HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-14 RegularMeridian City Council January 14, 2020.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:01 p.m., Tuesday, January
14, 2020, by Mayor Robert Simison.
Members Present: Robert Simison, Joe Borton, Treg Bernt, Luke Cavener, Jessica
Perreault and Brad Hoaglun.
Members Absent: Liz Strader.
Also present: Chris Johnson, Adrienne Weatherly, Bill Nary, Cameron Arial, Jamie Leslie,
Joe Bongiorno and Dean Willis.
Item 1: Roll-call Attendance:
_____ Liz Strader __X__ Joe Borton
__X__ Brad Hoaglun __X__ Treg Bernt
__X__ Jessica Perreault __X__ Luke Cavener
__X__ Mayor Robert Simison
Simison: And with that we will go right into our regular City Council meeting. It is Tuesday,
January 14th, at 6:01 p.m. We will start this meeting off with roll call attendance.
Item 2: Pledge of Allegiance
Simison: Okay. Next item on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Pledge of Allegiance recited.)
Item 3: Community Invocation by Michael Pearson of 7th Day Adventist
Church
Simison: Item No. 3 is the community invocation. I do not see Pastor Pearson.
Item 4: Adoption of Agenda
Simison: So, we will move on to Item 4, adoption of the agenda.
Bernt: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Bernt.
Bernt: We do have some changes to the agenda. Item 7-C, City Council discussion
about investor owned rental subdivisions will be rescheduled to a future date. I believe
January 28th. But I don't know if that's been confirmed with Mr. Hunt, so -- along with
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 2 of 11
that we would like to add Item 10, Executive Session, to the agenda. With that I move to
adopt the agenda as changed.
Hoaglun: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say -- oh, discussion?
Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Council Member Bernt, did you want to identify the section of Idaho Code of
which --
Bernt: Sure.
Cavener: -- we are going to be meeting under Exec --
Bernt: Executive Session Code 74-206(1)(a) to be exact.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Council President Bernt, for the record, because we weren't able to get through
this item that was already noticed on our work session.
Simison: With -- with that I have -- all those in favor of approving the agenda as amended
signify by saying aye. All opposed nay. The ayes have it.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Item 5: Announcements
Simison: I do not have any announcements at this point in time, unless anybody else has
any announcements that they would like to make.
Item 6: Future Meeting Topics - Public Forum (Up to 30 Minutes Maximum)
Simison: So, we will just go into future meeting topics, public forum. Madam Clerk, were
there any sign-ups in the public forum?
Weatherly: My apologies, Mr. Mayor. One moment. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. There were
no sign-ups tonight.
Item 7: Discussion Items/Presentations
A. Mayor's Youth Advisory Council Update
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 3 of 11
Simison: Thank you. Then we will move into Item 7-A, the Mayor's Youth Advisory
Council update. Abby Hutchins.
Hutchins: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and City Council. I'm Abby Hutchins and I'm the
vice-chair of MYAC. So, I'm just going to do a recap of what we have done in the last
month. So, we have a new advisor for our Teen Activities Committee. Her name is Aubrey
and she's going to be overseeing the planning and events that MYAC is going to be doing
for the upcoming year. And then -- so, last month we had our Christmas party and during
our Christmas party we played different games and, then, we had a Christian rapper
actually come and he did original songs for us and we kind of -- we bonded. We usually
do a lot of community service events together, so it was a nice bonding time for executive
council and general council. And, then, for our legislative dinner that happened this past
Friday -- so, what we are proposing this year for our bill that we want to create or maybe
work towards next year is eliminating plastic bags in grocery stores. We are running into
the issue of our city not being able to choose if we want to use plastic bags or not, so we
are trying to jump through different loopholes and figure that out. We have representative
Ellis and Senator Winder that are very interested in sponsoring us, but we have no
sponsors at the moment. And, then, for our youth lobby day that is coming up, so for the
past two or three years we partnered with American Heart Association for safe routes to
school for kids. I attended it the past two years and I really loved it. So , what we do is
we talked to different senators and lobby for like the repair of the roads and the sidewalks,
so that when kids are going to school they can feel safe and not feel like they are going
to get hit by oncoming traffic or when people are biking to school they don't fall over from
the cracks in the road. So, we just want to make sure that our future kids can get to
school safely. And, then, for our last thing we have been working on Point of Hope. So,
we didn't do this the past year, but our last year -- we did it the year before that and what
Point of Hope is about is this year we are going to do a mental illness prevention run or
awareness run. So, what we are going to do for that is -- we are in the planning stages
right now and for the next -- we have had two meetings and, then, for the next meeting
we are going to find sponsors and see what we can get covered for that. Yeah. So , like
I said, we did it the year before last year and we are planning on a really good turnout this
year and just in the planning stages of it right now. Are there any questions?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Thanks for your update. I'm just clarifying -- for the Point of Hope run is -- was
it listed as May 5th?
