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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - July 18, 2018 1 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 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Phone: 208.359.3020 x2101 Fax: 208.359.3022 deborahl@rexburg.org www.rexburg.org City Council Minutes July 18, 2018 2 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 placing 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 reusing. Presentations: NONE Committee Liaison Assignments for 2018: A. 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 Childs sent him an email regarding the deployments of fire personnel to fight fires. “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 3 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 and 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.” B. 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 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: A. Finance – Matt Nielson 1. Review Monthly Financial Reports. Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Dash Board Reports. Finance Officer Nielson reported on the operating revenues in the property tax the city is at 71%; however, the city will receive a million and half dollars from the county once that is received the city will be at 100% of budget. 4 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 Buidling 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 sigle family residential. 5 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 widen path and lights. The Urban Renewal Agency will help fund some of the N 2nd E widening. 6 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. 7 8 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. 9 B. 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 the 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 E project. Mayor Merrill asked when the reconstruction of 5th West will begin. Public Works Director Davidson said the reconstruction of 5th W 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 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 10 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: A. “LAND USE ACTION” – Bills Recommended/Approved in a Land Use Public Hearing Procedure (Recommend Suspension of the Rules): NONE B. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE 1. 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) 11 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 2. 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 C. 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) 12 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 D. Tabled Items: Those items which have been the subject of an affirmative vote to a motion to table: NONE Mayor’s Business: 13 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 July 11th, 2018 meeting B. 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