HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - November 15, 2017.pdf
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November 15, 2017
Mayor Jerry Merrill
Council Members:
Christopher Mann Jordan Busby
Mikel Walker 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
5:00 p.m. “Work Meeting” City Hall
A. Creating an ongoing water supply for fish in the Teton River through Rexburg – Idaho Fish & Game
Dan Garren is the Regional Fisheries Manager with the Idaho Fish and Game. He expressed a desire to add
a fishery to the Teton River that flows through Rexburg. One early issue is the water supply in the Teton
River as it flows through Rexburg. He passed a handout showing the water flow in the river; during the
summer the water flow fluxuates to different levels based on the irrigation draw during the summer. He
thinks they can keep the fish alive for most of the summer irrigation season. He mentioned fishing and
other water activities that could be developed like floating in the summer months.
Mr. Garren asked for support to the river area with a pathway plus a supply of water.
Mayor Merrill indicated the city is interested in developing a pathway along the river to increase
recreational activities.
Mr. Garren said there could be a better water flow during the summer if irrigators, the city, and the Fish
and Game Department worked together to manage the water flow.
Public Works Director Davidson referred to the activities that Boise has on the Boise River that could be
developed in Rexburg.
Mayor Merrill mention exploratory trips to other areas like Boise to see if Rexburg could use as examples
for Rexburg.
Council President Smith said the city has received a High-Five grant that may be utilized for this fishery
proposal.
Public Works Director Davidson asked about funding opportunities for creating the fish habitat.
Mr. Garren said sterile rainbow trout would be the fish for the river. He said if the city is interested, the
proposal can move forward.
Council Member Wolfe said the city would look for the county as a third party in the proposal.
Mr. Garren passed out a handout showing the Rexburg Greenbelt.
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020 x2313
Fax: 208.359.3022
blairk@rexburg.org
www.rexburg.org
City Council Minutes
November 15, 2017
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B. 5:30 p.m. TRPTA discussion about a fixed route in Rexburg and the economic drivers to start a fixed
route – Amanda Ely
Amanda Ely from TRPTA requested curb to curb service and to have an additional service called a
route service which is funded through Medicaid. A fixed route would allow for a Medicaid match for
Medicaid funding. Seniors ride free and their ridership is increasing. The grant money for this year
will allow for a pilot project for two fixed routes. They run five curb to curb buses with the hope to
add two more buses on fixed routes. In 2019 they expect to have four fixed routes in Rexburg. It
will take about seven employees with connect to bus service in Driggs. They did a count of people
going to and from Rexburg in cars. More people were coming to Rexburg than going to Driggs.
Ms. Ely reviewed the budget to provide the bus services including ADA bus rides in the coming
years. TRPTA has two outreach managers now to manage ridership. They are governed under Idaho
Code. They will need some revenue increases to maintain the services in the coming years.
She asked for everyone’s input in case they are missing something. Some origination points (homes)
are in the plan too. The trips proposed in Rexburg may last up to 45 minutes with adjustments as
needed. They will run every 45 minutes to an hour during the day. It will be in the testing phase
before the times will be more reliable. There will be a shorter route on Saturday’s.
Council Member Mann asked how many providers for Medicaid are in the area. Ms. Ely said
about 12 providers except they don’t have wheel chair service like TRPTA. He asked what
responsibilities the city has to move people from one business to another.
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Council Member Walker asked about the cost of fares; Ms. Ely said it would probably be close to
what Idaho Falls students pay and that is $0.75 per ride. She indicated bigger buses were needed to
provide the fixed ride service.
Ms. Ely said they are looking for input from the city concerning this proposal. Council Member
Mann was concerned the 45 minute trip may be too long for students to take that much time to ride.
Council President Smith asked about the number of riders. Ms. Ely said last year they serviced
83,000 customers including Medicaid riders.
Ms. Ely said they will need to increase signage plus other items like coordination money to get the
word out to the public and other entities.
Council President Smith asked about the ridership not reaching the target levels to make the
proposal work. Outside people moving here are used to having public transportation services.
TRPTA plans to move from the 24 foot buses to 30 foot buses in the future.
Ms. Ely indicated that she would like to start the pilot program by February 1st 2018.
Mayor Merrill asked the TRPTA board what they need from the City. Ms. Ely replied, not much
for now; just some input.
Council Member Mann asked what kind of traffic studies they have done and at what times. Ms.
Ely said they haven’t done any but ITD has done some studies and she will get that data from them
and pass it on.
Director Davidson asked about doing the pilot program and how that works with ADA
requirements.
Another member of the TRPTA board indicated that when someone needs help getting to their bus
stop they will go out and check the sidewalks and accessibility to see if something can be done; if
not, they will pick the resident up at their door.
Discussion about signage
Council Member Wolfe asked if they need our commitment to start the pilot program. Ms. Ely
said she wouldn’t do it without City Council’s approval.
Council Member Wolfe is concerned about government taking over the private industry.
Council Member Mann is concerned with implementing this by Feb. 1st and then being stuck with
it or having to take it away.
Ms. Ely explained that they need to act right away so they don’t lose the grant.
Council Member Busby said he has only had one person in six years ask him about fixed bus
routes. Ms. Ely indicated that TRPTA does get a lot of calls. Council Member Mann has had
people mention to him that they wish there was more public transportation.
Discussion about getting apartments involved and BYU-I
Council President Smith said you have to have the government on board because private business
cannot make it work.
Discussion about Walmart bus.
Mayor Merrill would like to support a private company like Salt Lake Express.
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Ms. Ely said the next step for them would be to come up with a reduced version. She would like to
talk to the Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Merrill asked council what they think. Council President Smith said she would like to see
something work out.
Ms. Ely explained that they wouldn’t need any money up front.
Council Member Mann would like to hear from the Economic Development Department and the
Public Works Department.
Council President Smith commented that the traffic is getting worse all the time and it would be
nice to alleviate that.
Mayor Merrill said he appreciated the presentation. It is clearer to him now.
6:30 p.m. City Hall
Mayor Merrill said the prayer
Council Member Wolfe led the pledge
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Mann, Council Member Wolfe, Council Member Busby, Council
Member Walker, Council President Smith and Mayor Merrill.
Council Member Flora 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.
Steve Oakey of Rexburg commented on the TRPTA program. He is against it and read some
things he would like Council to consider.
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Presentations:
A. Playing Grid Kid Football on the Riverside Fields plus having new lights - The Upper
Valley Grid Kid Football Board
Doug Swanson of Idaho Falls came to thank the City of Rexburg. He runs the non-profit Grid
Kid football league that covers the whole area. This year they had 105 football teams with about
2,300 youth players. He is grateful for the new multi use field that Rexburg gave them access to this
year. The new fields will impact thousands of kids. He wanted to be sure and come before the City
of Rexburg City Council to tell them, “Thank you so much”.
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Committee Liaison Assignments for 2017:
Council Member Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · GIS Oversight · Development Workshop
Council Member Mann reported the Golf Board met and discussed the condition of the golf
course. There are some pumps that need replaced and some work done on the women’s restroom.
Contracts with Golf Course Manager, Duffy McFarland are proceeding smoothly. Emergency
Services has not met but everything is going well. The Development Workshop is in the middle of
their festival of trees in Idaho Falls so they did not meet.
Council Member Busby: Airport Board · Traffic & Safety · Trails of Madison County
Council Member Busby reported the airport board met. The FAA and GDA are still reviewing
the plans to move the airport. Traffic & Safety met and discussed all the street lights that are out.
Council Member Busby asked Director Davidson about the new lights in front of the middle school
that are not on yet. Director Davidson indicated that Rock Mountain Power is working on that.
