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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012.02.01 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES1 February 01, 2012 Mayor Richard Woodland Council Members: Christopher Mann Jordan Busby Donna Benfield Jerry Merrill Bruce Sutherland Sally Smith 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 Caleb Barker led the Pledge to the Flag. Kelvin Giles said the prayer. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council President Mann, Council Member Benfield, Council Member Merrill, Council Member Busby, Council Member Sutherland, Council Member Smith and Mayor Woodland. Public Comment: on issues not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes) - NONE Presentations: - NONE Committee Liaison Assignments for 2012: A. Council Member Christopher Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · MYAB Council President Mann reported the MYAB met today to work on the spring project that will be at the Nature Park and they are working on “Rexburg 101” to promote interest in the community. B. Council Member Jordan Busby: Beautification Committee· Airport Board Council Member Busby reported the Airport Board is in the process of writing grants. The air show is planned for June 16th. The Beautification Committee has not met. Discussion on the committee’s future. C. Council Member Donna Benfield: Trails of Madison County · IBC · Teton Flood Museum Committee Council Member Benfield reported Trails of Madison County met last week. They finished the grant application and they have submitted a grant. It needs to be announced on the city’s website. The plan is to extend the walking path by Barney Diary to behind the Junior High School with the grant money. Next meeting members will decide whether or not to stay on committee. D. Council Member Sally Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Rexburg Arts Council (Romance Theatre & Tabernacle Civic Center) Council Member Smith reported the Romance Committee met and the Arts Council is busy with many events. She reviewed an article about the Upper Valley Historical Society, Tabernacle Museum and Louis Clements. The article, Fading into History, addressed the lack of interest that young people have in 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 February 01, 2012 2 preserving history. She encouraged younger people to take part in preserving history. She also reviewed an article on the Legacy Flight Museum. E. Council Member Jerry Merrill: Parks & Recreation · Traffic & Safety · Urban Renewal Agency Council Member Merrill reported the Parks & Recreation Committee is going very well at this time. Recreation Director Bob Yeatman is planning to buy a leaf skimmer for the swimming pool due to the debris in the water causing a problem. The gas bill to keep the pool water from freezing is running high, they are working on a plan to reduce the cost and the amount of time the water is heated. Urban Renewal has not met. F. Council Member Bruce Sutherland: Planning & Zoning · School Board · Police · Medco Council Member Sutherland reported Planning and Zoning members reviewed an apartment complex planned for 6th South. Changes were recommended to the developer. The plan is to have underground parking for the complex. He did not meet with the school board. The police are doing great. They have amended the complaint filed for the credit card theft case that recently took place in Rexburg. They have purchased a new radar sign with an attached electronic reader board for public awareness. The street department participated in the purchase. MEDCO is working on a Request for Information (RFI). Economic Development Director Scott Johnson indicated it is a request for information to see who would be willing to bid on a proposal for introducing Broad Band service into Rexburg. Scott referred to a bill in the legislator that has been propagated by the Cable Company’s and the Quest that would allow them to circumvent city government, and cancel any agreement city government has in place for Broad Band franchise agreements. For instance, Pocatello has recently worked out a franchise agreement with Cable One, if the law goes into effect they will be able to throw it out the door, and the Association of Idaho Cities are concerned about this. Council Member Benfield reported on Chamber of Commerce meetings in Boise with the legislator. The meetings were very productive; they met with the Public Utilities Commission, the Water Resource Board and a few others. They received a lot of PR and a request from the Boise directors to come and visit Rexburg. The business competition, held in Rexburg for the last two years, was mentioned in the Boise meetings. They would like to do these business competitions in other cities too. Items for Consideration: A. Recommending Committee’s – Review for consolidation and recommending process - Staff City Clerk Blair Kay advised City Council members to consolidate recommending committees. The City Council will discuss the proposal at a work meeting planned for March 7th at 6:00 p.m. Staff Reports: A. Public Works: – John Millar Public Works Director Millar reviewed projects: 1. Bridge replacement at 7th South and 4th West is under construction. It is part of the street widening project planned for next year on 7th South, in front of Gale Harding’s property down to 5th West. The cost is estimated to be about $400,000. 2. A budget of $30,000 will be set aside for crack sealing. 3. Projects planned for 2012 were reviewed. Public Works Director Millar proposed a seal coating budget for about $250,000 dollars. The 2012 street construction budget is set at $1.9 million dollars. A budget of $1.2 million is still available for the City Council’s discretion. A rough budget was presented for the worst roads in town. 4. Unused snow removal money will remain in the street budget for road reconstruction next summer. 5. The Water Department has a budget to repaint the inside of the 1,000,000 gallon tank at 5th South and 2nd East, costing about $50,000. 6. Cothetic protection is being added to the two steal water tanks, which will be done this month. This will prevent electrolysis from corroding the tanks. 7. Drilling has begun at well #7; it will be completed in one month. 8. The water line on 5th South needs replaced. Water lines on two other blocks are leaking and needs replacing. 9. A generator will be added to wells #1 and #6, at 5th South and 2nd East. Bids, last fall, came in high; the project will be given to subcontractors and city staff. The generator was purchased two years ago from the hospital. 10. The wastewater mainline from the south interchange to the wastewater plant is nearly completed. 3 11. The plans for the ultra violet disinfectant system and a solids thickening system, at the wastewater treatment plant, were reviewed last week and it is getting ready for bid in late March or early April. The project is estimated to be about $3 million dollars. 12. The city lighting fund has about $200,000 ready to buy new lighting for the street lighting. 13. The Main Street signal light project on Center Street and 1st East will get the poles installed in about two weeks. 14. All city buildings will be tied together through the fiber optic network. The fiber optics system will be extended this year from the pool over to the water and wastewater buildings. This will allow video monitoring and easier access to data between the facilities. 15. Cameras are installed at the swimming pool. 16. Airport board will be submitting a grant for a taxiway apron and for a pilot’s lounge to be constructed. FAA funding is questionable. Council President Mann asked about the water pressure going down today. Pressure went down because a bypass system was being developed, which is needed in order to take the tank off line to paint. The valve was tested today and it didn’t activate as planned. Council President Mann asked about the EPA storm water requirements. Population determines whether or not EPA works with a city. Rexburg does not expect a review from EPA in the next 2-3 years. Council Member Busby asked to close the 7th South Street by the new bridge for safety while the bridge is being replaced. Public Works Director Millar would support the City Council in their decision. If decided, detouring would be taken over to 6th South. This would allow the bridge to be done sooner. Council Member Busby asked about the charge for the fire hydrants. Public Works Director Millar reported that two fire hydrants were installed. One across from Kennedy School and one by the post office. It was worth the investment to install them now. Council Member Busby asked about the BYU-I well rental. Public Works Director Millar explained the city has a lease on a well between the girl’s dorms, which pumps 1,500 gallons a minute to the lower tank on the hill. Public Works Street Projects proposed for 2012/2013. The City Council will review these streets before finalizing a priority list. Street work will include seal coating some streets and reconstruction of other streets. 4 5 2012 Possible Street Projects Fund Fund Balance 9/30/11 2012 Estimated Net Revenue less Expenses 2012 Estimated amount available Street Operations (02) 18,889 34,100 52,989 Downtown (30) 350,034 (300,000) 50,034 Street Impact (33) - 150,000 150,000 Street Repair (43) 191,996 919,000 1,110,996 New Street Const. (44) 558,042 - 558,042 Total 1,118,961 803,100 1,922,061 Street Projects Pedestrian Bridge $ 25,000.00 7th South Bridge Widening $ 100,000.00 7th South Street Widening $ 360,000.00 Seal Coat Roads $ 250,000.00 Crack Seal Roads $ 30,000.00 Sub Total $ 765,000.00 Other Possible Street Projects Rebuild 5th West (Main to 4th South) $ 560,000.00 1st East (Valley River Drive to 2nd North) $ 180,000.00 3rd East (3rd South to 4th South) $ 110,000.00 2nd West (1st North to 2nd North) $ 130,000.00 4th South (3rd East to Harvard) $ 60,000.00 2nd South (1st East to 3rd East) $ 290,000.00 Overlay Valley River Dr. $ 80,000.00 CRABS 2nd East (Stationary Place to U.S. 20) $ 430,000.00 Sub Total $ 1,840,000.00 The City Council will conclude the discussion on street projects tomorrow night with a drive-around to see each proposed street project. They will make a final recommendation at a future meeting. 6 B. Finance Department: – Richard Horner Deputy Finance Officer Nielsen reported on amendments to the HRA Plan for the next meeting; a resolution will be created. C. Recreation Department: – Bob Yeatman (Excused) Calendared Bills and Tabled Items: A. “LAND USE ACTION” – BILLS RECOMMENDED/APPROVED IN A LAND USE PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE: – NONE B. BILL Introduction: – 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: Mayor Woodland indicated the Boise meetings were very good including the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) and Chamber of Commerce meetings; The State of the State address by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter was good. Reapportionment Districts were finalized. Madison County (Rexburg) will be combined with Ririe, Ucon and Iona. Council Member Sutherland thanked the Street Department for keeping the snow off the streets. Council Member Benfield said the city has been billed $2,500 for cloud seeding. Discussion on cloud seeding. Council Member Busby asked about the franchise tax being applied to homes outside the City of Rigby by utilities in Rigby including Rocky Mountain Power. City Clerk Kay explained errors can occur when homes are annexed into cities. The utilities review annexed properties and add them into the cities franchise fee area. Sometimes errors can occur if only part of an area is annexed with the whole area being included in the cities franchise area. Rocky Mountain Power has done an audit in Rigby to refund impact fee money to county residents that were not part of the City of Rigby. Council Member Busby was concerned homes on South 5th West were not in the city limits. He did not want them to be charged a franchise fee in error. City Clerk Kay indicated if an error occurs by charging county residents city franchise fees, they will be refunded. 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 from January 18, 2012 meeting B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Smith asked Public Works employees to make sure they sign their invoices at United Automotive to protect the city from unauthorized charges. Council Member Sutherland moved to approve the Consent Calendar; Council Member Merrill seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Smith Council Member Benfield Council Member Merrill Council Member Sutherland The motion carried. 7 Adjourned at 7:54 P.M. until the City Council “Street Drive-Around” tomorrow evening at 5:30 P.M. to review street projects for 2012 and 2013. City Council “Street Drive-Around” February 02, 2012 5:30 P.M. Attending: Council President Mann, Council Member Benfield, Council Member Merrill, Council Member Busby, Council Member Sutherland, Council Member Smith and Mayor Woodland. City Engineer Keith Davidson toured city streets with City Council to inspect deteriorating streets and set priorities. The streets in question were presented at the City Council meeting February 01, 2012. Portions of the following streets were on the tour. 1. East 2nd South 2. South 3rd East 3. West 7th South including the canal bridge replacement 4. South 5th West 5. North 2nd West 6. North 1st East & Valley River Drive 7. North part of North 2nd East City Council will make recommendations to the Engineering Department for street projects in 2012 and 2013. They discussed having a five year plan published for the public’s information. Adjournment at 7:50 P.M. _____________________________ Richard S.Woodland, Mayor Attest: ________________________________ Blair D. Kay, City Clerk