HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - July 21, 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
5:30 P.M. City Council Work Meeting to Discuss Federal Funding
Economic Developer Torres reviewed the power point presentation to explain the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the eligible uses. He referred to the different handouts in the Council
Member’s online packets regarding ARPA. Council President Busby asked if the ARPA is the same grant as the Care’s Act. Mr. Torres replied no they are two different acts.
*NEU means “Non Entitlement Unit, or units of general local governments
Discussion regarding design and building of the fiber network for the city with Siver Star. The costs of building the fiber network has not been put out to bid. The costs to build the
network are estimates calculated by Economic Developer Torres.
Council President Busby asked if Madison County is going to participate in the expense of building a fiber network. Economic Devloper Torres replied Madison County has expressed interest
in partcipating in the costs for the network; however, the amount is unknown.
Economic Developer Torres explained once the network is built and a third party will operate the network, it will be a revenue source for the city through a lease fee from the third
party manager. Council Member Johnson asked if the new apartment complexes are installing their own fiber. Economic Developer Torres said exsisting telecommunications have been suppling
fiber to medium size, large size businesses, multi-Family housing and dormitory housing. The research has shown when a municipal network is operating the over all costs decrease. The
city does not desire to be in direct competition with private fiber suppliers. City Attorney Zollinger explained the third party manager would follow the criteria set by the city. A
part of that criteria would be to limit the amount they could charge for broadband. There have been several entities interested in managing the fiber network once it is in place.
Economic Developer Torres reviewed the exception for qualified census tracks. Discussion regarding available funds for parks in Urban Renewal and Park Impact Fees.
Council Member Flora said she is in favor of using the ARPA funds for the broadband. Council Member Mann asked if there are other alternative forms of funding for broadband. Economic
Developer Torres exaplained alternative forms of funding would need to be deceided by the state legislators.
Council Member Mann asked if there are other cities with their own fiber networks. City Attorney Zollinger said the City of Ammon has it own fiber network and is charging the residents
for the service through an Local Improvement District and they only change the residents using the broadband. The third party manager for the City of Idaho Falls is their power company.
The City of Mountain Home has recently used the City of Ammon’s model to provide broadband.
Council President Busby asked about the time limit of when the ARPA funds need to be spent. City Attorney Zollinger replied all of the funds need to be spent by January of 2024. Economic
Developer Torres clarified if the city deicide to use the funds for boardband the deadline extends to December 31st of 2026.
Discussion regarding possible using the ARPA for street projects, park projects, trails projects and electric vehicle charging stations. Economic Developer Torres reiterated the ARPA
funds can only be used on very specfic items and some of the items discussed are not approved to use the ARPA funds. By expanding broadband in the city; it would allow the city to compete
for business on a large scale. The Biden Administration is considering installing electric vehicle charging stations across the nation. Council Member Johnson asked for an itemized
list of which items are allowed with ARPA funding. Economic Developer Torres said he would complie a list of the items allowed with ARPA Funding for City Council to review.
6:30 P.M. City Hall
Council Member Flora said the prayer.
Council Member Walker led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Mann, Council Member Walker and Council President Busby.
Council Member Wolfe asked to be excused.
Welcome and Swear in New Police Officer: Robert Yardley; Welcome: Sarah Kennett-Cromwell – Social Media Strategist.
City Attorney Zollinger swore in new Police Officer Robert Yardley.
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Robert Yardley, 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. ________________ Robert Yardley
Police Officer Yardley said he was born and raised in Utah. He attended Dixie State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He and his wife Madison were
high school sweethearts are were married five years ago. They decided to move to Idaho where he was employed by the Idaho Falls Police Department.
City Social Media Strategist Sarah Kennett-Cromwell said she was born and raised in New York on the lower island. She moved to Missoula, Montana and attended the University of Idaho.
She and her husband worked for Disney. She was a photographer for Disney. In 2009 they moved back to Missoula, Montana where she worked with the Missoula Fire Department on their social
media and web-design. After, sometime her husband decided to go back to school for an engineering degree in Butte Montana. He graduated last fall and began working in Rexburg. They
have five year old daughter.
Council Member Mann asked Social Media Strategist Cromwell about her job responsibilities. Social Media Strategist Cromwell replied she will focus on advertisements of city events and
informing the public of projects the city is working on and provide more transparency of the city’s processes to the residents.
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.
Committee Liaison Assignments for 2021:
A. Council Member Mann: M.E.P.I. · Legacy Flight Museum
Council Member Mann reported the Legacy Flight Museum met to discuss the success of the Airshow. They estimated about 10,000 people attend the Airshow. The museum has a new military
transportation airplane.
B. Council President Busby: Cultural Arts/Museum Events · School Board · M.U.S.I.C.
Council President Busby the Cultural Arts Department will be hosting an Art Stroll on Center Street August 6, 5-8 P.M. The mini-escape room at the Museum of Rexburg has been popular.
The museum personnel has continued to seek Teton Dam Flood stories to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the flood. The Celebrate You event sponsored by Madison Cares will be held
August 17th at Porter Park.
C. Council Member Walker: MYAB · Traffic & Safety
Council Member Walker reported the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board does not meet during the summer months when school is not in session. The Traffic and Safety Committee has not met.
Council Member Johnson: Trails · Beautification · Free Clinic Board
Council Member Johnson reported the trail behind the Jr. High School is almost complete. The Free Medical Clinic has started offering physicals to high school athletes. The Beautification
Committee has not met.
E. Council Member Flora: Parks Committee · Urban Renewal Agency
Council Member Flora reported she spoke with Recreation Director Crowther and was informed Rexburg Rapids is doing well due to the hot temperatures. The Foamy 5K had the same amount
of participants as the year before. They hope to increase the number of participants next year. The Baseball programs is almost finished for this year. A baseball tournament was held
at the baseball quad; however they are looking forward to adding three additional tournaments next year. There has also been interest in having an adult slow pitch softball games at
the quad.
Council Member Flora reported the Parks Committee has not met; however the installation of the playground equipment at Nature Park has been delayed to September due to the shortage in
metal. A meeting was held with City, County and BYU-Idaho University representatives to discuss obtaining more information needed to create a Recreation District. Their plan is to meet
again in August and hoping to determine which companies would be able to assist in the process of creating a Recreation District. Council Member Flora reported the Urban Renewal Agency
met today to approve the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget. The discussed the budget for each district.
F. Council Member Wolfe: Airport Board · Golf Board
Council Member Wolfe did not attend the meeting.
Staff Reports:
Public Works: - Keith Davidson
Bid Acceptance of Nature Park Parking Lot
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the bids received for the Nature Park Parking lot. The low bid was received from Sunroc DBA DePatco.
Council Member Flora moved to approve the low bid of $183,482.50 from Sunroc DBA DePatco for the Nature Park Parking Lot; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Council President
Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Bid Acceptance for Electrical Upgrades at Various Well Houses
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the bids received for the Electrical Upgrades for the various well houses.
Council Member Walker moved to approve the low bid of $214,000 from Mountain West Electric for the electrical upgrades for various well houses; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion;
Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Council President Busby asked about the work being completed on Park Street for Local Improvement District 50. Public Works Director Davidson replied the work on Park Street is on schedule.
Currently, they are working on replacing the service sewer lines. The Moody and Yellowstone project is also on schedule. The Railroad Company will be installing the railroad crossing
arms next week. He said HK Contractors laid down chip seal on the Yellowstone Highway from 4th West to 7th South.
Council Member Flora mentioned a loose manhole cover on 12th West near the field house. Council President Busby mentioned the railroad crossing on 7th South needs to be smoothed out.
Public Works Director Davidson explained there is a plan to possibly build a roundabout and widen the road at that intersection. He said part of that project will include smoothing
out the railroad crossing with concrete planks.
Council Member Flora also mentioned the traffic light at the intersection of 7th South needs to be readjusted because the traffic turning left needs to wait an entire cycle before the
light turns green. Public Works Director Davidson replied the traffic control signal will be update and a traffic study will be completed to identify the traffic pattern to properly
set the light’s cycle.
Items for Consideration:
Calendared Bills:
Second Reading: Those items which have been first read:
Ordinance No 1261 Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriation Budget
ORDINANCE NO. 1261
FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGET APPROPRIATION
AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2021, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, AND APPROPRIATING TO THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS,
OFFICES AND FUNDS OF THE SAID CITY GOVERNMENT FROM THE REVENUE DERIVED FROM TAXES LEVIED FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR, AND ALL OTHER SOURCES, SUCH SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR DEEMED NECESSARY
BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF SAID CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCE.
Council Member Flora moved to approve Ordinance No. 1261 Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriation Budget and; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Third Reading: Those items which have been second read:
Ordinance No 1260 Mayor and City Council Salary Changes Effective January 1, 2022 – Matt Nielson
ORDINANCE NO. 1260
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, REPEALING ORDINANCE 1209; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE TO COMMENCE; JANUARY 1, 2022.
Council Member Johnson moved to approve Ordinance No 1260 Mayor and City Council Salary Changes Effective January 1, 2022 and consider third read; Council Member Mann seconded the motion;
Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried.
Ordinance No 1259 Rezone approximately 459 W Main St and Parcels #RPRRXB10432295, RPRRXB10430130, PRRXB10430160, and RPRRXB10430100 from Mixed Use (MU) and Medium Density Residential
1 (MDR1) to High Density Residential 2 (HDR2) zone #21-00170 – Alan Parkinson
ORDINANCE NO 1259
Rezone Four Parcels at Approximately 459 West Main St, Rexburg, Idaho to High Density Residential 2 (HDR2)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND PROVIDING THAT THE ZONED DESIGNATION OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED, SITUATED IN
REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDAHO, BE CHANGED AS HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
Council Member Johnson moved to approve Ordinance No 1260 Mayor and City Council Salary Changes Effective January 1, 2022 and consider third read; Council Member Mann seconded the motion;
Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson None
Council Member Flora
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried.
Mayor’s Business:
Consent Calendar: The consent calendar includes items which require formal City Council action, however, they are typically routine or not of great controversy. Individual Council members
may ask that any specific item be removed from the consent calendar for discussion in greater detail. Explanatory information is included in the City Council’s agenda packet regarding
these items.
Minutes from July 7, 2021 Meeting
Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member Walker moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora None
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Mann
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Adjournment 7:00 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk