Full Text
1 City of Star Council Retreat February 2 & 3, 2018 Ashley Inn, Cascade, Idaho A Council Retreat Workshop was held on February 2 & 3, 2018 at the Ashley Inn, in Cascade, Idaho. The meeting began on Friday at 10:00 am. The Mayor opened the discussion with Council regarding the vision of the City. The Mayor sees Star as a viable, active City. We are growing and business will come, but we are also building our community and we want to keep that “home town feel”. There is no reason we can’t have that. Discussion was had on the Council and spouses thoughts on the vision for Star. S Keyes wants small scale areas, like Eagle’s downtown. M Keyes wants to move downtown. T Chadwick wants to see Ridges to Rivers – pathways. R Bell stated that we need to teach the public. The Mayor stated that we need to move forward in one direction – we don’t need personal agendas – we are charged with protecting the rights of property owners. The Council can unite and listen to each other – stand up and do what’s right. We need to be dreamers with eyes wide open. The Mayor thanked everyone for their service. Section 1 – Roles and Responsibilities Chris Yorgason, Legal Counsel, stated that there is a separation of powers between the Mayor and Council – the Mayor is the Executive branch and the Council is the Legislative branch with voting and veto rights. Vacancies of the Mayor/Council were reviewed. Mayor Bell does not perform wedding ceremonies, but many Mayors do. Councilmembers do not represent the City unless they are together, or they are asked to represent the City by the Mayor. The Mayor is the boss of the City staff – not the Council. The Mayor sets the agenda and may change the agenda. Discussion was held on Council coming into City Hall – they need to stop at the front desk, not just walk into offices. The best way to contact Ward is by email, the best way to contact the Mayor is by phone. If Council wants to talk to any contracted services, they will need to go through the Mayor or Ward first. The Council’s responsibilities are to adopt ordinances and resolutions, annex and zone property. The Comprehensive Plan is not law – it’s approved by resolution. It is a plan. Discussion was held on other items the Council can and cannot do. The Council would like to see quarterly budget statements and hold a budget workshop this year. Regarding public hearings; Council needs to declare ex parte contact or conflicts of interest. Council cannot do any independent research on land use applications. If you have a question, ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 contact Ward. Discussion was held on the public hearing standards. Council needs to disclose if they have received written/oral emails or conversations. Council will get phone calls/emails once the City sends out notices to homeowners regarding new land use. It is best to let people know the application is coming before the Council and you cannot speak to it, but can invite people to the meeting or ask them to send a letter to the City. The Council are judges and need to remain impartial. No new information may be presented after the Mayor has closed a public hearing and moved to deliberations. If Council has questions, they can ask the applicant once he is finished presenting and you can ask staff when they are asked if they have anything else to add. Council is charged with protecting property rights and when an application comes before you, you need to be impartial. Discussion was held on Comprehensive Plan Map Amendments, Annexation and Zoning prior to having an Area of Impact or property outside the Comprehensive Map area. Yorgason stated there is no statute that requires us to have a Comp Plan Map designation prior to an annexation. We could do an Area of Impact and Comp Plan processes. Section II – Committees We need to get the committees updated and people approved with the Mayor. The Mayor has assigned Council to their Committees. Nielsen will stay on Economic Development, Chadwick will be on Transportation, Hershey will stay on Activities and Service, Keyes will be on Beautification and the Mayor will still have the Mayor’s Youth Group. Pathways has been moved to Transportation, and Community Relations has been added to Beautification. We are still not getting minutes or agendas from some of the committees. That needs to happen. There will be no outside Facebook pages – everyone, including the Rec Department will be adding their information to the City’s new web page. Agency Liaisons were reviewed. Star Sewer & Water Hershey Star Elementary Mayor Star Chamber Keyes Star Fire Hershey Star Library Nielsen Star Senior Center Mayor ACHD Cap. Investment Chadwick COMPASS Mayor Treasure Valley Partners Mayor Valley Ride Chadwick & Mayor Boise Metro Chamber Nielsen Ada City/County Emerg. Mayor Ada Air Quality Keyes ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Please get your committee names into City Hall. Section III – 2018-2019 Goals/Priorities Land Acquisition – The Mayor will talk with Mr. Sample about purchasing 15 acres. Use of Property at 960 S. Main – Council wants to do a walk through and start moving towards a Master Plan for the area. Pavilion Park Development – Discussion was held on putting a Rec Center in that park – possibly an indoor swimming pool, racket ball courts, basketball/volleyball courts, etc. Chadwick will draw up a foot print. Expansion of City Hall meeting room – if we move forward with the Rec Center we could use it for the larger meetings. Area of Impact – will start work on it. Council asked to have maps emailed to them. Comp Plan Update – Council workshops will be scheduled. Tech Center – No interest in a tech center at this time. The two residential lots at Hunters Creek will be sold. Chadwick will find out about the Idaho Fish & Game easement at Star River Ranch. Section IV – ACHD Transportation Improvement Projects One item was added to the existing list – a sidewalk that connects the sidewalk on Star Road to Floating Feather with a painted crosswalk. Everyone Adjourned for Dinner. Council would like to schedule a meeting with ACHD and get back into the bi-annual meetings. Discussion was held on the work being done on State Street and Highway 16. Once Mark Butler is back from vacation we will move forward. Pathways to State Highway 20/26 were discussed. There will be an Executive Session prior to the February 6 Council meeting. The meeting was adjourned for the day. Section V – Financials ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 The money in the bank and financials were reviewed. Section VI – Other Star Fire Department Impact Fees – The Fire Department wants to meet with Council regarding the City collecting impact fees for them. Subdivision Status – Council was given an updated sheet on the status of Subdivisions in the City. Section VII – Economic Development – Building Communities Review was held on where the Building Communities Strategic Plan is and what is next. Council will have a workshop to bring the numbers of projects down to a working number. Section VIII – Planning Calendar February 8 Workshop 20 Council Meeting 27 Workshop March 6 Council Meeting 15 Workshop with Planner 20 Council Meeting April 3 Council Meeting 10 Workshop 17 Council Meeting May 1 Council Meeting 15 Council Meeting June 5 Council Meeting 15-16 Council Retreat 19 Council Meeting July 3 Council Meeting 17 Council Meeting 19 Workshop August 7 Council-Budget 21 Council Meeting Sept. 4 Council Meeting 18 Council Meeting Oct. 2 Council Meeting 16 Council Meeting Nov. 20 Council Meeting Dec. 4 Council Meeting 18 Council Meeting ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 The website will be up on March 1st. The Recreation registration will be up by April in time for summer programs. The meeting was adjourned.