[Vision2020] "Moscow Cares" Website (Update 102708-01)

[Tom Hansen]

Greetings Visionaires -

The "Moscow Cares" website has been updated to include videos of the 
following segments from the October 20, 2008 Moscow City Council session.

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1)  Public Hearing – Amendment to MCC Title 4, Chapter 6 – Accessory Home 
Occupations
http://www.MoscowCares.com/102008_AccHomeOpp.htm

Currently, the Moscow City Code defines home occupations as: “Any use 
customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the 
inhabitants thereof, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the 
dwelling for dwelling purposes and does not change the character thereof; 
provided said occupation does not employ the use of mechanical equipment 
not customary in dwellings and/or involving a Council Agenda October 20, 
2008 Page 3 of 4 cumulative horsepower greater than three (3) horsepower; 
provided further, the use does not involve more than one-fourth (1/4) of 
the total square footage of the dwelling. The conducting of a clinic, 
hospital, barber shop, beauty shop, tea room, tourist home, animal 
hospital, retail sales of any type or similar use, shall not be deemed to 
be a home occupation.” Additionally, under the current City Code, all Home 
Occupations require a Conditional Use Permit that requires a public 
hearing be held before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Recent advances in 
technology and changes in work practices have resulted in a large growth 
of individuals working from their home either as self employed individuals 
or telecommuting for their employer in a fashion that has virtually no 
impact to the adjacent properties or neighborhood. Staff has prepared a 
draft Code amendment for the Council’s consideration that would modify the 
manner in which such uses are regulated. The Planning and Zoning 
Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed Code amendment on 
August 27th, 2008, at which time they recommended approval. Reviewed by 
the Administrative Committee on September 8, 2008.

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2)  Citizen Survey
http://www.MoscowCares.com/102008_CitizenSurvey.htm

This October the Administration Department will be conducting the fourth 
annual biennial Citizen Survey. The survey is intended to assess the 
public’s opinion of various aspects of City services and operations. The 
first portion of the survey instrument will remain substantially the same 
as the 2002, 2004 and 2006 surveys to allow for historical data comparison 
and service level trend monitoring. Staff has incorporated survey 
questions from the various City Commissions related to their areas of 
interest. Reviewed by the Administrative Committee on October 13, 2008. 
Three small changes have been made to the survey instrument since that 
review.

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3)  Second Reading – Ordinance to Adjust Membership on Certain Commissions
http://www.MoscowCares.com/102008_CommissionMembership.htm

The Ordinance adds to various Commissions (i.e., Parks and Recreation, 
Arts, Fair and Affordable Housing, Health and the Environment, Historic 
Preservation, Transportation, and Human Rights) the following: at least 
one (1) student enrolled in at least 3/4 time in a post secondary 
educational program for a period of a renewable one (1) year term; at 
least one (1) student enrolled in high school or an equivalent educational 
program to serve as a non-voting ex officio member for a renewable one (1) 
year term; and at least one (1) Latah County resident who does not reside 
within City limits as a non-voting ex officio member of the Commission for 
a term equal to other members of the respective Commission. It also 
designates a Council member as a non-voting ex officio member of the Human 
Rights Commission. The purpose of this Ordinance is to bring a broader 
and, perhaps, different perspective to each of the foregoing Commissions, 
and to encourage the Mayor, City Council and Commissions to actively seek 
out those persons for inclusion on the Commissions who have the 
characteristics listed. Additionally, the Ordinance proposes a change of 
name from the Commission on Health and the Environment to the Sustainable 
Environment Commission. Considered on first reading by the City Council on 
October 6, 2008.

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As always, this item and loads of other Moscow stuff may be accessed 
at . . .

"Moscow Cares"
http://www.MoscowCares.com
 
Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
"We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students. The college 
students are not very active in local elections (thank goodness!)."

- Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)


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