(Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities, March 17, 2023)
KEY TAKEAWAY – Council failed to take action during yet another meeting opportunity (4th ARPA discussion) to ensure at least some projects get underway for earlier completion and public benefit. Once again, ARPA discussions were all talk, no action.
Our city’s PARKS Dept. tried to no avail to get Council to fund the pickleball courts and slide replacement during last year’s FY23 budgeting cycle only to be told that these project decisions needed to be made in conjunction with future ARPA discussions to be held in the fall. The PARKS Dept. secured a private donation ($140K) to aid in the project, yet Council after 2 more meetings continues to drag its feet. And now, per the mayor’s recommendation, decisions are delayed until May after the State Legislative Session concludes so Council President Cheatum can return. Council President Cheatum chose to run for the Legislature. His absence and inability to participate in City Work Sessions is a consequence of HIS decision.
What has actually been done since November regarding “solid” estimates for proposed ARPA projects? Worse, the Mayor was completely unprepared with City Reserve balances so that Council could choose project funding sources for these two parks projects. And, two newer projects suggested at the end of the last (Nov) meeting (Broadband and conservation/access easements) were neither discussed nor added to the revised proposed ARPA project list.
Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities: Keeping Government Accountable
Blad – present (left during meeting for approx. 45 minutes without any stated reason)
Cheatum – absent
Leeuwrik – present
Mangum – present
Mansfield – absent
Marchand – present
Nichols – present
RECAP NOTE: For “all” meeting items, see full agenda/video links below
ANIMAL ADVISORY BOARD UPDATES:
– Improvements in feral cat situation, but increase in dumping of pets.
– Due to recent lease changes, increase in number of people needing to surrender pets or risk losing housing.
– They have 13 employees, 2 are full-time, but more volunteers are always welcome and needed.
CHILDCARE ADVOCACY UPDATES:
– Pocatello and surrounding areas are experiencing a crisis in childcare. The sudden elimination of their COVID support funding by the government contributed significantly.
– They estimated as many as half the current Pocatello Daycare businesses will likely close in the next few months unless additional funding help materializes.
– This could easily become a catastrophic, statewide problem in Idaho.
– Mayor LEFT MEETING DURING THIS DISCUSSION
NEW ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS:
– Central Square accounting/payroll software = $900K of which 75-80% of that cost is for “implementation” only.
– Future annual costs will be approximately $133K/year on a go-forward basis (a decrease from current costs) and was confirmed to include the updates as rules and technology change.
– The upgrade will be a substantial change of technology and will easily interface with other City departments, banks, etc.
– 435 Days = timeframe required for implementation process.
-Mayor RETURNED DURING THE END OF THIS DISCUSSION HAVING BEEN GONE APPROX. 45 minutes.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATES:
– Open House at Library was successful and they will likely hold another Open House at the end of March.
– Making efforts to give the local community what they want per data collected at these events.
RESOLUTION: Bring Back Portland-to-Salt Lake City Passenger Rail Service
– Council was in favor of such an effort and will approve resolution at the next meeting.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) PROJECTS DISCUSSION:
– Pocatello received $10.7M of which $2.9M is “obligated” for Well #2 Replacement ($2M) and Employee Premium Pay ($895,400K) [bonuses].
– All ARPA Funding must be “obligated” (committed to a project) by the end of 2024, but all funds MUST BE SPENT by the end of 2026.
– When Councilman Mangum suggested that perhaps the public should be given a chance to weigh-in on some of these projects as to what they believe is most important, Mayor Blad immediately explained that the public has had plenty of opportunities to communicate with Council regarding their thoughts and that this effort was unnecessary.
**P.A.G.E. DISAGREES – no “ARPA” input has been sought/received. Yes, there has been feedback gathered and integrated from Comprehensive Plan public sessions, but that was seeking a different type of input.
-Mayor Blad also suggested that a delay until May to discuss ARPA Funding would allow departments to fine-tune estimates for many of the proposed ARPA projects, and for Council President Cheatum to return.
I think maybe the Mayor needs to find another job.