HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.04.21 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES1
April 21, 2010
Mayor Richard Woodland Council Members: Christopher Mann – Council President Rex Erickson Donna Benfield Bruce Sutherland Brad Egbert Adam Stout
City Staff: Stephen Zollinger – City Attorney Richard Horner – Finance Officer John Millar – Public Works Director Val Christensen – Community Development Director Blair Kay – City Clerk
7:00 P.M. City Hall – Pledge to the Flag
Council President Mann indicated Mayor Woodland was excused. He asked the boy scouts
to introduce themselves; Boy Scout Colby Munns from Scout Troop 49 led the Pledge to the
Flag.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council President Mann, Council Member Erickson, Council Member Benfield,
Council Member Sutherland, Council Member Egbert, and Council Member Stout.
Public Comment: on issues not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes):
Charlotte Erikson at 281 North 5th West talked about building an eight lane 25 yard indoor pool.
She has done some research regarding this issue; she and other residents are interested in the
indoor pool. She does not have numbers yet, but is hoping to gather that data soon, which will
include the idea of fees and memberships to the indoor pool that would be issued to maintain the
facility. She used and example for a swimming pool from the City of La Grande, Oregon. This
example was a model to her idea of maintaining an indoor pool. She has researched the building
of an indoor pool facility along with the chemicals needed for the pools, pricings, pool operators,
etc. Get her handout.
Jennifer Whiteside at 205 Marianne Drive asked about the possibility of an indoor pool. She
asked about JRW & Associates and if they had three bids. City Attorney Zollinger explained the
procurement process. There have been only architectural estimates at this time. The city is not
involved with the construction of the facility at all. The Rexburg Redevelopment Agency will
build the pool according to Idaho Statute. Ms. Whiteside was directed to the Rexburg
Redevelopment Agency for comments and recommendations.
City Attorney Zollinger explained the history of the swimming pool project. Discussion
concerning Rexburg Urban Renewal funding. Urban Renewal Districts are authorized to build
recreational facilities. The Rexburg Redevelopment Agency will determine the bids; the
construction of the project will be at their prerogative, etc. The city’s part in this will be the
maintenance and management of the facility. Glen Pond is the Chairman of the Rexburg
Redevelopment Agency where City Attorney Zollinger directed Mrs. Whiteside to contact. They
have not even started the bidding process. He gave an analogy of buying a car.
Council Member Sutherland explained the history of the effort to get a swimming pool built.
There has been much research conducted along with years and years of discussion. Mrs.
Whiteside understands all of the work and discussion that has gone on, and respects all that has
been done in order for the citizens to be safe and receive possible recreational areas in the
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
April 21, 2010
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community. She believes the city has changed; she referenced the library bond; the school bond;
and the demographics of the area have changed. When the Tabernacle was built in town, it was
not an easy task, but the builders knew it would last. Mrs. Whiteside would seek funding for an
indoor facility. Mrs. Whiteside will continue to do research. It takes a 2/3 majority to pass a
bond.
Council President Mann thanked Mrs. Whiteside; while indicating he does not agree with her, he
did thank her for her input. She said it is the numbers that count in the end. Council President
Mann said there are many who support and are in favor of an outdoor pool. Council Member
Erickson said these women should have been on the committees six or seven years ago to provide
input to the pool committee when it was decided what would be built. Mrs. Whiteside said she
moved to Rexburg three years ago and she has been involved since then. Council Member
Erickson explained the history of the last two years and he said the swimming pool facility will be
a duplicate of Payson, Utah. The City Council, unanimously voted in favor of this outdoor facility.
City Attorney Zollinger explained the weather differences between Rexburg and La Grande,
Oregon.
Presentations: None
Committee Liaison Assignments for 2010:
A. Council Member Adam Stout Trails of Madison County · Traffic & Safety Committee · Airport Board
Council Member Stout reported the Madison Airport Board has two committee vacancies. One
vacancy is from the county and the other vacancy is from the city. Mayor Woodland would like
some names recommended to fill these two committee positions.
B. Council Member Brad Egbert Legacy Flight Museum · Parks & Recreation · IBC Committee
Council Member Egbert did not have a report.
C. Council Member Bruce Sutherland Museum Committee · Beautification Committee · Traffic & Safety Committee.
Council Member Sutherland did not have a report.
D. Council Member Christopher Mann Emergency Services Board · School Board · MYAB
Council Member Mann reported the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board meets every week on
Wednesday’s after school. He reported on some upcoming projects for the group including Pride
Days at Smith Park next Thursday evening. There are 100 T-shirts available for the 1st 100 people
to show up. The whole community is invited. The “May Masquerade” event at the Rexburg
Carousel will be on May 01, 2010. Emergency Services has not met.
E. Council Member Donna Benfield Police Department · Romance Theatre Committee · Rexburg Arts Council · Tabernacle Civic Center · School Board
Council Member Benfield reported the Romance Theatre Committee is meeting tomorrow
night. They are in the process of electing a new chairperson and secretary/treasurer. The
Tabernacle Committee is also selecting a new chairperson in the next month or two. There was a
fantastic free concert a couple of nights ago.
F. Council Member Rex Erickson Golf Board · Planning & Zoning · Rexburg Redevelopment Agency
Council Member Erickson reported Planning and Zoning met last week recommending a
couple of items (Summerfield Church preliminary and final plat) on the agenda tonight. The
Rexburg Redevelopment Agency met Monday with the Madison County Commissioners to
discuss the proposed joint county parking lot concerning options. The city is going to participate
in the design of the parking lot. The Golf Board has not met. The proposed new parking lot is
located across the street from the Rexburg City Hall on 1st North. The county has the corner lot
sold.
Public Hearings: None
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Items for Consideration: A. Preliminary Plat – Summerfield L.D.S. Church #2 at 12th West and 400 South – Wayne Crow
Wayne Crow at 380 Spring Creek Road, Providence, Utah representing Wayne L. Crow and
Associates, Inc. indicated the parcel is nine acres on the west side of 12th West. The
improvements will be completed by the developer and the LDS Church. Summerfield Lane will
be developed and extended to the west. The church will have two chapels similar to the church
on Trejo Street.
Natalie Powell provided a staff report.
Natalie Powell presented the staff report for the Summerfield plat proposal. She informed the
City Council that Community Developer Director Val Christensen was sick and therefore unable
to present the report himself, however she thanked the City Council for the opportunity to fill in
for him. Ms. Powell stated the proposal is for a one lot subdivision as part of the Summerfield
development. This subdivision is nine (9) acres. The street is to be named Summerfield Lane. It
fronts out on South 12th West. This building will be similar to other LDS churches that have
recently been built in Rexburg. The plat shows two accesses onto 12th West. The separation
distance is 200 feet. The proposal is to build curb and gutter and to donate the necessary right of
way to the city. The private property directly to the north will be buffered by landscaping and
fencing. In addition, staff review comments noted adequate parking will be addressed and that
landscaping shall be at 30%. The Fire Department expressed standard concerns regarding fire
lanes and hydrant locations. Public Works didn’t have any additional comments. The Building
Department didn’t have any code issues with this proposal.
Council Member Stout asked if the Fire Department requirements were satisfied. She said they
met the specifications.
Council Member Erickson asked about the street. Mr. Crow said county and city address grids
come together on 12th West. They are using the county grid going west. There will be sidewalk,
curb, and gutter. The ditch will be moved back beyond the right-of-way line in a 30 inch covered
pipe.
Council Member Sutherland moved to approve the Preliminary Plat for Summerfield L.D.S.
Church #2 at 12th West and 400 South; Council Member Egbert seconded the motion; Council
President Mann called for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Egbert None
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Stout
The motion carried.
B. Final Plat – Summerfield L.D.S. Church #2 at 12th West and 400 South – Wayne Crow
Council Member Egbert moved to approve the Final Plat for Summerfield L.D.S. Church #2 at
12th West and 400 South; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Council President
Mann called for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Egbert None
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Stout
The motion carried.
C. Resolution 2010 – 06 Intent to create LID 40; approve notice to proceed for publication of a public hearing on May 05, 2010 at 8:00 P.M.
