HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999 08-03MERIDIAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 3, 1999
The regular meeting of the Meridian City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on
August 3, 1999 by Mayor Corrie.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ron Anderson, Keith Bird, Glenn Bentley, Charlie Rountree.
OTHERS PRESENT: Mayor Bob Corrie, Will Berg, Steve Rutherford, Bill Gordon, Gary
Smith, Tom Kuntz, Shari Stiles, Thomas Barbeiro.
Corrie: I'm going to open the Meridian City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. to go into a
special executive session according to Idaho Code 67-2345(b) and I'll entertain a
motion to do that.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I move that we go into an executive session subject to State Code
67-2345(b).
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second that we go into a special executive session according
to code. Any further discussion? All those in favor say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
(EXECUTIVE SESSION)
Corrie: We're coming back from executive session. No decisions and no finalization
were made at that executive session. So I'll entertain a motion to come out of executive
session.
Bird: Mr. Mayor, I move that we come out of the executive session.
Bentley: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second to come out of executive session. Further
discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Corrie: I've already opened the regular meeting for Tuesday, August 3, 1999. First off
I would like to welcome all of you out here this evening for coming out for the meeting.
Council, you have in front of you the consent agenda A and B. Is there any discussions
on either one of those? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion for the consent agenda.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I move that we approve the consent agenda.
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second to approve the consent agenda A and B. Any further
discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Corrie: I want to thank Linda for being here this evening to help us with the agenda
from the City Clerk's office.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 2
1.
ORDIN
ANCE # - FULL TIME MAYOR
Corrie: Linda, what would that ordinance number be? Do you have any idea?
Kesting: No, sir.
Corrie: Do you have it in the back of the book there? I've got one on my desk.
Bird: It should be about 843.
Rountree: Linda will learn the ropes over here.
Corrie: Okay, it will be Ordinance #834. This is an ordinance of the City of Meridian,
Idaho amending subsection one and two and providing for a new subsection three and
renumerating the subsections thereafter providing that the duties of the office of Mayor
be a full time position providing that the Mayor is the Chief administrative official of the
city and shall preside over meetings of the City Council and determine the order of
business subject to the rules of the Council and have superintendent control over all
officers and affairs of the city, preserve order and take care of the ordinances of the city
and provisions of the Idaho State law governing the municipal corporations are
complied with and providing in the renumerated subsection 4.5 and 6.A change of the
word he to the word the Mayor and all sections three of chapter six of title one Meridian
City Code and providing for an effective date. Is there anyone from the audience who
would like to have Ordinance #834 read in its entirety?
Rountree: Mr. Mayor just a point of clarification. Linda has run down the tracking list
and this ordinance were to pass would be 835.
Corrie: 835, okay. I stand corrected. Ordinance #835. Council discussion?
Rountree: Mr. Mayor just to get it rolling we did have our workshop open house with the
public on this particular issue. We've received the Mayor's opinion. We also received
an opinion from the Chamber as it relates to this from a government affairs committee.
Having received that information and not knowing which way we were going to go, I ask
Bill Gigray to draft an ordinance related to a full time Mayor probably three weeks ago
so that we would have something to discuss and what he has done is he has prepared
that ordinance. The ordinance seems to be consistent with language in the state code,
so I guess the issue before us is do we or do we not want to enact a new ordinance and
in doing so create a full time Mayor. That's something I've struggled with probably for
no fewer than six months. I've been all the way around the circle on it. At this time at
least my position would be not terribly inconsistent if not totally consistent with the
recommendation that we got somewhat from the citizens and yet again reinforced by
the Chamber of Commerce in their letter to the city and that would be to retain a part
time Mayor administrator with a full time city administrator position that would be
supervised by the Mayor yet would have the day to day administrative responsibility
across departments to provide continuity and consistency allowing the Mayor the
opportunity to do the out of city all duties that have been felt necessary yet still provide a
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 3
full time administrative base for the city. So to open up the discussion that's where I'm
coming from right now unless somebody can convince me otherwise.
Bird: Mr. Mayor, I am along the lines of Charlie like he said. We've been tossing this
around for about six months and weighing both ways at this time I feel that with a full
time administrator financial director whatever you know that would run the day to day
that would leave the Mayor free of having to do that and then he could go out and
attract the business that we would like to come here or take care of as they say the
shaking hands and kissing the babies for the City of Meridian. Right now that's the way
I would lean. I would like to see us get a full time administrator and with our budget
restraints this year, I don't think we could afford to put a full time administrator financial
guy on and a full time Mayor. Because I'm not for putting the Mayor a small salary if we
do put on a full time Mayor.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I just want to take an opportunity to take exception to Keith's
reflection on the Mayor. I think certainly public relations is a key part of the Mayor, but it
goes way beyond being trivialized. I think in any capacity it's an important aspect for
the city.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor, I too sat through those hearings and somehow I didn't get the
same impression from the public that they were looking to go with the city manager form
of government. I felt that their approach was more towards the full time Mayor, and I'm
inclined — I'm not inclined, my feeling is that the Mayor's position does warrant full time.
You check with the surrounding cities, the cities of our size they've got full time Mayors.
The work is here and I will disagree on the wages. The wages — the money is available
in the budget. It can be made available in the budget, and I feel it's time the city had a
full time Mayor. We're not here to opt on a city manager form of government. That
takes the vote of the people. I think the motion should be to enact this ordinance and
provide the city with a full time Mayor.
Bird: Mr. Mayor, Glenn we're not talking about a city manager type of government.
We're talking about hiring a city financial administrator that would run the day to day, not
a city manager. That was my thinking at least. I don't know what Councilman
Rountree's was.
Bentley: Thank you.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor, two points Glenn. One I don't think we're talking about wages,
and however we go and however we stay we probably need to take a look at their
wages, and Keith is right. I'm not indicating a city manager form of government. I think
it's the same form of government we have now. It's a form of government or an
organization that's pretty common in cities in Idaho. Post Falls, probably Caldwell is
similar, you know I can't give you a list of all of them. Who? CourdeAlane is the same
size if not — actually they are probably bigger than we are. Mayor is still as recognized
by state code really all the administrator is that's a full time person here that's
responsible for the administration of and guidance to department heads when they need
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 4
guidance when the Mayor is not here. That person would work for the Mayor. I know
that didn't change your mind, but that's what I meant.
Rutherford: Mayor, members of the Council, I've done some looking into this. I see
your option as three fold. The existing ordinance if you were to do nothing does not
disallow the Mayor to be a full time position. Although at his present salary obviously
there's not much incentive for putting in a full time day's work, but the present ordinance
essentially allows the Mayor to devote whatever time is necessary to efficiently and
faithfully discharge his duties, so if you do nothing you can adjust the salary accordingly.
That's one option. The option that you have in front of you tonight of course is pass a
whole new ordinance to allow for a full time Mayor. Now some other information that
I'm hearing is some interest in a city planner administrator situation. Idaho Code does
allow for that type of situation to occur. It's Idaho Code 50-801 through 813. And this is
referred to as the Council manager plan. The code has specific requirements for that.
Mr. Gigray and I went through this yesterday, and I think it behoove the City Council if
they were interested in going that way to have our office, Mr. Gigray or myself, draft up
a memo that would tell you exactly what needed to be done in a step by step process.
At a minimum this is a 130 day process probably more given that this is an election
year. If we wanted to go to the city manager type plan under the code, it couldn't
happen this year.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I hate to repeat myself. I've read that section of the state code
and that's not what I intend. I intend to continue on the way we are which is already
established state code with the city having a Mayor executing the time and duties that
needs to do the Mayor, but the city hiring an administrator that works for the Mayor to
do the day to day administrative duties.
Bird: Mr. Mayor, I also have read that code. We're not talking about a city manager.
Basically we can just go on like our ordinance is right now just drops this how we got the
Mayor as a part time and then as a Council and Mayor we can hire an administrator, put
in a resolution or an ordinance to do that.
Corrie: You can put it in there, but the Mayor doesn't have to hire him. Go ahead,
you've got some comments to make. I think we've heard from three of them. Let's hear
your comments before I make mine.
