July 12, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor: Mayor Cleo Gallegos.
Council Present: Chad Anderson, Dick Galbraith, and Dusty Galliher. Joanne Justesen - excused.
Employees Present:
Dan Bristol, Ralph Martini, Eric Christensen, Jose Paz, Earl Andrew, Michael Tribe, and Ashlee Langley.
Visitors Present:
Tony Morley, Rose Schmitt, Shane MacArthur, and David Waldron.
Welcome & Pledge
Meeting conducted by Mayor Cleo Gallegos who welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Mayor Gallegos asked Heyburn Parks Department Employee Jose Paz to lead those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Discuss/Approve Minutes of the June 28, 2017 Council Meeting
Motion by Dusty Galliher to approve the minutes of the June 28, 2017 Council Meeting as presented. Second by Chad Anderson. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
Discuss/Approve Paying the Bills
Motion by Dick Galbraith to approve the bills as presented. Second by Dusty Galliher. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
Discuss/Approve Cancellation of the Minidoka County Planning & Zoning Contract
City Attorney Michael Tribe presented the notice to cancel the Minidoka County Planning & Zoning Contract to those present. Mr. Tribe stated with newly appointed City Administrator Tony Morley the counties planning & zoning services will no longer be needed and in turn be a cost savings to the City. Mr. Tribe recommended the council terminate their services with the County with an effective date of July 31, 2017.
Motion by Chad Anderson to approve the cancellation of the Minidoka County Planning & Zoning Contract as presented authorizing the Mayor’s signature. Second by Dick Galbraith. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
Discuss/Approve/Adopt Ordinance No. 17-589 Elected Officials Salaries
– With Suspension of the Rule Requiring Three Readings and Adopt in One Reading
City Attorney Michael Tribe explained that for Cities choosing to change Mayor and Council Salaries an ordinance must be passed by the council and published no later than Thursday, August 24, 2017.
This ordinance reflects a 30% increase to all elected officials making the Mayor’s monthly salary $1300.00 and council member’s monthly salary $390.00 and would be effective January 1, 2018.
Motion by Dusty Galliher to have City Attorney Michael Tribe read Ordinance No. 17-589 by title only, adopt in one reading. Second by Dick Galbraith. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
City Attorney Michael Tribe read Ordinance No. 17-589 by title only.
Motion by Dusty Galliher to adopt Ordinance No. 17-589 to increase elected officials salaries as presented. Second by Dick Galbraith. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
Mayor Gallegos stated she would like to veto the ordinance.
Mayor Gallegos: “The reason I feel that I’m going to make an attempt to veto it is that the raise wouldn’t take effect until January of 2018 which we have an election in November that’s going to change the body up here and the budget is looking good and we’ve moved forward at building a stronger budget, but I think we still need to give it another year before we take a raise not that I don’t think you guys deserve one but that’s just my take on it”.
Motion by Dusty Galliher to override the Mayors veto of Ordinance No. 17-589 elected officials salaries. Second by Dick Galbraith. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
Discuss/Approve City Administrator Job Description
Those present reviewed the City Administrator Job Description.
After a brief discussion, this item was tabled for further review.
Discuss Maximum Duration of Stay at Heyburn Riverside RV Park
Shane MacArthur, Civil Superintendent for Fisher Construction Group asked the council to consider leaving the Riverside RV Park open year round to accommodate the construction workers coming in for the expansion of McCain’s. Mr. MacArthur expressed his concerns about the limited amount of housing in this area to accommodate the 450 plus individuals and families coming to the area to assist in the McCain’s expansion.
Parks Department Manager Earl Andrew expressed his concerns of keeping the RV Park opened year round stating that the monthly rate would have to rise significantly in order for the city to make a profit. Mr. Andrew stated that the City makes its profit off the daily rate. Mr. Andrew also expressed concerns about allowing the Recreational Park to become a trailer park as it was never intended to be a trailer park as well as concerns regarding the maintenance of the park. The grant received from the state was intended to create a recreational vehicle park for travelers.
Mayor Cleo Gallegos read a letter written by Councilwoman Joanne Justesen which stated that after visiting with the staff she understood that the city currently allows 6 or 7 spaces to be rented for a period of one month and no longer. “I would give it my consideration to keep this practice in place per Jose and Earls recommendations, however I believe a 14 day limit is best. I’m very interested in learning each of your views on this matter and hope to have this discussion in person”.
Councilman Dusty Galliher stated that this isn’t a permanent situation this is something for the rest of this year into next year to fall. Maybe we lose a little revenue on one summer, but this isn’t all the time, but what we’re doing is helping. Councilman Dusty Galliher asked the council to consider bending the rule a little bit and help because these people are here to make a great structure in this valley. “There will be 180 plus employees hired because of this factory being built and they have to have somewhere to stay”. “We’re not the answer, but we can help that’s all I’m asking the council to do is to consider helping”.
After discussion, this item was tabled.
Budget Work Session for the FY 2017-18 Budget if necessary
Those present worked on the FY 2017-18 Budget.
Discuss/Approve 3rd Quarter Treasurers Financial Report
City Attorney Michael Tribe stated that changes to Idaho Code effective July 1, 2017 requires the City Treasurer to provide the Quarterly Treasurers Financial Report to the council for approval.
Motion by Dick Galbraith to approve the 3rd Quarter Treasurers Financial Report as presented. Second by Chad Anderson. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
Mayors Time & Committee Reports
Mayor Gallegos congratulated City Attorney on his appointment as a judge for Cassia County. Mayor Gallegos stated that Mr. Tribe will be sworn into office on July 28, 2017 at 3:00 PM.
Comments from the Public
Mayor Gallegos opened this time up to the public for additional comments.
Executive Session
Pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(a) To consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general and (f) to communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement.
Executive Session for (a) personnel and (f) litigation as per Idaho Code 74-206
Motion by Dusty Galliher to go into Executive Session for (a) personnel and (f) litigation as per Idaho Code 74-206. Second by Dick Galbraith. Roll-Call Vote: Chad Anderson – Aye; Dick Galbraith – Aye; Dusty Galliher – Aye.
Executive Session Minutes
The Executive Session was conducted by Mayor Cleo Gallegos. The topics were a matter of personnel and litigation. No decisions were made.
The Executive Session began at 8:10 pm and concluded at 8:25 pm.
The council meeting did not return to open session and ended at 8:25 PM.
Cleo Gallegos Ashlee Langley
Mayor City Clerk/Treasurer