HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes -October 19, 2016.pdf
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October 19, 2016
Mayor Jerry Merrill
Council Members:
Christopher Mann Jordan Busby
Donna Benfield Tisha Flora
Brad Wolfe Sally Smith
City Staff:
Stephen Zollinger – City Attorney
Matt Nielson – Finance Officer
John Millar – Public Works Director
Val Christensen – Community Development Director
Scott Johnson – Economic Development Director
Blair Kay – City Clerk
6:30 P.M. City Hall Council Meeting
Corey Child said the prayer.
Ruger Jenkins led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council President Smith, Council Member Flora, Council Member Benfield, Council
Member Mann, Council Member Wolfe, Council Member Busby, and Mayor Merrill.
Public Comment: not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes); issues may be considered for
discussion on a future agenda. Please keep comments on point and respectful.
Presentations:
A. Introduce two “New Fireman” 1. Judd Riley and 2. Robert Ricks
Mayor Merrill introduced the new Firemen to the City as full time employees.
Judd Riley was born in Rexburg and raised in Cache Valley Utah. He attended Ricks College
before serving an LDS mission to Ecuador and returned to BYU Idaho. While attending BYU
Idaho he met his future wife Sarah at the weekly country dancing. Together they have four kids
(three boys and a girl.)
They started Old School Barbecue and Catering in 2012, in a mobile food trailer. In 2014 they
bought the Archer elementary school where they host parties. They love to bring their food to the
Rexburg Farmers Market, the Fair and Summerfest. Judd started in 2014 at the Fire Dept. as a
paid call firefighter. In 2015 he became an EMT and in 2016 he went on two wildland fire
deployments. Judd loves a challenge and to work with his hands. He loves to country dance, try new
foods, and to meet new people. He has a big laugh, a big smile, and a big personality.
Judd loves the Rexburg area and the values that it stands for. He is ready to serve the people of the
community through the Madison Fire Department.
Rob Ricks was born and raised in Rexburg Idaho. He is the son of Lloyd and Debbie Ricks. He
was raised on his Grandpa Pete Ricks' farm growing wheat, potatoes and alfalfa. Rob grew up
enjoying the outdoors with his brothers and dad hunting and fishing in Idaho. Another hobby that
came of necessity was mechanics, if you broke anything on Grandpas farm you fixed it, and that
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020 x2313
Fax: 208.359.3022
blairk@rexburg.org
www.rexburg.org
City Council Minutes
October 19, 2016
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included the motorcycles used for irrigation, so he enjoyed learning to fix things. Rob was active in
scouting and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. When he turned 16 he wanted a job off of the farm and
started washing dishes for Gringos Mexican Restaurant in Rexburg.
While working and going to high school he met his sweetheart Ariann Powell from Newdale. After
graduation he served a mission for the LDS church in Columbus Ohio. After returning home he
married Ariann in the Idaho Falls temple. Rob continued to work for Gringos after returning home
from his mission. They purchased their first home in Rexburg a year after they were married. In
2000 Rob joined the Rexburg Madison county Emergency services as a paid call Firefighter. Rob
worked for five years as a fireman until he Purchased Gringos and left the department for 6 years. In
2011 Rob rejoined the department and is loving his job. Rob and Ariann have 7 children and
currently live in Burton.
B. BYU-I Report on fall enrollment – Eric Conrad (University Services Managing Director)
Eric Conrad representing BYU-I presented the current growth projections for BYU-I.
Headcount Fall 2014 Fall 2015 Fall 2016 Fall 2017 Fall 2018 Fall 2019
Campus 16,193 17,602 17,980 19,262 20,221 21,242
Pathway 10,159 13,485 13,600 22,155 25,606 29,025
Online 5,208 8,052 10,500 14,324 18,009 22,436
Total 31,560 39,139 42,080 55,740 63,837 72,703
* About 23% of the campus students are married.
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Eric Conrad reviewed the enrollment charts; he indicated the Pathway Program is made up of
students from all over the world. The students enrolled in the Online Program are also from all over
the world. They are either pursuing an associates and or bachelor’s degree completely online.
Mayor Merrill indicated the projection of the number of students was higher the last time Mr.
Conrad presented the enrollment charts to City Council. Eric Conrad replied its 2% less than what
they had projected because they limited the number of enrollments to even out the winter and
summer terms. He said for the spring term there should be a steady climb with less students
dropping off.
Council Member Busby asked if there is sufficient student housing. Mr. Conrad said there is a
document on the BYU-Idaho/housing web-site, where the developers can go to see which type of
student housing is needed. They have enough housing through next year.
Council President Smith questioned the number of eighteen year olds currently enrolled and how
many are expected to enroll in the years to come. Mr. Conrad said the number of eighteen year olds
enrolled at the university will continue to grow; however, the number will steady out sometime in
the future.
Eric Conrad said the interesting fact about the Pathway Program is it gives the students in North
America, specifically, a second chance to earn a degree. The students enrolled in the Pathway
Programs are given the opportunity to take fifteen credits over a years’ time. After completing the
fifteen credits, they are able to enroll in the online program without taking an ACT test. Mr. Conrad
said the ages of the students enrolled in the Pathway program range between 18 to 30 years and
older.
Eric Conrad indicated in order to enroll in the university’s online program the student is required to
speak English fluently. The university has increased the percentage of the test score to qualify for
the online program.
Council Member Wolfe asked about the number of married students. He was interested in
knowing how many of the married student’s spouses attend or do not attend the university. Mr.
Conrad replied the number of married students is 33%, where both spouses are attending BYU-
Idaho.
Council Member Flora questioned the large increase in the number of students enrolled in the
Pathway Program between this year and next year. Mr. Conrad said the reason for the large increase
is due to new locations being opened up. He mentioned 80% of the students enrolled in the Online
and Pathway Programs enroll a week before the classes begin.
Mayor Merrill announced the City of Rexburg is the recipient of the High-five Grant from the Blue
Cross Foundation. City employee Daniel Torres and Council Member Flora wrote the grant. He
thanked everyone else involved in helping with the grant process.
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Committee Liaison Assignments for 2016:
A. Council Member Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · GIS Oversight · Development
Workshop
Council Member Mann reported his committees have not met.
B. Council Member Busby: · Airport Board · Traffic & Safety · Trails of Madison County
Council Member Busby reported his committees have not met; however, the Traffic & Safety
Committee and BYU-Idaho students put together videos for pedestrian safety. The videos were
shown on the overhead screen.
Eric Conrad mentioned the BYU-Idaho students created the three videos to promote pedestrian
safety. The City owns the copyright to the videos.
Council Member Benfield questioned how the university is going to use the pedestrian safety
videos. Mr. Conrad said they are creating a campaign at the beginning of each semester to promote
the videos. The videos will also be on the university’s web-site.
Council Member Busby thanked the BYU-Idaho students for creating the videos for the City. He
mentioned the Madison High School is also creating a don’t text and drive campaign. The pedestrian
safety videos will be shown at the high school.
C. Council Member Benfield: Police · MYAB· Parks & Recreation
Council Member Benfield thanked the Rexburg Police Department for the exhibition and
barbecue they held last week. They reviewed the different safety features of each patrol car. They
demonstrated several processes they go through each day from arresting someone to traffic stops.
The exhibition was very informative. She mentioned she recently visited the Rexburg Police
Department’s web-site. The web-site is very informative; she encouraged the City residents to visit
the web-site.
Mayor Merrill asked the City residents with a cell phone to sign up for the emergency notification
system “Alert ID”. They can sign up for Alert ID on the Rexburg Police Department’s web-site.
Council Member Benfield reported the City’s Recreation Department had an advisory board that
over time has disbanded; however, they are ready to put together a board and are looking for
volunteers. She encouraged those interested in serving on the Recreation Board to contact the City
to have their name be added to a list. They are looking for 12 new members and hope to get the
board started next month. The Recreation Board will help determine where the Blue Cross
Foundation grant money will be used. She said there are two key people interested in serving on the
board; her goal is to have 10 to 12 more volunteers join.
Council Member Benfield reported the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board met and had their picture
taken. They had a guest speaker from Idaho Falls present on Escape the Vape. The guest speaker
was very impressed with the youth and invited five of them to help her present to another group in
Idaho Falls. The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board is also working on skits to present to the
elementary children regarding Halloween safety.
D. Council Member Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Beautification Committee · M.E.P.I.
Council President Smith reported her committees have not met.
E. Council Member Flora: School Board · Rexburg Arts Council/ Museum of Rexburg
Council Member Flora reported the Arts Council met last week. The Turkey Choir is getting ready
for Rexburg’s traditional Thanksgiving Day Concert. The Upper Valley women’s choir is preparing
for their Christmas Concert. The Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra will be playing with Del Parkinson
on November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. She said the concerts will be fabulous and encouraged all to attend.
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Council Member Flora reported the Arts Council was awarded a grant from the Idaho State
Historical Society to help purchase iPads and possibly some audio equipment. She thanked the
Historical Society for their donation and support. The donated funds will be used to improve the
museum. The Museum of Rexburg sent the Refugee Quilt Exhibit on to its next location and for a
limited time has a new exhibit called Saints, Sinners, and Spirits.
Council Member Flora mentioned the Rexburg Tabernacle hosted the National Parks Concert last
week. They also hosted presidential candidate Evan McMullin on Saturday. There were over 1,000
people in attendance to hear him speak.
Council Member Flora reported the Romance Theater is equally busy. There are Halloween
movies, plays, storytelling and even a haunted house scheduled for next week. She encouraged
everyone to visit the Arts section of the City’s web-site for dates and times of these events.
Council Member Flora thanked Max Egbert the City’s Maintenance Manager for fixing the
bathrooms at the Romance Theater. She said this past month one of the light bars broke and they
are in the process of installing three new lift systems for better lighting. The Historical Committee
met this past month and approved getting bids for the restoration paint.
Council Member Flora reported the Arts Council is putting on the first Rexburg Tree Festival
which will be held on December 1, 2, and 3rd. All of the funds collected from the auctioning of
these trees will go to the Family Crisis Center. She said a big thank you to all of the volunteers, staff
and Jackie Rawlins for all they do to bring the arts to the City of Rexburg!
Mayor Merrill thanked all of the City’s volunteers for their hard work and all they do to help make
great things happen in Rexburg.
F. Council Member Wolfe: Planning & Zoning · Urban Renewal Agency · IBC
Council Member Wolfe reported Planning and Zoning met. There was a public hearing to rezone
the 600 block of West Main Street. The rezone request was not approved by the Planning and
Zoning Commission. Urban Renewal Agency met to approve the refinancing of the Washington
School District Bond.
Staff Reports:
A. Finance: - Matt Nielson
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Cash and Investments report.
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Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the 2016 Season Report for Rexburg Rapids.
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Finance Officer Nielson indicated the revenues received this year where the highest compared to
years past. He said the increase in the entrance fees helped bring in more revenue.
Council Member Busby questioned when the water leak was located. Public Works Director Millar
said the leak was located before the pool opened.
Council Member Busby asked why the rock wall needs to be moved to the east side of the pool.
Finance Officer Nielson replied there are a couple of reasons. They need to use the space for
swimming lessons. The wall takes up space when they teach the children to dive into the pool. The
second reason is they want to install three start blocks for the swim club to use when they race down
the pool.
Council Member Busby asked about the members of management for Rexburg Rapids. Finance
Officer Nielson answered Jeff Crowther is the Director, Dodie Beavin Manager, Elaena Noffsinger
Assistant Manager, Todd Shannon Marketing Manager/Financial Intern and Mayor Merrill.
B. Public Works: John Millar
Public Works Director Millar reported on the water line project. The water lines in the downtown area
will be installed tomorrow. They are planning to start the paving next Wednesday, so by the end of next
week the downtown area will be all cleaned up and complete.
Public Works Director Millar reported the wastewater project is moving along well. They are installing the
heavy mechanical equipment. They are slightly behind schedule due to equipment delays. The project should
be complete by the end of this year.
Public Works Director Millar requested approval to surplus several items. A 2006 Ford Escape, two 2009
Kawasaki four wheelers that need replaced by larger ones and 25 stage lights used at the Romance Theater.
Council Member Mann asked if the lights were donated by the university.
Council President Smith asked about City street parking being covered up during construction projects
specifically the one east of Hemming Village. She questioned if the construction companies ask for the
City’s permission to cover up the parking spaces. Public Works Director Millar stated the agreement with
the contractor would allow the contractor to close the sidewalk and leave the parking open. He will look
into the situation and have the City’s Parking Attendants monitor the parking.
Council President Smith requested when a public works project is being worked on and a road has to be
closed, to keep the closure to a minimum, especially when businesses are being affected.
Discussion regarding street project scheduled for 2017.
Council Member Busby asked how the surplus items will be processed. Public Works Director Millar said
the items will either be sold in an auction or be sold on a web-site for surplus items.
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Council Member Busby moved to approve the surplus of a 2006 Ford Escape plus other
miscellaneous items; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
Public Works Director Millar explained over the last two years FEMA (Federal Emergency Management
Agency) has been remapping the flood plain through the area. The initial maps they provided to the City
had minor adjustments; however, they are now indicating everything between the North fork and the
Rexburg canal are now in the flood plain. He said Madison County, City of Sugar City and City of Rexburg
met jointly with Jerald Williams who is knowledgeable in flood plain work. Mr. Williams wrote a seven-page
letter to FEMA. In the letter he pointed out many different problems with FEMA’s terminology and in the
way they conducted the analysis. There will be a conference call on October 25th with FEMA. The City of
Rexburg, Madison County and Sugar City will protest FEMA’s results.
Public Works Director Millar reported the Idaho Transportation Department has two and a half million
dollars. They will be issuing safety grants to help cities correct problems that currently exist. The process
ITD uses to determine existing safety issues are; they look at a five-year accident history report, a class “A”
injury (requires hospitalization) and fatality. He said over the last five years there have been about 13 injuries
none of which need to be corrected by a project. The Idaho Transportation Department contacted him to
notify him they couldn’t find any problems. He explained the City has invested money in pedestrian safety
programs including, the hawk signal, and flashing crosswalk lights; it bodes well for the City.
C. Community Development: Natalie Powell
1. Building Permit Report for September, 2016
Compliance Officer Natalie Powell reviewed the Building Valuation Report for the month of September.
Compliance Officer Powell reported she and Public Works Director Millar met with the City’s Sanitation
Department to review where the best location would be to place the sanitation enclosures in several new
developments. Compliance Officer Powell reviewed the new developments being proposed throughout the
City.
Public Hearings: – NONE
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Items for Consideration: – NONE
Calendared Bills and Tabled Items:
A. “LAND USE ACTION” – Bills Recommended/Approved in a Land Use Public Hearing
Procedure (Recommend Suspension of the Rules): – 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
Mayor’s Business:
Mayor Merrill reported the City is working with the contractor that will be building the new
pavilion at Porter Park. Beehive Credit Union has offered to pay for the pavilion. They would like
to build the pavilion this fall before winter.
Mayor Merrill said he spoke at the BYU-Idaho Political Affairs Society meeting. He said the
meeting was very interesting. They discussed many different factors including questions regarding
Airbnb. He had a great experience meeting with the students.
Mayor Merrill mentioned he and several City employees made a quick trip to Salt Lake City, Utah
to meet with a planning and architecture firm on the design finishes for the Center Street project,
scheduled for next spring. They also met up with Robert Grow to discuss how to follow through
with the Envision Madison process. They discussed ways to contact developers and marketing to
spur economic development in Rexburg.
Mayor Merrill suggested the possibility of extending City Hall’s business hours on Monday-
Thursday and closing early on Fridays. He said they will continue to discuss the change in business
hours for City Hall and if a change is made, the new hours would take effect at the beginning of the
year.
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 October 03, 05, & 10th, 2016 meetings;
B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council President Smith moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city
bills; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
Human Resources Director Terri Hill requested an Executive Session per Idaho State Code 74-
206 (A) To consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities
of individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling
a vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general.
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Council Member Benfield moved to go into Executive Session per Idaho State Code 74-206 (A)
To consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, wherein the respective qualities of
individuals are to be evaluated in order to fill a particular vacancy or need. This paragraph does not apply to filling a
vacancy in an elective office or deliberations about staffing needs in general; Council Member Busby seconded
the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
Executive Session 8:04 PM
Executive Session ended 9:03PM
Discuss a Budget Amendment for personnel
Human Resources Director Hill asked for budget adjustments and approval to hire a
Superintendent of Public Utilities to replace some responsibilities of the current public works
director. They also approved the budget adjustment to hire a Chief Information Officer using
contingency and other funds that had been set aside in the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2017.
Council Member Busby moved to approve the hire of a Superintendent of Public Utilities and a
Chief Information Officer; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for
a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
Adjourned at 9:05 P.M.
APPROVED:
____________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk