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HomeMy WebLinkAbout201.12.07 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES1 December 07, 2011 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 Scout Troop 518 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Woodland recognized all of the Boy Scouts to the meeting. Fire Chief Cory Child said the prayer. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council President Mann, Council Member Benfield, Council Member Sutherland, Council Member Stout, Council Member Erickson and Mayor Woodland. Council Member Egbert asked to be excused. Mayor Woodland welcomed the Boy Scouts to the meeting. Public Comment: on issues not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes) Christopher Cunningham living off Airport Road. He asked for changes to the booting and towing ordinance to make them work with the new PEZ. He explained that these changes would be an amendment to ordinance 911 section 9A 3 and 4. Change One (1) When tenants can use the visitor parking spaces. He gave examples of the need to leave the spaces for visitors open for visitor parking all of the time. Change Two (2) He asked for a longer turnover time for visitor parking; indicating the visitor parking spaces need to be available to visitors for a longer period of time. Council Member Erickson asked if Rexburg Housing had been approached with this proposal. He asked for the proposal to come from apartment owners to City Council. Mr. Cunningham indicated that he would contact the housing owners like Rexburg Housing to explain his proposal. He provided the following statement: I think that the creation of the Pedestrian Enhancement Zone is terrific, and will be great for the future of the city; however I feel we can do a better job of making sure that our booting and towing laws work with the new PEZ. I have a couple of suggestions for changes we can make to the list of requirements for an apartment complex to hire an outside company to monitor their booting and towing for them. Because these outside companies make more money for every additional car they boot or tow, this list of regulations is an important safeguard against abuses, and so it's important that we continue to look at it as our circumstances change such as with the PEZ. My first suggestion has to do with when tenants can use visitor parking spaces. Currently they can use them between a half an hour after BYU-Idaho curfew all the way up until twelve noon the next day. Because the residents who will be living within the PEZ, however, can't have people in their home during these hours, and because they won't have easy access to their own transportation, it's important that these spaces be available for people to pick up the residents to take them other 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 December 07, 2011 2 places. When I lived at a complex that is now within the PEZ I would often have people meet at my home, during the morning, so that we could go on day hikes. Currently I have a friend I pick up Saturday mornings to go shopping, so it's important that these spaces be open during these morning hours. I would suggest limiting the amount of time tenants can use visitor parking spaces down to 5 or 6 AM. Second, is how long visitors can use these parking spaces, which is currently as short as ten minutes? This just isn't enough time for anything but picking someone up. I have had group projects, and we ask where should we meet, and someone says, hey I don't have a car, so we say great, we'll meet at your place, and then you get there, and ten minutes just isn't enough. I would suggest expanding this minimum to an hour. I know the concern is that by lengthening the turnover you make the spaces less available, however the council has already increased the minimum number of visitor parking spaces to 10% of the residents, so I feel that these increased spaces should be able to handle a longer turnover. By making these changes, I feel that we can better serve the citizens of our community who will be living within the PEZ as well as their visitors, while still protecting the rights of the property owners to boot and tow when necessary and appropriate. Thank you very much for your time. Presentations: Emergency Services Board Report – Council President Christopher Mann A. Commendations for the “Madison Fire Department” for a Life Saving rescue at a horrific vehicle accident on 2nd West and 1st South last September, 2011: (short video) 1. Brandon Pope (Paramedic/Fire Fighter) 2. Kevin Davis (EMT/Fire Fighter) 3. Lieutenant Todd Davis (EMT/Fire Fighter) 4. Lieutenant Ellis Johnston (EMT/Fire Fighter) 5. Lieutenant Joseph Haeberle (Paramedic/Fire Fighter) Fire Chief Cory Child acknowledged Dr. Zollinger for his approval of liberal medical procedures that have saved numerous lives. He then explained the live saving award and thanked all those who were awarded with this honor. He showed a short video presentation to the City Council concerning a life saving rescue preformed by the Madison Fire Department on September 10, 2011. The passenger in the car had massive head trauma from the traffic accident where her body was compressed into an area in the back seat about 1 foot square. Chief Child talked to Ashley Hansen, the young woman injured in the car accident; she walks with a walker and is still recovering from eye trauma. The five Madison Fire Department employees were awarded a lifesaving award for assisting in saving her life. The City Council and Mayor Woodland thanked the men for their life saving efforts. It was a miracle from the family’s point of view. Committee Liaison Assignments for 2011: A. Council Member Adam Stout Trails of Madison County · Traffic & Safety Committee · Airport Board Council Member Stout had nothing to report. B. Council Member Brad Egbert Legacy Flight Museum · Parks & Recreation · IBC Committee Council Member Egbert was excused. C. Council Member Bruce Sutherland Museum Committee · Beautification Committee · Traffic & Safety Committee Council Member Sutherland had nothing to report. D. Council President Christopher Mann Emergency Services Board · School Board · MYAB Council President Mann reported on the MYAB efforts towards the shop with a cop event. They are sponsoring Santa at the Carousel at Porter Park on December 16. Free Carousel rides will be offered from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.. The Emergency Services Board had their Christmas Party and swore in new officers into their new positions. Council President Mann asked for budgeting for a training facility to train fire fighters to fight fires in five story buildings. Chief Child explained impact fees and said only about $65,000 was allotted for this year and 100% of these fees go into equipment replacement. He said fund 18 is set up to buy new equipment; 3 however, that does not leave monies left over to build a training facility. He called for a training facility to help train the Fire Department and the Police Department to work on emergencies in taller buildings. This training would not be possible without a training facility. Council Member Sutherland asked for an estimated cost. Chief Child said it would cost about $750,000. E. Council Member Donna Benfield Police Department · Romance Theatre Committee · Rexburg Arts Council · Tabernacle Civic Center · School Board Council Member Benfield reported on the upcoming Shop with a Cop this Saturday at 6:00 A. M. at the Rexburg Tabernacle; with children from five counties. The DARE graduation is coming up tomorrow at 7:00 P.M. at Madison High School. All of the Council Members and the Mayor are invited to attend the DARE graduation. There were ten arrests this past weekend for possession of illegal drugs. Madison High School is in a contest from the Albertson’s Foundation. They are in the finals for a $100,000 donation. The Arts Council has been very busy. The “Nutcracker” was this past weekend and it has a very good turnout. “A Christmas Carol” is another program they have scheduled for this holiday season—December 9th, 10th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 19th. The Spanish Dance Team is preforming this coming weekend at the Lyman South Stake Center. They need $1,250 to buy costumes. There are 40 children involved in the group. Arts Council Director Ronalee Flansburg said they are preforming quite a bit. The costumes are kind of heavy; so, they don’t have their own costumes for practice. They hope the city would help with the costumes. They have already raised $600 for shoes. Council Member Sutherland said it would be a good investment. He mentioned the benefits and opportunities in further integrating the Hispanic community from this investment. Council Member Sutherland moved to approve the purchase of the Spanish Dance Team’s Costumes; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Erickson asked if the Arts Council had the money in their budget for the costumes. They are asking for permission to go forward with the purchase. Council Member Sutherland amended his motion to approve the purchase of the costumes and provide the additional funding needed over the Arts Council Budget to make the purchase; Council Member Benfield amended her second to the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Erickson Council Member Sutherland Council Member Stout The motion carried. F. Council Member Rex Erickson Golf Board · Planning & Zoning · Rexburg Redevelopment Agency Council Member Erickson reported Kurt Ricks accepted the position on the Golf Board. The next golf meeting is March 1, 2012. Public Hearings: Items for Consideration: A. Resolution 2011 – 15 Amend University Vicinity Parking Plan Map - Staff City Clerk Blair Kay explained community members initiated Resolution 2011-15 to amend parking in their area. Each parcel of land in the affected area would receive two permits. 4 Council Member Stout moved to approve Resolution 2011 – 15 to amend the University Vicinity Parking Plan Map to add the section of 4th South between 3rd East and Yale Avenue to residential parking by permit only; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Erickson Council Member Sutherland Council Member Stout The motion carried. Staff Reports: A. Public Works: – John Millar City Engineer Keith Davidson reported on current city projects. 1. High Pressure Sewer Line on Hwy 20 that goes through the golf course has passed the pressure test. It will come online tomorrow night at midnight when the sewer flows are lowest. The line connections to existing lines have been reviewed. He explained the location of the sewer line. 2. Main Street Signal project underground work is completed; the remaining concrete work which consists of several sidewalks will be completed in the spring. The signal lights will be installed in mid-January, 2012. After the winter is over the turning lanes will be painted. 3. The County Parking lot on 1st East will have the overhead power line removed soon to convert the power system to an underground power system. The wiring is in for the parking lot lights. The project will be completed in the spring. Council Member Benfield said it really improves the Downtown area. 4. Council Member Stout asked if the bumps on Pioneer Road were fixed. 5 B. Finance Department: - Richard Horner A Traffic Control Trailer is in the budget for the Police Department for $10,000.00. Two departments need the trailer for traffic control. There is a demo trailer on sale for $14,500. This is the lowest price by several thousand dollars. Police Chief Turman said it has a 4ft x 8ft digital sign for traffic control. Council President Mann moved to approve $14,500 for a speed and sign trailer with $10,000.00 coming from the Police Department and $4,500 coming from the Street Department; Council Member Sutherland seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Erickson Council Member Sutherland Council Member Stout The motion carried. Council Member Benfield asked for a report from Bob Yeatman the first meeting in January, 2012 to report on the 2011 Teton Dam Marathon and other events. Calendared Bills and Tabled Items: A. “LAND USE ACTION” – BILLS RECOMMENDED/APPROVED IN A AND USE PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE: – NONE B. BILL Introduction: – NONE C. First Reading: Those items which are being introduced for first reading. - NONE D. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read – NONE E. 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: A. Eastern Idaho Business Competition – November 17th, 2011 Mayor Woodland reviewed the winners of the 2011 Eastern Idaho Business Competition held at the Small Business Development Company in Rexburg. The competition awards were funded by $12,000 in donations. The administrive costs were paid from the fund balance. 1st Place ($5,000): Syphon Soundwear uses flexible, wearable, wireless speaker technology to provide audio to those wanting to listen to music while participating in action sports. 2nd Place ($3,000): 5G Taser Tag proposes to be the next generation of non-lethal police and military training and recreational shooting sports. 3rd Place ($2,000): Streamlined Trailers will provide lower cost commodity trailers to the agricultural industry. Madison High School Student entries submitted thirteen business ideas; six ideas were accepted for the completion; three were awarded a total of $1,000; ($550, $300, $200). Mayor Woodland said last years winners are currently in business in Rexburg providing jobs. 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 6 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: November 16, 2011 meeting Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Benfield moved to approve the Consent Calendar consisting of the city bills and City Council meeting on November 16, 2011; Council President Mann seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Erickson Council Member Sutherland Council Member Stout The motion carried. Adjournment _____________________________ Richard S.Woodland, Mayor Attest: ________________________________ Blair D. Kay, City Clerk