HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - October 03, 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
Neil Ricks said the prayer.
Council Member Flora led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Mann, Council Member Busby, Council Member Wolfe and Mayor Merrill.
Council President Smith and Council Member Walker 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.
City of Rexburg New Hires - Introductions: Mayor Merrill asked the new City Employees to introduce themselves.
Brian Raty – Streets Level I Operator
Mr. Raty introduced himself. He said he has lived in Rexburg since 1998. He is married and has four children. He enjoys the outdoors and is a freelance artist.
Jon Brown – Wastewater Treatment Level II Operator
Mr. Brown introduced himself. He has been in the wastewater industry for the last 15 years. He ran the Island Park Wastewater Department for Fremont County for a number of years. He
decided to move and built a house in Marysville, Idaho. Mr. Brown said the Rexburg Wastewater employees are great and he believes they all work together well.
Professional Life: Jon has spent his life acquiring experiences that enable him to perfect many talents. Early in life he was taught plumbing, welding, auto painting and mechanics.
After graduating from Bountiful High School in 1983 he worked as a mechanic for a small freight company. He was offered a job as the shop foreman in charge of maintenance and supervision
of other mechanics.
After years of working for someone else he decided to open his own business. Jon opened a fabrication shop that included all customers mechanical and auto restoration needs. He branched
out into servicing heavy equipment in the field and in house. Clients expressed a need for someone who could weld and manufacture any item needed and Jon was able to accommodate them.
Jon decided to move his family to Island Park, Idaho and entered the Waste Water industry where he found a passion for the industry. Jon has received awards and acknowledgements for
his contributions in the field.
Personal Life: Jon grew up in Green River, Wyoming but found a love for Idaho when spending his summers at Grandma’s cabin in Island Park. He Married his high school sweetheart in 1992
and started a family. He was blessed with a son (Joshua) and a daughter (Hannah) and now a granddaughter (Gracianne). Jon loves to hunt, fly-fish, spending time with his horse, guide
fishing trips, working on his yard and just spending time with his family.
Jacob Kuta – Water Operator in Training,
Mr. Kuta said he has been working for the Rexburg Water Department for seven days. He is originally from Minnesota, as a child his family moved to New Zealand where he did most of his
schooling. After, living in New Zealand he moved to Mesquite, Nevada and from there he went back and forth to Alaska where he drove tour buses for six years. He met his wife in Alaska
and she is from Blackfoot, Idaho and was going to school at BYU- Idaho University. He enjoys living in Idaho. He said it is laid back and the people are nice. He also enjoys the outdoors,
hunting and fishing or when you don't catch anything the nature walks. Mayor Merrill asked Mr. Kuta to introduce his wife Annie who attended Snake River High School and is a niece to
a good high school friend of Mayor Merrill’s.
Shauna Eaton – Admin Assistant/Permit Tech
Mrs. Eaton introduced herself. She said she was raised in Rexburg, Idaho. She is the daughter of Florence and Var Manwaring. Shauna is married to Jon Eaton and has three children and
seven grandchildren. She brings nearly 20 years of office experience to the Building Department as their new Permit Technician. She has worked for a variety of local businesses including
the School District, Melaleuca, and Florence’s Chocolates. Shauna likes to kayak and hike with her family and spend time with her grandkids.
Earlene Carr – Animal Control Officer
Ms. Carr was unable to attend the meeting.
Julie Haderlie – Parking Attendant
Mrs. Haderlie said she is from Rexburg and has lived in Rexburg most of her life except for four years when she lived in Idaho Falls. She has three children one girl and two boys. Her
family enjoys playing and watching football. She has enjoyed working for the Police Department as their report scanner and is looking forward to her new position as their Parking Attendant.
Presentations:
United Way/VOICE – Advocacy to Produce a Community Needs Assessment presentation.
Andra Hansen thanked the City Council for the opportunity to present tonight. She is a member of a group called Voice Advocacy. The Voice Advocacy group partners with an outside organization
to complete a project of value to the community. They have decided to partner with the United Way. The United Way is organizing the Madison County Community Conversation Needs Assessment
and are moving it forward. They are also partnering with Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (EICAP) and Eastern Idaho Public Health. The United Way provides substantial funding
for Eastern Idaho with over half a million dollars’ worth of grants. They are redesigning their model by which they determine who receives funds. They are trying to determine what the
most pressing needs are for Eastern Idaho. EICAP and Eastern
Idaho Public Health are service providers who have a very strong passion and commitment for the people in the 10 counties that constitutes their area coverage.
Andra Hansen indicated Maggie Albano is the Voice Advocacy team lead for the Madison County Community Conversation Needs Assessment.
Ms. Albano passed out flyers to City Council with information regarding the United Way’s mission for the Madison County Community Conversation and Assessment. She also explained the
ALICE Study. There are people in Madison County that fall into the ALICE study. Where they aren’t below the federal poverty level; however, make too much to qualify for assistance.
In 2016, 68% of the people in Madison County were either at or below the ALICE level that is a significant number of the population that fall into these two categories. She said this
is why the community assessments are so important to determine the specific needs for the community and what services can be provided. They will collect data at the community conversation
assessment to determine the needs for Madison County and use the data collected to send to the state legislators.
Andra Hansen said the community conversation will be held in each of the ten counties. The one for Madison County will be held on Thursday, November 8 at the Madison School District
Office. They believe and are passionately committed to having a diverse representation of perspectives at these community conversations. It is critical to have community leadership
be in attendance at these events and significantly important to have the people facing these financial challenges in attendance. She gave examples of some of these financial challenges;
such as, a person whose vehicle brakes down and they don’t have the funds available to fix the vehicle or a person having trouble purchasing school supplies for their children. Another
example is people having trouble paying to sign up their children for a sport activity. The people attending the meeting should be communicating these hardships as they experience them.
Andra Hansen indicated it is a real privilege to work with United Way because they are passionately committed to filling the hardship gaps and identifying the needs of the community.
They also assist other agencies in obtaining necessary funds to carry out the programs that reach into the worlds of these people who are struggling to remain stable. The inter-connectedness
of these service providers, with the people that supply the grants is critical. She asked City Council for assistance in getting the word out about the community conversation so that
the needs are identified in Madison County. One way of getting the word out is by giving out a contact guide to people that may not know of the services offered by EICAP. These contact
guides can be given out by emergency service personnel. She mentioned some of the people having trouble accessing the assistance are the people that are soon to be released from prison.
Mayor Merrill asked if the invitation to the community conversation could be sent home with the children after school. She said they would like as many people as possible to attend the
community conversation. Council Member Flora mentioned the Madison School District has access to an email program called Peach Jar where an email can be sent to the parents regarding
the event.
Council Member Busby mentioned he attended the Bonneville Community Conversation there were more people in attendance than expected. He said that may be the case for Madison County and
to plan accordingly for the dinner that will be provided. Ms. Hanson said the dinner will on a first come first serve bases.
Council Member Flora asked if once the data is collected and the findings are complete if Ms. Hansen would come back to present the information they obtained. Ms. Hansen said once the
data is collected a report may be prepared specific to Madison County and presented to City Council.
Cube Cyclocross October 20, 2018 –www.rexburgcube.com Cube Committee Member Tony Perkins
Mayor Merrill explained the Cube Cyclocross was a city sponsored event before it was taken over by local citizens one of them being Tony Perkins, last year. He said one of the obstacles
they are having with the race is the cost of liability insurance. The city did some research and after speaking with City Attorney Zollinger, they determined if the event is kept as
a city sponsored event, it could be covered by the city’s insurance without a rate change. There are conditions that need to be kept by the group. One of them is accountability in order
to keep the race a city sponsored. This is the reason why Mr. Perkins is presenting tonight.
Mr. Perkins said the Cube Cyclocross is a sporting event and with any sporting event there is a risk of injury. They haven’t had any injuries thus far; however, that is not to say they
couldn’t have an injury in the future. The race has been around for about 12 years. Last year they had about 70 participants. There is a cross-section of participants that are showing
interest in the cyclocross race; it’s the youth. He showed a picture of some of the bikes used for the race. The participants ride on all kinds of different surfaces. The sport became
popular in the 1920’s in Europe.
Mr. Perkins explained they set up obstacles inside the course of the race. In the format of the race there isn’t a set distance; however, there is a set time. They have three different
categorizes. There is a children’s category of ages 12 years old and younger with a race time of 20 minutes. They have the (A) category which is the most competitive race and the time
set for this race is 50 minutes. The (B) category is for people that want to give cyclocross a try and the race is set for 40 minutes. The race is a continuous lap that goes around
a defined area. The person that has the most laps at the end of the race is the declared winner.
Mr. Perkins showed a map of the defined race route they used last year. They change the race routes every year. He said part of the race route includes Nature Park.
Council Member Busby asked how many miles are in the race route and if a prize is awarded to the winner of the race. Mr. Perkins replied the route is about two miles and the winner doesn’t
receive a prize.
A video of a passed race was shown on the overhead screen.
Mr. Perkin invited the City Council Members to participate in the race. He said there are several sponsors that give prizes to the participants of the race. The sponsors include Stick
and Stones and Huskinson Farms, they donate bags of potatoes. Council Member Busby asked how many out of
town people participate in the race and if the race is ever canceled for weather related issues. Mr. Perkins said about half of the participants are from out of town and the race will
not be canceled due to weather related issues.
Council Member Busby asked if Mr. Perkins’s only request is to have the Cube Cyclocross Race be covered under the City’s insurance. Mayor Merrill replied yes and that another requirement
the city has asked of Mr. Perkins is for a copy of their wavier of liability form they have each race participant sign. City Attorney Zollinger reviewed their liability form and said
it looked correct to limit both parties liability to some degree.
Council Member Mann asked if the race is held at a city park and the park being city property would the city be held liable. City Attorney Zollinger said if a land feature were a contributing
factor to an injury then there would be the possibility of liability.
Staff Reports:
Finance: - Matt Nielson
Mayor Merrill indicated Finance Officer Nielson is on vacation; therefore, there will not be a financial report tonight.
Public Works & Engineering – Justin Beard
Assistant Public Works Director Beard reported on some of the street construction projects being worked on in the city. The South 5th West project is under construction. The utility
and underground work is now complete. The contractor is excavating to prepare the ground to install curb and gutter next week. At the University Boulevard project the asphalt and curb
work is complete. They have redone the line striping and have fixed the signal lights. There are still some items that need to be cleaned up and finished; however, the majority of the
work is complete.
Assistant Public Works Director Beard reported on the North 2nd East project. The road has been reduced to one lane to allow the installation of utility extensions across the road. There
are also preparing the ground for curb installation. They will complete one side of the road and then switch to the other side. The estimated completion of the road work is scheduled
for mid-November.
Assistant Public Works Director Beard reported on the water tank project. The concrete for the tank floor was poured several weeks ago and tomorrow morning they will be pouring the first
section of the tank wall. They will wait a couple of days before they pour the next section of the tank wall. They hope to get the concrete poured before the colder weather sets in.
Council Member Busby said it has been interesting to watch the South 5th West Project unfold. The contractor had concerns with the amount of wires and boring lines underneath the road.
As the road is sealed and the sidewalks are installed is the city going to allow any street cuts. He questioned if permission from the city needs to be obtained before any boring or
street cuts are made. Mayor Merrill replied the city minimizes the number of street cuts by asking the contractor to bore into the street instead and the contactors do need to apply
for a street cut permit.
Council Member Busby asked about the bike lane on 7th South and if the city needs to install signs. City Engineer Joel Gray replied the bike lane has been painted and signage has been
installed.
Community Development – Bret Stoddard
Mr. Stoddard reviewed the Building Valuation Report. There are several single family residential permits. They are staying busy with the pervious permitted projects. He mentioned the
public portal is on target. Once the portal is complete the customers will be pleased with being able to find what they need online and also be able to submit their permits online.
The State of Idaho has a public portal and they are pleased with the results.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Merrill reported he visited Seattle Washington. He took pictures of several different traffic slowing measures they use.
The month of October is Walktober. He is participating in the Mayor’s walk challenge and will be walking with children at the elementary schools. The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation is
awarding a $1000.00 grant to the city that meets the challenge. He hopes to qualify for the grant this year again.
He met with Madison County Planning and Zoning Director, Bradley Peterson and a Planning and Zoning Representative from Sugar City. They attend a FEMA webinar. The webinar was regarding
the flood plain and what they can do to mitigate reducing the size of the flood plain. They learned about funding opportunities from different government agencies to rebuilt levies
and double up to build bike paths at the same time they rebuild the levies.
The city hosted Bobby Jo Newman, Director for the State Department of Commerce and two people from her department. They came to Rexburg last Monday to tour parts of the city and were
very impressed with the new mixed use developments. He was also invited to attend dinner with the Japanese Business Company owners. The business owners discussed possibly expanding
their businesses to Rexburg.
The Experience Rexburg Event went well with a steady number of participants throughout the day. The Chili Cook off was canceled due to lack of participation; however a bake potato was
still served. There were about 600 people served at the bake potato line.
Public Hearings:
6:45 P.M. Ordinance 1203 Teton Lakes Fairway Plat Vacation – Recommend Suspension of the Rules - Void plat in the middle of the greens that was approved June 7, 1982 prior to golf course
expansion
Mayor Merrill opened the Public Hearing
Testimony of those in favor:
Testimony of those neutral:
Testimony of those against:
Mayor Merrill Closed the Public Hearing
Council Member Flora moved to suspend the rules for Ordinance 1203 Teton Lakes Fairway Plat Vacation – Void plat in the middle of the greens that was approved June 7, 1982 prior to golf
course expansion; Council Member Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Mann
Council Member Busby
Council Member Wolfe
The motion carried
Council Member Busby moved to approve Ordinance 1203 Teton Lakes Fairway Plat Vacation – Void plat in the middle of the greens that was approved June 7, 1982 prior to golf course expansion
and consider it third read; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Mann
Council Member Busby
Council Member Wolfe
The motion carried
7:00 P.M. Ordinance 1202 Local Improvement District 47 Assessment Confirmation, suggested interest rate Prime + 1.5 to equal 6.75%: there have been 7 Prime Rate increases of .25% since
12/17/2015, current Prime Rate 5.25% – Deborah Lovejoy & Joel Gray
City Clerk Lovejoy reviewed the Local Improvement District 47 assessment roll totals and the streets covered in LID 47.
Council Member Flora asked about the properties that were highlighted on the assessment roll. City Clerk Lovejoy replied the properties were highlighted for internal purposes; for example,
the
properties on Ricks Ave. were highlighted because the properties were sold and the title company requested assessments on those and they were paid prior to the LID being closed. The
properties highlighted in yellow were properties removed from LID 47.
City Engineer Gray explained the Quality Inn will be expanding to the east side of the property. They will create an entrance off of Pioneer Road to avoid Main Street. Mayor Merrill
said that is one of the reasons why the sidewalk on Pioneer Road has not been installed all the way through. The city is waiting for the hotel to decide on the expansion.
Council Member Flora questioned the criteria used to determine the replacement of a sidewalk in an LID. City Engineer Gray explained the criteria is set forth by City Council it includes
a certain number of cracks in the sidewalk and curb. It also includes settling and being ADA compliant.
Council Member Flora asked if Mr. Fernandez questions and concerned were addressed. City Engineer Gray said there was five feet of asphalt that was torn out of Mr. Fernandez property
that has not been replaced. He spoke with Zollinger Construction about replacing the asphalt they tore out and they said they will replace the asphalt.
Mr. Fernandez explained he is concerned about the sidewalk that was replaced in the winter that was not covered correctly. The sidewalk will most likely not last as long as it should.
City Engineer Gray said he has inspected the sidewalk there are no concerns showing at this point. The warranty for sidewalks is one year.
City Attorney Zollinger explained the setting process of concrete. If the concrete froze during the curing process the damage will show before the one year warranty is complete.
City Attorney Zollinger said if Mr. Fernandez would like to complete the remaining work on his own. The city may credit the cost charged to him for the 5x13 section and reduce his assessment
costs for the 5x13 section.
Council Member Busby asked if all of the work has been completed for Local Improvement District 47. Mayor Merrill said all of the work has been competed except for the work being completed
by the property owner.
Mayor Merrill opened the Public Hearing
Testimony of those in favor:
Testimony of those neutral:
Testimony of those against:
The following letter was submitted by Barbara Greer against Local Improvement District 47.
Mayor Merrill Closed the Public Hearing
Council Member Mann moved to approve Ordinance 1202 Local Improvement District 47 Assessment Confirmation, suggested interest rate Prime + 1.5 to equal 6.75%: there have been 7 Prime
Rate increases of .25% since 12/17/2015, current Prime Rate 5.25% and crediting the portion Mr. Fernandez will complete on his own; Discussion: Council Member Flora asked Mr. Fernandez
to watch the sidewalk that was poured in the winter closely if starts to flake to report it to the city before the warranty ends; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill
asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Mann
Council Member Busby
Council Member Wolfe
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):
Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE
Third Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE
Mayor’s Business: City Council Meeting Schedule November and December 2018. November 21, 2018 – day before Thanksgiving. Consider 7:00 am or a different Wednesday? Check December
schedule – December 5th and December 19th.
Discussion regarding dates for the City Council Meeting in November 21st at 7:00 A.M.
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 September 12, 2018 meeting
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 Member Flora None
Council Member Mann
Council Member Busby
Council Member Wolfe
The motion carried
Executive Session Per Idaho State Code 74-206(c) - To acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency.
Council Member Busby moved to go into Executive Session Per Idaho State Code 74-206(c) - To acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; Council Member
Wolfe seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Mann
Council Member Busby
Council Member Wolfe
The motion carried
Executive session started at 7:57 P.M.
Executive session ended at 8:25 P.M.
Adjournment 8:25 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk