HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - June 05, 2019_unbound_unbound_unbound_unbound_unbound_unbound_unbound_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
5:00 P.M. Council Budget Work Meeting – Set Tentative Budget by Council Motion
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the 2020 budget highlights.
Discussion regarding the amount of fees paid by contributing cities such as Sugar City and Teton for wastewater treatment.
Finance Officer Nielson explained Sugar City and Teton have prepaid for a certain amount of capacity; they have not reached that capacity. The city started charging the contributing
cities depreciation over the last decade. They met with the Mayor of Sugar City and a representative from the City of Teton to discuss the costs for the sewer plant upgrades and both
of the cities asked if they had enough depreciation saved up to use towards the upgrades. Finance Officer Nielson calculated the amount of depreciation the cities have paid and added
all of the sewer plant upgrades that the city has completed during the last decade. He took the depreciation and added up the two cities share based on the use of the sewer plant; it
is going to take over 20 years for them to pay back the use of the plant. He said every year he increases the amount charged to each city for depreciation. There are also maintenance
upgrade costs that the city is also trying to collect from the two cities. He said wastewater treatment is broken down into capacity for upfront costs and maintenance costs to continue
to maintain the system.
Discussion regarding the base fees for water and wastewater for single family residential verses commercial multi-family residential.
Finance Officer Nielson continued to review the 2020 Budget Highlights.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Fiscal Year 2020 Capital Requests. The items highlighted in yellow are the changes from the original copy he had given to City Council during the
budget meetings.
Council Member Busby questioned the budgeted $30,000 for a used car. Finance Officer Nielson explained they have budgeted $30,000; however, he believes the actual cost will be about
$21,000 after the sale of the currently owned city vehicles.
Council Member Flora questioned the cost of the tree replacements for Porter Park she was under the assumption the trees were going to be donated and not come from city funds. Mayor
Merrill said the plan is to obtain donations and grants for the trees; however, the funds still need to be in the budget for book keeping pratices.
Finance Officer Nielson explained the city has about $7,000 in the budget for the tree replacements and an additional $10,000 was added for contributions from city residents for those
trees. The total will about $30,000 for the project; however, after the grants are received the total cost will be about $20,000.
Finance Officer Nieslon reviewed the General Fund Balance Carryover. He explained at the end of Fiscal Year 2018 the city had a reserve of 42.28%. The city’s policy has been to have
between 25% to 33% in reserves. The city ended fiscal year 2018 in really great shape. He said for fiscal year 2019 based on what is in the budget and the forecasted amount of what
will be spent. The city will end fiscal year 2019 at about 39.19%.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the General Fund Transfers-Subsidies. He said it is important to understand and be able to view what the city is subsidizing with the General Fund money
which can be used at City Council’s discretion. There will be an increase of about $264,100 from fiscal year 2019 to 2020 and at a percentage of about 10.9. The largest increases are
in Planning and Zoning Fund, the Romance Theater, and the Fire Operation. There was a decrease in the Tabernacle Fund.
Council President Smith questioned the reason for the large increase in the Planning and Zoning Fund. Finance Officer Nielson replied the City Planner position was added to the Planning
and Zoning budget. He used the 2019 Fiscal Year Forecast without a City Planner but the 2020 budget will include the City Planner position.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the carryover for the Street Funds, Sanitation Fund, Water Funds, and Wastewater Funds. These are the projected carryover in terms of cash and investments;
he is not referring to or including assets.
Council Member Busby questioned the Street Impact Fund; the forecast is for 1.2 million dollars. He asked if all of the funds will be spent with in that budget year. Finance Officer
Nielson said the 1.2 million dollars are an accumulation of many years. The majority of those funds will be used next year on street projects.
