HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - July 18, 2018_unbound
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
Deborah Lovejoy – City Clerk
6:30 P.M. City Hall
Lisa Smith said the prayer
Council Member Busby 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.
Mayor Merrill said 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.
Bailey Ogden commented on the city’s recycling program. She said it’s her understanding that the city’s recycling containers are not offered to all of the apartment complexes in Rexburg.
This is a problem because recycling is good for the environment and there is a constant need to take care of the environment. She asked City Council if there is anything that can be
done to provide recycling bins to all of the apartment complexes in Rexburg to give BYU-Idaho students an opportunity to recycle. There are thousands of items currently not being recycled
by the students attending the university because the apartment complexes they live in do not have recycling bins.
Mayor Merrill thanked Ms. Ogden for her concerns regarding the city’s recycling program. He said the main factor is cost and the other factor is the companies that purchase the recycled
items aren’t purchasing them because with lower oil prices it’s cheaper to make new products than to recycle the used items. The recycling companies have also stopped taking some of
the recyclable items because they can’t sale them and they end up in the landfill anyway. The city is losing money every year from the budget for the recycling program. There are other
factors why recycling isn’t feasible at this time. He said we are all supportive of the recycling program; however, it has been a struggle to offer the recycling program to the apartment
complexes because of the additional costs.
Bailey Ogden said her understanding of why items go to the landfill instead of being recycled are because consumers are uninformed of what can and can’t be recycled. She believes if
people were more informed it would be beneficial to recycling program.
Council Member Mann indicated an issue with our community it that there are blue, green and black containers that could confuse city residents. They have found that five to seven percent
of the
items being put in the recycling containers are not recyclable items and need to be picked out of the containers. He asked Ms. Ogden for help educating the students living in the apartment
complexes with identifying which items are recyclable and which ones are not to keep from paying extra money to the recycling companies to pick out the non-recyclable items.
Ms. Ogden said she has spoken to several apartment complex owners and they mentioned they are not allowed to have recycling containers. Public Works Director Davidson said most apartment
complexes have three yard garbage containers in order to offer the apartment complexes a three yard recycling container, the city would need to purchase the containers. He said the
university students are still able to recycle. There are two recycling containers in the Albertson’s parking lot that the students can use. She said one of the issues the students have
with that is not all of them have a vehicle to take their recyclables to the Albertson’s parking lot. Brett Sampson said there are recycling bins on campus that the students can use.
She said she is aware of the recycling bins on campus; however, she is interested in expanding the recycling program to the apartment complexes to encourage more students to recycle.
Mayor Merrill reiterated the recycling program comes down to cost. If it is expanded to the apartment complexes the cost for recycling will cost more. There has been discussion whether
or not to continue the recycling program because of the high costs. Ms. Ogden asked if the apartment complexes are willing to pay for the recycling program can the city offer it to
them. Mayor Merrill said if the apartment complex owners are willing to pay for the program the city could look into offering the program to them. She indicated even if one out of
three apartment complexes had recycling containers it would be more convenient for the students to take their recyclable items there than over to the Albertson’s parking lot.
Chief Finance Officer Nielson explained the recycling programs cost the city about $190,000.00 a year with a savings in tipping fees of about $26,000.00. The cost doesn’t include the
cost of the recycling containers or the cost to administer the program internally. The program comes down to cost and how much the city residents are willing to pay. Mayor Merrill said
a survey could be issued to see if apartment complex owners and city residents are willing to pay for the recycling program. The city is currently in a difficult place in trying to
expand the recycling program because of the high cost for the program.
Ms. Ogden asked for an estimated cost for the apartment complex owners to participate in the recycling program. Finance Officer Nielson said he would need to do some research on what
the cost would be for the apartment complexes to participate. The recycling program was started as city budgeted program. If the program went to a voluntary program the recycling contractor
would have a hard time making it work because there is no guarantee of what their revenue stream is going to be; therefore, the city could possibly lose the recycling contractor.
Brett Sampson mentioned reducing and reusing is also part of the recycling process. He suggested the following challenge to Ms. Ogden to help educate the university students on how to
reduce and reuse.
Presentations: NONE
Committee Liaison Assignments for 2018:
Council Member Mann: Golf Board · Emergency Services Board · Development Workshop
Council Member Mann reported the Golf Board met to discuss their financial report. The golf course is a great economic factor in Rexburg and a price to have. Emergency Services Board
has not met; however, Fire Chief Child sent him an email regarding the deployment of fire personnel to fight fires which stated, “We currently have two wildland engines out and one
water tender comprised of four fulltime employees and three paid call employees. The water tender and one engine are at the fire on the Red Road toward Kilgore, Idaho. The Red Road
Fire should be a short duration fire and I am guessing those two resources will be re-assigned. The other engine is in Twin Falls on the Tri-State Fire. I am guessing they will have
a full two week deployment. The fire out west this past Sunday was caused by an exploding target. That fire is just shy of 1000 acres. It grew
to that size with relatively no wind; the grasses are so tall that the seemingly small fires are growing large very quickly. The Red Road Fire was lightning caused. The forecast is for
warmer and drier than normal conditions for the foreseeable future.”
Council Member Busby: · Airport Board · Traffic & Safety · GIS Oversight
Council Member Busby reported his committees have not met.
C. Council Member Walker: MYAB· Parks & Recreation · Trails of Madison County
Council Member Walker reported the Recreation Department is busy with their summer recreation programs. They are also working on the Youth Triathlon on August 11th at Wakeside Lake.
They have started working on their Winter Recreation Guide.
Discussion regarding the Trails Committees.
Council Member Mann expressed his appreciation for the support the City of Rexburg showed towards the SummerFest Event.
D. Council President Smith: Legacy Flight Museum · Beautification Committee · M.E.P.I.
Council President Smith reported her committees have not met.
E. Council Member Flora: School Board · Rexburg Arts Council/ Museum of Rexburg
Council Member Flora did not attend the meeting. Mayor Merrill said there is a young man meeting with Jackie Rawlins, Matt Nielson and himself regarding the proposed addition to the
Tabernacle.
F. Council Member Wolfe: Planning & Zoning · Urban Renewal Agency · Police
Council Member Wolfe reported his committees have not met. The Urban Renewal Agency will meet next Thursday. The Police Department has invited City Council to their department picnic
on August 21st at six o’clock; they will meet at the new Firearms Training Facility.
Staff Reports:
Finance – Matt Nielson
Review Monthly Financial Reports.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Dash Board Reports.
Finance Officer Nielson reported on the operating revenues in the property tax which shows the city is at 71%; however, the city will receive a million and half from the county once
that is received the city will be at 100% of budget.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the fees collected for public works in the water and sewer capacity and impact fees. In the first three quarters the report indicates this is the most
funds collected compared to the last six year. The Street Impact and Sewer indicate strong revenues.
Finance Officer Nielson reported on the Building Permit Fees. Fiscal year 2014 was the highest year in revenues received for building permits, he believes the city will exceed that this
year. Muti-family construction is the highest compaired to commercial and single family residential.
Finance Officer Nielson explained the inflation cost from the consumer price index and constuction cost indexes.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Major Construction Projects to Date Report. The city has deferred some of the major construction projects to next year such as: LID 48, the Riverside
Quad and the Sugar City Pressure line. There will be a couple million dollars spent in the next few months on the N 2nd E reconstruction and N 2nd E widening, path and lights. The Urban
Renewal Agency will help fund some of the N 2nd E widening.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Minor Construction Projects to Date Report. University Blvd. has some improvements.
Mayor Merrill asked about the budget remaining for the Water Tank Cleaning /Painting. Finance Officer Nielson replied the engineer fees have not been assessed to the project that is
the reason there is still remaining budget.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Quarterly Treasurers Report.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Summary Reports. The city has collected about 40% of budget revenues and has spent about 39% of the budget.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the changes made to the Cash and Investment Report. The yellow highlighted areas are the changes made to the report. He added the number of years for
each investment. The diversified bond fund is considered a five year investment; however, if the city needed the funds they would only need a thirty day notice to receive those funds.
The funds in the diversified bond fund are placed in the fund based on the city’s budget practice. The city would only withdraw these funds if there is an absolute need for the funds.
Public Works and Engineering: - Keith Davidson
Public Works Director Davidson reported on the water reservoir being constructed by the Burton Elementary school. They have run into an issue with high ground water and there may be
extra costs to correct the issue. To correct the issue with the high ground water they may need to raise the tank requiring extra fill or they may need to do dewatering process. He
met with Departco this week regarding the 5th West project and the sidewalk project to get their scheduling submitted. He has not met with HK Contractors because they are waiting to
receive their bonds back to begin the 2nd East project.
Mayor Merrill asked when the reconstruction of 5th West will begin. Public Works Director Davidson said the reconstruction of 5th West will begin the first week of August.
Mayor Merrill asked when the 2nd East project will begin. Public Works Director Davidson said the notice of award has been issued and they are waiting for bonds and scheduling. They
are also working with the property owners to obtain right of way for the sidewalk that will be installed.
Council Member Busby asked about the process of raising the water tank by the Burton Elementary School and the dewatering process. Public Works Director Davidson explained they would
use oversized river rock and pit run. The rock and pit run would be compacted until it doesn’t push into the earth anymore. The dewatering process would require putting pipes under
the structure to carry the excess water away.
Discussion regarding high ground water.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Merrill reported last Friday he met with seven Japanese business representatives. The Ready Team had brought them here from Japan. They toured BYU-Idaho. He is excited to get to
know them and to stay in contact. Some of the Japanese businesses are looking to expand or bring their business to the United States. Mayor Merrill also reported he attended an Economic
Development
Conference in Kansas City. He spoke with another mayor at the conference that said they had 12 businesses from Japan relocate to his city. He had a great opportunity to network with
other mayors that attended the conference.
Mayor Merrill reported he met with East Idaho Partnership - Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA). He was asked to be the legislative liaison for East Idaho Partnership which
covers all of the cities and counties in East Idaho. The cities and counties pool money to cover the cost to have an extra attorney that works with the United States Attorney’s Office.
They have taken 65 criminals that would normally go into Idaho’s prison system. The attorney has pushed them into the federal system saving the State of Idaho about seven million dollars.
One of the good things about pushing the criminals into the federal system is that they are transported to an out of state facility and the criminals lose contact with their crime ring.
The cities and counties contribute 30% of the cost for the extra attorney and the state pays the other 70%.
Mayor Merrill reported that he attended the Rural Development Association (RDA) meeting. The association received money from the INL about twenty years ago. He believes they received
about 20 million dollars. They were charged with that money to issues loans to businesses that weren’t able to get a loan from a bank. Over the years the RDA has loaned out money to
different businesses including business in Rexburg. The money has dwindled down over the years and the association will be deciding whether or not to continue or divide the remaining
money out to the cities and counties.
Mayor Merrill said he attended the City Employee Wellness Party at Rexburg Rapids last night. He expressed his appreciation for all of the city employees and the work they accomplish
for the city.
Public Hearings:
A. 6:45 P.M. – Resolution 2018-10 – Utility Rate Increases for Fiscal Year 2019
Mayor Merrill opened the public hearing.
Those in favor of the proposal: NONE
Those neutral to the proposal: NONE
Those against the proposal: NONE
Mayor Merrill closed the public hearing.
Council Member Busby moved to approve Resolution 2018-10 Utility Rate Increases for Fiscal Year 2019; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Items for Consideration:
Calendared Bills and Tabled Items:
“LAND USE ACTION” – Bills Recommended/Approved in a Land Use Public Hearing Procedure (Recommend Suspension of the Rules): NONE
Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE
Ordinance 1193 - Annexation at approximately 793 Barney Dairy Road (18-00207) –Proposed zoning is Open Space Zone, Medium Density Residential 1 (MDR1), Low Density Residential 3 (LDR3),
and Low Density Residential 1(LDR1)
Council Member Mann moved to consider Ordinance 1193 - Annexation at approximately 793 Barney Dairy Road with proposed zoning Open Space Zone, Medium Density Residential 1 (MDR1),
Low Density Residential 3 (LDR3), and Low Density Residential 1(LDR1) second read; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Ordinance 1194 – Budget Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2019
Council President Smith moved to consider Ordinance 1194 – Budget Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2019 second read; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for
a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: NONE
1. Ordinance 1189 (18-00209) - Rezone at approximately Culdesac Block from Low Density Residential Two to Low Density Residential Three and one parcel to Medium Density Residential
Two
Council Member Walker moved to third read and approve Ordinance 1189 the rezone at approximately Culdesac Block from Low Density Residential Two to Low Density Residential Three
and one parcel to Medium Density Residential Two; Council President Smith seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
2. Ordinance 1190 (18-00210) to Rezone at approximately University Blvd. and 258 S 2nd W rezoning the eight parcels in the General Business District Zone (GBD) to Community Business
Center (CBC)
Council Member Wolfe moved to third read and approve Ordinance 1190 the rezone at approximately University Blvd. and 258 S 2nd W rezoning the eight parcels in the General Business
District Zone (GBD) to Community Business Center (CBC); Council President Smith seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
3. Ordinance 1188 Development Code Ordinance Amendments (Ordinance No. 1115):
(Planning and Zoning Commission recommended changes to the Development Code as itemized in the Working Copy of the Development Code.)
Council Member Busby moved to third read and approve Ordinance 1188 Development Code Ordinance Amendments (Ordinance No. 1115); Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill
asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
4. Ordinance No. 1191 (18-00223) to Rezone SW Corner of Block 6 and 241 Steiner Avenue from Medium Density Residential 1 (MDR1) to High Density Residential 1 (HDR1). – Action Item
Council Member Mann moved to third read and approve Ordinance No. 1191 the rezone at the SW Corner of Block 6 and 241 Steiner Avenue from Medium Density Residential 1 (MDR1) to High
Density Residential 1 (HDR1); Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Tabled Items: Those items which have been the subject of an affirmative vote to a motion to table: 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.
Minutes from July 11th, 2018 meeting
Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council President Smith moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; Council Member Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Mann
Council Member Wolfe
Council Member Busby
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Adjournment 7:30 P.M.
APPROVED:
____________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________ _____
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk