10092008CouncilMinutes - Work Session
CITY OF AMMON
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008
AGENDA:
CITY OF AMMON
2135 SOUTH AMMON ROAD
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2008 - 4:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Bruce Ard at 4:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance – Councilmember Powell
Prayer – Councilmember Bean
MINUTES:
July 17,Aug. 14, Aug 21 and Sept 3, 2008
ACTION ITEMS:
1.Well #11 Phase 1 Contract - Authorizing Mayor to Sign (to be received)
2.Well #11 Phase 2 Contract - Authorizing Mayor to Sign (to be received)
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.Snowbird Program Disconnect/Reconnect (Rachael/Leslie)
2.LID Scope of Work – Keller Associates
3.Bridgewater Elementary – Children Crossing Ammon Rd. when Safety Bussing is Offered (Lance)
4.Garbage Truck Specifications (Lance)
5.Personnel Manual (Ray/Dana)
6.Water Proclamation – Conservation (Ray)
7.Fire Pit Open Burn Recommendations (Stacy)
8.Misc.
MINUTES
City Officials Present:
Mayor Bruce Ard
Councilmember Dana Kirkham
Councilmember Lee Bean (arrives at 4:45 pm)
Councilmember Brian Powell
Councilmember Randy Waite
Councilmember Rex Thompson
Councilmember D. Ray Ellis
City Attorney Scott Hall
City Clerk Leslie Folsom
City Treasurer Jennifer Belfield
City Planning Director Ron Folsom
City Engineer Lance Bates
City Officials Absent:
None
Mayor Ard opened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. at the City Office Building located at 2135 South Ammon Road.
Councilmember Powell led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilmember Bean offered a prayer.
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MINUTES: July 17, Aug. 14, Aug 21 and Sept 3, 2008:
Councilmember Kirkham motioned to accepted the July 17
minutes as presented. Councilmember Powell seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember
Powell – Yes, Councilmember Waite – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes and Councilmember Ellis – Yes. The motion
passed.
Councilmember Kirkham motioned to accept the August 14th minutes as presented. Councilmember Powell
seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember Waite – Yes,
Councilmember Thompson – Yes and Councilmember Ellis – Yes. The motion passed.
Councilmember Thompson stated on page 4 there was a spelling error and aware should be award. Leslie will make
the change. Councilmember Kirkham motioned to accept the August 21st minutes with the spelling change. Councilmember
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Powell seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember Waite –
Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes and Councilmember Ellis – Yes. The motion passed.
Councilmember Kirkham motioned to accept the Sept. 3rd minutes as presented. Councilmember Powell seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes, Councilmember Waite – Yes,
Councilmember Thompson – Yes and Councilmember Ellis – Yes. The motion passed.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Well #11 Phase 1 Contract – Authorizing Mayor to Sign:
Councilmember Ellis motioned to authorize the Mayor
to sign the Contract for Phase 1 when it arrives to expedite the Well #11. Councilmember Waite seconded. Roll Call Vote:
Councilmember Ellis – Yes, Councilmember Waite – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes
and Councilmember Kirkham – Yes. The motion passed.
2. Well #11 Phase 2 Contract - Authorizing Mayor to Sign
: Councilmember Ellis motioned to authorize the Mayor
to sign the Contract for Phase 2 of Well #11. Councilmember Waite seconded. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Ellis – Yes,
Councilmember Waite – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Powell – Yes and Councilmember Kirkham
– Yes. The motion passed.
Councilmember Powell asked when they are going to start. Mayor Ard stated it was Independent Well Drilling who
will bring their crew out of Montana. Lance stated they have a 45 day contract and they hope to get it done sooner. Lance
allowed them to bring in a rig and put a casing down bedrock yesterday, since we had a one day window of opportunity.
Mayor Ard stated that was great.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Snowbird Program Disconnect/Reconnect (Rachael/Leslie):
Leslie stated she wanted to discuss the snowbird
program and whether we want to discontinue it or revamp it. Rachael, administrative assistant, has typed up an idea for a
change. Rachael introduced herself and stated we have only 20 people on the program. Some of the people want 9 months
and some want one year. We have to manually keep track of all the people who disconnect and some come back and
reconnect but they don’t advise us so when we do catch the situation we back bill and they get angry. Mayor Ard stated some
of them want the service on to water their yards for summer but don’t pay for it. Councilmember Ellis asked why we don’t
meter these accounts. Leslie stated the biggest problem is when they return and turn on their own water. The residents are
still paying for services available – our lines are still getting old. Our fee is still to help pay for the replacement of the line.