Finance Officer Nielson said the Sanitation Fund carryover for fiscal year 2019 is about $626,051 and about $768,551 in 2020 even with the purchase of the new sanitation truck and proposed
decrease in garbage collection fees.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Water Funds carryover. Council Member Busby questioned the reason for the increase to the water costs for residents. Finance Officer Nielson indicated
the city is going to owe a substantial amount of money for the Department of Environmental Quality loan. A decision will need to be made next year of how much to pay down or how much
to finance up to thirty years on the DEQ loan. He said a recommendation will be brought to City Council of how to proceed with paying back the loan.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Wastewater Funds.
Finance Officer Nielson explained the General Fund Department Total Increases. The items highlighted in red are the funds with the largest increases. He compared the initial requests
with the final request costs. The city was able to cut the budget by about $441,600 and add the carryover of $572,700 to balance the budget.
Council Member Busby questioned the amount of Travel and Training expenses. Mayor Merrill said the training the city employees receive is valuable to their job. The majority of the training
they receive is for certification.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Request for Capital and New Personnel. The last column indicates the amount cut for each item. He reviewed the Airport, Parks, Planning and
Zoning and Recreation cuts.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Rexburg Utilities Sample Bills. The Garbage Fund has seen a growth in revenue over several years. The factors to consider for the increase in revenues
are more apartments needing garbage service; the city hasn’t added new garbage routes, trucks or employees. He reached out to Western Recycling to see if they would be increasing their
rates and they are not expecting to raise their rates, another contributing factor are the tipping fees. There hasn’t been a change in the tipping fees for over a decade. He also reviewed
the depreciation of the sanitation trucks and they are lasting longer than expected. All of these factors combined are the reason why, the city is going to lower the garbage rate from
$21.34 to $20.00 a month.
Finance Officer Nielson said there are increases in the sewer rate of about $.60 and an increase in the water rate of about $.96.
Council Member Busby asked about the costs for recycling. Finance Officer Nielson explained the costs for recycling are included in the garbage service costs. The recycling contract
costs more than what the tipping fees would cost.
Discussion regarding the proposed increase for wastewater and if there will be an increase to Sugar City and Teton rates. Finance Officer Nielson explained the City of Sugar City and
Teton will see an increase if a decision is made to increase the deprecation cost. He said it is important to understand both of these cities have prepaid for the capacity in wastewater.
When they have reached capacity they will have to pay for more capacity at present dollars.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Madison County Share of Budgets for Joint Operations with the City of Rexburg.
Council Member Flora asked when the county typically pays for their portion of the joint ventures. Finance Officer Nielson replied they normal pay in the summer months. The city is going
to be billing the county the amounts highlighted in red. The Ambulance District Operations are billed on quarterly bases.
Finance Officer Nielson explained the Statement of Understanding on budget management.
Council Member Busby moved to approve to set a Public Hearing for July 3rd and to approve the tentative budget for fiscal year October 1st, 2019 to September 30, 2020; Council President
Smith 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
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
6:30 P.M. City Hall
Dominic Abril said the prayer.
Police Officer Devey led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Mann, Council Member Busby, Council Member Walker, Council Member Wolfe, Council President Smith 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.
Randal Rhead expressed his concerns regarding a portion of the bicycle path on N. 2nd E. heading to Wal-Mart. The portion that goes around the veterinary clinic adjacent to where the
road curves is where he has noticed how close the traffic approaches the path. The traffic is cutting 1/3 across the path because there are no rocks there to create a barrier. He suggested
a concrete barrier be added to keep the traffic from cutting into the path and to protect the pedestrians using the path.
Mayor Merrill said he has driven passed the portion of the pathway Mr. Rhead referred to and he doesn’t believe a concrete barrier would be the best solution because it might be dangerous
for the motorist. He said city staff will review that section of the pathway to determine the best solution. Mr. Rhead said a yellow line will not stop vehicles from crossing over onto
the pathway.
Mr. Rhead said he spoke at the previous City Council meeting regarding TRPTA. He is now employed by one of the private transportation companies and they too drive around without patrons
on board. Mr. Rhead said he drove to Idaho Falls and back to Rexburg without patrons and their scheduling isn’t much better than TRPTA’s was. He said he doesn’t believe the different
concerns expressed regarding the aspects of TRPTA were valid.
Introduction of New Employees – Jordan Jensen; Police Department and Eric Parker; Engineering Department
Mayor Merrill asked new Rexburg Police Officer Jordan Jensen to introduce himself.
Rexburg Police Officer Jensen said he worked for the Rexburg Police Department a couple of years ago as a Parking Ordinance Officer and later as a police officer. He then went to work
for the Idaho State Police for two years. He said he grew up in Rexburg and really missed working in the community he grew up in. He introduced his wife Julia. They met while he was
a police officer for Rexburg and she was working for the Fire Department. She is currently attending school to become a nurse.
Mayor Merrill asked new Engineering Technician Eric Parker to introduce himself.
Eric Parker said he was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was the salutatorian of his high school and served a mission for his church in Lima, Peru. He attended Las Vegas Nevada
University for a few semesters before transferring to BYU-Idaho University. He graduated in April in Civil Engineering. He is an aspiring professional engineer and believes this position
will assist him on his path to professionalism. He has been married for three and half years and his wife is from Henderson, Nevada. They currently live at the Eden Apartments.
Presentations:
Proposal for Hands-Free Driving Ordinance – Christian Gross
Mr. Gross handed out information about his presentation regarding a hands- free driving ordinance. Mayor Merrill asked Mr. Gross if he lives in Rexburg. Mr. Gross replied he moved to
Rexburg about three weeks ago from Georgia.
Mr. Gross referred to the information on the handout he gave to the Council Members. The first page outlines a problem that is wide spread across the United States. The problem is distracted
driving whether it
is texting, calling, emailing or checking Facebook while driving. The last three pages’ outline solutions for distracted driving.
Mr. Gross said he has been a volunteer firefighter for the last six years and hopes to continue to be one for the rest of his life. He said while being a volunteer firefighter he has
seen firsthand the fatal crashes caused by distracted driving.
Mr. Gross explained starting from the roundabout heading north onto Main Street all the way down to Walgreens there are seven intersections and each intersection has four crosswalks.
There are 28 potential times for someone using the crosswalks to get struck by a vehicle by a driver not paying attention. He said the amount of people he sees everyday not pay attention
because they are on their phones while driving is outrageous.
Council Member Flora commended Mr. Gross for his presentation. She said people have reached out to her also showing interest in recommending a hands-free driving ordinance. She is interested
in reviewing the State of Georgia’s statute regarding hands-free driving. The City of Idaho Falls and Pocatello have similar laws that the City of Rexburg can follow. She questioned
the proposal that was recently proposed to the state legislators trying to undo the hands-free driving law at a state level. Mayor Merrill clarified there was a proposal for the state
to pass a hands-free driving statute; however, it failed. There was another proposal to preempt cities from passing a hands-free driving ordinance and that failed too.
Mayor Merrill mentioned the Rexburg Police Officers are instructed to pull drivers over if they are driving inattentively.
City Attorney Zollinger explained the City of Rexburg regulates inattentive driving as aggressively as possible and the Police Department feels comfortable with the current measures
available. Mayor Merrill said the city also has a no texting in crosswalks ordinance. Mr. Gross said he appreciates the measures the city has taken to keep the crosswalks safe.
Staff Reports:
Finance: - Matt Nielson
Public Works: - Keith Davidson
Well Houses #8 & #9 Bid Acceptance
Public Works Director Davidson reported the bids were received for the two well houses. One of the well houses is located at the water reservoir on 7th North and the other well house
is located at the new water reservoir by the Burton Elementary School.
Council President Smith questioned the type of equipment needed to operate the well houses. Public Works Director Davidson explained there is the cost of the structure to house the pumps,
buster pump, and electrical work.
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the bids received for the well houses from Eagle Rock Timber and DL Beck. The bid approval would be contingent upon the Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ) acceptance as well as City Council approval. He recommended approval for the low bid from DL Beck.
Council Member Busby asked if the approval from the DEQ is a formality or will they have reason to not accept the bid from DL Beck. Public Works Director Davidson said DEQ approval
is needed because funding the costs of the well houses are through a grant. They would not have a reason not to approve unless there is something out of the ordinary that could have
been missed. He believes all of the documentation needed for the well houses is in place to receive state funding.
Council Member Busby moved to approve the low bid for Well House #8 and # 9 from DL Beck for $2,446,605; 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
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Surplus 3 Wastewater Pumps
Public Works Director Davidson reported there are three wastewater pumps needing to be surplused. The pump models are Aurora Model 10N 3 phase 10 hop pumps that have been out of service
for several years. The pumps will be auctioned online for no less than $500 each.
Council Member Walker moved to approve the Surplus Three Water Pumps; 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
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Public Works Director Davidson reported on the city street projects. The 3rd W. sewer line replacement project is taking longer than anticipated because the base of the road was failing.
Three quarters of the road need to be replaced. The plan is to pave the road next week.
Public Works Director Davidson reported the Local Improvement District 48 project is moving along on 2nd North. They have completed two thirds of the north section and they will be moving
over toward the east side of 2nd North from 2nd East down to the Madison Jr. High.
Public Works Director Davidson reported the shop fuel tanks are near completion. They are waiting for the dispensers to be delivered to start utilizing the fuel tank and start ordering
in the diesel. He also reported on the water reservoir by the Burton Elementary School. The roof has been poured. They are waiting for the concrete test cylinders to gain enough strength
so they can pull out all of the shoring that is underneath the concrete roof. Council Member Flora asked about the diameter of the water reservoir. Public Works Director Davidson said
the diameter is 107 feet.
Community Development: - Bret Stoddard
Building Official Stoddard reviewed the Building Valuation Report for the month of May. They have issued quite a few permits and the valuation is slightly high. There are a couple of
apartment complexes such as Arbor Cove were the project has started; however, there have been delays in issuing permits due to some issues with collecting the fees for the permits.
The Building Department has been able to work through the issues with the contractors but this is the reason why the permits are still on the valuation report. He reported they are
anticipating other projects; however, permits have not been requested.
Council Member Mann asked about the policy for collecting the fees for the building permits. Building Official Stoddard explained the fees are collected up front before the permits are
issued. There are some cases in which the fees are collected after the permits are issued; however, the rule is to collect the fees before issuing the permits. If for some reason the
fees are not collected and the building begins there is still leverage that can be used to collect the fees during the final inspection or before issuing a Certificate of Occupancy.
The fees collected include all of the impact fees, building fees, etc.
Building Official Stoddard said he has received requests to delay the collecting of the fees due to contractors not wanting to have that amount of money outstanding and paying interest;
it’s the exception to the rule and not the rule.
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Merrill reported today is the 43rd anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood. A video of the construction and brake of the Teton Dam was viewed on the overhead screen.
Mayor Merrill reported the Carousel Kickoff Event last Friday was great and well attended. The Teton Dam Marathon went well and the weather was perfect.
Council Member Wolfe mentioned he spoke with Police Chief Turman and he informed him of the Special Needs Luncheon on June 11th at the Porter Park North Shelter from 11:30 to 1:00 P.M.
The Mayor and Council are invited to attend the luncheon.
Public Hearings 6:50 P.M.:
Ordinance No 1213 Annexation of 2 Locations: Location 1 - N Hill Rd Enclave with zone change from Rural Residential 1 (RR1) to Low Density Residential 1 (LDR1); Location 2: 829 S 5th
W (Steiner Property) zoned Rural Residential 1 (RR1) with no zone change #19-00169 – Stephen Zollinger
City Attorney Zollinger explained the location on North Hill Road is an enclave that has existed for a long time and with the annexation of the Barney Dairy property and the purchase
of the property on the north side of Barney Dairy Road by the city. North Hill Road has become completely encapsulated by the city all of the parcels are currently be used as single
family residential units. The City’s policy is to annex enclave properties once they become completely encapsulated. There have been a couple of exceptions where the city made commitments
in advance to the encapsulated properties to not incorporate them into the city; however, baring the exception, the policy has been to bring the properties into the city as soon as
they become eligible to be part of the city.
Council Member Flora asked for clarification regarding the zoning for the N. Hill Road Properties. City Attorney Zollinger explained city staff requested the zone be changed to Low Density
Residential One; however, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended annexation and after considering the testimonies made by the property owners on N. Hill Road, they
decided to leave the zone as Rural Residential One. He said by leaving the zone as RR1 it would allow the property owners with small livestock to continue having the livestock on their
property.
City Attorney Zollinger explained some of the properties are currently on city services and the properties that are not on city services will not be required to connect to city services
until such time as their current septic system fails and given to the proximity to the city services that would be required of them. The properties that have private wells will not
be required to connect to city water. The city doesn’t regulate the use of private wells; however, connectivity to both a well and city water is not allowed. There were questions regarding
taxes, there is an increase in the amount of taxes collected by being inside the city limits. The increased amount in taxes would be to pay for other city services such as emergency
services.
Mayor Merrill opened the Public Hearing.
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.
City Attorney Zollinger said city staff requested the Low Density Residential 1 Zone because the zone was consistent with the neighborhood to the west. City Attorney Zollinger asked
the property owners attending the meeting if anyone of them were oppose to leaving the zone as Rural Residential One.
Gary Oberhansley asked about the additional cost in property taxes he will have to pay after his property is annexed into the city. City Attorney Zollinger replied there will be an increase
of about 24% in taxes.
Mr. Oberhansley asked about the costs to connect to city sewer. City Attorney Zollinger indicated in order for the properties annexed to be connected to city sewer a city project would
be necessary. The property owner would not have to pay for the project costs; however, they would need to pay to connect to the sewer line. There would be a front foot fee and depending
on how wide the property lots are that would determine the cost.
Council Member Flora moved to approve Ordinance No. 1213 the Annexation of two Locations: Location 1 - N Hill Rd Enclave with the Planning and Zoning recommendation of keeping the zone
Rural Residential 1 (RR1); Location 2 - 829 S 5th W (Steiner Property) zoned Rural Residential 1 (RR1) with no zone change and consider first 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
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
Third Reading: Those items which have been second read:
Ordinance No. 1212 Amend Development Code Public Facilities Zone (PF) Ordinance No. 1200 #19-00093 – Stephen Zollinger
ORDINANCE NO. 1212
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT CODE (PLANNING AND ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1200) CONCERNING SUBSTANTIVE AND NON-SUBSTANTIVE ITEMS; THE FOLLOWING CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO
THE PUBLIC FACILITIES (PF) ZONE; PERMITED USES ADDED FAIRGROUNDS, GOLF COURSE, SPORTS FIELDS, SWIMMING POOLS AND THEATRES; LOT AREA HAS NO MINIMUM SIZE, LOT WIDTH HAS NO MINIMUM WIDTH,
LOT FRONTAGE HAS NO MINIMUM FRONTAGE; BUILDING HEIGHT AMENDING HORIZONTAL SETBACK; IN OTHER REQUIREMENTS ADDED PROVISIONS FOR EXISTING PUBLIC FACILITIES, PARKS AND SCHOOLS TO MODIFY
FOR CONTINUED USE IF CHANGES ARE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ORDINANCE.
Council Member Mann moved to approve Ordinance No. 1212 Amend Development Code Public Facilities Zone (PF) Ordinance No. 1200 and consider third read; Council Member Walker 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
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Council President Smith reminded everyone about the Fly-In at the Legacy Flight Museum and about the Fourth of July Parade.
Discussion regarding the use of the golf carts for the parade.
Council Member Mann said he is in favor of a hands-free ordinance and would prefer to have further discussion at a later City Council Meeting.
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 May 15, 2019 meeting
Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member Wolfe moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; 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
Council Member Walker
Council President Smith
The motion carried
Adjournment 7:32 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk