OPENING Mayor Miller called the regular meeting of the city council to order at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 in the council chambers at City Hall, 1123 Lake.
ROLL CALL Council members Boge, Hawkins, Spickelmire, Lamson, Lockwood, and Newton were present.
INVOCATION Matt Lombard, Sandpoint Seventh Day Adventist Church, gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Miller led the council and the public in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff noted that Gary Pietsch and Sue Austin, members of the Parks and Recreation Commission, provided comments on the proposed Cedars Subdivision Parkland Dedication, which was on tonight’s agenda. He thanked Mayor Miller for his years of dedicated service and support to his department.
PUBLIC FORUM
Larry Blakey, Chair of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, highlighted several points relating to sidewalk improvements. He noted the Pedestrian Advisory Committee helped develop the first Streetscape Ordinance in 2003, and with the assistance of the public in 2003, the committee rated Sandpoint’s sidewalks with the results entered into the City’s computerized mapping system. He said in 2004, the Pedestrian Advisory Committee proposed sidewalks be prioritized and was adopted by city council, In 2005, the Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommended the 2007 Boyer/Cedar LID which was completed last summer. He noted that the committee also provided a sequence of sidewalk priorities through 2012. He stated that before the Boyer LID, most people walked in the streets with objection from two senior women who now express a sense of safety and convenience. He commented that quite a few homeowners installed sidewalks based on letters received from the City of Sandpoint for the proposed 2008-1 LID and that the tree committee recommended that the 2008-1 LID be changed to put sidewalks only on the South side of Pine Street because of problems with trees on the north side. He encouraged city council to adopt the sidewalk tree policy being developed by the Pedestrian Advisory and Tree subcommittee and urged city council to adopt the 2008-1 LID resolution proposed by the Pedestrian Advisory Committee in order to make the promise that Sandpoint continue to be a walking town.
CONSENT CALENDAR (OLD BUSINESS)
Councilwoman Newton requested that Item B - Bills for the month of December, 2007 be removed from consent.
Councilwoman Lamson moved that items A-1 through A-5, and Items C through E-1 be approved. Councilman Spickelmire seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote of council.
A. MINUTES
A-1 City Council regular minutes of December 19, 2007;
A-2 Arts Commission minutes of November 13, 2007;
A-3 Community Forest/Pedestrian Advisory Subcommittee minutes of December 20, 2007 and January 3, 2008;
A-4 Parks and Recreation Commission minutes of October 22, 2007;
A-5 Pedestrian Advisory Committee minutes of November 16, 2007
B Bills for the month of December 2007 - removed from consent
C Centennial Place Subdivision Final Plat Approval
D PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE JANUARY 2, 2008 MINUTES
E ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE JANUARY 9, 2008 MINUTES
E-1 Purchase of Fire Hose, Thermal Imaging Camera, and Rapid Intervention Team Packs – Fire Act Grant Funds – approve purchase with city’s 5% match of $3,239
B. BILLS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2007
Councilwoman Newton stated that she would abstain from voting on approval of the bills. She felt one of the bills to be an inappropriate expenditure and said she would take it up in the administrative committee. Councilman Spickelmire moved to approve the bills in the amount of $869,803.59. Councilwoman Lamson seconded the motion. The motion passed by a majority vote of council with Councilwoman Newton abstaining.
Mayor Miller presented plaques to Councilman Spickelmire and Councilwoman Lamson in appreciation for the service as council members for the City of Sandpoint. City Clerk Maree Peck presented a plaque to Mayor Miller for his 26 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Sandpoint. He served as City Councilman from 1982 to 2002 and Mayor from 2002 to 2008. Mayor Miller thanked the citizens of Sandpoint, the staff, the employees, and gave his best wishes to the new mayor and council members.
OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS
City Clerk Maree Peck administered the oath of office to Mayor Gretchen A. Hellar (4 year term) and to council members Michael Boge (2 year term), Douglas Hawkins, Jr., Stephen T. Snedden, and Carrie Ann Logan (4 year terms). Each signed their oath and received a certificate of election.
ROLL CALL Council members Boge, Snedden, Logan, Hawkins, Lockwood, and Newton were present.
CONSENT CALENDAR (NEW BUSINESS)
F. Committee Appointments
Administrative Committee: Councilwoman Newton, Councilman Hawkins, and Councilman Snedden
Public Works Committee: Councilman Boge, Councilman Lockwood, and Councilwoman Logan
Fire Department Negotiation Team: Councilman Boge, Councilman Lockwood, and Councilman Hawkins
G. RESOLUTIONS
G-1 Resolution No. 08-01 Sewer Collection Scope of Work 2008 Improvements with JUB Engineers, Inc.
G-2 Resolution No. 08-02 Panhandle Enrichment Program Letter of Support
Councilman Hawkins moved that items F through G-2 be approved. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by a roll call vote of council.
NEW BUSINESS
H-1. CREATION OF LID 2008-1
Right of Way Inspector Bruce Robertson stated that this matter was before city council this evening as it was tabled last month for further discussion and study for funding alternatives. He explained to Councilman Hawkins that the pavement ends 60’ north of the end of the right of way on Fourth Avenue. Councilman Lockwood reminded city council that the City of Sandpoint will be liable for its poor sidewalk conditions and is several years behind on ADA compliance. He noted that 40 property owners have already replaced their sidewalks in anticipation of the LID. He said that this matter was delayed at the December city council meeting with the city treasurer providing a matrix of funding mechanisms. He stressed his sympathy to those senior citizens who have financial constraints. He noted that citizens in the Boyer/Cedar LID are paying approximately $350 per year for the sidewalk improvements. He noted Michigan Street
is a major route for school students.
Councilman Lockwood moved that the city continue with the momentum to make Sandpoint a safe place to walk and to approve the 2008-1 LID. Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Councilwoman Newton read the following recommendation from the Tree Committee: “The Sandpoint Community Forest Committee strongly recommends that mature trees on the north side of Pine Street which conflicts with the proposed 2008-1 LID on Pine between Boyer and Division be retained and the sidewalk only be built on one side, the south side of Pine, similar to the precedent set by construction on the Cedar Street sidewalk project completed in 2007.”
She recalled circumstances of financial hardships with one elderly resident within the proposed LID who lives on a sloped property that would include a significant cost to install a retaining wall to support a sidewalk. She said city council needs to look at installing sidewalks on only one side of the street and suggested city council schedule a workshop to discuss local improvement districts. She said that she couldn’t support the motion. Councilman Hawkins noted the number of concerns from people who had testified at the December city council public hearing regarding the fact that there is no public beach access at the end of Fourth Avenue.
Councilman Hawkins moved to amend Section 2 to read “end of Fourth Avenue approximately 60’ short of the right of way at the end of the pavement”. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. Councilwoman Newton commented that she would oppose approval of the ordinance because it made no sense to put sidewalks beyond Pacific or to have sidewalks on either side of Fourth Avenue. Council members Hawkins, Snedden, and Lockwood voted in favor. Council members Boge, Logan, and Newton voted in opposition. Mayor Hellar voted in favor.
Councilwoman Logan commented that sidewalks are a real value to the City and felt that the city should participate in the financing of the sidewalks. She stressed the city should explore other funding sources for a ten year plan for sidewalk construction so homeowners have the opportunity to budget their portion of the sidewalks. She said sidewalks should be prioritized by routes to schools first and be fact based rather than anecdotal. She suggested that if there was a decision to look at other funding alternatives that the City should make a commitment to those owners who have already installed their sidewalks and to find a mechanism to help them financially. She commented she would vote against the LID. Councilman Hawkins said the City should not send a message that would have a significant impact on its citizens. He said it would be unfair to those property owners who already acted upon installing sidewalks and felt the City should go forward with the current plan. Councilman Boge concurred with Councilwoman Logan. He also shared concerns that property owners
are faced with financial hardships and will be forced to move out of town. He stressed that the City needs to retain the residents they already have.
Councilman Snedden stated that the LID disproportionately impacts affordable housing. He suggested that the City should look at other funding alternatives in the future. He stated that previous testimony made it clear that there were concerns from those citizens who already acted upon the City’s letter to install sidewalks. He felt it necessary to proceed with the 2008-1 LID. Bruce Robertson responded to Councilman Hawkins that he was not aware of any current requests for exemptions due to financial hardships. He said the appropriate time to receive those requests would be at the end of the LID project. Councilwoman Newton noted this procedure occurs during the public hearing for the assessment roll. She pointed out that for every person who is granted an exemption for financial hardship the costs fall back to their next door neighbor. Councilman Boge noted that when the City installs the sidewalks, it costs the citizens 40% more than what a private contractor charges. City Attorney Will Herrington confirmed that if citizens wanted to do their own work, they wouldn’t have the opportunity to get out of the LID once it’s created. He advised it would be difficult to allow additional time because an earlier bid process would mean lower costs from contractors with a wider range of contractor bids submitted. Bruce Robertson stated that last year’s LID went out to bid March 1st and the city received the bids the first of April with only two bidders.
H-2. PROPOSED ORDINANCE – CREATION OF LID 2008-1
Councilman Lockwood moved that the proposed ordinance titled “An ordinance of the City of Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho, creating Local Improvement District No. 2008-1; describing and setting forth the boundaries of the local improvement district; providing for the project to be financed therein; appointing an engineer to prepare the necessary specifications, engineer’s report, and assessment roll; providing for the payment of costs and expenses of the project to be assessed against the property within the local improvement district and the method of assessment; providing for the issuance of local improvement district bonds and warrants; providing for related matters; and providing an effective date” pass its first reading by title only and, if applicable, the summary be approved. Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion.
A roll call vote of the council resulted as follows:
Councilman Boge No
Councilman Lockwood Yes
Councilwoman Newton No
Councilman Hawkins Yes
Councilman Snedden Yes
Councilwoman Logan No
The motion was tied by a vote of the council. Mayor Hellar voted in favor and the proposed ordinance passed its first reading by title only and, if applicable, summary was approved.
Councilman Hawkins moved that the rules requiring three separate readings, once in the ordinance’s entirety be suspended and that the ordinance pass its second and third readings under the suspension of the rules. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion.
Councilman Boge questioned whether Mayor Hellar and Councilman Lockwood would be qualified to vote since they reside in the LID with Will Herrington confirming they could because it’s been decided by the courts that elected officials who reside in the LID are treated equally as everyone else.
A roll call vote of the council resulted as follows:
Councilman Boge No
Councilman Lockwood Yes
Councilwoman Newton No
Councilman Hawkins Yes
Councilman Snedden Yes
Councilwoman Logan No
The motion was tied by a vote of the council. The motion required four affirmative votes therefore rules requiring three separate readings, once in the ordinances’ entirety was not suspended and the proposed ordinance did not pass its second and third readings under suspension of the rules.
I. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST FOR MADISON
Right of Way Inspector Bruce Robertson explained the funding application for one block of a safe route to school sidewalk immediately south of the prior safe routes to school funding project on Madison between Hickory and Larch streets. He noted that the prior project has not been completed to date. He said this funding application would provide two continuous sidewalks along Madison Avenue south of the Farmin-Stidwell Elementary. Councilman Lockwood moved that city council approve the Safe Routes to School grant application. Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion.
Councilwoman Logan noted that $100,000 was available for the Safe Routes to School program and questioned why these funds were not applied for Michigan Street improvements. Bruce Robertson explained that the grant process is complicated and that the first application was funded and awarded at the maximum of $100,000. He explained it’s competitive and it would be unlikely to receive a large grant the second
time. He stressed that it’s prudent to apply for a smaller grant the second time. He said the grant was awarded for two separate fundings, one for the sidewalks along Madison Avenue for a grant of $25,000 and the second grant is for the crossing at Michigan Street and Highway 2. He said staff is currently working with the State on designing the project. He noted that the process to access the funds has been complicated and time consuming. He said he expected to have it by the next construction season. He stated that because the funds are from a Federal grant, there is a requirement to pay and document Davis Bacon wages with the awarded grant funds.
Councilwoman Newton pointed out that the City had sent letters to the property owners on Madison that they needed remove their trees and replace their fences by August 8th because the sidewalk would be installed on August 13th, which didn’t give them ample time to appeal. She said the trees were removed but the funds have not been received and the project has not been completed to date. She raised concern that we are requesting funds for another grant when we haven’t received the funds from the first grant. Bruce Robertson noted that the deadline for the grant application is February 14, 2008. Councilman Hawkins noted that it’s prudent that the City install or maintain sidewalks without the cost to the property owners or the City. Bruce Robertson said that the project would go out for bid as a State project and would make the bid process accessible to local businesses. He noted that a local business was awarded the bid for the 2006 LID. Councilwoman Logan commented that in the future, grant applications should be for the maximum allowed.
The motion passed unanimously by council.
J. SEVEN SISTERS SUBDIVISION APPLICATION FOR WATER
Councilwoman Newton stated she wanted to offer a comment and a motion. Mayor Hellar directed the staff to provide a brief background first. Planning Director Jeremy Grimm gave a brief power point overview of the water system and water facility master plan adopted in 2006. He said the proposed projects demand 3,650 ERUs (equivalent residential unit) in the Ponderay/Kootenai area by 2025. He demonstrated that this represents an increase of 2,450 new ERUs with 76.5% within the City limits and 23.5% outside the City limits. He noted that the City currently services 6,000 ERUs. He stated that 7% of $501,251 of the general fund maintenance and operations budget is paid by water users. He said the existing distribution system deficiency improvements required to meet current conditions as of 2005 total $8,323,800 with 87.7% of the cost associated with current system deficiencies. He said that a greater number of users would lower the individual cost for performing these upgrades. He said a point system was developed in the Spring of 2007 to evaluate requests for extension of the City of Sandpoint Water System to outside the current water service area. He stated the point rating is based on the location of the tract, sewer service, road capacity, consistency with the future land use plan, land use mix, housing mix, and sidewalks to provide pedestrian connectivity through the development. He stated that the applicants’ location is in the existing water service area with installation of approximately 5,955 feet of 12-inch water main. He said it would have a value of line installation of $994,485 and provides the benefit of looping the existing system where dead end mains currently exist with the potential of 217 new users in the system with the potential to collect NUFF fees to pay for deficiencies. He stressed that the City’s current water treatment system is at 95% capacity with the expansion costs likely to exceed $12,000,000. He explained that with or without approval, it would require a new treatment capacity and associated transmission upgrades. He noted that if the City were unable to attribute the expansion of our facilities to new growth, long time users would carry the burden of system expansion through higher rates. He said there is a challenge when sophisticated analysis is required to define the proportionate share of the cost attributed to growth for system improvements in geographic specific areas. He said that staff recommends that city council schedule a special meeting to further discuss these issues.
Councilwoman Newton commented that the issue is the expansion of water boundaries and is one of the most important issues the council will consider. She said CH2Hill completed the 2006 water facility master plan and felt that all city council members should be required to review the plan before any further consideration and any future water applications.
Councilwoman Newton moved that Items J Seven Sisters Subdivision Application for Water and K Providence Park Application for Water be postponed until such time that the mayor can schedule one or more full council workshops to bring herself and the entire city council up to speed on the multiple and complex issues that surround these and all other requests for extensions of the City’s water boundaries. Councilwoman Logan seconded the motion. Mayor Hellar suggested that a special meeting be scheduled on January 23rd at 5:30 p.m. Councilwoman Newton requested that a workshop be scheduled before a special city council meeting is scheduled because it will take more than one session to digest and discuss it. Councilwoman Logan concurred. Jeremy Grimm noted that both applicants were agreeable to discuss this matter at a later date. Councilman Lockwood noted that the motion left it up to the mayor and staff to schedule a meeting workshop or special meeting which leaves the latitude to the mayor.
