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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-16 Work Session Meridian City Council Work Session July 16, 2024. A Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, 2024, by Mayor Robert Simison. Members Present: Robert Simison, Luke Cavener, Liz Strader, John Overton, Anne Little Roberts, Doug Taylor and Brian Whitlock. Other Present: Chris Johnson, Bill Nary, Crystal Campbell, Jamie Leslie, and Dean Willis. ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE X Liz Strader X Brian Whitlock Anne Little Roberts _X_ John Overton _X_ Doug Taylor _X_Luke Cavener X Mayor Robert E. Simison Simison: Council, we will call the meeting to order. For the record it is July 16th, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. We will begin the City Council work session with roll call attendance. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Simison: Next up is adoption of the agenda. Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: We are going to make an amendment to the agenda. We are going to add Item No. 4, which is a fiscal year 2024 budget amendment in the amount of 100,000 dollars for City Hall space study consultant. You know, Mr. Mayor, this is kind of an emergency addition to our agenda. For the few that were here and the millions I'm sure that are watching around the globe our world famous budget workshop, the Council made a decision to conduct a space study for City Hall. I think because of the way our meetings are lining up with end of the year meetings required this action this evening. So, with that, Mr. Mayor, I move that we would approve the agenda as amended, unless our city attorney has any comments or things that I have missed that we need to speak to to keep our record clean. Nary: Mr. Mayor, Members of Council, Council Member Cavener, not that you missed, but just to make clear for the record, what the statute requires is that declaring what -- the necessity of the emergency and I think you started to say it, but to -- for the public's perspective this is the last meeting in which to add an item to the current agenda -- or excuse me -- to the current budget for the current fiscal year because it has to be finalized next week. So, just wanted to make that one little addition to what you said. Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 2 of 10 Cavener: Mr. Nary, much more eloquent than I was. Thank you. Simison: Okay. I have a motion and a second to adopt the amended agenda. Is there discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the agenda is adopted as amended. MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES. CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item] 1. Development Agreement (Cityside Storage MDA H-2023-0058) Between City of Meridian and HV-ER, LLC and HV-55, LLC for Property Located at 2755 N. Eagle Rd. Simison: First up is the Consent Agenda. Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: I move we approve the Consent Agenda. For the Mayor to sign and the Clerk to attest. Strader: Second. Simison: Have a motion and a second to approve the Consent Agenda. Is there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the agenda is agreed to. MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES. ITEMS MOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA [Action Item] Simison: There were no items pulled from the Consent Agenda. DEPARTMENT / COMMISSION REPORTS [Action Item] 2. Public Hearing for Program Year 2024 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan Simison: So, we are going to Department/Commissioner Reports. Item 2 is a continuation of public hearing for program year 2004 Community Development Grant Action Plan. Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 3 of 10 Cavener: Mr. Mayor, I think you were saying you wanted to start Item No. 2, a public hearing for program year 2024, the Community Development Block Grant action plan and turn it over to Crystal for comments. Campbell: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council. I just wanted to give you guys a really quick refresher on what was in the action plan before we get going. So -- yeah. This is for the PY-24 Action Plan, which starts October 2024 and runs through September 2025. These are for HUD funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and it's used solely to provide housing stability for Meridian residents with a low to moderate income. The action plan describes what goals we have, how we are going to meet those goals and what projects we are going to use the funding for and HUD has said that they anticipate us receiving a little over 524,000 dollars. Part of that, the 50,500, will go toward admin and fair housing and the remainder will go towards the projects. So, the projects that we have identified for this year are emergency rental assistance with Jesse Tree to provide temporary assistance with rent so people aren't evicted. Youth scholarships with the Boys and Girls Club to provide access to extended care and after school programs. The homeowner repair program with NeighborWorks Boise for weatherization, accessibility and emergency repairs and, then, better walkways to improve lighting and sidewalks in areas identified by the walkability study. And with that I will stand for questions. Simison: Thank you, Crystal. Council, any questions? Okay. Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone signed up to provide testimony on this item? Johnson: Mr. Mayor, we did not. Simison: Okay. Is there anybody present who would like to provide testimony on this item, either in person or online? If you are online you can use the raise your hand function. There is no one, so, Council, do I have a motion to close the public hearing? Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: Move we close the public hearing on Item No. 2. Little Roberts: Second. Simison: Have a motion and a second to close the public hearing on Item 2. Is there any discussion? If not, all in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed nay? The ayes have it and the public hearing this closed. Thank you, Crystal. MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES. Cavener: Thanks, Crystal. Have a nice evening. Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 4 of 10 3. Dairy Days Board of Directors Update Simison: Next item up is Dairy Days Board of Directors update. Good evening, gentlemen. I don't know who drew the short straw. Bruijn: I will start. So, my name is Hans Bruijn. I'm President of Meridian Dairy board and I appreciate the time for Mr. Mayor, the councilmen to give a little feedback about Meridian Dairy Days. A few thank yous to City of Meridian, but Meridian Parks Department -- the people in Storey Park from the Parks Department are, like always, great to work with and it's good to see a lot of them year after year. That means they enjoy where they are working. Meridian Police Department. You know, I know throwing a parade together is I'm sure first on their enjoyment of the Dairy Days, but we are going to do some tag teaming today. We are going to go through a few items that went really well -- you know, the Dairy Princess -- we had 21 applicants this year, which is a record in a long -- for a long time. That means there is a lot of interest of young women to be part of this. They will be not just doing their work at Dairy Days, but also the different fairs around the -- around the state. With a dairy show we had almost -- that was both dairy cattle and dairy goat show, we had over 80 kids showing dairy cattle and dairy goats and to me as a former dairy farmer that is the -- the whole foundation of Dairy Days and it's great to see these -- these kids coming back. As everybody knows there is not a lot of farmland around Ada county and they are still -- they are still raising their animals and showing them at fairs and, then, selling them in the end at Western Idaho Fair and part of our agriculture education -- I know a lot of people -- especially new people go, well, Dairy Days in Meridian? I can't find a dairy anywhere. So, it's changed a little bit of, you know, celebrating dairymen coming and bringing their animals and see who has got the best one to education, but a big part of that education is our Old McDonald's Farm, which is a local 4-H club. Crafty Critters that bring in different kinds of animal species and, then, they talk to the -- they love talking to anybody that come and talk about what they raise and they go on to -- to fairs and everything. So, the carnival this year -- they had a few more rides and that had to do with the fact that they actually have -- we are fully staffed. Half of this carnival comes to Meridian Dairy Days, the other half is the Boise Music Fest when they come from the Cherry Festival and the first time in years they were actually fully staffed, so they can do a few more rides. They weren't quite as successful as last year, but all of that I think had to do with the heat. When it's a hundred degrees and you are on a gravel parking lot -- you know, I -- I don't do rides to begin with, but I wouldn't want to do it in a hundred degrees, so -- so, with that I'm going to kind of give it over to Ray Plum and he is going to tell you a little bit about an event that's very close to our heart, the golf tournament in memory of Keith Bird. Plum: Hi. I'm Ray Plum and, yeah, I got -- I got kind of new events with -- with the Dairy -- with the Dairy Board. Keith Bird Memorial Tournament is four years old now. We had 26 teams this year. So, we are growing every year, which is good. I mean we shoot for 32. So, we are getting closer every year. I would like to thank some of you -- Mr. Mayor, for coming out and playing. It was great and I hope everybody had fun. It was a great event. Keith Bird family loved it. They had three teams in it themselves Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 5 of 10 and it was really cool, because as I sat there at the golf tournament and -- and looked around, there was probably maybe three quarters of the people there were all alumni from West Ada. Mostly from Meridian High School. All guys that we grew up with, went to school and -- and -- and -- and stuff. So, knowing that those kids have stuck around. Kids -- they are all 55, 60 years old now, but, you know, everybody stuck around and -- and they are -- they are paying back. So, it's -- it's been a good event. It's been -- it's pretty fun. I would like to thank Lakeview Golf Course. What you guys have done out there in the last couple years with that course and the clubhouse is amazing. It's -- it's a fun place. My family likes to go there and just eat and hit balls. So, that's been pretty nice. The other event we did is brand new this year -- was a car show. We are trying to come up with reasons for more than just a carnival and -- and what we have to offer with the -- with the vendors in the park. We put together a car show. We had 110 classic cars, hot rods, show up. Parked them in the speedway. Had people in and out of there all night. The gentleman who put it together for us he is shooting for 150 next year. He thinks he can -- there are some really cool cars, so if you didn't make it out there you need to come check some of the -- it's a free car show. It was pretty cool. So, that's what I had. So, I think Mike's up. Murgoitio: Thank you. Mike Murgoitio. Dairy Days. Yeah. We put a lot of new events together last couple of years and sort of been a success, you know, bring in more different areas for the community and people involved, like the car show, be involved in our event. The parade was a big success again this year. We had a little gap before -- or after Keith Bird passed in connection with Meridian PD and -- and Luke jumped in and helped with Meridian PD and us and put some meetings together and got us back connected to where we were aligned in a lot of our safety stuff. So, I got to thank you guys for that and the City of Meridian Police Department did a really good job. They did a really good job. We did a safety meeting prior to the event and kind of got collectively kind of a plan of action for both of us to work together. So, I thought that was really good. Also we have got a lot of future things that we are going to do for improving safety for next year. So, we are really excited to see that progressing forward in -- in a really good way. Civil Air Patrol volunteered this year, which was fantastic. They did a really good job. So, we are trying to find creative ways to save you and us some money for trying to make the safety better each year. Currently Specialty puts together some traffic control people, but, then, we also have some other volunteers that we have. Through the course of the event we had about a hundred volunteers through the whole event, organized from trash, to safety, to, you know, putting different things together, which is -- which is really cool. The food vendors and the vendors -- we were up this year in food vendors. Want more varieties and different foods, try and give the people something new every year. The vendors were up again this year from previous years. So, there seems to be a lot more energy around this event every year and it's been growing in every way possible. Attendance was down a little bit this year, but that was due to the heat when we look at previous years. The parade route on the backside is still growing, so when we look at heat year to heat year, it looks like the activity is still growing from those -- those -- those heat years, so that's really good. We raised -- last year we spent 40 -- over 40,000 dollars on youth 4-H and FFA students, high school athletics, so we raised quite a bit of money that we spent in different ways from Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 6 of 10 scholarships to when kids are -- you know, financially don't have support to go back to the different events they want to pursue for agricultural needs, they can give a presentation to us and we, then, donate. So, all this event is going to great causes and it's been a great event. Yeah. Different sponsors came in this year. So, the people that are supporting this event in a big way have been Peterson Chevrolet, CBH Homes, Dairy Gold, Farmdale and D&B. So, those are some of the private -- or the private sector people that are really supporting us. So, it's kind of important now who is in helping our community out in a big way and it's really great. There has been some talk about different times for the parade. I know I have heard some concerns about the time of the parade and we are open to different thoughts on that or what we can do with that. So, with that I would stand for any questions you have about our event. Simison: Thank you, Mike. Council, any questions or comments? Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: Just to start -- and a good reminder, Hans, I like how you started your presentation, because I was one -- for many years I thought Dairy Days was about a parade and certainly the parade is the biggest part in terms of attendance, but it's about bringing awareness and opportunities for youth and scholarships and I love that you started that record year for -- for Dairy princesses and Council I will share -- I sit on a -- on a local school board and every year -- every month a student comes in -- like we have youth council come in to present and we had a young lady who came in in May and presented about everything that's going on in the school and she was so poised and confident and articulate, way better than I ever would be, and I asked -- like what do you attribute that to and she said, oh, you know, I do this, I do that, but, really, it's my involvement as a dairy show princess that has given me this confidence and so to me that was just a cool moment. That's not something we think about and so I appreciate you sharing that and I love that numbers are up. I guess my question would be as you guys kind of constantly find ways to innovate, you talked about the car show this year. Are their things that you guys have on the horizon for next year that you are thinking about that you want to give us a sneak preview on or anything that you are excited about? Bruijn: Next year is going to be a challenging year, because as you probably know the Stampede is moving their date right smack on top of Dairy Days. Now, this is -- you know, this valley has grown so much. You know, my regular job is, you know, as one of the managers of the Western Idaho Fair. We deal with the Caldwell Night Rodeo. We got the -- the Albertson's -- The Open. But there is so many people that -- you know. And it's a different crowd that goes to a rodeo that comes -- comes to Dairy Days, but, yeah, we will definitely look at that and see, maybe we can work together. You know, make say -- say, hey, if you go Wednesday to the rodeo you can get a -- I don't know -- something off on a wristband at the parade -- or -- or the carnival. But we are always looking at -- to get new groups in the community and see what we can do to attract, you Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 7 of 10 know, more people. So, yes, we are open to -- to -- to suggestions, but I think we never need to -- we never should forget what is the center of Dairy Days. Murgoitio: I will give you a little teaser, too. We got some bands that we are entertaining, too, that are better than last year. So, that will be a little sneak peek. Strader: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Strader. Strader: Thank you for the update. I think it's great that you are looking at the dates that you hold it and your start times and just trying to optimize it with other events taking place and certainly in light of the weather; right? If it is hot. And so to the extent that you can make little tweaks here or there that -- that might have a better outcome I think that's great that you are looking at that. Thank you. Little Roberts: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Woman Little Roberts. Little Roberts: Mr. Mayor, I just want to say thank you. I mean I have been out there and I know the amount of work behind the scenes to make all of that happen without all the new stuff, so -- you know. And it's so important that Meridian retains an anchor to our roots and I think that Dairy Days celebration is a huge anchor, because we are raising all these kids that aren't -- there isn't a dairy next door or down the street and things and so I think what you do is so important. So, thank you so much. Murgoitio: You're welcome. Overton: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Overton. Overton: It's -- it reminds me having grown up here and watching Dairy Days for, what, 47 48 years, that I went to school with all of those kids that were getting up from the dairies and they had been up three hours before I got to school that morning. I mean they knew work and now I find myself having to tell new people that move into our subdivision -- Dairy Days? And explain to them the history of this area and everything that we came from and what we used to be and it makes me proud to see that it's not only still here, but the successes you are having as we go forward. I think that's awesome. I appreciate all you do. Murgoitio: Thank you. Whitlock: Mr. Mayor? Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 8 of 10 Simison: Councilman Whitlock. Whitlock: Hans and Mike, I'm encouraged that you are looking at different ways to do things. I think -- I think it does lend well with the Snake River Stampede. It might include changing the start time of the parade, so that people can do the parade in the morning and Stampede at night and as you think about that I think there is some good synergies there. Mike, I guess my question for you with regard to the parade is can you get the Mayor a faster golf cart? Murgoitio: We can look at putting a minimum speed on the parade route. Simison: I was running. Whitlock: It was very well done. I thought the turnout was -- was terrific and particularly the young kids, they just -- they love it. I had one young mom tell me that her -- her daughter was set until October -- until Halloween with candy and she was thrilled, so -- Bruijn: That -- you know, that's always the big thing, the throwing out candy and trying to keep the kids from running in front of the next float, but, you know, we are really going to do whatever it takes not to ever have to say, sorry, no candy at this parade, but -- but I remember when I -- I got on the board in 1987 and people would call me and say, hey, is it too late to enter the parade and I go, no, we haven't left yet, so you can come out. That has changed a bit since then. Taylor: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Taylor. Taylor: Yeah. Thanks for the presentation. Unfortunately, I had a family wedding to attend on parade night, so I missed it, which it's usually one of our family's favorite events. We have done a lot of things. One thing that's really unique about what you do that's a great benefit to the city is -- it's kind of a celebration of the city, not just its roots, but it's a city -- it feels like a city celebration and I'm not sure I really know another city that quite had something as unique as that. So, I really like that you are -- I think there is an opportunity to continue to grow and look for new ways to bring in new groups, old, young, everything in between. So, very supportive of what you are doing. I would be much more in favor of a 10:00 a.m. parade than 6:00 p.m., especially if it's a hundred degrees, but I won't complain too much. Murgoitio: Yeah. We are definitely open for -- if you guys ever want to join us for coffee and have an open discussion, the pros and cons and any ideas you might throw at us, we are definitely open for that conversation. Simison: Well, extend my appreciation for all you do as well. I was told by my family that if -- in the last few years it's been over a hundred degrees for both parades and so pretty much that we will never come back and participate in this parade if it's that hot. Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 9 of 10 So, either adjust the weather or consider the time to try to get it down to the point where people forget, yeah, it's -- you are out there, you are baking, you are dying out there, and if we knew what the weather would be each year that would be great, but I think it's a great conversation to have. Murgoitio: Sounds great. Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Cavener: I think it's important for, you know, the Dairy Show Board, appreciate you waiting a little bit. We had a meeting that wrapped up and I think it's important for both Council and the Dairy Show Board to acknowledge this, usually the Dairy Show Board would come before Dairy Days and can ask for some financial support, which the city was happy to do. Many years ago we passed an ordinance that recognized historical events like Dairy Days, so they got confidence when they are building their plan the city is here to support you. We have gone through our budget today. Council is looking for every nickel and dollar that we can save. At no point in our conversation we talked about reducing any of our financial contributions to Dairy Days, so you can feel good about kind of where the budget will be, what it is and you guys will be good to go for next year and, you know, Council, it's important to note our police, our fire support that event and, then, we also provide financial compensation to the dairy show to offset the cost of traffic control to keep this a safe parade and a safe event for everybody. So, it's a great partnership and we appreciate you guys coming and celebrating the successes of this year. Murgoitio: Yeah. We appreciate your ongoing support to our -- our combined partnership event. Simison: All right. Thank you, gentlemen. 4. [Amended Addition] Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Amendment in the Amount of $100,000 for City Hall Space Study Consultant Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Councilman Cavener. Next item up is Item 4, which is the fiscal year 2025 budget amendment in the amount of 100,000 for City Hall space consultant. Cavener: Mr. Mayor, it's like you read my mind. Thank you. Mr. Mayor -- this does have a public hearing? No public hearing. Okay. Mr. Mayor, I move, then, that we approve the budget amendment, Item No. 4, for the fiscal year 2024 budget amendment in the amount of 100,000 dollars for a City Hall space study consultant. Strader: Second. Meridian City Council Work Session July 16,2024 Page 10 of 10 Simison: Have a motion and a second to approve Item 4. Is there any discussion? If not, Clerk will call the roll. Roll Call: Cavener, yea; Strader, yea; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea; Whitlock, yea. Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and the item is agreed to. MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES. EXECUTIVE SESSION per Idaho Code 74-206(1)(c): To acquire an interest in real property not owned by a public agency. [Action Item] Simison: Next item up -- Cavener: Mr. Mayor? Simison: Council Cavener. Cavener: Move we go into Executive Session pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(c). Strader: Second. Simison: Have a motion and a second to go into Executive Session. Is there any discussion? If not, Clerk will call the roll. Roll Call: Cavener, yea; Strader, yea; Overton, yea; Little Roberts, yea; Taylor, yea; Whitlock, yea. Simison: All ayes. Motion carries and we will move into Executive Session. MOTION CARRIED: ALLAYES. EXECUTIVE SESSION: (5:55 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.) (Out of Executive Session and adjourn.) MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6.45 P.M. (AUDIO RECORDING ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS) MAYOR ROBERT SIMISON DATE APPROVED ATTEST: CHRIS JOHNSON - CITY CLERK