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Home My WebLink About2013.04.17 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1 April 17, 2013 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 Mayor Woodland welcomed everyone to the meeting. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council President Mann, Council Member Benfield, Council Member Smith, Council Member Sutherland, Council Member Merrill, Council Member Busby, and Mayor Woodland. Steve Oakey led the Pledge to the Flag. Joseph Law said the Prayer. Public Comment on non-controversial issues: not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes) Steve Oakey read a statement about making too many laws. It was about living with neighbors. Laws make our lives more difficult. He complained about the recently passed infill policy being too complicated to make sense. He asked to have the infill ordinance repealed. Presentations: – NONE Committee Liaison Assignments for 2013: A. Council Member Christopher Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · MYAB Council President Mann reported his committees have not met. B. Council Member Jordan Busby: GIS Oversight · Airport Board Council Member Busby reported his committees have not met. C. Council Member Donna Benfield: Trails of Madison County · IBC · Teton Flood Museum Committee · M.E.P.I. Council Member Benfield reported MEPI met and reviewed the Business Expo. Trails of Madison County will meet tomorrow night. She reviewed an upcoming meeting concerning healthy living at the Madison Education Center on April 24th from 9:30am to 3:30pm at the Junior High. 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 April 17, 2013 2 D. Council Member Sally Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Rexburg Arts Council (Romance Theatre & Tabernacle Civic Center, Orchestra) Council Member Smith reported the Legacy Flight Museum Committee met and displayed their new plane. It is called a TRACKER. It is a very big airplane. The gift shop has been improved including some painting. On June 15th, they will have a fly in for Father’s Day. She asked the City Council to visit the Legacy Flight Museum on May 1st to see the new plane which is owned by the city and county. There is a lack of room for the historical fire engine that is owned by the city. It will need to find a new home. The Arts Council met to review the Centennial Dance coming up tomorrow night at the Hart Building at BYU-I. New lighting is ordered for the Romance Theatre. The orchestra is starting rehearsals tonight at the Tabernacle. E. Council Member Jerry Merrill: Beautification Committee · Parks & Recreation · Traffic & Safety · Urban Renewal Agency 3 Council Member Merrill reported the recreation guide is out for the public to review. The planning for the Teton Dam Marathon has started. There will be a run called the “Main Street Mile” on Memorial Day. The applicants can compete for a new truck if they beat the world record time for a mile. Traffic and Safety did not meet. Council Member Merrill did go to an ITD meeting in Rigby. They discussed the Thornton Interchange, which is still scheduled for 2016. There may be more funding channeled to cities and counties after the scheduled Hwy 20 work is completed. There are plans to do tree replacements on Main Street this year. The Birch Trees in Porter Park need to be put on the replacement list. F. Council Member Bruce Sutherland: Planning & Zoning · School Board · Police Council Member Sutherland reported Planning and Zoning meets tomorrow night; he asked for a budget request for an IT position approved in November, 2012. Council Member Sutherland moved to adjust the budget $32,900 for the new position; Council Member Merrill seconded the motion; Discussion: Money will need to be moved from the Contingency Budget into the IT Department’s Budget. There is currently $100,000 in the Contingency Fund. Council Member Smith asked for a report on the security for city communications. Mayor Woodland said the IT Department is very much improved in the last two years. Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Smith Council Member Sutherland Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried. Mayor’s Report: The new decorative street lights around campus are nearing completion. Public Hearings: – NONE Items for Consideration: A. Abandon Condition for Temporary Main Street Access in the Final plat for Snell-Grove Town homes: the conditions included the city attorney’s review of the restrictive CCR’s for access to 1st South; also, (if/when ITD or the city upgrades the 4th West/Main Street intersection to be a safer entrance for the subdivision, the proposed access to Main Street in the final plat would be closed and the 4th West intersection would be used instead). – Kevin Snell ====================================================== File History: On May 03, 2007 Preliminary Plat – Snell-Grove Townhomes Kevin Snell presented the preliminary plat. He reviewed staff comments with the Commissioners and interested citizen asked what the developers would do to buffer the development from his neighboring property. He doesn’t want their back windows looking into his back yard. The Commissioners discussed this issue. They suggested planting of trees along the property lines, with a fence. On July 5, 2007, Kevin Snell presented to the Rexburg Planning & Zoning Commission the Request for approval of the Final Plat for Snell-Grove Townhomes. Thaine Robinson motioned to recommend to City Council to approve the final plat for Snell-Grove Townhomes with the conditions that the southern easement issue be addressed, the Main Street access issue be worked out with City Council, and all other issues in the staff review to be subject to staff approval. David Stein seconded the motion. None opposed. Motion carried. July 18th, 2007 City Council New Business: A. Final Plat – Snell-Grove Townhomes 4 Kevin Snell at 3784 East 175 North in Rigby, Idaho, presented the final plat for Snell-Grove Townhomes. He explained the main issue was the proposed entrance off of Main Street. Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) requested more discussion on the 4th West/Main Street intersection. ITD does not want an additional Main Street entrance. Mr. Snell agreed that if/when ITD or the city upgrades the 4th West/Main Street intersection to be a safer entrance for the subdivision, the proposed access to Main Street in the final plat would be closed and the 4th West intersection would be used instead. This has been put in the protective covenants with the home-owners association. Mr. Snell had one question on the trash receptacles being in a closed area. He asked if the trash receptacles need to be completely enclosed. Planning and Zoning Administrator Gary Leikness explained the trash receptacles would need be enclosed with a three sided structure facing away from the public right-of-way. Council Member Erickson clarified the plan to delay the subdivision’s access through 4th West onto Main Street until the intersection is upgraded. ITD pushed not to have access onto Main Street. When the city and ITD come together to make a safer exit from 4th West, the Main Street exit will be closed and moved to 4th West. Mr. Snell explained there will be three accesses into the subdivision through 1st South, 4th West, and Main Street with the current proposal. Mr. Snell explained the easement at 1st South needs to be transferred to the homeowners association showing the access is permanent on 1st South. Planning and Zoning Administrator Leikness explained to the City Council that ITD has been involved in this plat all the way through the review process. Mayor Larsen would like to see ITD help with the 4th West intersection due to increased traffic in the area. Council Member Stevens moved to approve the final plat for Snell-Grove Town homes with conditions of approval that the city attorney review restrictive CCR’s for access to 1st South (if/when ITD or the city upgrades the 4th West/Main Street intersection to be a safer entrance for the subdivision, the proposed access to Main Street in the final plat would be closed and the 4th West intersection would be used instead). Council Member Erickson seconded the motion. All voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Mayor Larsen said this would be a good infill project for the city. ====================================================== Kevin Snell from Snell-Grove Town Homes reviewed the temporary approval for a Main Street access onto Main Street for this development. He reviewed the current map shown below on the overhead screen. His request is to make the Main Street access permanent to allow a different development on the undeveloped portion of the approved plat. The original plat would be split with the undeveloped portion of the original plat re-plated into a separate development. 5 Council Member Busby reviewed the problem of closing off the Main Street access which would not provide a turn-around place for fire trucks. Discussion: Council Member Sutherland moved to abandon the condition for a temporary Main Street Access in the Final plat for Snell-Grove Town homes: REMOVE Condition: (if/when ITD or the city upgrades the 4th West/Main Street intersection to be a safer entrance for the subdivision, the proposed access to Main Street in the final plat would be closed and the 4th West intersection would be used instead); Council Member Smith seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Smith asked if there was any legal problems with making this change. Council President Mann would like approval from the Fire Department. Public Works Director Millar said the Fire Department would probably like to maintain the access through the development to 1st South. City Attorney Zollinger said it is not an abandonment of Right-of- Way; however, is does remove the condition on abandoning the Main Street access. This would allow the existing development to stand alone with the current accesses off Main Street and 1st South. If this request is approved, a new development will be proposed to access 4th West. Public Works Director Millar said ITD was going to leave this decision to the City of Rexburg. Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Benfield Council President Mann Council Member Smith Council Member Sutherland Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried. Mr. Snell said this was a first step to make a better development. Staff Reports: Public Works: – John Millar Public Works Director Millar reviewed city projects. 1. The lighting project on 2nd East is nearing completion. They are looking for a replacement circuit breaker to finish the project. 2. The 5th West Reconstruction Project is moving along fairly well. 3. The treatment plant solids thickening project is moving along with an early August completion date. 6 4. Recycling for residential and commercial is helping lower the tipping fees at the land fill. Council Member Sutherland would like to participate in the commercial recycling for his business. 5. Crosswalk signals are being improved at about $7,000 plus installation costs at the round-a-bout and 1st South. Other crosswalk lighting will be improved in the future. 6. The sidewalk trees on Main Street that have been removed will be replaced this year. 7. The turn lanes on Main Street will be restriped when it warms up. 8. ITD has been doing crack sealing on HWY 33 through downtown and 2nd East. Finance Department – Richard Horner 1. Approve Financial Management Policies Finance Officer Horner reviewed the Budget Summary Reports for the first half of 2012/2013. Total Expenditures were at 23% spent with half the budget year completed. Operating expenses were at 45% of budget. The revenues are similar. 7 Discussion on budget overages in each department. Finance Officer Horner reviewed the individual funds report on the overhead screen that will be published in the newspaper. 8 Council Member Benfield asked about the payout for the new nine hole golf course at Teton Lakes Golf Course. The past two years have been slower than expected to meet the expected payments. Discussion on the funds report. Finance Officer Horner reviewed the Financial Management Policies. He will bring an amended policy before the City Council at the next meeting. CITY OF REXBURG FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES (updated March 6, 2013) These policies are established to: Set forth operating principles which minimize the cost of government and reduce financial risk. Maintain appropriate financial capacity & reserves for the present and future needs. Ensure the legal use of financial resources through an effective system of internal control. Provide for equal treatment of all constituents and advancing the greater good of the community. Institutionalize good financial management practices. Clarify and crystallize strategic intent for financial management. 9 Define boundaries or limits on the actions of staff. Promote long-term and strategic thinking. Calendared Bills and Tabled Items: A. “LAND USE ACTION” – BILLS RECOMMENDED/APPROVED IN A LAND USE PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE: 1. Ordinance 1104 to rezone one lot at 137 North 3rd West from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) to Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR2): approved by City Council April 3rd, 2013. Discussion: Council Member Sutherland moved to suspend the rules for Ordinance 1104; Council Member Smith seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a roll call vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Benfield Council President Mann Council Member Smith Council Member Sutherland Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried. Council Member Merrill moved to approve and consider third read Ordinance 1104 to rezone one lot at 137 North 3rd West from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) to Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR2); Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Benfield Council President Mann Council Member Smith Council Member Sutherland Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried. 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: 1. BILL 1102 Salary adjustment in 2014 for Mayor and City Council Discussion: 10 Finance Officer Horner reviewed the 2013 Full-Time Mayor Salaries’ graph on the overhead Screen. Finance Officer Horner reviewed the 2013 Council Salary & Travel graph on the overhead Screen. 11 Council Member Sutherland moved to consider BILL 1102 second read for salary adjustments in 2014 for the Mayor and City Council; Council Member Merrill seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Busby asked when the Citizen’s Committee met to make the recommendation. Council Member Sutherland said it was considered when he was Mayor. Finance Officer Horner said the committee met in 2007. Discussion on the amount compared to other cities plus what is going on in Rexburg. It is a cost of living adjustment only; not a merit raise. Council Member Benfield reviewed the differences with other cities. She compared the history of Rexburg with other cities. Council Member Merrill commented on the growth issues and the need to have people in the position that can handle growth issues. Council Member Smith asked if other cities have city administrators. Council President Mann said other cities have Mayor’s staff to help the Mayor’s Office. Council Member Merrill asked for more information on other cities’ staffing levels. Council President Mann said there may be a compromise number to seek. Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Smith Council Member Sutherland Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried. 12 E. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: 1. BILL 1101 AMENDING ORD 1094 Stopping, Standing, Parking Council President Mann moved to approve and consider BILL 1101 third read AMENDING ORD 1094 for Stopping, Standing, and Parking; Council Member Smith seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Smith Council Member Sutherland Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried. 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 March 20, 2013 meeting B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Discussion: Finance Officer Horner asked to have the bills signed by Wednesday during the day. Mayor Woodland asked to spend some time reviewing the bills before they are signed. Council Member Sutherland moved to approve the Consent Calendar and pay the bills; Council Member Merrill seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Mann None Council Member Benfield Council Member Smith Council Member Sutherland Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried. Adjourned at 8:37 P.M. APPROVED: _____________________________ Richard S. Woodland, Mayor Attest: ________________________________ Blair D. Kay, City Clerk