Seven and a half hour City Council meeting yesterday…proud of my fellow Council members…we passed a budget for next year that doesn’t raise taxes, passed a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan and worked on a way to pay for it, rejected a plan to change our Comprehensive Plan after listening to 160 citizens testify against it…it was a good day for democracy!
Category Archives: Transit
Sun Valley City Council Meeting July 12, 2011
On Tuesday July 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. we have a Special Sun Valley City Council meeting. This is the third in a number of meetings we are holding to establish the City’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012). Click here to see the complete list of our budget meetings.
At this meeting the Council is expected to adopt a “Tentative Budget” for FY12. The purpose of the Tentative Budget is to set a ceiling on the level of expenditures and the city property tax levy. This information will then be put in the notice for the public hearing on the budget which will be held on August 2, 2011.
During the June 21, 2011 Special Council Meeting, we made significant expenditure reductions in the Mayor’s original proposed draft FY12 Budget ($6,055,000 down to $5,166,000). The Council modified version is available online at this link. We will be using this version as we consider our “Tentative Budget” at the July 12th meeting. Input from the citizens of Sun Valley will be important at this meeting.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 7-12-11 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to any of our Council meetings live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website
Sun Valley City Council Meeting June 21, 2011
On Tuesday June 21, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. we have a Special Sun Valley City Council meeting. This is the second in a number of meetings we are holding to establish the City’s Fiscal Year 2012 Budget (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012). Click here to see the complete list of our budget meetings.
At this meeting, the Council will receive the Mayor’s proposed draft budget for FY12, we will discuss revenue and expenditure assumptions and projections for the budget, and we will review and update our Council Priorities for FY12.
As I do each year, I prepare my recommended Strategic Project Priorities for the upcoming Fiscal Year for the City of Sun Valley. I will be discussing these at the meeting on June 21st. You can click here to see my FY12 priorities.
We will also have the second reading of Ordinance 442 Regarding Use of Certain Vehicles on Public Streets.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 6-21-11 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to any of our Council meetings live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website
Sun Valley City Council Meeting June 16 2011
On Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 4:00 pm we have our regular monthly City Council meeting.
Along with normal business and reports, the principal items of consideration this month include:
- Discussion regarding Cox Communications franchise agreement
- Discussion with Sun Valley Postmaster regarding mail delivery issues
- Hear FY12 Budget request from Sun Valley Marketing Alliance
- Consideration of a 5 year renewal of the Mandatory Garbage Collection Agreement
- Discussion regarding the Area of City Impact Agreement with Blaine County
- Renewal of Mountain Rides Joint Powers Agreement
- Public Hearing on Ordinance regarding the use of ATV’s on City streets
- Adopt Council Priorities for FY12
- Consider revised Building Permit Fee Schedule
- Review Preliminary Draft of Capital Improvement Plan
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 6-16-11 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to this or any other Council meeting live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Sun Valley City Council Sets Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Meeting Schedule
UPDATE: 7-29-11 – See date change below for Public Hearing on FY12 Budget.
At our last Regular City Council meeting we set the dates for the formal Public Hearing and other associated meetings for the preparation and decision on the Fiscal Year 2012 City Budget. Our fiscal year runs October 1 through September 30.
I have posted the dates below and on my website. The only date that is fixed in stone is the formal Public Hearing to be held of August 2, 2011 at 10 am at Sun Valley City Hall (so much for that – City Administrative staff did not properly notice the meeting so it had to be canceled and moved to August 9th – see below). Please contact me if you have any questions or thoughts on the City budget. I also urge you to check in periodically here on the blog for updates and changes to meeting dates and times. And, of course our City Council always appreciates public comment at any of our meetings, not just the Public Hearing.
May 31, 2011 – City Council Special Meeting – 10:00 a.m. – FY12 Budget Discussion – Priorities
June 21, 2011 – City Council Special Meeting – 10:00 a.m. – FY12 Budget Discussion – Assumptions and Projections
July 12, 2011 – City Council Special Meeting – 10:00 a.m. – Approve Tentative FY12 Budget
CANCELED - August 2, 2011 – City Council Special Meeting – 10:00 a.m. – Public Hearing on FY12 Budget Ordinance
August 9, 2011 – City Council Special Meeting – 10:00 a.m. – Public Hearing on FY12 Budget Ordinance
August 16, 2011 – City Council Special Meeting – 10:00 a.m. – 2nd Reading of FY12 Budget Ordinance
Stimulus Funds Build Bus Shelters in Sun Valley
A little over a year ago I worked with Mountain Rides and our City staff to submit a grant request to the State of Idaho for stimulus funds to expand our bike path and build bus shelters and turnouts. We were successful in receiving $70,000 to build 5 bus shelters and one paved bus turnout in the City.
After completing the paperwork and noticing provisions we finally began the process of building the shelters and the turnout last month. A number of local contractors including excavators, concrete workers, carpenters and others were put to work. In all, fifteen people were employed to build the shelters. The five shelters are located at:
- Morningstar Road and Syringa Drive,
- Morningstar Road at the Ranch Condos,
- Elkhorn Road and Horseshoe Drive Intersection,
- Lupine and Bluebell intersection in Twin Creeks, and
- Dollar Road at the Community School entrance.
This Friday, December 17, 2010 at 11:00 am at the Syringa bus shelter on Morningstar Road at Syrings Drive, we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new shelters. Please join us. The details are in the Mountain Rides press release at this link.
Here are some photos I took of the work progress as we built the shelters:
Sun Valley City Council Meeting October 21, 2010
On Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 4:00 pm we have our regular monthly City Council meeting.
Along with normal business and reports, the principal items of consideration this month include:
- Second Reading of Ordinance 429 – Dollar Mountain Zoning Map Amendment.
- Resolutions regarding FY11 Contracts for Service with:
- Mountain Rides Transportation Authority
- Blaine County Housing Authority
- Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department
- Resolution to Amend the Council’s External Contracts Policy.
- Public Hearing on the White Clouds Parcel E Multi Family Preliminary Plat.
- Public Hearing on Ordinance 436 – FEMA Flood Plain Maps.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 10-21-10 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to this or any other Council meeting live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Sun Valley City Council Meeting September 16, 2010
On Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 4:00 pm we have our regular monthly City Council meeting.
Along with normal business and reports, the principal items of consideration this month include:
- Confirmation of Appointment to Mountain Rides Transportation Authority Board.
- Confirmation of Appointment to Blaine County Housing Authority Board.
- Resolution regarding Contract for City of Sun Valley Marketing.
- Resolution regarding Contract with Fly Sun Valley Alliance.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 9-16-10 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to this or any other Council meeting live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Special Sun Valley City Council Meeting June 3, 2010
On Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 10:00 am we have a Special City Council meeting.
At this meeting, the Mayor will present his proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Draft Budget. We will also hear presentations from organizations requesting funds under external contracts for service.
Presentations will be made by:
- Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber and Visitors Bureau
- Marketing Exploration Committee
- Mountain Rides Transportation Authority
- Blaine County Housing Authority
- Ketchum Parks and Recreation Department
- Sustain Blaine
- Fly Sun Valley Alliance
To see the Agenda and Council packet for this meeting, click here.
At our last Council meeting we established the following calendar for the remaining FY11 Budget meetings. All meetings will be at Sun Valley City Hall at 10:00 a.m.
June 14, 2010 – Discussion on Draft Budget
June 28, 2010 – Adopt Tentative FY11 Budget
August 3, 2010 – Public Hearing on Tentative FY11 Budget, First Reading of Budget Ordinance
August 10, 2010 – Second Reading of Budget Ordinance (if necessary)
August 17, 2010 – Third Reading of Budget Ordinance (if necessary)
You can also listen to any of our Council meetings live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Sun Valley’s Dollar Mountain Turns up the Heat
I spent some time on Sun Valley’s Dollar Mountain today for the opening of their new Terrain Park. This is really big for Sun Valley, a truly historic turn for the resort and the City. It will certainly put Sun Valley on the map for snowsport terrain parks in the future. It comes at a great time as our City’s working relationship with the Company has never been better.
“Holy Cow” “Aaaaaaamaaazing” “Sick” “This is aaaaawsoooome”
Those were just a few of the many shouts of joy I heard from the hundreds of kids and many slightly older “kids” who were there today to give the new Park a try. Car loads from Boise came over to check it out as well. The parking lot was completely full all day, and the bus was busy as well. It looks like the Park has something to offer for every ability level, making Dollar a happening place to be.
Monster jumps, kids catching the biggest air of their lives, families watching on. The expressions on the faces of the kids were the best part, especially those who had just landed their biggest jumps ever!
Here are a few photos I took today.
Both the Idaho Mountain Express and the Twin Falls Times-News did nice stories about the new Terrain Park.
Sun Valley City Council Meeting the Week of 11/9/09
We have one City Council meeting in Sun Valley the week of November 9th.
On Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 4:00 pm we have our regular monthly Council meeting. It has been moved up one week from the normal time to accommodate Thanksgiving travel plans for some members and staff.
Along with normal business and reports, the principal items of consideration this month include:
- Authorization to allow the Mayor to enter into Contracts with the Chamber, Mountain Rides, Ketchum Parks and Recreation and for prosecution of misdemeanors and infractions.
- Funding request from Blaine County Housing Authority.
- Adoption of the final Denovo Independence Findings of Fact.
- Public Hearing on rezoning around Harker Center.
- Public Hearing on water conservation regulations proposed by the Water & Sewer District.
To see the full Agenda and Council Packet for the 11-12-09 meeting, click here.
You can also listen to this or any other Council meeting live, or later on the internet at this link.
You can always see the full Council schedule and additional information at my website.
Nils’ Response to Candidate Questionnaire – Sawtooth Board of Realtors
During this campaign I have been asked to fill out 3 different questionnaires. One by the Sawtooth Board of Realtors, one by the Idaho Mountain Express and one by the Editorial Department of the Twin Falls Times-News.
Each organization asked some excellent, probing questions and I was more than happy to let them know where I stand. Since you may not get a chance to see my responses to them elsewhere, I want to share them with you here.
I’ll start off today with the questionnaire from the Sawtooth Board of Realtors:
SAWTOOTH BOARD OF REALTORS
ELECTION SCORECARD QUESTIONS
Response of Nils Ribi
Please respond by email to Bob Crosby, Government Affairs Director, Sawtooth Board of Realtors, by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 13, 2009.
I. Platform Overview:
Please provide a concise overview of the goals that you would strive to accomplish during your term, if you are elected.
As a Councilman for the citizens of Sun Valley, I will continue to focus on three priority issues if re-elected:
- Keep the City of Sun Valley the best resort community in America in which to live, by providing and maintaining the appropriate infrastructure and level of essential city services to support what citizens and visitors expect;
- Keep the City of Sun Valley independent and fiscally sound through careful financial management and support of a strong resort economy; and
- Keep an absolute commitment to open and transparent government, where government is responsive and accountable to its citizens.
II. Replacement Airport / Transportation:
How would you ensure that your city plays an ongoing role with the Blaine County Commissioners, the Blaine County Airport Advisory Committee, and the Freidman Memorial Airport Authority in planning for the proposed replacement airport?
I support the effort currently underway by the Blaine County Commissioners to create a separate “Blaine County Airport Advisory Authority” whose purpose is to focus exclusively on building and operating the new airport. This new Authority will have representation from the Sun Valley/Ketchum area.
As an elected official, would you support city funding of minimum revenue guarantees or other subsidies to airlines, if required, to ensure continuing air service to Freidman Memorial Airport and / or to the proposed replacement airport?
I voted to include MRG funding in the current FY10 City budget at the request of the Fly Sun Valley Alliance in cooperation with the Sun Valley Resort. I did this because it will also assist our residents and second homeowners who rely heavily on consistent air service to the area. The legal authority to use public funds for this purpose still must be determined before any expenditure can be made.
Would you support state legislative changes that would allow local government funding of public transportation and the underwriting of air service, if required?
I have worked on these issues, particularly in regard to alternative funding for public transit, for the past three years as our City representative on the Legislative Committee of the Association of Idaho Cities. I intend to continue to pursue this option on behalf of the area and City if re-elected.
III. Diversified Economy:
How would you ensure a balance between pursuing economic diversity as promoted by GoBlaine! and others, and the need to recognize and promote our existing tourist based assets?
I have seen the success of GoBlaine! first hand as a member of its Board of Directors. Its success so far has been based on a solid public/private partnership that must continue into the implementation phase. The key written into the strategy is a valley wide economic development effort which diversifies the economy. In turn, this diversity will provide stability and growth to the tourism economy of Sun Valley.
Do you support establishing a regional economic development entity that would be financially supported by all Blaine County governments, or do you believe that each municipality should be in charge of its own economic development? If the latter, should there also be a regional entity, and how should economic development responsibilities and funding be divided between County municipalities and a regional entity?
The entity to implement GoBlaine! must be valley-wide and have the representation and participation of all governments and the business community to be successful. See my response above.
Provided you think it is necessary, what would you do to attract and retain younger visitors and younger permanent residents to the area?
A government itself cannot attract and retain younger visitors and permanent residents, but it can encourage and support a strong resort economy and jobs through the focus of its funding of economic development and tourism marketing in general.
What are your capital improvement priorities for your city and over what time frame?
My capital improvement priorities focus on our needed core infrastructure: roads and paths, emergency services, and intra-city public transit. They will be implemented and financed according to a well thought out Capital Improvement Plan and Program.
IV. Regional versus Local Government:
How important do you deem regional issues to be (ex. transportation including air access, environmental issues, affordable and workforce housing, regional marketing) relative to issues specific to your city?
There are several regional issues that are important to our City. Those which have a direct impact on our City’s ability to properly function and provide services to our citizens are the most important.
In your opinion, what are the most pressing regional issues affecting Blaine County?
Water, Economy, Transit, Airport, Redundant Power, Wildfire Mitigation.
What role do you envision your city playing in regional issues?
- Water – I have made sure the City of Sun Valley has participated in the USGS Wood River Valley ground water resources study for the past three years. We should continue with this cooperative study until it is completed in the next two years.
- Economy – See my GoBlaine! response above about participating to help our tourism economy.
- Transit – Sun Valley has participated in the Joint Powers Agreement with the rest of the Wood River Valley to make sure Mountain Rides is a successful transit agency for our City bus service for residents and tourists, as well as for transporting the workforce.
- Airport – See my response above about participating in the new airport authority.
- Redundant Power – At present, Sun Valley is serviced by a single power transmission line. We need to work with Ketchum and the County to obtain a second, redundant line to assure that in the event of a lengthy outage, our citizens are not put in danger and our economy is not crippled.
- Wildfire Mitigation – Sun Valley is in the process of working with FEMA and the Bureau of Homeland Security to develop plans to lessen the impact of the urban/wildland fire interface. We will also work with the USFS, BLM and the other fire agencies in the valley through cooperative mutual aid agreements to seek a higher level of protection to our valuable residential and tourist properties.
Would you support a regional council of governments where representatives of all Blaine County municipalities meet on a regular basis to discuss regional issues and potential efficiencies in government?
A formal Council of Governments to work together on issues would serve many purposes, including finding efficiencies in how we operate, joint advocacy, and the sharing of timely information. It would also help build cooperative working relationships between the various governmental units. At the present time the Mayors meet on an occasional basis. A formal arrangement would be preferable.
V. Affordable Housing:
Would you support state legislative changes that would allow local government funding of affordable community housing?
This is another area where I have worked as a member of the Legislative Committee of the Association of Idaho Cities to seek various tools to allow cities to create workforce housing without creating a burden on taxpayers or developers. The most practical workforce housing for the City of Sun Valley will be that which is built in partnership with others to provide housing for critical emergency services workers who should be located in the City.
In your opinion, must workforce housing be located in the same municipality as the project being asked to develop the housing?
This is not an issue for the City of Sun Valley, as we do not have such ordinances and currently have no plans for such ordinances. In those cities which do, housing should be built where it is most feasible, cost effective and close to transportation.
Given the economic and social community benefits of housing working families in the Wood River Valley, should developers be required to pay the entire cost of affordable community or employee housing, or should the cost be balanced between the community and the developer? If you support a balanced approach, how would you suggest that housing responsibilities be shared between developers and municipalities?
As mentioned above, Sun Valley does not have, or currently plan to have, such ordinances. If any ordinances were ever considered, they would have to be based on incentives to the developer to be successful.
If you believe that creation of affordable community housing should be a priority, what would you do to ensure that more units are either constructed or converted from market rate to deed restricted/equity sharing housing in the near term?
The priority in the City of Sun Valley will be to establish a level of housing for some, not all, of our critical emergency services workers – those who are essential to live in the City, so we can provide a level of service our citizens and resort require. This housing should be built in partnership with private parties, federal agencies and financed through existing state and federal grant and loan programs.
VI. The Environment:
What environmental issues are priorities for your city?
Our City can and is reducing its energy consumption by operating smarter. The benefit of this is financial savings to the taxpayers. It is important that we look at implementing environmental initiatives that actually save us money. A prime example is in the way we are rebuilding our streets and paths with the CRABS (Concrete Reinforced Asphalt Base System) where the existing asphalt is ground up in place, concrete is added and a strong base is created. The old asphalt does not have to be trucked away, and the new surface lasts much longer. The process is also less expensive than conventional repaving of streets. Our other environmental priorities should focus on making sure we have an adequate supply of clean water and the protection of our steep hillsides and open spaces.
What, if anything, should your city do to develop alternative energy sources?
We are looking into grants to see if we can establish a solar demonstration project at City Hall.
Does maintaining the scenic corridor (property visible from Highway 75 north of Glendale Road) as it is now take precedence over the construction of alternative energy sources (wind turbines, solar panels, etc.) within it?
Although this is a County issue and not a City of Sun Valley issue, it should be noted that the corridor you mention already has several tall power lines in it. Certainly solar panels would not be taller than the power lines along Highway 75. Given the small amount of reliable wind to power a wind turbine in this narrow valley corridor, I suspect they would mostly be a moot point.
What leadership role should cities take in the environmental arena; should such a role be regional in cooperation with other municipalities or local, pertaining only to your city? If you believe that there should be both regional and local roles, how would you balance those activities to ensure the most effective use of funding and effort?
We should show leadership by example. Our City has taken numerous small steps which have not cost much money, but which have actually saved the taxpayers much. Those are the examples we can show all in the region. I gave a presentation to the Idaho Green Expo in Boise this summer on the numerous positive steps the City of Sun Valley has taken in the environmental leadership area, and in particular where it has saved us money. That is an excellent way to share ideas and efforts.
Would you support your city switching to a four day work week? If so, would a material saving first need to be proven in terms of a reduction of both the direct and indirect carbon footprint and in lower operating costs for city buildings? How would you balance the potential environmental savings versus the loss of service to your constituency?
Our City has already evaluated switching to a four day work week and it was determined there would be little or no savings. As important, service to our citizens, many of whom arrive on Fridays to spend the weekend, would be diminished. As a resort town, the City of Sun Valley needs to meet the demands of a larger population base which grows on weekends and holidays. Shortening the work week around the weekend makes little sense for a resort town.
VII. Sun Valley Specific Questions:
Would you encourage / support construction of the community connector (ex. gondola, fixed rail streetcar/trolley, enhanced bus service including alternative-energy powered busses) that would connect both downtown Ketchum and Sun Valley to Bald Mountain?
A direct connection between the City of Sun Valley and Bald Mountain through Ketchum should be encouraged and supported. How it is done is another question altogether. A gondola or fixed rail system would be extremely expensive to build and very expensive to maintain and operate. On the surface it sounds exciting, but the cost issues must be fully explored and a funding formula determined and agreed to by all the partners long before any plans are set in stone. In the meantime, a simpler and more affordable “community connector” should be sought and in place before the new River Run development is finished. We must be careful that a gondola or fixed rail system does not come at the expense of eliminating our around town transit programs.
Would you support utilizing Sun Valley funds for regional purposes such as air service initiatives, regional marketing, etc?
Yes, see my responses above.
