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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - May 20, 2015.pdf 1 May 20, 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 5:00 P.M. City Hall – Review Cresthaven Subdivision Streets on site – Keith Davidson The City Council reviewed the deteriation of the Cresthaven Subdivisions streets on site to get more information. The Engineering Department pointed out the worst areas to review. City Engineer Keith Davidson reviewed the options to repair the streets. Location #1 – 198 Crestview Drive Discussion: One option was to narrow the streets during any repairs to help minimize the problems with water entering into the street through the curb area. Narrower streets would help keep traffic speeds down in the neighborhood. An LID would be required to do a full repair of the streets in the near future from one to five years. A repair of one street at a time would be easier to budget. The property owner’s cost to do one street would be in the area of $4,000 per lot. The cost for the total block would be roughly $150,000. The rough spots would cost $25,000 to $40,000 to repair this year. Council Member Busby asked to select one street and get some estimates for repairs. Council Member Wolfe asked to do the repairs on the problem areas this year and prepare for an LID in three years. Option two would be to leave the streets the same width and make repairs as needed pending a future LID to rebuild one street at a time. 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 May 20, 2015 2 Location #2 – 915 Hillview Drive; 925 Hillview Drive; and 935 Hillview Drive This approach allows the City Council to be fiscally responsible in the maintenance of all of the City’s streets as budget dollars become available. Location #3 – 100 Crestview Drive Discussion: Last week ponding occurred in parking lots at Rexburg Rapids due to rain. Rexburg Rapids has been losing water during the recreation season. The staff is testing the water lines with air pressure. Discussion: Dirt is being hauled into the vacant lot behind K-Mart for a hydro seeding project in the future. The dirt is coming from the Wal-Mart project on north 2nd East. Lighting for the fields is being considered. A soccer tournament is being planned for Rexburg this year with 86 teams for the “Yellowstone Cup”. The teams are coming from Montana and Utah, etc. Discussion: Sidewalk construction is inspected during construction. There is a new sidewalk on the Yellowstone Hwy near University Blvd. The intersection will have a turn lane with a bike lane. Discussion: Widening North 2nd East for more traffic on 2nd East. Urban Renewal funds are being requested to help with the project. 3 7:00 P.M. City Hall – Pledge to the Flag Zack Waite led the pledge. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council President Smith, Council Member Benfield, Council Member Mann, Council Member Merrill, Council Member Busby, and Council Member Wolfe Mayor Woodland asked to be excused. Public Comment on non-controversial issues: not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes): Presentations: - Council Member Jerry Merrill said he was out shopping and since Memorial Day is coming up, he found a nice picture of a flag with the pledge and a plaque of the Marines lifting the flag at Iwo Jima. He would like to donate them to the city to hang in the foyer of Rexburg City Hall. The council was agreeable and thanked Council Member Merrill. Presentation: Upper Valley Soccer Foundation and AYSO Upper Valley Soccer Foundation 11-18 (UVSF) and American Youth Soccer Organization 5-10 (AYSO) – Jennifer Barzzee, Brian George Brian George presented a slide show. He is the Regional Commissioner for AYSO. AYSO is a national organization that was started 50 years ago. Idaho has very few regions with most of them in South East Idaho. The national organization helps run the regional organization. They receive donations such as jersey’s, equipment, etc. It is all run by volunteers. AYSO pushes six philosophies which are; everyone plays balanced teams, open registration, positive coaching, good sportsmanship and player development. AYSO started four years ago in Rexburg. It is for kids ages 4 to 10. They have a fall/spring season. They try to avoid the same times as the City. The Rexburg region has been nominated twice for region of the year. They include kids from Rexburg, St. Anthony, Sugar City, and Rigby. They are trying to expand even more. 4 Last year they participated in walking the high school team onto the field. It gives the kids and opportunity to be out there with the big kids. All the games are on Saturday mornings. The schools have provided fields so far to practice on and have their games on. The school has been very gracious and kind. Mr. George reviewed a graph that shows growth in the numbers of kids participating each year. One of the challenges they face is their field locations. Right now their fields are at Adams Elementary and Burton Elementary. 5 The parents only have about five minutes to get from one game to the other or sometimes they have two games at the same time. They would like to have one single facility where the games could all be played at the same place. They just received this week some plans of some future development of some fields. Jennifer Barzee the President of Upper Valley Soccer Foundation, gave a history of the organization in Rexburg. Council Member Merrill asked how the AYSO and the Upper Valley Soccer Foundation interface. Mrs. Barzee said that AYSO serves the younger kids and UVSF serves the older kids. She reviewed a graph of the numbers of players in Upper Valley Soccer. The AYSO kids move into UVSF. The foundation was started by Garth Oakey. She mentioned some of the volunteers that have helped. U12-U18 meet in the fall, U6 – U18 play futsal indoors during the winter and U12- U18 play outside again in the spring. She reviewed the last 5 years leading up to the present on things they have accomplished. They have a goal to not play on Sundays. Mr. Busby asked about the increase in teams for this year’s tournament. Holly Allen, the tournament director, said this year they have 86 teams and last year it was 46 teams. When they have a tournament it draws a lot of people. The tournament is scheduled for June 11-13. This year they have two U12 competitive boys’ teams. The UVSF organization has been able to sponsor some kids that can’t afford it. She thanked the City for the beautiful fields. She reviewed the fields that they use. 6 Council Member Busby asked if Evergreen West will be done by the tournament. Parks Director, Greg McInnes, said it won’t be done by then. She showed the new fields that are in preparation at Riverside. They would like to be a part of the discussion as the City plans the new fields. Council Member Busby said the baseball people are willing to help with the labor to put in new baseball fields and asked Mrs. Barzee if the soccer people are also willing to help with the work for their new fields. She said they will do what they can. They have man power but not a lot of money. Byran George knows a lot of parents that will come out and help as needed. Mrs. Barzee showed the exceptional fields at Riverside Park. The group Challenger helps with clinics and tournaments. Every Memorial Day they sale tickets to the Real Soccer game in SLC. Each year those ticket sales go up. The Yellowstone Cup Tournament will be on June 11-13. The teams that come from out of town have commented saying that our fields are the best and the tournament is the best organized. The teams come from all over Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. The Rexburg Rapids gives a discount for tournament participants for an exclusive night. Edstrom construction sponsors it. They have several sponsors. They give free t-shirts to the participants. Mrs. Barzee said she would like to keep updated on the lights for the fields. Council Member Busby said that the lights donated by BYU-I are not tall enough, but they are looking at some different options for the poles. Mrs. Barzee would like to be kept in the loop on all developments. She would also like earlier spring field availability. Parks Director, Greg McInnes said that they cannot practice on the fields while the grass is dormant. It will ruin the grass. Council Member Merrill said that if the grass is torn up while dormant it will not recover very fast. He said the fields are as nice as they are because Parks Director McInnes is so picky. He said that they will work with them as much as they can. 7 She said that early practice is not as intense as games so if there is any way they can get on them early it would be helpful. She would like to try getting on there early and having use of the goals at the same time. Greg said that they were allowed on them two weeks before games this year because the grass was coming out of dormancy. Council Member Merrill commented that a couple of years ago the City of St. George Recreation direct came up and he recommended soccer as one of the best things we can do. Council Member Busby asked about hotels giving discounts to tournament participants. Holly Allen said that we don’t even have rooms. Yellowstone bus tours and BYU-I conferences have taken all the rooms. People have to stay in Idaho Falls. 8 The 2015 “Yellowstone Cup” currently has 86 teams signed up for the June 12 – 13 tournament coming from Montana, Utah, and Idaho. Council Member Benfield thanked both of these organizations (Upper Valley Soccer Foundation 11-18 (UVSF) and the American Youth Soccer Organization 5-10 (AYSO) – Jennifer Barzzee, Brian George) because of the huge economic impact it has in the community. As a City, we care about economic development and new businesses. Supporting those businesses that are already here like the gas stations, restaurants, and the hotels is huge. It helps with sustainability. She again thanked them for the presentation. Council President Smith said we totally agree; anytime you can bring large numbers of people to town we really do like it. Council Member Wolfe said he may not sell any lights to the soccer moms; however, it is the trickledown effect; when the community thrives, we all benefit. Council Member Benfield said the trickledown effect goes 4 ½ to 7 times through the community as an economic multiplier even if you are seven businesses away from the event. Council President Smith said one day events are great; but when people stay in Rexburg for three days, they need to shop for supplies, so we really do appreciate the soccer events. Committee Liaison Assignments for 2015: A. Council Member Christopher Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · MYAB Council Member Mann reported that Emergency Services went over the budget. Last Saturday they had a retirement party for Chris Huskinson of the Fire Department. MYAB had their closing social today. It had to be moved inside due to rain. There has been a high attendance all year. They have done a lot of service this year. B. Council Member Jordan Busby: GIS Oversight · Airport Board · Traffic & Safety Council Member Busby reported the airport and GIS have not met. Traffic & Safety met last week. They made an action list that will be forwarded to the council. They are looking at where street lights are needed. Traffic and Safety Committee’s Recommendations: 1. Check visual clearance of Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB) on 2nd South a. Trees are making it hard to see lights 2. RRFB on 7th South flashes at random 3. Center Street and Main Crosswalk voice control is not working 4. Nature Park has a light cover that is broken on the South side. 5. Correct signage on University Blvd and S. Yellowstone intersection. 6. Traffic study on 2nd South and Center Street a. Review impact of new parking lot and Windsor Manor b. Possibility of 4 way stop 9 C. Council Member Donna Benfield: Police · Trails of Madison County · IBC · Teton Flood Museum Committee Council Member Benfield reported the Teton Flood Museum talked about signage so they are going to work on that and get better advertising. Trails Committee had a set back on the bike park. They have done a lot of clean up but they don’t know if they will be able to use it for a bike park. There is still a possibility. The problem is having access to the park. The Police Department has three events coming up. The Dare Graduation party on May 21 at Fat Cats, May 26 & 27 there will be a motivational presentation for emotional survival and on June 3 there will be a picnic for special needs kids. D. Council Member Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Rexburg Arts Council (Romance Theatre & Tabernacle Civic Center, Orchestra) · M.E.P.I. Council President Smith reported her committees have not met. On June 20th there will be a fly in and a free pancake breakfast at the airport. E. Council Member Jerry Merrill: School Board · Parks & Recreation · Urban Renewal Agency Council Member Merrill reported the school district would like to invite City Council and Mayor Woodland to high school graduation on May 29th. They just elected three members to the school board; Holly Allen, Janet Crawford and Ryan Laird. Regarding the baseball fields, the superintendent said they are in consultation and making progress. Events Manager, Tom Anderson said the entries are up for the Teton Dam Marathon. Tom is leaving so they have reviewed a lot of applicants for that job and have chosen someone from Provo, UT. Urban Renewal met Tuesday. They discussed the corner at 1st North and 2nd West. They have a proposal for a development there. Urban Renewal has paid the bill for the fire station. They are still working on the north interchange district. On June 4th there will be another meeting. F. Council Member Brad Wolfe: Planning & Zoning · Beautification Committee Council Member Wolfe reported Planning & Zoning will meet tomorrow. There is a second reading tonight regarding Bill 1115 to amend the Development Code. They are still dealing with parking issues. There have been several proposals about the parking. Suggestions will be brought to council at the next meeting. Council Member Benfield wanted to thank the soccer organizations. She appreciates what it does for our community. It is huge for economic development in our town. Council President Smith reviewed the work meeting discussion to make repairs to three areas in the Cresthaven Subdivision that the City Council reviewed with an on-site inspection during their neighborhood visit today at 5:00 P.M... Council Member Benfield moved to approve street repairs for the three locations in the Cresthaven Subdivision as discussed at an estimated cost from $25,000 to $40,000; Council Member Busby seconded the motion; Council President Smith asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Smith None Council Member Benfield Council Member Wolfe Council Member Busby Council Member Mann Council Member Merrill The motion carried Council President Smith thanked Finance Officer Matt Nielson for the work he does for the budget reviews. Public Hearings: Items for Consideration: - NONE 10 Staff Reports: A. Public Works: – John Millar reported that they have received bids on the airport reconstruction and shoulder grading. There were four bidders. They will present those bids at the next meeting. The 2nd North project will start when school gets out the first of June. The waste water project is at about 90% on the design. Council Member Wolfe asked if they will be addressing business entrances during construction. Mr. Millar said that is always a key item. Council Member Busby asked if Code Enforcement Officer, Natalie Powell could get on those who have weeds that are out of control. He also asked how long temporary parking permits are good for. Mr. Millar said six months. Mr. Busby said that it is an eye-sore to see those snow fences up. B. Finance Department: Matt Nielson Finance Officer Nielson will be meeting with the Department Heads on May 27th to work on cutting $230,000 out of the General Fund for 2016. The City Council’s 2016 Budget Work Meeting will be on June 17th, at 5:30 P.M. to discuss big projects, new positions, etc. He reviewed a budget adjustment. They had a net gain of $21,200 from the sale of some loaders that were traded for new loaders. BUDGET ADJUSTMENT REQUEST FORM Department: Streets Fiscal Year Affected: 2015 Expense Account to receive Increased Budget: Account #: 02431742 Amount: $430,000 Name: Loader(s) Account #: 0243198 Amount: $ 21,200 Name: Contingency Account where budget is coming from: Account #: 0237500 Amount: $451,200 Name: Sale of Assets Coming from: New Revenue: $451,200 Total Amount of Increase: $451,200 Reason for increase: Public Works is able to trade both their loaders in for new ones and is projecting to net a gain of $21,200 because the trade in is that much greater than the sale of the new loaders. Council Member Merrill moved to approve the 2015 Budget Adjustment for two new loaders; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Council President Smith asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Smith None Council Member Benfield Council Member Wolfe Council Member Busby Council Member Mann Council Member Merrill The motion carried Finance Officer Nielson discussed the estimated costs for lighting the new parking lot at Rexburg Rapids. The proposed improvements to the area behind the old Kmart are estimated to be about $550,000 after hydro seeding, leveling the dirt, and lighting is added. It is estimated that 30 lights would be needed for about $233,000. Option 2 would be to light the area along the canal at a cost of about $157,000. A third option would be to light two of the islands with 12 lights at a cost of about $95,000. The conduit does need to be installed now before the landscaping is done. Council Member Busby thinks that 12 lights would be sufficient for now. Finance Officer Nielson said that we could do the canal and one of the islands. There are two lines of three islands each. Council Member Mann thinks that 12 lights are enough. Council Member Merrill agreed. If the conduit is placed now, they could add more lights later. Council Member Wolfe would like to run the conduit now and then put one light in each island for a total of 6 lights. The new playground lights will be provided by the apartment. Council Member Busby agreed that starting with the minimum is good. Finance Officer Nielson said perhaps the safety lighting budget could help pay for lights for the walk way. Engineer Davidson said he didn’t know if the safety lighting would cover that. Council Member Merrill asked what the safety lighting is for. 11 Public Works Director Millar said that it was originally designated for specific projects. Council Member Wolfe asked if the money is in the budget for lighting. Finance Officer Nielson said it is there for this year. Council Member Wolfe moved to set aside $40,000 to do the conduit and minimal lights for the new Riverside Park Parking Lot next to the canal. Council Member Busby seconded the motion. Engineer Davidson will look at the total and options. He will put together a schematic. Council Member Merrill asked if they could install the conduit close to the edge for easier landscaping. Finance Officer Nielson wanted to clarify that they are still leaving budget for the baseball quad but they are just re-prioritizing right now. Council President Smith asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Smith None Council Member Benfield Council Member Wolfe Council Member Busby Council Member Mann Council Member Merrill 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: – NONE D. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: 1. BILL 1132 Amend the Development Code Ordinance 1115 by file (#15 00188) making amendments to the document concerning substantive and non-substantive items. Council Member Mann moved to consider Ordinance 1132 second read; Council Member Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Woodland asked for a vote: 12 Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Smith None Council Member Benfield Council Member Wolfe Council Member Busby Council Member Mann Council Member Merrill The motion carried 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 May 06, 2015 meeting B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Wolfe moved to approve the Consent Calendar and pay the bills; Council Member Merrill seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Benfield asked for a correction to the draft minutes as she indicated “Reflections” is getting a new façade for their Main Street business; however, they are not seeking any funding from the Facade Loan Program as indicated in the draft minutes; Council President Smith asked for a vote with the Facade Loan Program correction: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Smith None Council Member Benfield Council Member Wolfe Council Member Mann Council Member Merrill Council Member Busby The motion carried Adjourned at 8:29 P.M. APPROVED: _______________________________ Richard S. Woodland, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Mary Flanary, Deputy City Clerk