The motion passed unanimously by council.
K. PROVIDENCE PARK APPLICATION FOR WATER
As stated in Item J above, this matter has been scheduled for a special session on January 23rd at 5:30 p.m.
L. IMPACT FEE REFUND REQUEST AT 102 EUCLID
Councilman Hawkins moved that this matter be rescheduled to the February 20, 2008 city council meeting because the property owner’s schedule prevented him from attending tonight’s meeting. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by council.
M. CEDARS SUBDIVISION PHASE II, III, IV PARKLAND DEDICATION
Planning Director Jeremy Grimm explained the proposed development agreement which would allow 2.5 acres of the Cedars Subdivision to be dedicated to the City as parkland. He said that Army Corp of Engineers was contacted based on Councilwoman Newton’s concerns about potential floodplain restrictions on the property. He stated that the Corp of Engineers stated that they would only be involved if the City deposited fill into the river or dredged the wetlands. He said the property is an A-3 flood zone with requirements of elevated structures in these areas or built on no rise certification.
Councilman Lockwood moved to approve the Cedars Subdivision Parkland Dedication agreement. Councilman Hawkins seconded the motion. Councilman Lockwood commented that this would be an appropriate addition to the City’s extension to the potential park system. Councilman Boge asked for the legal description of passive parks. City attorney Will Herrington said there is no legal description of a passive park. Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff explained that it would be similar to the Hickory Street Park with a general feeling of a neighborhood park. He said that parks would be classified more specifically in the omprehensive plan.
Councilman Boge read the letters from Gary Pietsch and Sue Austin who are members of the Parks and Recreation Commission with their concern that parks are developed before subdivisions and concern with floodplain issues. Councilman Boge moved to amend Section 13-B-1 to strike out the current language and to read, “ The City will control development plans and the best use of the park”. Councilwoman Newton seconded the motion. Councilwoman Newton noted that the Hickory Street Park has a basketball court, small skateboard park, children’s play toys, picnic tables and open field area. Jeremy Grimm noted the second half of the sentence was based on Councilman Boge’s concern with the passive language at the Public Works Committee meeting. The motion passed by a majority vote of council with Councilman Lockwood dissenting.
Councilman Boge moved to amend that Section 13-B-2 to read “ The transferred area will be developed with input from the community. Final elements within the park development will be ultimately determined by the City of Sandpoint.” Councilwoman Newton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by council.
Councilman Boge moved to amend to include a Section that states, “ that the funding for the park will come from impact fees from the development.” Councilman Hawkins noted that there was no timeline to have the park completed. He recommended not changing the City’s priority regarding parks and to wait until there was development in place. City Attorney Will Herrington advised there was a problem with Councilman Boge’s motion because there is an impact fee program and can only spend impact fees for projects included in the capital improvement plan. He explained it would be tying hands in the future for other sources of funding. He encouraged city council not to go this route and advised this would limit source of funds such as grants. Councilman Boge withdrew his motion.
Councilwoman Newton referred to the recommendations from the members of the Park and Recreation Commission and agreed that funds should not be taken from other parks. She stressed the decision of the Parks and Recreation Commission should be incorporated into the development agreement. Councilwoman Logan suggested this be handled in the form of one or two policies implemented in the park plan. Councilman Boge said it should not take away from other revenues for other parks. Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission does not have a complete understanding as to how impact fees can be utilized. He explained that the impact fee has to be spent for new parks, not maintenance. He noted that council approves park projects during the budget process.
Councilwoman Newton raised concern with Section 12-B-29 and 12-B-35 regarding emergency vehicle access and turnarounds. Developer, Colin Burnett, stated that a hammerhead turnaround would be on the northeastern portion at the satisfaction of the fire chief. He responded that the City does have the right to develop the park and that there would be access for utilities for properties to the north. He noted that the original plat was approved by city council. He commented the proposed park would be the only park to service 160 units at over $2,000 per unit of impact fees with a total of over $300,000 for fees. He said the city has an estimate of $100,000 to develop it and the fees would go toward new parks. He said it would be up to the City as to how it’s developed.
