09-26-11 Regular Meeting of La Porte City Council

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11. DISCUSSION OR OTHER ACTION (a) Discussion or other action regarding Safety Town — K. Adcox Police Chief Ken Adcox discussed Safety Town as an educational classroom — a miniature city that will focus on ways to enhance safety in the community. Three assignments were brought up at the Council meeting in March of this year and he addressed those items as follows: Chief Adcox mentioned three proposed sites for building Safety Town. Other areas of the discussion included the costs that would be incurred by the necessity to move or add utility poles at the proposed locations, construction costs, operating and maintaining costs, annual cost for staffing of the facility, insuring the facility, noise concerns, and the level of average usage on a daily basis. Mayor Rigby asked if citizens and Councilmembers were approached in the proposed Districts in which Safety Town would be built to gather their input. Chief Adcox stated he has not spoken to any Councilmembers within those Districts outside of the council meetings, although he has spoken to a few citizens. He was also asked if there has been a reduction in accidents involving children in the cities which have built a Safety Town. Chief Adcox stated he will provide this information at a future meeting. Councilmember Leonard stated that the City should hold off on a Safety Town due to the state of the economy. Councilmember Mosteit has faith in the project as long as we can keep the costs to minimal or none, and still wants more information be brought back to council. Councilmember Clausen is in support of Safety Town, although he said that it requires additional research and planning to see what would best fit our community. Councilmember Moser asked if the LPISD school board has been asked to supply the land. He also stated he cannot commit to supporting Safety Town at this time. Councilmember Martin supports the Chief's plans and commended his fine job of presentation, although the level of interest is uncertain at this time. Councilmember Zemanek said that if all the money could be raised to build Safety Town, then the City should be able to supply the land to put it on. Councilmember Engelken still had questions but supports the concept. Councilmember Engelken made a motion to direct staff to move forward in the planning process and provide additional information, including options, that would spare the City from bearing the costs. Councilmember Leonard seconded. MOTION PASSED. Ayes: Mayor Rigby, Councilmembers Clausen, Zemanek, Mosteit, Engelken, Moser, Kaminski, Leonard and Martin Nays: None (b) Discussion or other action regarding a report from the Redistricting Committee — T. Tietjens Planning Director Tim Tietjens provided a report from the Redistricting Committee. Based on information provided in the 2010 Census report, there are a few areas within the city that still have "split blocks," most of which were able to be avoided, but still left two areas where they exist. Districts Six and Two had to shrink down to meet the ten percent parameter. Districts Four Page 6 of 8 September 12, 2011, City Council Meeting Minutes