HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.01.14 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES1
January 14, 2009
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
Blair Kay – City Clerk
6:00 P.M. City Hall – Pledge to the Flag
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Mann; Council Member Erickson; Council Member Stevens; Council
Member Schwendiman; Council Member Stout; and Mayor Larsen.
Excused: Council Member Woodland.
Staff attending: Lynn Archibald – Police; Corey Child – Fire and Emergency Services; Val
Christensen – Building and Planning; Steve Christenson – Information Technology; Kristy Geisler –
Community Affairs; Richard Horner – Finance; Blair Kay – Customer Service; Greg McInnis –
Parks; John Millar – Public Works; Craig Rindlisbacher – GIS; Robert Yeatman – Recreation.
New Business: - None
Staff Reports:
A. Department budget review and goal setting for 2009
Mayor Larsen opened the discussion with Department Heads and City Council with a review of a
recent public survey. He asked if there were any questions on the city bills. Council Member
Schwendiman asked about a bill covering expenses on the trail system from Rexburg to Sugar City.
Finance Officer Horner explained the expense is partially covered by impact fees from the Parks
Department. Council Member Erickson explained the trail to Sugar City was budgeted a few years
ago; however, the final cost of the project was over the budgeted amount due to right-of-way costs
and inflation. Rexburg and Sugar City agreed to pay the difference in the cost of the project over the
grant amount. Public Works Director Millar explained the bridge required for the project is covered
with the expenditure of these funds. Sugar City is managing the grant for this project.
Mayor Larsen expressed how it is such a pleasure to work with the Department Heads and City
Council. It is a good opportunity for the group to have a discussion about the upcoming year. He
was impressed with the accomplishments of the City Departments this past year. Mayor Larsen
thanked the Department Heads for working with their staff’s to complete the goals laid out by the
City Council; and he encouraged the city staff to be proactive in providing customer service to the
citizens of Rexburg. The group reviewed a packet of information from each department including
each department’s accomplishments of 2008 and their goals for 2009. The packet also included the
results of a recent “Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey”. He asked the group to take some time and review
the survey results and use the input to better serve the citizens of Rexburg.
Mayor Larsen continued the discussion with the City Council and Department Heads on the
“Community Satisfaction Survey” by reviewing a historical change sheet showing how customer
perceptions have changed for the positive or negative. The city parks showed marked improvement
on the survey. Other city functions showed similar responses to prior surveys. Many comments on
the survey asked for a swimming pool. Other comments wanted more restaurants, more stores for
12 North Center Rexburg, ID 83440 Phone: 208.359.3020 x313 Fax: 208.359.3022 blairk@rexburg.org
www.rexburg.org
City Council Meeting
January 14, 2009
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shopping, etc. Survey results declined in areas concerning local job availability, shopping, recreation
for children 12 years of age and under, recreation for adults, and accessibility for disabled people.
The survey show positive improvement in timely response to emergencies, overall community
quality, community involvement in decision making, maintenance of city parks, quality of park
facilities, crime prevention programs, police officers conducting themselves professionally, police
protection, availability of bike lanes, traffic conditions, downtown parking, and recycling services.
Mayor Larsen explained the survey indicated what the community would like to see happen over
the next three years. Last year’s City Council goals emphasized customer service, efficiency, and
communication. Council Member Mann said the City Council added pedestrian safety to the list
during the year. Mayor Larsen asked City Council to share with the Department Heads their
expectation or changes they would like to implement over the next three to five years:
Council Member Mann said pedestrian safety will continue to be on his mind in the coming year.
He referred to discussions in the Traffic and Safety Committee to improve pedestrian safety with
better lighting for pedestrian areas and four way stops as needed. He supported the city funding a
swimming pool.
Council Member Stout would like to improve the communication effort to the public to limit
misunderstanding in the community. He asked to continue to improve city efficiencies.
Council Member Stevens asked to improve communications by refraining from negativism and
reinforce positive values in the community. Share with the community how good the water quality is
in Rexburg.
Council Member Erickson was very impressed with the Department Heads goals and
accomplishments. He would like to emphasize to the Department Heads to stay under budget.
He wants to have the Departments work towards a budget number established for each department
based on available revenue projections. This would be better than budgeting what the departments
want to spend without consideration for anticipated revenue. He did not expect to have budget
money for a swimming pool until the Idaho Supreme Court makes a ruling on the Urban Renewal
funding proposal.
Mayor Larsen asked the City Council if they would support moving forward with developing some
of Riverside Park with $450,000 of earmarked funding. The improvements would be associated with
soccer fields or ball fields. Council Member Erickson would support some improvements like grass
one year, lights the next year, etc. to stay within the budget. Public Works Director Millar explained
$60,000 has been spent on the site hauling in 28,000 yards of top soil for less than $3.00 per yard.
Council Member Schwendiman suggested having a county wide effort to build a swimming
facility by creating a county recreation district supported by city and county government. A vote of
city/county residents would determine if the citizens would be willing to pay for a swimming pool.
He suggested spending the year working with the county on a county wide recreation district
proposal. The city may not be able to afford a swimming pool long term without funding support
from the citizens. The survey indicated a variety of other recreational needs from the citizens
besides a swimming pool. Council Member Erickson supported the idea to seek the county’s
support to put a county wide recreation district proposal on a ballot.
Discussion on subsidizing the swimming pool in Porter Park in the past for close to $50,000.
Council Member Schwendiman would like to know the cost of subsidizing the proposed
swimming pool before committing ongoing budgeted city funds to the proposal. Council Member
Mann would vote to support a swimming pool. Mayor Larsen said an indoor swimming pool does
not have a chance of breaking even in Rexburg. Mayor Larsen explained an outdoor swimming pool
built, programmed and priced right for fees has a chance of paying its own way; however, an indoor
swimming pool would require city subsidy. The surveys repeatedly asked for an indoor pool, so he
supports a county wide vote to see if the voters will support the cost of an indoor swimming pool.
Council Member Schwendiman noted the current economic conditions and he recommended
holding to a tight budget by working together to keep the expenses within or less than monies
budgeted.
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Council Member Erickson explained the employees may not get everything they request in their
budgets every year; but at least they will get what the city can afford. In the past the city has
operated within the allowed budget. He recommended staying on course with lean budgets to keep
the city within a balanced budget.
The City Council discussed the recent storms and the city’s response to remove snow in critical
locations for safety concerns. Council Member Erickson asked to have snow on sidewalks removed
on 2nd West without cost to property owners similar to the city’s effort on 2nd East.
The City Council reviewed the following topics:
1. Pedestrian Safety.
2. Budget compliance.
3. Review department budgets during budget preparation with all of the City
Council Members and all of the Department Heads.
4. Outdoor/indoor pool probability.
5. Doing great things for the citizens of Rexburg.
6. Improve efforts to communicate with the public.
7. Improve department efficiencies.
8. Refrain from negativism and reinforce positive values in the community.
9. Communicate to the public all of the reasons for an action. We are doing the
best we can to provide services to the community.
10. Avoid rhetoric and communicate the facts to arrive at a sound decision.
11. Stay under budget. The budget is the maximum allowed; however,
resourcefulness should be used to spend less than the budget allows.
12. Swimming pool funds are not available unless the Supreme Court of Idaho
approves the funding mechanism.
13. Move forward with some improvements (ball field or soccer field) at
Riverside Park with current funds (earmarks) allocated from federal
allocations.
14. Proposed a county wide Recreation District before planning a city pool.
15. Have a one stop shop for customer service.
16. Use caution when spending city funds.
17. Keep the citizens informed with “News Flashes”.
18. Prepare for more growth considering the recent announcement of the
student expansion at BYU-I.
19. Support raising the building height limits around the University.
20. Study banning the parking on 2nd East.
21. Communicate how good the water is in Rexburg.
22. Crime statistics indicate Rexburg Police have a 50% solvability rate.
23. Consider providing home remodeling packets for remodeling projects.
24. Promote the use of the animal shelter.
25. Prioritize the street maintenance budgets to maximize the number of projects
with consideration for safety issues first; (i.e. 2nd West, Pioneer Road and
Main Street)
Finance Officer Horner asked the Department Heads to maintain a tight control of their budgets
to keep the city’s expenditures at a minimum. The recent audit of the city will contain the final
numbers for monies carried over from 2008.
Building Official Christensen said the University’s recent announcement will require the city to
allow for more growth close to the University. There will be a need to help contractors find ways to
grow the student population around the University.
Council Member Schwendiman recommended removing the parking on 2nd East, 2nd South and
install a light at 2nd East and 7th South to facilitate more growth around the University.
Parks Director Greg McInnis reviewed some of the projects which the City Council approved
during the 2008 construction season. He noted the time and effort put forth by the City Council to
help the city staff accomplish the projects to serve the community.
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Public Works Director Millar reviewed the need for the community to supply beds for 900 more
students in the next 18 months based on BYU-I growth projections. It will take a great effort on the
city’s part to provide infrastructure, inspections, etc. for an additional 900 beds. City Attorney
Zollinger explained the married housing in Rexburg is not adequate to supply the required beds.
Married students are traveling from out of town to attend the University due to a lack of housing for
married couples.
The City Council discussed the police department’s crime solving statistics. They solve crimes
at a higher rate than the state or national average for solvable crimes.
The City Council discussed the animal shelter. They would like to have the county participate in
the animal shelter to take care of county animals. The fee to drop off a dog is $45.00. City Council
Member Erickson asked to have some publicity in the spring advertising the animal shelter. City
Attorney Zollinger said there has been some state recognition for the Rexburg Animal Shelter.
Council Member Stout asked if the construction office offered a packet for remodel projects.
Building Official Christensen said it would be hard to provide a universal packet (check list) for
remodel projects that would fit every project. He provides an open office to take care of
customer questions on an individual basis because each project is different.
Public Works Director Millar asked for some direction on projects for 2009. He received
notification of city owned property being vacated by May 1, 2009. This will allow the city to
prioritize a street project for Pioneer Road and Main Street. Council Member Erickson was not sure
the budget would allow more than cleaning up the property in preparation for a road project in 2009.
A bridge is required for the project with a completion date before water is put into the canal. A stop
light for the intersection would typically cost the city 40% with 60% paid by ITD.
The City Council asked for accident statistics for this location before making a final decision.
Mayor Larsen indicated the Main Street project could be deferred a year to allow for the Pioneer
Road project to be done with some of the Main Street reserves.
Public Works Director Millar said they are working on preliminary applications to DEQ for sewer
and water projects.
Calendar:
January 15th Police Officer Ron Larsen’s retirement party Open House at City Hall from 12:00
P.M. to 2:00 P.M.
January 16th Mayor Larsen invited the City Council and Staff to attend a dinner in Idaho Falls
Friday evening, to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King.
January 29th is City Officials day at the Capital in Boise.
January 31st at 11:00 A.M. is Snow Fest in Rexburg.
February 2nd – Police Department facilitates a Special Olympic Torch Run. It begins at 10:00 A.M.
at the Madison High School Assembly.
Consent Calendar: The consent calendar includes items which require formal City Council action,
however they are typically routine or not of great controversy. Individual Council members may ask
that any specific item be removed from the consent calendar for discussion in greater detail.
Explanatory information is included in the City Council’s agenda packet regarding these items.
Minutes:
A. January 07, 2008 meeting
B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member Mann moved to approve the Consent Calendar; Council Member Erickson
seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Stevens explained the Airport Board’s Bylaws
have been reviewed by the Airport Board. He asked to have the January 07, 2008 minutes indicated
that the Airport Board has “reviewed” the new airport bylaws and the bylaws are ready for adoption
by the Airport Board. All voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried.
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Executive Session pursuant to State Statute 67-2345 (C) to conduct deliberations to acquire
an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency.
Council Member Mann moved to go into Executive Session pursuant to State Statute 67-2345 (C)
(Contract negotiations) to conduct deliberations to acquire an interest in real property which is not
owned by a public agency; Council Member Stout seconded the motion; Roll call vote:
Those voting Aye Those voting Nay
Council Member Erickson NONE
Council Member Mann
Council Member Schwendiman
Council Member Stevens
Council Member Stout
The motion carried.
Executive Session
Executive Session ended
The City Council came out of executive session to make a decision on a proposal to sell City Hall
at 12 North Center and relocate city offices to a building on North 1st East which is being vacated.
There are ongoing discussions with Madison Memorial Hospital to enter into a contract for leased
space at the vacated facility. Board Representative Richard Smith presented an offer from the
Madison Memorial Hospital Board to lease between 7,000 and 8,600 square feet of floor space at the
vacated facility for hospital use. The lease offer from the hospital is limited by time to an occupancy
date in the early summer of 2008.
Council Member Stout moved to enter into a contract between the City of Rexburg and Madison
Memorial Hospital to do the following items below contingent upon the sale of the city annex
building at 19 East Main Street:
1. Authorize the sale of the city annex building at 19 East Main Street.
2. Sell City Hall at 12 North Center Street to Madison Memorial Hospital.
3. Purchase the vacated building on North 1st East.
4. Enter into a lease agreement with Madison Memorial Hospital consistent with the terms
presented by Richard Smith, to lease 7,000 to 8,600 square feet of floor space of the vacated
building for five years with an option to extend the lease for an additional five years.
Council Member Erickson seconded the motion;
Those voting Aye Those voting Nay
Council Member Erickson NONE
Council Member Mann
Council Member Schwendiman
Council Member Stevens
Council Member Stout
The motion carried.
Adjournment
__________________________________
Shawn Larsen
Mayor
Attest:
________________________________
Blair D. Kay
City Clerk