Council Member Busby also asked about the street lights at 12th West and University that are out.
Director Davidson will check on that.
Council Member Busby acknowledged that Public Works Administrative Assistant, Dee Dee
Tucker has left the city and he appreciates everything she did while she was here.
Council President Smith asked who to contact when street lights are out. Director Davidson
explained that there are several different agreements so it depends on which light is out. People can
contact the City or Rocky Mountain Power.
Council Member Busby asked if the brine trucks are ready for snow. Director Davidson said they
are ready.
Council Member Walker: Police · MYAB· Parks & Recreation
Council Member Walker reported that he met with the Police Department and they are getting
ready for SWAC (Shop With A Cop). Mayor’s Youth met today and worked on the angel trees for
SWAC.
Mayor Merrill reminded everyone that December 9th will be the Shop With A Cop day when
people can line up on Main Street to see all the police cars drive with all their lights on as they take
children to McDonald’s and then to Walmart to shop for their families for Christmas.
Council Member Walker also reported that the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board is working on
Tobacco 21 which is trying to change the law to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco to 21 from
18. So they are busy raising awareness for that. They received a grant from the American Lung
Association for $750 to help raise awareness.
Council President Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Beautification Committee · M.E.P.I.
Council President Smith reported that the Legacy Flight Museum Committee met and is working
on the air show for June 16th, 2018. They are doing some work at the museum repainting the floor,
etc. The Beautification Committee and MEPI have not met. The Tree Festival will be Dec. 1st and
2nd.
Council Member Flora: School Board · Rexburg Arts Council/ Museum of Rexburg
Council Member Flora was excused.
Council Member Wolfe: Planning & Zoning · Urban Renewal Agency · IBC
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Council Member Wolfe reported that Planning & Zoning met last week and had two public
hearings. The Silverbrook property which will be on the agenda tonight and was recommended by
Planning & Zoning for approval along with a Conditional Use Permit for reduced parking. Planning
& Zoning has received the master plan for Thompson Farms. Urban Renewal has not met.
Staff Reports:
A. Finance: - Matt Nielson
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the following reports. He explained that they are in the
process of closing out the 2017 financial reports to get ready for the auditors who will be
coming the first week of December. Being just one month into the new fiscal year should
put each department at 8% of budget. Emergency Services is over that due to the late
deployments this Fall. There is still 3.7 million available in cash flow.
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B. Public Works and Engineering: - Keith Davidson
Director Davidson reported that they have been working on the screw presses at the treatment plant. 5th
West has been paved. 4th West will be paved when the weather is good. They are tying the club house at
the golf course into the city water.
Council Member Busby asked about the construction at the new Juniper Sands development. Director
Davidson said they may end up putting gravel down for the winter. They have had a hard time finding a
concrete contractor to finish the curb and gutter.
Council Member Busby is concerned about the round-a-bout that may be going in at that area. Director
Davidson reviewed how that round-a-bout will work and the size it will be.
Mayor Merrill mentioned that he appreciates Rocky Mountain Power working with the City on a power
pole by the Rexburg Stake Center that was going to be placed right in front of someone’s house but Rocky
Mountain Power was able to work out a different solution.
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Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Merrill reported he is happy to announce that Council Member Flora applied for a Kaboom
grant for $15,000 and got it. They would like to put some playground equipment in the Park Street
park. They also applied for a CHC grant for five to ten thousand.
Mayor Merrill shared that the City staff had a retreat in Driggs today where they talked about how
the City staff can better serve and be more help to the citizens. They laid out some strategies and
goals, one of which will be working toward better communication. They will be presenting to
Council later on.
Council Member Mann commented that he was “awe struck” at the new Center Street
development. He is very impressed with how it turned out. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving
there will be a Christmas tree lighting. He congratulated the Mayor on a great project.
Council Member Busby asked if we have had any feed back on City offices being closed on Friday
afternoons. Mayor said we haven’t. Once in while they will have someone come to the door after
we close and if he’s here he will open the door and see what they need but he is not aware of any
negative feed back.
Public Hearings: –
A. 6:45 p.m. (First Read BILL 1176) Annexation of 1334 N. Yellowstone Hwy (U-Wrench) in a
Community Business Center (CBC) zone into the City of Rexburg. (Recommend Suspension
of the Rules)
Mayor Merrill declared the Public Hearing Open.
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 Merrill closed the public hearing.
Deliberations:
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Council Member Mann moved to suspend the rules for Bill 1176 - Annexation of 1334 N.
Yellowstone Hwy (U-Wrench) in a Community Business Center (CBC) zone into the City of
Rexburg; Council Member Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Walker
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
Council Member Smith moved to approve and consider third read BILL 1176 - Annexation of
1334 N. Yellowstone Hwy (U-Wrench) in a Community Business Center (CBC) zone into the City
of Rexburg; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Walker
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
Items for Consideration:
A. BILL 1175 (#17 00537) Silver brook – Jonathon McMullin - to rezone the property at
approximately 104 S. 2nd E. from Medium Density One (MDR1) to High Density Residential
(HDR1).
Planner Rindlisbacher pointed out the parcels that are being recommended for a rezone. There
was recently a Comp Plan change on the entire half block but this is to rezone just the parcels
indicated.
Council Member Walker talked to a resident who lives just south of the proposed rezone who is
not happy with it. She indicated to Council Member Walker that the developer told Planning and
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Zoning that he had worked with the people south of the proposed development area when in fact
she had only talked to him once and it did not go well.
Council Member Wolfe indicated that the only opposition he heard was from some owners from
Utah who own rentals there and were afraid they were going to be pushed out but were assured that
they were not going to be pushed out.
Council Member Walker would just like to make sure the developer works with the home owners.
Council Member Wolfe moved to approve BILL 1175 (#17 00537) Silver Brook - to rezone the
property at approximately 104 South 2nd East from Medium Density One (MDR1) to High Density
Residential (HDR1); Council Member Mann seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Walker
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
B. (#17 00531) Silver brook – Jonathon McMullin - The applicant is also seeking Conditional Use Permits
(CUPs) for dormitory and reduced parking to 64% in the Pedestrian Emphasis District (PED).
Council Member Smith moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit for dormitory and reduced
parking at approximately 104 South 2nd East to 64% in the Pedestrian Emphasis District (PED);
Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Walker
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried
C.- Proposed Annexation of the “Cabin Village” on a parcel north of Rainbow Lake currently
zoned Community Business Center (CBC).
Planner Rindlisbacher presented the parcel as a heads-up for City Council as it will be scheduled
for public hearing with Planning & Zoning. The developer wants to begin a commercial
development and needs the annexation in order to extend city services.
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Council Member Wolfe asked how far away the services are. Right now, the services go to the
LDS Church on Poleline Rd. Director Davidson said it doesn’t look like service can be provided by
gravity so there would have to be a lift station put in.
Council Member Busby asked who would be responsible for putting the lift station in. Director
Davidson indicated that the City would look at the available funds for putting in a lift station that
would service the larger area and the developer would be responsible for contributing their
proportionate share. If the City does not have the funds available, the developer would have to put
in a smaller lift station that would service just their area.
Council Member Wolfe asked how much it would cost to put in a regional lift station. Director
Davidson said it would be around $150,000 to $200,000.
D. Record the Election Results canvased by the Madison County Commissioners on
November 14th, 2017 for the 2017 City Election and provide Certificates of Elections to the
newly elected Council elect members.
Council Member Busby moved to Record the Election Results canvased by the Madison
County Commissioners on November 14th, 2017 for the 2017 City Election and provide Certificates
of Elections to the newly elected Council elect members; Council President Smith Seconded the
motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council President Smith None
Council Member Walker
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
The motion carried