Action Alert: Idaho Transportation Dept Pedestrian and Bicycle Survey

The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking your input through a survey. If you are interested in bicycle or pedestrian mobility in Teton Valley and Idaho we encourage you to fill out this survey. All survey responses are confidential. Completing the survey will enable you to participate in establishing a new vision for non-motorized mobility within Idaho and provide needed insight to all agencies that make non-motorized mobility decisions. Thank you in advance for your participation.

To access the survey go to: http://itd.idaho.gov/planning/bike/2008PlanSurvey.html

Here are a few of my responses:

5. Tell us if you are aware of any bicycle or pedestrian mobility concerns that may be unique to your community.

"We are situated on the West side of Teton Pass which separates us from Jackson, WY. We are in need of completing the non-motorized pathway over Teton Pass. Currently there is a pathway on the East side of the path, but not one on the West side. This connection is important for residents who work in Jackson as well as tourists who visit the area."

6.Tell us about any issues, concerns or frustrations that you currently experience related to your interaction with the Idaho Transportation Department concerning bicycle and pedestrian mobility. Do you have suggestions for improvement?

"Overall I am frustrated that Gov. Otter's and ITD's transportation initiative focuses entirely on outdated methods of transportation infrastructure development. It is time we move away from only funding auto-centric methods of transportation. I would like to see more attention devoted to multi-modal transportation that reduces the number of yearly Vehicle Miles Traveled. I do realize this has the negative affect of further reducing income from gas tax, but this too is an outdated method of structuring our transportation system. It is time we devoted serious attention and resources to non-conventional methods of traveling around our state both at the local and regional level. Of course we must maintain the highways and bridges we already have, but creating more miles of asphalt that caters to auto dependent development patterns is wrong."

7. Tell us about any issues, concerns or frustrations that you currently experience related to your interaction with state elected officials concerning bicycle and pedestrian mobility. Do you have suggestions for improvement?

"At the 2008 AIC conference as well as the Idaho Falls transportation conference my requests for more support for multi-modal transportation projects were largely ignored. The response I kept getting was, "But we have to maintain the infrastructure of highways and bridges we already". Obviously the fact that I repeatedly focused my comments on new highway projects and road widening projects was missed. I suggest that State Officials recognize that national development trends are moving away from Suburban development and towards compact, pedestrian friendly development. This return to compact development patterns needs governmental support for non motorized transportation infrastructure."

8. Tell us if your governmental agency supports infrastructure improvements for bicycling and walking. If yes, how do you do this?

"The City of Victor requires all new developments to construct sidewalks and bicycle paths that connect to our existing network. We also support our local advocacy group, Teton Valley Trails and Pathways. Recently we passed an ordinance requiring Main St property owners to plow their sidewalks and we are working with Landsman Transportation on a new Transportation Plan that will include pedestrian and cycling improvements."

9. Please tell us any other thoughts concerning bicycle and pedestrian mobility.

"Please do not continue to pull funding for enhancement grants that can help grow our pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. I realize we are in a budget shortfall, but cutting good programs that can be part of a larger solution to our problems is not the answer. It is time to look beyond the transportation development trends of the last 50 years and find new solutions to our new problems."

Envision Victor Project Coordinator Job Announcement

ENVISION VICTOR:
PROJECT COORDINATOR/CONTRACT POSITION
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Background
In January 2008, the Orton Family Foundation issued a Request for Proposals to select two communities in the Rocky Mountain region and two in the Northeast willing to undertake an innovative two-year project developing a “Community Heart & Soul” approach to planning. Based on Victor’s excellent application and a subsequent site visit by Foundation staff, the Foundation chose Victor as one of four Heart & Soul community projects.
Envision Victor is a partnership between the Orton Family Foundation, the City of Victor, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, and Teton Valley Trails and Pathways. The project will ask all Victor residents to identify, articulate, and implement Victor’s Heart & Soul. Envision Victor will “go beyond land use and design, and toward our social fabric and how [to] create opportunities to grow a more economically, ecologically, and socially diverse community.” Envision Victor will also leverage the results from Victor’s Community Action Plan, ongoing work revising Victor’s Comprehensive Plan, and Victor’s EPA-funded Smart Growth Implementation Report, and other work completed by Victor’s citizens.


Coordinator Position
The Project Coordinator will be Envision Victor’s public face and main contact person for community members, local government, media, funders, and vendors. It will be a contract position starting in January 2009 and running through December 2011. We anticipate a time commitment of at least 20 hours per week. Expenses such as phone calls, mileage, and out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed at cost.

The Project Coordinator will contract directly with the Orton Family Foundation (Foundation) and will be supervised by the Orton Family Foundation and the Envision Victor Advisory Committee and will collaborate with the City of Victor, Valley Advocates for Responsible Development, and Teton Valley Trails and Pathways (Project Partners).

For a full description of the position please visit www.EnvisionVictor.blogspot.com

City Council Agenda 12-10-08

7:00 Pledge of Allegiance & Review of Minutes

7:10 Executive Session as per Idaho State Code 67-2345(f)

P&Z

Urban Renewal

Maintenance

Administrative

County Prosecutor

County Commissioner Meetings

Final Orton Partnership Agreement

Hiring of a Grant Writer

Calendaring

January 22-24, 2009 – New Partners for Smart Growth

Bills

City Council Minutes 11-12-08

DRAFT MINUTES

Council President David Kearsley called the meeting to order. Councilmen present were Richard Naef, David Bergart, and Scott Fitzgerald. Mayor Don Thompson joined the meeting shortly after.

The amended minutes of the October 22nd council meeting were motioned and seconded for approval. The ayes were unanimous.

Russell Jones- Property Issue
Arnold Woolstenhulme from A&W Engineering represented Russell Jones, owner of 141 West Birch. Mr. Woolstenhulme presented to the Council a copy of a plat of the property. This plat shows that in the 1950’s a house and a garage was built in the street easement. Mr. Jones is requesting a boundary adjustment from the Council. Currently there is a 99-foot right of way down West Birch Street and the minimum required for the city is 60 feet. Mr. Jones also asked Council to look at the LID billing for the street paving. Council asked Mr. Woolstenhulme to put together some maps and more information for review.

Alice Stevenson- County Commissioner Visit with Council
County Commissioner Alice Stevenson asked the Council for suggestions with the state liquor licenses to be issued on a County level instead of being issued by the State. County is in support and would like feed back from the City. The Council will check with the Association of Idaho Cities and get back to Mrs. Stevenson.

Discussion was held with Mrs. Stevenson regarding the Impact Area. The County Commissioners requests working out a defined boundary not just a proposed. The County suggests ordinances to be in place to support the zones, and the city shouldn’t have less density than the County in that area. The County has three main concerns: one is creating to many hoops for the public to jump through if the rules are the same in City as the County; the public not having proper representation, and farmers being surrounded by subdivisions.

Mayor Don Thompson explained to Mrs. Stevenson the concern the City has with property asking for annexations into the City outside of the current Impact Area, the City has outgrown the current boundaries and that is the reason for the application the expand the Impact Area.

Councilman Richard Naef explained how much a development on the outside the city limits has impacts on the city. Mr. Naef stated that the City need to be informed on what is being approved by the County. The City has concern with one of the city’s main water supply in the Game Creek area that has county subdivisions being approved with septic tanks to contaminate that supply. Mr. Naef informed Mrs. Stevenson that the Council gave a copy of the proposed ordinances to the County for review and the Council is waiting for a response. Mr. Naef would like to see a PUD for the Impact Area to control connectivity to water and sewer.

Mrs. Stevenson informed the Council that the only problem she sees with the application is the boundaries and once that issue is worked out she doesn’t feel there should be any problem with it passing.

Mrs. Stevenson updated the Council on the Teton County Housing Authority. They are working getting eligible people that work on the west side of the Tetons affordable housing. Council feels that the County and cities all need to adopt the same ordinance when it’s created.

Mrs. Stevenson updated the Council regarding the Humane Society. The County budgeted for an animal control officer and $5,000.00 for housing of the animals.
The County has asked them to submit a contract for review; this has not been submitted at this time. The County did get a contract to review from a company called For The Animals out of Idaho Falls. The contract would require $35,000.00 per year. The County would like to have the city help with the funding. Council agreed that the city needs a contract of our own to control the dog problem.

Travis Thompson- Update on Projects
Mathew Look, from the Development and Funding of Community Infrastructure Districts group, accompanied Travis Thompson, explained how CID funding works. CID funding is for public infrastructure that will eventually be turned over to the city. Council had concern about who makes the payment if the development slows down and Mr. Look stated that the developer is responsible for that payment. The first step is to form a district with three council members serving on the board. Mr. Look also explained to the Council that if the infrastructure amount is over the bond amount, the developer is responsible to pay the difference. The infrastructure is done in phases and the members of the board have to approve each phase before the issuing of the debt. The lots will be assessed on a per lot base to determine the debt owed for the infrastructure. The buyer in the districts with CID funding in place will have a discloser to sign at closing so they will be aware of the debt as required by state law. Unused money could be used for maintenance and improvements. Travis Thompson then asked the Council permission to move forward in submitting a petition to form the district. Mr. Thompson agreed to cover the cost of forming that district. Discussion was held by the Council in regards to this being a way to boost the economy.

Motion was made and seconded to allow a petition be submitted for a CID. The ayes were unanimous.


Maintenance- Timberline Ranch- Issuing a CO
Public Works Director Scott Golden explained to the Council that he was misinformed about an issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy requested by Robert Kaptein, owner of 283 Timberline Ranch. Mr. Golden will issue the CO, due to the Council approving the issuance of the CO in the minutes of the meeting on February 27th, 2008. Mike Potter was present regarding the CO. Council agreed the CO should be issued. Mr. Golden informed the Council the roads in the subdivision have not been approved due to a punch list that is not complete. Discussion was held regarding the snow plowing in the subdivision, Council informed Mr. Golden that the Kaptain house needs to be plowed out for reasoning of emergency safety.

Mr. Golden updated the Council that a letter has been sent to the developer of the Cowboy Road House informing them that the city will not be plowing the roads in development until the punch list is complete.

Mr. Golden informed the Council that in 2009 Ground Water Rules are changing and it will require a chlorination system to be installed at the springs in Game Creek. Council asked Mr. Golden to get estimates and submit it for review.

Mr. Golden asked permission of the Council to place snowplowing signs though out the city to let the public aware of the parking ordinance. Permission was granted.

Mr. Golden informed the Council that the steam cleaner budgeted for was purchased.

A short discussion was held in regards to installing more streetlights at Main and Dogwood. Mr. Golden was asked to look into options to address the lighting problem.

P&Z – Victor Crossroads
Planning and Zoning Administrator Cari Golden gave the Council a letter received by Victor Crossroads informing the City of withdrawing their application for a Special Use Permit. Discussion was held on the issue. Council asked Mrs. Golden to have the City Attorney respond to the letter.

P&Z- LHTAC Grant
Planning Director Bill Knight informed the Council he has been working on an application for a grant called the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council to assist in projects in the City.



P&Z
City Engineer Rob Heuseveldt gave the Council examples for submittal of preliminary plat as requested in previous meeting. Discussion was held as Mr. Heuseveldt explained the examples to Council. Council will review them.

Administrative
Council agreed not to assist in the funding of the Cloud Seeding Program.

Discussion was held regarding a name for the alleyway by Clea Morgan’s.
Motion was made and seconded to name the alleyway Arrowroot Alley. The ayes were unanimous.

Councilman Bergart asked the Council for thoughts on putting the lights in Pioneer Park on a timer for public to use for a Nordic track during the winter months. Council supported the idea and asked Public Works Director Scott Golden to get some cost estimates for review.

Mr. Bergart informed the Council of an upcoming conference in January 2009 called New Partners for Smart Growth in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Bergart feels it would be good to send someone to.

Discussion was held in regards to a letter received by Roy Barillaro asking the Council for a reduction in his water bill. In July 2008, a local cowboy was living in his garage without permission and ran up the water bill. Council would like to have Mr. Barillaro’s response to the request of his participation of the alleyway to the rear of his property.

Council agreed to allow the church called the Third Day Worship and Ward use the Council Chambers on Saturday’s with a signed contract.

City Billing Clerk Amy Underwood gave the Council finding on the cost for the State to collect the local tax for the city. Estimates were between $100,000 and $150,000 to a software developer, $20,000 for the development from the State, and a $130,000 yearly maintenance fee. Council agreed this is not cost effective for the City.

Bills
A motion was made, seconded and the ayes were unanimous to pay the bills. The meeting was then adjourned.