HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - August 16, 2017.pdf
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August 16, 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
5:30 P.M. City Hall - City Council and Madison County Commissioners Joint Meeting
A. Review proposed golf trail .
Mayor Merrill welcomed the Madison County Commissioners Jon Weber, Kimber Ricks and
Todd Smith to the joint meeting.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Trail Fee Policy for Teton Lakes and Legacy Golf Course
with the City Council and Madison County Commissioners.
Council Member Busby asked how many people bring their privately owned golf carts. County
Commissioner Smith said there are about 3 to 4 people that bring their own car ts to ride at the golf
course.
County Commissioner Smith indicated there isn’t a written policy in place currently for privately
owned golf cart rentals.
Council Member Wolfe indicated due to the maint enance impact created by the golf carts to the
golf course , he believe the revenues should be g ranted to the owners of the golf course.
Council Member Wolfe moved to approve the Golf Trail Fee for Teton Lakes and Legacy Golf
Course as discussed; Council Member Smith seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
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
August 16, 2017
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Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
County Commissioner Smith moved to approve the Golf Trail Fee as discussed; County
Commissioner Ricks seconded the motion; County Commissioner Weber asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Commissioner Ricks None
Commissioner Weber
Commissioner Smith
The motion carried
B. Executive Session with Madison County Commissioners to discuss potential 2017-Golf
Course Management Agreement per Idaho Statute 74-206. (e) To consider preliminary
negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the governing body is in
competition with gove rning bodies in other states or nations; (j) To consider labor contract
matters authorized under section 67 -2345A.
1. Discuss potential 2017 - Golf Course Management Agreement.
Council Member Busby moved to go into Executive Session per Idaho Statute 74-206. (e) To
consider preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the governing
body is in competition with governing bodies in other states or nations; (j) To consider labor
contract matters authorized under section 67-2345A; Council Member Benfield 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 Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
County Commissioner Weber moved to go into Executive Session per Idaho Statute 74-206. (e)
To consider preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the
governing body is in competition with governing bodies in other states or nations; (j) To consider
labor contract matters authorized under section 67-2345A; County Commissioner Smith seconded
the motion; roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Commissioner Ricks None
Commissioner Weber
Commissioner Smith
The motion carried
City Council and County Commissioners came out of Executive Session at 6:18 p.m.
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6:00 P.M. 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.
1. Discuss a Right-of-Way issue.
Council President Smith 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; Council
Member Mann 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 Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
City Council came out of Executive Session at 7:03 p.m.
7:07 P.M. City Hall
Ryan Cobar said the prayer
Merve Brown 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.
Jill Anderson said she is representing Florence’s Chocolate on 25 S. Center Street. She is excited
about the working being done on Center Street; however, they are having trouble with the very
limited number of parking stalls in front of their business. They don’t have sufficient parking for
their employees and customers. They have been monitoring their parking lot due to the shortage in
parking stalls. There have been times when they don’t have customers in their store and their
parking lot is full. The vehicles stay parked in the parking lot all day and into the evening. They have
been taking pictures and putting notices on the vehicles. The notices state that they will be towed at
their expense for parking in a private parking lot. This has been an ongoing problem even before the
construction project on Center Street began.
Ms. Anderson mentioned four garbage dumpsters were placed in the front parking lot of their
business. The dumpsters are creating a problem for the delivery trucks dropping off supplies. The
truck drivers are having a hard time getting in and backing out of the parking lot. She said there are
also more vehicles parked on Carlson Avenue on both side of the street that too causes problems
for the delivery trucks. She would like the dumpsters moved from in front of their business to a
different location.
Mayor Merrill asked where her employees park their vehicles currently. She replied they park in the
parking stalls the business owns or walk to work.
Council President Smith said Reflection Hair Salon purchased additional parking permits. She
asked if that is a possibility for Florence’s Chocolate.
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Council Member Mann asked who is parking in their parking lot. Ms. Anderson said the people
parking in their parking lot are employees from neighboring business. She said her employees have a
parking permit that identifies them as Florence’s Chocolate employees, so they don’t get a ticket.
Presentations:
A. Introduce Maegan Scholes as the Aquatics/Recreation Programs Manager
Maegan Scholes did not attend the meeting.
B. Regional Economic Development Eastern Idaho - CEO Jan Rogers and Molly Swallow
1. Update on activities and successes
2. Update on companies REDI is working to support for the community.
Jan Rogers the CEO for REDI presented the updates on the work, activities and successes REDI
has accomplished so far. She has been heading the organization since September 15th , 2015. Josh
Wise is REDI’s Talent Attraction and Business Development Manager and Molly Swallow is the
Manager of Investor Relations and Advocacy. There were four areas the city requested the REDI
team to work on. One of those areas was marketing; they received a lot of public relations from the
Millennial City USA designation. It took off and became a talking point in all of their marketing
groups. The focus group study completed the millennial research.
Jan Rogers mentioned the regional and national events the REDI team attended to promote
Rexburg for economic development. The city requested to have representation at the Site Selectors
Guild and SelectUSA events. Eastern Idaho was the talk of the event because of a Japanese
company that opened an office in Idaho Falls. There will be several reporters from Japan coming to
Idaho to cover the opening of the new office in Idaho Falls. This will bring great exposure to Idaho
on an international level. Tourism comes in fourth as an economic driver for the Eastern Idaho
region, so REDI isn’t focusing on tourism activities. She mentioned REDI developed an Ad
Campaign for Rexburg and Sugar City. The ad was viewed on the overhead screen.
Jan Rogers reviewed the organization benefits REDI offers to its sponsors. They are in the process
of hiring a Director of Science Technology and Research Manager. This person would be focused
on the science, technology and research. This is one of the core business sectors when you look at
federal programs that support these types of businesses. She mentioned the bylaws were amended to
accommodate other counties. The changes to the bylaws will provide representation for smaller
cities and counties on the Advisory Board and Executive Board.
Council President Smith said it is difficult to get the Site Selectors to show interest in Idaho
because they look at national statistics. Idaho ranks 48% in spending per student. She asked how
the Site Selectors responded to REDI when they mentioned Idaho as a possible site for new
business. Ms. Rogers replied the Site Selectors showed interest in Idaho because of the diversity in
its economic drivers. Council President Smith asked if Idaho Power has shown interest in providing
service to Rexburg. Ms. Rogers said the Board of Directors of Idaho Power has invited her to sit on
a panel to speak to their board of directors along with Mike Mullis who is a lead site consultant.
Council Member Benfield said she is disappointed that tourism comes in as the fourth leg. Ms.
Rogers replied tourism is an important leg for Idaho. There are a lot of organizations focused on
tourism. On October 15th REDI will have a much more robust web-site; it will be the only web-site
in the region that will cover all of the recreational activities from Utah to Montana. There is no one
place online to get the whole picture of what there is to offer as far as recreational activities. This is
very important for talent to help them understand what Idaho has to offer.
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C. BYU-Idaho Report: Brett Sampson
1. Review of recent events on campus and subsequent numbers of students and other guests in
town
2. Fall semester dates of interest
3. Facilities projects during the summer
Brett Sampson reported BYU-Idaho University is on its Summer Session Enrollment. There are
about 409 students on campus this number is up from last year’s by about 11.4%. The total
enrollment number is about 3,013 with more students taking online classes, while living in Rexburg.
Mr. Sampson mentioned BYU-Idaho’s Education Week as held on July 27-29; about 2,468
students attended the event this number is also up from last year by 19.6%. The Especially for
Youth Event was held July 24-August 11 with about 400 youth attending each week.
Mr. Sampson said the campus will host about 6,000 people coming to Rexburg to view the eclipse
on August 21st. Porta Potties will be positioned around campus over the weekend of the eclipse;
however they will remain locked until Monday, August 21st. To help alleviate the extreme traffic
congestion expected in the community on that day, we have encouraged our students and employees
to: work from home, if possible or take a vacation day. If they have to come to work or school and
if possible walk or ride a bike to campus. The professors that have classes scheduled on Monday,
August 21st are encouraged to arrange for online options. Professors holding classes during the time
of the eclipse have the option of allowing the students to step outside to witness the eclipse.
Mr. Sampson reported the university will also be offering campus tours to all of the visitors here
for the eclipse. The visitors may schedule a tour by calling or emailing the university. The
Planetarium will have a few eclipse-related shows scheduled on Friday and Saturday, August 18-19.
The seating will be limited or may already be sold out. The Crossroads will be offering breakfast and
lunch buffets, as well as boxed lunches. Tickets for the buffets and box lunches may be purchased
through the university’s ticket office. Mr. Sampson indicated the university is expecting 483 groups-
from family reunions to professional and astronomical societies.
Council Member Busby asked if there will overnight camping on campus. Mr. Sampson said RV
camping is allowed; however, not tent camping. The bus transporting the groups will be parked on
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Center Street. They will start welcoming the groups at 6:00 a.m. There are also several buildings on
campus that are under construction these buildings will remain locked.
Mr. Sampson said the move in date for the BYU-Idaho students returning for the fall semester is
September 8th and classes will begin on Monday, September 11th. The unofficial estimated
enrollment for the fall semester is around 19,000 students. He said the inauguration for new BYU-
Idaho President Henry J. Eyring will be on Tuesday, September 19th at 2:00 p.m. Mayor Merrill
asked about the number of students for last year. Mr. Sampson replied there were about 18,000
students enrolled last year.
Council Member Busby asked if a tour of the city could be planned for the dignitaries attending
the inauguration of the new BYU-Idaho President. Mayor Merrill said he liked the idea of inviting
the dignitaries on a tour of Rexburg.
Mr. Sampson mentioned Legacy Hall, in the Manwaring Center, on campus is set up like a museum
showcasing the history and artifacts of BYU- Idaho. There is also information regarding its guiding
principles. A mini-book of the items shown at Legacy Hall and different quotes were printed to give
out as gifts to guest speakers. Mr. Sampson handed out a book to all of the City Council members.
Council Member Mann commended BYU-Idaho’s representatives for their willingness to help the
community with preparation for the eclipse.
Committee Liaison Assignments for 2017:
A. Council Member Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · GIS Oversight ·
Development Workshop
Council Member Mann reported Emergency Services Board has busy with fighting Idaho fires;
however, all of the Rexburg fire fighters were called back to help with the eclipse event. He
commended the Emergency Services; they have really led the way in preparing for the eclipse. They
have worked with many different entities such as: the Bureau of Land Management, Life Flight and
other Emergency Services entities in coordinating efforts for the eclipse event. He commended the
Development Workshop for all they do to help acquire employment for their clients. He thanked
the business hiring the Development Workshop’s clients. The Golf Board met to discuss some of
the issues going on at the golf courses. The golf courses have been very busy and the greens look
really good.
B. Council Member Busby: · Airport Board · Traffic & Safety · Trails of Madison County
Council Member Busby reported the Airport Board met; however, we were unable to attend the
meeting. Public Works Director Davidson said he attended the Airport Board meeting.
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GDA Engineers attended the meeting to review the airport mater plan they conducted for the
airport. FFA is reviewing a grant that the city applied for an environmental assessment at the
proposed airport site.
Council Member Wolfe commended GDA Engineers for their professionalism; they have been
very good to work with.
C. Council Member Benfield: Police · MYAB· Parks & Recreation
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Council Member Benfield said the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board attended the Celebrate Youth Event at
Porter. They also held a three day registration booth at the Madison High School, Madison Jr. High and at
the Celebrate Youth event to recruit new members for the coming school year. Their first meeting will be
held on September 1st. Council Member Busby commended the MYAB for their professionalism in
manning the registration booth.
Council Member Benfield reported the Police Department has been busy with preparations for the
eclipse. She attended a meeting the Police Department held to review their preparations, she was very
impressed with how they divided the city into quadrants to better handle police coverage in the city during
the eclipse. Mayor Merrill showed a procedural manual the Police Department made for the eclipse event.
They have gone through a lot of work to be ready. She commended every city department that has helped
with preparations for the eclipse. She said number of people coming to Rexburg to view the eclipse is
unknown; however it is always better to be prepared than to not be prepared.
Council Member Benfield mentioned the Police Department has also been busy with the D.A.R.E
fundraisers. The fundraisers included a car wash and golf tournament, both of which were very successful.
They also applied for several grants and have been successful in acquiring the grants totaling about
$53,000.00. One of the grant was to help pay for the police officers working overtime during the eclipse.
Council Member Benfield reported the Recreation Department is busy with the fall and winter recreation
programs. Rexburg Rapids will be closing on August 26th. She said she is excited for the different things
going on at Riverside Park for the eclipse event. They will be adding new recreation programs for the fall
recreation registrations. The programs include pickle ball, coed soccer, coed volleyball, and a men’s
basketball league. Mayor Merrill mentioned the pickle ball courts are located at Nature Park.
D. Council Member Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Beautification Committee · M.E.P.I.
Council President Smith reported the Legacy Flight Museum met last week. They had really good
attendance during the summer and will be changing their hours starting September 5th. A new flag
pole was installed as part of an Eagle Scout project. There is some maintenance items at the museum
that they would like to take care of this winter. The museum volunteers have attended serval airshow
this summer. There have been discussions with several pilots interested in flying into the airport for
the eclipse. M.E.P.I has not met, they will meet next month. The Beautification Committee has done
a great job this summer. They had several successful events in beautifying the city by asking
residents to plant flowers and coordinated yard waste pick-ups. She commended Compliance
Officer Powell for all her hard work in asking people to comply with keeping their empty property
lots clear of weeds. Council Member Busby also commended Compliance Officer Powell; he said a
resident she called about the weeds on his property said she was very polite, nice and easy to work
with.
E. Council Member Flora: School Board · Rexburg Arts Council/ Museum of Rexburg
Council Member Flora reported the School Board met. They have several new employees for the
new school year. They have busy working on their bond election on August 29th; it’s a 27 million
dollar bond, the funds from the bond will be used to improve every school in the district. The
Rexburg Arts Council met too, they are working on The Messiah production for this December.
They have applied for a grant to help fund the production of The Messiah. There is restoration
painting going on at the Romance Theater and are close to finishing the painting of the celling. The
Museum of Rexburg has acquired new technology that they have been using to record several stories
about the Teton Dam Flood on iPad for patrons to listen to when they visit the museum.
Council Member Flora reported on the National Storytelling and Art Show event that is taking
place the weekend of the eclipse. The five nationally known storytellers are very entertaining, she
encouraged everyone to attend. She thanked BYU-Idaho representatives for providing parking for
the storytelling event. They also provide a location and parking for worship services. She invited all
religious denomination in the area to provide worship services at those locations. She mentioned she
has applied for several grants for the city parks. Mayor Merrill said the city is also waiting to hear
from a grant the city applied for a dog park.
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F. Council Member Wolfe: Planning & Zoning · Urban Renewal Agency · IBC
Council Member Wolfe reported Planning and Zoning did not meet. Urban Renewal will meet tomorrow.
Staff Reports:
A. Finance: Financial Reports - Matt Nielson
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Treasurer’s Expenditure Report. The Fire Operations is about one
million dollars in the negative because the city hasn’t added their share, once the city’s adds its share the
account will be brought current. The Sewer Fund has about 3.4 million dollars in the reserve that includes
the operating and capital reserves. The Water Fund has about 2.8 million dollars in reserves. The city has
spent about 35% of the budget. There is about 24 million dollars in cash and investments. The quarterly
reports aren’t published in the newspaper; however, they are posted on the city web-site.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Summary Report for the operating expenditures. He
reported on the expenditures that are not close to the 83% of budget spent. The Mayor and Council
expenditures are at 58% because funds were added to cover expenses for the eclipse event. The Recreation
Administration and Programs expenditure is at 56% due to being down a full time position for most of the
year. The Police Department is doing alright at 80%. Wastewater Treatment is really high at 96% due to the
delays in the construction of the new wastewater treatment pasteurization process. The pump repairs have
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been high this fiscal year at 22% over budget and the power costs are higher too because of the
construction. He said the hire of additional personnel is another reason for the high percentage. Over all the
city’s operating expenditures are at 79% of budget spent. The Capital is at 28% spent and the total
expenditures for all funds are at 35%.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Operating Revenues Summary Report. The city has brought in 75%
of it’s revenues for the fiscal year. In the operating revenues the city is at 1.6 million dollars in the black and
2.8 millon in the red for the capital side in total about 1.1 million dollars in the red.
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Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Cash and Investment balance Report. The city is investing about 24
million dollar and out these funds the city 7.3 millon dollars that can be used as cash flow.
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B. Public Works and Engineering: - Keith Davidson
Public Works Director Davidson reported on the proposed annexation of the U Wrench Property. U
Wrench is requesting to tie into city water and sewer. The city’s policy has been if a parcel is requesting city
services and if the property is contiguous to city limits that parcel would need to be annexed into the city.
Council Member Busby asked if a water line and sewer line run past the property. Public Works Director
Davidson said during one of the water projects a 14 inch water line was installed running from the new Wal-
Mart down to Moody and cross Highway 33. The water line is directly in front of this property and the
sewer line is across the road for the property. The property owner would need to pay for front footage and
connection fees.
Council President Smith asked there are neighboring properties that have showed an intrested in being
annexed into the city. Public Works Director Davidson said Valley Wide did not want to be annexed.
Public Works Director Davidson reported the plan is to make 5th West operable for the eclipse event.
They are also planning on paving the east side of Ricks Avenue. Council Member Benfield said she has been
through the drive-thru at the Fredy’s Resturant. She said the drive-thru is very difficult to use. She
questioned if the city was involved in the designing of the drive-thru. Public Works Director Davidson said
Fredy’s designed their drive-tru.
Council Member Busby asked about he curbing on the Center Street Project. He questioned the course
appearance of the curb. Public Works Director Davidson said it could be a broom finish, he will look into
the design of the curb.
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Council Member Benfield asked if the city street crew is still filling pot holes before the eclipse weekend.
Public Works Director Davidson said the street crew is busy with other perperation for the eclipse. They
will start to fill pot holes again after the eclipse. She said there are several pot holes on 7th South.
Discussion regarding regarding the process used to fill the pot holes.
Council President Smith asked about the project going on at Shoshone Avenue. Public Works Director
Davidson explained they are installing water valves to level out the water presure.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Merrill commended city staff for all that they have been doing to prepare for the eclipse event. He
said he is proposing the largest family night on August 21st at 4:00 p.m. to help clean up the city after the
eclipse event.
Public Hearings: – NONE
Items for Consideration:
A. Discuss Ordinance 911 for possible amendments to the booting and towing policy with a reference to
State Statutes 49-229 Injuring Vehicle, 49-208, 49-222, 49-1806, 49-1807 and 49-1807A.
Trent Vandersloot presented on the possible amendments to the booting and towing policy. He reviewed a
proposed ordinance with a combination of City Ordinance 911; City tabled Ordinance 1014 and Boise’s
Chapter 5.
Council Member Busby questioned section two of the proposed changes to the city ordinance.
(“Enforcement Authority” shall mean either the Rexburg City Clerk’s office or Rexburg City Parking Services. The
Enforcement Authority shall have the authority to enforce all provisions of this ordinance including the issuance of
Uniform Criminal citations for violations of any provision of this ordinance. The Enforcement Authority shall also
have the ability to enforce this ordinance by suspension or revocation as allowed by the Rexburg City Code.)
City Attorney Zollinger explained this section was part of Boise’s chapter 5. Boise created a specific
parking services department that manages Boise’s downtown parking. As Rexburg grows and more parking
structures are built the city may need to create a similar department. Council Member Busby said he is not in
favor of the city having to create a new position to fix the booting problem. The burden should fall upon
the apartment complex owners. The apartment owners should have parking enforcement personnel that
issues a citation to anyone parked in their parking lot illegally.
Council Member Mann questioned the “parking facilities owners” in section #9 of the proposed
ordinance.
(It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to boot or tow away any motor vehicle on any authority other
than by authorized in writing by the Parking Facilities owners or by the direct request of the owner, authorized agent
of the owner, or a Rexburg City Police officer present at the location from which the motor vehicle is to be removed.
The towing of any vehicle shall be reported to the Rexburg City Police or the Madison County Dispatcher within one
half hour thereof, using the current published non-emergency telephone number of the police department or dispatch.
The report shall include :)
He asked Mr. Vandersloot for an explanation of why the “authorized in writing by the Parking Facilities
owners” was added to the proposed ordinance. He wondered if it would disallow the apartment complex
owners to turn their parking enforcement to a third party, such as a booting company.
Mr. Vandersloot replied the ordinance would allow the apartment complex owners to turn over their
parking enforcement to a third party company. Council Member Mann said he disagrees with the section of
the proposed ordinance that allows a third party company to enforce the parking requirements at the
apartment complexes. He believes the owner of apartment complex or a representative of the apartment
complex should be the one to enforce the parking.
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Council Member Busby said he is favor of the parts of the ordinance that allows leniency for the person
being booted. Council Member Busby asked how the booting companies have responded to the section of
the proposed ordinance that adds additional cost to their booting business.
Ryan Cobar the owner of RC Booting replied he is in favor of purchasing body cameras for his personnel
and any additional licensing in order to allow booting. Mr. Vandersloot explained the body cameras would
help in the process of clarifying who was at fault the booting company or the person parked illegally.
City Attorney Zollinger said he is reviewing the proposed ordinance and has several questions to address.
He asked City Council to keep in mind state statute 49-229 has not been amended. He explained the
process of litigation. He is in favor of adding wording that if law enforcement was called out to a booting
dispute. The police office could determine if the booting company needs to remove the boot or if the
person who received the boot needs to pay. He said by creating a process where the police officer can be a
mediator between the two parties. Council President Smith said until state statute 49-229 is amended by the
state legislators it would not be wise for the city to continue to boot.
Disscussion regarding towing verses booting.
Mr. Vandersloot said one of the obstacles he see with the police officer being a mediator between the
booter and the person receiving the boot. All the person has to do is contact the police department and the
boot will be removed leaving the booter without payment.
Mayor Merrill mentioned the city has Ordinance 911 would that allow booting. City Attorney Zollinger
said the city can write a code to be more restrictive not less restrictive. When it comes to the criminal code
it’s always less restrictive if the city tries to say it shall not be a crime to do something when the state is
calling it a crime.
Discussion:
Ryan Cobar said he is concerned about the booting companies not having any portection of receiving
payment from the people being booted. Council Member Wolfe asked if it would be against BYU-Idaho’s
honor code if a student doesn’t show up to a court order subpoena to pay a fine for being parked illegally.
Mr. Sampson said if a student has illegal issues they will be looked into at that time.
Mayor Merrill asked if a resolution could be made before the students come back to the university for the
fall semester. City Attorney Zollinger he and Deputy Prosecutor Rob Wood will have their comments
available within a weeks’ time.
B. General Discussion of possible future annexations – City Planner Craig Rindlesbacher
City Planner Rindlesbacher explained since his new role as the city planer there have been three approved
annexations. He said each time, city staff questions if they should be annexing more than just that one
parcel. The Comprehensive Plan outlines objectives for annexation and future development growth to occur
in planned and orderly manner. The objectives promote an efficient use of the land, infrastructure and
public tax dollars.
City Planner Rindlesbacher the policy in the Comprehensive Plan identifies the way the city can achieve
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its objectives. The cost can be minimized by encouraging new development to develop near similar
developments. He said the city should discourage leap frogging and isolated development. The city should
encourage the development of vacant properties and underutilized land.
City Planner Rindlesbacher indicated there are areas in the city that is county property surrounded by city
limits. These islands are seen along 5th West and on University Boulevard. The recent annexation of the
Ringle property created an island because the surrounding properties remain in the county. He reviewed a
map of the U Wrench property on the overhead screen. He asked for direction from City Council on how
to deal with annexations where it’s just the one developer or land owner requesting their parcel to be
annexed. He questioned if it makes since to City Council to annex larger blocks of property and how would
city staff accomplish the annexation of the larger blocks. How would city staff approach the property
owners who aren’t seeking the annexation?
Council Member Busby answered the property owners need to be aware of the benefits of being annexed
into the city and the benefits of staying in the county, so that they can make an informed decision. Council
Member Wolfe said he believes annexing larger section of property makes more sense for how that
particular area will develop in the future.
Council Member Flora asked if the city has a process in place for annexing property and if so does the city
ask the surrounding neighbors of the property requesting the annexation if they too want to be annexed.
City Planner Rindlesbacher replied he is unsure if there is a process in place; however, the practice has been
for the city to notify the surrounding properties about the annexation and if they are interested in being
annexed at the same time to avoid the costs of separate public hearings.
Council Member Mann explained in a historical perspective several years ago when development was
taking place near the university, the city was aggressive about annexation. There was a big push back from
the property owners near the Valley Wide Coop., so the city decided it wouldn’t pursue an annexation until
the property owners make the request to be annexed. He said he agrees with Council Member Wolfe it
makes sense to annex large sections of property. He favors the city having a large impact zone and the city
should not aggressive with annexation; however, when a property is requesting to be annexed the
neighboring property owners should be asked if they would like to be annexed at the same time. Whenever
an area is annexed the city should enlarge its impact area to be able to somewhat control the growth that will
occur. He said it has been mentioned that what is at the edge of the city will someday be the middle of your
city.
Council President Smith indicated one thing the city will needs to be conscious of is having sufficient
services for that property requesting to be annexed.
Council Member Benfield said as far back as she can remember the city has tried not to create an
“island”, where a parcel is in the city; however, the properties surrounding it are in the county. There are
already some islands in the city, the city shouldn’t create more. She too is in favor of annexing a large block
section instead of just one parcel of property.
City Planner Rindlesbacher said most property owner’s response to the request of being annexed into the
city is that they don’t want to be because they will pay more in taxes. Council President Smith said the city
should inform the property owners about the benefits of being annexed into the city.
City Planner Rindlesbacher said staff will continue with the annexation process of the U Wrench
property.
Discussion:
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. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE
D. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read:
1. Delay 3rd Reading for corrected legal: BILL 1160 – Annexation and zone change from
Rural Residential One (RR1) and Transitional Agriculture One (TAG1) to Low Density Residential
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Two (LDR2) for property in the Impact Area for the City of Rexburg. This property is located at
approximately 950 Barney Dairy Road, Madison County, Idaho
2. BILL 1170 Amendment to the 2017 fiscal year budget by appropriating additional
monies received by the City of Rexburg
Council Member Busby moved to third read and approve BILL 1170 Amendment to the 2017
fiscal year budget by appropriating additional monies received by the City of Rexburg; 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 Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
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 August 02, 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 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 Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Benfield
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
Adjournment 9:27
APPROVED:
____________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
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Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk