HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.10.28 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
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October 28, 2009
Acting Mayor Christopher Mann
Council Members:
Christopher Mann – Council President
Rex Erickson Randy Schwendiman
Bart Stevens 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
7:00 P.M. City Hall – Pledge to the Flag
Roll Call of Council Members:
Council Member Woodland, Council Member Erickson, Council Member Stevens, Council Member
Schwendiman, Council Member Stout, and Council President and Acting Mayor Mann were in
attendance.
Items for Consideration:
A. Review mayoral candidates for appointment to the Office of Mayor of Rexburg.
Mayor Mann introduced the topic seeking candidates for mayor. He turned the chair over to Council
Member Erickson to conduct the candidates input portion of the meeting. Council Member Stout,
Council Member Woodland, and Mayor Mann stepped down from the Dias to participate in the process.
Council Member Erickson explained the process to select the participant from the list by drawing
names out of the hat; picking candidates at random to speak to three questions:
1. Introduce yourselves.
2. Explain how you see the job as mayor.
3. What do you want to accomplish as mayor?
Council Member Erickson asked City Attorney Zollinger to explain the process in more detail. Some
of the applicants were not residents of Rexburg as defined by Idaho code.
TITLE 50 MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS
CHAPTER 6 MAYOR
50-601.Qualifications. Any person shall be eligible to hold the
office of mayor who is a “qualified elector” of the city at the time
his declaration of candidacy or declaration of intent is submitted to
the city clerk and remains a qualified elector during his term of
office.
The term of office of mayor shall be for a period of four (4) years
except as otherwise specifically provided. He shall take office at
the time and in the manner provided for installation of councilmen.
A”qualified elector” is one registered on the county election rolls as a resident in a verifiable address.
The code requires the elector to be registered 30 days before the candidate files to be a candidate.
Jonathan Garrett Larson (DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF STATUTE 50-601)
He spoke explaining he is not from Rexburg and he is not a political person; however, he is a leader and
he grew up in Spokane, Washington. He comes to Rexburg every year and he loves this town. Last night
he knocked doors doing a survey. He asked the question “What do the citizens want in a mayor?”
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020 x313
Fax: 208.359.3022
blairk@rexburg.org
www.rexburg.org
City Council Meeting
October 28, 2009
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Today he talked to leader on campus he learned some good things. He wanted to let the citizens know
whoever is chosen needs to represent the people with honesty, vision, and what is most important for the
city. He said the most important thing is to bless the lives of the people.
Garth R. Oakey (DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF STATUTE 50-601)
Michael Alen Cousin (DOES NOT MEET REQUIREMENTS OF STATUTE 50-601)
Laurene S. Jackson (Withdrew from consideration)
City Attorney Zollinger noted fourteen of the seventeen applicants were verified as qualified candidates
by the Madison County Clerk’s office. There were four candidates that did not make the final list. One
applicant does not reside in Rexburg; one applicant withdrew; and two applicants were not verified as
qualified electors by Madison County.
Council Member Erickson said there would be no questions from the City Council or the Applicants
to eliminate the hassles of back and forth conversations. The candidates were invited to speak for about
five minutes. He proceeded to draw names to start the process of hearing from the qualified candidates.
The first name drawn by Council Member Erickson was Troy E. Rasmussen.
Candidate 1:
Troy E. Rasmussen was honored to be an applicant for the office of mayor. He has many fond
memories of growing up in Rexburg. He gave a brief history of his life in Rexburg. He went to
Washington school. He graduated from Madison High School in 1994? After two semesters, he dropped
out of Ricks College to go to work full time. He worked at Albertsons and Teton lakes Golf Course in
Rexburg. He got married at 21before moving away to Logan, Utah. He worked as a truck driver before
enrolling in Utah State University for four and a half years. He earned two degrees (economics and
political science) at Utah State University; He went for three years to Southern Illinois University law
School. He has a family in Rexburg and he sees a lot of opportunity for Rexburg. He moved back to
Rexburg a year and a half ago, and he noticed the new Madison High School being built; also, BYU-I
went to a four year University. Rexburg is a safe, friendly, community. It has grown and blossomed into
a beautify Rose. He wants to be a part of the economic team as Rexburg grows. He believes in the
Constitution of the United States. He noted citizens voluntarily give up their rights to the local
governments who regulate and govern the community. Government officials should not be abusive in
their power.
