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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-02 Regular Meridian City Council April 2, 2024. A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, by Mayor Robert Simison. Members Present: Robert Simison, Luke Cavener, Liz Strader, John Overton, Anne Little Roberts and Doug Taylor. Members Absent: Joe Borton. Also Present: Chris Johnson, Bill Nary, Bill Parsons, Sonya Allen, Stacy Hersh, Shawn Harper, Joe Bongiorno and Dean Willis. ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE X Liz Strader X Joe Borton (Left at 6:48 pm) Anne Little Roberts _X_ John Overton _X_ Doug Taylor _X_Luke Cavener X Mayor Robert E. Simison Simison: Council, we will call this meeting to order. For the record it is April 2, 2024, at 6:01 p.m. We will begin this afternoon -- this evening's City Council regular meeting with roll call attendance. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Simison: If you would all, please, rise and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. (Pledge of Allegiance recited.) COMMUNITY INVOCATION Simison: Next item up is the community invocation, which tonight will be delivered by Henry Boyd of Ten Mile Christian Church. If you would all, please, join us in the community invocation or take this as a moment of silence and reflection. Pastor. Boyd: Pray as the Lord Jesus prayed. Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Lord, would you remember us today as we remember you and would you make the light of your face shine on this city and these -- this Council and this room and would you give them courage to be men and women of integrity and to lead as you led, are always thinking of others over yourself. We pray these things and we give thanks today, in Jesus' name, amen. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 2 of 21 Simison: Thank you. Okay. First item up is adoption of the agenda. Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: I move that we adopt the agenda as published. Cavener: Second. Simison: Have a motion and a second to adopt the agenda as published. Is there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the agenda is adopted as published. MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES. PUBLIC FORUM — Future Meeting Topics Simison: Mr. Clerk, anyone signed up under public forum? Johnson: Mr. Mayor, yes. Gina Johnson. Simison: Okay. Gina, if you would like to come forward, be recognized for three minutes. G.Johnson: Members of the city, my name is Gina Johnson. I represent the Video Garners and the various charities as -- just as a charity board president. Today I would like to discuss with you a proposal that would require further discussion for affordable housing. In this world today we see a lot of need for housing development, but we are not always seeing unique style or themed opportunities that word allow us to change direction from what we see as a standard. My proposal is on behalf of my own organization and we would like the city to consider some of the ideas that will be explained in this pamphlet that I will hand out and it can be discussed at a further time. Those ideas include an IKEA. We have a way to get it in a nontraditional format. We have the ability to build up to 2,000 affordable tiny home units that have modular furniture. We have the ability to provide low income rent for a lot of different charities. A one stop government service shop for all the different cities, counties, state and federal in one area. All of this is a really big project. It's not something simple that can be explained in three minutes. So, I hope that this community -- this Council understands that you can't just look at housing as a one issue thing. You can't just look at nonprofit charity needs as a one issue thing. This year I have attended the Idaho Educational Technology Association conference and I will be attending the Affordable Housing Conference here in April. Idaho Views is coming around the corner. I would like the Council to really consider what is its mission the summer during construction. Is it to stay with the standard or to look beyond and develop the new? Idaho has the opportunity and Meridian can be the nexus point for that. Thank you. Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 3 of 21 PROCLAMATIONS [Action Item] 1. Owyhee Boys Basketball State Champs Simison: Thank you, Gina. With that we will move on to our first item for this evening, which is a proclamation for the Owyhee Boys Basketball State Champs. If I could have the team, coaches, Dr. Bub, Principal Rice, I will join at the podium that would be great. So, Council, you may remember last week when we did this for another state champion from another school in Meridian I said I really liked the wrestling team better, because they were a little bit more my height, so -- but, nonetheless, we are excited to be here again with the Owyhee High School, not just some basketball, but -- and other sports, it seems like this is becoming a reoccurring theme here in the City of Meridian, so we are excited to honor you today with the proclamation and celebrate your achievements here in the City of Meridian. So, with that I will go ahead and read the proclamation and, then, turn it over to the coach, then, let's go ahead and have each player state their name, position, and year at school, so we can get that on the record for everybody and we will go from there. All right. Whereas being an Owyhee High School boys basketball player is more than scoring points, making assists, grabbing rebounds, stealing the ball and achieving state titles, it is training to build leadership, character, confidence, teamwork and resilience, all traits needed to succeed on the court, in the classroom and in the real world and whereas Owyhee High School has captured another 5A boys basketball team championship and brought home a second title for the third year program and whereas Owyhee finished the year 24 and two with a perfect conference record and Owyhee Storm basketball team with an impressive 57 to 36 win in the 5A state championship game, returned the state championship to Meridian and whereas the leadership, training and discipline of their coaches help all team members to focus their talents, passion and determination to become a winning team, with each player making valuable contributions to their victory. Therefore, 1, Mayor Robert E. Simison, hereby proclaim April 2nd, 2024, as Owyhee High School Boys Basketball State Champions Day in the City of Meridian and call upon the committee join me in congratulating the Owyhee High School on their remarkable athletic achievement and for representing Meridian so proudly in the state tournament, dated the 2nd day of April 2024. Congratulations, team. Harrington: Player's name, grade, position. Let's go sophomores first. Knowles: Gavin Knowles. Sophomore. Forward. Allen: Jordan Allen. Sophomore. Guard. Rogers: Kaden Rogers. Freshman. Owyhee. Forward. Brekke: Ryan Brekke. Sophomore. Forward. Haustveit: Logan Haustveit. Sophomore. Guard. Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 4 of 21 Howell: Body Howell. Junior. Guard. Allen: Jayce Allen. Junior. Guard. Rasmussen: Jackson Rasmussen. Junior. Guard. Rogers: Jackson Rogers. Junior. Guard. Downie: Cameron Downie. Junior. Guard. Campbell: William Campbell. Senior. Shooting guard. L.Campbell: Liam Campbell. Senior. Shooting guard. Lukasik: Jacob Lukasik. Coach. Baldwin: Matthew Baldwin. Coach. Harrington: Andy Harrington. Coach. Nugent; RC Nugent. Coach. Harrington: Andy Harrington. Head coach. Just really quickly I wanted to say thank you to the City of Meridian, West Ada School District. I guess I need to lean in. Owyhee has been an amazing place to coach at. These kids have been phenomenal. Our support from West Ada and Meridian has been there from the beginning and we are continuing to look forward to continue building Owyhee into a high level basketball program. Really looking forward to coaching these guys again next year. We are really going to miss Liam. Everyone else standing here is back, so cannot wait for the future and it's going to be very bright. So, thank you. Cavener: As Mr. Mayor is making his way back to the podium, I just -- I know that Owyhee has a celebrity super fan in Mayor Chadwick, but it's always good to remind the public that Owyhee is a school that's in Meridian, not Star, and I think it's important that the record reflects that I'm very proud of Owyhee, another great Meridian high school. 2. National Osteopathic Medicine Week Simison: Well stated, Councilman Cavener. All right. If I could have Tracy Farnsworth and the team from ICOM come forward. As they do, for many here, it's no secret that another great team that we have in the -- in Meridian is ICOM, which houses Idaho's only medical school. So, we are super excited to have them here for what they do to help prepare the needs for our community long term. So, it's really appropriate that we are here to honor you all today with a proclamation as well. So, we will go ahead and do that and, then, turn it over to Dr. Farnsworth for any comments. So, whereas more than 186,000 osteopathic -- osteopathic physicians and osteopathic medical students Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 5 of 21 bring their distinctive approach to providing healthcare for millions of patients across the U.S. and whereas the oath practiced in every medical field specialty, combining medical expertise with a whole person approach, centered on listening to and partnering with their patients and we are asking more than 11 percent of all physicians in the U.S. and more than 25 percent of all U.S. medical students are DOs who have chosen to practice osteopathic medicine and have made tremendous contributions to the American healthcare system. Whereas osteopathic medicine was founded by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO, more than 130 years ago and Idaho's roughly one thousand DOs dedicated to improving the health of their communities through patient centered care focused on treating the body, mind and spirit and whereas the City of Meridian is proud to have Idaho's first and only osteopathic medical school in our community. Therefore, I, Mayor Robert E. Simison, do hereby proclaim April 15th through 21st, 2024, as National Osteopathic Medicine Week in the City of Meridian and encourage all citizens and community organizations to support this observance by helping to educate members of the public about DOs and osteopathic medicine, dated the 2nd day of April 2024. Congratulations. Farnsworth: Mayor, thank you. We are all very proud Idahoans and very proud Meridianites. In fact, I want you to know that four of the five standing behind me are high school graduates from here in Meridian. Two from Renaissance High School and one from Rocky Mountain and one of our distinguished faculty graduated from Centennial High School. So, our feeding is athletes -- and they are all athletes. All high school athletes. So, athletes today and medical students -- medical doctors tomorrow and one day we will be firemen even. If we can reach that height that would be our -- can I have them just briefly introduce themselves, Mayor? Could we do that, please? Jordan: Hi. My name is Nicole Jordan and I'm a second year at ICOM. I attended Renaissance High School and I was equestrian during high school. Yes. Hawks: She was actually a Miss Idaho Rodeo Queen, too. Don't forget that. I'm Theron Hawks. I went to -- I'm an OS-2. Went to Rocky Mountain. Played basketball. Hill: My name is Tanner Hill. I'm also a second year at ICOM and, like Nicole, I went to Renaissance High School as well. Parkinson: I'm Dr. Justin Parkinson, someone on the faculty, for family medicine faculty physicians and I grew up and I -- I went to Centennial, which is technically Boise I think, actually, but -- but that's okay. We still -- I lived in the Meridian district, they just moved the boundaries on me back then. Bates: Dr. Rodney Bates. I am primary care chair and associate professor of internal medicine. I practice internal medicine at St. Luke's Nampa. So, great to be with all of you. Appreciate all of the dear students. They are wonderful in our arts. So, I grew up and graduated from another city that starts with M. Many of you probably don't know where that is, but it's Murtaugh. So, Murtaugh High School grad. Played basketball and football. Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 6 of 21 RESOLUTIONS [Action Item] 3. Resolution No. 24-2444: A Resolution of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Meridian, Appointing Terrence Green to Seat 1, Jared Cozby to Seat 2, and Marvin Ward to Seat 7 of the Meridian Q Impact Fee Advisory Committee; and Providing an Effective Date Simison: Thank you. Council, moving on to Item 3, which is a Resolution No. 24-2444. a resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Meridian appointing Terrence Green to Seat 1, Jared Cozby to Seat 2 and Marvin Ward to Seat 7 of the Meridian Impact Fee Advisory Committee and providing an effective date. We have had some people who have stepped down from the Impact Fee Advisory Committee and had been working and, sorry, this one got lost in the shuffle with everything else. We thought we had done this a while back, but we have got three great people to come on in support of our impact fee conversation. They range -- which there are requirements for these positions. Realtor being one of them. So, we -- Jared is the realtor in that context. Someone that is understanding fire. I don't think anyone could do that better than one of our rural fire commissioners in Marvin Ward. So, have that connection between the city and our impact fees and what they provide I think would be a great addition and, then, Terrence Green, who is -- who was looking for a way to get involved. He has got a strong financial banking background and I think that he will be a true asset to the impact fee advisory committee. So, with that I put this resolution before you for consideration and be happy to answer any questions. Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: Really fantastic applications. I know Council appreciates receiving all the background on those folks. With that I move that we approve Resolution No. 24-2444 appointing Terrence, Jared and Marvin to the Meridian Impact Fee Advisory Committee. Cavener: Second. Simison: Have a motion and a second to approve Resolution No. 24-2444. Is there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay. The ayes have it and the resolution is agreed to. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. DEPARTMENT / COMMISSION REPORTS [Action Item] Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 7 of 21 4. City Council: Recognition of Councilman Joe Borton Simison: Council, we have reached Item 4 on our agenda, which is City Council recognition of Councilman Joe Borton. Joe, would you like to make any comments first or would you like the Council to go first with anything that they would like to say? Borton: I will go last. Simison: Okay. Joe is going to go last. So, any -- any takers? Any comments? Taylor: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Taylor. Taylor: I will get the party started, because I don't have years of experiences and stories to tell. I will get it done quickly. I have months. But I want to share one story and I will -- then I will be quiet. I met Joe officially last summer when I was visiting with a few members of Council just to ask questions and to learn about the job a little bit and at the end of the conversation I asked him a question and his answer really stood out to me and I think about it a lot. I asked do you have any advice and without hesitation he said just fall in love with Meridian. Just the way he said it. And it was really interesting the way you said that and he just said just love your community, love the people you serve, but just fall in love with the city. That was it. Very simple, very direct to the point, but in such few words I thought you conveyed a lot and as I have watched you conduct yourself just in the short time we have been together I have really admired what you have done. You have obviously had a big impact on the city, even though our time has been short and I feel a little bit robbed of some -- some good times and some good counsel, I still think the advice you gave me was -- was very well received, very impactful and it just says a lot about your character and -- and what you think of the city and so I really admire you for that and I'm really grateful that you are willing to step into another role of service. That's the other thing I remember you talked a lot about is this job is about service and so I think you -- you -- there is a lot to admire about that in your example for all of us, you know, not just on the Council, but in the city. So, I really appreciate it and wish you the best of luck. Little Roberts: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Little Roberts. Little Roberts: I had to make notes and I have made them and torn them up. Joe and I had a parking lot conversation the other night and I think I started crying then. So, my first question was who will give the talk to new or returning councilman after an election? When I was first on Council it was Keith Bird. Then this year it was you. You were the perfect one to talk to us about we may disagree, but we will never be disagreeable. You set the bar high because every day you live it. Your thoughtfulness and intention says everything. It shows in everything that you do and say. The evening Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 8 of 21 that you told us you had been appointed to Fourth District Court I took notes, because I -- I didn't take notes on -- I took notes on what we were talking about, but I took notes on how you summarized the discussion points and focused so thoughtfully on what you saw making a difference in this community, not only this year, but next year, ten years and beyond. Your thoughtful summaries always acknowledge the hard work that all parties have contributed, even when you vote against the project. You are an encourager. Always cheering others on whether it's to run for City Council or at city Chamber softball games. You are always that encouragement. You are wise, which is one of the many many reasons that you will make a great judge, but more often than not you would rather help someone find their own voice than to voice or share yours. You have a -- I have appreciated serving with you beyond what words can express, but more than that I have had the years of appreciating your friendship. Congratulations, you will be an excellent judge. You embody every day those qualities that make a judge effective. We will miss you. When we ask what would Joe do and I did not know about the shirts, so that's worth coming today. The answer will always be process it thoughtfully, thoroughly and with the future in mind. Thank you. Overton: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Overton. Overton: So, Joe, your influence on me goes back to when I worked for the city in the police department and we looked to many council members back in the past for their assistance and guidance and even when you weren't our liaison you were always there to help us if we needed something. When I first came to the point of being on the Council you were one of the people I looked to the most because of your knowledge and one of the things that -- I don't know that you fully understand is when people come onto this Council I think you mentor them without even knowing it, because you lead by example. You have that ability to how you lead the city and you just tend to be the person, whether you acknowledge it or not at the time, that everybody is looking to you as an example of how things should be done and done right and, hopefully, we can try to come as a group and carry on and carry that forward as we go into the future. But that's a big hole to fill that you are leaving. Appreciate you very much. Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: All right. I don't like getting very emotional, but I do have a few kind words to say about Joe. When I met Joe and worked with him on the City Council I realized that he was brilliant, that he really knew his stuff. I realized that he read every word of every packet for each meeting and that is something that's to be commended, but it speaks to his diligence and the effort that he puts into grinding things out, doing it the right way. One of the best moves that Joe ever made was marrying Sharon Borton, who is deserving of just as much praise for the beautiful family that they have built together and I have no doubt that she is one of the secrets behind his tremendous success. I Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 9 of 21 apologize for the many road trips I have interrupted with my pesky phone calls asking for advice. Joe is a genuine person. He has a huge heart and he has done more to help me learn how to do City Council than anyone else. Joe has provided that advice. Always willing to listen. His fingerprints are all over everything that we do, every process the City Council has at this point, whether it's reviewing the budget, whether it's how we go about different things, a lot of it has to do with Joe's relentless focus on having the right process to get the right outcomes. The final thing that I will say that I appreciate about Joe, unlike many politicians, Joe is someone I can say he has guts and he stands up for things when he really believes in them and when they are important and everything is not just a political calculation for Joe. Joe really cares about doing the right thing and he decided that he loved having his family raised in this community. He wanted this community to be the best that it can be and I appreciate that about him. So, thank you. You will be the best judge Idaho has ever seen and we are lucky to keep having you serve our community, but I just really appreciate you and your whole family. Thanks. Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: The past year and a half -- this is weird. I love you and this whole thing is just weird. But in the past year and a half I have found that there is a pathway between voicing gratitude and the waterworks that come from here. So, I -- the good news is that means I will probably be relatively brief, but it also means brief is subjective. I wrote some notes, because as I learned from a good friend you only get one shot at this and Joe is an inspiration. He is an inspiration to all of us and I -- as I was thinking about today and not looking forward to it, I started thinking about what is it about Joe that inspired me and it's four things. First it is his integrity. Joe has more integrity in his pinkie than most people have in their whole life, except for maybe when it comes to poker, but that's a conversation for another day, but up here as a Council leader you lead with integrity, which speaks to -- I think number two, which is -- which is honor and it's fitting that that's what you will be referred to moving forward is Your Honor. Being on a Council for some people is a -- is a thing they just do or they look at it as a stepping stone for something else, but Joe served with honor. It wasn't a job, it was the job and saw that from day one and -- and it's fitting that we have heard as people thought about running for City Council they talk to you. I was one of those as well and you -- you lead with honor and you are an example for all of us. The third is probably the biggest one, which is -- which is service. We -- we serve. We don't just serve here, we serve in many different facets outside of this building and I just admire your service to our community as a council member, but your service to our community -- as a coach and as a mentor and as a business leader, it's always exciting when you are out campaigning and you knock a door that's got a Borton for City Council sign in the yard, because you know these people have a story they want to share about the impact that Joe has made on their life, often not as a city council member, but as a coach or a community leader. The fourth one, his family. It's great so many of the Bortons are here. Some of you don't know, we had a little event for Joe today that he was roughly Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 10 of 21 about 45 to 50 minutes late and it -- it caused some worry and so I was fortunate -- I text Mrs. B and said, hey, have you seen Joe and it just provided a unique opportunity to -- to thank the Bortons for sharing Joe with us and don't just thank your family, I thank you, Joe for the impact you have had on the Cavener family. The Mayor talked today about the many people in our community that have benefited from Joe's advice -- both Council advice and legal advice and the Cavener her family has benefited from both and there is a -- there is a depth of appreciation that I will never be able to fully repay, but I will try, which brings me the part that I'm excited about is you are going to this new job and you have been an inspiration to me and I thought it would be fitting to pass some things along to you that may serve as an inspiration in your new role and it's hard to shop for a guy who has everything, but I'm going to try. So, the first is I have an autographed Judge Wapner photo. Now, it -- it doesn't include a certificate of authenticity, but eBay seller Faustino's dad has assured me that it is legit. So, I will have that for you. In addition, I'm excited, I didn't know that this existed, a -- a mint condition Judge Mills Lane trading card. I'm sure a highly sought after. This is important -- again, you start to run out of judge things, but a -- a Judge Dredd action figure -- again I think also probably a collector's edition item. Terminator Two Judgment Day on Blu-Ray. I thought that's something good to have and, then, I love your shirts and there is not really a good judge shirt, so I thought a Judge Reinhold T-shirt would be nice under -- under the robe and so these are all for you and -- but I have one more thing -- and I did talk to the Mayor and our parks director is not here, but, you know, from time to time we have had the opportunity to recognize community leaders. We have Rountree Field at Fuller and, of course, the great Keith Bird Legacy Park, but there is nobody on our Council that has been more of a friend of the feline community than -- than -- than Mr. Borton and so -- and, Mayor, I apologize, I didn't talk to you about this, but I think it is important that we have a -- a cat park in Meridian. You have been a champion for that and I'm excited to announce that -- it came in under budget, but I have for you a token of appreciation, the Joseph W. Borton mobile cat park. You can actually take this with you everywhere you go and cats -- there is lots of activities and fun projects and I just thank you so much for your impact in our community and I know that you will display this proudly in your home for years to come and maybe pass it down to the family members. So, my way of saying thank you for all you do. Borton: Oh, Cavener -- Simison: Anything else, Mr. Cavener? Cavener: No. The -- the plaque -- the plaque is removable. That's -- that's an important feature, so you can -- you can put that wherever you -- correct. It's a safety -- Mr. Mayor, that concludes my -- my comments and I appreciate you all indulging me a little bit this evening. Simison: Well, I don't know if we can top that. You know, I don't know what I was complaining about. No one's worked harder to get him off of this council than I have during this -- during those last, you know, eight months or so. I have had an opportunity to speak three times about Joe, you know, once in our employee meeting, something Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 11 of 21 without the community upstairs, but I do think that there is one thing that I don't know that anybody but you have heard me say and it's a little long in that context and I don't think I will be emotional, but, you know, when Joe kind of -- when Joe mentioned that this was something he was interested in doing in pursuing the district court judge route, I wrote a letter to the governor outlining -- and while there is going to be some stuff that's going to be a little off tangent I still think it holds true and I -- I would like the rest of the Council to at least hear and I have not changed any words, so this is the actual -- these are the words. I'm writing in support of Joe Borton's candidacy to be appointed as district court judge to the Fourth Judicial District. I trust the vetting process conducted by the state of Idaho Judicial Council has shown Joe to be a top candidate with the knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as the temperament, integrity and independence to serve the public as a member of the judiciary. Joe believes in taking the conservative approach, is a true and dedicated public servant and has my highest recommendation. The people of the state of Idaho would be well served by having him in this role. For the more than 15 years I have known Joe all of what I stated in my May 1 st, 2023, letter to the executive director of the Judicial Council and the selection panel holds dear to me. Joe has continued to grow his skills as a lawyer, public servant and father. Joe's worked with a large variety of clients, cases and issues. I know this because of the multitude of friends, acquaintances and professional organizations who choose to utilize him as their attorney. He works tirelessly for those who have needs which are crucial to families and he understands the importance of the law. He ensures the public is protected as he advises local government clients to keep them free from legal challenges and Joe gives his time freely to multitudes of nonprofit organizations, so they can use their limited financial resources to best carry out their mission. Throughout his years as a member of the Meridian City Council Joe has been the champion for fair and timely deliberations on all matters, bringing an impartial perspective. In land use matters before the City Council Joe listens to all testimony, questions and comments. He identifies areas of concern that can be addressed and articulates a path forward under the confines of statute. By correctly applying legal standard before the City Council he is able to help the city move forward in its decision making process for the quasi-judicial role. He does so by making sure the actions are reflected by the record that has been presented. Further, Joe's a conservative voice and strong champion for openness and transparency in government process. It was in 2007 with one of my first interactions with Joe was an employee of the city that I first had the opportunity to work with him while he was serving as city council president. It was in this role that I first experienced Joe's judicial temperament and thought process. Specifically I witnessed the value and importance he puts on listening to understand and asking questions to clarify. Values that Joe has only refined and made stronger over his tenure. Over the years Joe Borton has taught me many things by applying the principles I know he adheres to in his practice in life. He taught me how to take time and listen to others. He has taught me to trust the process. He had taught me how to serve my community. When I noticed that if I ever needed an attorney Joe would be my first call. If I ever needed someone to mediate a situation Joe would be the best person for the job and if I ever had to end up before the court Joe's the person I want to have presiding over my case. Once again I want to thank the State of Idaho Judicial Council for their vetting process, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. For these reasons I encourage you to appoint Joe Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 12 of 21 Borton to the district court of the Fourth Judicial District of Idaho. That all remains more true than you realize and it's been a pleasure having you up here, wherever you have been in this community helping out and living your voice, but appreciate you more than you know. The floor is yours. Borton: Let's do another round. Start on the -- let's just keep it going. I think you're the best. Let me first for -- for those here and watching online, Councilman Cavener referenced it. I'm glad you did, Luke. My wife Sharon is here. Love you. Thanks for coming. My eldest son Jack and his fiancee Lauren are here. So, thank you for coming. It's great to have friends and family present at the end of this. I have got a good photo of my first swearing in and the boys were maybe waist high and now they are grown -- grown adults and back in the Treasure Valley. So, I guess I have got -- I will be really brief. I promise. I will try. I won't promise. But let me be brief. I have got an ask and an opportunity. What I thought about. And the ask is more to everyone in the room. I appreciate you being here and folks that are online that may watch and here is the ask -- is there is lots of opportunity in your community, in your church and school board meetings or wherever you encounter the community where people will blanket complain or -- or question or disparage government. That government has to be bad or it's bad or it's wasteful or it's dumb or it's corrupt or something like that. But you have up here some of the greatest, kindest, most thoughtful, dedicated public servants and any time I get the question or a comment where somebody says something about government that is just a blanket statement that tries to disparage it, I speak up. My ask is to speak up. If somebody ever says to you that local government doesn't work or it's wasteful or dumb or anything like that, speak up. Folks that know people up here -- tell them it's not the case, because you know folks -- you know Anne Little Roberts. Good council member. Tell them about Anne. Tell them how we -- if you need any questions or concerns regarding public safety and someone who is dedicated to make sure you wonder why your community's safe, go talk to Anne Little Roberts. You want to understand why they have got perspective, the Council up here has perspective on what happens, decisions and how they have long-term effects and how they consider that. Talk to John Overton. There is a wealth of great talent and love for the community up here. If you want to talk about love for the community talk to Councilman Cavener. I wouldn't say he loves the community, I would probably say he is in love with the community. Councilman Cavener gets emotional because he cares so much about all the employees and making this the best city ever. Doesn't happen by chance. They question local government, talk to Doug Taylor. He is brand new and he is -- he has dived into it with a perfect perspective, great temperament, asking the right questions, trying to make sure it's the right decision, not coming in thinking there is a problem and he has got a solution, but try to understand it. That's a great servant leader. You want to understand how our city remains debt free and -- and maintains a strong budget, the best in the state, you have got folks like Council Woman Liz Strader, who knows the numbers and takes the time to make sure that things are done correctly with a long-term focus. None of that happens by chance. So, I always speak up when someone ever were to question government and disparaging and say, no, you have got it wrong. Maybe in DC, maybe down in Boise at the capitol, maybe, but I tell you what not in Meridian. You don't know these folks. So, welcome those questions if anyone Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 13 of 21 questions local government and speak up. That's my ask to help people. The blessings that I have had serving with all of you and the folks that came before us. The comments for the people that I'm leaving I have a confession to make, but over 14 years when mayors leave and council members leave, I, in essence, grieve for a bit. I get sad and I grieve, because you can tell the relationships up here are professional, but they are also personal. We have a close bond and a close tie, so it's hard and I have gone through a lot of them and it takes time and -- and I worry, you know, what happens when that individual leaves. How are we going to go on? And what I figured is a way I cope through it and I will leave you with this -- it's I think a bit more like an opportunity. When somebody leaves, a mayor or council member in Meridian, there are folks that remain have an opportunity and that opportunity is to let things slide, to kind of allow things to kind of degrade a little bit, not pay attention as much with a budget, maybe not focus on long-term planning, maybe try to, you know, make short-term efforts, you have an opportunity to relax your standards, to relax, how -- you know, the bar that you set for yourself and that's what would always scare me, because I know there is the opportunity when someone leaves to do that, to relax and to not be as great as you want to be. To also have the opportunity when someone leaves -- and I'm no different -- to fill the void by being better and it kind of forces you to revisit your commitment to the long-term commitment that you make to be a good council member, to make your decisions focusing on the process and the plan and the good work that leads to the decisions we make. You know, we talk many times about the success that our city has, the reason it's, you know, the police and fire -- thank you, fellas, for being here, by the way. I really appreciate that. That doesn't happen by chance. I think these are long- term decisions. You have success today because of things that happened ten, 20 years ago. So, the diligence and the energy to exert -- I call it an opportunity to -- to fill that void and remain focused on those long-term commitments. Don't worry about what people might be mad about in ten or 20 weeks or ten or 20 months, focus on the decision that's right in ten to 20 years when we are all gone., So that's what gives me comfort. That's what makes me feel like there couldn't be a better time for me to go on to my next journey, because you have got the best council members up here, diverse in their experience, diverse in their perspective, diverse in their backgrounds and skill sets and you have got a Mayor who has the courage to lead like -- kind of like a dad in a way that might be grumpy and might make decisions that aren't popular; right? But his job is not to be popular and liked by everybody, his job is to be a steward of the city and, Mayor, you do it well and it's hard and you take arrows, you do, but, you know, leaders take arrows and so I appreciate your perspective and leadership doing that. Easy to criticize, hard to lead, so I think you are doing a fantastic job and so I feel comfortable and very confident that when you all think of the opportunity you have, you are going to fill my absence, you won't skip a beat, so long as you remain diligent on that long-term focus planning and process and Meridian is going to continue to succeed. So, it's been a blessing. It's been a blessing to be a part of it. I'm thankful -- and you, like -- like me, but you all sacrifice time from your families; right? You have got kiddos and husbands and wives and everybody that you leave every Tuesday to come down here and do all this, so I thank you all for that sacrifice as well and to your family, because it's a lot. So, Meridian is in good hands. The timing is perfect. I will miss you dearly. I miss this nerdy process of local government. I love it as much as I did day one. So, thank you Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 14 of 21 for the kind words. That really means a lot. It really does. Gives me things to pause and kind of reflect on. Lots of ways we can choose to spend our time and the fact that we all choose to spend it up here together to make our community better is special, so I have been blessed to raise a family in the greatest city in the state, so I'm forever in your debt. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Simison: Call a five minute recess. (Recess: 6:49 p.m. to 6:56 p.m.) ACTION ITEMS 5. Public Hearing for Watts Meridian Medical Partners (SHP-2024-0001) by Focus Engineering and Surveying, located at 1256 S. Rackham Way A. Request: Short Plat consisting of two (2) building lots on 2.53 acres of land in the C-G zoning district. Simison: All right. We will go ahead and come back from recess and move on to Item 5, which is public hearing for Watts Meridian Medical Partners, SHP-2024-0001 . We will open this public hearing was staff comments. Allen: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. The first application before you tonight is a request for a short plat. This site consists of 2.53 acres of land. It's zoned C-G and is located at 1256 South Rackham. The Comprehensive Plan future land use map designation is mixed use regional. The short plat proposed consists of two building lots on 2.53 acres of land in the C-G zoning district for Watts Meridian Medical Partners Subdivision. Access is proposed from South Rackham, an existing local street along the west boundary of the site and from the drive aisle at the east boundary of the site. A 25 foot wide cross-access easement is depicted along the shared lot line between Lots 1 and 2 for shared access between the two lots. Staff is recommending this drive aisle is constructed in its entirety with the first phase of development. ACHD is requiring pavement widening for South Rackham Way and construction of curb, gutter and sidewalk. No additional right of way is needed. A detached sidewalk is proposed along the northern boundary of the site along Flat Iron Lane. Curb, gutter and an attached sidewalk is proposed along the southern boundary of the site abutting the proposed drive aisle and curb and gutter is proposed along the eastern boundary of the site adjacent to the existing drive aisle. A ten foot wide street buffer is required along South Rackham Way, landscaped in accord with UDC standards. A 50 foot wide permanent access easement crosses the southwest corner of the site as depicted on the plat and that is this area right here. It was recorded with the previous plat that includes this property. Staff had recommended this easement be amended or partially vacated in accord with the proposed plat. However, the applicant states they are unable to do so, because it's a dual purpose easement that also contains a gas line for Intermountain Gas Company that runs through the southwest corner the site that will provide gas to Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 15 of 21 both of the future buildings. The gas company is unwilling to amend or vacate their easement. For this reason staff recommends removal of Conditions Number 3-C and 6 pertaining to amendment or partial vacation of this easement. Staff further recommends deletion of the comments pertaining to additional right of way dedication in conditions 3- A and 4-A as additional right of way is not required by ACHD. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed short plat with the aforementioned deletions. Written testimony was received from Adam Watts, the applicant, in response to the staff report and he is online tonight if you have some questions. That concludes staff's presentation. Thank you. Simison: Thank you, Sonya. Council, any questions for staff? Taylor: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Taylor. Taylor: Not a question for staff, but just a disclosure. I did have a -- did not know at the time, but I do have a relationship with the applicant from ten years plus when I lived in Virginia. We played on the same basketball team. But consulted with our good attorney and found just disclosing it is enough where we don't have an existing relationship in terms of communication on these topics. I don't think it will affect any of my decision making. Simison: Thank you. Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: Thank you. Sonya, thank you. I just wanted to check with the drive aisle recommendation. Is that something that the applicant has accepted and it's already within the condition of approval or does that need to be spelled out if we decide that that's something important to add? Allen: Mr. Mayor, Vice-President Strader, are you referring to the traffic backing out into the drive aisle, the comment and the analysis, or are you referring to a condition of approval? Strader: There is a recommendation from staff to ensure that the first phase of development includes the construction of the drive aisle. I'm just trying to narrow in on whether that requires a change in the conditions. Allen: That is a condition of approval that exists and the applicant is in agreement with that condition. Strader: Perfect. That's what I thought. Thank you. Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 16 of 21 Allen: Thank you. Simison: Council, any additional questions for staff? Okay. Then would the applicant like to -- looks like they have unmuted themself. You are recognized for up to 15 minutes. Watts: Thanks, Council Members, for spending your time tonight and thanks for letting me and everybody else listening. That was -- that was quite the tribute to the president there. I have never seen that. So, must -- must be quite a guy. Let me first start off saying that Council Member Taylor is an excellent ballplayer and, yes, it's been probably 12 years since we played ball together. So, anyway -- yes. So, this is a short plat in front of you. We have spent a lot of time going back and forth. Sonya has been fantastic in helping us kind of digest and put everything together that we feel like is a -- is a great development here. We have met with ACHD a few times. We have met all of their requirements as she has stated. We are okay with building that drive aisle access with phase one. In fact, it's -- it's needed and we are happy to do that. I don't have any other kind of updates for you. I'm here to answer any questions that you have, but we have spent a lot of time trying to get this right and get it in front of -- in front of you guys here tonight. Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions for the applicant? Besides who was a better player? Taylor: Mr. Mayor. It was me. However, Adam was a very good three point shooter. Simison: Okay. All right. Thank you very much. Mr. Clerk, is there anyone signed up on this item? Johnson: Mr. Mayor, no. Simison: Okay. We had no one sign up. Is there anybody present that would like to provide testimony on the item or if you are online use the raise your hand feature. Seeing no one online or raising their hand, would the applicant like any final comments or do they waive? Watts: No further comment. Thank you. Simison: Okay. Waives final. So, Council, what's your disposition? If you like we could phone a friend. He's not that far away. Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: Hi hope we don't have to do that. I'm sure that would be an ominous sign for him for the coming years. I think -- I think we will manage. It's made good sense to me. Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 17 of 21 It seems to fit well with the area. I think it's a good short plat. It feels like most of the issues have been ironed out. Happy to make a motion, unless someone else has a concern or question. Perfect. Mr. Mayor, I move that we close a public hearing. Cavener: Second. Simison: Motion and second to close the public hearing. All in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have and the public hearing is closed. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. Strader: Fantastic. Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: After considering all staff, applicant, and public testimony, I move to approve File No. SHP-2024-0001 as presented in the staff report for today's hearing date with a couple of quick modifications. We will go ahead and remove conditions 3-C and 6 pertaining to the vacation of the easement, as well as conditions 3-A and 4-A, as those conditions no longer pertain to this application they are not required by ACHD and it sounds like the drive aisle construction in phase one has already been agreed to by the applicants and within the conditions. Thanks. Allen: Mr. Mayor, make one clarify -- Simison: One second. Can I get a second? Cavener: Second. Simison: Motion and second. Sonya. Allen: Staff did not recommend conditions 3-A and 4-A be stricken in their entirety. Only the portions pertaining to additional right of way possibly being needed. Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: Yeah. I amend my motion to reflect that it only pertains to the additional right of way. Cavener: That's what understood. So, second agrees. Simison: Second agrees. Okay. Have a motion and a second. Is there discussion on the motions? Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 18 of 21 Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: On the motion. Cavener: Always thank staff for keeping us right and focused, so I appreciate that. Strader: Uh-huh. Okay. Simison: And with that ask the clerk to call the role. Roll Call: Borton, absent; Cavener, yea; Strader, yea; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea. Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. 6. Public Hearing continued from March 12, 2024 for Avani Neighborhood (H-2023-0049) by Conger Group, located at Southeast of Franklin Rd. and Black Cat, North of 1-84. A. Request: Annexation of 35.086 acres of land from RUT to the R-15 (Medium High Density Residential) zoning district. B. Request: Preliminary Plat consisting of 256 buildable lots and 25 common lots on 33.71 acres of land in the proposed R-15 zoning district Simison: With that we will move on to Item 6, which is a public hearing continued from March 12th, 2024, for Avani Neighborhood, H-2023-0049. We will continue this public hearing with any comments from staff. Hersh: Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council Members. This application was continued and during the March 12th hearing City Council directed staff to prepare the conditions of approval and findings for the scheduled hearing of today April 2nd, 2024, and the applicant has sent a response that they are in agreement with those conditions. Also since the last hearing we did receive written testimony from one letter on 3/15/2024 from Gail Simpson with concerns with Meridian having the infrastructure to deal with more traffic, schools and/or businesses and that concludes staff's presentation for tonight and I stand for any questions. Simison: Thank you. Council, any questions for staff? Would the applicant like to make any comments? The applicant is there. If you would like to make questions, but not asking to make any at this time. Okay. Anybody in the public that would like to provide testimony on the information provided? Seeing none. Does the applicant waive Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 19 of 21 any final comments? Applicant waives any final comments. Council, what's your direction? Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: Move we close the public hearing on Item 6. Little Roberts: Second. Simison: Have a motion and a second to close the public hearing on Item 6. Is there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the public hearing is closed. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: I move we approve Item 6, application H-2023-0049 as presented and include all staff comments. Little Roberts: Second. Simison: Have a motion and a second to approve Item H-2023-0049. Is there discussion? Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: Yeah. Just -- I -- I will be a no vote this evening and it's just my convictions around the project not being within the Ten Mile Specific Area Plan. I normally, actually, when we get to this phase would just vote with the project, considering it's kind of going that direction, but I do feel very strongly about this particular one and I want my vote to be reflected that way. So, that's why I'm voting that way. It's nothing personal and I do hope that you guys are very successful with it. Thanks. Taylor: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Taylor. Taylor: A comment. As I was reviewing the notes from the hearing. I went and watched some of it. I did want to, again, reiterate I really appreciate Bill and Stacy and the staff, Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 20 of 21 the advice that they gave I think they did exactly what we had asked them to do. I also -- I think as we considered this application I think it was one of those situations where it was Council's decision to kind of weigh in with our different perspectives on kind of how we thought this would go. So, again -- and I agree, I hope that applicants are successful. I agree with Councilman Strader and I think it's a good project. I'm encouraged by what we are seeing out there. I know there is a lot of work to be done and I know as we consider what kinds of policies we adopt as a city and how we want to see things grow. I think those are also subject to modifications, updates, changes in a way that we think best reflect the situation on the ground. So, again, I think it was a healthy debate. I think it was a good discussion and I think it was our former good Council Member Borton who said -- I can't remember if he said it right in the hearing or right after, that the process -- or maybe it was you, Mayor. Maybe I will give you the credit. He said the process worked the way it should, even though we found ourselves in the situation where we were voting against the recommendations of the staff, but yet the process worked and I think that was a really good reflection of kind of where we are as a city and staff and everything. So, I wish the applicant well on this and I think it's a good project. I will be supporting it. Simison: Any other comments? All right. Ask the Clerk to call the roll. Roll Call: Borton, absent; Cavener, yea; Strader, nay; Overton, abstain; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea. Simison: Three ayes. One no and abstain. Motion passes and the item is approved. MOTION CARRIED: THREE AYES. ONE NAY. ONE ABSTAIN. ONE ABSENT. 7. Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law for Avani Neighborhood (H- 2023-0049) by Conger Group, located at Southeast of Franklin Rd. and Black Cat, North of 1-84. Simison: With that we will move on to Item 7, which is Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for Avani Neighborhood, H-2023-0049. Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: I move we approve Item No. 7, H-2023-0049. Taylor: Second. Simison: Have a motion and seconded to approve Item 7. Is there any discussion? If not, clerk will call the roll. Meridian City Council April 2,2024 Page 21 of 21 Roll Call: Borton, absent; Cavener, yea; Strader, nay; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea. Simison: Four ayes. One no. And the item is agreed to. Thank you very much. MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. ONE NAY. ONE ABSENT. FUTURE MEETING TOPICS Simison: Counsel, anything under future meeting topics or a motion to adjourn? Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: Unless there is a future meeting topic, I move that we adjourn the meeting. Simison: Motion to adjourn. All in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it. We are adjourned. MOTION CARRIED: FIVE AYES. ONE ABSENT. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:11 P.M. (AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS) MAYOR ROBERT E. SIMISON 4/16/2024 ATTEST: CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK 4/16/2024