Anderson: I too was one of the original ones that wanted to explore the idea of whether
the public would maybe interested in a city manager form of government or the current
type of city government that we had, and it was very apparent to me that they liked what
we had, and so I'm not going to be the bad guy to try to introduce something different
there. I do agree that this city has grown tremendously and that there is probably
sufficient enough work for a full time Mayor as well as a full time administrative assistant
for the Mayor. I have reservations about implementing both those positions in the same
year just due to the cost and would probably be more favorable to doing one or the
other at this point.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 5
Corrie: So what are you thinking?
Rountree: He's on the fence it sounds like.
Anderson: I'm right on the ridge just depends on which one of you guys shoves me the
hardest I guess. I don't know.
Corrie: Okay, let me put my two cents in here. In 1992 when I became a Councilman,
one of the main issues of the City of Meridian was growth. At that time having worked
with a part time Mayor, he mentioned several times to me that towards the last that he
felt that it should be a full time position that consequentially he was not going to run
again. Then in 1996 growth was still a big issue in Meridian only more so. I think in
1992 there was about 11,000 people in Meridian and all depending on what survey you
have it's either 36,000 or 38,000. 1 would anticipate that in four years, it's going to be
close to 50,000. When I became Mayor I told the constituents that I was going to put in
full time whether it was part time or full time made by the Council's decision. At that
time the Council did not for whatever reason decided it should not be full time and I
made it full time because I felt that I made a commitment to the people and I'm going to
make it again this time a commitment regardless of what the Council does tonight, if I'm
re-elected it's going to be full time because I feel it's necessary to have a city leader and
a Mayor to be full time. The people in the community look at the Mayor as the leader of
the community. The people have told you that in a public meeting, they've told me that
over the phone, they've talked to me many times in the public and I've told the City
Council the very same thing. I feel that it should be a full time because there's a lot of
things that the Mayor needs to be at. If it's a part time Mayor he probably or she as the
case may be will have a full time job. In order to have his own family fed and take in
those considerations. When it comes down to the point where he needs to do more for
the city or more for his job, everybody here knows what it's going to be. It's going to be
the job is going to come first because that's his livelihood. Now I hope that all of you
have listened to the public because the majority of them said they wanted a full time
Mayor and then have somebody help him with the work as needed. The law is very
plain that the Mayor is the administrator and the superintendent of the city. Now if you
appropriate money to have an administrator, that's all good and fine, but the Mayor
does not have to hire that person. He doesn't have to do that and you can't hire him as
the Council either. Now I think that the Mayor must spend an adequate time in the
office. He has a lot of phone calls, he has people coming into the office, he works with
the APA, ACHD, department head meetings all the time, he works with ITD, Treasure
Valley Transit Authority, there's many commissions that he sits on and he has to do that
for his own job for the city and do the job for the city. I don't think a part time person
has that time. The Mayor is a representative of the people and of the city. He's there
all the time and he should be. One of the other things is the Mayor maybe part time, but
he also has to keep up all the time and what's happening with the city with the Council
because there's few times that it's happened even as you said here that's come to two
and two ties. He must be knowledgeable of what's going on all the time. I'm not saying
a part time Mayor couldn't do that, but a full time Mayor spends the time with the people
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 6
and what's going on. Also the Mayor sets an example for the employees, he meets with
them. I meet with them practically every day. We have special meetings twice a month,
department heads and that helps the employees. I'm sure it does, they told me it does
and it sets a leadership to the department heads. So I'm still saying that the Mayor
should be a full time position. Now if the people of Meridian think the same way and like
me in November, they're still going to get a full time Mayor regardless of what is on an
ordinance or anything else and I really feel that we're going forward, we're moving
along. Don't go backwards and that's what can happen if you do a part time Mayor, and
I think the city should be pro active and not reactive. I've said my piece. You know how
I feel. I've told you many times. I think the public has told you so now it's up to you
whatever you do.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor, one other point and maybe this will push Ron over the edge. I
don't know. Change in Mayor's position can only be done every two years at election
time. Hiring a new employee can be done at any time. And with that I would make the
motion that we pass the ordinance #835 with suspension of rules.
Anderson: I will second it just to see where it goes here and get some discussion.
Corrie: Ordinance #835 is proposed with the suspension of rules, a second has been
given. Is there further discussion?
Anderson: I had a question I guess this would be more of legal counsel, but if this vote
does end up in a two, two tonight, it seems appropriate to me to have the Mayor to vote
to break the tie on something like this. How does that work?
Rountree: He can't.
Rutherford: The Mayor — actually at this point I could tell you I really don't know, but
know for sure that the Mayor doesn't break the tie. I'm not sure where that leaves us,
stale mate, so let's not have a two, two tie.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor, a couple of things by way of discussion that lead me to the
position that I'm at and a couple of comments. One you indicated that a past Mayor
indicated that it needed to be a full time position and I have to make the assumption that
it's our newly appointed county commissioner, yet he testified in our workshop that he
still felt that it could be run on a part time basis or less than a full time basis. The other
point is that I don't know how fine you want to analyze what we heard during that
workshop, but I guess my observation as I stated the first time was that what we have
seems to be working and it's okay. Whether the Statesman is in any way or anything
you want to base a position on, their analysis indicated that the public supported that it
be part time. But you know that's what I read. But that's — I'm just stating that's what
read. When I heard the public comment at the workshop process, that was the general
impression I was left with. I guess the last point is if by ordinance the city chooses to
make this a full time position I believe candidates in the community and good
candidates in the community that could retain their job yet still serve as Mayor of the city
and do a good job would not be inclined to enter the race, and I feel strongly that we
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 7
need people in the community to feel like they can be part of the government, and if it's
a full time and full time salary, you're turning it into a full time job and you're only going
to get those candidates that can afford to live on that or that may be less than the
quality of candidate that you want in the position that can live on that amount. Having
said that, more discussion.
Corrie: Okay, the Statesman today did a retraction. That was not what the public said
in the meeting. I don't know where you heard it or why you thought that, but the
majority was that they wanted a full time Mayor. Now —
Rountree: We're not going to debate that issue, Mr. Mayor. I disagree with that.
Corrie: I'm not debating it. I'm just telling you what's in the paper. As far as whether
it's a full time Mayor or part time Mayor whether somebody wants to run and still have
the business is not a Council decision. That's up to the public to make that decision.
The people who are running I don't feel that Nampa has that problem. Boise has never
had that problem. Caldwell has never had that problem. Garden City and Eagle is still
small, they don't have the problem. I just don't understand where you're coming from
that you say it's going to take people away from becoming a Mayor. You pay that
position. You're going to have people step up to bat. It's still the public that elects the
Mayor, not the Council. So it has to be a public decision and —
Rountree: Mr. Mayor if I could get a ruling from the City Attorney, I don't believe that
this is a debate that the Mayor can enter into. This is a motion. It's been seconded. It's
open for discussion for the City Council not the Mayor.
Bird: City Council, not the Mayor.
Corrie: Council, you want to — I'm still part of this Council running the meeting and I'll
run it, not you Charlie. Until you're recognized —
Rountree: I asked for clarification Mr. Mayor.
Corrie: I didn't recognize you so sit still a minute. Okay you want to answer that?
Rutherford: My understanding is that of course as I've already said I don't believe the
Mayor can break the tie breaker vote. It would seem consistent unfortunately that given
the nature of the topic that we're debating here or discussing that the Mayor should
refrain from comment.
Corrie: Thank you. I'll take that as advice. Anybody else comment?
Bird: I have none. I've said my own piece.
Anderson: Just a question then for Counsel. Then you said that you don't believe the
Mayor could vote on it. Who would break the tie if it was a tie vote?
Rutherford: I haven't been able to find that in the Meridian City Ordinance that I'm
looking at right here. I quite frankly couldn't tell you right now.
Bentley: Is that covered under city ordinance or would it be covered under state code?
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 8
Rutherford: Well both should speak to it. But I don't have the Meridian City Code
section that talks about that in front of me. I guess if you wanted to table this for a few
minutes, I could go look at the Idaho Code in the library.
Anderson: Can we do that? Can we table it and then come back to it?
Corrie: Is that what you wish to do?
Bird: Well we got a motion on the floor. Let's go ahead and vote.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor if you go ahead and vote and we find out we've got to redo it, then
we're going to have to redo it.
Bird: Well we can redo it. I mean he can go look, but we got a motion on the floor for a
vote.
Corrie: That's correct.
Bird: So let's have the question and then if we come to that we can have him run in and
do it.
Corrie: Question has been called for. Motion is to accept ordinance #835 with
suspension of rules.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ROUNTREE, NO. BIRD, NO. BENTLEY, YES. ANDERSON, YEA.
Corrie: Okay, it's a two to two tie. Mr. Attorney would you please see where the code
is.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor, I would recommend that we skip over item number two until the
attorney gets back with the information.
Corrie: Do we have any objection from the Councilmen?
Rountree: No.
Anderson: I have none.
Bird: I have none.
3. TABLED 7/6/99: FINAL PLAT FOR MAWS NO. 3 SUBDIVISION (7 BUILDING
LOTS) BY TEALEY'S LAND SURVEYING—NORTH OF PINE & WEST OF
LOCUST GROVE RD:
Corrie: First report from staff. Is Shari here? There she is
Stiles: Mr. Mayor and Council, this was previously tabled was partly as a result of a
request by the applicant to table it until such time as a variance application is heard.
The variance will not be heard until the Council's August 17th meeting. That would be
variance for the pressurized irrigation.
Corrie: So in other words, August 17th meeting is when we need to do the final plat
then?
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August 3, 1999
Page 9
Stiles: Yes.
Corrie: Okay.
Anderson: Mr. Mayor, I would make a motion that we table this item then until the
August 17th meeting.
Rountree: Second.
Corrie: Motion is made Mr. Anderson second by Mr. Rountree to table item number
three on the final plat for Maws No. 3 Subdivision until August 17th meeting. Any further
discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
4. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: REQUEST FOR
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A GROUP DAYCARE OF 6-12 CHILDREN
BY VOANNA C. WARD D/B/A VO'S DAYCARE -924 E. 4Th STREET:
Corrie: Council you have the conditional use permit Findings of Fact and Conclusions
of Law. Are there any discussion or questions of staff that you might have?
Bentley: I have none.
Bird: I have none.
Corrie: Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion on the conditional use Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I move we approve the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
and request for conditional use permit for a daycare of 6-12 children by Voanna Ward,
Vo's Daycare.
Anderson: I'll second that.
Corrie: Motion made by Mr. Bentley second by Mr. Anderson to approve the Findings of
Fact and Conclusions of Law on item number four. Any further discussion? Hearing
none, roll call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ANDERSON, YEA. BENTLEY, YEA. BIRD, YEA. ROUNTREE,
YEA.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL YEAS.
5. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: REQUEST FOR
VARIANCE FROM 1,000 FOOT MAXIMUM BLOCK LENGTH FOR DEE JAY
SUBDIVISION BY J -U -B ENGINEERS, INC – EAST OF STRATFORD DR &
NORTH & SOUTH OF WATERTOWER LN:
Corrie: You have the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in front of you. Is there
any discussion with staff?
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 10
Bentley: I have none.
Corrie: Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion on the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law on item number five.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I move we approve the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
and Decision and Order granting a variance to JUB Engineering for Dee Jay
Subdivision for block length of 1,000 feet excess of 1,000 feet, excuse me.
Anderson: Second.
Corrie: Motion is made and seconded that we approve the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law on item number five.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ANDERSON, YEA. BENTLEY, YEA. BIRD, YEA. ROUNTREE,
YEA.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL YEAS.
6. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: REQUEST FOR
REZONE OF .967 ACRES (FROM R-4 TO R-8 WITH CONDITIONS FOR
SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) FOR TREMONT PLACE SUBDIVISION NO. 2
BY LARRY & KAY HANSEN—BROADWAY & 8T" STREET (951 W. PINE
STREET):
Corrie: Does Council have any questions from staff on the Conclusions of Law?
Bentley: I have none.
Corrie: I'll entertain a motion on the item number six.
Anderson: Mr. Mayor, I would make a motion that we approve the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law and Decision and Order for Tremont Place Subdivision No. 2.
Rountree: Second.
Corrie: Motion made is made and seconded to approve the Findings of Fact and
Conclusions of Law on item number six. Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll cal
vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ANDERSON, YEA. BENTLEY, YEA. BIRD, YEA. ROUNTREE,
YEA.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL YEAS.
7. REZONE ORDINANCE #836 OF .967 ACRES (FROM R-4 TO R-8 WITH
CONDITIONS FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) FOR TREMONT PLACE
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August 3, 1999
Page 11
SUBDIVISION NO. 2 BY LARRY & KAY HANSEN—BROADWAY & 8T"
STREET (951 W. PINE STREET):
Corrie: (ORDINANCE #836 WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY) Is there anyone from the
audience who would like to have Ordinance #836 read in its entirety? Hearing none, I'll
entertain a motion on Ordinance #836.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I move that we approve Ordinance #836 with suspension of rules.
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made to approve Ordinance #836 with suspension of rules. Any further
discussion? Hearing none, roll call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ROUNTREE, YEA. BENTLEY, YEA. BIRD, YEA. ANDERSON,
YEA.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL YEAS.
8. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: REQUEST FOR
ANNEXATION & ZONING OF 27.86 ACRES (FROM RT & R-4 TO R-8) FOR
PROPOSED WILKINS RANCH SUBDIVISION BY STEINER DEVELOPMENT
LLC—SOUTH OF USTICK & WEST OF TEN MILE:
Corrie: Is there any questions that Council has of staff on this item?
Rountree: I have none.
Corrie: Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion on the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law which if I'm not mistaken denies the request for R-8 medium density residential
zone.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law, Decision and Order which denies the request for Wilkins Ranch Sub from R -T to
R-8 but does allow it to be rezoned from R -T to R-4.
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made to approve the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law as stated
in the motion any further discussion?
Bentley: Mr. Mayor, this is a procedure I have not seen before and I have a question. It
also states in the Decision and Order item number one that if the developer and owner
do not agree to the R-4 zoning, the annexation and zoning will not be approved. Now
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 12
do we have to ask them if they're going to accept this before we vote or does it mean
that if we vote to accept these Findings and they decide they don't want the R-4 zoning,
then it overturns what we voted.
Bird: Then it's not an issue.
Bentley: Well if we've zoned it, it would be an issue because then we have to stop the
zoning process. I'm just asking how the procedure works.
Corrie: Well it's new to me too. I would assume that in the motion that was made by
Mr. Rountree that R-8 is not zoned this way and it's an R-4. If the applicant doesn't like
R-4, then he can come back with something else I would assume, but it's not going to
be an R-8. Our legal counsel has got something else to do right now.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I can't remember the original motion, but it was something on the
order of if the applicant concurred that that would be our action. I don't know that we've
heard one way or the other from the applicant. Maybe we have. I haven't seen
anything, but maybe we could hear from the applicant and clear that up.
Corrie: Okay, Beck would you like to clear that up for the Council for the vote?
Bowcutt: Yes, sir Mr. Mayor and members of the Council. I have discussed this with
the applicant. The applicant respects the Council's decision that the R-4 zone is more
appropriate than the R-8. Therefore although they are disappointed they feel that it's in
their best (End of Tape)
Bowcutt: The applicant chooses to bring those lots up to the 8,000 square foot
minimum lot size and the 80 foot frontages. We've estimated that we'll lose probably 8
lots which will bring us from 88 down to 80. So I guess we'd like the opportunity for the
next couple of weeks to go in and revise that preliminary plat and bring back that
revision for you to review if that's acceptable.
Corrie: Okay, thank you Becky. Any other discussion? Hearing none, roll call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ANDERSON, YEA. BENTLEY, YEA. BIRD, YEA. ROUNTREE,
YEA.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL YEAS.
9. TABLED 7/20/99: REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR
WILKINS RANCH SUBDIVISION (89 BUILDING LOTS ON 27.86 ACRES) BY
STEINER DEVELOPMENT LLC — SOUTH OF USTICK & WEST OF TEN MILE:
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 13
Corrie: I think we need to probably table that one to two weeks until the 17th to make
sure that when they come back with the preliminary plat a new one.
Bird: Mr. Mayor I move that we table the preliminary plat for Wilkins Ranch Subdivision
by Steiner Development until 8/17/99.
Corrie: Becky, is that going to be enough time? Okay. Is there a second?
Bentley: Second.
Corrie: Motion made by Mr. Bird second by Mr. Bentley to table item number nine until
August the 17th meeting. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the
motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Bird: Mr. Mayor can we take a little break here? I move we take a ten minute break
before we start the public hearing.
Corrie: Is Clair Bowman here?
Bentley: Shari grabbed him.
Corrie: We'll take a ten minute break back at 8:30 and then we'll have the open public
hearing then.
(TEN MINUTE BREAK)
Corrie: I will call the meeting back to order. The attorney has returned and let's hear
what he has to say.
Rutherford: Mayor and members of the Council, I apologize for being unprepared on
this topic on this subject. I've reviewed the appropriate Meridian ordinance and have
been unable to find specific language that deals with this specific instance in the state
code. My inclination is that there is potential conflict of interest that should be disclosed
and then the party with the conflict should remove himself from deliberation,
consideration, and voting. In getting advice of an additional attorney in our firm, his
opinion was the exact opposite. That this is a policy decision and that the Mayor is part
of the Council and as a matter of policy that you should be — the Mayor in this situation
should be allowed to vote. In light of the two different directions that I've gotten here, I
think the appropriate action is to table or continue the matter for one week. If I can't find
out the answer from simply combing through the code, I'll attempt to contact the
attorney general and get an opinion from the attorney general.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 14
Bentley: Mr. Mayor what's the time line as far as the code is when this would have to
be done by in order to —
Rountree: 17th
Bird: 17th
Corrie: This has to be done by the 17th of August.
Rountree: Only the wages.
Corrie: Pardon?
Rountree: Only the wages.
Bird: 60 days for full time.
Corrie: 60 days for full time Mayor of if you don't do anything, it stays the same, but
we've had a vote. I don't see how you can table a vote. Under the circumstances I
think if you have two different attorneys' opinions I think you better go ahead and do
what the statute says and let them break the tie and then you find out from the attorney
general on that case. Then he would have the — either he would have his opinion. It
hasn't anything to do if you go to Court or anything at that point, but we have two
attorneys that disagree, which is not unusual. So my suggestion is that I'm going to
break the tie and vote yea and then you find out. Then we can come back and we can
do it. The 17th you can let us know by that time. If it's not appropriate then it will die.
Anderson: Mr. Mayor, I would make a motion to withdraw my vote and table this until
the 17th
Corrie: You mean your second.
Anderson: No, my vote.
Corrie: You've already voted. You don't take a vote back after you voted.
Bird: Yes you can.
Anderson: I think you can.
Rutherford: With the suspension of rules.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 15
Corrie: With suspension of rules, you can do that?
Rutherford: Yes.
Corrie: Okay so what do we do now? We just table it until the 17th .
Rutherford: Preferably I would like to have until the 17th to come to you with the proper
procedure in this situation.
Corrie: Okay then we'll table this until the 17t". I guess we better have a motion to table
this number one. Mr. Bentley?
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I need a little procedure explained out here because I'm getting a
lost.
Corrie: So am I.
Bentley: What procedure do we need to do now that we have a vote of two, two in
order to table? Would everybody have to retract their votes and how do you do that or
do we just table it with the two, two vote until then?
Rutherford: I think my opinion would be that the votes need to be taken back, make a
motion that the matter be tabled until the 17tH
Bentley: Well then let me ask you this. What is wrong with going ahead with the vote,
going ahead with the Mayor's vote and then get the ruling from the A.G.?
Rutherford: Ultimately we'll probably get there in the 17th either way. Either way you do
it we'll probably get the same result. Ultimately I need to find out the information I need
to find out. What you guys do here tonight between those two alternatives. It probably
doesn't matter, whatever you would like to do.
Bird: Mr. Mayor, Mr. Counselor, if Councilman Anderson withdrew his vote as
understood. Was that not right?
Anderson: I have made a motion to withdraw my vote.
Bird: Now if you withdraw your vote, it is two to one? Right? Is that right?
Corrie: You're not going to vote at all?
Anderson: Because I would like to see this matter tabled until we get a ruling on this. I
think that's the simplest way. If I withdraw my vote then the motion is dead.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 16
Bentley: No.
Bird: Yeah, he can do that.
Corrie: No he can't. He's got to revoke his second and the whole thing dies for the lack
of second and then we can table it.
Bird: We've already voted.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor, excuse me but I believe we're functioning under Robert's Rules
and anybody who votes in the affirmative on a motion can make a motion to withdraw
their vote. Those who don't vote in the affirmative have not the right to do that. I think
Mr. Anderson has the privilege to withdraw his vote. He in fact can change his vote if
he wishes, I believe. I also believe in a case of a tie vote without a tie breaker, the
motion dies particularly when the motion is made with suspension of rules, so I'm not a
liar, but I've (inaudible) with Robert's Rules a little bit and I'm not going to make any
bets on any of this stuff.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor, I guess I wouldn't have a problem with tabling this, but I want all
the votes pulled off.
Anderson: How do we do that?
Rountree: We can have another motion.
Anderson: Okay, why don't we do that?
Rountree: Mr. Mayor, I move that we do not modify the existing ordinance for the City
of Meridian as it relates to the Mayor and leave the ordinance that we have in place in
effect.
Bird: I second it.
Corrie: Motion is made and seconded. Discussion?
Bentley: Question for Counsel. If we leave this with a two, two tie can it just be tabled
as is without pulling votes until the next meeting until we find out if the tie breaker is
right?
Rutherford: I still think if you make a motion to do that, by unanimous consent, you can
do anything. If you all vote to do that, I think you can do that. Again it would have to be
unanimous.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 17
Corrie: Okay, do you want to do that Council?
Rountree: We got a motion and a second.
Bentley: Yeah, I can amend the motion though.
Corrie: Okay.
Bentley: I would amend Mr. Rountree's motion that we just table this until the 17th and
at that time we can decide there's a tie breaker or whether there isn't by the Mayor.
Corrie: Is there a second to that amendment? Okay, it dies for lack of second. Any
other discussion? Okay the motion on the floor is to do nothing on ordinance #835. 1
would assume that's what the motion is and go back to the original —
Rountree: To leave our existing ordinance as is.
Corrie: Okay, leave the existing ordinance as it is. Any further discussion?
ROLL CALL VOTE: ANDERSON, YEA. ROUNTREE, YEA. BIRD, YEA. BENTLEY,
NAY.
MOTION CARRIED: 3 YEAS. 1 NAY.
Corrie: Ordinance #835 is no longer in existence. Okay, Ordinance #836 Mayor and
City Council salaries.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor before we move on to item number two, I would make a motion that
item number one be placed on the first item on the August 17t", 1999.
Corrie: Motion made to place item number one up on the —
Bentley: Mr. Mayor if I may, I'm going to say that's a request because the Council
doesn't set the agenda. I'm just requesting that you put that back on the next agenda.
Corrie: Okay, is there a second to the request?
Bentley: There doesn't have to be.
Bird: There wouldn't have to be.
Corrie: Okay, all right. I will take that under advisement and you may see it or you may
not. I don't know.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 18
2. ORDINANCE #836 -MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL SALARIES
Corrie: Ordinance #836 is Mayor and City Council Salaries.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I believe we used Ordinance #836 on item number 7.
Corrie: Okay it would be 837. (ORDINANCE #837 WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY) Is
there anyone from the audience who would like to have Ordinance #837 read in its
entirety? Council, do you want to fill in the blanks or do you want to leave it alone? It's
up to your decision and comments. Who wants to go first?
Bird: Mr. Mayor I have no problem giving the Mayor a raise even — you know as we
stayed with. The Council President I have no problem giving a raise. Council members
we stay at $500. That's my thought.
Anderson: Mr. Mayor I would think that since this ordinance actually involves setting
salaries for the Mayor that I kind of would like to see this tabled until after we make the
decision of whether to make the position full time or not. That would seem to make
sense to me and then set the salaries at that time.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I would agree with Mr. Anderson.
Rountree: I don't have any particular qualms with an adjustment in the Mayor's salary.
I disagree with Councilman Bird on the Council just for discussion. I think we all work
equally hard in doing our jobs. I don't know that any one position other than getting
writer's cramp at check signing time requires any more compensation. I would suggest
that if we do adjust the Mayor's salary that we look at a slight adjustment in the
Council's salary. In looking around we're probably at the bottom of the rung on cities of
any size let alone cities of a bigger size. Just for discussion and I'm not suggesting but I
tend to agree that if we're going to talk about Mayor again yet although I thought we
already decided that. Something to think about Mayor currently is at $1200 a month. I
would suggest something on the order of $1650. Council is currently at $500. 1 would
suggest something on the order of $600 for all Council and not specify anything
particular for Council President, just food for thought. But I tend to agree we might want
to put this off.
Anderson: Mr. Mayor in light of the discussion I would make a motion that we table
Ordinance #837 until our Council meeting on August 17t"
Rountree: Second.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 19
Corrie: Motion made and second to table item number two, Ordinance #837 until
August 17th meeting. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of that
motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
10. PUBLIC HEARING: SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL RATE CHANGES AND
ADDITION OF NEW RATES BY SANITARY SERVICES COMPANY:
Corrie: At this time I will open the public hearing and invite the applicant to step
forward. Both of you or one at a time. It doesn't make any difference how you want to
do it.
Gregory: Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, I was not able to attend the July 6th
meeting where all this was presented to you. I guess at this point rather than go
through the information that was already presented to you on July 6th, I would just let
you ask questions or let the public comment and we can respond in the end if that's
allowable.
Rountree: That's fine with me.
Corrie: Is there anyone else from the public who would like to issue testimony in this
item number ten? Okay, hearing none, does Council have any questions they would
like to put on the public hearing to the applicants?
Bentley: I have none.
Anderson: I have none.
Bird: I have none.
Corrie: Okay, I'll entertain a motion to close the public hearing.
Bentley: So moved.
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second to close the public hearing. All those in favor of the
motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Corrie: Council any discussion?
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 20
Bentley: I just think they're doing a fine job.
Bird: Great job.
Corrie: That being the case, I'll entertain a motion for the rates.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I move we approve the new solid waste disposal rate changes and
addition of new rates by Sanitary Services Company.
:3RiiE• z 0=0 @1
Corrie: Motion made and second that we approve the solid waste proposal SSC,
Sanitary Services Company to allow the proposed changes. Any further discussion?
Anderson: Mr. Mayor, I don't think they're doing that great of a job. I'd like to see Lysol
and maybe a little mint on top of the garbage cans.
(Inaudible)
Rountree: I have a procedural question. Do we need Findings number one and do we
need to establish a date when these rates will be in effect?
Rutherford: Mayor, members of the Council, we would need the authority for the Mayor
and City Clerk to sign a resolution. It would be in resolution form and yes, we should
need an effective date.
Rountree: As of today?
Bird: August 3rd.
Corrie: I would suggest if you want to do it put it in a motion form the second should —
Bird: I withdraw my second.
Bentley: I withdraw my first.
Corrie: Okay.
Bentley: What date do we want? On the billing side, is it going to be simpler if we do it
the first of the month?
Corrie: Probably have it as of August the 3rd
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 21
Bentley: This is August.
Bird: Why don't we go back August 1't?
Corrie: Well —
Bird: Retroactive August 1St. Can we do that?
Rutherford: (Inaudible)
Bird: September 1St. Okay.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I would move that we instruct the city attorney to provide a
resolution approving the solid disposal rates and changes and addition of new rates for
Sanitary Services effective date of September 1.
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made by Mr. Bentley second by Mr. Bird to have the attorney draw up
the resolution be effective September 1St, 1999 on the solid waste disposal rate
changes. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of that motion say
aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
11. REQUEST FOR TIME EXTENSION FOR FINAL PLAT — SPARKLING
SPRINGS SUBDIVISION:
Corrie: Shari, staff comments.
Stiles: Mr. Mayor and Council, this is for the property immediately north of Landsberry
Lane on Meridian Road. They got approved for final plat on June 16, 1998 and would
have had to record the final plat by June 16th of this year and they're asking for an
extension to June 16th, 2000 for the recordation of that plat, and for the record they have
changed the name to Salisbury Lane.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor, question for Shari. This is the first request?
Stiles: Yes.
Corrie: Any other questions from Council?
Anderson: None.
Bentley: None.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 22
Bird: I have none.
Corrie: I'll entertain a motion for request for time extension for final plat for Salisbury
Lane.
Bird: Mr. Mayor I move that we grant a one year extension on the final plat for Sparkling
Springs Subdivision or Salisbury Lane to 6/16/2000.
Corrie: Do I hear a second?
Bentley: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second that the request for time extension for final plat of
Salisbury Lane to 6/16/2000. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor
of the motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
12. AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE REAL ESTATE PROPERTY WITH BETTY
THIERHAUSE: RESOLUTION #245.
Corrie: Do you have the resolution number handy there?
Rountree: It would be 245.
Corrie: Resolution number 245. Tom, do you want to bring us up to date on that?
Kuntz: Mayor and Council, you have before you tonight an agreement to purchase real
property for the land surrounding Generation Plaza. Betty Thierhause property. I'm
asking for approval for this resolution tonight contingent upon the appraisal value being
at least $46,500 if not greater. I talked to the appraiser today, actually yesterday on the
phone. The appraisal has been sent to Betty Thierhause's representative and he
informed me verbally that the appraisal is $60,000.
Anderson: Tom, I have three copies of that agreement before me. One of them is
stamped July 30th and the one we're looking at tonight says July 19. Which agreement
or are they all the same?
Kuntz: The one that I have is stamped August 2nd, and the only change that has been
made to any of them would be on page two and would be 3.2. 1 requested that the
closing agent be our attorneys that would do the closing. So that is the only change to
my knowledge that has been made to the first agreement that was brought before you
two weeks ago, so the new agreement that you have in your hands 3.2 should read
closing agent refers to White, Peterson, Pruss, Morrow and Gigray, P.A.
Corrie: That's the one that's dated July 30tH
Bentley: Yes.
Kuntz: Correct.
Anderson: The other ones had Alliance Title in that section.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 23
Kuntz: Correct.
Corrie: Okay any other discussion?
Rutherford: Mayor, members of the Council, in discussing the fact that Bill Gigray will
be the closing agent or the firm will be the closing agent, one other thing was brought to
light. The fact that the agreement at this point page two 3.1 closing is blank. As a
procedural matter tonight before you vote to approve this there will need to be a date
inserted in there for purposes of the closing.
Corrie: Tom. We haven't been told if she accepted it, has she?
Kuntz: The appraisal was delivered by her agent today to here. She is going to be out
of town the rest of this week and will be back in town one day next week. I suppose to
be prudent we should give her until the end of August to close.
Bird: 30th day of August?
Kuntz: Sounds good to me, yeah.
Corrie: 3.1 closing means (inaudible) upon which this transaction shall be completed by
the closing agent shall be scheduled for the 30th day of August, 1999.
Rutherford: That's all Mayor.
Corrie: Okay. We have a resolution before you.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor, I move that the City of Meridian approve the agreement to
purchase real property from Betty Thierhause in the amount not to exceed $46,500 and
pass resolution number 245 and authorize the Mayor to sign and the Clerk to attest.
Corrie: Do I hear a second.
Anderson: I'll second it.
Corrie: Motion is made to accept agreement to purchase real property with the date
inserted in item 3.1 closing of the 30th day of August, 1999 and to accept the resolution
number 245 by Mr. Bentley. Any further discussion?
Bird: Mr. Mayor, that motion is contingent upon the appraisal, right? I mean verbal and
actual is something else.
Bentley: Yes.
Corrie: Based upon the (inaudible). Any other discussion? Hearing none, roll call vote.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ROUNTREE, YEA. ANDERSON, YEA. BENTLEY, YEA. BIRD,
YEA.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL YEAS.
13. ORDINANCE #837 - FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION:
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 24
Corrie: (ORDINANCE #837 WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY) Is there anyone from the
audience who would like to have Ordinance #837 read in its entirety? Hearing none, I'll
entertain a motion on Ordinance #837.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor just a point of clarification for me. I've not seen the map. I'm have
not had an explanation from staff as to why we're legislating this particular item. I can
tell you right now we have one constituent in our community that would probably wring
any FEMA person's neck if he could ever find one to talk to. They haven't been good
neighbors in the City of Meridian to some of our folks and if this means that some more
of our folks have to deal with them, I'm a bit hesitant right now without some additional
information, so I would suggest that until we get a little more information on this — I know
it's ultimately necessary, but I'd like to fully understand it so I'm suggesting that we table
this item until we get some additional information from staff and get an opportunity to
review the map.
Bird: Is that a motion?
Corrie: Before I recognize any motions, let me ask Gary Smith, do you have any
comments on this or do you have any information at all?
Smith: Mr. Mayor and Council members, I don't have any specific information on this. It
was a request by FEMA on some I assume there's some changes of the mapping that's
been done from over the years, but I'm not positive of that. For one reason or another
the maps have changed due to additional engineering hydraulic engineering but I'll
certainly find some details and bring those back to you if you would like.
Corrie: What time frame would you need Gary?
Smith: I could have those to you the next meeting. No problem.
Bentley: Mr. Mayor I have a question. Now is this the newest of the newest that FEMA
has done because I know they haven't done it for several years.
Rountree: Twenty.
Smith: I'm assuming that it is Councilman Bentley, but I'm going to have to get the
particulars.
Bentley: Okay thank you.
Corrie: Hearing that I'll entertain a motion Mr. Rountree to table Ordinance #837 item
13.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I move we table item number 13 until our next regularly scheduled
meeting August 17th, 1999.
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second to table item number 13 Ordinance #837 until August
the 17th for further update. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of
the motion say aye.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 25
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
14. ORDINANCE #838- CREATION OF FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Bowers: Mayor Corrie and City Council, to give you a little background. This ordinance
we've had in effect for many years but it just stated that we would have a fire chief and
we would have firefighters and we would have a firefighters association and it seemed
like every time we wanted to hire somebody, we would have to come in and change the
ordinance. Talking with Ron Anderson and Charlie Rountree, they thought that possibly
this would be a good way for each department to start from scratch and come up with
an ordinance for creation of a fire department or a water department or a sewer
department or wastewater department or whatever, so Mr. Gigray and myself sat down.
We pulled this up on the internet from some other departments and put it together and
Ron put his input in it and I did too and some changes. I think it's a good start from
what we had before. I did put copies in your box a while back and I didn't get any
feedback to change anything so we marched forward to bring it in front of the City
Council tonight to discuss it.
Corrie: Okay thank you Kenny. Any discussion?
Bird: I have none.
Corrie: (ORDINANCE #838 WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY) Is there anyone from the
audience who would like to have Ordinance #838 read in its entirety? Hearing none, I'll
entertain a motion on Ordinance #838.
Anderson: Mr. Mayor, I would make a motion that we approve Ordinance #838 creation
of a fire department with suspension of the rules.
Rountree: Second.
Corrie: Motion made by Mr. Anderson second by Mr. Rountree to approve Ordinance
#838 with suspension of rules.
ROLL CALL VOTE: ROUNTREE, AYE. ANDERSON, YEA. BENTLEY, YEA. BIRD,
YEA.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL YEAS.
15. DISCUSSION ON STIP — FY2000-2004 BY CLAIR BOWMAN OF APA.
Corrie: I'm sorry Clair. I was thirty minutes off, but we did have a good discussion
before you got here.
Bowman: Mr. Mayor, I forgot two things when I came tonight. I forgot the official list of
federally funded projects in the Meridian Area of Impact, and I forgot my flack jacket. I
don't which is likely to be more damaging to me. My goal here is to answer questions
and try to help understand what's going on. I have spoken with the transportation folks
at the Ada County Highway District who put together their capital improvement program.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 26
I have a one page listing of all the projects in the Meridian area of impact within the next
five construction years or preliminary development. I understand there are some
concerns about the Meridian area of impact receiving fewer funds in the next year or
two than in subsequent years. I think this sheet probably negates that concern. At least
I think it does. If I can talk just about roadway projects for a moment. There is one in
2000, one in 2002, three in 2003, four in 2004 and three out in preliminary development
being staged to come forward. That's just roadway projects. The 2000 project is
Corporate Drive, Meridian Road to the west. That one is set for construction an
estimated cost of something less than a half million dollars. The 2002 project is the
widening of Locust Grove from Fairview to Ustick. That's the — I think they're reserving
five lane width for the interchange area and then three lanes north of there, and that's
per the City Council request in some discussions that have gone on at that level. For
2003, there are two projects in here totally about 3'/2 million dollars. Pine Street, both
Locust Grove to Eagle Road and Eagle Road to the Cloverdale corridor. That's the
construction of Pine Street through that area. In addition, the design in 2003 would be
performed for Linder Road widening from Franklin to Cherry Lane. In 2004 Overland
Road, again two projects this time totally about four million dollars, just a bit less than
four million dollars. Overland Road widening from Locust Grove to Eagle and from
Meridian to Locust Grove. In each case those are seen as three lane rural section
roads with detached sidewalks, a detached pathway along the side. That's what the
current design calls for. right-of-way acquisition would be done on Linder Road Franklin
to Cherry Lane during 2004 and the design work for Ten Mile widening from Cherry
Lane to Ustick going north from Cherry Lane would be done at that same time. The
other projects in preliminary development are Linder widening from Ustick to Cherry
Lane, Locust Grove widening from Franklin to Fairview and Ten Mile widening from
Pine to Cherry Lane. That's only a half mile. That's why the price is so low. Those all
run something on the order of 1.2 to 1.8 million dollars a mile. There's a little bit more in
one project because of expected right-of-way costs. In addition there are several other
kinds of projects to be conducted in the Meridian area of impact over the next five years.
The intersection project is Eagle Road and Fairview for 2000. That will be redone that's
a major redo at the intersection. That's almost a one and three quarter of a million
dollar project just on the signalization. In 2004 they have the E. 1 st Waltman and
Meridian and Central intersection scheduled. Another major intersection project to
rework it . Traffic control signal projects, three of them. One is 2002 on Eagle Road,
one in 2003 on Meridian Road, one in 2004 on Fairview, Five Mile and Meridian.
There's two of them there. Both Five Mile and Meridian. Major bridge project, Eagle
Road bridge number 248. 1 did not get information on which bridge that is. That is
scheduled for 2001.
Bentley: I think it's the one by Victory.
Bowman: Oh, south of the interstate, yeah that makes sense. I was thinking bridges
north and I couldn't come up with any. Minor bridge projects, there's one on Locust
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 27
Grove. That will be done this next year. That's a minor bridge replacement project.
There are two drainage studies that will be conducted this coming year. North Meridian
drainage study and the west bench drainage study which extends over into the Meridian
area of impact. You have a commuter ride project on the park and ride lot near the
northeast corner of Meridian and Overland Roads. We also have some CMAQ funds
that do not go through ACHD's project list which are for the pathway along the creek. In
the case of the commuter ride project for the park and ride and the pathway project, I've
communicated to Mayor Corrie a week or so ago that we had some issues about
retaining the funding for those two projects because they were both scheduled in FY 99.
We were successful in finding another project. Boise City was able to move a project
forward that allowed those two projects to slip a year and still save the funding for them.
My suspicion is we cannot do that again. Those need to be expended in 2000 or we will
lose the funding. With respect to the specific request of me to talk about a Locust
Grove overpass, we have done some digging into the numbers that were in our long
range transportation plan with respect to the overpass. I believe the overpass cost is
we had it in there was slightly over four million dollars and as we look today at
construction costs without right-of-way that's on the order of three million dollars. (End
of Tape)
Bowman: ...the last question I was asked by the Mayor was, what's the possibility of
swapping one of the other projects for a Locust Grove overpass? That possibility is
really good if the City is willing to as you mentioned might be a possibility of the City
contributing some right-of-way on that project or acquiring it and donating it. The design
will take a couple of years. The earliest that could possibly be constructed is probably
2002 fiscal year. That's two and half years almost three years that it could be in design
and still go to contract three years from about right now. Without right-of-way to
consider that's a realistic possibility. If right-of-way has to be acquired with the funds of
the Ada County Highway District, or with federal funds depending on which sources of
funds are used for this project. The possibility to build it in three years would be almost
zero. We're looking at probably five years because rights-of-way are just taking a long
time to acquire. I think Charlie has the experience at ITD. We certainly have that with
the Ada County Highway District right now. As for funding sources, the three million
dollar funding for the construction is eligible from at least two sources, the Ada County
Highway District general fund it's local program tax dollars or their — no this one would
not qualify for — let me clarify. ACHD has general tax revenue dollars. They also have
impact fee dollars, and some portion of this project could be funded by impact fees, but
not all of it. I don't understand how that works, and I apologize that she was unable to
be here tonight to explain. The other funding sources interstate maintenance funds.
did put in a call yesterday afternoon to the folks at district three trying to find out if there
were any interstate maintenance funds available. I also tried to call Dave Amick to find
that out. In both cases, I have not been able to connect with them since the Mayor and
I spoke yesterday. So I apologize for that. I do know that funding source is a legitimate
funding source. I don't know whether there are any of those dollars available in the two
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 28
to three year time frame. I believe Mr. Mayor I've answered all the questions you and
talked about yesterday morning trying to provide some information on that score. If it
would be helpful for you to have a copy of this projects list which I just realized I didn't
bring copies, I can get somebody to make that perhaps. Or I can certainly leave it with
you.
Corrie: Thank you appreciate that. Any comments or questions.
Rountree: Mr. Mayor, Clair, if interstate maintenance funding was available and I was
not able to get an answer today either, but if it were, I think it's imperative that this
project get in the STIP right now.
Bowman: Right now.
Rountree: Get in preliminary development and a project of that size once developed
could go forward at any time as a filler as you well know. Projects get moved around
frequently and there needs to be space holders in this amount of money. It's not overly
large project, yet it's not $100,000 job either and it could serve to fill a spot if it's in the
STIP, the State Transportation Improvement Program. So my question to you is are
you willing to carry the water for Meridian to take this before the Idaho Transportation
Board as a proposal for them to include in this STIP preliminary development so work
can start on it, funding the preliminary design and possibly looking at 2002 or 2003 as a
theoretical construction date, but in the STIP in preliminary development.
Bowman: It would be PD in the STIP. The STIP is the state version of our local
transportation improvement program. The answer is yes, it would be best if one of the
representatives of the City of Meridian carried the action or at least me a request that
would be a unanimous request from the City Council tonight. That would be helpful.
We'd also need an amendment of our proposed transportation improvement program at
the August 16th APA board meeting to accomplish that. So a letter from this group to
me would be very helpful. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow and I would be happy to carry
that. It will actually be Thursday before I have time to do that because I'm in meetings
all day tomorrow again.
Corrie: In talking with Chuck Linder, he seems to be agreeable to something of that
nature. He talked to me that night. (Inaudible) I think we could come up with a letter
together and have it done if the Council so wishes.
Rountree: Another question for Clair. Would a project of this nature with the angle in
1959, 61 when the planning was done for the interstate didn't envision the growth that
went on in Boise, the growth that's going on in the Treasure Valley period. Essentially
they cut our community in half. We don't have great access back and forth. You have
to go two miles to get any access to either half of our city if you want to use the
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 29
interstate as a point of demarcation. With that kind of thinking could we qualify for
possibly a spin off grant say from TCSP. I mean those are improve transportation in
communities and it would seem to me that if we can improve the cohesiveness of our
community by increasing the opportunity to access within our community that might be
an angle we could pursue and I'm not saying to fund the entire project, but if we could
get some seed money to assist in acquisition of right-of-way. Even a —
Bowman: Until you mentioned the specific funding source, Councilman Rountree —
Rountree: And I know there's an issue there.
Bowman: I was nodding my head inside and thinking yes, this has merit. The
transportation community system preservation grant program is a competitive grant
program of the — well I guess there ended up being about $13,000,000 of projects
funded this current year. Ada and Canyon Counties in the form of Ada Planning
Association project sponsored by the Treasure Valley Partnership, we were successful
in getting a $500,000 grant out of that. There were no grants in that entire — none of
those that were worded were for projects to move vehicles, not a one of them.
Rountree: I understand, but that might change.
Bowman: That might change, yes indeed because there is a good deal of pressure now
from congressmen to treat it differently, but there isn't any action on that score yet.
What I can tell you is I would be happy to watch out for that as a potential funding
source to supplement or to move forward so we didn't have to rely totally on interstate
maintenance funds or on the Ada County Highway District's general budget.
Rountree: And I guess my final question is there a way to co -mingle the money with
ACHD and ITD in terms of interstate to maybe partner a project?
Bowman: Mr. Mayor, Councilman, the direct answer to that question is yes there is a
possibility. There have not been very many shared responsibility projects on highway
construction. Iry and I have had a good deal of success with using some of the shared
funding things on pathway projects. The Eckert Road the one that was built and the
one that's currently getting close to finalization right now are both really good examples.
In both of those cases we have blended Ada County Highway District funds with federal
funds through the state department of transportation and with private developer funds,
private contributions and other foundation grants along the way to pool those. We've
demonstrated it can work. There are a couple of individuals at district three who are
about ready to try one on their own with some blended funding possibilities. I don't at
this point know which project they're talking about but we can certainly talk about this
one as a possibility.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 30
Rountree: Thank you.
Corrie: Any questions?
Bird: I have none Mayor.
Bentley: I won't shoot the messenger, but he knows how I feel.
Corrie: I think we definitely need to get this Locust Grove overpass into the system very
quickly and whatever needs to be done we ought to be doing it very quickly.
Bowman: Mr. Mayor, I would suggest that a motion from the Council tonight to request
that I take all expeditious action to get this included in the current update to the state
transportation improvement program would be an appropriate motion.
Corrie: Okay. I can't make a motion, so —
Bentley: Mr. Mayor, I would move that the City Council give direction to Clair Bowman
of APA to proceed posthaste with getting the Locust Grove overpass on the front burner
shall we say and get it included in the updated STIP for the state.
Bird: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second to request that Mr. Clair Bowman include the updating
and the Locust Grove overpass into the STIP program now. Any further discussion? All
in favor of the motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES, 1 ABSTAIN (ROUNTREE)
16. DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
A. GARY SMITH:
WWTP — PLANT LABORATORY PRE -DESIGN ENGINEERING
PROPOSAL.
Smith: Thank you Mr. Mayor and Council, I have a request to have you approve a pre -
design engineering proposal from CH2M for study of our needs at the Wastewater Plant
for a new laboratory building. Part of our requirements on the MPDS permit that we
recently issued involves significantly more testing and CH2M was selected through the
request for proposal process to design this laboratory building. They came back with a
proposal. Neither John Shawcroft, Superintendent out there, or myself felt that it was
appropriate as far as what they were proposing and so we had several discussions with
them to try and determine where we were going with this lab building. Finally the
decision was made amongst all of us that it would be appropriate to proceed with a pre-
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 31
design engineering proposal to get our arms around this project and I think by going
through this phase of it, we will be able to determine the perimeters of what that building
needs to be.
Rountree: Gary, point of clarification. Is it wise to go back to CH2M for pre -design
when you're not satisfied with the concept of what they proposed initially. Should we
not be looking at a second opinion for lack of a better word.
Smith: We felt that their proposal because we did select them that their proposal and
their expertise is appropriate. The way that they proposed to go about the design of the
building. My concern is the size of the building that they were proposing and the
associated costs of that building.
Rountree: Too high, too low, too small.
Smith: Too big, too high. But until we can get some specifics developed as to what is
actually required it's very difficult for John and I to say okay, design us a lab building,
and give us a proposal for the engineering agreement and I'll bring that to you because
neither one of us know what that really is. We're not familiar enough with the cost for
example in the lab building because there are extraordinary costs just due to ventilation
for example because of the chemicals that are used in the lab and the testing they have
to do. That's one item that CH2M stressed. It is an expensive proposition in the lab
building. A lot of the materials in the lab area are acid resistant type materials, very
expensive. Now they threw a $300 a square foot price at us for this building and it
staggers. I just want to see the nuts and bolts of what this lab building is like. I mean
they had a $100,000 engineering contract they were proposing and I just wasn't
comfortable at all with that. In terms of going out to the other two or three firms that
proposed to us, I don't know that we would garner any better expertise from anybody
else, but I don't know. When we selected the engineer, it was on the basis of some
qualifications for this type of work. Their qualifications along with their approach to the
project were what pushed them to the top of the pile. But we weren't going anywhere
with what they were proposing. I was stumbling around and not doing anything
because I didn't know what to do and we finally had a second meeting with our
representative and decided that perhaps this was the way that we should proceed. I
don't know. I suppose if there aren't any as I understand it, there aren't any
commitments that we'd proceed on with the design of the structure with this same
engineering firm once pre -design is completed. But we definitely do need to move
ahead with the laboratory building because of our MPDS permit and testing
requirements. And we're going to hopefully be able to do some water testing, fulfill
some of our potable water testing requirements out there at the same time, our back tee
testing can be done there so we can save some dollars that we spend now with outside
testing firms. But that's a sideline to it.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 32
Rountree: And this pre -design study is (inaudible)
Smith: Yes, sir, correct. And I noticed and Bill Gigray may want to look at this limit of
liability. It seemed like when I read it, it was a larger number than we're used to seeing.
Item 6.4 on page 4 of their agreement. 6.4.1 excuse me. I don't know Steve if that —
the limit of liability that we're used to seeing that he has requested pretty consistently be
removed from the agreement speaks to a $50,000 limitation or the contract fee amount.
Corrie: So Mr. Gigray hasn't seen this one yet.
Smith: No, sir.
Bird: This one is sure slanted towards the — I need a copy of this for the subcontractor.
This is one of the first ones that I've seen the owner didn't have the slant. They sure
make sure they take care of themselves.
Corrie: Questions?
Rountree: I have none.
Corrie: Hearing none, what do you want to do?
Rountree: Mr. Mayor I move that we authorize the City of Meridian to enter into a pre -
design engineering agreement with CH2M Hill in the amount of $12,700 authorize the
Mayor to sign and Clerk to attest subject to review of City Attorney.
Bentley: Second.
Corrie: Motion made to approve the pre -design of $12,700 with the okay of the City
Attorney subject to City Attorney review excuse me. Any further discussion? All those
in favor of the motion say aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Smith: Thank you Mayor, thank you Council.
B. KENNY BOWERS:
COLLECTIVE LABOR AGREEMENT WITH UNION #2311
Bowers: Mayor Corrie and City Council, we was going to try to have the union contract
to present to you people tonight and we run into some verbiage problems. Pauline and
myself met with them Friday with Bentley on the telephone. Their attorney had changed
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 33
two articles quite a bit of verbiage in them and one article did not make sense
whatsoever. So we sent it back to them and told them to try to straighten out the
verbiage. They were suppose to try to get it yesterday and as of noon, they had not got
it checked from the attorney today so I did not want to shove it in front of you guys' face
five minutes before and let you try to make heads or tails of it. So if we could put it off
until our next meeting, I'm sure that Councilman Anderson and Councilman Bentley and
I should be able to meet with Pauline and try to hammer out those two articles.
Bentley: I told you to keep the attorney out of this.
B. TOM KUNTZ
FOLLOW-UP REPORT
Kuntz: Mayor and Council my follow up report was actually on the purchase of the
property, but as long as I'm on the agenda I don't want to waste this opportunity. Just to
update you on Tully Park, we have delayed the opening until the 1 st of September. Due
to some additional things that we're doing at the park as far as the basketball court.
The Kiwanis needed a little bit more time to get the shelter put up and some other
issues that we want to resolve before we open it up officially, so it will be the first part of
September and we will have some kind of a opening ceremony like we did at
Generations Plaza. And then also we met with our comp plan consultant last week.
He'll be back in town to meet with the commission on the 16t" which is Monday night at
6:00 and you're welcome to attend that if you would and then we have three public
meetings set up for during the month of September, and we'll be advertising those. So
we're off and running on our comp plan.
Bird: Thank you Tom.
Corrie: Before we entertain a motion to close, there's a notice of special workshop that
Mr. Berg put out that's Friday, August 6t" at 6:30 p.m. I don't think we're going to have
that one if we're all going to be cooking.
Bird: I'm with you. We had set it up on the agenda the calendar and hopefully we didn't
need it.
Rountree: Yeah, it was kind of a fall back just in case we didn't get through and I
suggested that Will go ahead and notice and we could back out if we weren't going to
need it, but if we needed it, we needed it noticed.
Bird: Yeah.
Rountree: And we won't know until Thursday evening anyway.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 34
Bird: We've had something come out at the dog pound. Some how or the other 220 got
left out of our plans. We need some 220 power into it. We can use it as a change order
to the contract. I understand it's about $500 Chief. Is the contract been closed out?
Okay then we need to address it as a change order to the contract. Now, legal can I do
that without — do you have a firm quote of $500 Chief? We have to have it in writing.
Corrie: You can have it up to $500.
Gordon: Mr. Mayor and Council, Councilman Bird, no sir I do not. I just received that
information two days ago. He said it was going to be approximately $500. He had
talked to John Shawcroft to see where the closest 220 was, and then it was going to
have to be trenched in from there. We had 110 at the existing pound and I just figured
that that was good and the electrical inspector said no way.
Corrie: Are you going to have that tonight? Do you have to have it tonight or can you
have it the 17th of August? Two weeks away.
Gordon: The only thing that's holding up the completion of the building is this power.
Everything else is done.
Bird: Mr. Mayor, now can make it up to $500 a change order?
Corrie: If you want to do that.
Bird: Legally? Can we do that without written?
Rountree: Just authorize to proceed with the necessary —
Bird: change order not to exceed $500.
Rountree: --by change order, I don't even know if you need to specify an amount, do
you?
Bird: Most of the time — the change orders come in and you know they're an after the
fact deal. Do I need to have an amount on there?
Corrie: No, you don't have to. If it's over $500, 1 mean he can take it out of his budget if
he wants to, but if you got that part of it, I would suggest you okay the change order not
exceed $1,000 and then you are probably pretty safe.
Bird: Yeah, but Chief is going to use $1,000 if I give it $500, he'll only use $500.
Meridian City Council Meeting
August 3, 1999
Page 35
Gordon: Mr. Mayor, Council, Councilman Bird, the contractor was talking awful fast
because he wasn't too sure if he forgot it or it slipped by or what, and so I'm sure he's
going to be real reasonable. He said he would even split the cost with me and he would
keep it down under the $500.
Bird: Mr. Mayor I move that we approve a change order at the dog pound to put 220 in
to the building not to exceed $1,000.
Bentley: Second.
Corrie: Motion made and second to approve the change order not to exceed $1,000 for
the dog pound at the 220. Any further discussion? All those in favor of the motion say
aye.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
Corrie: I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.
Rountree: So moved.
Bird: Second.
MOTION CARRIED: ALL AYES.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:30 P.M.
(TAPE ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
APPROVED:
ROBERT D. CORRIE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
WILLIAM G. BERG, JR., CITY CLERK