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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - February 18 2015.pdf 1 February 18, 2015 Mayor Richard Woodland Council Members: President Sally Smith Jordan Busby Donna Benfield Jerry Merrill Christopher Mann Brad Wolfe 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 7:00 P.M. City Hall – Pledge to the Flag Troop 513 led the pledge. Luis Reyes said the prayer. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Mann, Council Member Merrill, Council Member Busby, Council Member Wolfe, and Mayor Woodland. Council President Smith and Council Member Benfield asked to be excused. Public Comment on non-controversial issues: not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes): Kelly McKamey shared that Rexburg was listed as one of the safest cities. He said it reflects well on the city and the citizens. NOTE: “Idaho is recognized as one of the safest states in the U.S. In fact, according to the FBI’s most recent Crime Report, 45 percent less violent crimes were reported in Idaho (204 per 100,000 residents) than the national average of 367 per 100,000 citizens. Of t he top 10 safest cities on our list, none reported a murder and 9 of the 10 cities reported less than a dozen violent crimes for the year. In addition to a nominal violent crime rate, Idaho also has one of the lowest rates of non-violent property crime. Idaho reported 1,864 incidents of property crimes per 100,000 residents versus the national average of 2,730 property crimes per 100,000 citizens.” “To create our top 10 safest cities in Idaho list we looked at cities with a population of over 3,000 residents in 2012 and evaluated the most recent FBI Crime Report statistics. Next, we analyzed the number of Violent Crimes, which are considered robbery, aggravated assault, forcible rape, and murder, as well as Property Crimes, consisting of motor vehicle theft, burglary, arson, and larceny -theft that were reported in each city. From there, we calculated the chance of these crimes happening out of 1,000 people to create a level playing field.” 1. Weiser Violent Crimes Per 1,000: .35 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 3.76 2. Soda Springs Violent Crimes Per 1,000: 3.63 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 3.63 3. Rexburg Violent Crimes Per 1,000: .34 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 8.34 4. Grangeville Violent Crimes Per 1,000: .31 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 10.94 5. Shelley Violent Crimes Per 1,000: .44 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 10.95 6. Salmon Violent Crimes Per 1,000: 2.22 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 9.53 7. Hailey Violent Crimes Per 1,000: 4.15 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 8.18 8. Kimberly Violent Crimes Per 1,000: 1.50 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 11.14 9. Heyburn Violent Crimes Per 1,000: .96 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 11.85 10. American Falls Violent Crimes Per 1,000: 1.34 Property Crimes Per 1,000: 13.23 Presentations: – NONE Committee Liaison Assignments for 2015: 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 18, 2015 2 A. Council Member Christopher Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · MYAB Council Member Mann reported that the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board met last week to take Valentine’s to the Homestead Assisted Living. They did a program and then passed out Valentine’s and visited with the residence. Emergency Services and the Golf Board have not met. B. Council Member Jordan Busby: GIS Oversight · Airport Board · Traffic & Safety Council Member Busby reported none of his committees have met. C. Council Member Donna Benfield: Police · Trails of Madison County · IBC · Teton Flood Museum Committee Council Member Benfield was excused. D. Council Member Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Rexburg Arts Council (Romance Theatre & Tabernacle Civic Center, Orchestra) · M.E.P.I. Council President Smith was excused. Mayor Woodland said that the Romance has a lot going on. E. Council Member Jerry Merrill: School Board · Parks & Recreation · Urban Renewal Agency Council Member Merrill reported the Madison School Board has not met but he talked to the Superintendent Thomas about the land for the baseball fields. The Madison School District’s attorney has moved to Boise so it has been stalled. The Parks Department and the Recreation Department are going well with the recreation programs. Council Member Merrill and Parks Director Greg McInnes talked to Gerry Bates at 2445 John Adams Parkway in Idaho Falls (208-681-5964 (plantingidaho@gmail.com)) about getting a Tree City USA designation. This would help the City with what types of trees do well and how to get a tree maintenance program going. Urban Renewal has not met. F. Council Member Brad Wolfe: Planning & Zoning · Beautification Committee Council Member Wolfe reported that Planning & Zoning met last Thursday. That meeting was dedicated to reviewing the transportation study. The study looks at all the problem areas and how to solve them. There is a map that is available. The Beautification Committee met last Friday with the Downtown Vision Committee to look at some possibilities for downtown. They are looking at College Avenue and Center Street to improve and add some excitement to that area. Main Street will also be reviewed. Council Member Busby commented on the City Council’s trip to the Waste Water Treatment Plant today. He said it was an exciting tour. They got to see behind the scenes. It is a neat facility and we have some top notch people working there. He invited the public to visit it and see for themselves. He appreciated the opportunity to go out there. Council Member Merrill added that it is amazing to see the process and how clean the water comes out in the end. 3 Mayor Woodland said that there are only 6 people employed there and they do a great job. He said that it is a state of the art facility and they plan to make it even better. He said that we need to improve it because of the City’s rapid growth. Mayor’s Report: Public Hearings: A. 7:30 P.M. Assessment roll for Local Improvement District No. 44. (The Council will hear and determine all objections to the regularity of the proceedings in making assessments, the correctness of assessments, and the amount levied on particular lots or parcels in relation to the benefits accruing thereon and in relation to the proper proportionate share of the total cost of the improvements.) Mayor Woodland opened the public hearing. City Engineer Davidson presented the final numbers for LID 44. This is the project that was done on 2nd West and 1st North last year; including the realignment of the intersection through the railroad tracks on 1st North. Things went well with the exception of a lot of rain and finding some old sumps and irrigation lines. Prices came in lower than estimated. Council Member Busby asked about the large swing from the estimate on line 14 to actual cost. Mr. Davidson said that there were a few items that they were able to consolidate. One item was the irrigation system was lower because they had two parcels to share the irritation system; that dropped the cost from two dollars a square foot to one dollar and five cents a square foot which saved $4,000.00. The concrete and instalation costs were estimated higher than the actual cost too. Council Member Busby asked about line 15, 16, and 17. Where do we stand on abandoning that railway line? City Engineer Davidson said that the agreement is in place but they are waiting to hear back from the railroad company on the buy in for the proposal. It would cost $40,000 to get rid of that railroad spur. Council Member Busby asked why that would be important to take it out. Mr. Davidson said for safety. Council Member Busby asked who was doing the negotiating on removing the railroad spur line. City Attorney Zollinger said that it really is not a negotiation. All of the property owners have signed off on the agreement. We have notified the railroad and that gives them the opportunity to make a decision as to how they want to abandon the property. If they want to walk away from it then the city will have to pay to have the rails removed and we would receive the salvage value. In the past, the railroad has come in and salvaged the rails themselves and all we have to do is put back the area that was disturbed. The City Council members all agreed that the intersection looks much better now. Mayor Woodland commented that it worked out better for BMC West as well. 4 Written correspondence: - NONE Public Testimony in favor of the proposal (5 minute limit): - NONE Public Testimony neutral to the proposal (5 minute limit): - NONE Public Testimony opposed to the proposal (5 minute limit): - NONE Mayor Woodland closed the public hearing for deliberations. Deliberations: Council Member Merrill moved to approve the Final Assessment roll for Local Improvement District No. 44; Council Member Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. B. Items for Consideration: - Request waiver of tabernacle fees - Dan Roberts (He is requesting a waiver of the Tabernacle fees for a gathering under the banner of “The Constitution is My Carry Permit” set for February 21, 2015 from 3:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. starting at the Madison Court House and ending at the Tabernacle) Dan Roberts said he is requesting a waiver of the fees for the tabernacle. He has used it rent free before without having to come to City Council for approval. He said that Dan Torres does a great job. He is planning on having a gun rally. He paid the $25.00 for a Public Gathering Permit. He would like to go from the court house to the tabernacle for a presentation. Everyone is invited. It is in conjunction with House Bill 89 which is a bill that has been introduced by the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance which he is a founding member. There will be a rally in Boise at the same time. Initially he was told that he couldn’t do that because he isn’t presenting both sides of the argument. He said it is strictly non-partisan. Council Member Busby asked if they are planning on marching down the street and blocking streets. He said that the public gathering permit has been approved. They are only going to walk down the sidewalk, not the street. Last time they did this two years ago, they had six to seven hundred people show up and there were no problems. His cohort said that in Boise they provide blocked streets with no charge. Council Member Merrill said that he understands that the fee is to cover lights, power, cleaning, etc. He wanted to know what we have done for groups in the past. Attorney Zollinger said that if we are participants or cosponsors of an event, we don’t come before City Council for a waiver of fees. If an enterprise that is not a city or governmental entity requests the use of the facility, we charge a fee. Because of the nature of Mr. Roberts’s event, he thought it was one City Council would like to know about. It is a general purpose public information presentation. He is representing information dissemination as it relates to House Bill 89. Attorney Zollinger said that we would absorb a few costs but nothing significant. There is usually someone from the city that attends like Roger Harris, for example. Mr. Zollinger saw it as something that might qualify for the waiver. Council Member Busby asked about getting a deposit that is refunded if everything is left clean. Roger Harris said that if they do clean it they get it back but sometimes people don’t clean it and lose their deposit. The custodian has to come in no matter who uses it. The facility often needs attention like towels, etc. Council Member Mann motioned to approve the waiver of the fees for the tabernacle and trust that it will be left clean. Council Member Merrill seconded the motion. Mayor Woodland asked for a vote. Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None 5 Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. Council Member Busby said that his only concern is if kids are there they might leave small messes. Dan Roberts said that he would make sure everything is cleaned up. He also invited City Council to come and be a part of the rally at 3:30 P.M. this Saturday. Attorney Zollinger said that it is referred to as a gun rally. “The Constitution is my Carry Permit” is the title that is being used and he believes that is a better and more appropriate title for the rally. Staff Reports: A. Public Works: 1. Approve 7th South Boost Pump Bid – lowest bid came in at $111,921.00 from Jerome Bowen Construction. Public Works Director John Millar reported that after the July 15th flood last year, they have been working on several projects to improve the system. They budgeted $100,000 to do the project of adding a 7th South Booster pump. He reviewed the bids that came in. He would like to get this done right away. The contractor is ready to start now. Council Member Busby asked if we would need to reconstruct the canal. PW Director Millar said no. Public Works Director Millar asked for approval to award the low bid to Jerome Bowen Const. to install the 7th South Boost Pump. Item No.Item Description Unit Bid Quantity Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Pressure Storm Sewer 505.4.1.A.1 14" DR 18 C905 storm sewer pipe LF 700 $25.00 17,500.00$ $22.80 15,960.00$ $15.67 10,969.00$ $23.95 16,765.00$ $34.50 24,150.00$ 505.4.1.B.1 301/306.4.1.A.1 Pressure Sewer (Trenching/Backfill/Surface Restoration) LF 700 $35.00 24,500.00$ $25.90 18,130.00$ $31.00 21,700.00$ $23.80 16,660.00$ $39.00 27,300.00$ S.P. Page 3 3/16" Galvanized A53B Steel Pipe Pressure Sewer (Under Bridge Crossing LF 140 $45.00 6,300.00$ $96.50 13,510.00$ $113.60 15,904.00$ $106.00 14,840.00$ $90.00 12,600.00$ S.P. Page 3 Pressure Sewer Installation (Under Bridge Crossing)LF 140 $50.00 7,000.00$ $73.40 10,276.00$ $84.00 11,760.00$ $61.75 8,645.00$ $53.00 7,420.00$ 601.4.1.A.5 602.4.1.A.1 Doghouse 48" manhole with 20 feet of 12" ADS storm drain pipe EA 1 $3,500.00 3,500.00$ $1,904.00 1,904.00$ $2,675.00 2,675.00$ $5,935.00 5,935.00$ $4,400.00 4,400.00$ Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station -$ -$ -$ -$ S.P. Page 2 Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station (1 Pumps, valve vault, pipe connection, etc) LUMP SUM 1 $35,000.00 35,000.00$ $39,673.00 39,673.00$ $43,552.00 43,552.00$ $51,606.00 51,606.00$ $13,500.00 13,500.00$ S.P. Page 3 Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station Mechanical LUMP SUM 1 $3,500.00 3,500.00$ $1,440.00 1,440.00$ $1,500.00 1,500.00$ $2,992.00 2,992.00$ $35,000.00 35,000.00$ S.P. Page 4 Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station Electrical LUMP SUM 1 $6,500.00 6,500.00$ $11,028.00 11,028.00$ $12,000.00 12,000.00$ $12,573.00 12,573.00$ $10,007.00 10,007.00$ Item No.Item Description Unit Bid Quantity Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Unit Bid Price Bid Amount Pressure Storm Sewer 505.4.1.A.1 14" DR 18 C905 storm sewer pipe LF 700 $19.80 13,860.00$ $33.50 23,450.00$ $23.32 16,324.00$ $49.00 34,300.00$ $32.00 22,400.00$ $40.00 28,000.00$ 505.4.1.B.1 301/306.4.1.A.1 Pressure Sewer (Trenching/Backfill/Surface Restoration) LF 700 $18.20 12,740.00$ $25.00 17,500.00$ $47.32 33,124.00$ $52.00 36,400.00$ $55.00 38,500.00$ $54.00 37,800.00$ S.P. Page 3 3/16" Galvanized A53B Steel Pipe Pressure Sewer (Under Bridge Crossing LF 140 $148.00 20,720.00$ $185.00 25,900.00$ $105.85 14,819.00$ $188.00 26,320.00$ $200.00 28,000.00$ $268.00 37,520.00$ S.P. Page 3 Pressure Sewer Installation (Under Bridge Crossing)LF 140 $58.80 8,232.00$ $15.00 2,100.00$ $42.92 6,008.80$ $47.00 6,580.00$ $120.00 16,800.00$ $102.00 14,280.00$ 601.4.1.A.5 602.4.1.A.1 Doghouse 48" manhole with 20 feet of 12" ADS storm drain pipe EA 1 $2,827.00 2,827.00$ $7,000.00 7,000.00$ $4,236.00 4,236.00$ $6,275.00 6,275.00$ $18,000.00 18,000.00$ $8,549.00 8,549.00$ Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station -$ -$ -$ -$ S.P. Page 2 Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station (1 Pumps, valve vault, pipe connection, etc) LUMP SUM 1 $62,870.00 62,870.00$ $22,000.00 22,000.00$ $57,202.00 57,202.00$ $11,250.00 11,250.00$ $22,000.00 22,000.00$ $21,832.00 21,832.00$ S.P. Page 3 Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station Mechanical LUMP SUM 1 $2,038.00 2,038.00$ $31,000.00 31,000.00$ $2,520.00 2,520.00$ $29,700.00 29,700.00$ $40,000.00 40,000.00$ $38,617.00 38,617.00$ S.P. Page 4 Storm Sewer Booster Pump Station Electrical LUMP SUM 1 $11,100.00 11,100.00$ $9,000.00 9,000.00$ $10,962.00 10,962.00$ $9,100.00 9,100.00$ $9,000.00 9,000.00$ $12,143.00 12,143.00$ $137,950.00 $145,195.80 $159,925.00 $194,700.00 Engineers Estimate Jerome Bowen Const Agricultral Services Depatco HK Contractor Edstrom Knife River Hill & Son TMC Zollinger Counterpoint $198,741.00 Grand Total $103,800.00 $111,921.00 $120,060.00 $130,016.00 $134,377.00 Grand Total $134,387.00 Discussion: Council Member Mann moved to approve the 7th South Boost Pump lowest bid of $111,921.00 from Jerome Bowen Construction. Council Member Merrill seconded the motion. Mayor Woodland asked for a vote. Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby 6 Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. Public Works: 1. Discussion of the Bio-solids system review. Public Works Director Millar reviewed the project to improve the city’s bio-solids waste system. He said it started out to be a million dollar project. They have finished the first phase. They need to move on with the second phase. They have been hauling the waste to Jefferson County and that costs the City money plus, Jefferson County may not be able to do this long term. They have looked at pyrolysis which is a good system but the technology is not quite there yet. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen (or any halogen). It involves the simultaneous change of chemical composition and physical phase, and is irreversible. The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro "fire" and lysis "separating". They looked at green houses to sundry the solids by visiting Tooele, Utah; however, this system does not produce a good product. They have looked at other options like finding more land but that has been hard to find. They have also looked at pasteurization that kills all the bacteria and reduces the volume and creates a Class A product which is reusable. There are many uses for a Class A product. He feels that this is the best option. The plans have been presented and cost would be about five to five and a half million dollars. Mr. Millar said that this system would take us several years down the road. It creates its own heat source so it would save on energy. He pointed out that no extra staffing would be needed. He also said that pasteurization has been used for years. It’s a standard process. It is an effective proven technology. Mr. Millar indicated that the trip to England was very beneficial to see this process in action and talk to the people who run the facilities and to learn how the process works. Council Member Busby asked if it would produce enough gas to heat it. Mr. Millar said, yes, that it would produce more than we can use. Excess gas can be put into generators if needed; however, he would like to wait to see how the process will work in Rexburg before spending money on energy generation equipment. Council Member Busby asked about selling the Class A product. Mr. Millar said that there is a stigma that goes with it. It does have a value and could bring seven to eight dollars per ton. Council Member Busby asked how long this pasteurization process would last us. Mr. Millar said over 100 years. Council Member Merrill said that even hauling to more land has its costs including the cost of additional land, trucking costs, further improvements to the wastewater plant and adhearing to Class B regulations. Public Works Director Millar said that our climate is also a big problem when it comes to dumping on land. Council Member Wolfe asked about buying more property and Council Member Merrill reminded everyone that with a Class A product there is no need for land dumping or any regulations. Council Member Busby asked about the money for refilling the position in the Waste Water Department that has been vacated. Mr. Millar said that the money is already budgeted for that position. Council Member Merrill said that even to get to Class B product we still need to add more digesters. Public Works Director Millar indicated that the time frame to have the new system completed would be by the end of year. 7 Council Member Busby asked about the results from the Population Study. Mr. Millar said it came in at 55,000 in 2040. Council Member Wolfe said it makes sense to move ahead with the new Bio-solid waste system Class A proposal given the fact that just about as much money would need to be spent anyway in order to do any of the other Class B options. Council Member Wolfe moved to approve going ahead with the design for the new Bio-solid waste system as presented. Council Member Merrill seconded the motion. Mayor Woodland asked for a vote. Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. Public Works Director Millar also added that the bids for the seal coating project were opened today. The prices came in lower than last year. Council Member Busby asked if they needed to vote on filling the vacant position in the Waste Water Department. Mr. Millar said yes, he would like to have approval for that. Council Member Merrill moved to approve hiring a replacement licensed operator for the Waste Water Treatment plant. Council Member Busby seconded the motion. Mayor Woodland asked for a vote. Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. B. Finance Department: Matt Nielson 1. Declaration of surplus of the old Water Department Building by the City Council authorizing an Intergovernmental Transfer to the Madison Fire Department. (The Madison Fire Department is under the direction of Madison County, City of Rexburg, and the Madison County Fire District) Finance Officer Nielson indicated that the old water department building appraised at $221,000.00. Tonight he is seeking approval to surplus that building so they can do a governmental transfer. He said it would be sold to the three entities; the City of Rexburg, the Ambulance District and the Fire District. He said it is all in the budget and the emergency services board as already approved it. Old Water Department Building 8 Council Member Busby moved to surplus the old Water Department Building authorizing an Intergovernmental Transfer to the Madison Fire Department; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill 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: – NONE B. BILL Introduction: – NONE C. First Reading: Those items which are being introduced for first reading: 1. Ordinance 1127 Final Assessment Roll of LID44 Discussion: Council Member Mann moved to consider Ordinance 1127 first read for the Final Assessment Roll of LID44; Council Member Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. C. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: 1. Ordinance 1126 creating LID45 Council Member Merrill moved to consider Ordinance 1126 second read creating LID45; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. D. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: – NONE 9 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 February 04, 2015 meeting B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Discussion: Council Member Busby asked about the Rocky Mountain Power bill for $5,142 for street lights. Is that just power to run the lights? Public Works Director Millar said it is power and maintenance. Council Member Busby asked about the lights that are out by the Ivy. Public Works Director Millar said there is a ground wire that needs fixed. Council Member Busby asked about the annual scholarship for High Country Cloud Seeding for $150 and Intermountain Gas bill for the Romance theater for heating for $1,000. He asked if that’s what it costs every month. Is it kept at a constant temperature? Attorney Zollinger said it is maintained throughout the year. The summer months are a much lower cost and the winter months are higher. Roger Harris said we could save a lot of money if we replaced the furnace. Sooner or later we will have to replace it. The initial cost would be around $40,000 but it would pay for itself in the long run. The furnace has to be checked every day. Council Member Merrill asked about software maintenance and updates. He asked about the new program for the Finance Department. Chief Financial Officer Nielson said that the upfront costs for a new financial package is steep, from $300,000 to $500,000. The company that owns that current finance package, Harris Computers, has transferred to a different support group so now they are saying they’ll be able to support it longer. He just received a 5 year contract from them that he is reviewing. Council Member Merrill noticed that the Sport Sites bill is high, at $6,000. Chief Financial Officer Nielson said that is an annual cost. Council Member Busby moved to approve the Consent Calendar and pay the bills; Council Member Mann seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Mann None Council Member Busby Council Member Merrill Council Member Wolfe The motion carried. Adjourned at 8:00 P.M. APPROVED: _______________________________ Richard S. Woodland, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Mary Flanary, Deputy City Clerk