Councilmember Waite stated then we would have to go to every one of those homes for the reading. Rachael went over the
outline of what she feels might be a working solution. This entails a 6 month maximum and $100 disconnect/reconnect and if
we cannot disconnect their line, this service will not be available. Mayor Ard stated they could pay the disconnect/reconnect
fee every 6 months, if they were gone for 18 months. Mayor Ard stated if they turn it on without our knowledge, let’s hit them
with a penalty. Councilmember Kirkham stated we don’t have a snowbird program, however you can turn the water off but if
you do turn on your water, we have a $1000 penalty. Ron stated he would have to add it to the resolution. Ron stated his
father does this in Arizona. When he goes home in May he turns his water off and they charge him $9 per month but they still
have a minimum fee for sewer. Their philosophy is they aren’t paying for what they put into it but they are paying for the
service. Councilmember Powell asked Ron to talk with Scott and ask what a reasonable penalty is. The Council would like
the fees paid here and not at the County. Ron stated we can put in language for an infraction or misdemeanor. Ron stated he
will check with Scott and make this recommendation.
2. LID Scope of Work – Keller Associates:
Jeff Freiberg, 356 W. Sunnyside and Mike Jackowski from the Pocatello
office. The water project is going smoothly and the Well Tank is under construction and will pour the floor on Tuesday. They
hope to have the roof and tank built by Thanksgiving. All the water lines are in from Sunnyside to the Tank sites which are
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the two lines. Sunnyside is chipped sealed and striped. The 60 East and 21 Street haven’t been chipped sealed due to
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weather but they will finish the water line in 21st Street and 45East next spring. Next spring they will start building Tank 8.
Lance stated that there is a line that feeds Well #9 and Well #11. The one going up is 24 inch and the one coming down is 8
inch. Councilmember Ellis inquired how the design work was coming along on Tank 8. Jeff stated the Tank is ready to
review and build when weather breaks in the spring.
Jeff stated he and Mike are here to get some feedback for the LID projects. He passed out a map with the proposed
sites. Councilmember Kirkham asked if they will widen First Street then Curlew then John Adams. Jeff’s stated his first
priority is First Street but John Adams would be a good second. He has talked with Bonneville County Commissioners
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concerning First Street and they would like to take it all the way to 45. Councilmember Kirkham asked if we did all three,
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would we include the residents already there in the LID but if we just did First Street, would we just do the commercial.
Mayor Ard stated Kartchner agreed to widen First Street when they are ready to develop. Ron stated if we widen it, we won’t
get front footage fees. Councilmember Kirkham stated she is trying to find out what the City can afford without taxing the
residents that are already there. Councilmember Thompson asked about the south side of First Street of Suitter’s property.
Lance said we were talking about the right of way to accommodate five lanes of traffic but it would only be 2 ½ on their side.
Jeff stated let’s just say First Street is a priority and one of the things they would do is to look at different funding
opportunities. Councilmember Kirkham stated you get no benefit to improving First Street, if you don’t do John Adams and
Curlew. Councilmember Thompson concurred. Jeff stated you need a signal at Ammon Road and Tiebreaker.
Councilmember Thompson stated he always thought it was Curlew that would need a signal. Jeff stated it might be too close
to Hitt Road. Councilmember Thompson said he is concerned that a light would make Tiebreaker a collector street. Jeff said
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maybe an option would be building Curlew from 1 Street to John Adams then building John Adams from there to Hitt.
Councilmember Powell said both of these will require a bridge (John Adams and First Street). Lance said it’s a significant
expense but not the most significant. Councilmember Powell stated from his point of view what gives us the most bang for the
buck. Councilmember Powell said once John Adams is done, you will have the developers to finish Curlew. Jeff stated the
County is ready willing and able to have discussions with the City of Ammon and can help in kind but not with funding.
Councilmember Powell asked if they could contribute to First Street. Lance stated they chip sealed First Street. Mayor Ard
said it depends on time and money. If they are running out of road money to keep their crews busy, then they are willing to
help. Councilmember Powell said based on this information it makes sense to do First Street first. Jeff stated he would like
to develop a scope of work which would initially be to develop cost estimates, the time frame and the contract with Keller to
move forward. Councilmember Kirkham said if we have to tax the people, then we will have to have public meetings. Mayor
Ard said Jeff needs to know about the tiny piece of John Adams to the east. Ron stated the last he heard they were moving
forward. Jeff said he will work with Lance for a scope of work and some numbers. Jeff asked if we were still looking at
$20,000 for some numbers on engineering fees and studies. Councilmember Kirkham stated yes. Councilmember Powell
asked if you also calculate the water and sewer lines. Jeff stated yes including right-of-way issues. The City of Idaho Falls
has plans ready to build Hitt Road and First Street to the canal. Councilmember Thompson asked if the City of Ammon owns
the bridge. Jeff stated yes. Idaho Falls wants to get it done as soon as possible but they want Ammon to participate in the
project.
3. Bridgewater Elementary – Children Crossing Ammon Rd. when Safety Bussing is Offered (Lance):
Councilmember Kirkham stated they need to buss - we aren’t putting in a crosswalk. Mayor Ard stated we are as adamant
about this as Guy was about the parking lot. Lance stated he wants to draft a letter to the school district and state what our
official position is. Councilmember Powell asked Lance if he heard anything from Idaho Traffic Safety concerning the lights
on the Safe Routes for School. Lance stated we are paying for it out of last year’s budget and he is still working with the State
for reimbursement. The school district has an idea and wondered about an outside consultant. Councilmember Kirkham
asked Lance to not respond since she will be contacting him. Lance stated that if an outside consultant is used, they will want
to participate to help solve this.
4. Garbage Truck Specifications (Lance):
Lance explained there are two specifications - one is for the garbage
truck and one is for the containers and asked council to go through them and advice him. Mayor Ard asked Lance if he was
considering the heavy black containers that Rexburg uses. We want something of this same quality. Lance said those have a
lip and these specifications won’t allow that, so it will flop open easily. These look like they are heavy duty, which includes
not tipping over with 40 mph winds. These specifications have been sent out by numerous municipalities throughout the west.
Councilmember Kirkham said we are still looking at the lease options. Councilmember Bean arrives. Councilmember Bean
explains there is so little capital and they are lending to their best customers only but the higher the risks, the more capital they
have to reserve for you. They are charging customers for the capital now so the rates are much higher. We might still need to
look at leasing but we still have to look at the return we are getting on our investments. Councilmember Powell stated if we
want to get a public works building, you are going to need cash. Councilmember Bean said you have to be careful about using
capital out of the sanitation fund for a City building. He knows there’s been some discussion about public works or a city
building and the council needs to decide. Councilmember Waite asked if we could make it part of the bid that they need to
present a sample of the garbage cans. Lance stated he will add that. Councilmember Bean asked when it will go out. Lance
stated he hopes within the next two weeks.
5. Personnel Manual (Ray/Dana):
Councilmember Kirkham commended the administrative staff for the personnel
manual. However, when we got to paid vacation they appointed Leslie and Bruce to deal with Ray and Dana. They have
basically come up with Level 1, 2 and 3 employees. Mayor Ard asked when the vacations kick in. Councilmember Kirkham
stated it was after one year unless it was negotiated. Councilmember Bean stated he would like to see two years of service
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until you get 10 days. Councilmember Kirkham said she looked at all the cities around and we are at the low end and she is ok
with this. Councilmember Kirkham stated she feels the big discussion is use or lose or a percentage. Councilmember Bean
stated he feels that some vacation should happen in the first year and they can accrue it and use it in the first year, if they so
desire. This would give 5 days’ the first year and then 5 days after 1 year of service. Leslie stated she doesn’t think waiting
the first year is a problem – there is some management staff that are coming from a job that they have accrued vacation and
want to be able to still use it. Lance stated having the ability to take the first year would be of some benefit but it’s more
difficult to track from a management point of view. Right now if they take off , it is something we can deal with that you can
get the time off and work around it – working with the employees outside of this, he’s not sure if there are any benefits or
detriments. Most of his employees are alright with waiting a year. Council stated they are fine with the way it is.
Councilmember Thompson inquired how 1 ½ times accrued vacation works. Leslie stated that the management
added this so if they don’t get their vacation used in a year then they can carry it over. Any excess past this they can get it
paid. The management thought it would be easier on the budget. Mayor Ard stated you use them or lose them.
Councilmember Kirkham stated that we have to take our 1 ½ time and it’s use it or lose it. Councilmember Kirkham stated the
employees have to take 5 consecutive days once a year. Leslie stated it does also help show abuse in the other departments.
Councilmember Bean suggested that only employees with over 15 days vacation or those employees who work with money
would have to take 5 consecutive days at a time. Councilmember Ellis stated it helps to rest an employee also. Council is ok
with the 5 consecutive day’s requirement, as written. Leslie stated she is concerned with losing vacation since she was forced
to cut short a planned vacation due to a staffing situation and, as a result she is carrying vacation. Ron stated he is also
carrying over vacation because the time wasn’t available for him to leave. Leslie stated you are punishing people for being
good employees. Councilmember Ellis stated he doesn’t want someone to end their career and have exorbitant vacation.
Leslie stated this is why we created a yearly solution. She feels it is a tremendous advantage to have the person in the chair.
Councilmember Kirkham said she knows companies that pay at the end of the career rather than annually. Lance stated you
have to pay all the vacation out at 100%. Leslie said we have more people taking vacations over the summer and hunting
season not Christmas. Leslie stated if you do the use it or lose it, she feels that if they change this policy then the only fair
thing is to pay them out on vacation and start this policy from there. The accumulating people will be your longer term
people, do you want to be punishing the people who are here long term. Councilmember Bean said let’s assume I don’t want
to take any vacation this year but I want to take 6 weeks and he doesn’t want them to take it all off. Ron said the Mayor still
has to approve it. Councilmember Bean stated he doesn’t know why we can’t grandfather in the past and then start the new
policy. Councilmember Bean said if they quit then we pay it out. Council concurred they are ok with this. Councilmember
Waite said he gets 10 days of sick leave and 3 days of personal leave in a school year and they can carry up to 5 days. Leslie
stated they do get three months. Councilmember Bean said he has 25 personal days he can use and what he doesn’t use you
can carry it over up to 10 days. The Council concluded that they are ok with 1 ½ times carryover using the anniversary dates
and if they leave then they will be paid out. Councilmember Bean stated he has seen companies where I’m taking the day off
but I’m not getting paid for it. Leslie will check to be sure the policy manual states that they use vacation or sick first then
without pay.
Sick leave – Councilmember Ellis stated he cut it back to 9 days of sick leave. Councilmember Bean asked
why 9. Councilmember Ellis stated most of the industry is 6 and the government is 12. Councilmember Bean said he really
believes that government needs to get back to the private sector. Councilmember Thompson said their sick leave depends on
the length of service. Mayor Ard stated they get so much per month – one day a month. Councilmember Ellis stated out of an
average 360 days scenario we are paying almost 15% for unproductive time. Councilmember Bean said he used to have 20
days vacation so he has basically 5 sick days now; however, he’s not opposed to the 9 days. Councilmember Ellis stated he
feels 9 is a good compromise. Lance stated if you go across the board for benefits packages, every other area has 12. Ron
stated right now the employees use only 50% of it. Lance stated Rick used 6 weeks sick leave for his operation. Mayor Ard
had an employee that he carried for 6 months, due to cancer. Leslie stated that’s why management is asking for a sick bank.
Council concurred with 9 sick days.
Councilmember Kirkham explained the sick bank. When an employee doesn’t use any of their sick leave, do we
allow them to carry any over or allow them to accumulate some and put the balance in the sick bank? Councilmember Ellis
explained that the sick bank is controlled by an employee committee. Mayor Ard stated he doesn’t have any problem with the
employees carrying over 1 ½ times of sick. Leslie explained the possibility of 30 days for major surgery then vacation or go
without pay. Councilmember Bean suggested 9 per year then accumulate to 14 days then go to the sick bank. Councilmember
Ellis suggested it be the Mayor, department head, level 2 employee, Leslie or Jennifer and one employee. Councilmember
Ellis said the mid level and employee meet and they elect someone which helps them feel like they have ownership.
Councilmember Bean would like to have some type of quarterly reporting given to the Mayor. The sick leave will be based on
a calendar year Jan – Jan.
Councilmember Ellis said they cut back holidays to 10 which eliminates the floating holiday. Leslie stated it’s
the day after Thanksgiving that’s going away. Ron said he worked 26 years in retail and he closed at 2pm since there was no
one there. Councilmember Ellis stated he has no problem with 3 pm on Christmas Eve; it’s not a big deal. Councilmember
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Bean said we have to let people know that we are going to be closed. Mayor Ard stated he is alright with Christmas Eve at 2
pm with no lunches that day. Ron stated he would rather work Columbus Day and take the day after Thanksgiving.
Councilmember Kirkham asked what the Council gains by taking the day after Thanksgiving if they are gone anyway.
Councilmember Bean said if they want the day off; take it as a vacation day. Council concurred the 10 official holidays and
this does not preclude the Mayor, from the council meeting prior to the day after Thanksgiving to authorize it as a paid
holiday. Council concurred the 2pm on Christmas Eve as a paid holiday, however, Councilmember Ellis prefers it not be put
in the policy manual but make it a policy and just post it on the door. Councilmember Kirkham stated they will address
incentives issues in executive session.
6. Water Proclamation – Conservation (Ray):
Councilmember Ellis stated he didn’t realize that it expired and
would like to make it a yearlong proclamation. Mayor Ard and Council concurred.
7. Fire Pit Open Burn Recommendations (Stacy)
: Councilmember Powell said Stacy changed it so only deputized
officers can enforce it. Councilmember Powell stated Stacy looked at 8 – 10 different ordinances and helped to create ours.
Stacy Hyde, Fire Chief briefly ran through the proposal. A. shows they should have no fires within a structure or
fence. We need to keep the definitions in to define fire pit, barbecue, etc. C. stated outdoor fires must be contained in a
manufactured device. Mayor Ard discussed that there are a lot of tires, culverts, etc. Stacy stated as long as it’s not readily
consumable, and is built and intended for open fire containment. Councilmember Kirkham stated built and intended is what
we can’t have since tire rings, etc. are not built for that purpose. Stacy stated the fire code states that recreational fires are no
larger than 3 feet in diameter. Councilmember Thompson stated 3 feet isn’t big enough for Dutch oven cooking.
Councilmember Bean stated he wants the diameter to be set. Councilmember Powell stated if they are putting a 5 foot pit in ¼
acre lots, he will have a problem. Councilmember Powell stated he doesn’t think it’s prudent to have a big pit in a ¼ acre lot.
Councilmember Kirkham asked what they are burning. Stacy read through the fire code. Councilmember Kirkham stated we
aren’t trying to inspect every pit when we send you out but when you do go out you will have enforceability.
Stacy stated he put in a clause for bon fires for school/church/etc. events requiring approval by the Fire Chief and
Mayor. Councilmember Bean asked if we have a special permit for the bon fires. Stacy answered yes. Councilmember
Powell asked that Stacy send a letter to the schools, etc. so they will be aware of this. Stacy stated he would like a burn permit
to be issued once a year to make use of the outdoor fire pit and we give a copy of the rules. Councilmember Thompson
stated the current burn permit is only for one week. Stacy stated fire pits would be for the full year. Council wants him to
have a permit for the bon fire but not the pits. Stacy said they would require 50 feet from any structures for a bon fire. Stacy
stated that most of the time the fire dept does get called for permission for the bon fires. Stacy will send a letter to the school
districts with the rules. Stacy asked which ones the Council wants to take out. Councilmember Powell stated how the pit is
“specifically manufactured for” but keeps non-combustible. Councilmember Bean wants to see the City reimbursed for the
time it takes for issuing permits and they should pay for the fire engine there, etc. Stacy stated he has only had one bon fire
since he has been working for the City. Mayor Ard stated he doesn’t feel it’s a problem to establish a fee and it doesn’t need
to be a huge burden. Stacy stated he likes to try to work well with the school districts since they ask them for favors also.
Stacy asked if the Council wants a lot size requirement. Councilmember Powell stated he is concerned with condos.
Councilmember Bean stated that’s why Wal-Mart has the small above ground fire pits. Stacy stated he put the end burn time
at 11 pm. The Council decided midnight would be better since that is curfew time. Mayor Ard stated he was happy since it
allowed him to know where his kids were. Stacy stated he prohibited burn barrels unless garbage services are unavailable
then a screen must be used, etc. Stacy stated they would give one warning then issue a written citation. Councilmember Bean
said if he sees something so abusive then he should issue an immediate citation. Ron asked if it would be an infraction or
misdemeanor. Ron said to send this to him and he will take care of the areas that need fixing. Mayor Ard if it’s completely
out of control and they are belligerent or ornery, then we ticket them.
8. Misc.:
Lance said there are 238 swales in Eagle Point division, of which, 190 are out of compliance and it will be
$1600 in postage for certified mail. Ron stated that you can do a certificate of mailing which costs approx. 40 cents and the
post office shows it went into the post office. Councilmember Bean stated maybe taking 2 – 3 roads first. Lance said he likes
this alternative but at the last meeting you said not to let anyone slide and Shawna went out and documented the problem.
Councilmember Kirkham asked Lance to put it on hold until spring since she feels we are out of time for this year.
Councilmember Thompson said to send the letter now so they could know that in the spring the swale compliance would be
enforced and send the letter to all of them. Councilmember Ellis asked if there would be any advantage talking to the
developer. Mayor Ard said to notify all of them and then do it a street at a time. Councilmember Kirkham said to do everyone
with an initial regular mail mailing so they can start saving money. Councilmember Ellis asked what happens if they don’t
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correct the swale, are they liable. Lance said he just wanted the Council to know the size of the problem. Council directed
Lance to send the letters out regular mail.
Ron stated that Lennis Terrill plans on coming to council for a landscape variance. Planning and Zoning
recommended a partial variance. Ron stated the State code is specific when we do a preliminary plat these are items we see
that need to be in the development agreement. AIC said they found if we get it in a development agreement, it’s a contract
but it should be done at the preliminary plat stage. Lennis just wants you to be able to justify your expenses. Councilmember
Kirkham stated philosophically there is an age old question that the people down from Lennis do get an enormous advantage.
Ron stated we need to have some type of formula to encompass this.
Councilmember Ellis said we need to have a work session item to talk about the Regional Sewer and what this
means to the City when it comes on line. We need to address whether we are going to perform our own maintenance or
contract it. He has learned that a city maintaining the sewer is the most important item for health and safety. Where we are
the major player, he feels we should run the show. He learned should we do this we will need trained operators. We can work
under Forsgren Engineering to gain that certification and it will be a class 3 system. Lance stated it could take up to 5 – 8
years to get to class 3 starting from scratch. Mayor Ard stated this would enable us to know they are doing the job right.
Councilmember Bean asked doesn’t a part of this depend upon what the Regional Sewer does and they might take it over.
Lance said he is concerned if we have a backflow problem and we have to call Shelley, we have a problem. Mayor Ard said
we have to discuss with the Region if the Region buys the equipment, it can be on both ends to allow us the response time.
Mayor Ard stated Shelley has some equipment already because they are already in the business. Councilmember Ellis said we
need somebody before we come on board, and to get them put in the program. Council concurred.
Councilmember Bean said Bill Manwill came in and talked with him. Lance had made a comment relative to
a 24 inch line between Majestic Acres to Doves Landing and Bill picked up on it. Bill said if you are doing a 24 inch line then
you might not need to do 30 inch. Lance stated Bill has called up Idaho Falls and had them do a dye tracer study instead of a
flow meter and Lance feels he is going to say there’s enough capacity in that line. Councilmember Bean feels they are trying
to get the cost reduced from Ammon Road up to Majestic. Councilmember Ellis said it troubles me that they did the dye
tracer without Lance’s approval. IBSD comes in and televises our lines, in preparation for the lawsuit, without the Mayor’s or
Lance’s approval. What gives them the right? Councilmember Kirkham said it’s time to hold the line, we have given and
given. We are preparing for future development and it doesn’t make any sense to make that line any smaller. Ron stated he
had someone call on Blacktail Estates and when we are going to allow sewer. Councilmember Bean feels there will be a
significant amount from the North that will come to us. Lance said that Bill had led the City of Idaho Falls to believe that the
City of Ammon had requested the dye tracer. Councilmember Bean advised Lance to call down to the City of Idaho Falls and
advise them it was without our approval. Lance said he has already made it very clear that it was for Hawks Landing.
Councilmember Bean said he wants Lance to call the City of Idaho Falls and tell them they have to have the City of Ammon’s
approval.
Councilmember Kirkham stated she is going to move forward on credit cards for travel expenses, per diem and
the cards will be in the department head names only. Councilmember Thompson said Scott is opposed to the card being listed
under the dept. head names. Councilmember Kirkham said she will call Scott. Councilmember Bean asked if the card will be
used for expenses and travel only not purchasing supplies. Councilmember Kirkham said yes. Leslie asked Councilmember
Kirkham if you could make it specific to the certain person for supplies which will enable us to do away with several open
credit accounts. Lance said this will help with online purchases. Councilmember Kirkham said she will look these items and
see.
Councilmember Kirkham stated she will get together with Leslie to get the form ready for the full time Mayor.
Councilmember Bean suggested putting the responses on the website. Councilmember Kirkham stated she is concerned if
they go in and hit the key a hundred times. Councilmember Ellis asked if it was better to just make the decision and not send
out the letter. Councilmember Kirkham said four of them made a promise that the Council would not move forward with this
until they consulted the public. Mayor Ard stated it’s not binding but it will help the Council.
Mayor Ard stated Niederer’s called him and they stated they had paid in full and the City had their records
wrong. He told them to give him a copy of the checks and he would go through the records of the City, however, today they
went in and paid Scott in full. Jennifer told the Mayor that there was one payment that was posted to their utility account.
Leslie said that Scott emailed her today that it’s all done.
Councilmember Kirkham asked the Council if they were aware that on dental insurance the City pays in full for
the family. Councilmember Thompson said nobody does this. The renewal is in February. Leslie stated the $200 that is paid
by the employees for the families has been paying for health, dental and life insurance for the entire family. Councilmember
Bean stated he feels there needs to be some participation. Councilmember Kirkham explained that the policy will allow an
employee’s significant other on the policy and we have a few employees that want to consider this. Councilmember Bean
asked if this means anyone that is cohabiting with you. Councilmember Kirkham stated yes. Councilmember Bean feels you
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have to define in our policy that we will cover. We could have a policy that allows legally married, gay marriage or civil
unions. Ron said shouldn’t it be recognizable civil unions and gay marriages. Councilmember Bean agreed and stated his
insurance covers children up to 23 years old. Leslie clarified that the City will be paying for this, at this time.
Councilmember Bean said maybe it should read that are recognized by the State of Idaho. Councilmember Kirkham asked if
we have an employee who has been living with someone for 10 years, we aren’t going to cover them. The Council concurred.
Leslie stated she thinks Jennifer has put Rachael’s significant other on the policy. Councilmember Bean said she can take it
off. Councilmember Bean further stated legal marriage, recognized civil union and immediate or legal guardians appointed
by the court with appointed children.
Leslie asked if the Council didn’t want to do the certified mailing for Eagle Point that would cost $80. This
would give the City some protection concerning constituents who state they never received the letter. Councilmember
Kirkham stated she knows where Leslie is going; however, they didn’t do the certified mailing for the Cottages until they got
to the people who didn’t comply.
Councilmember Bean motioned to adjourn. Councilmember Thompson seconded. Roll Call Vote:
Councilmember Bean – Yes, Councilmember Thompson – Yes, Councilmember Kirkham – Yes, Councilmember Waite –
Yes, and Councilmember Ellis – Yes. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm.
________________________________________
C. Bruce Ard, Mayor
__________________________________
Leslie Folsom, City Clerk
10-9-2008 City Council Work Session Minutes
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