Councilwoman Newton moved to amend 13-B-5 to read,” The City will construct a parking area to accommodate 56 vehicles in the transferred area to provide for public use of the park.” Councilman Boge seconded the motion. Councilman Lockwood
stated that the park would need parking but it restricts the City’s flexibility in the
development agreement. Councilwoman Newton noted there were parking issues at Centennial Park, Great Northern Park and Travers Park. Planning Director Jeremy Grimm explained that 56 parking spaces were used for illustrative purposes. It was not the intent as to the actual amount of parking spaces, only to give a cost estimate of parking spaces.
Councilwoman Newton moved to change her amendment to 50 vehicles. Councilman Lockwood said the park would be used primarily for adjacent property owners with no need to put this in the development agreement. Councilman Hawkins felt that this language was not appropriate for the development agreement and was hesitant to use a ballpark figure of 56 vehicles. Parks and Recreation Director Kim Woodruff agreed to accommodate parking and that the development agreement was not the place for this language. He reminded city council this land was a gift from the developer with an opportunity to receive land for a park and didn’t feel it necessary to discuss the final design of the park. He assured council this would be a community park for long range planning with the community’s input. Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk stated that the City would snowplow the street to the park. The motion failed with Council members Boge, Lockwood, Hawkins, Snedden and Logan dissenting.
Councilwoman Newton moved to amend to strike the entire section 13-B-5. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. The motion passed with Council members Hawkins and Snedden dissenting.
Councilman Snedden questioned why the legal descriptions for Block 1, 2, and 3 were in the agreement but didn’t include the legal description for Lots 4 and 5. Planning Director Jeremy Grimm responded that the final plat was approved by city council and would define Lots 4 and 5. He noted that the treasurer would need an evaluation of the property. Councilman Snedden raised concern that it makes it difficult to enforce the agreement without the legal description. Councilman Snedden moved to amend Section 13-A-1 to include the legal descriptions for Lots 4 and 5. City Attorney Will Herrington explained that the developer would have a dedication paragraph on the plat as dedicated to the City that would include the legal descriptions. Councilman Snedden withdrew his motion. Councilwoman Newton questioned whether the access road to Burns Court to the park was for public safety only. Jeremy Grimm responded that it was an easement for utilities.
Councilman Hawkins moved to authorize the mayor and city clerk to sign the proposed Cedars Subdivision Parkland Dedication development agreement with the proposed amendments. Councilman Snedden seconded the motion. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of council.
N. ORDINANCE NO. 1187 AND SUMMARY - STREETSCAPE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
Councilman Hawkins moved to amend the ordinance to incorporate the last sentence in the proposed ordinance on Section 7-3-10-C-2(c) as presented in italics – “Deferral shall expire at the end of three years if improvements are not otherwise installed.” Councilwoman Logan seconded the motion. Councilman Snedden reminded council that they debated over the 2008-1 LID. He said that Section 7-3-10 raises the minimum cost of the threshold for installing sidewalks from $15,000 to $25,000. He said raising the cost of the threshold isn’t consistent with the goal. Councilman Lockwood stated during the initial adoption of the streetscape ordinance, the $15,000 was an attempt to insure minor additions was not put over the reasonable threshold of the cost of the curb, gutter, and sidewalk. He stated that the Public Works Committee received a recommendation from the Pedestrian Advisory Committee that we put an upper limit on the deferral and there was suggestion to raise the amount to $25,000.
Councilman Snedden moved to amend Section 7-3-10-C (1) and 7-3-10-C (2) to replace $15,000 to $20,000. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. Councilwoman Newton felt it should be $25,000 as proposed. Public Works Director stated a typical kitchen remodel or additional costs $25,000. Councilman Lockwood said he felt it best to stay with $25,000. The motion failed with Council members Boge, Lockwood, Newton, Hawkins, and Logan dissenting.
Councilman Hawkins moved that the proposed ordinance titled “An ordinance of the City of Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho providing for amendment of the streetscape
ordinance of the Municipal Code of the City of Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho; amending Section 7-3-9 to increase the building permit amount which triggers the requirement for curb improvements from $15,000 to $25,000; to provide exemptions and deferral reasons for curb requirements; and to place requirements upon driveway approaches; amending Section 7-3-10 to increase the building permit amount which triggers the requirement for sidewalk improvements from $15,000 to $25,000; to include a deferral reason for anticipated near-future right of way improvements; providing that these provisions shall be deemed severable and that remaining sections of Sandpoint Municipal Code shall not be affected by a finding that these provisions are unlawful or unenforceable; and providing for publication and an effective date” pass its first reading by title only and, if applicable, the summary be approved. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion.
A roll call vote of the council resulted as follows:
Councilman Boge Yes
Councilman Lockwood Yes
Councilwoman Newton Yes
Councilman Hawkins Yes
Councilman Snedden Yes
Councilwoman Logan Yes
The motion passed by a unanimous vote of the council and the proposed ordinance passed its first reading by title only and, if applicable, summary was approved.
Councilman Hawkins moved that the rules requiring three separate readings, once in the ordinances' entirety be suspended and that the ordinance pass its second and third readings under the suspension of the rules. Councilman Lockwood seconded the motion. A roll call vote of the council resulted as follows:
Councilman Boge Yes
Councilman Lockwood Yes
Councilwoman Newton Yes
Councilman Hawkins Yes
Councilman Snedden Yes
Councilwoman Logan Yes
The motion passed by a unanimous vote of the council and the rules requiring three separate readings, once in the ordinances’ entirety be suspended and the proposed ordinance passed its second and third readings under suspension of the rules. The ordinance was considered read, passed and adopted and the summary was approved. The ordinance is Number 1187.
O. WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT EXTENSION
City Attorney Will Herrington noted that the City of Sandpoint entered into a five-year contract with Waste Management in 2003 and there have been very few complaints. He stated that the contract allows renewal of the contract for a three-year extension. He said the administrative committee recommended that this be contingent upon no rate increase except for the annual CPI adjustment. He noted that Waste Management needs to be notified by February 1, 2008. He explained that if the City chooses not to renew the contract, Waste Management could negotiate at a higher rate of reimbursement for garbage. He stated that another contractor did have interest but did not submit a bid at the given deadline of January 4th.
Councilwoman Newton moved that the City exercise its option to grant a three year extension to the present contract contingent upon no rate increase other than the annual CPI adjustment and that additionally, the City give notice to Waste Management within 60 days to enter into negotiations concerning Section 17-10-1 regarding weekly curbside collection of recyclables. Councilman Boge seconded the motion. Councilwoman Newton noted that the City has not experienced any complaints with Waste Management’s service. She said that currently they don’t charge the City for collection at the City Hall, the treatment plant, and City parks and was negotiated into the last contract. She said they currently take weekly curbside
collectables but that recycling is not available for the commercial district. She stressed the need to discuss recycling for the commercial district. Will Herrington explained that if the City accepts the contract, they could put it out for bid 1 ˝ years from now. Councilman Lockwood raised concern that there are no incentives to recycle and there should be discussion of can size rates. There was discussion regarding commercial cardboard recycling. Will Herrington explained there are provisions in the contract that allows the City to give notice and amendments to the contract and that city council could renegotiate during the term of the contract. Councilman Snedden suggested negotiating different rates for different size cans. Councilwoman Newton noted that even with the CPI increases for the next three years, there would be a need to raise the City’s fees. City Treasurer Shannon Syth noted that the city’s current rate structure barely covers the City’s cost. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote of council.
P. ELECTION OF COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Councilman Hawkins nominated Councilman Boge for council president. Councilman Boge was elected council president by a unanimous vote of council.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Gretchen A. Hellar, Mayor
ATTEST:
Maree Peck, City Clerk