Hutchins: I believe it was May 5th.
Cavener: That's a Tuesday.
Hutchins: That's a Tuesday?
Cavener: Yeah.
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 4 of 11
Hutchins: So, I can get back to you next month on what that day is. I think we changed
it, but I'm not sure because I wasn't able to make the last planning meeting. Sorry about
that.
Cavener: No. It -- listen, these things change and shift and it's not a big deal. I just would
-- if once you get the date finalized if you can get that out to us. I attended two years ago
and I enjoyed the event and I would like to attend it again this year. If it's on Tuesday I --
Hutchins: It will be on a Saturday. I promise you.
Cavener: Okay. Great.
Hutchins: Sorry about that. Yeah. I will definitely have that updated and ready to go for
the next update.
Cavener: Great. Thank you. Thanks for being here. Great event on Friday.
Hutchins: Awesome. Thank you so much.
Simison: Thank you, Abby. Any other questions?
Perreault: Mr. Mayor? I don't have a question, I just want to say what a great job you
guys did on Friday night and I really appreciate d the information you shared. It was -- it
was very informative and I hope you have a lot of success with getting this through and
getting some sponsors.
Hutchins: Thank you so much. That means a lot.
Perrault: You're welcome.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Just a benefit for Council. Representative Holtzclaw was in attendance. So, it
was nice to get a couple of different members of our legislative delegat ion to show up on
a Friday night. Good event.
Hutchins: Thank you.
B. Resolution No. 20-2185: A Resolution of the Mayor and the City
Council of the City of Meridian Reappointing Lisa Holland to
Seat 5 and William 'Bill' Cassinelli to Seat 6 of the Meridian
Planning & Zoning Commission; and Appointing Patricia Pitzer
to Seat 4 and Appointing Nick Grove to Seat 7 of the Meridian
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 5 of 11
Planning & Zoning Commission; and Providing an Effective
Date [ Action Item]
Simison: Thank you, Abby. Okay. Item 7-D, resolution appointing City Council -- or
appointing members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. So, Council, what you
have before you are my first attempts of appointments to Planning and Zoning or any
commission. So, we will see how this goes. Mayor Tammy and I did do the interviews,
along with -- we defaulted -- I think he technically was -- Commission President Ryan
Fitzgerald was also present for those interviews, since the former Commission President
had stepped down, so -- so he stepped into that role to assist us. So, what you have
before you are two reappointments and two new appointments. So, the reappointments
are for William, Bill, Cassinelli and Lisa Holland. They -- I see Bill here. Lisa,
unfortunately, was not able to make it, because she had to be in Kuna for a Planning and
Zoning meeting for her day job, but she sends her regrets, but, hopefully, they are a known
quantity and commodity to you all, so hoping those appointments will be nice and easy.
The two new people who will be coming on -- one is Nick Grove. Nick is, again, a familiar
face. He works at the Meridian Library District, primarily in their unbound is what he was
known for, but he's been a fixture in downtown. He was also on our Comprehensive Plan
steering committee, so he was very involved in the recent comp plan conversation and I
think that he would be a great addition. He has got a passion for downtown. I think as
we see more and more in-fill in the future in our community, even with the two projects I
think are a good start, that having that person connected and involved in downtown would
be a great addition to Planning and Zoning Commission. In addition, we do have Patty
-- and I have made -- Pitzer? Pitzer. I was going to go that direction. So, Patty is recently
retired. She has kind of had her hand in a wide variety of issues through her career,
including working for developers, realtors, on the mortgage lending side, as well as the
business owner and she was one of the candidates who has actually done a fair amount
of research and reading of the Comprehensive Plan changes and updates and I feel that
dedication and, again, her perspective, I think she brings a different demographic to what
is not on the commission, especially as we are seeing more in that senior age type of
projects that are coming through to the city. So, with that I would be happy to take any
additional questions, otherwise I would love a motion for th is first time.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Bernt: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Member Cavener.
Cavener: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think Council has had the opportunity to watch
Planning and Zoning Commission meetings on YouTube. I know I watch them. It's a --
it's a loss to lose their president, but I'm really excited to have Jessica on our City Council.
But Planning and Zoning Commission, in my opinion, have been firing all cylinders for the
past couple years. It's been a pleasure to watch them engage and collaborate. I love the
robust discussions that happen amongst commissioners. Everyone brings their own
individual thought and opinion. They do their homework. It's really what you want from
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 6 of 11
a Planning and Zoning Commission. So, Mr. Mayor, with that I move that we approve
Resolution No. 20-2185, reappointing Lisa Holland to Seat 5, Bill Cassinelli to Seat 6 and
appointing Nick Grove and Patricia Pitzer -- Pitzer -- I'm so sorry, Patricia. Patricia Pitzer
to the Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission.
Perreault: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion?
Perreault: Mr. Mayor? I would like to just say that as our applications get more
complicated, the Planning and Zoning Commission I think becomes even more valuable
in their knowledge. The willing -- their willingness to invest and it's -- it's, obviously, very
near and dear to my heart and Council Member Bernt as well having both served and so
I don't know if -- if you both are going to have an opportunity to come up and say anything,
but I just want to say thank you for doing this, because it -- there is -- sometimes there is
some late nights, but it's a -- it's a -- I'm nerdy that way, so I love it and I think it's fantastic.
But -- so, I appreciate all the -- the effort that the Mayor's office has put into interviewing
these excellent candidates and I'm excited to see what happens.
Bernt: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Bernt.
Bernt: I would like to say a couple things as well. Thank you. I also -- like Council Woman
Perreault mentioned, I sat on this commission for almost a year and I got to know Bill
really well. Lisa Holland took my spot when I resigned -- when I was elected to City
Council. She's fantastic. One more thing to add to the list of accomplishments for Nick
Grove. He was also president of the Downtown Meridian Business Association for at
least a year -- I think even more. A couple years maybe, so -- so, excited to see Nick
involved. He's extremely engaged and will do an amazing job. I don't know Patricia . I
can't wait to get to know you, but congratulations on your appointment.
Simison: All right. If there is no further comments, we will ask the Clerk to call the roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Bernt, yea; Perreault, yea; Hoaglun, yea; Strader,
absent.
Simison: All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Simison: With that I'm going to invite each person up, if they would be interested to come
up and say a few words. We always do this afterwards, so you can't talk yourself out of
it. But I would first defer to our senior elder from the Planning and Zoning Commission,
Mr. Cassinelli, if he would like to come up to say a few words.
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 7 of 11
Cassinelli: Give you my name and address?
Simison: That would be great.
Cassinelli: Okay. Bill Cassinelli. 915 West White Sands in Meridian. First of all,
congratulations, Mr. Mayor, to you and to the new Council Members as well. I will miss
you on Thursdays, but I want to just say thank you for the reappointment . I'm excited. It
is -- it's challenging. It's a lot of fun, but, you know, with all that's going on, with all the
growth, there are some late nights as -- as you both know. But I'm just -- I'm excited for
the next couple years and kind of moving things forward and with a whole new group up
here, too, working alongside you guys. So, thanks very much.
Simison: Thank you, Bill. Mr. Grove.
Grove: All right. Sorry. Kids had to have some candy, so -- it's the only way I could bribe
them to stay here. I'm excited to come join the commission. It's another way for me to
get involved in the community. Being in downtown for the last few years and watching
the development happen and having lived in the city for now six years or something like
that. Worked in it for even longer. Have a passion for what is happening in our community
and watching it grow and seeing how it can change and I'm excited for the developments
that are going to be happening over the next few years and excited to be a part of that
process. So, thank you for allowing me to be on this commission .
Perreault: Mr. Mayor? I might just say that I appreciate you volunteering and how you
have volunteered to do this. It's -- it's a big ask and it's fantastic that you are willing to
invest your time in our city that way. Thank you .
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: If I could just add. Nick, it's so important we have young families represented.
So, I love having your kids here. They are welcome here anytime. We have got an
endless supply of candy. If you ever want to come back to Council chambers we would
love to have you. It's important to have you and their voice heard. So, more young
families at the Planning and Zoning Commission. I'm excited.
Grove: Thank you.
Simison: Thanks. And Patty.
Pitzer: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council Members. I was really excited to apply for this
position. I have been following not just the Meridian Planning and Zoning and Council
meetings, but Boise, Garden City, Eagle, et cetera, just looking at the different aspects of
-- of the way that our entire state is growing. Living in Meridian and being in the unique
position where we are totally surrounded by other cities, just gave me a certain passion
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 8 of 11
that I wanted to be a part of, to watch this growth. Not so Helter Skelter, but in a managed
way. So, I -- I appreciate the opportunity and I hope I do you guys proud. Thank you.
C. City Council Discussion: Investor-Owned Rental Subdivisions
Simison: Thank you, Patty. Okay. Item 7-C was removed from the agenda.
Item 8: Action Items
A. Public Hearing for Blingey Condominiums (H-2019-0131) by KM
Engineering, LLP, Located at 37 W. Archerfield Dr.
1. Request: Short Plat to condominiumize an existing building
into two (2) spaces for ownership purposes.
Simison: So, we will move into Item 8-A under Action Items and I will open this public
hearing for Blingey Condominiums, H-2019-0131, and ask for staff comments.
Arial: Mr. Mayor, Members of Council, pleasure to be with you. We have a short plat
application before you this evening. This property consists of six acres of land, zoned C-
G, located on the southwest corner of North Meridian Road and West Archerfield Drive.
This property was previously platted as Block 1 -- Lot 1, Block 2, of the Paramount Square
Subdivision. The request for the short plat is to subdivide the airspace of a two stor y
approximately 10,000 square foot medical office building currently under construction.
The proposed short plat will create two separate tenant spaces and three common areas
for ownership purposes. Staff has reviewed the proposed short plat and has found that
it's in -- the criteria set forth in the UDC and it complies with this and deems it to be
substantially compliant. We do have representation from the applicant here this evening
and they are in agreement with the staff report and with that the staff does recommend
approval.
Simison: Thank you. Any questions for staff from Council? Okay. Would the applicant
like make any comments?
Leonard: Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Members of Council. My name is Stephanie
Leonard. 9233 West State Street. Representing the applicant on this project. I think
Cameron did a really great job of summarizing our proposal. Like he said , the building is
currently under construction. Doesn't have a certificate of occupancy yet, but has done
a certificate of zoning compliance and designer review. This was the plat that we are
proposing two tenant spaces, three common areas, to prevent them from entering each
other's spaces, but -- yeah. Other than that I don't have too many comments. We are in
agreement with the staff's report and with that I will stand for any questions.
Simison: Any questions for Stephanie?
Bernt: Want your job back?
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 9 of 11
Leonard: I do miss all the people here. I'm not going to lie. It's always fun to come back,
so -- thank you.
Simison: This is a public hearing. Were there any people signed up to testify?
Weatherly: Mr. Mayor, no one signed in.
Simison: Okay. Is there anybody that would like to come forward to testify on this project?
Okay. Seeing none. Does the applicant want to have any further words? Excellent. With
that I will look for any discussion or a motion from Council.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Nobody waving their hands to ask questions, I had had a chance to review the
staff report, I'm supportive of it, so I move we close the public hearing on Item H-2019-
0131.
Bernt: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to close the public hearing. All those -- is there
any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. All
those opposed nay. The ayes have it.
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Move we approve Item 8-A, short plat application number H-2019-0131, include
all staff and applicant testimony.
Bernt: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on the motion? If not,
clerk will call the roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Bernt, yea; Perreault, yea; Hoaglun, yea; Strader,
absent.
Simison: The ayes have it.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Item 9: Future Meeting Topics
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 10 of 11
Simison: Item 9, future meeting topics.
Item 10: [Amended Onto Agenda] Executive Session per Idaho State Code 74 -
206(1)(a) to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or
individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to
be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need.
Simison: Okay. Then 9-A or did we go to Item 10? Item 10.
Bernt: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Bernt.
Bernt: Move that we go to Executive Session pursuant to Idaho State Code 74-206(1)(a).
Hoaglun: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second. Ask the clerk to call the roll.
Roll call: Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Bernt, yea; Perreault, yea; Hoaglun, yea; Strader,
absent.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: (6:24 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.)
Simison: Do I have a motion to come out of Executive Session?
Bernt: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Member Bernt.
Bernt: I move that we come out of Executive Session.
Hoaglun: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying aye. The ayes have
it. All opposed nay.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Simison: Is there another motion to adjourn?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor, I move that we adjourn.
Perrault: Second.
Meridian City Council
January 14, 2020
Pages 11 of 11
Simison: I have a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting. All those in favor signify
by saying aye. All opposed nay. The ayes have it. We are adjourned.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:56 P.M.
(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
_______________________________ ______/______/______
MAYOR ROBERT SIMISON DATE APPROVED
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK