HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 02-11 Pre
Meridian City Pre-Council Meetina
Februarv 11. 2003
The Pre-Council Meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 5:30
P.M. on Tuesday, February 11,2003, by Mayor Robert Corrie.
Members Present: Robert Corrie, Bill Nary, Cherie McCandless and Tammy de
Weerd
Members Absent: Keith Bird
Others Present: Brad Hawkins-Clark, Brad Watson, Kenny Bowers, Janice
Smith, Stacy Kilchenmann, Bill Nichols, Gary Smith, Pauline Skeggs, Will Berg
and Tara Green
Item 1.
Roll-call Attendance:
x
X
Tammy de Weerd X
Cherie McCandless 0
X Mayor Robert Corrie
Bill Nary
Keith Bird
Corrie: 2003 at 5:30. Please haye roll call attendance please.
Item 2.
Adoption of the Agenda:
Corrie: You have the agenda in front of you. Are there any other corrections or
changes? If not I will entertain a motion for the adoption of the agenda.
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
De Weerd: I moye that we adopt the agenda as presented.
Nary: Second.
Corrie: Motion has been made and second to adopt the agenda as presented.
Any further discussion. All those in favor say aye. All ayes motion carried.
Item 3.
Discussion with Helen Sharp regarding Wingate Lane:
Corrie: Next item is discussion with Mr. and Mrs. Sharp regarding Wingate Lane.
Mrs. Sharp.
Mrs. Sharp: Mayor Corrie, Council members I appreciate your time. We have
discussed this many, many times that we'd all like to leave this situation laid to
rest. The reason I am here tonight for those of you who have been inyolyed with
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February 11, 2003
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this since we started in1995. At one of the meetings we discussed the this and
the that's that the deyelopers haye to abide by in order to get their subdivision.
My question was who enforces the this and the that's? and raise some eyebrows.
I'm referring to Mayor and Council September 28, 2000 some of the guidelines
that were discussed. Those of us that live on Wingate Lane were under the
impression and have been lead to belieye that the perimeter on the west side of
the Subdiyision or on the west side of Wingate Lane that is part of Packard Acres
Estates was to be fenced around the perimeter before building permits could be
granted. I was given and highlighted the area that says and I quote item number
six. Applicant shall be responsible to construct a six-foot high perimeter fence
along property boundary parentheses and westerly easement lane and Wingate
Lane except where the city has expressed agreed in writing that such fencing is
not necessary. Fencing is to be in place prior to applying for building permits.
This gives them the avenue to say we don't have to have it fenced. I'm sure that
the staff would be more then happy to show me in writing the areas that did not
have to be fenced. We do know that there is a boundary dispute on the north
side of this property and a couple of weeks ago we were told it was going to be
fenced as staff had said they had overlooked that north boundary on the
property. To date that boundary settlement has not been settled and the other
person involyed in that, Ms. Dixie Roberts, is in the hospital recovering form
surgery so I doubt if that's going to be granted soon. Going along to item number
fifteen on the same memorandum it says and I quote provided detailed fencing
and gate plans that also show the proposed location of irrigation clean out
structure for approved prior to signature on the final plat. Irrigation plans must be
approyed by downstream water uses, which isn't - perimeter fencing shall be
installed prior to applying for building permits. It does not say anything about
necessity or who ever thinks its necessary. Going on to item number 22 on that.
All damages to Wingate Lane caused by the developer or contractors are to be
repaired immediately. Homeowners along Wingate Lane have reported that
damage to the lane presently exists from construction equipment and work on
the irrigation system. No building permits will be excepted until the repair work is
completed. The developers haye agreed that no construction traffic will be
allowed to access Wingate Lane. Unfortunately I don't know if some people can't
read or they choose not to. That Wingate Lane has not been brought up to what
it was prior to the development being started. Here again is a requirement for
granted building permits, we haye at least fiye or six houses that are currently
being built. There is another on the same memorandum that we received and it
is a question of who supercedes here. The city requires that there be and I'm
quoting item number 20. The city requires that there be a gate across east
Challis Street on east boundary of Wingate Lane and on the west boundary of
Wingate Lane this shall allow pedestrian traffic as well as bicycles. For those of
you that are not aware of it, we haye a public street that is across Wingate Lane
and that is east Challis. Does that mean you are going to gate it now? Of course
not. So the question is why. If these are stipulations for granting a subdivision, if
they are not enforced why bother, why haye the agencies that are going to draw
up these guidelines if nobody is going to enforce them. You might say with a
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February 11. 2003
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priyate lane eyerybody is aware or most of you should be aware of the private
road agreement of 1913 and the big question, what's the bid deal? To us, it's our
priyate lane. It is our driveway. We are the dominant. It so happens the
developer is s urbient to usa s t hey a re north 0 f u s. Some people don't even
know what that means. But we are dominant because the lane was established
for our property we are at the end of that Wingate Lane so to us it is our driyeway
and we are trying to protect it. But our question is to what help do we get if these
are the guidelines and who is going to enforce them? We have talked to the Ada
County Highway District and they say it is Meridian. We talk to the people in
Meridian and they say its Ada County Highway District. So we are getting the
runaround. My question to you members is who is going to enforce this and if
you are not going to enforce it why bother?
Corrie: Brad lets hear from you and the comments, then we will ask some
questions here in reference to - I think you sent a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Sharp in
reference to number six, is that correct?
Mrs. Sharp: Yes and it was also in reference to also the very hazardous
condition that we have out there now that they haye crossed that private lane and
that was confirmed by the police department here too.
Corrie: You understand that private lanes and street crossing. You have to stop
for the street.
Mrs. Sharp: But we didn't cross the public road. They crossed our private lane.
The question was whether 0 r not they were going to acknowledge the private
road agreement. I'm sorry.
Corrie: Did they not own the land that they put the street across?
Mrs. Sharp: The developer does. He owns it. He's responsible. He's giyen the
easement right to the Ada County Highway which also means according to our to
agreement he's supposed to help maintain it. That's another complaint we have
tonight as I mentioned. That lane has not been brought up to what it was prior to
him starting the development. If any of you that would be brave enough to drive
down that lane you would know what I was talking about. Not only that but we
also haye where the city is putting in the sewer that was supposed to be a three
week project that started in Noyember and they are still working on it. So that
has added to the real problems we have on Wingate Lane.
Corrie: Brad.
Hawkins-Clark: I guess I would agree with Helen in terms of the conflict between
the fencing conditions. One section does say that perimeter fencing shall be
installed prior to applying for building permits. Item number six does say that the
city if approved in writing it would be approyed otherwise. So I think basically
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what we have here - there is two conditions that kind of differ from each other
and I would say that that's probably a problem when we are drafting our staff
report. We should've caught that but our feeling was that the perimeter condition
had been fulfilled in that the perimeter that Mrs. Sharp's talking about is abutting
the south side of Challis Lane, which is owned by the deyeloper. So should we
put a fence up at that location eyen though it's the perimeter of this phase it will
serve no purpose upon future development of that piece south of Challis.
Mrs. Sharp: But we are not talking about future we are talking about the present.
Hawkins-Clark: Right but we do have a condition that says we will fence. I mean
the developer did not have to fence in areas where the city agreed in writing that
they didn't have to.
Mrs. Sharp: May I see the part that you haye in writing that they don't haye to
fence.
Hawkins-Clark: We haye an approyed fencing plan that was submitted to our
department.
Mrs. Sharp: Here it says in writing.
Hawkins-Clark: We haye an approyed fencing plan that's stamped approved in
writing by our staff that says that they can construct it that way.
Mrs. Sharp: And then in talking with a staff member who admitted to me that the
north perimeter wasn't fenced but he had contacted the developer and it was
going to be the next week that was like I say two or three weeks ago. It hasn't
been fenced because there still is a boundary dispute and that again brings up
another problem. If the developer doesn't get that six feet, those lots which
would be lots 22, 23 and 24 would not be correct. They can't be if he is including
that six feet that he has now that he doesn't haye. The woman that owns that
says no - not to mention lot 23 that starts down Wingate Lane. The
measurements on that cannot be correct either. Because I'm sure that when the
developer felt that that six feet was his and they included that in the
measurement of those lots and to date they don't have it and in going back with
the fence on the south side of the deyelopment, which would be south of Challis.
The developer yes does own the fiye acres, which is the five acres north of us. It
hasn't been annexed and he told us that he doesn't know when or what he is
going to do with it. So the necessity of fencing that is another matter of opinion I
would say. But I was told by staff that the north side should have been fenced
and its not. But here again we are disputing boundary.
Hawkins-Clark: If I could Mayor just ask for clarification from Mrs. Sharp to point
out on the screen which north boundary you are referring to. Here is Dixie
Roberts property right here. Here is Wingate Lane that comes up to here is
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February 11, 2003
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Ustick, Wingate Lane and the Roberts property and Packard. Here is lot 22 right
here.
Mrs. Sharp: The lots 22 and 23 are against her area.
Hawkins-Clark: 22,23,24 and 25.
Mrs. Sharp: That are against her property.
Hawkins-Clark: That's correct, there are four lots that abut that property.
Mrs. Sharp: And lot 23 is the one that is on the corner there that would be
partially going down Wingate Lane.
Hawkins-Clark: That would be 22.
Mrs. Sharp: I stopped by there tonight and it was 23 but one of the lots we know
is partly there on Wingate Lane but the property dispute has not been settled. In
fact she had called my husband from the hospital today about that.
Nary: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Mrs. Sharp, are you here because you tried to work with our code
enforcement people and the planning department to address these concerns and
the conditional use permit and you are unsatisfied with their response to you?
Because all I have is a letter from you and I don't have a written report from the
planning department and I'm not sure exactly what you think we are going to do
other then give it back to them to tell us in writing what they have done to
address your concerns.
Mrs. Sharp: I'm here to enforce having the line brought back up to standards by
the developer. He said he would. For those of us of course not everybody was
involved in this originally. That he would agree to whatever the bodies agreed to
do and were saying he said he would bring that lane back up to and its not. And
of course when it gets to bad the mail -- the postal won't driye down it because
(inaudible) I'm here to ask you to enforce the department to do what they said
they had to - the developer had to do.
Nary: We always do that. That's always our direction. Is that we enforce these
conditions. But what I'm hearing Mr. Hawkins-Clark saying is that they are in
compliance with the conditions, you may disagree with the planning department
as to whether its in compliance but that's partially what I'm hearing Mr. Hawkins-
Clark say. So I'm not sure that we are ever going to reach an agreement. But I
don't haye any information in which to make a decision on. What I haye is a
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February 11. 2003
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letter from you that doesn't have a lot of information and I assume that is why you
are here to tell us m ore information. I don't haye anything from the planning
department for us to decide whether or not they haye taken all the adequate
steps. My assumption is they haye but I don't haye anything to base that on that
they have taken all the steps and tried to address your concerns and there is just
a point where there is a disagreement. I don't know if that is where we are at.
Mrs. Sharp: Well of course - you are saying you haye a copy of our letter. If you
went back to the files.
Nary: I don't have the files. All I haye is your letter. I don't have anything else
that says what did we do to address your concerns. So maybe that's what we
need is something else but if what your saying is that you worked with Mr.
Hawkins-Clark and his department and that you belieye these conditions hayen't
been complied with and there are particular examples you can show and they
have a person whose job it is, our code enforcement person, Mr. Venneman that
can go out there and make a decision on whether a compliance has been done
and if it hasn't what do we do about it. Whether we go back to the Planning and
Zoning Commission look at revoking this conditional use permit or whether or not
it is in compliance or is a substantial compliance and therefore it is just a
disagreement and maybe your address is with the developer a nd not t he city.
But I don't know any of that alii know is what your letter is but I'm just afraid that
your thinking we are going to do something more then give it back to the
department whose responsibility it is to enforce these and then have them tell us
what they'ye done about it.
Mrs. S harp: I 'm here tom ake you a ware that things aren't being d one. And
getting back to Mr. Joe Venneman, I have talked to him. His phone call to me
and I repeat, I'm sorry but I hayen't got the authority that's not in my job
description. In essence is what he told me. Cause I called and said who is
responsible for enforcing these (inaudible) and I was told that he did. So I called
him. And I'm here to say that the Planning and Zoning or whoever the agency
that makes these guidelines. Who are they responsible to make sure that these
things are done? For example that the road has been brought up to standard
that they did get the fencing and if they didn't. I want to see a letter in black and
white as it states here that they don't have to.
Nary: It doesn't haye to be a letter. It says it has to be in writing. And as Mr.
Hawkins-Clark stated if they submit a fencing plan and that is approved by the
city that's a writing approving whateyer it is they are required to do. They don't
need to type up a letter and send it to the deyeloper detailing out a change. They
can approye his plans and that's satisfactory. So that's not an issue if they have
done that that's fine they can do that. That's not an issue for us. The issue is
whether or not it is in substantial compliance with the requirements and as far as
I think it is it is Mr. Venneman's job or the Planning and Zoning Department to
verify these complaints you haye that is out of compliance. They make a
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February 11, 2003
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decision and if they believe it is in compliance then you can have a conversation
with them at some point it could go to the Planning and Zoning Commission for
them to reyiew it and eventually come to us. But we are a little early in the
process for it to be here.
Mrs. Sharp: Brad just loyes - I'd hate to see how many times I walked in on him
and had a meeting with him and discussed these things and we see that nothing
has been done. As far as we are concerned these issues have not been
addressed. We did get the letter or I did get the letter stating that they don't have
the perimeter under the - and we didn't feel it was necessary we are going to
give the developer the benefit he doesn't have to fence it, he owns that piece of
property south of the deyelopment howeyer we haye been told by the developer
that he doesn't know when just because he owns it and it has not been annexed
its not included its not part of the present subdiyision and like I say its not part of
it. So where we do we draw these fine lines and I'd still like to - okay if that's
your argument, not surprisingly, when do we get the road put back. Who is going
to see to it that the road is put back where it's supposed to be before the
development started.
Corrie: You mean the lane?
Mrs. Sharp: Excuse me the lane. It's also under private road agreements, which
is the one that was established in 1913. That comes under private road
agreement as -
Nary: Eyery condition in the Conditional Use Permit has to be adhered to by the
developer in substantial compliance and it is the Planning and Zoning staff's
responsibility to verify that. If you haye a complaint which I don't see a written
complaint I see what you are saying and I understand what you are saying but I
don't have anything to compare it to. What you are asking us is to revoke this
conditional use permit and we don't have enough information to do that now.
That is a process that has to be gone through, through the Planning and Zoning
Department as well as the Planning and Zoning Commission before it comes
here for us to do that. And there is always time for the developer to cure it. If it
hasn't been done that's what you need to do.
Mrs. Sharp: We've been trying that like I say - talk to our neighbors too. If we
could tell you how many letters that have been written and we don't even get
answers to the letters much less action.
Nary: Again I don't have any of your letters.
Mrs. Sharp: Of course not if you don't check the files. I mean if you are coming
to a meeting it seems to me there would've been a little research a little bit of
work done.
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February 11 , 2003
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Nary: That's not how it works ma'am.
Mrs. Sharp: ObYiously it isn't, that's why nothing is getting done either.
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
De Weerd: I see a letter in your hand from the Planning and Zoning Department,
so there has been a response. It appears if we give it back to the department --
Does the city have the authority to make those to enforce the repairs on a road
and maybe Brad can a nswer that. Can we do it or is that a responsibility of
ACHD? Second, and it looks like our staff has made a decision on the fencing
and the Sharps don't agree with what that approved plan was that wasn't
available during the 0 pen public hearing then they h aye a n appeal process to
that. But I don't know how much of this is really known and the buck as to stop
somewhere. They just need an action plan. And this as been going on for those
neighbors for oyer two years and probably longer if its been since 95 --
Mrs. Sharp: This subdivision was started in 1995 and at that time of course Ada
County Highway - it was agreed by the developer Ada County Highway District
and the City of Meridian that there would be no change to Wingate Lane. It
would be fenced from the north boundary of the subdivision down to the south
end of the boundary. All of a sudden we haye a road that they have crossed
Wingate Lane there at Challis they were not going to do that until the properties
north of us and ours was developed. That went out the window too they decided
we are going to cross and we are going to no matter what and that's exactly
what's happened.
De Weerd: Now Brad can you tell us is Joe able to enforce the condition to bring
Wingate Lane back to the condition it was in prior to construction? Or is this an
ACHD thing? You know I guess that that's the basic question on that specific
condition.
Hawkins-Clark: Well if I could just clarify the record on one point that, Mr. Nary it
is the plat conditions not conditional use permit conditions just to clarify that. I
believe that 0 ur department is a ble to enforce conditions that t he City Council
approves. My problem in this case is that the condition where is worded in such
a way that if damage is caused to Wingate Lane by the contractors or developers
it must be repaired immediately. We do not have the evidence. Is it our fault that
we didn't take a picture of Wingate Lane before the plat was approved and then
take one after work began? Maybe that is something that we can take
responsibility for but how do we prove that the contractors - maybe it's a
question for Mrs. Sharp if they evidence of the contractors causing the damage.
That is the way the condition is worded and I think if we haye that evidence then
the condition in my opinion gives us the authority to go to the developer and say
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February 11, 2003
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here is the eyidence your contractor has caused damage to this lane we have a
condition on this plat that says your building permits must stop until its brought
back up to pre deyelopment condition.
Mrs. Sharp: I had also contacted Mr. Fred Burns ordinance officer and he had
come out and he too had contacted the deyeloper stating certain things had to be
done and that was on another area of the lane. So and I had brought in pictures
earlier of the lane and of course you can go out there now and see the condition
of the lane now from and another thing we are right where Ada County Highway
District has there flood pond and their little driye in for maintenance. Of course
they don't use it because they couldn't get the vehicles in there for maintenance
because of the sharp turn that is required there so they park (inaudible) on
Challis or they park right on Wingate Lane or until they have been told they haye
to move their equipment. Ada County Highway District says they don't want to
help maintain our agreement and 1913 says that is to be opened and to be
maintained. We were also told that the deyeloper owns it he is given the
easement rights to Ada County Highway District they haye it the easements. In
talking with Ada County Engineers they say it's the owner that is responsible so
here again it wouldn't be Ada County Highway District it would be the owner of
the property.
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Let me ask you a question Helen. Do you haye pictures of that lane
condition before the developer came in?
Mrs. Sharp: Oh I'm sure I do in fact there are probably some in the file.
Corrie: Okay and then the pictures that we haye today. How does it compare
with what you had before and afterwards they put the subdivision in. What kind
of damage was done? To me, that is the easiest way to look at it. If it has been
damaged by the contractor. Then they should put it back the way it was.
Mrs. Sharp: Well like I say - another thing.
Corrie: Was it black topped or?
Sharp: No it's always been gravel. It's always been grayel.
Corrie: Come on up.
Mr. Sharp: We've added oil too and when Qwest put some utility line down there
and they said they would do this. They would bring it back up and they did. It
was absolutely like it should be. They came back and oiled it and they went by
Ustick there where they have the payement there. They came back and did that
again and it was absolutely like it should be. But you go out there now and it is
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February 11, 2003
Page 100125
not. And when they put the fence up on the west side of Wingate Lane they
threw their metal posts right out on the easement there so people could run over
there and I picked them up and put them up by the telephone pole and they have
big rocks. There is a big rock out there still out there that I rolled back off the
easement up against the fence there and there is other rocks there and they
haye dips - there is dips where the pond is located and this way towards Challis
there is dips in there where it sunk down I think where they put lines in there or
something. It's hard to see Mayor Corrie from the pictures in the past you know
unless you are a good photographer and everything to see what has actually
happened. Some of that ruts is caused by just ordinary travel. We agree to that
but we did go in there and have eight loads of road mix in there and Gary
Rushman come in with a grater to bring that back up and it has been torn up so
many times its hard to keep up with them.
Corrie: I believe Mrs. de Weerd had a question.
De Weerd: Go ahead.
Nary: Who is the responsible party here for Packard Estates. This preliminary
plat conditions were to be not adhered to who's responsible to go and fix it?
Hawkins-Clark: Packard Estates LLC. Who are represented by Mr. Wurt
Edmonds and Craig Groves.
Corrie: Have they been approached to take care of this problem?
Hawkins-Clark: I do not believe.
Mr. Sharp: Excuse me, Fred Burns has been out there and he said yeah you do
haye a problem. That's as far as we can get.
Nary: Haye you folks talked with them.
Mr. Sharp: Yeah and they say its your responsibility. Because we do have a
Wingate Lane Association that we contribute road funds for to keep that up. But
when that's out of the ordinary for the contractor, just like it states here, they
should be out there repairing it and put it back to shape, In fact one of the
questions out there -- they took the top of the irrigation box, not Qwest but one of
the contactors somebody and rolled it up against the fence there and it stuck out
into the easement and then they had one of the big equipment drag line or
whateyer it is that they swiyeled the engine around so it stuck out in the
easement and I think it was Mike from Qwest, he said I will move that they should
not leave that like that. So he moved it.
Corrie: How do you get into your property from Ustick, how are you getting in?
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February 11 , 2003
Page 110125
Mrs. Sharp: We go down -
Mr. Sharp: That's our easement.
Corrie: South, right.
Mrs. Sharp: I was going to ask for another picture here. You can see right here
is where the lane they have crossed here. That is Challis. The developer also
said t hat he would gradually, because it was higher 0 n t he lane, gradually go
down to Challis and then up. With one of the pictures you had there I wouldn't
call it a gradual here. At least two feet that is hardly a gradual decline down into
Challis a nd you can see it better 0 n this lower picture. 0 f course we h aye a
tremendous hazard because with the traffic going across there you can't see until
you are right there at Challis Road driving down Wingate going down heading
north or south. No they just go down - you haye a slant here - right down in the
sidewalk but in the street and its just scary it is so scary I tremble just thinking
about it. But it was not a gradual as you c an see it's not a gradual d own to
Challis Road. It was a two foot drop and about - but anyway we are not getting it
done so.
De Weerd: Do you want to grab that mike.
Corrie: Take the mike with you.
Nary: You can take it out of the stand.
Corrie: That's good. thank you.
Mr. Sharp: On the left hand side there, there was a ditch. That went down there
and it was supposed to be coyered over because that was part of the easement
and when they put that fence up there that was kind of a big dip in there and Mr.
Peterson Iiyes in the house back oyer here. He put a lot of dirt in there to fill it up
but it didn't really help all it really did was make a big mess there. What we are
saying is just come in there with some grayel and a grater and bring that up
along there. And right in here and a little further along where the turn into the
pond there is another big dip where it sunk down in there and if you could just
please go out and take a look at it.
Mrs. Sharp: I mean it's kind of hard even if we took pictures we wouldn't know
the depth of the rest.
Mr. Sharp: You don't see it by pictures.
Corrie: I was out there yesterday but I didn't go on the lane because it said
private stay out of it.
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February 11, 2003
Page 12 0125
Mrs. Sharp: You are the only one that can see.
Corrie: But if I had your permission to take a look at it.
Mrs. Sharp: You will be authorized to do so (inaudible).
Corrie: It says priyate driye and there are signs up there a nd consequently I
wasn't going to go back there. Until we had permission -
Mrs. Sharp: Excuse me also trying to find out and I'Ye asked the Ada County
Highway District and there has some been dispute about crossing a private
easement is there a precedent however you want to pronounce it to say that
they'ye gone across our priyate lane with their public road, which they weren't
going to do either. Oh back to the gates, you said they are supposed to have
gates across Challis are we going to get gates for pedestrian? And when they do
have gates there is was kind of interesting there it was kind of interesting there
was supposed to be pedestrian gates we had to step into the street to use the
gate they weren't at the end of the sidewalk. But I am hoping we enforce that
and get the gates across Challis.
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
De Weerd: I guess at this point to try and get some direction to this is if you can
get a picture of Wingate Lane in the condition that you haye that you said you
haye pictures of.
Mrs. Sharp: Can you get an aerial photo? I can't.
Corrie: Get what?
Mrs. Sharp: An aerial photo. How else are you going to see it?
De Weerd: Do you need pictures Brad or can you take the residents word that
the condition that they need to bring it up to. What's written in our findings is very
vague and it did give a sense of security that there road at least more then just
the wear and tear will be put back into the condition that it should be and I think
that's a reasonable condition. Then on the second issue with the fence we haye
two contradictory conditions in the finding, either you can have staff approye a
plan that doesn't look like it was during the public hearing or you can go with the
other condition that says all fencing should be done. That's a second issue that I
don't know if - does Council need to make that decision if staff makes that
decision and then they haye a right to appeal to us if they don't like it. What
direction do we want to leaye that and the Sharps with so that we can kind of
bring some conclusion to this.
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 13 of 25
Mrs. Sharp: Another thing too to think about between our lane, which is between
Eagle for those that are not aware, is between Eagle Road and Locust Grove
from our lane going west to Linder there is anywhere from five to seven private
lanes. So these issues need to be settled now so that if some one else because
they are going to deyelop off these lanes going west there needs to be some
guidelines that they adhere to.
Corrie: Well I think we need to have ACHD inyolved here too because we
evidently we don't own the streets but who has the right of way like on Challis the
Wingate Lane or Challis. Where does the stop signs go? That was in the letters
that we had here and I'm trying to get some information from them as well. We
don't have any authority on the priyate lane technically the streets belong to Ada
County so we can handle the street part of it but we can't go onto the lane so I'm
at a disadvantage here and who has right of way and then I can't figure out if
they own did they buy the Wingate Lane if they went across it? They evidently
owned that.
Mrs. Sharp: The deyeloper. We were told that Ada County Highway District
does not own they just get the right.
Corrie: Right, they haye the easement right. So they had it approved to go
across.
Mrs. Sharp: From the deyeloper. Yes they got the easement right to go across
it. Another thing I wanted to ask I don't know if I talked to Brad about this. What
kind of guidelines does City of Meridian have for priyate roads? Then do you
abide by Ada County or Boise?
Corrie: We are not Boise. We are in Ada County.
Mrs. Sharp: Okay then the guideline is kind of interesting for those who are not
aware of it. A private lane cannot have a public road on both ends.
Corrie: It would take your private lane out.
Mrs. Sharp: Ustick Road and then we have Challis so from there it can't be a
priyate lane.
Corrie: That would be a legal issue I don't know.
Mrs. Sharp: I've been down to the city engineers I don't know how many times
talking to them and we read diagrams that show that. So the question is what
guidelines does the City of Meridian use? Do they abide by this? The only thing
then that would be private would be from Challis down to our property and once
they cross Meadowgrass the only part would be from Meadowgrass down to our
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11. 2003
Page 14 of 25
property. So I think the City of Meridian with all these priyate lanes might want to
stop and think about some of these issues.
Nary: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I think that's not really an issue for us Mrs. Sharp but I think what we need
to do is I don't really think we need to ask Packard Estates L.L.C. people to
adhere. It sounds to me that your allegation is that they either work with you and
your neighbors 0 n meeting these conditions 0 f t he satisfaction of t he planning
and zoning department or we look at whatever the process is necessary in
regards to these preliminary plat conditions that are out of compliance and how
we get them to get into compliance.
Mrs. Sharp: They made the ordinances they should enforce them. We shouldn't
have to.
Nary: They are not ordinances they are conditions.
Mrs. Sharp: Well conditions.
Nary: And that's what I'm telling you ma'am I agree with you. I agree with you
we are supposed to enforce them. What I'm saying is there seems to be a
dispute between what you think is being done and what Mr. Hawkins-Clark thinks
being done. So we need the Planning and Zoning department to determine
whether or not there is enough to go forward and what the process would be to
enforce these conditions on the deyeloper, it is the City's responsibility to do that
so you were correct. So that's what needs to be done instead of spending
another two years talking about it we need to enforce these preliminary plat
conditions by whateyer process is necessary to do that and allow the developers
an opportunity to be heard as to why they think they are in compliance and if they
are not what's our remedy whether its to simply not allow any more building
permits on this phase until they are in compliance to the satisfaction of Planning
and Zoning the problem I think that you are haying is that you and Planning and
Zoning don't agree as to how far out of compliance they are and that's not
something at least today we can mediate t hat until its heard by Planning and
Zoning and the Commission and then it comes here.
Mrs. Sharp: Well would Planning and Zoning then contact the developer and say
Sharps and the residents on Wingate Lane. It just so happens that we are the
yocal ones like I say they haye written numerous letters and like one lady said
why waste the time and stationary, nobody is even going to answer the questions
on a letter that have been presented to Council and to Planning and Zoning. So
if are saying okay we don't think you haye abided by these wouldn't the Planning
and Zoning then haye to contact the deyeloper and say hey listen we'ye got
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 15 of 25
some complaints here that you hayen't done. Okay then - thank you for your
time.
Corrie: Thank you. Okay Brad we need to do some things here back and forth
and lets get it put together and see where we go -
Item4.
Discussion of Deferred Comp Plan with Waddell & Reed:
Corrie: Doug Beehler deferred camp plan.
Beehler: Good evening. Basically as we talked earlier I just wanted to make a
couple of points on the deferred camp plan and some of the progress that has
been made on it and in my letter that I sent to you it pretty much explained that.
A couple of things I wanted to make you completely aware of is our plan which
has been with the City of Meridian since 1997 has always been in compliance.
As our tax laws change our plans are up to date and one of the concerns I know
is the administratiye responsibilities of - the plan used to be on the shoulders of
the City and that has changed with the tax law changes and things and now what
Ellen Reed has been making the appropriate reports and things like that as far as
1099 reports for people that have departed from that plan or whatever and that
has been done. And also I wanted to make sure I has an opportunity to meet
with the employees as far as presenting the Waddell and Reed plan as a option
to the employees for deferred compo So those are the two main issues that I had
and answer any questions that you may haye about the compliance of the
Waddell and Reed plan and because it was a non qualified plan it always takes a
back seat in the eyes of the IRS as far as some of the things that get done with it
but with the tax law changes our plan has always been in compliance with that
and has we update our documents and things like that and I think I gave Janice
our latest yersion of it which was just printed up in January. Basically internally
they are always compliant with that. Those are the issue that I wanted Council to
be aware of and answer any questions you have about the plan itself.
Corrie: Okay I had talked to you a couple times Doug and what the committee is
looking at right now. We don't want to be trustees.
Beehler: Correct I understand that.
Corrie: And I - for obvious reasons that you are well aware of. What we are
doing now is investigating where we go and how we do it and if we want to look
at independent administrators would that be the best way or each if we haye two
three or whatever that the administrators that sell the plan do it for us. We don't
know yet. So that's what we are looking at right now, we are not making any
decisions we haven't made any but wed 0 need to i nyestigate a II t hat a nd so
that's where we are coming from right now. So Council do you have any
questions and what Doug has said?
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 160125
Nary: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mr. Nary.
Nary: It's probably my own ignorance and Doug or Janice can answer this but I
guess I was unclear from what action we took in January and then what your
letter stated your concerns were and then where we are today.
Beehler: I guess where some of the confusion is the city was concerned about
not haYing a compliant plan in p lace. The Waddell and Reed plan as always
been in compliance and I guess the other plan you had, the other provider did not
haye an official document or anything. Ours has been in place and we always
update that. So technically when you sign the agreement with the other
company you already had a compliant plan in place at that time. So what I feel is
I didn't get a chance to do was get a chance to meet with the committee and
explain all those issues and all the time thinking you had those documents on file
that we sent back in 97 but I also want to - I guess one point is you had a plan in
place that you didn't need to rush and sign another one with the other company
that was the issue and I know there was some concerns about the other plan as
far as they didn't have the proper documentation and those sorts of things but I
just wanted you to be aware that we've always had the proper documentation.
Nary: Where are we now.
Corrie: Janice do we haye Waddell Reeds plan in hand?
J. Smith: Yes we haye the one that we received. We received one in January.
Corrie: Of this year?
J. Smith: Of this year.
Corrie: Okay.
Beehler: And that was just an updated yersion of what you had before.
J. Smith: That was the 24th of January we receiyed it.
Corrie: We had not had one before that time.
J. Smith: We had an old one but a few of our members that had a meeting with
our city attorney last week and Phil Peterson which gave us a better
understanding of being under compliance but when I'm talking federal
compliance I get a little scared because I know you have to deal with the IRS and
I did have to file a 945 on one employee and had to do a 1099R because he
withdrew his money but it was not for Waddell Reed it was for American Funds.
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 17 of 25
Corrie: Okay. Where we are now is, we are still inyestigating the plans and what
administrations and that. Pauline.
Skeggs: Council members and Mayor I just wanted to add. At the time that we
felt we didn't have a plan in compliance we didn't have a copy of the Waddell
Reed plan and we needed to make a decision to moye forward in order to be in
compliance. That was the answer to your question Councilman Nary. We didn't
have that plan document in hand therefore we felt we weren't in compliance. We
didn't get that plan document until January and we had already made that
decision in December because we wanted to be in compliance.
Beehler: Councilman Nary, the actual plan was signed in 97 and at that time the
plan documents were here because -- what you do is you sign the documents
and they tear them out of the book and you keep the book and I'm not sue what
happened to them at that point but we - on those types pf plans the adoption is
part of the plan and the book stays here and I don't know what happened to that
back in 1997. But the adoption agreement is part of the plan document itself. So
I'm not sure -
(End of side one 6:20 p.m.)
Beehler: -- all this time I thought you were just looking for the updated version.
Which had been done and the final print was in January. So I thought all you
needed was just the final print I thought you had the original plan since 1997.
Skeggs: Councilman Nary and Council members and Mayor. Janice did find the
plan document in the original with the signature. So and this one is dated August
of 1994. The law changed in 96. So this one wasn't in compliance with the law.
When Doug brought in the new one he gaye me a copy and it was 97. I had
asked him to bring me the copy that was in place when the document was signed
and the one he brought in was dated 1997, but the one in the actual plan was
dated August of 940n your plan book.
Beehler: Yeah that one that you have is dated 97. Our home office dug up an
old copy of that one so that's - they asked me when it was signed and I said 97
so that must be why they did that. They didn't keep a copy of the original one
because as they get updated they keep the new one on file, they don't keep the
old ones. So eYidently they didn't go back far enough Pauline then when they
signed that. Okay.
Corrie: Okay.
Beehler: I brought the one that they sent me. So.
Nichols: Mr. Mayor.
Meddian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 18 of 25
Corrie: Mr. Nichols.
Nichols: Mr. Mayor and Council, just a couple points. One is although there was
a document signed with VALlC for a 457 plan. There have been no deductions
from anybody's paychecks to go into the VALlC plan. So we are not faced with
having three plans. What we haye is the Solomon and Smith Barney 457
accounts if you will the one under the old resolution that set up trustees and the
rest of it and we haye the Waddell Reed plan. Staff is looking into for your
reyiew. What would it cost to have an independent plan administrator? What
would the benefits and burdens of that be? Usually with those independent plans
there is a cost associated with developing the plan, drawing up the plan
document and secondly administering the plan. So there is a cost. It may not be
a correct term but I call it a captive plan like the Waddell Reed plan or a VALlC
plan, there is no out of pocket costs to the city because the brokerage or
insurance company whoever puts together the plan. They make their money off
the transactions that occur as people make their investments. So there is no out
of pocket costs to the city, however, that will be reYiewed with you by staff in a
report as to what their recommendation is. The key thing to know is we were
worried about being out of compliance but the rule is until you get the letter from
the IRS that says you are not in compliance you are in compliance until you get
the letter. So staff was working hard to try and fix a problem that needed to be
fixed but we didn't haye that looming heavy hand that (inaudible) from the
service. And so that is w here we are at. Staff is working to review w hat the
options are and see what needs to be done, if any. And then to just flavor it a
little more I saw a report this week that congress is entertaining some changes in
the tax law that would roll the 401 's into 403's and the 457's into one thing so
stay tuned.
Beehler: The IRS is our friends that are trying to help.
Corrie: From the government I'm here to help you. Okay again reiterate that
nobody is hurt here and we are not trying to kick you out we are just trying to see
what's the best for the city and I think I haye an idea a way we'll go but we want
to put it together as a package give it to Council, let them look at it and they can
make that determination of how they want to do that whether its an independent
administrator or if each one indiYidually wants to do it so the costs will be
involyed here and we will look at that as well.
Beehler: And Mr. Nichols is right we have no administrative costs on our end.
Corrie: Any other questions?
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 19 of 25
De Weerd: I guess so I assume this is going to the benefits committee and that
committee will make a recommendation.
Corrie: That's correct.
De Weerd: Okay.
Corrie: Thanks Doug.
Beehler: Thank you very much.
ItemS.
Revenue Task Force - Objectives and Members:
Corrie: Next one is reyenue task force objectiyes and members. I think we have
a list of members or potential members here of a committee that would be
looking into the mill I eyy a long with some 0 ther ideas 0 n the 19th 0 f February
meeting. I guess we have a couple of them hayen't yet - Ron Steller is Blue
Cross. Do we have any others that have not been filled?
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
De Weerd: With the BCA I neyer received a name back from them. All these
people haye been contacted about the 19th, which is how we got all the address
information, and so they're interested and ready to go.
Corrie: I have one other name that the city believe it or not is my son that wanted
to get on this committee because he wanted to see what he could do as far as
the neighborhoods around there and how they thought. I would add that name if
we didn't haye any problems here, which I didn't see any conflict but he would
like to be there.
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
De Weerd: When we talked about that I thought I had talked with all the Council
and the feeling was we want this to be as un biased as possible in perceptions. I
don't think -- Gregg definitely has his own thoughts but we really need to be
conscientious of having a bias already set going into it. Anyone that would be
associated with anyone of us up here would haye that bias perception. I don't
know what your feelings are 0 n t hat. I f w e want to have the impression 0 fa
clean recommendation coming back from this committee that we just need to be
yery careful with who we put on there so that the perceptions not there that its
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11. 2003
Page 20 of 25
already loaded with the end result people think we want to see. Not that we're
going into this with any preconceiyed notions. We just want an unbiased report
back but I guess that would be my concern.
Corrie: Well knowing him it's not going to be biased for me.
De Weerd: I know --.
. Nary: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mr. Nary.
Nary: What little bit I know of your son Gregg I haye a lot of respect for his
thoughts and opinions. I guess I would concur though with Council Member de
Weerd that part of what we are trying to do because of the difficulty we've had
with this particular issue is making sure that the publics perception is that we
have tried to bring forth something that none of us up here haye tried to drive in
any particular way. I would welcome that - I mean this is a committee that is
subject to all the public meeting requirements and I would hope that Gregg Corrie
would participate actiyely in this committee in proYiding input and providing his
thoughts and other people that he works with and deals with because I think he
would be inyaluable. Again I think it's a perception I don't necessarily think it's a
reality that there is a concern about some bias I just think its something that we
should probably be cautious of but I would really welcome his input to this group
because I think he would be a yery big help for them.
Corrie: I do too. Like I say my influence and him - there is nothing on that.
Nary: We all are parents.
Corrie: And I don't haye any objection to Ryan Riley on there either under the
circumstances you haye to be careful there too. Is he your campaign manager?
De Weerd: Yes. I'm not related to him.
Corrie: It's not related but there is still having a pre-concept of what something
might look like and I don't want that to fall on your shoulders either. If the Council
doesn't have any problem with the Ryan Riley on there I don't see any concept of
being inyolved there anyway. I don't see where Gregg would but if one does
then the other will too so whicheyer the Council.
McCandless: If we are concerned about that then I would be concerned about
Shawn Wardle because he is on the Parks Commission so -
Nary: Well there is two representatives from the Parks Commission, that was the
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11 , 2003
Page 21 of 25
De Weerd: We asked for representatives.
McCandless: But it's the same concept.
Corrie: Well if you don't haye any problem - he said he would like to work on it
that's fine with me. It's just up to the Council and if they want to do it that's fine.
Perception will always be there no matter who you haye on it and its just will they
do a good job and of course, you know what my perception is already and what
things should be done. I guess I'll ask the question does it make a difference
whether Gregg is on there or not?
McCandless: My only concern is if we wouldn't allow Gregg to be on it then we
shouldn't allow Shaun on it either or even Riley because of their association.
Nary: I guess the intent was to haye some Parks Commission people participate
in the committee whether we have Shaun or Ryan Riley or somebody else from
the Parks Commission. The intent was to haye somebody from the Parks
Commission on it.
McCandless: And that is okay I have no objection to that. I just have an
objection to if that is the reason for keeping Gregg off then we should look at
some of the other names too.
Corrie: Do you haye any problem with it?
De Weerd: I only brought it up because that was the feedback I got from Council
so don't kill the messenger.
Corrie: I'm just saying do you have a problem with him on there? That's all I'm
saying.
De Weerd: I don't have a problem because I know he is not influenced by you,
but again I would also just lend back to the perception. I know that this is going
to be such a temperamental topic that we just need to go over board. If we want
to go overboard then and there is an issue with Ryan I think he would happily
step off if people thought he had a conflict.
Corrie: I don't think you need to step off and I think Gregg can work on it. Who
cares? This is a committee for the Council to look at what the public is thinking.
This is supposed to be a (inaudible) I mean my State of the City said that's what
its going to be. Whose on it doesn't make any difference if they all get together
and say this is what is out there the people at this point really don't feel its
necessary or they do. We are trying to get the publics - the way I look at it we
are trying to get the public to tell us what they think. They will tell us so I really
Meridian City Pre CounCil
February 11, 2003
Pege 22 of 25
don't see any problem with him (inaudible) and she doesn't either so if you don't
see a problem then lets --.
Nary: Let's go for it I think its fine. Lets do that. It's a large group of people they
are going to need as much assistance and input as they can get.
Corrie: Okay then any other names that anybody would like to add?
Nary: I was just going to ask on the Daryll McRoberts is that the right address?
Is it Jamaica or is there a Jamaca Street in Meridian or is it Jamaica Street,
which is oyer in Meridian Greens.
De Weerd: That's only the spelling that was on the list Anita gave me.
Nary: There is a zillion new streets here but I know there is a Jamaica Street
over in Meridian Greens so I just want to make sure.
De Weerd: I don't know I just copied the information that she gaye me.
Nary: We just want to make sure we ask somebody and we don't send it to the
wrong place but other then that. No these are just fine.
Mendian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 23 of 25
Nary: That's a tough one?
De Weerd: Twist your arms. Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
De Weerd: Either that or you know I really think its important to show the
commitment of this Council and its not an additional problem since this meeting
needs to be published or noticed anyway to haye a quorum there just as long as
we post it and do the appropriate noticing.
Corrie: I agree with Tammy and I think it would be nice if we were there, show
our support, and tell them what you want them to do. Then they can go out and
do their own thing about this but -
De Weerd: Not that I didn't want you to haye an out but-
Nary: So you were showing us the door and now you shut it back in our face.
Corrie: S it in for t he City Clerk. We can 0 n t he 19th maybe notice t hat a s a
Special Meeting at 7:00 (inaudible).
McCandless: So we just lost our option.
Corrie: I'm sorry dear.
Nary: Yes you lost your option.
Corrie: So the 19th of February at seyen o'clock we will be here and greet this
people and wish them well and go from there. Anything else?
Nichols: Mr. Mayor. You can check with the Clerk but if your purpose of your
meeting is rather short and if their meeting is going to continue after yours then
you can have a joint meeting. Then adjourn yours and you can go home and let
them do their work. If that's what you wish to do.
Nary: I think that is exactly what we wish to do.
Corrie: No influence of the Council just that we are all behind them and we
would like to see them give us some answers as best they can by a certain date
and this is what we want them to do and folks you have the meeting. That's what
we will do thank you.
De Weerd: Mr. Mayor.
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 24 of 25
Corrie: Mrs. de Weerd.
De Weerd: I guess one last question. Stacy put together a packet of information
to present to this committee did anyone have any comments on that. Things that
they would like to see added, or is this going to be a good starting point?
Nary: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mr. Nary.
Nary: I think it was a yery good starting point I meant to reply to the email but I
think it is a good place to start and at least a good avenue to assist them in at
least filling out where they begin -- obyiously they are going to want more
information. They are going to find ways to gather that and how they are going to
do that. I think it's a starting point.
McCandless: Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: Mrs. McCandless.
McCandless: Just so - I have no problems whatsoever with our Park
Commission people on there. I only brought it up because you wanted an
unbiased committee and I would say that they might be a little biased themselyes
but I haye no objection.
Corrie: But we can make that understanding that no bias is nothing. They start
from the bottom and work their way up and if they get information form the city
and people out there will talk belieye me I know they will talk to them because my
phone has been ringing off the hook and I don't wait till you get here.
De Weerd: You know I just think that eyeryone is going to haye a bias. You
haye your representative from the business community and you have your
representatiYe from the deyelopment corporation. There is always going to be
the potential for someone that has a strong preference.
McCandless: I don't have any problem with it. It was just the situation as it was
when I brought that up.
Corrie: You show me a person that has no bias and I will show you a grayesite.
Okay with that being said anything else.
De Weerd: Can I quote you?
Corrie: I'm not a quoter. Since that is that last of our Pre-Council Agenda and
we have about 15 minutes to go to the regular meeting I will entertain a motion to
adjourn.
Meridian City Pre Council
February 11, 2003
Page 25 of 25
De Weerd: So moved.
McCandless: Second.
Corrie: Motion has been made and second to adjourn the pre council meeting all
those in fayor say aye. All ayes.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:40 P.M.
(TAPE ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
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