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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - June 14, 2017.pdf 1 June 14, 2017 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 Keith Davidson – Public Works Director Val Christensen – Community Development Director Scott Johnson – Economic Development Director Blair Kay – City Clerk 7:00 A.M. City Hall Council President Smith led the pledge. Council Member Flora said the prayer. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council President Smith, Council Member Flora, Council Member Benfield, Council Member Busby, Council Member Wolfe and Mayor Merrill. Council Member Mann asked to be excused. 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. Mayor Merrill asked the new part-time TCS Department employee, Elliot Bull to introduce himself. Elliot said he is a student at BYU-Idaho, majoring in Computer Information Technology (CIT). He has been married for four years; his wife is expecting their first child a boy on July 10th. He serves with the United States Airforce reserves for Hill Airforce Base with the 419 medical squadron and works in their optometry clinic as a technician. Presentations: Bond Election – Madison School District Superintendent Dr. Geoffrey M. Thomas. Dr. Geoffrey M. Thomas presented on the upcoming school bond election. He mentioned that he; the boards of trustees along with, teachers, patrons, coaches, and principals have spent the last year and a half, discussing how to handle the growth of the school district. Their discussions were wrapped around how to best service the students, teachers and community. They had a number of different ideas that they discussed thoroughly and worked on for a long time. A demographic study was completed to show where the growth is taking place. They needed to know if the growth was across the board or only in certain grades. The study showed most of the growth is in the elementary schools and high school. Dr. Thomas went over the list of items the school bond will cover if passed at each school. They would need to add 10 new classrooms, two science labs, second competition gym, event stadium, multi- purpose track, multi-use indoor facility and greatly expand the parking lots. The event stadium would seat about 400 people and the competition gym would seat about 1000 people. Some 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 June 14, 2017 2 of the reasons why they would like to add a competition gym are to host both regional/state championships to generate revenue for both the school and community. The Madison Middle School is in need of a new HVAC system; it is not working properly causing security concerns, when teachers open the outer doors to let cool air in. A new gym addition would be added to Lincoln and the parking lot would be expanded to make it safer. Four new class rooms would be added to Burton and Kennedy. The cafeteria at Adams needs to be remodeled. Hibbard and South Fork need parking lot expansions. Dr. Thomas mentioned the costs are estimated at 27 million dollars. The bonding capacity is about 48 million dollars. They are not asking to bond to capacity like they did at the last bond election. This bond will not have a levy rate increase of the school portion of people’s taxes because of market growth and number of students moving in to the school district. The current levy tax rate is $4.50 per $1000.00 He compared the current figures with the 1990 figures. In 1990 it was $8.76 per $1000.00 they are at about 60% of where they were in 1990. The current bonds will be paid off in about 10 years. They will add this bond to the existing bonds. He has been asked if there is ever going to be an end to school bonds and levies; the answer is no as long as the school district keeps growing. The state has a bond equalization program; if the district passes a bond, the state will reimburse the district to help pay off the interest over time. The school district qualifies for a $5.51 million subsidy from the state. Dr. Thomas indicated the county is facilitating the bond election on August 29th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and early voting is from August 5th to August 25th. He plans to advertise the bond election through social media such as Facebook and their website. The School District Board Members will be voting on this resolution tomorrow at the board meeting. They are all in favor. The Bond Chairs are Chris and Barbara Mann. The Honorary Bond Chairs are Gary Archibald, Doug Hancey, Gail Harding and their spouses are all in favor of this bond. They would like the community to be informed of the bond, so they will have editorials in the newspaper and door to door campaigning with brochures. This bond will meet the growth needs in the short-term and it helps to the lay the foundation for the future. Council Member Flora mentioned she was grateful to see the indoor facility was added to the plans. Dr. Thomas said the indoor facility will be of great use for all sports. Council Member Benfield asked what types of sport tournaments will be held in the new facilities. Dr. Thomas replied they hope to attract state volleyball championships, wrestling tournaments, 3A basketball tournaments and hope to add 4A and 5A basketball tournaments. Council Member Busby said the track and field people in Boise are very excited about what is being proposed to be done at the high school because they see the potential of possibly holding the state track and field championships here. Dr. Thomas said currently they have held state golf and state cross country. They would really like to get into hosting state wrestling, state volleyball, state basketball and state soccer. The bond does not include the baseball/softball complex and soccer fields. The school is building four soccer fields and a baseball/softball complex with internal monies and volunteer help. Dr. Thomas handed out a rendering of the additions to the high school. Council President Smith asked when the construction will start; if the bond election passes. Dr. Thomas said there is a 40-day waiting period after the election and then the bonds will need to be sold with that in mind construction could start in early spring of 2019. They will start with construction of the classrooms first. Todd Smith asked how long the term of bond will be. Dr. Thomas replied the term is for 20 years and based on the student demographic study, they would not have to expand the high school for another five to seven years. 3 Council Member Flora asked if space will still be available to expand the high school after these new additions are made. Expansion room will still be available. 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 Read: Those items which are being introduced for first reading: - NONE D. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: 1. BILL 1160 Annexing Property in the Impact Area at approximately 950 Barney Dairy Road. BILL 1160 AN ORINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN LANDS TO THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO; DESCRIBING SAID LANDS AND DECLARING SAME A PART OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO; AND AMDENING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE SAME UNDER THE ZONING ORDIANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDIANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE. Council Member Wolfe moved to second read BILL 1160 Annexing Property in the Impact Area at approximately 950 Barney Dairy Road; Discussion: Council Member Busby asked when the property is annexed does the city take on the responsibility of adding fire hydrants and water lines. Public Works Director Davidson said the developer will be responsible for costs of adding water lines and fire flow capabilities anything above the general capacity the city would be responsible for. Council Member Busby asked about Barney Dairy Road being in the county. Public Works Director Davidson said from the curve section of the road to the west will be annexed to the city. 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 Wolfe Council Member Busby The motion carried 4 2. BILL 1165 Amend the Compensation and Benefits Package for Mayor and Council. 5 Council President Smith moved to second read BILL 1165 to Amend the Compensation and Benefits Package for Mayor and Council; Council Member Busby 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 Wolfe Council Member Busby The motion carried 3. BILL 1166 to Rezone approximately 154 South 3rd West from Medium Density One (MDR1) to High Density Residential Two (HDR2). BILL NO. 1166 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND PROVIDING THAT THE ZONED DESIGNATION OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED, SITUATED IN REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDHAO, BE CHANGED AS HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE. Council Member Flora moved to second read BILL 1166 to Rezone approximately 154 South 3rd West from Medium Density Residential 1 to High Density Residential Two (HDR2); Discussion: Council President Smith said a resident expressed her appreciation for not moving the splash pad with this zone change. Council Member Busby asked about adding a sunset clause to this rezone. City Attorney Zollinger said no a sunset clause should not be added. 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 Wolfe Council Member Busby The motion carried 6 E. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: 1. BILL 1164 Changing Misdemeanor violations to infractions in the City of Rexburg. Council Member Benfield moved to third read and approve BILL 1164 Changing Misdemeanor Violations to infractions in the City of Rexburg; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council President Smith None Council Member Flora Council Member Benfield Council Member Wolfe Council Member Busby The motion carried Mayor’s Business: Mayor Merrill reported the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce hosted a breakfast with Governor Otter. Governor Otter gave a shout to Rexburg for being proactive on economic 7 growth. The Governor Otter was happy with East Idaho Technical College has changed to a community college. Council President Smith remained City Council of the Fly-in and free breakfast at the Legacy Flight Museum on Saturday. There is still a need for volunteers to help cook. Council Member Wolfe said will not be able to attend the July 5th City Council meeting. 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 June 7th, 2017 meeting B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Busby moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; Council President Smith 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 Wolfe Council Member Busby The motion carried Council Member Busby moved to go into EXECUTIVE SESSION per Idaho Statute 74-206 (f) To communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated. The mere presence of legal counsel at an executive session does not satisfy this requirement; Council Member Flora 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 Wolfe Council Member Busby The motion carried Adjournment 9:00 APPROVED: ____________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk