HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - March 03, 2021
Mayor Jerry Merrill
Council Members:
Christopher Mann Jordan Busby
Mikel Walker Tisha Flora
Brad Wolfe Bryanna Johnson
City Staff:
Stephen Zollinger – City Attorney
Matt Nielson – Finance Officer
Keith Davidson – Public Works Director
Alan Parkinson – Planning & Zoning Administrator
Scott Johnson – Economic Development Director
Deborah Lovejoy – City Clerk
6:30 P.M. City Hall
Council Member Wolfe said the prayer.
Council Member Mann led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Mann, Council Member Walker, and Council Member Wolfe, Council President Busby and Mayor Merrill.
Welcome New City Employees: Kyle Baldwin – Planning and Zoning Planner I, Chris Talbot – New Full Time Patrol Police Officer – Oath of Office by Stephen Zollinger, City Attorney.
Mayor Merrill asked the new Rexburg Police Officer Chris Talbot to introduce himself.
Chris Talbot said he started as a reserve police officer for Rexburg in September. He was a police officer for the City of Idaho Falls prior to coming to work for Rexburg. He is married
with two children.
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Chris Talbot, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution and Laws of the State of Idaho, that I will endeavor to enforce
these laws to the best of my abilities, and that I will faithfully discharge all of the duties assigned or requested of me in my capacity as a law enforcement officer for the City of
Rexburg.
_________________ Chris Talbot
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of March, 2021.
_____________________
Stephen Zollinger
Rexburg City Attorney
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. NONE
Staff Reports:
Museum of Rexburg: - Alisha Tietjen
Museum Curator Tietjen reported on the new exhibits being showcased at the Museum of Rexburg over the past year. She said local attorney JD Hancock donated the Mary Smith Oldham Archives
to the museum. She was the first women attorney in Idaho and was the attorney during the Teton Dam Flood. There were over 5,000 pages of archives. The museum staff has scanned all of
the pages and upload them into a searchable digital database. They have also inserted each page into page protectors and into a binders. A condition report was made for each page. All
of the work to catalog the pages into the database and binders took about six months to complete by four staff members.
Museum Curator Tietjen reviewed the web-page set up for the Museum of Rexburg’s gift shop. They are having success in selling items from the gift shop. The only issue they encountered
was retrieving the money from the city’s Pay-pal account. She said with the new point of sale system set up for the gift shop, they will be able to keep better track of inventory. They
also offer to ship the items purchased from the gift shop. A hoodie with the word Rexburrrrg printed on it is a very popular item. She is considering selling a different hoodie with
the words The Frozen Chosen. A scavenger hunt was held at the Experience Rexburg Event to promote the gift shop. The winner of the scavenger hunt won a free item from the gift shop.
Museum Curator Tietjen said museum staff is working on increasing the museum’s social media presence by making post such as Tell Us Tuesday and Flood Fact Friday on Facebook. There are
questions associated to the post and people have the opportunity to submit the answer to the question. There are a lot of old photographs of people at the museum. They are going to
create a post called Remember Me to help identify the people in the photographs.
Museum Curator Tietjen said the museum was awarded two grants. One of the grants was from the Idaho State Historical Society in the amount of $1,493. The grant funds will be used to
purchase archival supplies to archive old photographs. There are over 1000 photographs needing to be archived. The museum staff will scan, number and complete a condition report for
each photograph. The funds from the second grant the museum received will be used to conserve the tapestry. The tapestry is named Desire and won the gold medal in the world fair in
San Francisco, California, it is 106 years old. There was quite a bit of damage to the tapestry. The Museum of Idaho Curator who is an expert in conserving quilts and textiles assisted
in repairing the tapestry by stitching all of the loose threads. She cleaned the tapestry and taught the museum staff how to clean the tapestry when needed. A new frame was built to
hold the tapestry. An event to honor the 138th anniversary of the naming of Rexburg will be held at the museum. The event will showcase antique quilts.
Museum Curator Tietjen reported as part of the museum’s community outreach program escape kits were purchased. One of the kits is called Teton Dam Flood Escape. The kits are taken to
local schools for students to decipher the clues to obtain the code that opens a locked box. She said the students have really enjoyed the escape kits. Currently, the kits are only
available to be taken to local schools; however, the goal is to have them available to the public. The kits cost about one hundred dollars to make. They are trying to obtain more funds
to be able to purchase more kits. The Museum of Rexburg is the only museums in Idaho offering the escape kits at this time.
Museum Curator Tietjen said the museum staff has been busy with many projects. The number of patrons visiting the museum has decreased due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. She commended the
museum staff members for all of their hard work.
Arts Director Jed Platt reported on the progress of the Romance Theater Remodel. The carpet needs to be installed in the foyer, the electrical work is near completion and the plumbing
is complete. He said the remodel should be completed by the end of March.
Economic Development: – Scott Johnson
Economic Development Director Johnson reported the Census final count will not be available until September. The anticipated number of residents in the city is about 36,000 from 28,000.
Council President Busby asked about the results of other cities that have challenged the count. Economic Development Director Johnson replied generally several hundred or 1000 residents
are added to the count. Council Member Flora asked for city staff’s estimated number of resident living in the city limits. Economic Development Director Johnson said it’s difficult
to know the exact number of residents; however, if the university is operating at a full semesters the number of residents would be closer to about 38,000 to 40,000. Council Member
Johnson asked about the estimated number of resident in Madison County. Economic Development Director Johnson replied the number residents in the county could exceed 50,000.
Economic Development Director Johnson reported there are two bills at the state legislator regarding broadband. The city assisted with one of the bills that is currently in committee.
The bill was introduced into committee last week and could possibly be there for a while because several large telecommunication companies heard of the bill. These telecommunication
companies desire an opportunity to give their input regarding the bill. The bill states municipalities would have the express right to own, build, operate, fund and manage a broadband
system. He asked for the Council Member’s support by contacting the city’s state representatives and senate committee.
Economic Development Director Johnson reported on the city’s new Form Base Code. City Staff has contacted architects and developers to build project models using Form Base Code to determine
if there are any shortfalls with the code. By the end of March city staff will have feedback from the architects building the models. Council President Busby asked for the cost associated
with building models to fit the Form Base Code. Economic Development Director Johnson said the architects building the models are building them at no cost.
Economic Development Director Johnson reported on the growth at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The INL was awarded six of the nine projects they applied for from the federal government.
These projects will need about 5,000 construction workers over the next five years. There will be some challenges to accommodate the growth such as shortages in housing and workforce.
He has been working with local high schools, colleges and universities to offer programs suited to fulfill INL jobs.
Economic Development Director Johnson said most of the projects being proposed are commercial projects; however, there are housing projects as well. There are large scale developments
such as large box stores that are showing interest in coming to Rexburg. Council President Busby said he is concerned about several large building that are sitting vacant. Economic
Development Director Johnson said he has been working with Sutherland Lumber to possibly occupy the old Kmart Building.
Economic Development Director Johnson reported the center and south highway interchanges have been funded. The reconstruction of the center interchange will begin in the year 2023 and
south interchange reconstruction will begin in 2024. He said the Idaho Transportation Department is working on 3D renderings of the interchanges to review with city staff.
Finance: - Matt Nielson
Addition of Full Time Parks Staff Position Budget Adjustment
Parks Director McInnes reviewed the winter analysis for the Parks Department and added responsibilities. The Parks Department is proposing adding one full time position to assist with
the additional responsibilities during the winter months. Council President Busby asked if one full time position is sufficient to handle the additional work during the summer months.
Parks Director McInnes replied yes the one full time employee should be sufficient; however, they will hire several part-time employees during the summer months to maintain the baseball
quad.
Council Member Johnson asked if the volunteers who are currently grooming the fat bike trail at the Legacy Golf Course are no longer going to grooming the trails. Parks Director McInnes
said after this year the volunteers will not be able to groom the trails due to their work schedules. Council Member Flora asked for the hiring date for the new Parks Department position.
Parks Director McInnes replied as soon as the position is approved.
Discussion regarding the other park duties and projects during the winter months. The structures were built by Parks Department personnel for the dog park.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the proposed full time Parks Department staff position expenses and funding. Council Member Flora asked if the Street Department was charged for snow
removal off of the trails by the Parks Department. Finance Officer Nielson explained the Parks Department and Street Department would trade responsibilities between both departments
so an actual cost is not known. He said moving forward the costs will be allocated to the services being provided by the other city departments.
Council President Busby questioned the operational expense of $3,000 for the new position. Finance Officer Nielson said the operation expense includes a city vehicle use and cost of
fuel for the vehicle.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Adjustment for the new full time Parks Department position.
Council Member Flora moved to approve the Budget Adjustment to hire a new Parks Department
Employee; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council Member Wolfe
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Review and Adopt Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Calendar
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Calendar for Fiscal Year 2022. The City Council
Discussion regarding the date and time for the City Council Drive Around. The proposed date for the drive around will be April 30th from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Public Works: - Keith Davidson
Wastewater Treatment Plant Mixer Bid Acceptance
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the bids received for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Mixer. The company Wastewater Solutions, LLC had the low bid; however, after further review,
it was noted the company had priced the wrong mixer size. He recommend the second low bid received by Aquapro in the sum of $74,000 be awarded. Council President Busby asked if the
new mixer is an upgrade or repair to the wastewater plant. Public Works Director Davidson replied the mixer is a repair to the treatment plant.
Council Member Walker moved to approve the low bid of $74,000 from Aquapro for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Mixer; Council President Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked
for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council Member Wolfe
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Discussion regarding the amount of capacity the wastewater treatment plant is still able to handle. Public Works Director Davidson explained the Headwork’s Building is one of the areas
were capacity will need to be increased. The Headwork’s Building is the area where the wastewater comes into the plant. Currently, the building is undersized for the capacity of wastewater
flowing into the building.
Resolution 2021 – 03 Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Cooperative Agreement to construct ADA Improvements
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed Resolution 2021 – 03 Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Cooperative Agreement to construct ADA Improvements. There are several locations where
the
sidewalks need ADA Improvements such as Sunset Circle, K Street, Valley River Drive, 4th North and Lorene Street.
RESOLUTION FOR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT NO. A022(976) ADA RAMPS FOR STATE FISCAL YEAR 2022
Resolution No. 2021 - 03
WHEREAS, the Idaho Transportation Department, hereafter called the STATE, has submitted an Addendum to the Agreement stating obligations of the STATE and the CITY OF REXBURG, hereafter
called the CITY, for ADA improvements; and
WHEREAS, the STATE is responsible for obtaining compliance with laws, standards and procedural policies in the development, construction and maintenance of improvements made to the Federal-aid
Highway System; and
WHEREAS, the CITY and the STATE are providing funds for this project; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the Cooperative Agreement to construct ADA improvements within city limits is hereby approved.
2. That the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of the CITY.
3. That duly certified copies of the Resolution shall be furnished to the Idaho Transportation Department.
_______________________________
SIGNED BY: Jerry Merrill, Mayor
CERTIFICATION:
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of a Resolution passed at a regular meeting of the Rexburg City Council, City of Rexburg, held on ___ 3rd, 2021.
(Seal)
________________________________
Deborah Lovejoy, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT: Cooperative Agreement Project No A022(976)
Council Member Wolfe moved to approve Resolution No. 2021 – 03 the Cooperative Agreement for Project No. A022(976) ADA Ramps for State Fiscal Year 2022; Council Member Johnson seconded
the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council Member Wolfe
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Merrill reported he has attended many planning meetings these pasted weeks. He met with Senator Ricks and Representative Weber today via Zoom to discuss the broadband initiative.
Mayor Merrill mentioned there are issues from property owners regarding the proposed location of the new airport. He mentioned he was approached by two individuals about starting a
service organization named Rexburg Community Council. He thought about the possibility of having this committee met with Beautification Committee to combine efforts.
Items for Consideration:
A. Discussion on Amendment for Ordinance No. 1017 Concerning Bicycle Operation and Safety – Rexburg Municipal Code Chapter 10.10
Council Member Johnson explained there are only 33 states that have a law stating motorist need to stay three feet away from bicyclist. She recommended verbiage be added to the city’s
existing ordinance regarding the three feet distance between a motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. She said with the amount of bicyclist and pedestrians in the city due to the university.
The added verbiage would allow police officers to stop the motorists not maintaining the three foot distance; therefore, keeping bicyclists and pedestrians safe.
City Attorney Zollinger explained currently a bicycle operating on a road is treated the same as any other vehicle operating on the road. When a motorists gets too close to a bicyclist
the citation would be the same as two vehicles being to close. He said adding the verbiage Council Member Johnson is recommending would allow police officers to stop a motorists for
operating too close to a bicyclist.
Council President Busby asked if bicyclist need to maintain the posted limit. Police Officer Kamachi replied yes the bicyclist needs to maintain the posted speed limit.
B. Resolution 2021 – 04 Support of Idaho Senate Bill 1149 Concerning Broadband Communications Infrastructure and Systems – Introduced to the Senate February 26, 2021 – Scott Johnson
Action Item
Mayor Merrill read Resolution 2021 – 04.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT IDAHO SENATE BILL NO. 1149 IN 2021 LEGISLATURE RELATING TO BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS
Resolution 2021 - 04
WHEREAS, Idaho ranks 41st in terms of overall broadband access among the 50 states; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rexburg, the region of Madison County, and the state of Idaho continue to explore ways to provide solutions to address the deficiencies of broadband communications
infrastructure within the City; and
WHEREAS, The extraordinary growth of Internet use has become an economic development issue; and
WHEREAS, cities have experienced a lack of participation from public communication service providers to provide infrastructure to the community as a whole that can support higher bandwidth
speeds needed to meet the ever increasing demands expended by enterprise, education, social interactions, entertainment, and communications; and
WHEREAS, Rexburg residents have expressed their desire for higher broadband internet speeds, better consumer choice, and more competitive prices; and
WHEREAS, recent surveys of Rexburg citizens continue to show extreme dissatisfaction with current broadband services; and
WHEREAS, as Idahoans move past the COVID pandemic, Idaho can count on more remote workers, more distance learning, and more demands on broadband networks therefore more demands from
broadband; and
WHEREAS, to help maintain and improve its standing among regional and national competitors’ Rexburg’s residents, businesses, and institutions need a future proof fiber broadband infrastructure
as an ordinary and necessary utility; and
WHEREAS, by allowing cities and counties to chart their own courses to meet the diverse needs of their residents; and
WHEREAS, SB 1149 will allow Idaho cities to take charge of their broadband future and in turn meet the Governor’s Broadband Initiative; and
WHEREAS, the City of Rexburg has made every possible effort to engage with and encourage private sector broadband providers to invest in broadband infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the proposed 2021 Legislation from Senate Bill No. 1149 shall grant Idaho municipalities the authority to establish, create, develop, acquire, finance, construct, equip, lease,
own, maintain, and operate broadband communications infrastructure and systems as well as other authorities provided by this bill for the betterment of the community and high speed
internet it will generate;
SECTION 1. That the City of Rexburg agrees and supports the 2021 Idaho Legislation Senate Bill No. 1149 relating to broadband communications infrastructure and systems.
SECTION 2. That this resolution shall be effective immediately.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution; shall cause the same to be entered among the original resolutions of the City;
and shall make a minute of the passage and adoption thereof on the records of the proceedings of the City Council for the meeting at which the same is passed and adopted.
DATED the __ day of ____, 2021; by the City Council, City of Rexburg, Idaho.
________________________________
SIGNED BY: Jerry Merrill, Mayor
_______________________________
ATTEST: Deborah Lovejoy, City Clerk
Council Member Wolfe moved to approve Resolution 2021 – 04 Resolution in Support of Idaho Senate Bill No. 1149 in 2021 Legislature Relating to Broadband Communications Infrastructure
and Systems; Council President Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council Member Wolfe
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Calendared Bills and Tabled Items:
Second Reading: Those items which have been first read:
Third Reading: Those items which have been second read:
Mayor’s Business:
Mayor Merrill recommended Madison County Commissioner Brent Mendenhall to be appointed to the Urban Renewal Agency.
Council President Busby moved to ratify the appointment of Madison County Commissioner Brent Mendenhall to the Urban Renewal Agency; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor
Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council Member Wolfe
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Mayor Merrill recommended Rick Davis to serve on the Traffic and Safety Committee.
Council Member Walker moved to ratify the appointment of Rick Davis to the Traffic and Safety Committee; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council Member Wolfe
Council President Busby
The motion carried
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 February 17, 2021 Meeting
Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council President 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 Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council Member Wolfe
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Adjournment 8:02 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk