HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes -November 02 2016.pdf
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November 02, 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
Shawn Perkins said the prayer.
Bridger Hansen from Troop 356 led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council President Smith, Council Member Flora, Council Member Benfield, Council
Member Mann, Council Member Wolfe, and Mayor Merrill.
Council Member Busby asked to be excused.
Mayor Merrill said it has been a tough week for the City and the school district with some special
people taken away from us. Mr. Larry Prescott, a teacher at Madison High School who died while
hiking last Saturday and Monica Franco, a student at Madison High School who died last
Wednesday from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
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: None
Mayor Merrill asked the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board to present the skits that they did for
Halloween Safety at the elementary schools.
Mike Downs, Chairman of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board explained what their group did
at Adams Elementary.
Brody Mecham explained the skit that his group did at Burton Elementary.
Committee Liaison Assignments for 2016:
A. Council Member Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · GIS Oversight · Development
Workshop
Council Member Mann met with the Development Workshop yesterday. They honored Pronto
Auto Parts as employer of the year for hiring many of their clients. The Festival of Trees, which is a
big fundraiser for the Development Workshop, will be at the Pine Crest Events Center by Fred
Meyer in Idaho Falls, November 14 to 18. The Golf Board met last night. They talked about
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
November 02, 2016
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contract renewals. Income this year was about the same; expenses were down a bit. In December
they will continue contract negotiations.
B. Council Member Busby: · Airport Board · Traffic & Safety · Trails of Madison County
Council Member Busby was excused.
Mayor Merrill indicated that some of the Airport Board members would like to extend their service
to four terms for a total of twelve years instead of three terms for nine years. The Airport Board is a
little harder to find qualified members for. Traffic and Safety talked about the intersection at 7th
North and 2nd East. They would like to see if a traffic light is warranted.
Mayor Merrill asked to ratify John Hepworth to the Trails of Madison County committee. He is a
second generation owner of Tri State Tire. He wants to get involved in the community and he is
interested in the trails committee.
The new committee members for Trails of Madison County and Parks and Recreation will be
ratified at the next council meeting on November 16th.
C. Council Member Benfield: Police · MYAB· Parks & Recreation
Council Member Benfield thanked the Mayor’s Youth for their presentation. She reported Chief
Turman is in Boise at a conference. The Parks and Recreation Department is forming a new
Recreation Advisory Board because the prior one was dissolved. She has ten people interested in
being on that committee. She named five of those people that she would like to ratify to the
Recreation Advisory Board. They are: Debbie Miles for soccer, Shawn Boice for Baseball, Jennifer
Christenson for recreation/physical education, Dirk Andreason for sports medicine, and Larry
Duque for tennis. These names will be ratified at the next council meeting on November 16th.
D. Council Member Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Beautification Committee · M.E.P.I.
Council President Smith reported the museum and MEPI will be meeting soon. She thanked the
Mayor’s Youth and said they should teach the runners on Poleline Road to wear bright clothing.
The City will host the first annual Tree Festival on December 1, 2 and 3 at the tabernacle with a kick
off at 3:00 p.m. on December 1st. Decorated trees will be donated by area businesses and auctioned
off. The proceeds will go to the Family Crisis Center. There will be entertainment each night as
well. On November 11th there will be a veterans program. A veteran from each war will be present.
She encouraged everyone to come. There will also be a fly over at 11:45 am.
Mayor Merrill said he would like to have a City Christmas party at the Legacy Flight Museum and
have the Council Members serve.
E. Council Member Flora: School Board · Rexburg Arts Council/ Museum of Rexburg
Council Member Flora reported on the School Board Meeting and the school sports teams that
have won academic awards. There were some presentations given at the School Board Meeting and
announcement of some travel study programs being offered to students. Larry Prescott and Monica
Franco passed away recently. The Arts Council was awarded two grants. The money will go toward
the recording booth in the museum for people to record their memories. November 7th from 5:00
pm to 7:00 pm will be a free night at the museum.
F. Council Member Wolfe: Planning & Zoning · Urban Renewal Agency · IBC
Council Member Wolfe reported Planning and Zoning had a public hearing to change the
development code and also a comprehensive plan map change. He attended a meeting Tuesday
regarding buying in co-ops with other cities in the City council chambers. Chief Turman pushed the
emergency buttons and the police did show up.
Staff Reports:
A. Finance: - Matt Nielson
1. Review the Impact and Capacity Fee Website
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Finance Officer Nielson reviewed a new website which explains the ins and outs of Impact
and Capacity fees. He showed the website on the screen. The website shows the projects that
have been done and how the impact fees were spent. There is also a FAQ page.
B. Public Works and Engineering: Keith Davidson updated council on the projects going on. The
Waste Water project has been delayed a little due to some changes with the electrical. The water project
is almost complete. Some old trees on Main Street have been removed.
Council Member Wolfe mentioned that he would like to take a look, with council, at the new
treatment plant.
Mayor Merrill asked about the new city shop. Engineer Davidson said it’s all framed and drywall is
going up. He would like to tie the new shop into the septic dump lift station at the waste water
treatment plant.
Council Member Smith noticed on the bills that there was a line expansion on the south well and was
wondering what well that is. Engineer Davidson will get back to her on that.
C. Human Resources: Employee Benefits Review – Terri Hill
HR Director Terri Hill reviewed the changes needed to provide the employees with employee benefits
including the insurance coverage for 2017. Director Hill explained that they were presented with a 34
percent increase and have worked hard to get that negotiated down. Utilization has been high but went
down the last quarter. They did an employee survey to get feedback on what the employees want. Most
employees do not want to lose the service that they have. She did look at bidding out to other insurance
providers. Most medical providers are with Blue Cross and that’s what the employees like. The benefits are
a big part of what the city offers to their employees. She explained that the reason for the increase is due to
high utilization. One thing that was high was Emergency Room visits so they went from one hundred to
five hundred dollar copay for ER visits. Director Hill continued to explain how they got the increase down
to 22 percent. They wanted to drop the nurse line but the tele-doc is something that they would like to use.
That is where you can call the tele-doc and get a prescription. She would like to have quarterly benefits
meetings to educate the employees. Dental actually went down. She reviewed the increase to the city and to
the employees. She asked for a budget adjustment of $40,000 to cover the increase. CFO Nielson
explained that the money will come from the reserves. Director Hill recommends that next year they
budget for a 15 percent increase instead of 10 percent. Authorization is needed from council to approve the
insurance renewal and budget adjustment.
2017 Health/Dental Benefits
Health Benefits
Renewal rates for the same health option we currently have came back with a 34.74% increase
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o Able to negotiate to a 23.54% increase
Agent negotiated a significant decrease
Utilization dropped in last quarter
HR provided a list of terminated employees
Option of switching providers not viewed positively by staff or employees in a survey
o Over 83% are satisfied with our current health and dental provider
o A majority of individuals do not want to decrease the number of current provider and facility options
100% of facilities in network in Idaho and 96% of providers w/Blue Cross
o 58% of employee are satisfied with our benefits (additional 24% neutral) and only 22% (additional 20%
neutral)w/their wage
o Poor relationships established with providers if you choose to jump ship when rates go up due to increases
caused in large part to high utilization
Explanation of Increase:
High utilization
Cost of health care has risen on average 10% nationwide (12% in prior year)
Recommendations from Staff & Employee Committee:
o Increase the ER Copay from $100 to $500 and save .41%
Hope to reduce costs from ER visits that are not necessary
o Increase Member Coinsurance from 10% to 30% In-Network & 30% to 50% Out-of network and save 2.70%
Changes in Co-insurance/Deductible affect the least amount of members
Percent reaching deductible
o 2014 11%
o 2015 15%
o 2016 11% thus far
Would increase cost for individuals w/bills between $2,500 - $22,500
o No impact if bill exceeds $22,500 for an individual
o No change in the HRA contribution recommended
If recommendations approved, final increase to health would be 20.34%
Drop Nurse Line and add Teledoc Service
Keep Vision Plan as is
o Agent able to negotiate down by 10.92% and save city an additional $11,100
Dental Benefits
Renewal rates for the same dental option we currently have, came back with a 2.1% increase
o Agent negotiated to a 3.63% decrease
o Staff negotiated the Agent Commissions down, saving the city $17,424 to help offset the increase in
healthcare costs
o Final decrease for same dental option was 8.39%
Recommendations from Staff & Employee Committee:
o Renew dental policy with no changes to plan
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Budget Recommendations
If recommendations for health and dental plans adopted, the total increase for the city share would be
$258,702. Total increase to employee share would be $45,466
We only budgeted 10%, so a budget adjustment of $40,000 would be required from our reserve
(approximately $314,000 in reserve)
Our agent and staff would recommend we budget for a 15% increase in Fiscal Year 2018 because of
projections by our provider and agent
Recommended Employee Premiums
Authorization in the form of a motion is needed from the City Council to approve the 2017 renewal
recommendations (see option #3 & #4) as well as the budget adjustment for 2017 of $40,000
If the above renewal was approved it would result in the following:
o 11.73% cost increase to city
o 12.87% cost increase to employees
o 11.89% total cost increase
o A decrease in the savings of $40,000, moving balance to $275,200
Mayor Merrill asked for a motion.
Council Member Benfield moved to approve the insurance renewal and budget adjustment as
recommended; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith
Council Member Flora
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Mann
The motion carried
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Mayor’s Report: Mayor Merrill received a letter from the USDA Rural Development Association asking
about unfair access to Wagon Wheel apartments and Madison Park apartments. None of the council
members have heard of any problems.
Mayor Merrill read the letter he received from Rhaine Gardner that was published in the newsletter. He
thanked everyone for making Rexburg a great place to live.
Heidi Fransen asked the Mayor to thank the City for helping with the Operation Underground Railroad
fundraiser.
Mayor Merrill attended a meeting about the flood plain. FEMA has widened the flood plain area going
through Rexburg recently even though it hasn’t flooded. They presented their case as to why it shouldn’t be
flood plain and they are going to look into it. He attended the ribbon cutting at ProPeat in Sugar City. He
participated in the Power 2 Become seminar on campus. The pawn shop south of town has been purchased
and they are cleaning it up. Everything will now be inside. He mentioned that sometimes people don’t
want to get a building permit but they need to know that they also get expert advice from people who know
what to do.
Council Member Benfield said that there is a pawn shop that is purchasing items from kids and there is a
law that pawn shops can only buy from adults. Council President Smith said that particular pawn shop is
under police radar now and being watched. Council Member Benfield would like to see pawn shops post
signs that say you must be an adult. Attorney Zollinger said the police are aware of the situation. This
particular shop had not been put online yet but they are now. It was a business that slowly converted to
pawn and it slipped through the cracks.
Mayor Merrill met with the Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization and learned how a planning
organization can be more effective. He encouraged everyone to go to the State High School Football game
in Boise and support our Madison Bobcats and the Dancing with the Rexburg Stars that he is in this
Saturday.
Public Hearings: – NONE
Items for Consideration:
A. Resolution #2016-11 Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment at 150 N 2nd W, 164 W 1st N, and
approximately 203 West 1st North from Light Industrial and Neighborhood Commercial/ Mixed Use to
Neighborhood Commercial/Mixed Use – Jeff Lerwill, Ryan Lerwill, and Scott Campbell
(On October 20th, Planning and Zoning unanimously recommended to City Council to approve the Comprehensive Plan Map
Amendment from Light Industrial and Neighborhood Commercial/Mixed Use to Neighborhood Commercial/Mixed Use)
Ryan Lerwill of Sugar City presented the proposed amendment. He showed the property on the
screen. He is asking that the Neighborhood Commercial/Mixed Use Zone be continued to these
areas. He feels it would make sense. He met with the ready team, Val, Natalie, Stephen, Keith, John
to determine if this is good for everyone. This property is very ugly and hopefully someday someone
will be able to improve it. The mixed used zone would lend itself for a developer to come in and
make something nice of it.
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Staff Report:
There were mixed feelings about this Comprehensive Plan map change at the staff meeting. They
included concerns about the traffic it would create and the location. Staff feels that if a traffic study
is completed that identifies that the change is suitable, with good traffic practice, and the Planning
and Zoning Commission concludes that the change can be compatible with the neighborhood’s
current uses, then it is recommended with the following conditions:
1. A traffic plan is required.
2. When a zone change is requested, the minimum requirement of 10% mixture of uses be strictly
held to.
The Planning and Zoning Commission should take testimony in the public hearing to determine if
this change to the comprehensive plan map will be in the best interest of the community.
Discussion:
Council Member Flora asked if the conditions and concerns that Planning and Zoning staff had
should be included in the motion. Director Christensen explained that he is the one who suggested
the traffic study but Planning and Zoning determined it wasn’t needed. Council Member Wolfe
indicated that since it is just a comp plan change and not a zone change they didn’t need a traffic
study. Director Christensen said there is plenty of time to catch a traffic study.
Council Member Flora asked that a traffic study be requested when a zone change is asked for.
Council Member Wolfe moved to amend the Comprehensive Plan Map (Resolution 2016-11) at 150
N 2nd W, 164 W 1st N, and approximately 203 West 1st North from Light Industrial and Neighborhood
Commercial/ Mixed Use to Neighborhood Commercial/Mixed Use; Council Member Smith seconded the
motion; Discussion:
Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith
Council Member Flora
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Mann
The motion carried
B. Development Code Ordinance No. 1115 Amending the Development Code – Proposed changes to the
Development Code concerning substantive and non-substantive changes – Planning and Zoning recommended
three changes to the Development Code at a Public Hearing on October 20th, 2016.
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1. Clarify existing definitions for boarding houses, bed and breakfast, and short term rentals.
a. Bed and Breakfast Inn: A structure containing guest room(s) where lodging, with or without
meals, is provided on a daily rate basis, and a manager maintains a residential presence on site or
on an adjacent lot.
b. Boarding House: A building that is the primary residence of the owner in which rooms are
provided on a daily, weekly or monthly basis for compensation, by the owner, to persons not
related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the owner.
c. Short Term Rental: Any rental of a dwelling unit that is for a time period less than thirty (30)
days.
Community Development Director Christensen explained that this won’t affect low density zones
at all because these are not allowed in low density but it will affect medium density. In high density
zones, all of these would be allowed.
Council Member Benfield asked if it would be helpful to put with the definition where it is
allowable. Director Christensen said that most people start by looking at the zone not the definitions.
Council Member Smith asked if the manager would have to live on site or next door at a bed and
breakfast. Director Christensen said yes, that is the definitions that already exist. There must be a
manager on sight. Director Christensen talked about parking; he recommends one parking spot per
bedroom. Council Member Wolfe explained that they are simply correcting the terms.
Community Development Director Christensen continued with the following amendments:
2. Chapter 3 Section 3.9.090 (HDR1) and Section 3.10.090 (HDR2) Setbacks and Rights-of-Way Exceptions
In the Pedestrian Emphasis Overlay, the required front yard setbacks for buildings (not parking)
may be reduced up to fifteen feet (15’) by meeting the following requirements:
a. A minimum 8’ wide sidewalk is required parallel to any city street.
b. Street trees and other landscape amenities are required and include as a minimum the use of 2” caliper deciduous trees at a
maximum of 20’ spacing in the landscape strip between the curb and sidewalk. The space between the building and sidewalk
shall be landscaped with ornamental trees, shrubs, annual and perennial flowers to achieve a “fully landscaped look”. The
landscape strip and the front yard setback shall be planted with grass between the trees, shrubs and other landscape features.
An irrigation system is required and is the responsibility of the property owner as is the maintenance of the landscaped areas.
c. The building shall be oriented toward the street with architecturally defined entrances; a ground floor prominence; and
elements that break up vertical and horizontal walls.
d. Section 3.9.090.vii.b is not allowed. Permitted Projections include balconies (no more than three (3) foot extended from
building), cornices, eaves, belt courses and sills.
e. There shall be a variety of openings and other features that enhance the buildings visual interaction with the street. These
features include doors, windows, balconies and/or other items such as stoops, awnings, porches, dooryards, canopies,
overhangs, recesses, etc. that in combination enhance the human scale and pedestrian experience of the street. Balconies,
awnings, canopies and other structural elements may extend a maximum of three (3) feet into the setback.
f. The first floor wall facing the right-of-way shall be faced with high quality materials (as approved by Community
Development Director or Designee).
g. Street lighting and utilities within the right of way must be installed as per the City Engineering Standards.
h. Renderings identifying all of the above requirements and the Design Standards shall be provided to city staff prior to the
request for a building permit. The Community Development Director or Designee will have authority to review the
submittal and determine if it meets the above requirements and spirit in which they were created. At request by applicant
the City Staff will have authority to over-rule the findings of the Community Development Director or Designee.
Director Christensen indicated that a developer can build the same kind of building as before, but
if they want to add an additional 15 feet to their building, they will need to meet these requirements.
Mayor Merrill indicated that they have seen places where the buildings are just long strips of plain
brick with no windows or doors and it’s much less appealing.
3. Chapter 9 Section 5.10. Parking requirements for dormitory housing units that are located within the Pedestrian Emphasis
Overlay (PEO) (see attached boundaries or appendix of development code) may be reduced pursuant to a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) and subject to the following requirements and provisions:
Director Christensen indicated that the final amendment at this time is to add pursuant to a Conditional
Use Permit (CUP) to Chapter 9 Section 5.10 of the Development Code.
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City Clerk Blair Kay reminded council that if they want to speed up the process to get these
amendments finalized and the ordinance passed they will need to suspend the rules.
Council Member Wolfe moved to suspend the rules for Ordinance 1154; Council President Smith
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
The motion carried
Mayor Merrill asked for a motion to approve Ordinance 1154 and consider it third read.
Council Member Wolfe motioned to approve Ordinance 1154 Amending Development Code
Ordinance No. 1115 and consider it third read; 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
The motion carried
Calendared Bills and Tabled Items:
A. “LAND USE ACTION” – Bills Recommended/Approved in a Land Use Public Hearing
Procedure (Recommend Suspension of the Rules):
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:
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 19th , 2016 meeting;
B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member Flora moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city
bills; Council Member Smith seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
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Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
The motion carried
Adjourned at 8:18 P.M.
APPROVED:
____________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Mary Flanary, Deputy City Clerk