Candidate 2:
Richard S. Woodland enjoyed serving the City of Rexburg for two years on the City Council. He ran
his campaign on transparency and fiscal responsibility. Rexburg continues to grow and change. He can
add to the progress of the city by working with a strong City Council. Transparency is extremely
important. People wonder what city government is up. He loves Rexburg as his town. He and his wife
plan on staying in Rexburg; noting even winter wont drive them away. If he becomes mayor he will
continue to fight for transparency, accountability and he will help with the good things of Rexburg.
Candidate 3:
Paul Scott Ferguson said Rexburg is a great place to raise a family. It is a great place to see posterity
grow up. He has lived in Rexburg his whole life. We are in a tough time right now with trust, etc. He
respects the City Council and he believes he can work with them. He worked on Campus for 29 years in
various leadership positions including public relations and teaching. It would be a pay cut for him;
however, he is responding to an inner sense of a call to duty. He could make a contribution to the city in
this two year period. He would put in a hard two year interim mayor position to work with the City
Council. He is responding to a great opportunity to do the right thing for Rexburg. He does not know
how it will work out with BYU-I. He would do a two year sabbatical and he would be willing to give the
mayoral salary back to the city, based on how his financial relationship with BYU-I is resolved. He is
confident the City Council will pick the best person for Rexburg.
Candidate 4:
Adam Kevin Stout clarified his feelings; stating it would be a great opportunity to work with the city to
get some things done. He is only interested in a two year period; however, he may consider running in
the next election. He would shift the City Council’s duties away from the committee liaison approach to
being more involved with City Hall and other city functions; including watching expenses, budgets,
increasing city park capacity as the population grows. He sees the need for more attention to adding city
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parks, regardless of how the legal case for the funding of Riverside Park turns out. He said it was
frustrating to work on the budget this year; noting the City Council is working on the fringes. He wants
to be more involved with the budgets and the bigger issues. He proposed more work on economic
development and planning by bringing back a position to do both economic development work and
planning work. The position would be funded out of the general fund. This position would work on
general planning issues like recent work on the PRO-Zone, PEZ Zone, etc. instead of complaisance
issues. He referred to Pocatello as an example to emulate. He would take steps to increase “fund
raising” for Westwood Theatre. He agreed with Council Member Woodland on having more
accountability. He agreed transparency is a problem because the budget is hard to get a copy to read and
to understand. He referred to a recent year’s budget where a transfer of $35,000 was done from one
department’s budget for a secretary to the Mayor/City Council Budget. He has received comments from
people stating this transfer looked like the City Council received a $35,000 raise. “How could you give
yourselves a $35,000 raise?” The transfer was not understood by those reviewing the budget. He would
have the City Council focus more on departments and department heads to make sure the departments
have what they need.
Candidate 5:
Robert Lloyd Ricks grew up in Lyman and he worked on the family farm while growing up. He went
to the Porter Park swimming pool as a youth. He mentioned the Idaho Supreme Court’s upcoming
review of the funding mechanism for the proposed Riverside Park Development which includes a Lazy
River. He did not feel Rexburg had the climate for a Lazy River complex compared to St. George, Utah
because of the short 2 ½ month summer season in Rexburg. He mentioned some of his job history
starting with a job moving irrigation sprinkler pipe. His subsequent applications noted he had been a
“hydro aluminum transport specialist”. This made him feel more important. He felt under trained and
uneducated for some jobs. He started a job as a dish washer which turned into a job managing a
restaurant. He is still washing dishes fifteen years later. He has learned by doing hard work. He is a
scout master training young men into grown men. Two years ago he did leadership training for a week.
He determined from the training he wanted to make a difference. He loves to talk about politics. The
position of mayor should be a voice of the people, not your own personal voice. As the Mayor of
Rexburg, he will listen to the people.
Candidate 6:
Donna Benfield presented her unique qualifications to be Mayor of America’s Family Community.
She read the following statement:
Mr. Mayor, members of the council, good evening. My name is Donna Benfield and I come to you this
evening to present what I consider to be my unique qualifications for the position of Mayor of
“America’s Family Community”, Rexburg, Idaho. Because of my years of experience in
administration, I believe I am able to help our City make a transition from one Mayor to another easier
than any other candidate. Having served as a city councilmember for eight years and having served two
mayors, I have an advantage of perspective.…………. Here is what I will bring to the table as your
Mayor of Rexburg.
I will have well-planned, organized, and efficient council meetings.
Documents will be distributed in sufficient time for your preparation.
Proper timing will be anticipated for the necessary “3 readings” of all ordinances.
Any appointments, committee or otherwise, will be made by the City Council and the Mayor
working together.
Councilmen, there has never been a time when people are more ready to be included than now. People
are interested, people are asking questions, and they should be. They are the customers of our $47M
corporation. Each one of you knows how you treat your customers, or clients, when they come to your
business. It should and will be no different here at City Hall. I am ready to be the manager and CEO of
this corporation. When people come to city hall they will leave feeling like they are important and we
care. I love going by the City parks now; they have never looked better. Our golf courses are
outstanding. Thank you for the attention and direction to these departments. People that know me
know that I will place a high priority on our infrastructure, with Police, Fire, Emergency Services, Water
and Sewer and a big emphasis on our Roads. I don’t know all the right answers, but I don’t need to.
With quality people serving on the City Council, we can work together to make informed and considerate
decisions for the betterment of Rexburg. But that only works when the City Council is kept in the loop.
I will include all of you in every pertinent decision. A weekly update of all departments and projects is
critical and will be distributed to you.
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We will work together to bring better paying jobs to Rexburg. I am a firm believer in surrounding myself
with knowledgeable people. As your Mayor I would not fear going to experts and asking their input. I
would like to thank the council for doing a great job. Hopefully, I will be able to call on each of you for
help in the future. Each of you has your own expertise and I will need your input.
Our corporation is in the business of providing City services. It is my goal to provide those services at
the lowest possible cost. We must be good stewards of the people’s tax dollars. I intend to be fiscally
conservative and focus on our needs. I do not like or want to raise taxes. I believe in cutting costs
wherever possible, and when I become your Mayor I will immediately implement an incentive program
for cost savings suggestions in every department.
We will have a “business friendly” City Hall and although we have good relations with our University,
I will work to strengthen those relations for the betterment of Rexburg. Rexburg needs BYU Idaho and
BYU Idaho needs Rexburg. I am ready for the job, I am eager to get to work, and I am uniquely qualified
to do it right. I ask for your vote and your support.
I humbly, but firmly, promise you my utmost effort to do a good job and to not disappoint you or the
fine residents of my home, Rexburg, Idaho. Thank you for your support.
Candidate 7:
Gary Floyd Leikness presented a synopsis of his history. He was laid off from the Rexburg Planning
and Zoning Administrator’s job in July, 2009. He is currently looking for a job. This is one of the few
jobs in Rexburg that fit his background and expertise. He is from Colorado; however, he did get his
higher education is Oregon obtaining a master degree in planning. He spent time in Los Angeles,
California before coming to Rexburg to go to Ricks College where he met his beautify wife. He later
graduated with a Geography degree with an emphasis on planning at BYU Provo. After obtaining his
Geography degree, he attended graduate school at the University of Oregon. He explained everyone was
shock when he lost the planning job. The last ten years he has been studying communities and how they
use “Smart Growth” development.
The City of Rexburg is confronted with these growth issues every day. He was shocked to lose his
planning position; referring to Council Member Stouts comments to have less job emphasis on the
enforcement side and more emphasis on the planning side. Council Member Stout mentioned the PEZ
Zone which was completed when Mr. Leikness was the Planning Administrator. He was always looking
forward with planning issues; however, he was unable to do the planning he wanted to do because
enforcement was an issue to take up his time. He did not make a lot of friend doing enforcement;
however, it is the law. The job of mayor would not be elected position for this interim two year period.
As an appointed mayor, Mr. Leikness would work with the City Council as elected officials who are the
people’s representatives. He is not the voice of the mayor only the voice of an appointed mayor.
This position will give the City Council a taste of city government with a city administrator. He is a city
employee that is his back ground. He would be a good mayor due to his past relationships with staff. He
would not take two years to get to know staff. He will help the process be more seamless by working
with staff. The city needs more input from staff at the planning meetings. He was solo at most of the
time at the planning meetings. He will build on University relationships. He
wants to create trust and review urban strategies; not just to grab money. He will push for a local access
channel verses minutes to have more accountability. He did not think minutes gave the total story of a
meeting. Public access channels allow viewer to watch and re-watch the meetings at their convenience.
He would push to have subdivisions reviewed in public hearings.
Candidate 8:
Keith George Ferrin thanked the council for taking their job seriously. He once had a boss he would
follow around the world, he was very trust worthy therefore he has tried to emulate his boss. He has
lived in Rexburg three years, just opened the fun center. When he moved with his family his teenagers
wanted to do more in Rexburg, they built an entertainment center. He has been with UPS for 23 years
before opening a new business. His skills are industrial engineering, solving problems, getting to the root
of problems, evaluating solutions, and presenting those solutions to others to make the best decision. He
gained a security mind set, for two years he was in the Security Department. It is critical to protect
people as assets as well as the assets of any organization in Rexburg. There are always two sides to a
story, he learned to interview, to set goals, to motivate, evaluate and discipline. The mayor would be
dealing with employees, controlling costs, specific services, sewer, water, roads, and protection to families
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and property is critical. It is his position to work with the City Council; he would need much input. His
views on the city and government are government is formed by the people, for the people, therefore
open up the city to the people so their voices may be heard. He would bring love to the people,
understanding of government, and providing services to the people.
Candidate 9:
Steven Warren Milius is a newcomer to Rexburg for past two years. He grew up in the southwest end
of the Salt Lake Valley working various jobs. He is a hands on type person. He applied to get involved
in government and with the people of Rexburg. He has a family, some are in college. He would like to
be part of the change you want to see. He believes in government transparency. The changes in
government around this country are to let the people know what is going on. He would make sure
government is understood by the people.
Candidate 10:
Chris West said he is the youngest applicant. He chose to run for City Council and he has lived in
Rexburg for four years. People have asked why he is considering the appointment to be mayor. His reply
was, why not. Any position that would allow service to the people he would take. The whole thing is
about service. The next two years would be serving as an appointment not an elected official. He would
need help from the council elected officials. It’s important to serve the community as a whole and make
hard decisions that are not always popular decisions. He sees the mayor’s position as someone who
represents the community as a whole, as a father of the community that lives with the principles of
integrity. The position is for the people. He would not make promises until he was there. He
understands the trust placed in public servants. He has an open mind. He hopes to serve the people of
Rexburg as Mayor or on the City Council. He is fiscally conservative and can use common sense for the
future. He will live by these principles.
Candidate 11:
Thomas Herbert graduated from Bonneville High School, in Idaho Falls. He later moved to Rexburg.
He has background in environmental engineer for municipalities dealing with infrastructure. He has been
a project manager for multi-billion dollar projects dealing with contractors and supervisors. He feels he
could work comfortable with the council. He served in the National Guard for 22 years as major; he was
major in the Air Force in 2004, and served active duty after September 11, 2001. He knows about service
to country. He wants to serve because he likes this community; it is a great place. He moved to Rexburg
four years ago and bought the Great Harvest store. He has a great understanding of this position. He has
a Masters Degree from Utah State University in engineering technology. He believes he can deal well
with technical issues. Being a business man, he feels comfortable dealing with other people, listening to
what they have to say and involving others input. Having volunteer service and as scout master for 22
years he feel he can give back to the community that he and his family have come to appreciate. He saw
great opportunities, specifically as a pilot and he asked to serve on the Airport Board, because he saw
great potential and he wanted to help out. He would like to be more involved with the community.
Candidate 12:
Gregory F. Moffat was born and raised in Teton Valley. He came to Rexburg in 1967. He remembers
when the mayor made the best hamburgers in Rexburg and he wants to bring somebody in to make the
best hamburgers. He attended Ricks College on a majority of scholarship and later served a mission in
the North and Far East, speaking the Japanese language. He returned to Ricks College and he finished
an Associate degree and married his wife and raised a family. He has a lot of ties in Rexburg. He later
graduated at Boise State University with a Bachelors in Political Science and a Minor emphasis in
Economics and Accounting. He and his wife made their home in Rexburg where he did construction to
build business buildings and homes after the flood of 1976. He is sorry the community had to go
through the disaster, but you learn what kind of people are in the community and their integrity. It was
interesting to see how fast the community came together and how people were willing to help one
another. As a service orientated person he worked in the sheriff’s office as a reserve in 1981 until 1984.
Until 1982 he worked as deputy and then ran for sheriff in 1992 where he was successful as the only
elected republican. As sheriff he managed multi-billion dollar budgets. He understands the accounting
and budgeting process. As mayor he would be concerned with infrastructure, law enforcement, and
other emergency services are under paid. He worked to raise wages for deputies. With the support of
the City Police, Mayor, City Council and the City of Rexburg; they were able to pass a jail bond serving
Madison County, Rexburg and other communities. While as sheriff he served as President in the Tri –
County Association, Sheriff Association, he was trained through the State Sheriff Association and FBI.
He has dealt with multitudes of people; there are no bad people only those who don’t understand the
word responsibility. He sees the mayor working hand in hand with the City Council. His concern with
the City of Rexburg is fiscal. He is conservative, pro-life, pro-gun and enjoys seeing children in the parks
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playing baseball etc. He believes the city needs to pursue projects that are within the budget. He
appreciates the opportunity to speak.
Candidate 13:
Christopher James Mann indicated he is not the only qualified person; however, he feels he is the most
qualified. He brings a lot of experience from the private and public community. For 27 years he has
worked running a business with 222 employees, managing the labor, the cost, and running a business.
He was able to do this without any subsidy from the university. He gave his history with proven track
record: he served for five years on Traffic and Safety Committee, four years City Council, two years as
City Council President, four times chairman of Whoopee Days, board of directors of Chamber of
Commerce and The United Way, and one month as Acting Mayor. He is optimistic about Rexburg; if
appointed mayor he will continue to maintain quality of life, preserve all that is good about Rexburg, and
he is committed to improve where we have fallen short. Rexburg needs good roads, good public service,
a good environment and safe environment with good programs and designated areas to contribute to a
better quality of life. He is a strong advocate of strong neighborhoods. Council sets policy, mayor
enforces policy. He is committed to bring safe funding for roads and infrastructure. To keep and
maintain fiscal accountability, bring integrity to City Hall, to lead, teach and work with the City Council.
He does not have a wish list, all will be treated the same. He is to help get Rexburg moving again. He
believes our best days are ahead. He feels a strong support from the community. The challenge is to pick
the best person for mayor. He pledges his support whoever is chosen to be mayor.
Council Member Erickson read a quote from the last week’s newspaper. The quote came from a City
Council Member from another city. It stated the mayor’s job is administrative and enforcement, the City
Council’s job is law making and authorization. Everyone needs to keep that in mind. He ensured
everyone the City Council will put in the time to pick the right person for “Mayor of Rexburg”.
Council Member Stout moved to go into Executive Session per Idaho State Statute 67-2345 (b) To
consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a
public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student; Council Member
Woodland seconded the motion;
Roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Stout None
Council Member Schwendiman
Council Member Stevens
Council President Mann
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Woodland
The motion carried.
Executive Session
Executive Session ended.
Adjournment
__________________________________
Attest: Christopher Mann
Acting Mayor
________________________________
Blair D. Kay
City Clerk