[Vision2020] Moscow City Council Agenda for Monday

[Stephanie Kalasz]

AGENDA

MOSCOW CITY COUNCIL


REGULAR MEETING


Monday, November 3, 2008
7:00 p.m.

City Hall Council Chambers

 206 East Third Street, Second Floor

The Moscow Mayor, City Council and Staff welcome you to tonight's
meeting.  We appreciate and encourage public participation.  For regular
agenda items, an opportunity for public comment is sometimes provided
after the staff report.  However, the formality of procedures varies
with the purpose and subject of the agenda item; therefore, the Mayor
may exercise discretion in deciding when to allow public comment during
the course of the proceedings and limitations will be placed on the time
allowed for comments.  Citizens wishing to comment on business which is
not on the agenda will be provided the opportunity to do so as item
number 3.  If you plan to address the Council, you will find a list of
"Tips for Addressing the Council" on the table outside the City Council
Chambers.  Thank you for your interest in City government.

 

RENEWING OUR FOCUS - At each meeting one City Council member will
present an example of patriotism, humanitarianism, community spirit, or
other inspirational message then lead the group in the Pledge of
Allegiance.  Contact a Council-member with examples to share at future
meetings.

 

Everybody Reads Week Proclamation - Mayor Chaney

 

1.       Consent Agenda:  Any item will be removed from the consent
agenda at the request of any member of the Council and that item will be
considered separately later.  Approval by roll call vote.

 

A.     Approval of Minutes of October 20, 2008 - Stephanie Kalasz

 

B.     Community Service Grants - Alisa Stone

At a workshop on October 27, 2008, the City Council heard presentations
from applicants for the City's Community Grants.  The Council reached
consensus on how to allocate the $19,000 grant funding which is being
presented for Council consideration.

 

ACTION:  Approve community service grant allocation.

 

C.     CTAI Letter of Intent - 5309 Bus and Bus Shelter Earmark - Alisa
Stone

Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) representing the
Idaho Transit Coalition has announced the FY2010 Appropriations
Deadlines for the Section 5309 Bus & Bus Facilities Program Funds.  They
are requesting a letter of intent due by October 31, 2008, sent to CTAI
confirming the City of Moscow's participation in the upcoming funding
request.  The proposed project is a re-submittal of a prior project for
FY2009 which was not earmarked for appropriation.  The funding request
will enable the City to continue constructing bus turn-outs, shelters
and other amenities along the fixed routes of the public transit system
operated by Moscow Valley Transit.  Total project costs will be $245,000
requesting $196,000 in federal funding with a 20% match of $49,000.
Funding for this match is included in the projections for capital
projects prepared by the Public Works Director.  Reviewed by the Public
Works/Finance Committee on October 27, 2008.

 

ACTION:  Approve the CTAI letter of intent.

 

D.     Moscow Charter School Use of HIRC - Dwight Curtis/Principal
Gordon Steinbis

Moscow Charter School (MCS) is requesting a rental fee waiver or other
relief for use of the Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center (HIRC) for their
physical education/movement classes throughout the school year,
particularly during colder and inclement weather conditions. The
previous MCS principal was informed of the impending HIRC price
increases, but increases were not included in the MCS FY09 budget. Based
on the present MCS usage of the HIRC and the new fees, the new principal
is facing a budget shortfall in the school's budgeted funding for HIRC
rentals (which is expected to be depleted by the end of the calendar
year).  MCS presently rents rooms in the HIRC from noon until 3:00pm
Mon-Wed-Fri. The fee waiver request was declined by the Parks and
Recreation Director and is not supported by the Parks and Recreation
Commission. MCS disagrees with the Parks and Recreation Director's
decision and desires a decision directly from the City Council.
Reviewed by the Administrative Committee on October 27, 2008.

  

ACTION:  Decline full fee waiver request; roll back the HIRC rental fee
to FY08 levels for the remainder of this school year with the 2009-2010
school year reflecting the new rental prices; and allow the present room
rentals by MCS to continue as is, with the express understanding that
this is not a permanent arrangement and is subject to change based on
City program needs.

 

2.       Mayor's Appointments - Mayor Chaney

 

3.       Public Comment and Mayor's Response Period (limit 15 minutes)
- For members of the Public to speak to the Council regarding matters
NOT on the Agenda and not currently pending before the Planning and
Zoning Commission or Board of Adjustment, please state your name and
address for the record and limit remarks to three minutes.  Mayor will
respond to comments from previous meeting.  

 

4.       Annual Aquatics Center Report - Eric Newell

After the conclusion of each summer pool season, the Parks and
Recreation Department staff presents a summary of the seasons highlights
to the City Council and Mayor. This report will cover expenses,
revenues, attendance, data analysis, and assorted issues from the 2008
season at the Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center (HLAC). In the past, the
City Council has viewed the HLAC as a public service, understanding that
there will likely be some subsidization each year.

 

ACTION:  Accept report.

 

5.       Coalition Application for Brownfields DEQ Grant - Gary J.
Riedner/Alisa Stone

A brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of
which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a
hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.  EPA's Brownfields
Program is designed to empower communities and other stakeholders in
economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to prevent,
assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields.  Assessment
grants provide funding to inventory potential sites, characterize sites
and research prior property use, assess sites and determine if there is
existing contamination, planning for cleanup and redevelopment process,
and to conduct community involvement to inform and engage the community.
An Assessment Coalition comprised of three or more eligible entities
with a lead member can submit a proposal.  Staff is proposing to submit
a Community-wide Assessment grant proposal on behalf of the City, Latah
County and the Moscow Urban Renewal Agency (MURA).  A coalition
application will increase access to assessment resources for property
owners that have limited resources and will help the City, County, and
MURA focus assessment dollars on geographical areas with the greatest
need over time.  The larger pool of funding allows coalitions to shift
geographical focus to new areas as revitalization needs are identified.
Reviewed by the Public Works/Finance Committee on October 27, 2008.

 

ACTION:  Approve the coalition application for EPA/DEQ Brownfields Grant
or take such other action deemed appropriate.

 

6.       Discussion of Regulation of Portable Signage - Bill Belknap

The City Council recently received several requests to amend the Sign
Code to allow portable signage within commercial districts outside of
the Central Business District.  It is fairly common for cities to allow
sidewalk signage within their downtown area.  Sidewalk signage is
generally of a more pedestrian scale and within downtown areas there are
generally wider sidewalks and greater pedestrian traffic.  Additionally,
within downtown areas the buildings are commonly constructed up to the
property lines and therefore their ability to have other signage (such
as free standing, projecting or monument signs) is limited.  There are
other activities commonly occurring on the sidewalks and outdoors such
as sidewalk cafes and display of merchandise, so the signs tend to be
consistent with the feel of downtowns.  In contrast, within the Motor
Business Districts, signage tends to be larger and of an automobile
scale, rather than pedestrian scale.  There sidewalks tend to be
narrower and buildings are generally set back from the street which
allows for more permanent signage to be installed in front of the
businesses (free standing, monument or projecting).  Motor business
districts sometimes have more signage and clutter, greater volume and
higher speed traffic, and greater opportunities for motorist
distractions.  It is not uncommon for portable signage to be prohibited
within Motor Business districts; however some cities do allow it.  For
example, Pullman and Coeur d'Alene allow it within many of their
commercial districts, while Lewiston and Boise do not (except for
downtown).  Reviewed by the Administrative Committee on October 27,
2008.

 

ACTION:  Receive report and comments and provide staff with direction.

 

7.       Policy on Use of Council Chambers - Gary J. Riedner

There has been recent interest in the City's practices regarding use of
City Council Chambers and other City facilities which are not currently
addressed by a City policy.  For example, the City has traditionally
allowed incumbent elected officials to hold "town hall" meetings in
Council Chambers without charge.  Issues of fairness, propriety,
"politicizing" of City facilities, expenditures, access to government,
and other issues suggest that a written policy might be developed.  The
issue was discussed at the September 22nd Administrative Committee
meeting and the Committee directed staff to develop a policy for Council
consideration.  Reviewed by the Administrative Committee on October 13,
2008 and City Council on October 20, 2008 where it was tabled and staff
was directed to provide clarification of the policy.

 

ACTION:  Approve the proposed policy; or reject the policy; or take such
other action deemed appropriate.

 

 

REPORTS:

Administrative Committee

            Public Works/Finance Committee

            Other Boards & Commissions

            Mayor

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Pursuant to Idaho Code Section 67-2345(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Kalasz

Moscow City Clerk

 

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