HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-14 Work Session Meridian City Council Work Session November 14, 2023.
A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 4.30 p.m. Tuesday,
November 14, 2023, by Mayor Robert Simison.
Members Present: Robert Simison, Joe Borton, Brad Hoaglun, Luke Cavener, Jessica
Perreault, Liz Strader and John Overton.
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
_X_ Liz Strader _X_ Joe Borton
_X_ Brad Hoaglun _X_ John Overton
_X_ Jessica Perreault _X_Luke Cavener
X Mayor Robert E. Simison
Simison: Council, we will call the meeting to order. For the record it is Tuesday,
November 14th, 2023, at 4.30 p.m. We will begin this afternoon's work session with roll
call attendance.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Simison: Next item up is the adoption of the agenda.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: A couple changes for our agenda this afternoon. Under our Department/
Commission Reports we are going to move Item 13 just before Item 11 . So, we will
have discussion of park fees before the public hearing. And, then, on our Consent
Agenda we are going to remove Item 6 and 7 and move them down to our Department/
Commission Reports and that order down there will be -- where we move them we are
going to move Item 17 first of these four -- 17, then six that we are moving from the
Consent Agenda and Item No. 16 and, then, Item No. 7 from the Consent Agenda, just
so we follow along with that. So, with those changes, Mr. Mayor, I move adoption of the
agenda as amended.
Borton: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second. Do I have discussion? If not, all in favor
signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the agenda is adopted as
changed.
MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item]
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November 14,2023
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1. Dutch Bros. at Eagle and Ustick Water Main Easement No. 1 (ESMT-
2023-0142)
2. Dutch Bros. at Eagle and Ustick Water Main Easement No. 2 (ESMT-
2023-0143)
3. Final Plat for The Oaks North Subdivision No. 13 (FP-2023-0015) by
Kyle Prewett, Toll Brothers, located near the intersection of W.
Gondola Dr. and N. Black Cat Rd.
4. Final Plat for TM Center No. 2 (FP-2023-0018) by Brighton
Development, Inc., located at the northwest corner of S. Vanguard
Way and S. Wayfinder Ave.
5. Final Order for Poiema Subdivision (MFP-2023-0002) by Clint
Hansen, Land Solutions, located at 3727 E. Lake Hazel Rd.
8. Approval of Blanket Purchase Order #24-0081 to Ferguson
Enterprises for FY24 Sensus Water Meters and Related Equipment
for the Not-To-Exceed Budget Amount of $1,084,949.00
9. Approval of Sole Source for Backflow Assembly Device Testing by
Pacific Backflow, LLC.
8. Approval of Sole Source for Generator Maintenance and Repair, and
Generator Load Testing Services by Power Systems West
Simison: Okay. So, we will move on. There were no items moved from the Consent
Agenda -- well, there were, but they were moved to another place. So, we will move on
to Department/Commission Reports. First item up is discuss -- oh, did -- did we? I
thought we did just pass it. Did we pass it? Okay. All in favor signify by saying -- I
thought we made a motion. Oh, the Consent Agenda. I'm sorry. Next item up is the
Consent Agenda.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we approve the Consent Agenda as amended and for the Mayor
to sign and Clerk to attest.
Borton: Second.
Simison: Motion and second to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Is there
any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have
and the Consent Agenda is agreed to.
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MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
ITEMS MOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item]
DEPARTMENT/ COMMISSION REPORTS [Action Item]
13. Discussion of Proposed New Park Fees
Simison: So, we move on to Department/Commission Reports. The first item up is
discussion of the proposed new park fees. Turn this over to Mr. White.
White: Mr. Mayor, Members of Council, thanks for having me tonight. I'm here to talk to
you and just discuss and kind of get some feedback, if any. On three fees, two of which
are brand new fees and one is a fee that's been in place for about ten to 12 years that
we are looking to update. So, with that I will jump into it. The first one is the ball field
prep closet. This is a request we get from so many different tournament organizers,
coaches, all the above, trying to have a game, tournament, whatever and looking for
field equipment. It's extremely hard to find a bag of chalk -- just one bag of chalk or
even two bags of chalk here at local stores. So, we wanted to offer this based on past
requests from these coaches and for them to have prep -- prep equipment for ball fields
-- for softball fields, baseball fields, stuff like that. In that it's a 50 dollars per day and 53
dollars after tax. Includes all the stuff you would need to drag a field, prep a field. The
second one is ball field temporary fencing. Again, 50 dollars per day per field, 53 dollars
with tax. This is something that -- if you have a youth tournament or a senior
tournament it just brings the fence into 200 feet from 300 feet, if that makes any sense.
To make sure our fields are dual use in that. So, those are the two brand new fees.
Pretty simple. All based on past requests we get from other coaches and tournament
organizers. The third one I'm here to talk about is the pickleball, tennis court hourly
reservation fee. It's currently at $2.50. It's pretty reasonable. After taxes 2.65. We are
proposing to move it to 4.72 or after tax an even five dollars. Worked with Finance on
this and how to calculate all this stuff and when it comes to time, staff time, all that kind
of thing, so they are in support of this fee as well. So, with that I will stand for questions.
Simison: Thank you, Garrett. Council, any questions for staff?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Garrett, are the -- the ball field prep closet and the ball field temporary
fencing, are those add-ons, meaning a tournament organization would have to request
those? So, it's an option to pick, it's not something that if you are doing a tournament
we are going to add this fee on in addition to?
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White: Mr. Mayor, Councilman Cavener, that's correct. It's not an automatic add-on. If
they request it we have it available for them. Trying to make it easier from the host
tournaments. And, really, it's based on Discovery Park when we have a tournament.
Cavener: Great.
White: Thanks for the question.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: So, if they don't pay the fee, though, is the closet empty?
White: It will be locked up. So -- so, yeah, if they want it they can pay that fee. If not
it's locked up on site ready to go. So, it won't sort of be empty. We still have some
equipment in there. If our staff needs to jump in there to get something they could.
Borton: Does that apply to the Settlers Park fields as well?
White: Right now it's only at Discovery, just to -- because that's the tournament complex
we have. When it comes to prep in Settlers fields that's -- Meridian's youth baseball
typically does all those for -- on their own. Those types of things with their coaches or
their staff. But yeah.
Simison: Council, any additional questions for staff? Okay.
White: Thank you. Appreciate it.
11. Public Hearing for Proposed Winter/Spring 2024 Fee Schedule of the
Meridian Parks and Recreation Department
Simison: Thank you very much. Don't go very far. Next up is a public hearing for the
proposed winter-spring 2024 fee schedule of the Meridian Parks and Recreation
Department. We will begin this public hearing for -- with staff comments.
White: Mr. Mayor, Council, thank you for having me again. In front of you are the fees
for our next activity guide. Seventy-thirty split with instructors and kind of the standard
procedure to be here. So, if you have any questions I'm happy to answer.
Simison: All right. Thank you. Council, questions?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
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Cavener: Garrett, when -- when do you need this resolution approved by? Is this
something tonight? If it's next week, couple weeks out? I know that once these are
approved, then, you go and print the activity guide and so can you give us a little
calendaring about what your deadline is to get that printed?
White: Yeah. Mr. Mayor, Councilman Cavener, we would love to release it tomorrow.
It's already ready to go. It's all digital. So, we do print some copies. So, we would have
those available for the public. But we would like to do it tomorrow and, then, start doing
registrations as of Friday morning --
Cavener: Okay.
White: -- if at all possible.
Cavener: Okay. Thanks, Garrett.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: I think in the future it would be very helpful if we had the previous fee in a table
with the new fee, so we could easily compare them.
White: Sure.
Strader Thank you.
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: One process question, just so we all put it on the record as far as input you got
on the changes, anything positive, negative. Did you get feedback from any
organizations that caused you to change it a little bit more one way or the other?
White: For the proposed change fees for the -- Mr. Mayor and Councilman Borton, no,
we have kind of made some comments to others, like other organizations, the tennis
organizations, pickleball organizations, like, hey, this is probably going to be coming.
It's been in place for ten to 12 years. We are working with Finance and just doing the
calculations of what it should be. We are not trying to make money on any of them, it's
more just to cover our staff cost based on our current cost recovery. So, to answer your
question, some feedback, but not -- not a lot.
Simison: Any other questions for staff? Thank you, Garrett.
White: Thank you.
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Simison: Mr. Clerk, do we have anybody signed up on this item?
Johnson: Mr. Mayor, we did not.
Simison: Okay. No one signed up. Is there anybody present or online who would like
to provide testimony on this item? If you are online you can use the raise your hand
feature. Seeing no one raising their hand online or coming forward, have a motion to
close the public hearing, unless most staff would like to make any final comments.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Mr. Mayor, I make a motion that we close the public hearing.
Borton: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and second to close public hearing. Is there any discussion?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I think real quick -- earlier this year I was alerted from a couple of citizens
who were concerned about the taxes being assessed on classes that we are offering in
the city. Finances has tried to engage with the state to kind of true some of that out. It
has to deal with that we don't charge a -- a facility fee. Goods are taxed in Idaho.
Services aren't. But we are essentially taxing often services. I think potentially
inappropriately. It's not a huge amount of money, but it -- I think it's important for us to
be correct about this. I know that part of it is working with the state to get some better
direction. So, I'm cautiously supportive of the motion that's before us tonight, but I
would like at a -- at a later point in time an update from Finance, maybe the Parks
Department, about are we appropriate collecting taxes? Do we need to address how
we charge for a facility usage to make sure that they are uniform and correct for the
classes that we offer.
Simison: Is there further discussion on the motion to close the public hearing? Okay.
All in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the public
hearing is closed.
MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
12. Resolution No. 23-2424: A Resolution Adopting the Winter/Spring
2024 Fee Schedule of the Meridian Parks and Recreation
Department; Authorizing the Meridian Parks and Recreation
Department to Collect Such Fees; and Providing an Effective Date A
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Simison: Next up is Resolution No. 23-2424. Ask the clerk -- we don't have to read --
we don't need to read a resolution by title.
Overton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Overton.
Overton: Move that we approve Resolution No. 23-2424, a resolution adopting the
winter-spring 2024 fee schedule for the Meridian Parks and Recreation Department,
authorizing Meridian Parks and Recreation Department to collect such fees and
providing an effective date.
Borton: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and a second to approve Resolution No. 23-2424. Is there a
discussion?
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: Councilman Cavener's points are mutually exclusive. I think that concern
certainly can run parallel with approval of fees to make sure that comes back to us and
-- and Garrett and the team, the way you -- you establish these fees on a cost recovery
consistent with our policies is really important. I know you do the due diligence to make
sure that they are appropriate and not any greater than necessary to recapture those
costs. So, for those reasons I'm certainly supportive of the resolution.
Simison: Thank you. Any other comments? If not, Clerk call the roll.
Roll Call: Hoaglun, yea; Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Perreault, yea; Strader, yea;
Overton, yea.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the resolution is agreed to. Thank you very
much.
MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
14. Solid Waste Program Recommended Changes to Bulky Items Pickup
Program
Simison: Next item up is solid waste program recommended changes to bulky items
pickup program and it's Laurelei.
McVey: All right. It wouldn't be Public Works without a presentation, so we have got
one. Maybe. All right. Thanks, Mayor and Council. So, I'm excited to bring program
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improvements to you today for our bulky item pickup. So, this is sort of our first thing
coming out of the solid waste master plan, one of the first items that we looked at. So,
before we get into the specific program changes, I just wanted to remind everyone in
the public about all of the special programs that we have throughout the year. So, we
have many special seasonal based events, like Recycle the Fall. We do Christmas tree
recycling. Trash for Treasure. As well as several programs that are available year
around for residents at the transfer station. Squishy water bottles, glass, household
hazardous waste and dropping off bicycles for recycle a bike -- recycle a bicycle. So,
this discussion today is specifically about two of our seasonal events. So, extra trash
week and our spring clean-up event. So, both of those two events are bulky item pickup
events that occur over individual weeks twice per year. So, important to note as I talk
about these program changes, we are not looking to change any of the other programs
on this slide, just those two. So, what are bulky items? So, these are items that are too
big to fit in your standard curbside trash cans. So, they could be things like a
dishwasher, a couch, a chair, a mattress, an extra bundle of garbage. There are a few
things that we don't accept as bulky items simply because they are too large, hazardous
or require special disposal. So, things like boats, hot tubs, tires, you can't set them out
on the curb. So, twice per year currently today residents can call -- you have to call
ahead and schedule bulky item pick up. The first is the last week of December and,
then, the second one is the last week of May. So, currently there is no charge for these
pickups. Again, the resident calls in, schedules, let's Republic Services know that they
have items. They are allowed up to seven bulky items on these weeks and I'm happy to
report -- so, there is no charge to the city or the customer for these pickups. I'm happy
to report that these programs have been a huge success. So, you know, one of the
good things to come and report is we are having problems because we are doing such
a good job at it. We have seen participation grow significantly with the events over the
past few years as we have improved outreach and communication. So, for example,
our spring cleanup event, we saw an increase of about 1,500 items picked up a couple
years ago to over 5,700 items this last year. So, unfortunately, with the success and
program growth there comes some challenges. It really becomes too big of a thing for
Republic Services to be able to go around to these -- all the city residents that request
pickup in a single week. So, what that ends up is it leaves customers frustrated,
because their pickup doesn't happen on the day that they think it's going to happen. It's
hard for Republic. They have to have a bunch of extra labor, staff time to try to get it all
done in one week. So, what we did is the city worked with Republic Services to come
up with a solution that would work for everyone. So, we are proposing to move to a
year around bulky item pickup program. So, essentially, what this would do is it would
take -- rather than just those two weeks per year that you get bulky item pickup and it
would spread that out through the whole year. So, any time of the year each resident
would get ten free pickups. They have to -- would have to call and schedule, just like
they do today. The pickups are automatically tracked through their account. So, it's not
like there is a special sticker system or, you know, some of the other programs that
exist. So, really easy tracking, similar to a system that the city of Boise implemented,
which has worked great for their residents. We actually think it's going to increase
program participation, because people don't have to wait around to have their items
disposed of. If you have, you know, an old mattress or a desk or you rearrange, you are
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not saving that throughout the year for those -- those two weeks. Important to note, like
I mentioned, it's not going to impact the other seasonal programs that we do. We will
still do fall leaf recycling. We will still do Christmas tree recycling. We will still do Trash
for Treasure. This just expands the bulky item to year around, which we think is a win
for everybody. So, visually what does that look like? Extra trash week and spring
cleanup go away and it now becomes free bulky item pickup is in the year around
events. So, what would this look like next step? So, we would still have extra trash
week this December because we are still in 2023, everyone is anticipating that. So, we
are not looking to take that away. So, that would occur. We would -- hopefully if you
guys approve the resolution this evening we would memorialize the changes that would
go into place in 2024. The new program would start in 2024, which is when we would
kick off communication and outreach. So, we would update our website to let people
know about this. The calendar magnets that Republic Services sends out would have it.
We would do some social media, some utility billing inserts. The good news about this
is no one's anticipating any of this until spring; right? So, we have some time to educate
the public about -- about this program. We also have asked for Republic Services to
help us track the usage of this over the next several years, so that we can help decide,
you know, how many households participate? Is ten pickups the right number? How
many households are exceeding ten? We really think ten is -- is going to be an
adequate number for most residents, but we are definitely going to be tracking and can
adjust that in the future if there is -- there is issues. Residents can still call for pickup of
some of those other items or if they exceed their ten you can, for a charge, you would
still be able to call and get a pickup or take things to the transfer station as well. So,
none of that is changing. So, with that stand for any questions.
Simison: Thank you. Council, questions?
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Thanks, Laurelei. Appreciate the reasoning behind the change. How will
customers sign up for the program? Will they need to call? Will there be a form on the
website? What do you expect?
McVey: So, Council Woman Strader, so everybody will be automatically enrolled. So, if
you have a trash account with City of Meridian -- and I should say a residential trash
account. So, this -- this only applies for residential. But you will automatically be --
there is no enrollment, you just call and your account details that Republic Services has
will track your numbers throughout the year.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: So, you need to call to schedule --
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McVey: Pickup.
Strader: -- a pickup. Okay. Was there any thought around trying to do a form on the
website as an alternative, just because I have heard of people trying to call and it taking
time not connecting.
McVey: So, I can pass that information along. It's -- it's through Republic Services, so
it's -- it's on their -- their side of it, but I can definitely pass that suggestion along.
Strader: Okay.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I would also reiterate, just I think making it easier for our citizens to -- I
appreciate Republic and recognize that a lot of requests for bulky items we also get --
Republic gets a lot of requests. I do think that the -- the whole time the delays can lead
to an unsatisfactory experience for our ratepayers. I love this. So, kudos to Republic,
you, for bringing this forward. I think this is great. I -- I did have a couple of just quick
questions. So, the Cavener family loves the unlimited collection during the Christmas
week. It allows us to get rid of all the stuff from the stuff that we got. Where that's going
away, if my youngest gets a clubhouse or something like that, there is -- that's bulky, do
I call Republic to collect that and -- and, then, what happens for the families that have
extra bags that don't typically fit in their trash can that week, are those, then, bulky or
how are we going to handle that extra collection that isn't quite a bulky item, but is more
than they anticipated that particular week?
McVey: So, Councilman Cavener, that's a good question. So, I would tell people to
kind of put their -- if it's those smaller bags into a container and, then, that container
would count as one. Republic Services won't take that container, so if it's a larger trash
can or larger box, but each of those would count as -- as a -- an item or a pickup.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor, follow up.
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: We have got some time on this; right? Because we are good for this
Christmas. Really, the first time is kind of spring cleaning time. I would encourage you
-- maybe it's an opportunity to talk with Republic. I -- I think that continuing those extra
bag pickups, the stuff that we put next to our bin during that spring week and during the
holiday week is -- is crucial and this is I think a big step forward in meeting our
neighbors who have those bulkier items, but I -- I hope it wouldn't come as an expense
as to what they think is built-in expectation from our ratepayers that, hey, I don't have to
worry about where I'm going to put these extra two or three bags of clinical garbage this
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week until I maybe have more space next week or over a couple of weeks. Certainly
with the spring cleaning collection I know that's feedback that I get a lot.
McVey: I will definitely pass that.
Simison: And if I can piggyback on that, you know, if -- if residents have to call in their
extra trash in a -- you know. Yeah, it's probably not going to be the outcome.
McVey: And I think, you know, speaking somewhat for Republic Services, I think on
occasion if there is a couple of extra bags I believe their drivers most of the time just
pick those up as part of the route and don't count those or track those. I think this is the
bigger items that take the bigger specialized trucks to -- to manage. So, I believe they
would for the most part still pick those up.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: I think if there was a way to better differentiate between, you know, just extra
bags of regular garbage, like extra regular size trash bags, compared to a bulky item,
that might really help with the program implementation and to Councilman Cavener's
point, I think if there was a way to maintain extra pickup of regular sized trash bags
during the last week of December I think that would be ideal. It wouldn't be an issue, of
course, this December, but I think we want to think going forward -- I do think people
have kind of an expectation. I -- I agree with him that there is kind of an expectation
around that. I don't think people would expect, you know, a huge item to be picked up,
though, if they understood that the program was changing.
Simison: Just to reiterate on those points, I think the numbers -- if you could -- you
know, would have the usage so far that, you know, ten homes and at the numbers, you
know, you could be talking, you know, 400,000 bulky items under the program, which
we know that's not getting used to that, so trading out the bag pickup for 400,000 bulky
items potential -- probably work with the numbers on Republic to scale back to keep
some of those things, if that's what the outcome -- that people would think is more likely
to be used by all residents. The ones accepted.
McVey: And just for clarification for the resolution that's on next, so that is a list that we
took the opportunity when the service provider changed from SSC to Republic Services
to memorialize a lot of these -- what we call donated services. So, things like trash
pickup in the parks, trash pickup at city facilities, a couple of special events. So, what
that resolution does is it cleans up a lot of those rather than listing out. It was a pretty
crazy spreadsheet. It just memorializes -- the intent is all city facilities, city events, a
couple of these special -- specialties and just memorializes that Republic Services
intends to donate those services to the city.
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Simison: So, would you like to take this back to SWAC or would you like to have
Republic come back and have a conversation based upon this feedback? I don't know
that -- what I'm not hearing is overall support for giving away the changes right now and
starting a communications plan and, then, coming back and having another
conversation about modifications.
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: Thank you. I -- I agree with my fellow Council Members regarding the
communication and -- and the not removing the two weeks a year that are already in
place. A lot of folks I know count on those for Christmastime and spring cleaning and
whatnot. I just wanted to further encourage something that Council Woman Strader had
said regarding scheduling the pickups. I know I myself and probably all of you have
been stuck on the phone with Republic Services waiting for someone to answer or no
one answers. So, I would -- I would prefer for them to come in and share with us what
they might be able to do as far as communication with the public at this -- it's, obviously,
a significant increase if folks can go from -- from two times a year to ten times a year
and the number of calls would be much much greater. So, whether they plan on having
additional staff set aside for that communication or they are able to modify the website
to allow folks to schedule that, I -- I would like to hear that information first before
officially bringing --just my two cents.
McDannel: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, my name is Konrad McDannel with
Republic Services. 2130 West Franklin Road. At the transfer station there that's where
our office is. I -- I believe the idea is to -- as Laurelei said, it's gained so much
popularity, this program, and Meridian's grown so much since 2012, probably at a rate
of five percent a year, that when we have these events we operationally just get
suffocated with requests, which is great. People are used to these -- these time periods
to -- to do the spring clean out, replace their holiday dressings and -- and things of that
nature and -- and, sure, totally understand that. What we would like to do, as
Councilman Cavener said, you know, reduce the frustration during those two weeks
where we see every day 500 requests for pickups on a route that's normally built for 40
pickups a day and so by spreading it out throughout the year it -- it helps alleviate that
pressure and, sure, we will still see a surge, especially for the first few years we will see
that big surge continue in the spring and after the holiday season, but what you will see
as time goes on is people will get used to those special events now being, instead, just
a two week special event. It's really a year around program. So, they will start to adjust
and they will put out the mattress in July. They will put out the swing set in November,
you know, that -- that -- that will help alleviate the pressure of the two programs and --
and maybe we take a look at, for the first year or two, taking extra bags during the
holiday season, the third week in May or the first week in May. I -- I can't decide on that
right now, but that's a really good point. If -- if people are used to putting out extra trash
bags and trash containers, maybe we do need to go back and address that a little bit
deeper. As it currently stands customers can do that with an extra Republic Services
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cart and they can have that cart year around and it's picked up every week and they
certainly don't have to put it out every week. But, generally, we don't accept any trash
outside of Republic Services carts year around, aside from those two weeks. Even if
you called it in and said, hey, I have my own 32 gallon trash can, would you pick it up?
That's not a bulky item and we don't pick that up outside those two weeks.
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I appreciate you being here and coming up and I -- I think you kind of touched
on it's -- it's two separate issues in -- in one hand. Really appreciate the expansion of
the bulky item pickup and I think these ten items I think spreads that peanut butter for
the most part out over a 12 month period. You still are going to have people during that
spring cleanup week and during the holiday week they are going to continue to request
for bulky item collection, because that flows with the -- the seasonality of it. The second
piece, though, is that expectation from our citizens about that extra trash that they have
accumulated, particularly that last week of December. They are conditioned that that's
going to be picked up and I -- I -- I don't think this is what Republican is intending and --
but it's starting to at least look a little bit like we are -- we are giving up that extra
collection that comes during the holiday week and which I think the vast majority of our
community uses in exchange for ten bulky items and I -- and I worry that we --
unintentionally Republic and the city is going to create a scenario where the citizens
believe that this extra trash is going to be picked up and it's just not and so I guess I
would encourage you guys maybe to go back, take the feedback from the Council,
make sure that this is the mousetrap that you want to present and that it's -- it's -- it's
accomplishing everything that you all are intending, while also meeting the expectations
of our city.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Yeah. Another suggestion I think would help you and would help other
customers would be if there was a form on the website and someone could just request
a bulk pickup, understanding that you need to manage the flow of those requests, you
could potentially get back to them and schedule them. Here is your date that we are
coming to do your bulk pickup; right? So, people make their request and, then,
Republic gets back to them via e-mail, here is your date. I just think an approach like
that might be better, because I'm anticipating like if -- if someone tries to call now toward
the end of December you are going to be inundated with calls and that also
operationally for you will be challenging, where if people do a request on the website,
maybe that just gives a cue to work through and you can kind of get back to people and
manage that. It's just -- I don't want to tell you how to run your business, but it's just a
suggestion of maybe a way that -- that would be a better approach than having people
on hold.
Meridian City Council Work Session
November 14,2023
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McDannel: Mr. Mayor, Council Woman Strader, thank you. That -- that is really good
feedback. In fact, we -- we have a process similar in place during spring cleanup, which
is kind of married to Trash to Treasure in the past few years where there would be an
online form that could submit and -- and we -- we could keep track on a spreadsheet
and prepare for -- for the route there. I can't speak for Meridian City's Website and --
and what they are willing to prepare, but Republic Services does offer a customer
service e-mail csidaho@republicservices.com and -- and that's certainly an option for
customers to e-mail in. We would just request their -- their name, their address, a
phone number and the number and description of bulky items and we could get that
entered.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah. To that point, you know, you have a dumpster rental guide, order now,
place your order online, schedule your delivery, everything's there. It's a communication
process. So, it's just a matter of how you guys want to do that. But regarding the bulky,
is it bulky and extra trash pickup is -- maybe that's what we are talking about from a
communication standpoint to get that --
McVey: Yeah. So, your items could count as either. So, it could be ten bulky items or it
could be eight bulky items and two extra bags of trash or -- it's -- it's ten -- ten items.
And, then, you know, I think we -- we can definitely go back and talk to Republic
Services. The one, you know, piece that I have to say is that these are -- they are
donated services, so, you know, I think we are trading one program for another
program. I'm not sure where the flexibility comes in of asking them to do both or do
both for the long term could be a little bit challenging, but we couldn't -- and certainly if
there is not consensus to -- to continue it forward we can have some more discussion.
Simison: I mean on a personal level I -- I'm fine with like five per household if it allows
you to put out the extra trash at Christmas. That's to me when you generate the most
trash in your household is during that time of year. I could be wrong. But you know --
McVey: And people certainly can still use their ten pickups on that last week of the year.
It's not their -- you know, their ten aren't -- it's not, you know, prorated through the year
or -- you know. So, if you are -- the only time you put out big items is around Christmas,
then, your ten could be that last week.
Simison: And I think the challenge is are we asking people to -- every time they put out
an extra bag during the holidays to make that request. Is that what we think is the right
approach? And I think -- you guys know your business more. When -- when do people
put out the most bags outside of leaf collection? Is it Christmas or is it during spring?
McDannel: Mr. Mayor, I would say it is during spring and the early growing months of
summer with the grass clippings and -- and yard debris that gets cleaned up.
Meridian City Council Work Session
November 14,2023
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Simison: Okay. Well, we look forward to at least taking this back and having a
conversation before moving -- coming back. I think the general -- what I'm hearing is
people like the concept. There is a few things that maybe need a little bit more work
before moving it forward. And as you mentioned, we have time. Stuff isn't changing
right away, so --
McVey: The only -- the only constraint is if we want it on the Republic magnets, but we
will -- we will likely miss that -- that boat. Which is fine, but --
Borton: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: Laurelei, when do you want this back -- have that conversation and be back
before us, so we can make a final decision on these program elements and move
forward?
McVey: I mean we will -- we will get with Republic Services, you know, this -- later this
week and -- and see if we can -- what we can figure out. So, I would anticipate in the
next couple of weeks. We will probably miss magnet printing, but we could talk about
just leaving those off or -- that's just a little bit of the tricky -- is what -- Republic for next
year, but --
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Yeah. Just looking ahead, Laurelei, if your discussions -- is that something
we can discuss next week? Does that get it into the magnet if a decision is made?
McDannel: Ideally we would like to print the -- or have the magnets ready to print by
December 1st, so they are ready to go out to the houses by January. But we could
always work around that, as Laurelei mentioned.
15. Resolution 23-2425: A Resolution Accepting the Donations of
Services and Programming Offered by Republic Services of Idaho:
Updating Republic Services' Address for Notice Under the Solid
Waste Collection and Disposal Services Franchise Agreement;
Superseding Sections 2 and 3 of Resolution 12-844, as well as
Exhibit A and the Addendum Thereto; and Providing an Effective
Date
Simison: See what we can do in a week. Okay. All right. Thank you. With that we
won't do Item 15.
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November 14,2023
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Simison: And we will move on to Item 17, which is fiscal year 2012 budget amendment
in the amount of 800,978 dollars for the Hunter Lateral relocation project. I will turn this
over to Mr. Miles.
Miles: Good afternoon, everybody. So, knowing that this is the item for the construction
contract, but we had several questions from last week, I propose that we address some
of those questions with this item and maybe just have a high level discussion on where
we are at as a Council on the concept of moving the Hunter Lateral relocation forward.
So, I do have a few slides, because -- to address some of the questions that were
discussed last week. First and foremost, there was a question about the square footage
of the lateral and the site. So, you can see up on the main site -- on the main
PowerPoint there -- what you see is roughly -- you have got city-owned land and MDC
owned land. Now, in these layers there is a couple of things going on, but what I call
the north -- the top piece of the property is the city-owned land in sort of that orange.
Down below that's behind the -- the layer behind it's actually green is the MDC-owned
land. So, you have got about 34,000 square feet of city-owned land, 23,000 and a half
square feet of MDC-owned land and, then, on top of that you have got sort of the gray
hue, which shows what the River Caddis proposed development footprint was inside of
both of those. Then you have got the lateral easement. You can see running south and
west development was roughly 53,000 square feet of that. Total combined I think it's
like 57,000 and square -- change of square foot -- of property owned by the city and
MDC. And the lateral easement is about 10,300. So, roughly 20 percent. It's a little shy
of 20 percent. I think it was like 19.8 or something like that. That's the area that the
easement takes up on the River Caddis proposed development footprint. There was
also a question about kind of pros and cons. So, we put together just a quick list of pros
and cons. What you got is -- if we relocate the Hunter Lateral today versus if we just
held the Hunter Lateral and pros and cons of each of those. Primarily you will get the
updated infrastructure land that's unencumbered at least from the lateral structure.
There has -- there was a question about whether or not MDC would consider
reimbursement. MDC is here, so I will let them speak to that, but there has been an
indication that they would be willing to consider that and do that. So, if there is
questions to MDC that -- we can have them come up. Likely have an improved
assessment on the value of the land. Again, without having an actual assessment on
the land it's tough to say what that would be, whether it would be a plus or minus and
how much it would be. But I know that was a question. We currently do have a
favorable bid and, then, there is also coordinating with the other projects that are
scheduled over the next several months on Idaho Ave, which includes water relocation,
sewer line, as well as ACHD in the paving that they are proposing. There is kind of the
-- the main pros that we saw acting on the Hunter Lateral now, aside from the efforts of
the economic development of the property and the project that was talked about by you
all and MDC several times over the last couple of years. If we were to hold the project
and not move forward certainly there is a possibility that any new development that
came along or any new contractor that came along could propose to relocate the Hunter
Lateral as part of whatever they proposed and you would probably still have the
acceptance of MDC to consider reimbursement, but there are, in my opinion, several
cons to not moving the project forward, whether that's -- you would have to go back out
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to bid again and who knows what that bid price would be likely higher. Can't say that for
certain, but that's sort of -- philosophically that's what we have seen. Don't know who
you would get or what they would propose. Certainly would be a delay in the
development. There is irrigation season to contend with, so if you don't do it now you
are pushed out at least until the next November irrigation off cycle and, then, you still
have this restriction on the property in the lateral as well. And last there was a question
about sort of timeline and we didn't get from the contractor a specific timeline schedule
yet. They haven't delivered that. They were projecting to deliver that at the end of the
week. But we do know under contract there is a 60 day to substantial completion, 90
days to final completion and so if you sort of walk the math backwards and start 60 days
from the irrigation schedule and 90 days from the irrigation schedule, you get to a no
later than start date -- or notice to proceed in January. That's probably the best we can
do for a timeline right now and I think those were the main questions that we had last
week in regards to the philosophy of whether or not to move this project forward. So,
maybe I will stop there. We have got -- the engineering department is here. Warren.
Got MDC here. So, if there are questions that I can't answer that they want to address
we can invite them up.
Simison: Council, questions for staff at this point?
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: The coordination with Idaho Avenue, that's interesting. Can you tell me a little
bit more about that or is there someone that could address that? Is there a synergy
between those two projects? Like how -- what benefit is there from coordinating those?
Miles: Mr. Mayor and Council Woman Strader, I will ask Warren come up and address
the timing of that project and what that looks like and certainly there will be a -- they
happen at the same time, so there will be less disruption overall.
Stewart: Mayor, Members of the Council, Council Woman Strader, both of those
projects are planned to basically -- well, this one's gone out to bid, plans to start
construction sometime in January. We are in the process of trying to finalize the plans
for the Idaho Street project. We had to add in the roadway improvements that they
decided that they wanted to do and that those plans -- relatively soon. So, essentially,
they overlap. There is a section -- there is a section of them that overlap and we will
coordinate -- they are both -- they will both be going on at the same time. So, we will
coordinate the construction, because we have got -- we are managing both projects and
we will coordinate the construction with those contractors, so that we can coordinate
road closures and things like that, so that it's efficient and we don't have, you know,
people getting upset, because we complete one project and come back in immediately
and do the next project and so forth. But they are planned to, essentially, have the
same construction window. This work for the Hunter Lateral is actually outside of the
footprint of the anticipated construction for the water and sewer project. It, essentially,
Meridian City Council Work Session
November 14,2023
Page 18 of 28
is to the south. They only overlap on the Idaho Street section and this is on the south
side water and sewer will be further out into the roadway. So, they are not necessarily
stepping on top of each other. I don't know if that's your question or what.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Yeah. No. That's really helpful. It's actually a significant benefit that we hadn't
really covered in a lot of detail. So, I think that's interesting. I guess minimal disrupt -- I
mean just disrupting at one time to the downtown, as opposed to, you know, multiple
projects. So, that's interesting and I appreciate you kind of walking us through that.
Thanks.
Simison: Council, any additional questions at this point in time?
Cavener: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: I don't have any more questions for our staff. I don't know if Ashley or Dave
are available for some questions from the MDC standpoint.
Simison: Get them both.
Squyres: Good afternoon. Ashley Squyres, administrator for Meridian Development
Corporation.
Winder: Dave Winder, the current chairman of the MDC board.
Cavener: Thanks. Mr. Mayor, if I may?
Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Thanks. Appreciate you both being here this afternoon. So, in Dave's
presentation he talked about reimbursement from MDC as urban rural district taking an
action solidifying that. Is this just a general consensus based on conversations? Help
me understand kind of where your body is at.
Squyres: Mayor and Council -- Councilman Cavener, we have had a general
conversation about reimbursement to the city should that be desired. We will take that
up at our December 13th board meeting. Officially we needed to see what you all
wanted to do in regards to the Hunter Lateral first, but we are certainly willing to have
that conversation and I think certainly willing to entertain an idea of reimbursing you.
Cavener: Great. Appreciate that. Mr. Mayor?
Meridian City Council Work Session
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Simison: Councilman Cavener.
Cavener: Just maybe a question for -- for Mr. Nary then. We have got some action
before us tonight. At least part of my decision is based on the willingness of MDC to
reimburse, but that decision hasn't been made. Can we -- I think it's a resolution that's
before us -- approve that with the conditions that MDC would reimburse? Walk me
through that where we don't have a letter, we don't have an MOU from them. I believe
both the -- I believe the -- administrator Squyres and the chair, that that's what MDC is
going to do, I just want to make sure from a process standpoint that the action that we
take correctly follows that.
Nary: So, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, I -- I think to be fair to both MDC and the
Council -- that has always been the conversation, that has always been the discussion
between both the city and MDC on this project, regardless of who the third party might
have been. So, will that likely change? Realistically, no, I don't can't foresee that
changing. But to be fair to both MDC and the city, if the sole purpose of agreeing to do
this in your mind is only because MDC will reimburse the city, then, I wouldn't
recommend that you -- that you do it. If that's the only reason you would consider it.
Only because I can't -- they can't guarantee today that they will do that. The likelihood
they are going to do that, the likelihood MDC is going to do that, in my opinion and --
and Ms. Squyres opinion are probably going to be fairly high, but -- but neither of us
could give you that level of assurance. So, to be fair to them and to the city, if that's
your only purpose to agree to it, then, I would suggest that that's probably not -- that's
not there. But is it likely to happen? Yes. Is it going to happen? I don't know. So, I -- I
want to be fair to you and -- and to the Council and -- and the MDC. You know, there
isn't that in -- in writing today. I think it will happen, but it hasn't happened.
Cavener: Okay.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: I feel very strongly that the reimbursement agreement is important to me. I
guess a question for Legal. Would it be possible to give like a provisional? Because I --
I realized that what's driving this is there is a bid that's going to expire. So, would it be
possible to maybe dial it on when does that bid expire exactly and is it possible to firm
this up by then -- maybe with an ad hoc meeting of the MDC or something along those
lines?
Simison: And Keith is behind you if you want him to answer that question.
Watts: The current bid that we have -- Mayor and Council Members, Council Woman
Strader, it -- it does expire Friday -- this Friday. So, they will hold their bid until Friday. It
will be another discussion. If we have to -- I can't guarantee the second highest bid, just
Meridian City Council Work Session
November 14,2023
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to remind you, is roughly 200,000 dollars higher and the third highest is double. So,
that's just for your consideration.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Yeah. I mean it sounds like it's a high likelihood that it will be approved. So, I
-- I don't know. I don't -- I don't really want the perfect to be the enemy of the good, but
it would be very hard to take future actions like this if -- if that didn't come through, if that
makes sense. Just from a -- just relationship perspective. But I -- I have faith that that
will come through if it's important. But It's a mystery. There is not any other way of
having a special meeting or even like a -- are they allowed to do like a signature
approval if it's public record or something along those lines?
Nary: Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council, Council Member Strader, yeah, I mean even
under the rules to -- to notice up a meeting and put them under that gun to have a
decision and, then, again, to get back to the -- I -- I try to be fair to everybody. I think
that's -- that's pretty ambitious. I would agree with your -- your last statement. Is the
likelihood of it to happen? Yes. Again, I can't guarantee it. Certainly Ms. Squyres can't
guarantee it. But certainly I don't foresee any change in the relationship that's existed
on this project. I mean -- and not looking at even the relationship with the city with
MDC's board, but on this particular project on this particular location, it's always been
the conversation between the city and MDC that reimbursement would occur, either
from the developer or from MDC as part of the tax increment, whether it went through
the developer to the city directly -- that was always the intent.
Strader: Yeah. Thank you.
Simison: Council, any additional questions at this time? Okay. Thank you.
Miles: Mayor and Council, I think really to that point I think, again, Mr. Nary makes a
valid point, whether or not the reimbursement is the only criteria that people are looking
at to say that's the reason to do this project now, we as staff feel that there are multiple
reasons to move forward with the relocation of the lateral. An additional component,
speaking to the valuation -- I think somebody asked a question about what value would
we see by removing the lateral and without -- we don't have a -- a new appraisal, but we
did ask a land broker for some feedback and they reiterated that we were on the right
track, that, yes, you would improve the value of the land. They provided some numbers
that are based in what the value of the land was at the time of the purchase and sale
agreement -- would increase that value by about 60,000 dollars. You would need to do
a new -- a new appraisal on a vacant piece of land with no encumbrance to say what is
the true value today. But that was the value back then and the increase to that value at
the time be about 60 grand. Again, with the economic development mindset and
looking at what does this do to a piece of land to help further the discussion about the
next steps of this property I think is an important component as well. With that, then,
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November 14,2023
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the remaining actions on this item -- or this project are sort of contingent and up to you.
Happy to answer any questions.
Simison: Thank you, Dave. Council, additional questions, comments?
Perreault: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Council Woman Perreault.
Perreault: Just like some clarification on the reimbursement timing and are we waiting
until there is tax increment that's coming from a development on this property
specifically or what does that look like in terms of how long the city will front those funds
until we were reimbursed?
Squyres: Again, Ashley Squyres with Meridian Development Corporation. Mayor,
Council Woman Perreault, it will be tied most likely to this property in terms of when TIF
is generated, which, then, encourages us to move forward with a project as quickly as
possible to generate that TIF. We have financial agreements for the Union 93 property
and we also have financial agreements with some of the properties that are included in
the block bounded by Broadway, Idaho, Main Street and 2nd Street. So, most of the
TIF is going to have to come from this site specifically. We can reimburse as it comes to
us. It typically takes 18 to 24 months after a project is complete to actually generate
any real TIF, but that's how it usually works.
16. Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Amendment in the Amount of $800,970.00
for the Hunter Lateral Relocation Project
Simison: Okay. Well, Council, you do have before you the fiscal year 2024 budget
amendment for your consideration. And you will be abstaining from this vote? Council
-- Councilman Hoaglun?
Hoaglun: Yes. I would move approval of the fiscal year 2024 budget amendment in the
amount of 800,970 dollars for the Hunter Lateral relocation project.
Overton: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second for approval of the budget amendment. Is there
discussion?
Miles: Mr. Mayor, are we on Item 17 for the approval of the construction contract?
Simison: We are in the budget amendment 17. Is that the right order? I think it should
be.
Strader: Mr. Mayor?
Meridian City Council Work Session
November 14,2023
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Simison: Council Woman Strader.
Strader: Yeah. Just -- were you opening it up for discussion?
Simison: Yeah. We are in discussion.
Strader: Okay. I do have a couple thoughts. So, I -- I agree that it -- it looks like this
improvement is necessary no matter how this property moves forward to make it a
usable piece of land and maximize its value. The reimbursement agreement I think is
an important driver of it, but I do want to sort of put a caveat out there, especially for
MDC, so they understand my thinking and we are not considering putting this out for bid
again at this time, but I'm going to be very -- in the future if we open up this property for
development I'm going to be pretty -- I'm going to scrutinize it a lot, as I think we should
and I hope a future council will take a hard look at what our objectives are with it. I think
that's really important. So, I -- I wouldn't take my approval today as an indication that I
would be on board in the future. Not that I wouldn't be, but I'm just really going to be --
because of the market conditions in my view not improving and because we have had a
couple of -- maybe speed bumps is putting it lightly, but I think we have to be really
thoughtful and deliberate about what we are looking to get out of this property in the
future if we put it out to bid again. So, I just wanted to put that out there.
Simison: Are there further items for discussion on the motion? Okay. With that Clerk
will call the roll.
Roll Call: Hoaglun, yea; Borton, abstain; Cavener, no; Perreault, yea; Strader, yea;
Overton, yea.
Simison: Four ayes. One no. One abstain. The budget amendment is agreed to.
MOTION CARRIED: FOURAYES. ONE NAY ONEABSTAIN.
6. Purchase and Sale Agreement Between City of Meridian and River
Caddis Development, LLC Concerning Plans for the Hunter Lateral
Relocation Project
Simison: With that we will move on to Item 6, which is purchase and sale -- well, move
on to purchase and sale agreement between City of Meridian and River Caddis
Development concerning plans for the Hunter Lateral relocation project.
Miles: Mr. Mayor and City Council, again, this action is related to the previous
discussion where under the MOA the city has the authority to purchase the plans to
affect the construction to move forward. So, happy to take any questions.
Simison: If not do I have a motion?
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Meridian City Council Work Session
November 14,2023
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Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we approve the purchase and sale agreement between the City of
Meridian and River Caddis Development, LLC, considering plans for the Hunter Lateral
relocation project.
Overton: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and second to approve the purchase sale agreement. Is
there discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? And, then,
those that abstain -- Mr. Borton. So, all ayes, no nays, and abstain.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSTAIN.
17. Approval of Construction Contract to LaRiviere, Inc. for the Hunter
Lateral Relocation — NE 3rd Street, Broadway to Idaho project for the
Not-To-Exceed amount of $617,502.00
Simison: Next item up is approval of construction contract to LaRiviere, Inc., for the
Hunter Lateral relocation.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we approve the construction contract to LaRiviere, Inc., for the
Hunter Lateral relocation for a not to exceed amount of 617,502 dollars.
Overton: Second.
Simison: Have a motion and a second to approve the construction contract. Is there
discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. It's not -- we don't need a roll? All
those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay?
Cavener: No.
Simison: Any abstains? All ayes. One nay.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE NAY.
7. Termination of Memorandum of Agreement Civic Block Development
Proposal Between City of Meridian, Meridian Development
Corporation, and Meridian River, LLC
Meridian City Council Work Session
November 14,2023
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Simison: And last item up on this round is the termination of the -- oh. Item is agreed to
-- is the termination of MOU with the civic block development proposal between the City
of Meridian, Meridian Development Corporation and River Caddis, LLC.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Just to comment before I make the motion -- and I appreciate the Council's
diligence in trying to work with River Caddis and the market conditions just did not work
out favorably and it's just one of those things that this business decision was reached by
all parties. So, time to move forward and, then, see what happens in the future. So,
with that comment, Mr. Mayor, I move that we terminate the memorandum of an
agreement, a civic block development proposal between City of Meridian, Meridian
Development Corporation and River Caddis, LLC.
Perreault: Second.
Simison: I have a motion and a second to approve the termination of the MOU. Is there
any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? And one
abstain. All ayes, no nays and one abstain, Councilman Borton.
MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSTAIN.
18. Update on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Projects
Simison: Okay. Thank you very much for those that were here for that portion and look
forward to continuing to moving that project forward. With that we will move on to Item
18, update on the American Rescue Plan Act projects. Mr. Miles.
Miles: I believe there a slide show for this one. So, Council, just to recap, sort of catch
up on the ARPA, American Rescue Plan Act funds that the City of Meridian received
based on the pandemic from two years ago. I feel like it's been a while since we have
been here. There has been progress being made. We thought it would be a good time
to come back and talk to you about an update. We will go through sort of a reminder of
funding, where we stand on some projects and, then, the additional projects that we
have talked about, but haven't moved forward waiting for direction on those. Did want
to just reiterate our -- the policy perspective that we have talked about in the past,
consider the staffing impacts, consider projects that reduce operating costs over the
long term, consider projects that reduce capital costs over the long term. Those that will
benefit the community in the long run, as well as -- I already mentioned that one.
Staffing impact. A high level reminder, roughly a 350 billion dollar program. Idaho
received a little more than one billion dollars. Meridian's allocation was 12.8 million
dollars. Timeline of the grant program. Projects have to be -- funds have to be
obligated for projects by December 31 st of 2024. So, 13 months from now. Have to
expend funds by December 31 st of 2026. We are currently going through the reporting
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November 14,2023
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process with projects that are in progress, so things like the Wood Rose Apartments
have been expended. Reported on the Jesse Tree allocation. The consultant fees, as
well as some of the design costs for the Public Works projects have been moving
forward. There is, if you recall the 12.8 million dollars has a sort of a breakdown of --
there is a revenue loss category that funds can be attributed to up to ten million dollars.
I think it's important to remember that that's an up to. It's not that you have to allocate
ten million dollars. If you did that would leave roughly 2.8 million dollars remainder.
There is the sort of project philosophies that we have reiterated over the last few times
we have been in front of Council, get projects that are addressing one-time capital cost,
because this is one time money. Look at those that help us on the operational side and
the capital facilities, along with, again, staff impacts allowing the least amount of
reportability risk, along with flexibility. Have been some of our goals. So, as you can
see there what we have are sort of the projects that this group has considered in the
past. We have got the consultant services, which has moved forward. You can see
from left to right what the estimated costs were that we brought to you, what was
obligated and, then, what's been expensed so far. You have got the emergency housing
assistance. That's the Jesse Tree funds that were expended over the last year. The
Wood Rose Apartment assistance. You have got the Biosolids. We did show the bio
gas, because that was a project that was discussed, along with -- we talked about the
public safety facilities and some fiber projects. That was -- those were the projects that
were -- we discussed the last time we were in front of you. To date, again, we have
moved forward with the consulting services to help us keep us in track, make sure we
are doing this program correctly. We have completed the Jesse Tree expenditure of
250,000 dollars to Wood Rose Apartment. The Biosolids drying has moved forward.
We got the estimates and Laurelei and Public Works were here in front of you a couple
weeks ago talking about that estimate. Came in about 4.6 million dollars. They have
expended so far roughly 65,000 dollars of the obligated. I'm going to call it 300,000
dollars for a round number. That's on the design side of things. That is nearing a
hundred percent completion on the design side. And, then, the bio gas utilization came
off the board. We did have some expenditures obligated on the engineering side,
because we had to do the -- that preliminary engineering to get those preliminary costs.
Leaving you with roughly a remainder of 11.6 million on the obligation side that's
available and so, really, to the meat of the conversation is what do we do going forward
and if we consider the program's goals of capital costs, applying money to capital
projects, lowering operational costs, averting the risk on the reporting side of things,
considering the staff impacts as well, we have already had the -- as I understand the
head nods from you all from Laurelei's presentation on the bio gas, so that project is
moving forward. There is roughly 5.1 by .2 million dollars on the Fire Station No. 8 and
roughly 2.8 on the police station up in the northwest. And, then, you have got eight
separate fiber projects, which we can go through the specifics of those if you would like.
They all total about 645,000 dollars. So, if you do the math you are over that 11.6
million dollars and I think from a staff perspective at least, looking for guidance from you
and approval -- head nods from you that moving forward with reimbursing the revenue
loss side on funding the fire station and the police precinct, along with the Public Works
biosolids drying project and shaking out those in terms of where the buckets of money
fit under the ARPA guidance, you have to put some of the money for the Public Works
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November 14,2023
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project in the Public Works infrastructure category and it's really going to balance how
much of the -- call it 7.9 million dollars of fire station and police station funds available
go towards -- go and pay that back through ARPA -- sort of indicates how much you are
going to pay on the Public Works project in which bucket. That's the ask, really, is does
Council agree that we pay 11.6 million dollars to these top three projects as they shake
out and move forward, allowing the city and you all to, then, have a policy discussion on
do you want to fund fiber projects through city revenues that are paying -- paying back
through the revenue loss side of things that are now city funds, because the revenues
are there through the ARPA funding being paid to the city directly versus getting into the
reporting nightmare of going through eight different fiber projects and reporting on each
and every single one of those in three different categories across the projects and, then,
getting a remainder amount of money on the fiber and police station -- fire and police
stations, saying how much is left there that can apply to that and, then, breaking apart
the Public Works project or are there other projects that the Council is looking at saying
I want to do something completely different. And, again, we as staff looked at it from a
reportability standpoint, having the prior direction of sort of focusing on these projects as
these were the ones that everybody was sort of in alignment saying, yes, that's where
this money should be spent. Using the ARPA funds to pay for these. Through the
revenue loss much of that money comes back to the city and, then, the Council can
discuss what it wants to do with those funds. Separate conversation. That's been the --
the mindset of where we have come and that's the recommendation before you is to
expense the remaining 11.6 million dollars between the three projects of Biosolids, Fire
Station 8 and --
Borton- Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Borton.
Borton: Get it and I agree with your recommendation a thousand percent. Get in, get
out, spend it all on those one time top three capital expenditures. Secondary
discussion. How we spend the city revenue of equivalent value on other items without
our restraints. Do that and be done.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: Lots of heads are nodding on that. It makes sense to do it that way and
Councilman Borton has good -- good advice there.
Miles: Mayor and Council, appreciate the head nods and --
Simison: Is -- is there anything that we need to do to effectuate that result, so we can
feel comfortable moving forward?
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November 14,2023
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Miles: So, Mr. Mayor and Council, from my perspective at least -- each of these
projects, again, when there is a transaction, will come back at least in my mind, unless
Bill says otherwise on the consent agenda when there is contracts and payments to be
made, unless there is something else that we need to do in your mind.
Simison: The projects are wrapped up at the police and fire. I think the question is do
we want to effectuate that here in the next month working with the team roughly to what
we think the other one will cost? Let's work with Todd and see what -- if there is
anything we can do directly, as complete compared to waiting for their conversation,
so --
Miles- Thank you. Appreciate the time.
19. per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(f): To communicate with legal counsel for
the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal
options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated
but imminently likely to be litigated.
Simison: With that we will move on to Item 19.
Hoaglun: Mr. Mayor?
Simison: Councilman Hoaglun.
Hoaglun: I move that we go into Executive Session per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(f).
Borton: Second.
Simison: Motion and a second to go into the session. Is there any discussion? If not,
Clerk will call the roll.
Roll Call: Hoaglun, yea; Borton, yea; Cavener, yea; Perreault, yea; Strader, yea;
Overton, yea.
Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and we will move into Executive Session.
MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: (5.41 p.m. to 5.56 p.m.).
(Motion to come out of Exec Session and second: Hoaglun/Borton)
(Motion to adjourn: Hoaglun.)
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 5.57 P.M.
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November 14,2023
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(AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
12 / 5 /2023
MAYOR ROBERT E. SIMISON DATE APPROVED
ATTEST:
CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK