I have a different perspective on the roads than
other more experienced drivers and I think that could be insightful for the commission and
I think being a student at Rocky Mountain and seeing how students react to the roads, I
think that it would be helpful for my view and experiencing that through the community
and I find that transportation is really interesting, seeing how we are able to move a
massive of people to where they need to be.
De Weerd: Well, thank you so much for your interest and we look forward to your service
on the commission. So, thank you for joining us. Do you have someone with you tonight
as well?
Venard: That's my father back there.
De Weerd: Well, hi, dad. Thanks for joining him. Thank you for being here and with that,
Council, I would entertain any questions or if you do not have any would entertain a motion
to approve my appointment as -- for the youth commissioner on the Meridian
Transportation Commission.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I'm going to make a motion, but just maybe a request. I recognize these
appointments are only on an annual basis. Michael, appreciate you coming in the middle
of the year to help the transportation commission. I think your school that you attend and
-- and your perspective will be very well welcome to the commission. But, Madam Mayor,
maybe just a request that should Michael enjoy serving on the commission and wants to
stay on for a second year, that maybe he receive some consideration, so that he can get
a full experience in serving on our commission, should that be something you would want
to do, so --
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De Weerd: He absolutely will.
Cavener: With that, Madam Mayor, I move we approve Resolution Number 19-2130.
Bernt: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve the appointment for the Meridian
Transportation Commission under 9-A. If there is no discussion, Mr. Clerk, will you call
roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Ro berts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes. Motion carried.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: Well, thank you and I know that Caleb will most likely be following up with you
and get you the kind of materials you need before your first official mee ting.
Venard: All right. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you for joining us. Congratulations. I love it when one of our youth
members actually has an interest in transportation. So, there you go, Mr. Ballard, your
new commissioner.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: We have heard a lot of the conversations about parking at Rocky Mountain.
So, hopefully, Michael will be the solution that we have been looking for --
Bernt: That a boy, Michael.
Cavener: -- solving that.
Bernt: That a boy. Pressure is on.
De Weerd: Well -- so, that -- that brings up a story. So, the value of the youth and what
Michael has said, you do bring a different perspective , so when we first added youth on
commissions we had a youth member -- and I don't advise this. He was late to almost
every meeting. So, timeliness is great. But he showed up a little bit late. They were
trying to figure out a solution to an issue off of Ten Mile as you pull into Parkside Creek.
You might remember this, Caleb, but we had cars taking that curve and traveling into the
house that was on that block and they were trying to figure out what was the best method
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and, of course, we like sometimes over complicate it and have great solutions that take a
lot of time and et cetera. Well, he came in and he goes, well, have you considered X and
everyone kind of looked at each other and said, oh, wow, what a great idea. I think it was
done in a week's time, because it was that simple and it's been effective, too. So, we
appreciate your interest and look forward to your views and perspective , because
sometimes we bring -- we make things more complicated.
B. Resolution No. 19-2131: A Resolution Appointing Lynn Smith to
Seat 1, Bonnie Griffith to Seat 4, Leslie Mauldin to Seat 5 and
Maria Tzompa to Seat 6 of the Meridian Arts Commission.
De Weerd: Okay. Item 9-B is Resolution 19-2131. This resolution appoints Seat 1, Seat
4, Seat 5 and Seat 6 of the Meridian Arts Commission. Ms. Mauldin and I committed --
or had interviews and we are really excited to maintain Bonnie on our commission . She
organizes our art gallery every month and is an artist in her own right . As well Maria and
Lynn bring a whole different perspective to the c ommission. So, very excited for the
talents and perspective that they will bring and I would stand for any questions. If there
are none, I would entertain a motion to approve.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes, Mr. Borton.
Borton: If I may, I would move that we approve Resolution No. 19-2131 appointing Lynn
Smith, Bonnie Griffith, Leslie Mauldin and Maria -- Maria Tzompa to the Meridian Arts
Commission.
Bernt: Second.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 9-B. If there is no 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. Resolution No. 19-2132: A Resolution Appointing Treg Bernt To
Seat 6 On the Board Of The Meridian Development
Corporation.
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De Weerd: Item 9-C is Resolution 19-2132. This resolution appoints Treg Bernt to Seat
6 on the Meridian Development Corporation. Certainly I will not defend Mr. Bernt, but
would entertain any questions, if you might have them. If not, I would entertain a motion.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we approve Resolution No. 19-2132 appointing Mr. Bernt to Seat 6 of
the board of the Meridian Development Corp.
Cavener: I second that.
De Weerd: Do I have a second?
Cavener: Madam Mayor, I made a second.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you for that. Any questions? Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Borton, abstain; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea;
Bernt, abstain.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. TWO ABSTAIN.
Milam: Do you want to make a speech?
De Weerd: Would you like to say anything, Mr. Bernt?
Bernt: Absolutely, Madam Mayor. Thank you for this opportunity. Excited to wrap my
arms around downtown and make a difference. So, thank you for the opportunity.
De Weerd: Well, thank you for dressing up for this appointment.
Bernt: My pleasure, Madam Mayor.
D. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law for Cope Collision (H2019-
0002) by Mussell Construction, Inc., Located at 1724 E ,
Franklin Rd.
De Weerd: Okay. 9-D is the Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law for H-2019-0002.
Mr. Hood.
Hood: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, this is something that typically would be
on your Consent Agenda, but we pulled it off to tell a little bit of the story here. So, earlier
this month the Council approved this project allowing the applicant to modify an existing
development agreement. This project is located on the northeast corner of Franklin and
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Locust Grove. The property was originally owned by one single property owner, but has
recently been sold to two different properties owners. The modification of the
development agreement was intended to omit the subject properties in favor of a new
development agreement, but that wasn't in the staff report. So, the staff report has been
updated and the findings to reflect that there is not two separate property owners and two
different development agreements that control each party's interest in the property. So ,
that standalone development agreement and findings, again, are now part of the record
that are before you now, so that's -- that's what you have. Requesting your approval of
that this evening.
De Weerd: Thank you, Caleb. Council, any questions for staff?
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Caleb, do we need to reference a new date for a staff report as part of a motion
to approve the findings or are the findings themselves, do they reflect the date of an
updated staff report?
Hood: Madam Mayor, Councilman Borton, that's a good question. I didn't actually check
to see if Stephanie had changed the date on the staff report and I don't have the packet
up right in front of me right now, so -- but it should be in your packet. So, whatever that
date is on that staff report that is what I would request you review and approve this
evening.
Bernt: Madam Mayor? I believe that day was February 5th, if I'm remembering correctly
from reading it earlier.
Hood: Madam Mayor, that is the correct original hearing date. I don't know if -- again, I
don't know if Stephanie updated that since that date to reflect a more recent date, so --
Borton: Madam Mayor? Maybe another way to go around about it is the staff report
that's in our packet for this agenda item, it says February 5th. So, it might have been
updated. Do we know if -- if the approval goes with the staff report that's in today's
packet? Is that sufficient?
Hood: Sorry. Madam Mayor, Councilman Borton, yes, that is my understanding from
Stephanie that she uploaded the most current staff report and find -- including the findings
and conditions that reflect what she would like you to -- to approve this evening.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
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Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, the staff report does reflect today's date,
so that is the most current one. It says findings on February 26, 2019.
Bernt: Oh, yes. Up at the top.
De Weerd: Okay. Anything further? I think I had a --
Borton: Madam Mayor, yes, you're going to get one.
De Weerd: I need a motion.
Borton: I almost muddied it up. I would move that we approve the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law for Cope Collision, H-2019-0002, as reflected in the staff report of --
of February 26.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve the Findings of Fact dated February
26th. Is there 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.
E. Public Hearing Continued from February 19, 2019 for
Proposed Vehicle Sharing Program Ordinance
1. Ordinance No. 19-1809: An Ordinance Adding A New
Chapter, Chapter 6, To Title 3, Meridian City Code, Regarding
Vehicle Sharing Programs; Amending Meridian City Code
Section 4-2-2, Regarding Party Responsible For Nuisance;
Adding A New Section, Meridian City Code Section 7-1-9, To
Title 7, Chapter 1, Meridian City Code, Regarding Electric
Power-Assisted Bicycles And Scooters; Adding A New
Subsection, Subsection 7-1-9(F ), To Meridian City Code
Section 7-1-9, Regarding Prohibited Parking; Adopting A
Savings Clause; And Providing An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Item 9-E is a public hearing continued from last week to have staff bring back
the process they recommend in moving forward on a vehicle sharing program ordinance.
Mr. Nary.
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Nary: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. You have a memo in your
packet from Ms. Kane, who has been the one that has drafted the ordinances and such.
We had a discussion with the staff and the -- and the question was posed to the staff
committee was to bring a recommendation to you based on the discussion that you had
over the last number of weeks on what we would recommend the city do and provide you
the options moving forward. After a lot of discussion amongst the committee, the
recommendation is to do a single vendor RFP for a variety of reasons. Some of the
concerns were, essentially, the -- the -- the race to filing the application was key in the
current ordinance and the way it's crafted. That was a concern that was expressed by a
number of members of the Council that you really don't know who you are going to get.
We had a concern that's been expressed a lot of times about the outreach and the -- the
-- the public type of communication that's going to be done by whoever the vendor or
vendors are, again, with a -- with a race to submit the application on time. We don't even
know who that person is. There is an application deadline, there is a three week period
in which the background is done to determine if they have met all the qualifications of the
application and, then, an award is done and there is a 30 day rollout. So, there really is
not a tremendous amount of opportunity to do that. With the RFP process you get to set
the parameters of what you consider to be the most critical things that you as a -- as an
entity, as a city wants to see in this type of ride share program. Whatever the key
concerns or the key issues can be -- and Ms. Kane has included a few of those in an
example, but you get to set the stage. We have weighted criteria. We have a committee
that selects the -- the -- the eventual successor or the -- or the eventual -- excuse me, the
eventual franchisee based on the weighted criteria. So, the difference between the two,
one of -- the application process simply puts on the vendor the -- at best the requirement
to tell us what they are going to do and after the fact, whether they do it or not, may be
critical on whether revocation or renewal would be allowed. On the other side, the -- and
the problem is is there is no weighting to it. So, I will take an easy example. If one of the
concerns of this Council is how is the public outreach going to be done. In an application
process they could simply say we are going to put it on Facebook. That's all they have
to do. There is no -- there is no weighting or specific requirement necessarily on
applications. In RFPs you can put weight to it, put specifics, put deta il or give greater
weight or credit to those that provide it, so that you have -- if that's a concern, that's a way
to get at it. Now, again, you have RFPs that people commit to doing a lot of things and
don't perform. You have applications that people don't commit to doing a lot of things and
perform very well. So, I recognize that both sides have -- have issues or concerns. We
have a lot of success in RFPs. We do a lot of them. We read a lot of them. We have a
lot of staff that -- that reads them on a variety of different topics. There was a concern
that was expressed that sometimes in the RFP process people say a lot of flowery things
that don't necessarily mean it. I don't disagree that that can occur, but you are looking for
concrete detail specifics when you are looking at RFPs. That's how you -- that's how you
score them, that's how you rate them. Mr. Watts, our purchasing manager, you know,
was in the discussion and said, you know, for example, there was a discussion of -- by
some members of the Council about references. Many -- many vendors can give you a
reference. What -- what Mr. Watts does -- what we normally do in a lot of these RFPs is
we don't seek references, we seek where do they do business. We, then, go do the
background. We go look at who -- where they have done business and how successful
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they have been, because it's easy to get people to tell you how well they have done, it's
a lot harder to go find people that don't tell you that and so his view i s that's -- that's
incumbent on us as the raters to do that. So, there are ways that we can get to that. Is
it perfect? No. But from all the concerns that have been expressed, that's what the
committee tried to weigh and say if that's what -- if that's the desire of this Council, a way
to get what you want is -- is that method. You will have more likely success in getting that
and one of the concerns that was discussed is, again, the -- this is the second shot at it
and there was a concern by the committee members that doing it again, if we aren't
successful, it's going to be a very difficult issue with the public, that we maybe did it wrong
a second time or we didn't really do it as well as we could have a second time . Again,
there is no perfect system. We certainly have had some occasions in the RFP process
that we haven't necessarily picked the best vendor for some reason s and we have been
able to address it better here. Again, when you're talking about revocation and trying to
capture poor business practices, poor response times, poor reaction for the public, I think
-- especially with two vendors, you're going to have a lot of people trying to report
complaints that we will have a hard time discerning was it a green one, was it a blue one,
was it a red one, was it a yellow -- it's just going to be very difficult to address it in the
licensing criteria. So, that's the recommendation of the committee. I can answer any
other questions you may have from Ms. Kane's memo or any other questions that you
have.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Nary. Council, questions?
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Not so much a question. I appreciate all that -- that background and detail. The
last week's discussion I missed, but I watched the video and kind of got caught up on the
discussion amongst our crew on this particular issue and -- and got a better understanding
of what the committee has been doing and the pros and the cons and the trade -offs that
Mr. Nary describes, that there is not necessarily a perfect process, but it seems to me
that this RFP process that's being recommended makes the most sense . I think the pros
outweigh the cons. I like the schedule, quite frankly. It looks like it's about -- by the end
of May there is a selection and a vendor potentially ready to go. I don't see it -- it's not a
process that replaces an ordinance. Quite frankly, an ordinance is still going to go forward
and still be passed probably that same day. It would just be modified to accommodate
the selection process occurring through the RFP, as opposed through -- through code and
I -- I agree with Mr. Nary's observations on what's the most effective way to -- to properly
select somebody. So, in light of the fact that this is a little unique, you know, allowing
individuals to ride these scooters on sidewalks where pedestrians are designed to be and
it makes the most sense to use the best selection process. So, I will be supporting what's
proposed by the committee, going with an RFP, having this 90 day timeline constrain that
process and, then, having legal facilitate the ordinance necessary to be ready for approval
at the time that somebody is selected.
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Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Thank you. Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Question maybe for Mr. Nary. That change from two qualified vendors to one
single operator, can you share with us the thought process behind the committee in
bringing that change?
Nary: Certainly. Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, Council Member Cavener. So,
in the -- in the discussion on the licensing side, in talking to the varieties of vendors that
are out there, there is a -- there is a number that on their business model seems to make
the most sense on trying to operate a rideshare program and they would opt for a single
vendor as well. They would prefer to have the exclusive franchise.
Cavener: Sure.
Nary: And it was trying to balance that desire of getting this out and doing this in a
licensing setup. But when -- when it was returned back to the committee for at least a
recommendation, again, if you're looking for the best selection, then, one, to see how
does this work, how will it work here, our footprint for the use of these types of vehicles is
different than other communities and so the -- we did discuss whether two could work and
-- and it can. I mean that's certainly not -- it doesn't have to be. But, again, if you want
to see how does it work, what works the best, does this really work in our -- our
environment here, again, having a single vendor for contacts, response times, issues,
problems, concerns, again, we are trying to avoid that it wasn't our company, it was the
other one, and trying to sift through that, if you have one vendor that you can deal wi th
primarily you can, hopefully, alleviate a lot of the communication, rollout, responses of not
having to coordinate between two.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Nary. Any other comments? Thoughts?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Let me -- just a comment and a refresher for Council -- and I appreciate the
great work of the committee and I appreciate the comments from Mr. Nary and whether
the Council wants to head down an RFP or a license or not, just to get it resolved, to me
I'm supportive of whatever direction the Council wants to go. But I guess I will just remind
this body that it was like a year ago that we were asked to provide a single vendor
opportunity and the Council said, no, no, we don't want to do that, we want to -- we want
to open it up. We want to provide opportunity. We didn't want to do a pilot with one
company and the piece about the license that I really appreciate is it was allowing the free
market to really determine who are the best qualified ven dors. It's not who won the RFP,
it is that when somebody operates really good, it makes the others that aren't operating
really good really have a spotlight shine on them and so I -- I appreciate that process. I'm
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not real excited about awarding an RFP to a single vendor. I think that if you do want to
head down the RFP I think we should be awarding it to two at a minimum , which was kind
of, again, in line with where we said we wanted to go as a body and I think that late in the
process to change it from two to one causes me pause and so, again, I'm supportive of
where we would want to go as a body, but if we do want to have scooters in Meridian I
think that we need to try to have at least more than one, so that our citizens have options
and we can really see how these companies can truly operate, for what it's worth.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I couldn't agree more. I think it's inappropriate for us to limit competition. I think
it's pure lunacy to eliminate competition.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I tend to agree with that particular aspect. I think that competition makes
companies better and when -- when there is a monopoly they can kind of just do whatever
they want and the customer service is generally not as good. So, I think -- I -- well, I have
always said more than two. So, I think at least two and I don't know if we try to start with
one and, then, add another one, though that doesn't seem fair to either. I like that. My
question for, Bill, though, is can that timeline be shortened up? Is that the fastest it can
be done? Because the end of May is, you know, a good two months into the season.
Nary: So, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, Council Member Milam, in trying to --
in trying to count the time periods and looking at the normal RFP of any ones we normally
do -- and Mr. Watts is the one who does this, so he's kind of the expert and nine to 12
weeks was the minimum. So, this is a little bit less than 12, a little bit more than nine.
So, it's really kind of in that window of time period . But when you look at advertisement,
giving the ample time to provide it, ample time to review it, ample time to negotiate a
contract -- because what happens in the RFP process is that you will provide as part of
the package what your intention is in a contract, but there still may be some negotiation
that may occur during that. So, anyway, trying to put all of those timelines and trying --
again, you -- everything sounds ideal and, then, someone's out of town and their lawyer
lives in another state and they have to read it and so the 90 days was ambitious , to be --
to be honest. So, I wouldn't -- I wouldn't want to commit to something less than that.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Sorry. I also -- Mr. Watts is so efficient, he's downright magical, but to, then,
add something like this on top of his already busy workload and expect it to be done
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sooner I think would probably put at risk his great reputation and work product. So, I think
that the timeline that has already been put out is fairly aggressive. I like Council Member
Milam, am like let's get it going and how can we get them out as soon as possible and I
don't think that an RFP process is designed to be speedy, it's designed to be thoughtful.
Madam Mayor. Sorry.
De Weerd: Uh-huh.
Cavener: And just something else for -- for Council to consider and not for tonight, but
for the future -- and I -- as we have been going through this process I have been
wondering is should Meridian even be in the scooter business. Should -- is that even a
role that we need to have? Is it more appropriate for our local transit authority to be the
one that's operating this program? In my mind almost to -- to the Park's commission's
comments earlier about looking at our pathways as a region , I think when we look at
transit, like scooters, we need to be looking at it as a region. It's quite possible the city of
Boise in another couple of months could have three different scooter programs and if we
move forward with an RFP with a single source, we would have one and they could all be
different scooter companies. I don't think that's good forethought for a region and so while
I think that we can move forward on our path, whatever it is for now, I would hope that we
as a body -- maybe the Transportation Commission, Planning Department, could look at
maybe navigating towards a more regional model that has VRT or somebody else that --
that looks at this. We are not -- the City of Meridian isn't going to be generating any
revenue from the scooter programs. In fact, our dollars are designed to offset the costs
that we are going to occur -- or incur from -- from this program and I would rather have
those costs better absorbed by an agency that is focused on transit to be more in line with
what they are designed to do, regardless of what some individuals might think of the
agency.
De Weerd: I think the problem that poses is the VRT doesn't have enforcement
capabilities and -- and that -- that is where the city does come in with the public right of
ways, the sidewalks, the parking on public property and those kind of things and I think in
many regards ACHD has brought that up on a couple of different issues of why our
collaboration with them is so essential, because we are the enforcement piece to that.
So, I think that is why it kind of fell under the umbrella of the city.
Cavener: And, Madam Mayor, I don't disagree, except for that I think that we could have
one agency manage it and we could still handle the enforcement on our end through our
own local ordinances. Again, that is within our purview.
De Weerd: Okay. Other --
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
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Borton: So, I was just going to interject. It's somewhat -- I don't disagree with either of
you, it's like an eight -- eight year old worrying about where he's going to college. Have
no idea. We will see. You know, see how this thing goes one bite at a time. Mr. Nary, if
-- if a motion was made to follow the RFP path, a 90 day window, would it be possible to
-- or preferable to have two vendors that would be selected through that process or
structure it so up to two vendors, to ensure that they still have to meet the elements of the
RFP?
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I mean either one. I mean the secondary
option that the committee did discuss was an RFP with two vendors and , again, ideally
one -- yet, hopefully, what all of you collectively want, but having two is certainly not a
deal killer or a detriment. I mean it certainly could be done. So, that's -- that certainly is
an option. That's not a concern.
Borton: Madam Mayor. But to the question of is it phrased an RFP for up to two vendors
or two vendors will be picked.
Nary: I would suggest, Mr. Borton, up to two, because what we would do is set a -- set a
criteria with sort of a high score and what you didn't want would -- I mean not to sound --
try to make it simple, but you wouldn't want a vendor who scores 90 and number two
scores 50 and we are obligated to pick two.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I'm going to make a motion --
De Weerd: We still have an open public hearing. Was it to close the public hearing?
Borton: No. I was going to -- to move really to see if there is anyone here who would like
to --
De Weerd: Well, if you will just allow me to ask, it won't take a motion. Okay.
Borton: Certainly.
De Weerd: Okay. This is a public hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to provide
testimony? The gentleman in the back. I didn't know, Mr. Borton, you were getting so
formal these days. Thank you for joining us. If you will, please, state your name and
address for the record.
Sengenberger. My name is Sean Sengenberger. I live in Boise. I just want to add some
comments. I realize that I'm not a resident of Meridian.
De Weerd: We accept all testimony. Thank you.
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Sengenberger: I'm involved in the scooters from a charger point of view and watching
the companies as they interact with each other and with the customers, I feel that you
definitely want to have the companies competing with each other. If you don't have that
competition, they have no incentive to improve what they are doing. Boise will have a
third scooter company -- I think that was mentioned here. There was actually a press
release they were going to launch this week, but the weather may have -- or maybe there
was some legal loopholes. I don't know. That's beside the point. But, yeah, they are
coming. The third company will be there. But I follow what these companies have been
doing, not just the ones operating here, but other companies that we haven't even seen
in Idaho -- in other states and there are communities where there is almost no licensing
and you get every little mom and p a scooter operation opening up that they can, if they
can figure out how to do it, and you have got the ones that are very strict on the regulations
and the biggest complaints are coming out of the cities that are so restrictive the
customers can't find a scooter. There aren't enough scooters in those towns. The city of
San Francisco has limited each of their licensees to 250 scooters. That's the same
number Boise has been operating on. San Francisco's huge. People can't find them.
They are not getting utilized by the people who need them as a transportation alternative.
I'm not saying to open up the number here to be a big huge number, because Meridian
is, obviously, smaller than Boise, smaller than San Francisco or any other big cities that
I'm talking about, but if there isn't a high enough density of scooters, then, the project's
going to fail in the sense of not meeting the needs of people as a transportation . It will
just be a recreational thing. It will be something, oh, there is a scooter, let's go for a ride.
It's not going to be -- I can count on parking here where there is plenty of parking and
riding to work every day, because there is no guarantee of a scooter. And, then, the other
thing you need to consider, I believe, is what to do when scooters that are not licensed in
your jurisdiction up here, because it's going to happen. If you license two companies and
somebody rides one from Boise out here or brings one in a car out here and, then, rides
it and, then, leaves it, how do you address that? That's something I think Boise is
overlooking, too, because you could license a company they have there or maybe Garden
City will down the road, one of the other towns around here and , hopefully, eventually,
everybody can be on the same track as to how to deal with those kinds of situations. But
it should just be something that's considered -- not necessarily today, not necessarily in
your first ordinance, but to have it in mind that eventually you will want to write something
in that -- that addresses how to deal with those things.
De Weerd: Thank you, Sean.
Sengenberger: Could I add one quick thing?
De Weerd: Okay. If you will keep it quick. Your three minutes is up.
Sengenberger: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize. Many of the people who charge scooters
as a contractor are economically disadvantaged. They do this in their homes. In some
communities it's come up that neighbors start complaining that they are not licensed to
do this. It might be something to look at is deciding how you want to deal with that issue.
Personally I don't think it should require a license, but that should be in the code.
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De Weerd: Thank you.
Sengenberger: All right. Thanks.
Kendall: Madam Mayor.
De Weerd: Good evening.
Kendall: Good evening.
De Weerd: If you will, please, state your name and address for the record.
Kendall: Yes. Aaron Kendall. Idaho operations manager for Lime at 2230 South Cole in
Boise, Idaho. I just want to say to start out that I couldn't agree more than competition is
the right way to go. I think for those of us that want to stick around and be successful to
bring out the best in us, so I think having more than one vendor provider in this process
will -- will be ultimately a win for the City of Meridian. We also want to acknowledge that
we do support the process to implement an RFP and to select a vendor or vendors
capable -- most capable of collaborating with the entirety of the Meridian community. We
acknowledge the importance of a well-managed rollout of this program in partnership with
the city. To that end we have already conducted outreach to local businesses, as well as
law enforcement. We have reached out to The Village of Meridian, as well as Lindsey in
the Meridian Downtown Business Association. We actually met with Lindsey earlier today
to discuss some of her team members concerns and that went really well. We have also
sat down with local law enforcement to talk about education and outreach opportunities
via their social platforms, as well as doing some onsite education events with the officers
themselves. So, we are looking forward to that. We hope to have future meetings
scheduled with city clerk's office, local chamber members, as well as Scentsy and more
as those are in the works as we speak. Whatever company is selected in the RFP process
will be most equipped to serve the city if they have strong collaborative relationships with
local businesses, civic leaders and staff. We hope that the Council will pass this
legislation soon and help our fast growing city be even more prepared for the growth that
is occurring all around us. We thank you for your time and your commitment to getting
this done on behalf of the citizens of Meridian. Thank you.
De Weerd: Thank you, Aaron. Any questions? Thank you. Is there any other testimony?
We have a couple of committee members. Any additional comment from Robert or Chief?
Okay. Mr. Borton?
Borton: Madam Mayor, I would move that we close the public hearing on Ordinance 19-
1809.
Milam: Second.
Little Roberts: Second.
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De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to close to public hearing on Item 9-E. All those
in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I would -- I'm moving that --
De Weerd: You're moving.
Cavener: You're moving?
Borton: Mr. Palmer. I hereby move that we utilize an RFP process as laid out and
recommended unanimously by the committee for the selection of up to two vendors. For
that process to be completed within the proposed 90 day window from today for a
selection within those 90 days and that the ordinance 19 -1809 be tabled for now, perhaps
probably brought back maybe at the April workshop as it gets amended to account for this
RFP process.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to move forward with the recommendation from
the committee on the RFP process and following the timeline described within and to table
the ordinance 19-1809 until April. Any discussion?
Nary: Madam Mayor? Sorry. Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes, Mr. Nary.
Nary: The motion was 90 days from today. If you look at the memo it's 90 days from day
one and day one is finalizing the RFP specification and criteria and I don't know that we
have all of that today. I don't -- Mr. Watts felt that could be done within approximately a
week. So, I think we can do it fairly quickly, but I'm concerned if it's 90 days from today
and we don't have that finalized, we won't have -- issue an RFP in 14 days.
De Weerd: Do 97 days.
Nary: Ninety-seven days would probably better. As soon as it's finalized. I anticipated a
week, so --
Borton: Madam Mayor, the motion maker isn't set on 90 days. I think the intent is -- is
now in that -- about 90 days.
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Nary: Okay.
Borton: There may be an opportunity to compress some time frame and the response
window, but, nonetheless, to get it done and -- and, Madam Mayor, for -- for brief
discussion on it, I think the discussion amongst this Council and some of the pivoting is
going to lead to a better product and it's -- Councilman Milam said it very succinctly and
well when I watched the video of trying to do it right versus doing it right now. So , I give
credit to the ability to pause and reflect and try and do it right and to listen to the -- to the
wise counsel of the committee and the good work of Ms. Kane in particular to try and set
this up in a way that will be most successful . The comments here today support that. I
know our law enforcement has supported it and the public isn't necessarily from the
information we have gathered through surveys, knocking down the door to try and have
this implemented yesterday. Though we get the impression that the public is supportive
of what we are doing now, too. So, I think come Memorial weekend we will all be pleased
having gone down this path. So, I appreciate everyone's flexibility to try and do it right.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any other comments?
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Am I the only one whose door is being knocked down? After every single --
actually, every Wednesday morning I get half a dozen texts, usually from different people,
saying did you get it done last night? Are scooters coming back?
Milam: It's the age.
De Weerd: Well, you have the opportunity tonight to get it done and start moving them
forward.
Palmer: Madam Mayor. And to --
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: -- explain why I'm going to vote no, I -- I can't bring myself to -- to vote to move
forward regulation on a business like this, so while I'm going to participate in trying to
make sure that we pick the right ones, but when we get to that point I can't -- I can't
support the regulation of this industry.
De Weerd: Okay. Mr. Clerk, will you call roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, nay; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: The ayes have it.
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MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE NAY.
F. Continued from February 19, 2019: Resolution No. 19-2128: A
Resolution Adopting New Fees Related To Vehicle Sharing
Programs; Authorizing The City Clerk’s Office To Collect
Such Fees; And Providing An Effective Date
De Weerd: Item 8 -- or 9-F, would that be continued to April as well? Okay. I would need
a motion to continue this resolution.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton. I move that we continue Resolution 19-2128 to the workshop
April 9th.
Borton: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion and a second to continue Item 9-F to April 9th. All
those in favor say aye. Any opposed? All ayes. Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: To the previous motion that was -- the ordinance itself was being continued. We
said April. Do we need to say April 9th as well at least? So, we have an agenda date
that it will be checked in on?
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I guess -- I apologize I missed April 9th. I
didn't -- I didn't hear April. So, the -- the ordinance itself will be different, because it does
require an ordinance for a franchise, but it may be different than the existing ordinance.
So, you really can just simply table it, because we would renotice it and we would put it
back -- same thing with the resolution. If in -- in the processes of the RFP the fee would
be different and, therefore, you could withdraw this resolution and we will bring another
one when -- related to the RFP. So, we can actually withdraw both of them at this point.
De Weerd: Okay. Well, we were just kidding on the motion before.
Borton: Take it back.
De Weerd: I guess -- so, Council, to backup, the Resolution 19-1809 and Resolution 19-
2128, if I could have a motion to table those.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: Move to table both the Ordinance 19-1809 and Resolution 19-2128.
Cavener: Second.
De Weerd: Okay. I have a motion and second to table both items under 9-E and F. All
those in favor say aye. All eyes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Item 10: Department Reports
A. Public Safety Quarterly Report
De Weerd: Thank you. Okay. Item 10-A was withdrawn from our agenda.
B. Community Development: Update on Meridian
Development Corporation (MDC ) Open Sidewalk Projects
Funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
De Weerd: So, I will move to Item 10-B. That is under our Community Development
Department. Crystal.
Campbell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, I'm here today to give you an update
on the sidewalk projects that we have funded with MDC right now. Right now we have
two projects open. One is the Carlton project and one is East Third. The Carlton project
-- it was funded initially in PY-16 for the design and, then, the construction wasn't funded
until '17 and, then, this current year we funded the East Third project. With the current
construction market, they have been having a hard time getting bids for the first project
to get going with it, so we have been working with them to figure out how we want to move
forward. One of the biggest things is that we wanted to make sure we maintain the
integrity of the program, which first and foremost is responsibility to citizens to provide
funding and effective project management for viable projects that will enhance the
community. We also have a commitment to provide accessibility to these neighborhoods
and so we want to make sure that the projects are moving forward and not at a standstill
and also we want to provide transparency to the public. HUD does have a few spending
requirements. One of them is that the projects have to be complete , start to finish, within
seven years. We also have 270 days that -- we have to have some sort of expenditure
every 270 days or we have to come up with a remediation plan and it's not always
guaranteed that those remediation plans will be approved by HUD. So, we could get into
a little bit more trouble there, too. And we also have some timeliness regulations that we
have to adhere to to make sure that we are spending our money and showing that our
community needs it. So, the first project I was talking about, the Carlton project, it's -- it's
really about accessibility to this neighborhood. The orange is where the sidewalk would
go. It's about improving connectivity and increasing safety for students. If you keep going
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west where that orange is, it -- the first school you hit is Cole Valley and, then, it continues
on to Meridian Elementary. So, where -- where we are -- well, where MDC is proposing
the sidewalk, then, there is -- there is not safe walking paths and so we feel it's really
important to continue this for the LMI area, the low to moderate income area, because
that's the purpose of this grant. We have spent 65,000 dollars so far on design and bids
and all of that and they have a balance of 176,000 dollars. It's been out for bid three
times. The most recent one was -- I think it ended in February and they put it out in an
offseason, hoping that they would get lower bids, but it was still double the amount of
what they have available. The second project that is open right now is geared toward
eliminating blight and it's a step toward the -- the planned public parking area. It's just
this little strip. That's kind of a mess over there , but it's between Broadway and the
railroad tracks on East Third and it is not residential as you can see. They have kind of
put this on hold until we can figure out the first project, but there is a balance of 180,000
on this one. So, we have been working with MDC to try to figure out all the different
solutions that we could come up with and not all of them are good solutions, but we
wanted to put them all out there anyway. So, again, we are going to the MDC board
tomorrow to give them the proposed solutions and we do have a preferred one that I will
get to. The first potential solution would be to wait up to a year to bid the Carlton project
again and if -- if this happens, then, MDC could move forward with the East Third project
and see if they run into the same issues or if they can get a bid that's within what they
had originally budgeted for. The pro for this would be that construction costs may be less
than the future, but it could also flip and be more expensive in the future, which would be
the con. We would also have less time to complete the project, so we could run into some
time issues there and as far as unspent funds, we could also run into timeliness issues
on that. We would definitely have a remediation plan required the whole time, which is a
red flag for HUD, and it may make it so that we end up getting monitored again this coming
year. The next potential solution would be to pay back the cost of the design , so that we
have no more HUD funds in it and reallocate the construction funds to a different project.
The pros to this -- the design is complete and we have it in hand. We could wait to do the
bidding until the market is better for -- well, in our -- in our favor I guess. And also ACHD
may be willing to participate if they don't have to worry about any federal requirements .
The con who is going to pay back the money. The project wouldn't be constructed and
so we wouldn't be providing that for our citizens and we would have no idea when it would
be constructed and the East Third project could run into the exact same issue. The third
solution would be to make up the difference in the construction budget and use local funds
to do that. The pro. Project complete, no timelessness concerns and remediation plan.
The bad thing is that it may not be worth the amount we spend on it and we are not sure
where the 180 would come from on this. So, the final solution is the preferred solution.
This would be to reallocate the East Third project funds to the Carlton project, so the
project would be complete, we wouldn't have the timeliness concerns, no remediation
plan, and MDC would have to reapply for the East Third project and they would be able
to look and see if the contingencies that they had originally built in would be appropriate
or if they needed to change the amount that they requested. So, the con to this would be
that there would be a substantial amendment , so it would take a lot more work and we
would have to come back here again. The project may not be worth the amount we spend
on it and the action plan goals would not be met for the current year and also M DC may
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not get funded again for this project. It's not guaranteed that they would get that money
again. So -- yeah. So, that was the preferred solution. So, what that would look like, if
we move forward with that, February we have spent working with MDC, making sure that
we are all on the same page and figuring out how to move forward . In March we would
ask MDC to award the construction bid that they have. MDC would provide us with an
updated timeline, so that we can make sure that it was on track and I would start working
on the substantial amendment and have it to you guys to open for public comment by the
end of March. After the substantial amendment goes through, then, we would cancel the
sub recipient agreement for the East Third Street project and amend the Carlton project
to move that money over. MDC would complete the regular monthly progress reports that
we can make sure it stays on track and, then, we would just keep monitoring it until it was
done. But they are not expecting it to take very long once they can actually get going on
it. So, we are not -- we are not necessarily asking you guys to do anything, but we did
want to make sure that everybody was aware of the direction we were going and if you
guys had any concerns you could let us know.
De Weerd: Thank you, Crystal. Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Madam Mayor. Crystal, can you show us the map again of the one that they are
wanting to switch to? Okay. Thanks.
De Weerd: Okay. Any questions? Crystal, I guess I have a question in terms of -- in
talking with Ashley, will the bids still be good? I don't remember when they expire.
Campbell: Yeah. There are recent bids, so it's -- I don't think they are even a month old
yet. So, we will be fine on these ones.
De Weerd: Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
Cavener: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Crystal, do you know offhand a ballpark of how much C DBG funds have went
to MDC over the past ten years?
Campbell: I don't. I can get back to you on that, but I'm not sure what it is right now.
Cavener: I guess -- Madam Mayor. My point is recognizing that MDC may not -- there is
no guarantee they would be a future recipient, I think that they have been recipients for
many projects over the past years and it seems to be a good working relationship, so I
don't think it disqualifies them in any way from applying for funds in the future, for what
it's worth.
Campbell: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council, they have tried really hard to spend
this funding. They -- they have been looking everywhere they can to f ind people to try to
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get them to bid for these. It really does seem like it's out of their control. It's -- the
construction costs have just increased so drastically over the last couple of years and,
again, we originally only funded them in PY-16 for design, so they didn't even have money
to build it when they first got the bid -- or when -- I'm sorry, when they first constructed it.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. And thank you for bringing that to Council's attention. If
you could send out an e-mail tomorrow after you present to the MDC board with the
recommended approval to how they want to move forward.
Campbell: Okay.
C. Community Development: 2019 Roadway, Intersection
and Community Program Priorities
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you. Okay. Item 10-C is also under Community Development.
Hood: Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. So, the next item is
something we talk about on an annual basis. On December 27th the city received a letter
from -- from the Ada County Highway District notifying us that they were going to begin
their process to start developing a new integrated five your work plan for the years 2020
to 2024. Excuse me. And as part of that they use the extended invite for us to send our
top priorities to them for consideration in that programming process. I did discuss with
the Meridian Transportation Commission on February 4th, so earlier this month, roadways
and intersection projects. We run out of time and didn't make it to community programs,
projects, but knowing that sometimes we can get bogged down a little bit in some of the
discussions, I wanted to bring to you at least part of their recommendation for priorities
for 2019, that being the roadways and intersections, and I will be back at a future meeting
next -- after their meeting in March with the community programs requests to forward on.
ACHD has given us a deadline that they want our priority list by March 15. So, that's why,
again, I wanted to get at least part of this done as soon as possible and, then, we will talk
about community programs, projects, at a future date. So, I did -- in your packet you do
have some tools that both the highway district use and our transportation commission
use. You don't have to use them, but they are -- they are at your disposal should you
want to look at level of service or how the return on investment or cost benefit looks for
these projects through ACHD's programming process. So, you do have those in your
packet. I didn't burn any hard copies, but I can real quick. If someone wants an 11 by 17
I can make some printouts. And, then, you also have the list of the draft priorities that the
transportation commission recommended. So, I can pull up the -- the table. I thought I
would real quick -- and excuse me as I switch to the other monitor here. I will pull up the
-- I will have at our disposal the -- it does not seem to be working. Left monitor. It is on
the screen. It's not on my other screen. Sorry about that. So, this is an interactive map
that Brian -- Brian McClure in my office put together. You have in your packet essentially
the same map, it just has a little bit different scaling. The cool thing about this is we can
pick a project, click on it, and you can see the -- historically the rankings of it. So, there
is -- there is some legacy component to this and shows you what is recommended this
year and what it was last year and the few years prior to that. So, this is pretty cool. We
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will continue to build on and expand this over time and even maybe have some more
information that will pop up, maybe, you know, extent of the scope, any issues that may,
you know, pop up. Kind of almost like the spreadsheet almost in -- in this pop up window.
So, I thought we could use this, though, tonight and kind of look at that list again. I have
the actual spreadsheet, too, if you want to go through them. Probably the biggest -- there
are really two changes, so we don't -- I don't ask the transportation commission to reinvent
the wheel every year. We use, essentially, what was 2018's list. Staff proposes some
changes to them and, then, they make it their own and what you have before you is -- is,
again, their recommendation. Probably the biggest change from what staff recommended
to them and what they are now recommending to you is the Linder overpass. So, staff
had that as recommended priority number one and that was a jump in like 18 or 19 spots,
something like that. It was top 20. But it was hovering right around there. And staff made
it number one and they moved it down to number five. So, it's still a top five project and,
then, the McMillan corridor was talked about as well. So, they moved a couple of projects
that had slipped down on McMillan saying, hey, we made some progress on McMillan, it
seems like we are stepping back now. You know, they are starting to creep into the top
ten, top 15, and now we are pushing them back down to the -- the top 17, 18. So, good
discussion, but that's, essentially, the changes that they made year over. You can see
those. So, the first two columns on that spreadsheet shows you the proposed
recommendation for -- for 2019 and, then, last year 2018 is the -- the next column and
on the right. And, again, you have other information there, if it's an ACHD's programming,
what year it's planned for construction, if it's even in the program or not. So, I know you
guys have all seen this before, so I'm sorry if I'm kind of doing a high level broad brush
overview of this. I'm happy to go into more details if you would like. But, again, staff
would stand for any questions or, really, to dialogue and what I request tonight is that we
discuss and if possible finalize the priority list for roadways and intersections. Typically
we put together a cover letter as well. I started that. I figured the one we would probably
highlight this year is Linder Road overpass. But, again, that -- there is some dialogue
there. I don't quite know the messaging there , don't really have any details of what -- if
any details we want to add to that letter or not or if it's kind of the same thing from the joint
meeting and past meetings that, hey, we would love to partner with you on this or if -- or
if there is some trading. One of the things that we have kind of talked about a little bit --
and I have talked about with others about it I should say -- is potentially trading out. If we
really think that the Linder overpass is such a high priority project, are we willing to give
another project or two up and say, hey, we are willing to delay these at essentially the
same cost to advance this one and take its place in the programming. So, just a thought
that -- that there could be some of that, too. So, if you want to look at something that --
that's out there, you know, and realistically this thing isn't -- Linder Road overpass isn't
going to be constructed next year. It's going to take some effort. But if you look at a 2022,
2023, 2024 project or two and said, you know what, we think they are all important, but
maybe why don't you switch this project you're planning on doing in 2023 and -- and --
and trade that out for a similar project , i.e., the Linder Road overpass. That could be
something that -- that is part of the narrative that goes along with our -- our priority list.
So, anyways, I will pause and stand for any questions and pull up the spreadsheet, too.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Yeah. Thank you. I don't have the -- the spreadsheet open, Caleb, but I looked
at it earlier and I -- I had some issues and, obviously, I don't drive everywhere in the city,
so I don't necessarily know firsthand what the traffic is like at -- at every -- on every road
and every intersection, but -- so, I have most -- most of the experience I have is near
where I travel and where I live and -- and also it seems to be a lot of the same complaints
that we have had here in testimony in the same -- same areas and it's funny that you
pointed at 16, because that's what it is, you have 16, 11 and 12, they have -- I think they
-- I think they are all F and we have some E's that are higher priorities than these. Eleven
and 12, what you have there is a safe routes to school and so many kids are walking and
riding their bikes from 16, 11 and 12 over to Heritage Middle School and -- and the --
anyway, that -- and so I -- I would like to see those as a higher priority and they are F's
when we have E's that are higher up on our priority list.
Hood: And, Madam Mayor, just a little bit on -- on that. And McMillan in particular. So,
McMillan is going to be a constrained corridor, so widening it out to five lanes -- McMillan
will probably be at level of service F for some time just, because you have got the Lemp
Canal and you got those big power poles and so the cost benefit of widening that and --
so ACHD has made the decision to not relocate the canal or underground it, because it's
such a large facility and those power poles are expensive to relocate. So, it's -- it's a
constraint corridor. So, this is just going to be something that -- it can be widened, but it
can only be widened to three lanes. Now, the sidewalks and safe routes to schools is a
different issue, but just -- I just wanted to address the level of service concern there, that
potentially McMillan -- and particularly in the peak hour and I should just -- I want to just
make that clear, this isn't a 24 hour failing thing, they look at it, basically, in the p.m.
commuting peak hour, which you get -- most of the people are using it during those times,
but that is when they take that temperature gauge , if you will, of how a roadway is
performing with capacity. So, anyways, I just wanted to quickly make that point about
McMillan in particular, because it's only planned to be a three lane roadway.
Milam: But -- Madam Mayor. And just -- I guess to add to that part of my -- where I was
coming from, too, is there is still tons of apartments that are under construction right now
that within the next year will be built and, yeah, it's gotten really bad. I'm going to move.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: A couple comments. Caleb, first off, I think this -- breaking it up is almost a
happy accident. I think it's good for the Commission that we kind of do split them up over
two meetings. From a Council Member perspective splitting these out over a couple of
meetings to me makes it a lot easier to keep my focus on a lot of the meatier questions
that are before us. So, again, in coordinating with the future -- I guess that would be a
recommendation that we split them up if possible. As it pertains to the priority projects,
I'm one that for the most part support the recommendations of the commission with -- with
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just one notable change. I appreciated staff placing the Linder Road overpass as number
one. I also appreciate the feedback that came from the commission. So, for me I guess
I would recommend that we move item number five to item number two in light because
there was a lot of discussion about the project that's listed number one remaining as
number one and, then, just letting everything else trickle down. So, that would be the
only recommended change for me and I think that's in part of our conversations with the
highway district about Linder Road. I think we can have that either now or at a later point
in time, a conversation about what we would want to include in that letter to the highway
district about Linder Road. I think that's a bigger conversation for the Council about what
we want to convey to them outside of that meeting, but I think keeping it at -- near the
number one priority I think falls in line with many of the conversations we have had with
highway district commissioners.
De Weerd: Thank you, Mr. Cavener. Any other questions or comments? Caleb, this is
due back to the commission or ACHD next --
Hood: March 15th.
De Weerd: -- Wednesday? Oh, okay. So, if you want to -- to kind of split this up, have
the original discussion tonight and follow up next week, we can certainly do that.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Maybe -- maybe a question for Caleb. Caleb, I assume you will present the --
the other part to the transportation commission in our -- in our meeting in March and, then,
a subsequent follow-up agenda item for the City Council after that, is that the plan?
Hood: Yeah. Madam Mayor, Councilman Cavener, so our next meeting is Monday.
Cavener: Yeah.
Hood: I wasn't planning on coming the next day, because I wasn't quite sure what I would
hear and I would need it in the packet for the clerk before that meeting, so I was planning
on your next workshop in March, which, again, doesn't leave a whole lot of time, but what
I can do is put the draft cover letter in your packet and, then, we can look at it on
March --
Cavener: 11 th?
Hood: -- 12th -- yeah. Whatever. 11th. That was kind of my plan. But I can -- we can
-- I'm somewhat --
Cavener: Madam Mayor. Perhaps what I -- what I would suggest, with your permission,
is that in -- if there is any other comments about this piece tonight, we can talk about that.
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We can talk about the other projects in our March workshop with, then, a final
recommendation that we would present to ACHD with a letter. I assume it would be
signed by the Mayor?
Hood: Typically, yes.
Cavener: Okay. I don't know how we are looking at our March workshop, but to me that
seems the most appropriate place to wrap this up.
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: That makes sense. I think historically the changes, if any, are relatively minor.
The letter is structured -- we are not moving mountains that late in the game anyway, so
we should be able to do that.
De Weerd: The workshop looks good.
Cavener: And, Madam Mayor, maybe, then, I guess a question for either you or Caleb or
somebody. Do we need to have a conversation between now and our workshop about a
planned formal commitment from the city as it pertains to the Linder Road overpass,
whether that is a monetary amount or a plan in place ?
De Weerd: I -- I think Director Wong had mentioned that they would first like to approach
ITD and -- and get a sense for what their thoughts were. I believe that's kind of the next
step that was discussed at the commission meeting.
Hood: Madam Mayor, if I can just follow up on that. Yeah. I don't think it's necessary.
There is just -- there is an opportunity. So, if you wanted to you -- you could potentially
include it in that letter. But, no, it's not -- it's not necessary.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Are you through?
Cavener: No. That's okay. I have been talking a lot tonight.
Milam: So, I guess maybe -- maybe you could just give me some -- some history on like
six and seven, why they are a higher priority than -- and their level of service is E, than
other ones that are further down the list that are F's and why aren't those being moved
down.
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Hood: Madam Mayor, Councilman Milam, you know, I don't know that I can explain the
whole history on that. I know Fairview and Locust Grove historically has -- has been
higher. I mean if we go to the map that Brian created and kind of see -- it was -- it was --
and it's still pretty high and you do have an opportunity to move them down and that's
why it did move down a little bit is because level of -- it's now only level of service E where
it was level of service F. I don't think it's improved. So, I don't know exactly what
happened there. Just anecdotally, if you drive through that intersection at 5:00 o'clock,
good luck. So, as an example for number six. But we did move it down, because that's
what the level of service map showed was it moved to E. Now, why didn't it move down
further -- I don't know. But it moved up on the list historically, because it's -- it's becoming
more and more congested.
Milam: And, actually, six, now that I'm thinking about it, I believe has a -- was one of their
higher accident intersections. So, that -- for that reason I think makes sense. It's just
hard to see, you know, all the E's higher up on the list when there is so many F's below.
De Weerd: Well -- and I think that there is more than the service level that's put into the
-- the ranking and -- and there is extensive discussion about these different projects as
-- as they are ranking them and -- and considering where they should be at, so --
Hood: Madam Mayor, to your point -- and I -- sorry, I just moved to, again, the ACHD
prioritization table. I mean if you look at that it does have information on congestion and
safety. So, if you want to look at the crashes and the cost of crashes, that factors in. And
if I can find it real quick. It should be somewhere hovering -- I guess in the top here.
Fairview, Locust Grove -- there it is. Number 12. So, if you went across the annual safety
benefit they anticipate is about 330,000 dollars. So, you can compare that and, you know,
looking at some of those other numbers up here, that's one of the higher ones. I can't
sort this, because it's just a PDF, but it does look like -- as far as a safety benefit this
project scores very high. So, to your point, yeah, that -- it's not just about level of service,
it's part of -- congestion is part of it. Volume to capacity ratio is part of it. Safety and other
consideration. So, it's a good point. Safety for sure.
De Weerd: But I think, Council, if there are certain questions you have on corridors you
want to hear more detail on some of the considerations that were put into that, I think
that's definitely something that -- that is worth discussing and -- and identifying what those
particular projects are and how they were ranked, if you have further questions about that.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Maybe an additional question, then, for Caleb. Caleb, I have heard kind of
Council Member Milam say, hey, what about this particular spot and maybe I would like
to see some movement there. I have obviously referenced kind of my comments about
-- how do you want us to structure that, so that you can follow all of the bouncing balls
about where Council Members maybe want to see movement, go -- recognizing that we
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are not formalizing anything tonight, we are not doing that until like at our workshop
meeting.
Hood: So, Madam Mayor, Councilman Cavener, just in the motion, to be pretty specific
about that. I mean you were pretty specific in yours, Councilman Milam and wasn't as
specific about moving -- you know, I need, you know, five to two, okay, I get that and,
then, everything cascades down from that. If it's six and seven are moving down further
or -- tell me where to put them, because I'm not a mind reader and I want everybody to
be clear when the motion is made what our priority list looks like. If it's something for next
year's consideration, you know, that's fair, too. Let me know, hey, just for the future will
you consider more safety than -- than level of service or those types of things and I can
relay that to the commission. So, I guess just as much specificity as you're able to provide
in a motion certainly helped me -- and, again, I'm not afraid to wave my hand and go I
don't understand why we are moving things and sometimes you move something to two
and now someone wants to move something to two -- well, is that 2-B or 2-A, you know.
So, it just -- that's happened in the past. So far I'm not concerned about that. I'm tracking
pretty well, but when it comes to making that motion , again, just clear.
Cavener: Madam Mayor? Sorry.
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Back to the -- the conversation about ACHD engaging ITD. Do we have any
of our staff that are involved in that conversation or are we, essentially, waiting for ACHD
to get back to us?
De Weerd: I talked to Director Wong afterwards and -- and I was under the impression
we are -- we are setting up the date with Nampa and we have already started collaborating
on dates for that. I have not heard from Director Wong on -- on this particular one with
the -- the overpass and getting together, unless Caleb, you have.
Hood: Madam Mayor, I don't have an update since -- since last week. COMPASS -- we
have been primarily using COMPASS as the facilitator of those meetings and I think that's
the right approach. So, I think here in the next couple days we will circle back with Matt
Stoll and some of his staff and see if maybe they can organize another meeting. I have
been part of two meetings with them so far at the staff level. So, I don't know what
engagement looks like kind of past that.
Cavener: And, Madam Mayor, the only reason why I'm asking is I agree with Caleb that
this letter is a great time for us to really -- really be direct about this is the commitment
from the city, recognizing we need some answers first before we can start to begin that
process. So, however we can birddog the state to give us the answers that we need to
know, so we can move forward would be ideal.
De Weerd: Well -- and I think that Justin was getting his commission the information that
we received from COMPASS. I think they still needed to talk further about it as a
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commission. So, Justin, is there any -- anything you want to add? I don't want to speak
for ACHD.
Cavener: Me either.
Lucas: Madam Mayor, Members of the Commission, for the record Justin Lucas,
representing the Ada County Highway District. Business address is 3775 Adam Street in
Garden City, Idaho. I think the characterization up to this point has been accurate. We
just had a joint meeting last week. There had been a few staff level meetings related to
the Linder Road overpass and staff did not have a chance to sit with the commission prior
to your joint meeting. So, that was the first time the commission had really heard about
it, which is not atypical at ACHD. In a situation like this staff looks to the commission for
direction before we take any steps with ITD and I think we have that direction now and
we will continue to work with Meridian's staff and COMPASS to talk to ITD -- their decision
making process is not like ACHD's decision making process or the city's decision making
process, so we will do our best to get as much information as we can to bring back to you
and to our commission for consideration, but ITD is just a different animal to work with
and to this point -- and I don't know how Caleb would characterize it, I -- I personally
haven't sensed a lot of enthusiasm from them. I think they are looking -- they are kind of
maybe playing a little kind of -- they are looking to the city or ACHD to kind of take that
first step and, to be honest, I think ACHD's kind of looking to the city to take that first step
and so as was characterized at the meeting, ACHD can't do this project by itself. I mean
there is an ITD structure sitting -- it's their freeway, it's their overpass, sitting right in the
middle of what would be our partnership project. So, in these situations I think continued
conversation is critical. Mayor, I think continued coordination with our director is critical
in this case, just to keep that direction kind of top down going.
De Weerd: Well, we appreciate that, but I did see that -- certainly ACHD played a critical
role in -- in moving along the Cloverdale overpass rebuild. So, I anticipate a similar
process.
Lucas: Very fair.
De Weerd: Any further questions for Justin? So, maybe we can follow up with COMPASS
to find out when that next meeting would be and we can certainly update City Council in
the form of e-mail and, then, have an update discussion when we have this back on the
workshop, if that works.
Lucas: Madam Mayor, just to add, Madam Mayor, if you don't mind. I think Caleb moving
forward, it would be nice to have -- if we can get Amy Revis from ITD involved in these
meetings I think that would be a critical step and also I will make sure to invite my boss
Dave Wallace. I think that would be important to continue the conversation moving
forward.
De Weerd: Okay. Thank you, Justin.
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Hood: And, Madam Mayor, before we move on, I guess just any other points -- it sounds
like maybe -- there may or may not be discussion about a fine point or not or an
opportunity to partner and what that may be dollar wise or whatever, but any other talking
points you would like in this cover letter to get that drafted, so we don't hit a snag as we
approach this deadline. If you want to just e-mail me those, say, hey can you put this little
snippet in the draft letter and I can incorporate that into what I'm -- what I'm crafting as a
cover letter to our priority list for -- for this year I would appreciate it.
De Weerd: Yeah. I think in particular we wanted to -- and I will follow up with Director
Wong on that messaging piece. I think it's really critical to be able to -- to talk about why
this is a priority, not just the improvement to the state network, but how the local network
improves the state functionality as well and -- and that was more the message piece that
we talked about after the meeting. So, that's going to be critical, too. Okay. Anything
further on this one?
D. Welcome to Meridian Entryway Sign Program Discussion
De Weerd: Okay. Under 10-D, I will turn this over to Mr. Borton.
Borton: Madam Mayor. Kind of a brief introduction for this. It's kind of a follow up on
some of the structure that we are using for Council lead discussion topics and action
items. This was -- the welcome sign program was referenced by Councilman Cavener at
an earlier meeting as something for a future meeting topic. So, kind of the process we
are trying to utilize is following that request, the task falls back on one of the six of us who
is -- who is making the request to go out, talk to staff, do the homework, research, gather
data, see if from all of that there is some specific action that's to be requested or
recommended to be taken. That's -- this is utilized, that process. Councilman Cavener
went and did a bunch of homework, talked to Caleb, gathered data documents, some of
which is in the packet for us to review, then, to come back on the agenda for today with a
recommendation based upon that review and gathering of data , a recommendation of
some type of action that this Council should take with regards to the topic. So, that's sort
of frames what got us here, kind of using the process. I appreciate Luke's working through
those steps and kind of getting us to where we are, so we have got data, we have got an
engaged Councilman with a recommendation and I will turn it over to Councilman
Cavener.
Cavener: Thank you, Council Member Borton. Madam Mayor. Council. I'm just going
to stay up here, if that's all okay. So, a little background on the Welcome to Meridian sign
program and kind of my involvement. As some of you may recall, a number of years ago
during the budget hearing a couple of the se signs were included in the annual budget.
There was some conversation with Council at the time about is it appropriate to be using
General Fund dollars to be building these signs and that's when I started taking somewhat
of a -- of an interest in this program. Fast forward to a couple years later, I was contacted
by some constituents inquiring about the program, it's plan, the methodology. When you
look at the exhibit that's in front of us all, you will see both current and future signs, you
will see in many cases, future signs in fairly close proximity to each other. Again, future
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signs in close proximity to current signs and I was asked by -- by some stakeholders is
-- tell me about the plan and I quickly realized I didn't -- I didn't know anything about the
Welcome to Meridian sign plan and so -- which is why I brought it up at a -- as a future
topic. I thought it would be good to be educated on that. I appreciate Council President
Borton telling me to go -- go be educated and, then, you can lead that discussion with
Council. And so Caleb and I had a couple of conversations towards the end of last year
and the beginning of this year about the program or the plan and it's provided some good
context to me for what I hope will be a good conversation amongst Council tonight. A
couple of things to be aware of is that the -- you will see on the legend, you know, there
is both the existing sign sometimes that we see the -- you know, it's a steel pole with a
sign Welcome to Meridian. Many people focus on the larger monument signs that we see
by -- by CarMax, there is one by -- I drive by the hotel on -- on Eagle and Overland and
as you can see on the map there is one in the northern part of our community. These
large signs are not cheap and according to a recent quote they are upwards of 20,000
dollars to be -- to be built and placed and that is, essentially, following at least as of now
-- because the City Council isn't supportive of spending General Fund dollars, which I
agree with, it's falling to added development costs and I thought it was appropriate , one,
for us to look at this and say what is our collective plan. What's in front of you is called
the Welcome Plan, which is essentially -- it's a map that shows where current and future
signs will go. It doesn't speak at all to the -- the rationale or the vision of why signs or
why these locations were selected and why we think this many are necessary in these
different locations and so it put me in a challenging spot to report back to say here is the
plan, because I don't see one and I'm sure that there was a goal or a vision cast when
this began, but as a city that we have -- seems to have plans for so many different things,
you know, a constrained financial plan, we are working on our comprehensive
improvement plan and we have -- we have a strategic operational plan. I thought this
would be at least good for us as a Council to say, do -- is this something that we think is
a priority? Do we as a body agree that passing 20,000 dollars per sign on to development,
is that something that we agree with and, if so, here is the reasons why. This is -- this is
the reason why we think that is appropriate for our community. And so I wanted to bring
that to all of you tonight for at least a conversation. I have some opinions , but I wanted
to at least provide some background and, Caleb, sorry, I forgot to include that, if I get off
base or I'm incorrect, please, feel free to interrupt and course correct, because this is,
obviously, you know, ran out of -- out of our Planning Department. I will tell you that I
believe we have one DA for a project that is requiring one of these and I believe that is --
Caleb, correct me if I'm wrong. Is that number 23 that I see on the map?
Hood: Twenty-three or 13. I'm not -- I think it's 23.
Cavener: They are so close to each other it's hard to tell me. I assume it's 23. And so
there -- there could be some immediate actions we could take, as well as some long- term
actions we can take for or against. After this brief update we can say, nope, this is -- this
is great and we can continue on. So, open it up. I think Caleb can answer questions as
best he can. I know I can as best I can. I'm sure Madam Mayor has got the longevity,
might be able to speak to some of this as well .
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De Weerd: Well, I certainly can say probably 23 was the impetus behind a monument
sign program where the developer on both sides of the street, as they were improving the
intersection at Ustick and Eagle Road, wanted to be -- be part of a welcome type of
monument and I think that at the time that this first started discussion and probably
resulted in being part of a development agreement and a requirement was Winston Moore
and David Turnbull wanted to let people know that they were arriving to the City of
Meridian and they were proud of that. I believe that when we first started discussing it it
was going to go in a median at -- as they were designing that corridor of Eagle Road and
so that goes back a number of years and it really was the development community as
they received their entitlements they wanted to be a part of welcoming the -- the traveling
public to the City of Meridian and the monument signs became a part of that. The other
signage used to be with Meridian growing at the rate it was growing, we were constantly
battling with the road departments on changing out the population because it was
changing so fast and so that really changed out, then, the -- the metal signage and those
are to move as the -- as annexation occurs and we start to move our lines. So, we talked
at one time to make it simple and just have it in our area of impact , but that didn't make
sense either. So, that is just a little bit of the background behind it. The Council wanted
to have a better idea of where these larger monument signs would be placed and so that
as development came in they could see the -- the vision as -- as part of that welcoming
corridor, because we are surrounded by five cities on all sides of us. It was an important
priority to the Council at the time and -- and certainly I know those priorities can change.
As far as placement goes, I know there has been -- including mine, a number of comments
on the placement by CarMax, but we couldn't justify the cost to the taxpayers or ask the
business to move at once -- once it changes from a five lane road to a seven lane road.
So, it was placed in future right of way instead of making it something that was more
visible and current in today's world. So , there is a little bit of background for what that is
worth and certainly I would be willing to answer any questions if I can. Certainly Caleb
and Robert have been helping to execute on much of this as well as we have tried to
slowly roll out of signage plan that -- that shows you are in the City of Meridian.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Did I understand you right? You said that the sign that was constructed by
CarMax is in a place that it will be removed?
De Weerd: No. It's in a place that --
Palmer: It's safe.
De Weerd: -- will not be removed.
Palmer: Okay. I was like what?
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De Weerd: And that's why it looks a little bit out of place right now, but some day when
it's a seven lane roadway it won't.
Hood: Madam Mayor, if I can just add a couple of points and, then, you can discuss the
program more. My memory isn't the best, especially when it comes to some of these, but
some of the things I do remember -- there isn't -- to Councilman Cavener's point, there
was definitely a thought process that went into why here -- why the -- the -- the full blown
monument signs are where they are, but it's more of an art than a science. All section
line roads, arterial roads, some of them are highways , you can see on the interstate
system some of the ones that are really close together on the interstate system are to
catch people coming off of the freeways in both directions, north and -- in north and south.
So, that's why those ones are generally clumped together. Number 11 is an older sign
and it's not just -- it doesn't look like the other ones. It's -- it's the sculpture that's -- that's
in front of the KFC there and that's -- that's really the -- the first one, really, and that's kind
of what really started to trigger, hey, we should do something throughout the city that
welcomes people on our edges type of a thing.
De Weerd: But they didn't want barbed wire or the expense of that.
Hood: By the way -- so, that's kind of what I remember a little bit that got this -- hey, yeah,
we should think about doing some of this. Chinden, a state highway, so they are -- they
are generally along there where you get people coming into our communities from
different directions on -- and I'm using the air quotes, right, major roadways. They could
all be major roadways, but if you look at that that was kind of the thought process from
staff that we have added, then, to the Council at that time to say, hey, these are the roads
that we think are -- are to that level of warranting the sign. Now, the sign wasn't 20,000
dollars when we put this together. It -- we have got some cost estimates and if memory
serves us somewhere around 12. So, that's almost doubled in cost compared to some of
the ones that were that -- that have recently been constructed. I guess just one more
thing before I -- before I let you all talk about this. The other one that I just want to bring
to your attention relatively quickly is Locust Grove and Chinden, because there is some
talk and ACHD and ITD are talking about that intersection and widening the road and so
we brought this plan to their attention to say, hey, we are not necessarily saying let's
construct the sign, but can we set the infrastructure up, underground water and maybe
power, so we can power a future sign and we have had the conversations with Valley Life
Church where that's supposed to go. So, I just want to put that out there that, really, there
isn't any other plans for -- for constructing any of these. Staff is still moving forward with
trying to preserve and protect and set any other infrastructure necessary to eventually
implement this plan. This is the same point, but it's kind of a little bit different and I said I
would let you guys talk about it.
De Weerd: Well, Caleb, before you move off at of ten, I believe that the development that
was across the street from the church also contributed half of the cost of --
Hood: The thousand dollars. Right. Which was almost half at that time. So, yes. There
are three policies at -- at the Comprehensive Plan level. So, this is not code. It's not
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required that development does this, but our policies say when a development comes --
essentially. I'm freehanding it. But, essentially, when a project comes in that's on one of
these sites, get a developer to build it. City, you should also set up a program to
implement this plan and that there isn't really a -- there is not a CIP for this, there is not
an every other year build one or every fifth year build two or anything like that. It's -- it is
sort of a -- I don't want to say on a whim, but it is sort of, hey, yeah, you know, we got an
opportunity here, let's look at -- like when the road interchange was being built, we worked
with ITD, hey, is there an opportunity to get a welcome sign there near Overland and
Meridian Road while that's going on. So, we kind of explore it on a case by case -- this
hasn't risen to the highest priority, but it is something that's on our radar screen and, you
know, do we do the best at it? No, because it's not the top priority, but we do try to
implement the plan, although there really isn't a plan to implement the plan , so --
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: That was clear as mud. Yes, Mr. Borton.
Borton: To -- to force sideboards on this discussion, the question -- and it goes back to
Mr. Cavener. In light of what's gathered is -- is there a recommendation that says the sign
program in its current form should be eliminated or the sign program should be revamped
to create more structure as to who pays for it, where they are located, moving the dots
around, so -- and if something comes from this discussion, it's maybe one of those two
paths. So, that's the ask.
De Weerd: Okay.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I appreciate President Borton kind of -- kind of winding up where I was wanting
to head next, which is I don't think it's necessarily appropriate to eliminate the program,
but we have talked a lot as this body about leveling up in our process and departments
leveling up and I think this is just another example of how we could really level up this
plan and maybe take a new look at it where our city is t oday than when this was first put
together. Does it make sense to have two signs within -- monument signs proposed within
a half a mile of each other? Probably not. So, maybe it's taking a look at where we want
to designate signs. The other piece to me that I think we need to look at is how much
monetarily we want to put on the development community to build a Welcome to Meridian
sign. To Mr. Hood's point, 5,000 dollars was -- you know, we thought was right around
half when that was first requested and now as we heard from our parks commission, the
cost from -- from CDBG presentation, construction costs are going up. Does that change
our desire to want to move forward in light of a sign that costs 20,000 dollars that maybe
when this was first put together only cost eight or maybe ten? To me I think those are
some of the sideboards that I would recommend. I have also probably recommended in
light of us actually putting together a plan that articulate s the vision and the value of this,
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that we -- we place a hold on the current request I think for one to be built at either 23 or
13, whichever one that is that's under a DA until we can say this makes the most sense,
because when I do the quick math it looks like there is close to 300,000 dollars in future
signs that we are asking development to be built in Meridian and if we are okay with that
that's what we want -- that's our take, this is our vision, great, then let's do it. But I think
there is some cases where as we take a second look at this where our growth is that
maybe all of those aren't necessary and maybe the cost of the signs can be value
engineered to have something that still looks nice that represents the character of our
community without coming in at such a high price tag.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: So, I think if any of them are going to be constructed, the city needs to pay for it.
I think if the cost of construction right now, we shouldn't be building any right now. But
here is what my preference would be is we keep the -- keep the map, keep the point,
adjust it as necessary and when somebody wants to develop a piece of property where
we would like to have a sign that we say, hey, our plan calls for us liking to have a sign
here, can you save us some space and work with us, so that we can eventually build one
when costs are -- are -- makes sense for the city to move forward and build one here. If
they say, no, our plan does -- just does not work for that, then, we say, darn it, okay, we
move on and try to find a different spot nearby to keep with the plan , again, adjusting it
as necessary. I think asking the development community at any level to build them is --
is not appropriate, but -- so if I can't get my plan, that my next best option would be having
the map and saying, okay, you're wanting to develop this, this is where we are planning
on a sign. You're going to save a space. That still would keep me up at night and I would
have lots of heartburn, but at least we wouldn't be making them pay for it, just save us
the space to do it. But I think that we should absolutely not ask him to pay for it. I mean
even if it's a tin sign on a steel pole, I think if -- if that tin sign on a steel pole is going up
the city needs to pay for it.
De Weerd: I guess does that mean we reimburse CarMax and the developer that -- that
installed it on the corner of Chinden and Linder? Those were part of DAs and just like the
one -- either 13 or 23, whichever one that is -- these were all willingly went in and no one
was -- was forced to -- to say they wanted to be a part of this Welcome to Meridian
signage. So, I guess that's my question --
Palmer: Madam Mayor, I can answer that. It seemed like you were directing it to me.
De Weerd: No.
Palmer: I would say no. I think the government's have made mistakes in the past that
-- that I think correcting it and doing what's right going forward is the better option than if
we were to open that up, then, you know, any government mistake in the past , anyone
should -- would have ability to come forward say, well, you fixed that problem, why don't
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you fix my problem. I think just going forward that would be a better policy to go with my
plan.
De Weerd: Okay. So -- so getting back to framing this conversation is it doesn't sound
like there is a desire necessarily to -- to throw out the signage plan, to level it into how we
move forward. We do have old DAs that do require and the other locations, those were
a little bit further down the road as well before they built it. They didn't build it within a
certain time period. So, are we going to be looking back -- and that was more my -- my
question is these are already part of DAs and if we consider that for one, do we consider
it for everyone that had it as part of their DAs or are we really looking forward to how are
we going to deal with this as they come up as new development occurs?
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I think that's a -- that's a great question and it's one that I had asked. I was
under the impression that there is only one DA that is out there that requires a signed to
be built at this point in time, which is why it's somewhat timely that we are having this
conversation, so because there is only one, it could be an action of either the Council to
modify the DA or the applicant to come forth and modify their DA as it pertains to that
particular piece.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I guess I have a couple questions, maybe one for Caleb or -- maybe. The pricing
on the other -- we know -- we have priced out the big huge monument sign, which I think
you based -- you do your math and maybe considering that all of these would be those
huge ones, but, Caleb, do you have a price for the small ones and the regular signs?
And, then, the other question that goes along with that is -- is there a price difference
whether the city pays for it or if somebody else pays for it? Because anything the city
pays for costs about twice as much it seems like.
Hood: Yeah. Madam Mayor --
De Weerd: Especially if -- if the infrastructure is -- is not there and -- and that's as
development has occurred you do get better economies, because they can put in the light
-- the one that's on South Eagle Road we put in solar, so we didn't have the huge cost of
bringing power out to it and so it does make sense as development occurs that -- and --
and that's why even though the 13 or 23 is one of our oldest as part of a DA , but that
development is just occurring. Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Thank you, Madam Mayor. Did you get -- did you -- was your question answered?
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Milam: Yes.
Bernt: Okay.
Hood: So, Madam Mayor, I can -- I can -- in round numbers I can give you --
Milam: Yes.
Hood: -- some. I don't have -- and like the Mayor just said, the city's project there by a
Tru Hotel that one cost more than probably another one that may be done by
development, because we didn't extend underground power, they went with the solar
panel, which in the long run may be cheaper, because you aren't paying for the power,
but the panel was -- was not -- they didn't give it to us. So, the CarMax, for example,
though, I mean that was one of the more recent -- well, we only have a few. That one
was more than our original cost estimate from Idaho Electric, who did the design for us
and, then, gave us the engineer's estimate on what it would cost to bid. I will also just
throw it -- I'm not trying to convolute it, but we actually worked with the state to have a
third design that actually went wider, so I don't -- I don't know how much the -- the vertical
sign is. We have not -- never built one. I don't know how much that one would cost, but
it would be significantly less. The engineering, the materials, it's -- it's less. Substantially
less. I'm confident in that just remembering what their cost estimates were. We actually
went with the bigger one for coming off of the interstate because the state was afraid that
no one would see it, because it's only approximate 11 feet at the time and we had them
do a slight change and make it 15 feet wide. We haven't built that one , but -- but there is
another design out there. To your point, your question, yes, there is some efficiencies if
-- if the private sector builds these. You know, I can't give you a percentage, but -- but
typically they can get a better price on doing something like this. The government can.
De Weerd: So, there is no -- we don't know. Yeah.
Milam: Okay.
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: Madam Mayor. And thank you. In light of the fact that there are -- you know, there
are some existing signs and we have some developers who have spent some money to
construct these signs, I was thinking that maybe we could talk about modifying or having
the discussion to modify these development agreements to say to the development
community to create an expectation that we expect them to pay a certain amount for the se
signs, but if during the construction when they get bids if they're -- if the -- if the cost to
construct the signs are more, then, the city would cover the balance, so that it would
almost create like a public-private partnership. I don't know if that's possible, but
something maybe we could talk about.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
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De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: I don't know how much sausage we are going to make tonight. I really
appreciate I think some of the comments from Council Member Palmer and Council
Member -- it's Bernt; right? That maybe a potential solution -- again, let's -- let's -- let's
really put together what a plan is for these signs. Let's articulate the vision, the values of
our community, something I think we do really really well and the ask is if you fall within
these areas or zone that, again, you -- I don't like asking, I think we have got to require,
so I know we don't like that term -- you got to require that infrastructure be laid and, then,
once that infrastructure is in place it is a budgetary conversation for the city to say do we
want to use our General Fund dollars to build that sign? The private business part comes
in installing the infrastructure. The public side is in putting up the pretty sign and those
become budgetary conversations, just like our projects become budgetary conversation s,
just like baseball fields become budgetary conversations, future councils can make that
decision about do we want to put a sign at number ten. Do we want to do signs this year
at 21 and 16 and 17, the infrastructure is there, do we want to spend the money and I
think that gets to where Council Member Palmer is and I think it addresses Council
Member Bernt, kind of the public-private partnership without saying -- because, again,
let's say this plan is in place for 30 years, if we put a 5,000 or a 20,000 dollar limit, inflation
is always going to impact that, 30 years from now everybody would be disqualified , but
the decision of the Council to decide to spend dollars to build the signs can still be made.
De Weerd: You know, I think you kind of already got that in -- in the sense of the
development at -- on ten said I don't want to bear the full brunt of it, so I would rather pay
a portion of it and that was part of the annexation and zoning and -- and the development
agreement. So, the other three -- they said we would love to and -- and so they didn't put
those things in place. Moving forward I certainly think that you can look at a policy as part
of the -- the monument things and how you would propose that as we move forward . If
the place that is yet to be built that's part of a DA, if that business wants to come forward
and say I know it's contemplated in the DA to install this, I would only like to pay for half
of it, would the city pay for the other half, certainly I think that -- that comes back as a
modification of the DA and -- and that's for the feature Council to decide. You know, right
now we are looking at -- I'm trying to get back to the sideboards that do we want to look
at the -- the policy moving forward and how would that look. Certainly that -- I think that's
what's being asked of Council.
Cavener: And, Madam Mayor, maybe that's where I'm missing is what is the policy?
De Weerd: I think the policy is staff, when a development comes in and they are around
one of these signs, they show them the map and say this is part of our signage plan and
the applicant says, well, I want to be a part of that. Mr. Dean wasn't interested in bearing
the whole brunt and said I would like to pay for half of it and -- and so that -- that was just
a conversation that was had during the -- the application and as I recall it was a discussion
when the applicant was here in front of City Council.
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Cavener: And is that -- is that formalized somewhere that we can -- we can point to or is
that just -- is that just our business practice? I guess that's the part I'm trying to -- I'm
confused about. Is it a policy that's formalized or is it really just the practice of staff?
De Weerd: Yeah. I think it's just like anything else in the Comprehensive Plan, It's -- it's
a document, it's a map, and it's something that -- that is brought up as the applicant comes
in and says there is this and they have a conversation.
Nary: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Madam Mayor, Members of the Council -- and I know all of you know this, but since
other folks -- Mrs. Palmer and others watch this, I wanted to make clear -- we can't
mandate people build these signs, so we can't require it as a condition of annexation.
That's why, as Caleb said, it is a negotiation and discussion. Businesses have offered to
pay for it because they wanted to. They, then, put it in the development agreement,
because they have agreed to it. It's a consensual item. I would even be concerned in
mandating they provide the infrastructure. Again, we negotiate that with businesses. As
Caleb said, we start with we would like a sign there, you know, would you be interested
in doing part of it. If the answer is, no, thanks, could we have the space to put the sign
there? Maybe so. Okay. Can we put in the infrastructure for it? Okay. As long as we
don't pay for it. So, I mean it really is an ongoing dialogue. So, I just didn't want to leave
this discussion with the impression maybe to the public that we require people to do this.
I mean it is truly a dialogue that planning has on these and tries to negotiate what -- the
best we could do. Some businesses -- and I might be wrong, but my recollection is St.
Luke's, for example, they were willing to give us the space on their -- on their campus to
provide it, but I don't recall that they provided any other financial support to it. So, it does
vary greatly from, yes, you can put in here and, then, we are done, to we would be happy
to build it, we want to be a part of it. So, it -- it's the whole gamut of that.
De Weerd: Well -- and I think with the St. Luke's their -- their development was approved
long before this -- this came into being, so they said, yes, we want to be a part -- a partner
to it, but we are not going to put expense to it. We will offer a place to put it, so --
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: I don't know when it was, two years ago or whenever we had this conversation
before, was that was the exact question that was asked and I was trying to get clarification
and Caleb was -- made it very clear that it was not optional in that meeting, that it was
this will be built, because this is where the plan is for it to be built and if you want to
develop here it will be paid for by you. Is that not the case?
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Hood: Madam Mayor, if I can maybe clarify that. And I do remember the budget
discussions, but I don't remember the exact conversations. I mean we do have policies
and at the staff level that's kind of our marching orders is to talk with the development
community, as Mr. Nary said, and say, hey, our plan calls for this, good if we put that in
your development agreement to do this, and we gauge that level of interest to say, hey,
we would love to have you in Meridian, would you like to be part of Meridian, part of that
could be building this sign to welcome people to the community on your property or maybe
it's just the easement. But that's kind of where we start is what -- gauge their level of
interest. As the Mayor said, some developers are happy to do it, others not so much. So,
it kind of -- it is sort of a case by case, but that's usually where we start is, hey, we do
have a plan and the policy's up on the screen that says it's required, but it's not -- this is
the comp plan, it's a guide, we can't require them, but that's where we start.
De Weerd: And -- and, actually, if memory serves me, on the three -- the CarMax, the
one at Linder and Chinden and the one at Ustick and -- and Eagle, those were more
elaborate than what we actually had proposed. I actually like the CarMax one much better
than ours and it was much larger as well. But, you know, I guess it -- it is something that
starts with this is our plan, you know, we would love you to -- to be a part of it, but, yeah,
it's not a have to.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: And, then, it becomes a DA development agreement. Yes.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, I think, then, kind of to your point of try and keep us focused at
the task at hand, it -- I guess the question for Council is -- is their opposition about moving
forward with developing a true plan and recognize that the details are yet to be defined
about what this Council wants, but I guess the first question is do we want to keep the
status quo and I'm not seeing anybody saying, nope, how we have it now is how we want
it to be.
Milam: Madam Mayor? Sorry. Sorry. I haven't -- I haven't had an opportunity to talk.
Cavener: Sure.
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: So, I was kind of waiting. After hearing this discussion and acknowledging that
we are not forcing anybody to pay, I don't see a -- I don't have a problem with asking a
developer if they are willing to pay for a sign or part of a sign. They might really want one
there. They might be excited about it. They might say, no, I'm not willing to do that, but I
will give you land or I don't want your sign anywhere near my property. But I have no
problem having that discussion with a developer. I think it should be had, because if you
don't have it -- if you don't have the discussion with them, they don't even know it's an
option. So, I don't -- I don't see any problem with the way that we are doing it. If we are
not forcing anybody to pay anything, I think it's -- it looks like a great program. To Caleb
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and to Luke's point about the map being better, I think maybe some lines off to the sides
on why there is two real close and it could be a good -- based on the clump of this map
there is probably a really good reason, like this one is on this road facing this direction
and you wouldn't even see it if you're coming into town from -- on this other road and
that's why it looks like they are really close together, but they make sense, because they
are on arterials road -- arterial roadways or state highways or whatever. So, it looks like
a lot of thought went into this and I don't have a problem with it.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Little Roberts.
Little Roberts: Madam Mayor. I agree with Councilman Milam. It seems like a lot of
thought has gone into this and I guess I'm kind of at the point of I don't see that it's broken.
So, what would we be fixing?
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
Little Roberts: It's working for me.
De Weerd: Thank you. Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: Here is why it's broken. I haven't talked to a single person who has been
interested in developing a piece of property where these signs are that thinks it's optional.
The words that have been used are we will cooperate, because in the grand scheme of
things it's -- to get something approved in this city is dang near impossible, so if it means
putting up a sign to get it done, they're willing to put up with our crap to do it, but they
don't want to and -- I mean, sure, maybe some were super happy and willing to do it in
the past, but I haven't talked to anybody who is in the line of fire who says, yeah -- yeah,
we want to do that. It's we will do it if we are -- if we have to. Literally quote. We will
cooperate.
De Weerd: I don't want to get into a rabbit trail, but I -- these are all old ones and there is
nothing new where these monuments signs that have come in that -- we haven't had that
conversation that I know of for a number of years. So, I -- I guess, Mr. Borton, do you
have comment? I'm just looking -- where does this conversation end? And we now have
opinions stated. What is the direction of Council?
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Borton.
Borton: I will tell you what I have heard I think collectively, which makes sense to me, is
that the current program, consistent with a Comprehensive Plan, in 2.0, 1.03 -- it's in the
packet -- cites those -- that commitment to a Welcome to Meridian sign plan continue to
go forward. Nothing's changed. Nothing's looked back. But what Councilman Cavener
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has uncovered is the vacuum of articulating those matrix for consistent implementation of
the plan. It's not in code. It's not an ordinance -- necessarily a requirement, but it would
probably be helpful to have three or four pages that would articulate matrix for the design,
location, funding and implementation of this plan that we could adopt. I don't even know
if it's a formal adoption, but it might be something that would provide a reference for all o f
us and the next seven of all of us on how this program should be utilized over the next 30
years as our city grows. That's what I heard. It sounds like that's what Councilman
Cavener is asking for. It's not an elimination of welcome signs as a program , but let's
articulate in writing some of those components , design, location, funding and
implementation. We would, then, utilize that structure each year as part of the budget
process. Each application can still be encouraged to participate in the progr am in the
manner they already have them, understanding it's through the Comprehensive Plan and
-- and our intention to have these new participants in our community participate in this
program as well if they so choose. So, that might be the takeaway and I don't know if
that's a motion that makes sense to say let's continue with our plan and let's create that
document which sets forth those four elements so we all know exactly which direction we
are rowing and why, which I support. I think the program is great. I think the trade-offs
-- the pros are much greater than the cons and -- and part of that structure would also be
what type of review, you know, the map if -- if there is location changes and tweaks in
light of development that might necessitate moving a sign, you know, here or there on this
map, then, that process would help all of us understand how to make those changes.
That's where I -- that's where I would leave it. That's a long answer to your question, but
I see that as some sort of -- sort of action that end this discussion.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I almost started to applause.
De Weerd: I thought you were weeping.
Bernt: I about started. I about gave President Borton a standing ovation.
De Weerd: Okay. We will review the minutes and figure out what Mr. Borton said and --
and try and bring something back --
Borton: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: -- and see if we actually captured it.
Borton: That -- that structure of what could be a motion is kind of a question also to the
-- the origin of this discussion, Councilman Cavener, who kind of brought up and identified
this problem, if -- if that's consistent with what you're looking to come out of this.
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De Weerd: But I guess what Mr. Nary said is we can't have a policy -- you know, you
can't force it, so I'm not sure what you're looking for in terms of bringing back a policy,
so --
Borton: Well, I guess it came from -- everyone's talking because we are not looking at a
document that -- that says --
De Weerd: Okay. We will bring you something --
Borton: Which would need to be made.
De Weerd: Uh-huh.
Borton: Which doesn't yet exist. Which is kind of where I'm getting at.
De Weerd: But it does exist. There are design criteria. There -- there is a plan and I
think Mr. Cavener had a lot of that in our -- our packet.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes.
Cavener: I guess I would say as someone who has been working on this I -- I would not
categorize what we have as a plan for what it's worth. I think that we have three
documents that have been provided to me that's been provided to the Council, but if a
member of the public asked for the Welcome to Meridian sign plan, I wouldn't feel real
comfortable just saying here is three documents.
De Weerd: Okay. But I think staff feels comfortable -- well, I guess, Caleb, do you feel
comfortable what you have starting the conversation?
Hood: Yeah. Madam Mayor, I think I can put together some of what Councilman Borton
said and has been said and take those three documents . What I'm not real comfortable
as been, you know, packaging them and calling that a plan without some -- you know, I
need -- I need somebody else to like, you know, stamp that plan and go, yep, this is the
plan, but we can take kind of what we already have and package that up and -- and
Councilman Milam even said, you know, these are some of what -- we have already done
the work that's gone into this and some notes on , hey, we got to go horizontal here,
because it's constrained and some of those things. Like is it preferred because of that
and talk to them and not them -- so, yeah, Madam Mayor, to answer your question, I think
we could part to beef up this plan to make it a plan. What I -- what I think we will need
some real direction on is, again, plan implementation then. Is this -- is the plan going to
have something that says every other year planning staff submit a budget amendment or
an enhancement or -- you know. Or is the plan just more this, a map. And a map can be
a plan, just there is no implementation; right? Plan. And if that's what you want, then, I'm
going to struggle with that, because I don't know what the implementation plan should be.
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Palmer: So, Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Hold on just a moment. It sounds like you have enough to bring back
something in black and white to put in front of you, so that we can maybe have a dialogue
on -- on specifics.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: That's great. And I guess I would offer to help work with staff, so that there is
some collaboration on this to try and gel with where the Council --
De Weerd: I think that would be awesome.
Cavener: Thanks.
E. Parks and Recreation Department: Fuller Park Ball Field
Naming Request [Action Item]
De Weerd: Okay. Anything further on that? Okay. Item 10-E is a little bit easier in terms
of in front of you you do have a PowerPoint presentation in the packet and Colin is here
to give a brief overview.
Moss: Yes. Thank you, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. I am honored to be
here this evening to present this item. As Madam Mayor indicated, you have a request in
front of you from Mayor de Weerd to name field number one at Fuller Park in honor of
Charlie Rountree and so Mr. Rountree has, as you know, a long history of service to this
community specific to parks. He's been a longtime supporter of parks, helped create the
Parks and Recreation Department in which I now work. Also helped create the Meridian
Parks and Recreation Commission, to which he was the very first Council liaison back in
the late '90s, early 2000s. I'm not sure the exact year, but -- and, then, specifically at
Fuller Park, Mr. Rountree served on the Western Ada Recreation District board for almost
21 years and was instrumental in the development of the park -- of Fuller Park and, then,
spent time coaching at Fuller Park in the MYB organization and so, you know, got his
hands dirty helping to maintain the park through that organization and so has a -- has a
very long history of -- at that park specifically and that's why Fuller Park was specifically
chosen to honor Mr. Rountree and so going through the PowerPoint, it's -- this is the --
the letter submitted by Mayor de Weerd, which you have had, which you have in front of
you. Fuller Park, an overhead view. You can see field number one right over here. It is
the first park that you see as you come into the park, the entrance being up here on the
north side. Overhead view of the -- of the field that we are talking about and, then, this is
just a sample. This was from the Trace Leighton field ceremony when they put a plaque
up at Settlers Park, but this just is being used as an example of what we might do at Fuller
Park for Mr. Rountree. Expecting to do that later this year potentially. We will have some
kind of a ceremony. No date set or anything like that. But planning to do that after the
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city takes ownership of the park October 1st and so with that I will stand for any questions
that you might have. But the Parks and Recreation Department is wholeheartedly in
support of this request and so we would ask for your approval and it was presented to the
Meridian Parks and Recreation Commission at their meeting on January 13th where they
unanimously -- unanimously approved recommending to the Council approval.
De Weerd: Thank you, Colin.
Bernt: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Bernt.
Bernt: I was in the preliminary discussions in regards to this with my good friend Mr.
Cavener and the late Keith Bird on a parks tour and we sat down, we chit-chatted about
this and I think this is a great idea. Charlie's a fantastic person. He is a dedicated public
servant and he's done a lot for this community, especially as it relates to Fuller Park in its
history. So, I, along with others -- or I would be in full support of this. I think it's a great
idea.
Cavener: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mr. Cavener.
Cavener: Madam Mayor. Colon, appreciate you being here.
De Weerd: We needed someone to carry that on.
Moss: I appreciate that.
Cavener: Sorry, Dean.
De Weerd: Although that kind of reckons back to the seat to my left.
Cavener: Madam Mayor, I just wanted to pass on my appreciation to you for that
recommendation, for the Parks Department, parks commission. This is one of those no
brainers. I guess my only question is he's okay with this?
Moss: Absolutely. Yes.
Cavener: Then let's make like a big bust at the space.
De Weerd: No. Any other comments? Questions? Do we have a motion?
Moss: Thank you.
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De Weerd: Thank you. So, we do have a request in front of us for approval to name the
Fuller Park ball field the Charlie Rountree field.
Milam: So moved.
De Weerd: What did you so move?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we approve the recommendation from the Parks Department to name
the Fuller Park ball field the Charlie Rountree Field. Is that correct? Field. One field.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: We have a motion --
Little Roberts: Field number one the Charlie Rountree Field.
De Weerd: Thank you. Any discussion on the motion? Okay. Mr. Clerk.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Milam, yea; Cavener, yea; Palmer, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Bernt,
yea.
De Weerd: All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
F. Public Works: Budget Amendment for FY2019 In The Amount of
41,825 for Water Field Services Supervisor [Action Item]
De Weerd: Thank you. Item 10-F is under our Public Works Department. Good evening.
McVey: Good evening, Madam Mayor, Members of the Council. Thank you for letting
me take a few minutes of your evening. This should be pretty brief. This is for the
discussion of a Public Works amendment related to an acceleration of a position that was
originally planned for the FY-20 budget to accommodate a reorganization in the water
division due to an unforeseen retirement. So, we have a retirement coming up of our
longest standing water employee. He's served the city for 38 years and so he is retiring
at the end of March and so that gave us an unexpected opportunity to look at the
organizational structure at water and this amendment is for the addition of a field service
supervisor to support that reorganization effort. This position will be responsible for the
city's meter program, which encompasses nearly 37,000 meters and includes activities
such as supervising new meter installation, meter replacements, troubleshooting, testing,
meter reading, and importantly data processing to support our utility billing program. So ,
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this position will report to the water operations manager, which is a newly reclassified
position formerly called the assistant water superintendent. Under this reorganization that
encompasses a broad and significant range of responsibilities, including the maintenance
section, construction section, operations, meters, and line locating. So, with the
continued growth of the water system, the continued number of customers and meters,
increasing regulatory pressure, it was really important for us to look forward thinking at
the water organization and develop and implement a structure that 's similar to the one
that we have at the wastewater department that has a strong number two leader leading
the operation section of the group. Additionally, I wanted to note that by moving this
position forward from the planned FY-20 budget, the water division would not be seeking
any additional staff as part of the FY-20 budget process. So, this amendment that you
have in front of you is for 41,825 dollars, which is five months of salary for the new position
in FY-19 and, then, several small operational costs, such as computer and safety
equipment. So, with that I would respectfully ask for your consideration for this
amendment and stand for any questions.
De Weerd: And, Laurelei, that -- that budget amendment -- you do have budget dollars
in there, but because this sets up a new FTE and there is a budget impact for budget
years moving forward, that -- that difference is -- is captured in the budget amendment.
McVey: Madam Mayor, that's correct.
De Weerd: Okay. Any questions?
Cavener: Thanks for sticking with us.
De Weerd: Yeah. So -- and I think that the retirement was a little bit ahead of what was
anticipated, but certainly Chip has given years of excellent service to the water
department and he will be missed. His presence will be felt.
McVey: We have -- we have thought a lot about how he -- what he's see in the 38 years
in Meridian --
De Weerd: Holy cow.
McVey: -- and growth that he's seen and the changes he's experienced is really
significant and we are really excited for him, but like -- like you said, will be definitely
missed.
De Weerd: So, we were doing the math and -- and it seems like he's really pretty old.
McVey: They told me he started when he was like 11 or something.
De Weerd: Uh-huh. Mrs. Little Roberts.
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Little Roberts: Madam Mayor. I move that we approve the budget amendment for FY-19
in the amount of 41,825 dollars for the water field service supervisor.
Milam: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second. 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: ALL AYES.
De Weerd: Thank you.
McVey: Thank you.
Item 11 : Ordinances [Action Items]
A. Ordinance No. 19-1811: An Ordinance Amending Meridian City
Code Section 7-2-9(B ), Regarding Community Service
Officers' Enforcement Of Provisions Related To Parking In
Spaces Designated For Persons With Disability; Meridian City
Code Section 7-2-10(A), Regarding Community Service
Officers' Enforcement Authority For Parking Tickets And
Procedures; Adopting A Savings Clause; And Providing An
Effective Date.
De Weerd: Item 11 -A is Ordinance 19-1811. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, read this by title.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 19-1811, an ordinance
amending Meridian City Code Section 7-2-9(b), regarding community service officers'
enforcement of provisions related to parking in spaces designated for persons with
disability; Meridian City Code Section 7-2-10(a), regarding community service officers'
enforcement authority for parking tickets and procedures; adopting a savings clause; and
providing an effective date.
De Weerd: Okay. Council, any questions about this? If not I would entertain a motion.
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: Move that we approve Ordinance No. 19-1811 with suspension of rules.
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Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 11 -A. 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: ALL AYES.
B. Ordinance No. 19-1812: An Ordinance (H-2017-0142–
Summertown) For Annexation Of A Parcel Of Land Located In
The NW ¼ of The NE 1/4 of Section 1, Township 3 North, Range
1 West, Boise Meridian, Ada County, Idaho, As Described In
Attachment “A” And Annexing Certain Lands And Territory,
Situated In Ada County, Idaho, And Adjacent And Contiguous
To The Corporate Limits Of The City Of Meridian As Requested
By The City Of Meridian; Establishing And Determining The
Land Use Zoning Classification Of 15.13 Acres Of Land From
RUT To TN-R (Traditional Neighborhood Residential) Zoning
District In The Meridian City Code; Providing That Copies Of
This Ordinance Shall Be Filed With The Ada County Assessor,
The Ada County Recorder, And The Idaho State Tax
Commission, As Required By Law; And Providing For A
Summary Of The Ordinance; And Providing For A Waiver Of
The Reading Rules; And Providing An Effective Date.
De Weerd: Item 11 -B is Ordinance 19-1812. Mr. Clerk, will you, please, read this by title.
Coles: Thank you, Madam Mayor. City of Meridian Ordinance No. 19-1812, an Ordinance
file H-2017-0142, Summertown, for annexation of a parcel of land located in The NW ¼
of the NE 1/4 of Section 1, Township 3 North, Range 1 West, Boise Meridian, Ada County,
Idaho, as described in Attachment “A” and annexing certain lands and territory, situated
in Ada County, Idaho, and adjacent and contiguous to the corporate limits of the City of
Meridian as requested by the City of Meridian; establishing and determining the land use
zoning classification of 15.13 acres of land from RUT to TN-R (Traditional Neighborhood
Residential) Zoning District in the Meridian City Code; providing that copies of this
ordinance shall be filed with the Ada County Assessor, the Ada County Recorder, and the
Idaho State Tax Commission, as required by law; and providing for a summary of the
ordinance; and providing for a waiver of the reading rules; and providing an effective date.
De Weerd: Okay. You have heard this read by title. Are there any questions? Do I have
a motion?
Meridian City Council Meeting Agenda March 12, 2019 – Page 62 of 480
Meridian City Council
February 26, 2019
Page 58 of 58
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to adjourn. All those in favor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:48 P.M.
DING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
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Meridian City Council
February 26, 2019
Page 57 of 58
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move we approve Ordinance No. 19-1812 with suspension of rules.
Little Roberts: Second.
De Weerd: I have a motion and a second to approve Item 11 -B. 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: ALL AYES.
Item 12: Future Meeting Topics
De Weerd: Is there anything under Item 12? You do have two upcoming events. Chili
cookoff is this Saturday at 11:00 at the Meridian Speedway and Coffee With The Mayor
next Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. at Tru Hotel.
Palmer: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Yes, Mr. Palmer.
Palmer: And for a potential future meeting topic I would love to have a discussion about
-- I know that the Council tries to have kind of a hands-off as to what MDC does with those
that we represent's money, but I think with their plan to pursue a parking agreement with
the railroad company, I think it would be appropriate for us to investigate ourselves the
details and either give them the blessing to move forward and keep pursuing it or tell
them, hey, we are not interested in taking a release when the URD sunsets. I'd love to
have that as a discussion, so that we can give our opinion before they continue going to
lots of effort if we decided that we would rather them not.
De Weerd: Okay. Noted. Do I have a motion to adjourn?
Milam: Madam Mayor?
De Weerd: Mrs. Milam.
Milam: I move that we adjourn.
Little Roberts: Second.
Meridian City Council Meeting Agenda March 12, 2019 – Page 63 of 480