Minutes - 2010 - City Council - 05/18/2010 - Town Hall
EAGLE CITY COUNCIL
Town Hall Meeting Minutes
May 18,2010
1. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Present: SHOUSHTARIAN, HUFFAKER, SEMANKO, GRASSER.
A quorum is present.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
4. TOWN HALL MEETING:
The Eagle City Council is pleased to invite all residents within the greater
community of Eagle to attend the May 18, 2010 town hall meeting to speak their
mind about matters or opinions they believe the City Council should address or
consider. We have no agenda since we wish this to be an open discussion inspired by
the interests of the people of our community.
Out of courtesy for all who wish to speak, the City Council requests each speaker
limit their presentation to three (3) minutes. If time permits, and after all attendees
who wish to address the City Council have done so, the City Council may invite
rebuttals or engage in additional discussions with the attendees.
It is the wish of the City Council that each speaker be treated with the utmost
respect, courtesy and afforded the right to speak without interruption. The intent of
our town hall meeting is to create a friendly community spirited forum where by the
Eagle community may express their views openly and freely.
May we suggest this is a gathering of neighbors openly speaking with neighbors,
and we hope everyone will feel welcome to participate.
Acting Mayor Huffaker welcomes those in attendance and opens the floor up for
discussion.
Patricia Minkiewicz Eagle Area of Impact Deerfield Court. Ms. Minkiewicz states that
she has a question from a person that lives in City limits but was unable to attend the
meeting tonight. This person would like to know if the Council members who are in the
running for Mayor are allowed to vote for themselves. Also, this person would like to
know if the Council members have been approached by any of the staff to voice their
preference for the Mayoral appointment. Has the Council been influenced by anyone on
staff as to who they would like to be their boss at City Hall.
Huffaker notes that there is no legal counsel in attendance to night, but that it is his
understanding that the Council member would be able to vote for themselves during the
nomination. Council member Semanko suggested that it is a moot issue. Grasser feels
that it would be appropriate to get Legal Counsel Opinion. Discussion.
Grasser, Shoushtarian, Semanko all state that they have not been approached by staff.
Huffaker states that as Acting Mayor he has interacted with staff but does not think it
appropriate to comment further.
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Mark Butler feels that perhaps the City should adopt Comprehensive Plan language that
the State has in place wherein it cannot be changed except for every 6 months or even
change it out to every year. It can become confusing with all of the changes.
Butler also states that perhaps the asphalt in the Senior Center parking lot should be re-
sealed, as it hasn't been done in several years and perhaps this could be budgeted in the
upcoming budget.
Frank Thomason would like to know when the Council meetings will begin to be video
streamed.
Huffaker states that the gentleman is coming before Council at the June 8, 2010 meeting
with more information.
Patricia Minkiewicz. She states the landlord has been uncooperative with the City as far
as negotiations. How will the City deal with the getting out of the lease? She has other
questions about withdrawing from the building.
Grasser states he has spoke to the City Attorney regarding to the matter of withdrawing
from the lease. Huffaker states that the RFP for a new building will be on the agenda for
action. Butler comments on the CC&R's associated with the City owned property and the
building that sits on it. JeffKunz, Chairman of the City Hall Task Force discusses some
of the Task Force's findings. General discussion.
Mary DeFayette asks if any of the monies have been collected on Pooley case that was
won by the City back in December.
Huffaker states that no fines or penalties have been collected to date and the matter is
under appeal to the Supreme Court of the State ofIdaho.
Butler feels that the ACSO does a great job and they have a great presence in the City.
But he doesn't feel that any additional monies need to be dedicated to them in the
upcomIng year.
Huffaker states that really the Council cannot comment on way or the other as it will be
voted on during the budgeting process. Grasser and Semanko states that the budget this
year will be extremely tight and every thing will be looked at closely. General discussion.
Patricia Minkiewicz talks about the area of impact north of Eagle Road. How is the
deliberation going with Ada County Commissioners?
Huffaker states that he met last week with Commissioner Yzaguirre and there are some
items that Ada County staff wants clarification on before meeting together again in a
Joint Council/Commissioner meeting. Discussion. Butler provides input on the City of
Twin Falls.
Butler notes that that State Code allows for the City Council to act as the Planning and
Zoning Commission. He is not recommending it, but at least making the Council aware
of the possibility.
Mary DeFayette comments on the Land of Rock concerts. Is the City willing to go on
record in support of the concert and let the County know of their support? Butler
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provides additional information on the concert, the promoter's application with Ada
County and their donation to the Arts Commission.
Huffaker comments on the concert series. General discussion.
Don Dauners would like to encourage work with Ada County. He would like to see City
representatives on the Ada County Planning Commission.
Patricia Minkiewicz asks who will pay for the additional police officers for the concert
series. Butler states that it will be the concert promoters.
Melissa Brodt talks about Eagle's First Friday event. Also discusses a problem a local
developer is having with Sewer hook up fees. Semanko encourages Ms. Brodt to have
the individual contact himself as the Sewer District liaison and he would be willing to set
up a meeting with the Sewer District representatives. Discussion.
An unidentified individual from the audience is upset that the meeting room at the
Library is no longer available for renting. He feels that if the Library is not using the
room that the public should be able to use the room.
Semanko encourages the unidentified gentleman to attend a Library Board meeting or
speak with the Library Director.
Ron Baker, Library Director provides additional information regarding the availability of
the room, building security and staffing levels. Discussion.
General discussion regarding the various municipal boards and commission meetings as
well as quasi-governmental entity meetings and authority.
Mary DeFayette asks if other Town Hall meetings will be scheduled. Council concurs
that they feel that the meetings have been productive and that more will be scheduled,
perhaps quarterly.
Foad Roghani asks that the property tax rates be reduced to last years or the year's prior
to that. He didn't see why it was necessary last year. He comments on what he sees as
the checks and balances of City government. He would like the work days to go back to
five days a week. Mr. Roghani would like the Councilor the citizens to vote on the hours
rather than the Mayor deciding. Discussion.
Huffaker informs those in attendance that as of this week the City is back to a 5 day work
week. City Hall will be open Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. He states
that public comment will be taken at Monday's Council meeting. Shoushtarian feels that
there should be more of a checks and balances. He does not feel that Huffaker should
have taken this step. Semanko likes that it's five days a week and will reserve judgment
on how to implement it after further public comment. Discussion.
Mr. Roghani feels like a lot of budget savings could be made by cutting personnel and
that perhaps 25% of staff could be cut. He notes that a lot of cities run their museums by
volunteers. Discussion.
Jeff Kunz feels that a staffing needs assessment should be done. Define the need of staff
as your starting point. Mr. Kunz feels that the Task Force will have their findings to the
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Council within the next 2-3 weeks. Focusing on the cost effectiveness options is very
important.
Saundra McDavid states that she really likes the no-sort recycling program. Would like
to know that if the museum moves into City Hall could the museum building be rented
out? Discussion.
The next Town Hall meeting will be August 17,2010 at 6:30 p.m.
ESTECH is hosting a candidate meeting this week.
The VIBE art exhibit will be this Saturday. This event is organized by the Mayor's Youth
Advisory Council.
The Friends of the Library book sale is also this Saturday, in addition to the Saturday
Market.
5. ADJOURNMENT:
Semanko moves to adjourn. Seconded by Shoushtarian. ALL AYES: MOTION
CARRIES...
Hearing no further business, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
10., IU-d- k- Go~
......SHARON K. BERGMANN
CITY CLERK/TREASURER
APPROVED:
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ER
COUNCIL PRESIDENT
A TRANSCRIBABLE RECORD OF THIS MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT EAGLE
CITY HALL
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