HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010.07.07 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES1
July 07, 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 Scott Johnson – Economic Development Director Blair Kay – City Clerk
7:00 P.M. City Hall – Pledge to the Flag
Roll Call of Council Members: Mayor Richard Woodland; City Council Members:
Rex Erickson, Donna Benfield, Bruce Sutherland, Brad Egbert.
Excused: Council President Christopher Mann.
Council Member Stout will be arriving later.
Public Comment: on issues not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes) - NONE
Presentations: - NONE
Committee Liaison Assignments for 2010:
A. Council Member Adam Stout Trails of Madison County · Traffic & Safety Committee · Airport Board
Council Member Stout was excused.
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 was excused.
E. Council Member Donna Benfield Police Department · Romance Theatre Committee · Rexburg Arts Council ·
Tabernacle Civic Center · School Board
Council Member Benfield reported on a police retirement. Police Officer Bart Smith announced his
retirement effective at the end of August, 2010. His last day will be August 15, 2010. The City Council was
asked to approve the hiring of a new position to become the supervisor of the Community Policing
Division, and the fact that there would be approximately three weeks of overlap of Bart Smith’s salary and
the new employee.
Council Member Erickson moved to approve the supervisory position for the Community Policing
Division (new hire); Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland called for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020 x2313
Fax: 208.359.3022
blairk@rexburg.org
www.rexburg.org
City Council Meeting
July 07, 2010
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Council Member Erickson None
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Egbert
The motion carried.
Council Member Erickson wanted to know who the person would be prior to finalizing the hire.
Council Member Benfield also reported on the computer enhancements that have been made possible
through the grant that was received.
F. Council Member Rex Erickson Golf Board · Planning & Zoning · Rexburg Redevelopment Agency
Council Member Erickson reported that the Golf Board met, and revenue was slightly ahead of last
year. Everything seems to be on track to be within the budget in spite of the slow start.
Public Hearings:
A. 7:30 P.M. Exchange of an inactive easement on 7th South for needed right-of-way on 2nd West to
construct street, curb, gutter, and sidewalk between the City of Rexburg and W. R. Henderson – Staff
Mayor Woodland opened the public hearing.
Public Works Director Millar explained the reason for the exchange. The 2nd West project is in
need of additional right-of-way to expand the street width. The plan is to exchange a Henderson
easement on 7th South for some Henderson right-of-way on 2nd West adjacent to 7th South. The
easement is no longer needed by the city.
Mayor Woodland asked for public input:
Those in favor of the proposal: - NONE
Those neutral to the proposal: - NONE
Those against the proposal: - NONE
Mayor Woodland asked for discussion:
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Council Member Erickson moved to approve the Exchange of an inactive easement on 7th South for needed right-of-way on 2nd West to construct street, curb, gutter, and sidewalk between the City of
Rexburg and W. R. Henderson; Council Member Sutherland seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Erickson None
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Egbert
The motion carried.
B. 7:40 P.M. Vacating certain platted property adjacent to 44 South Center Street – Staff
Public Works Director Millar explained the reasoning for vacating the property behind Doctor Lane
Ward’s dental office. The area is so small that the city’s resources to maintain the property would not be
justifiable.
Council Member Benfield suggested selling the property to Doctor Ward. City Attorney Zollinger
explained the legal expense for establishing ownership on this small piece of property would not be
practical.
Mayor Woodland asked for public input:
Those in favor of the proposal: - NONE
Those neutral to the proposal: - NONE
Those against the proposal: - NONE
Council Member Benfield moved to approve the vacation of certain platted property as presented
adjacent to 44 South Center Street; Council Member Egbert seconded the motion;
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Mayor Woodland asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Erickson None
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Egbert
The motion carried.
Items for Consideration:
A. 2010 Budget Preparation Calendar – Richard Horner
Finance Officer Horner reviewed the Budget Calendar with the City Council. The City Council must
adopt a tentative budget prior to the public hearing on the budget. The meetings on the 2011 Budget are
to be finalized with a Public Hearing on Wednesday, September 08, 2010 to accept the budget. The city
budget is approved by ordinance.
Staff Reports:
A. Public Works: – John Millar
Public Works Director Millar asked the City Council for up to $15,000 for expenditures to cover curb,
gutter and pavement on 7th South and 2nd East for street improvements going south of the intersection on
2nd East by the LDS Temple.
Council Member Erickson moved to approve the additional funding of $15,000 for street
improvements for the installation of the street light at 7th South and 2nd East; Council Member Sutherland
seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a motion:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Erickson None
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Egbert
The motion carried.
Public Works Director Millar provided a cost sheet for the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade.
Phase One (1) is the BIO-TOWER SCREENS $3,498,731; Phase Two (2) is the BELT PRESS and UV
($3,233,100); PHASE THREE (3) is SOLAR DRYING ($1,429,313); Collection System modifications
($2,000,000). He explained the three different phases of the treatment plant upgrade. Council Member
Benfield said with the new developments like Stonegate, Nauvoo Apartments, etc. and other
developments in the future; the Wastewater Plant upgrade was necessary.
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C. Finance Department: – Richard Horner
Finance Officer Horner reviewed the Budget Calendar.
Finance Officer Horner provided the proposed budget for 2011 compared to 2009 and 2010 Budgets.
The 2011 Budget increase was due to the Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements. The original Wastewater Treatment Plant costs were $6,000,000. The improvements to increase capacity will cost
about $10,000,000.
GRAND TOTAL REVENUE:
2009
28,574,804
2010
46,613,100
2011
51,947,200
GRAND TOTAL EXPENSE: 27,041,539 46,613,100 51,947,200
Resident Cheryl Graham commented on the increase of the sewer cost; she asked for the percentage increase being planned. Finance officer Horner stated the increase for last year was 28% and this year it is
8%.
REXBURG RESIDENTS
(SAMPLE BILL) Increase OLD NEW INCREASE
AVERAGE Residence SEWER
(10,000
GALs) 8.4% 40.80 44.24 $ 3.44
WATER
(10,000
GALs) 4.0% 18.10 18.83 $ 0.73
GARBAGE (90 GAL) 0.0% 18.89 18.89 $ -
LIGHTING 0.0% 1.65 1.65 $ -
TOTAL BILL 5.2% 79.44 83.61 $ 4.17
LARGE Residence SEWER
(20,000
GALs) 8.6% 70.10 76.14 $ 6.04
WATER
(20,000
GALs) 3.6% 25.92 26.86 $ 0.94
GARBAGE (90 GAL) 0.0% 18.89 18.89 $ -
LIGHTING 0.0% 1.65 1.65 $ -
TOTAL BILL 6.0% 116.56 123.54 $ 6.98
Council Member Benfield said because of new developments that are currently under construction
and future developments in the city, the growth mandated an expansion of the Wastewater Plant.
Finance Officer Horner requested approval for a public hearing for the proposed increase in
wastewater fees. The City Council discussed the pending dates for the public hearing to hear the
proposal to increase the wastewater fees.
Council Member Benfield moved to hold the public hearing on Water, Wastewater, and Garbage fees on
July 21, 2010; Council Member Egbert seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland called for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Erickson None
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Egbert
The motion carried.
A. Economic Development: – Scott Johnson
Council Member Benfield asked Economic Development Director Scott Johnson what percentage of
his time goes to each department (Grant Writing, Community Affairs, and Community Development).
He indicated most of his time has been spent on grant writing. He has formed a Grant Writing
Committee consisting of individuals from each department. We will use this committee to coordinate
efforts and to do specific training on grants such as how to evaluate a grant before your write the grant.
Grant writing has been the main focus at this point. They have about $40,000 in grants approved in the
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pipeline. There are two major grants pending: 1) the $150,000 appropriation for the Westwood Theatre
and 2) the $300,000 COPS grant submitted for the Police Department.
Council Member Benfield asked about having a “Ready Team” to expedite applications and help
mentor new applicants.
Economic Development Director Johnson said the “Ready Team” is active to help new applicants.
Members of the “Ready Team” include but not limited to Val Christensen, John Millar, Mayor Woodland
and other staff members.
Economic Development Director Johnson sent out over 1,000 survey’s to random city residents asking
different question in regards to what takes them out of Rexburg to shop. Another project for Economic
Development is a u-tube video that shows several area businesses including Amet and others. Since airing
the video he has received several calls from businesses interested in possibly manufacture in Rexburg.
One example includes manufacturing pizza dough. Other business opportunities are being explored by
companies from outside the area. Everything is very premature at this point. In Community Affairs the
Tabernacle windows fund raising has raised $10,000 in the last two weeks after a new campaign. The
Farmer’s Market is doing well.
8: 30 P.M. Council Member Stout joined the meeting.
Council Member Stout asked for some cost information on street lights.
Discussion on the lighting plans for the street light fund; and lighting the streets adjacent to the
University. Council Member Stout said Kartchner Homes could purchase street lights for about half the
city’s cost.
Public Works Director Millar explained many variables make up the installation cost for street lights.
More discussion to follow in future meetings.
Calendared Bills and Tabled Items:
A. BILL Introductions: - NONE
B. First Reading: Those items which are being introduced for first reading. – NONE
C. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read. – NONE
D. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read – NONE
Tabled Items: Those items which have been the subject of an affirmative vote to a motion to table: - NONE
Mayor’s Report:
The City Council discussed the date for the first meeting in August for a morning meeting. On August 04, 2010, the City Council meeting will be scheduled for 7:00 A.M. to pay city bills, etc. It will be a light agenda.
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.
A. Minutes: June 23, 2010
B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member Erickson moved to approve the consent calendar; Council Member Sutherland seconded the motion; all voted aye, the motion carried.
City Attorney Zollinger asked to go into executive session to review a legal issue.
Council Member Benfield moved to go into Executive Session per Statute 67-2345 (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 President Egbert seconded
the motion;
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Mayor Woodland asked for a roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Erickson None
Council Member Stout
Council Member Sutherland
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Egbert
The motion carried.
Executive Session.
Executive Session ended.
Adjournment
__________________________________ Attest: Richard Woodland, Mayor
________________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk