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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - May 29, 2008 1 May 29, 2008 Mayor Shawn Larsen Council Members: Christopher Mann – Council President Rex Erickson Randy Schwendiman Bart Steven Richard Woodland Adam Stout City Staff: Stephen Zollinger — City Attorney Richard Horner – Finance Officer John Millar — Public Works Director Val Christensen – Building Official Gary Leikness — Planning & Zoning Administrator Blair Kay — City Clerk 7:00 A.M. City Hall – Pledge to the Flag Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Mayor Shawn Larsen, Council Members Chris Mann, Rex Erickson, Bart Stevens, Richard Woodland, and Adam Stout. Excused: Council Member Randy Schwendiman. Staff: Richard Horner, Stephen Zollinger, John Millar, and Blair Kay. Staff Reports: A. Public Works: John Millar 1. Report on Projects a. Approve Chip Seal Coating Contract Public Works Director Millar explained he had received two bids from vendors to do chip sealing of streets in Rexburg this summer. The bids came in as follows: 1. H-K Contractors, Inc. bid $121,137 2. TMC Contractors, Inc. bid $132,335 The Engineering Department is planning to add a couple of streets to the repair list if the low bid of $121,137 is approved. July is the optimum month for street seal coating in Rexburg. Council Member Stevens moved to approve the low bid of $121,137 from H-K Contractors, Inc. to do the street chip seal coating; Council Member Woodland seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. b. STAG Grant History and Background: “Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) began awarding the Multimedia State and Tribal Assistance Grants in 1999. Since then, over 99 grant projects covering over 7 funding areas were performed by 53 different states, tribes or other eligible organizations.” “Federal appropriation The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) makes grant funds available to regulatory partners to strengthen their ability to address environmental and public health threats, while furthering the art and science of environmental compliance. Funding for the grant program has been provided through annual congressional appropriations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OECA announces funding opportunities through a more general solicitation announcement highlighting the eligibility criteria, described the funding area, explained the process of applying for funds, and included a suggested outline for submitting electronic proposals.” 12 North Center Rexburg, ID 83440 Phone: 208.359.3020 x313 Fax: 208.359.3022 blairk@rexburg.org www.rexburg.org City Council Meeting May 29, 2008 2 Public Works Director Millar explained the application for the grant was made to conduct a “storm water study” for the City of Rexburg. The grant is for $131,000 with a 45% match. The Engineering Department is proposing to add a $100,000 from the Street Maintenance “contingency fund” to satisfy the matching portion of the grant. They are proposing two alternatives: Alternative One: 1. To build a storm water line on the hill where a new storm water detention facility is under construction; or 2. Rebuild the storm water line from “Mother Hibbard’s Country Store” to the Teton River. Public Works Director Millar noted federal dollars used to maintain the waste water line at this location would entertain addition federal regulations because it is a “wetlands area”. Alternative Two: 1. Use the funds to do a storm water study. There are some real storm water issues in Rexburg; namely at the Round-about location on 4th South and 2ne West. Council Member Erickson recommended doing an internal storm water study, thereby using the grant funding to work on storm water infrastructure. Public Works Director Millar was convinced a storm water study was necessary to solicit additional funding from the University or other grant sources. Discussion on the flooding at the round-about on 4th South and 2nd East. The problem is the infrastructure to move the water away from 4th South is inadequate. The new construction on University property has added additional surface area (parking lots) which drains into the storm water system at 4th South. It takes about a half hour for the water to drain off the round-about with a storm containing ½ inch of rain water. When the round-about was constructed, the waste water line was not changed to carry the additional burden from the University because there was not enough capacity beyond the round-about to handle the additional storm water. Council Member Erickson was concerned the storm water problem on 4th South had not been corrected over the years. Public Works Director Millar indicated the storm water study would lend support for requesting help from the University and it could be used in future applications for storm water funding grants. The storm water study could be used as a “rule book” to guide new installations of storm water infrastructure. We know there is a problem; however, we don’t know the solution. Discussion on the University participating on the storm water problem at 4th South. Council Member Mann noted the problems with cities dealing with the new standards for storm water systems. He recommended doing the storm water study which may include landscaping ideas to help contain storm water. Discussion on the steps the University has undertaken in the last four years to contain or detain storm water on University property. City Attorney Zollinger indicated now the University is aware of the impact of the storm water on the storm water system; they may be willing to participate in a solution to the problem. He reviewed the discussion on the flooding of Fourth South when the round-about was constructed. The City did indicate the flooding of 4th South properties near the canal would stop when the round-about was constructed; however, the City did not say the round-about would be void of storm water flooding. Public Works Director Millar indicated one solution would be to install a storage facility underground on the NW corner of the round-about and pump the storm water into the storm water system over time (as the storm passes) to lessen the impact of the storm on the storm water system. Council Member Stevens was in agreement to invest in a storm water study to facilitate the process. 3 Discussion to do the storm water study in house. It is possible to track City costs with some accounting modifications to track the costs by units of time to allow internal costs. Council Member Stevens moved to approve the expenditure of matching funds to secure the STAG Grant of $131,000 for the expenditures to be used on storm water facilities infrastructure, including a request to BYU-Idaho to participate in the costs to provide a storm water systems study; Council Member Mann seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Stout asked how this would affect the timing of the study. Public Works Director Millar said it would probable move the study up in time. City Attorney Zollinger said they are meeting with the University this afternoon and they will ask about the study. Council Member Stevens indicated STAGA Grant is positive because it will bring money into the storm water system regardless of how the monies are spent. Council Member Erickson was amazed the City could find money for matching funds. Mayor Larsen called for question: Those voting aye Those voting nay Bart Stevens Rex Erickson Christopher Mann Richard Woodland Adam Stout The motion carried. c. “Safe Routes to School” Grant Public Works Director Millar indicated the “Safe Routes to School” grant was funded at $29, 300. It is a grant to improve pedestrian access to Kennedy Elementary School on 5th West. There is a portion ($3,000 for education) of the grant for non-infrastructure funding. The remaining portion of the grant will fund infrastructure improvements. Two pedestrian signals will be purchased for installation at Kennedy Elementary School including handicap access ramps for street crossings. This particular grant does not require any matching funds. Public Works Director Millar asked the City Council to approve Resolution 2008-12 for the “Safe Routes to School” Grant. Resolution 2008 – 12 “SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL” WHEREAS, the Idaho Transportation Department, hereafter called the State, has submitted an Agreement stating obligations of the State and the City of Rexburg, hereafter called the CITY, for development of a “SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL” project; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That the Agreement for Federal Aid Highway Project A011 (512) is hereby approved. 2. That the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of the CITY. 3. That duly certified copies of the Resolution shall be furnished to the Idaho Transportation Department. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR THIS 29TH DAY OF May, 2008. __________________________________ SHAWN LARSEN, MAYOR ATTEST: _________________________________ BLAIR D. KAY, CITY CLERK 4 CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of a Resolution passed at a regular, duly called special meeting of the City Council, City of Rexburg, held on May 29, 2008. ___________________________ BLAIR D. KAY, CITY CLERK Council Member Woodland moved to approve Resolution 2008 – 12 for the “Safe Routes to Schools” grant; Council Member Mann seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Executive Session pursuant to State Statute 67-2345 (C). Council Member Mann moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to State Statute 67-2345 (C). Council Member Stout seconded the motion; Roll call vote: Those in favor Those opposed Chris Mann None Rex Erickson Bart Stevens Richard Woodland Adam Stout The motion carried. Executive Session Executive Session ended. The City Council authorized Finance Officer Horner to move forward with a real estate purchase proposal. Adjournment