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City Engineer Keith Davidson reviewed the spreadsheet showing the properties proposed in
LID 40. All the items in orange were things that they changed. The Smith subdivision on
Millhollow Road has the corner lot extended around the corner on the LID. (Contact City Hall
for LID 40 file content).
Council Member Benfield asked if 2nd South was included. City Engineer Davidson said yes.
Council Member Erickson moved to approve Resolution 2010 – 06 for the intent to create
LID 40; approving the notice to proceed for publication of a public hearing on May 05, 2010
at 8:00 P.M.; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Council President Mann called
for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Egbert None
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Stout
The motion carried.
D. Public Parking Lot Discussion - Staff
City Clerk Blair Kay presented a proposal to sell 30 parking permits in the downtown parking lot south of the movie theatres on Center Street. The city has received requests for parking passes in
this parking lot for employees of local businesses instead of having to comply with the three hour parking code for the public parking lot.
Council Member Erickson asked if 30 parking permits were issued; would there still be room
for the general public. He thought it would run into a problem. City Clerk Kay suggested maybe it would be better if only a certain number of permits were granted per business. There are more
employees than there are parking spots, so it would be first come first serve. Either way, it will not be comfortable. The problem has started from the three-hour parking limit; it is like this in all
city parking. Council Member Benfield suggested there should be an experiment held before deciding what to do.
City Attorney Zollinger stated the original plan was to use the vacated 20 INL parking spaces
vacated by INL employees as of April 15th. There are a total of 87 parking spaces. The idea is
provide 30 parking spaces by parking permit. Council Member Benfield said there should be an
inventory conducted before a decision is made. Some hesitancy arose in relation to the businesses
in downtown, with some receiving more or better parking privileges than others. City Attorney
Zollinger said the measurements would not favor anyone based on proximity.
Discussion: These parking lots were constructed for public parking—not employee parking. If the
city were to give 30 spaces for businesses for permits, it would be based on a first come, first serve
basis, limited so one business could not buy all of them.
Council Member Stout thinks this should not be based on per square footage. An example of
the Wells Fargo Parking Lot was given where the city joined with Wells Fargo and other
businesses to combine their parking lots and parking spaces into one parking lot on the north side
of Main Street.
Council Member Erickson said there needs to be a look at all of the parking lots downtown and
do the same thing for all the parking lots for the various businesses if this is to be implemented; in
order to be consistent. Council President Mann commented saying how the City Council has
expressed for this not to be long term, because the City Council may change its mind later. It is
important for the city to control those parking lots, and there may be a need for an experiment or
inventory to be conducted. Council Member Stout agreed.
City Attorney Zollinger said the tenants of the property owners are coming in and complaining
about the lack of parking available and spaces given. This needs to be known to the City Council.
The landlords/property owners are sending their tenants to come to City Hall and complain.
Council Member Erickson is concerned with the opening of other parking lots if this particular
one would be given precedence over the others. Council Member Sutherland discussed the
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disadvantages of locations. He sees the challenges; however, those people who had decided to
start their businesses in that specific area were aware of the lack of parking.
Staff Reports:
A. Public Works: – John Millar
1. Downtown Parking Lots – Public Works Director Millar explained there are six parking
lots in the downtown area with 399 parking stalls. The proposed county parking lot will
add another 150 parking stalls to the downtown area.
2. Backup Power for the Police Department and the Fire Department is almost complete.
3. The Police Department roof repair is near completion.
4. 12th West Street rebuild is receiving bids for utility extension work. (The bridge is complete).
The low bid to extend utility services on 12th West was from Edstrom Construction for
$92,106.00. The high bid was M.D. Nursery for $285,146.30.
Council Member Benfield moved to accept the low bid for the extension of utility lines on
12th West from Edstrom Construction for $92,106.00; Council Member Egbert seconded the
motion; all voted aye, the motion carried.
5. 7th South and 2nd East traffic light will start Monday.
6. North Hill Road water project by Barney’s going west to Nina Drive will start tomorrow.
Council Member Egbert asked about the plan for the Main Street trees. The aging trees are
being replaced by smaller trees.
B. Finance Department: – Richard Horner
1. Monthly Budget Report
Deputy Finance Officer Matt Nielsen reviewed the budget reports. (See attachment)
Discussion: The City Council reviewed the balance on the Riverside Park fund. The negative
balance of $48,760 was reviewed. The negative balance is the interim balance showing the amount
spent last year for land improvements ($105,000) and engineering ($37,000). The revenue of
$100,000 was overspent with borrowed funds netting out a negative balance of $48,760. The
balance remaining of the $450,000 appropriated from federal sources is about $302,000 per City
Attorney Zollinger. Council Member Sutherland explained the funds are allocated to be spent this
year. The federal funds will reimburse expenditures spent by the city. Deputy Finance Officer
Matt Nielsen pointed out some of the larger fund balances including the airport fund from grant
monies for slurry seal, master plan, and lighting project; street repair projects; etc. Council
Member Mann asked about the Veteran’s Memorial fund of $20,000. It is donated monies
planned for the Veteran’s Memorial. Deputy Finance Officer Matt Nielsen reviewed the Budget
Summary Report which was under budget at the half year point. Discussion on the amount owed
to pay off the new nine hole golf course which is $688,000. The revenue projections from the
state are forecasted to be pretty good considering the economy. Public Works Director Millar said
the water revenue will increase in the summer months. The city sells double the water in the
summer.
Discuss Riverside Park ground preparation. – Staff
Public Works Director Millar reviewed how Riverside Park project was being split-up between
Rexburg Redevelopment Agency and the city. The entryway and parking lots are part of the cost
of the pool project being developed by JRW & Associates for the Rexburg Redevelopment
Agency. The city will do the grass area north of city shop.
Federal appropriations have been “Ear Marked” for the redevelopment project by congress. The
first appropriation of $100,000 from EPA has been spent on a water project (water and sewer
study); allowing the city to begin the groundwork for the project using city funds. The second
source of funding was the reimbursable appropriation of federal fund by congress for $350,000.
Water and sewer money reimbursed the Riverside Park funds used to do a water study. These
funds were used to provide topsoil fill material at a cost of $1.00 per cubic yard. Council Member
Erickson clarified that the city is only doing the landscaping, not the entryway.
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Council Member Sutherland reviewed site preparation work that has been completed. Public
Works Director Millar said the city would provide water for some of the green space for the pool
project. Council Member Stout clarified the $100,000 from the city covered the cost of buying
and moving topsoil onto the site.
Council President Mann asked about state revenue and the economy picking up. Deputy
Finance Officer Matt Nielsen said no new revenue projections would be available until next week.
Mayor’s Report:
Discussion on Impact / Permitting Fee Matter -Temple View/University Gateway
Apartments at 431 West 4th South – Jared Sommer - Deferred
City Attorney Zollinger met with Mr. Sommer earlier and he will meet with Public Works
Director Millar and Finance Officer Horner later. The city will have a report on the formula
for “Impact Fees” for the Rexburg 101 drive-around on May 13, 2010. The City Council will
take the matter under consideration.
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Council President Mann reported on the planned drive around to look at upcoming budget
items for City Council on May 13, 2010. The City Council will plan to attend the AIC Conference
in June in Idaho Falls. The City Clerk will make the reservations.
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. April 7, 2010 meeting
B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
C. Yard Spring Clean-up dates from April 20th to May 28th - Staff
Council Member Sutherland moved to approve the Consent Calendar; Council Member Stout
seconded the motion; all voted aye; the motion carried.
Executive Session 67-2345 (B) & (F) to consider personnel and legal issues.
(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; (f) To communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal
ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does
not satisfy this requirement.
Council Member Stout moved to go into Executive Session per Statute 67-2345 (B) & (F) to
consider personnel and legal issues; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Council
President Mann asked for a roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Egbert None
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Stout
The motion carried.
Executive Session.
Executive Session ended.
Adjournment
__________________________________ Attest: Council President Mann
________________________________ Blair Kay, City Clerk