The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Minutes - November 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 5:00 p.m. Work Meeting – City Hall – Discuss City Logo Options Mayor Merrill welcomed everyone and introduced the staff from Method Studios that are helping with the new logo designs. They joined the meeting via Teams. Several students from the high school were in attendance for their government class so he welcomed them and then he turned the time over to Economic Development Director, Scott Johnson. Director Johnson explained that when the interchanges are revamped in 2023 and 2024, they would like to have a new brand for Rexburg to display on the new interchange walls. They want to keep “America’s Family Community” theme but update the look of the whole logo. Method Studios has been working on some concepts. / / (Current Rexburg Logo) (New Concept Idea from Method Studios) / / (Sample for Retaining Wall at the Interchanges) (Sample banners) Jennifer and Lauren with Method Studios showed the different signage they came up with. They showed a motif of an abstract family. The interchange sign would have metal slats with the family across the bottom. The design would change depending on the angle you are looking at it. One angle would show the Grand Teton Peaks. They showed examples of other various signage that the logo could be used on, such as way finding signs, street banners, etc. Director Johnson said they have looked at many different possibilities. He thought this design was simpler and easier to understand. The mayor wanted to get some input from the council members and the community. Council President Busby asked if ITD is funding the signage along with the new interchange costs. Director Johnson said it depends on the costs and if there are still funds available. Director Johnson explained that the retaining walls that the signs would be on, would be seen as you come off the interchange. Council Member Mann thought the shape of people look more like a temple than mountains. He also wondered how we would coordinate the two different styles: the current logo style that is already on everything and the new logo style. Director Johnson explained that the changes would be over time. He said a lot of the current signs are faded and need replaced. Council Member Johnson said she doesn’t think the new logo looks like a family. Council President Busby thought it looked too busy. Council Member Mann agrees that the circles and triangles don’t really say family. Discussion about what the current logo looks like. Director Johnson explained that Rexburg is the youngest city in America so it would be nice to have a logo that reflects that. Council Member Flora likes the new design. She said it’s modern and fun; however, the metal slats/vertical lines with the family people does look a little busy. Method Studios was trying to incorporate the Teton Mountains into the design. The vertical slats can change colors depending on the direction you are going. Discussion about the slats and colors. Method Studios indicated that they could do just the mountain range and not the people. They pulled up some projects they have done for other clients using the slats. Council Member Mann asked about the cost. Director Johnson said they don’t know yet. Jennifer with Method Studios explained that at night, you could do different things with the lighting. Council President Busby is concerned about the expense and the fact that it looks too busy. Director Johnson said that ITD budgets a certain amount for finish work, which would include signage. Council Member Busby said we have a lot of other needs besides a fancy sign. He would like to see other options. Council Member Flora said she thinks we need something nice like Idaho Falls. Council Member Mann wants to involve Madison County in the decision. They reviewed the look without the slats. The slats can be changed by rewrapping them. 6:30 P.M. City Hall Prayer – Council Member Flora Pledge – Nathan Tonks Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Walker, Council Member Mann, Council President Busby, and Mayor Merrill. Council Member Wolfe asked to be excused Mayor Merrill asked Brett Sampson, the BYU-I Liaison to the City of Rexburg, to talk about the changes to his position and introduce the person replacing him. Brett Sampson explained that the university has done some reorganizing. Merv Brown recently retired so Brett will be the new Managing Director for University Relations at BYU-I. Brett Crandall will be replacing him as Community Liaison as well as Public Affairs Director. They have worked together for six years. Brett Crandall introduced himself. He has lived in Rexburg for six years and has worked at the university during that time. He has been the Media Relations Manager, overseeing internal communications for students and employees. He also managed social media channels for the university. Before coming to BYU-I, he worked in the news industry as a news reporter and meteorologist for Local News 8. He looks forward to working with the City of Rexburg and the City Council Members. Mayor Merrill welcomed Dalton Mickelson from Canada who is serving as the BYU-I student council representative. Mayor Merrill asked Dalton to introduce himself. Dalton Mickelson said he is in his sixth semester at BYU-I studying history. He is on the M.U.S.I.C. committee. 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 Mayor Merrill commented that they had a 5:00 work meeting to discuss a new logo for Rexburg to go with the new interchanges coming in 2023 and 2024. Staff Reports: Finance – Matt Nielson Street Department Budget Adjustment for University Blvd Project Finance Officer Nielson presented the budget adjustment needed for the Street Department for the University Boulevard Project. They need to widen the road. The money would come from the contingency road construction fund. Approximately $130,000 is needed for this project that will start next summer. The survey work needs to be done now. / Council President Busby moved to approve the budget adjustment for the Street Department; Council Member Walker 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 President Busby The motion carried. Public Works – Keith Davidson Local Improvement District 51 (LID 51) Construction Survey Results Public Works Director Davidson presented the Construction Survey Results for LID 51. The survey was on Chad, Angela, and Marianne Drive. One third of those residents responded. 80% would like to see the road left the way it is and not narrowed. The narrowing would save the city money, but the residents are concerned about people parking on the street when there are events at the fairgrounds. / Council Member Johnson asked if the residents were aware of the cost savings of a narrower street. Director Davidson said yes, that was explained at the meeting in the Nature Park. Director Davidson continued with the survey results. He said they asked for the resident’s input on the type of curbing they would like. The consensus was to do the rolled curb. Director Davidson explained the difference with the curbs. There is no cost difference. / Council Member Flora was wondering if maybe the residents want to keep the wider street in order to park on the street. Director Davidson isn’t sure if that is the case, but he said there is no overnight parking on the street during the winter anyway. Joseph Wachtveitl, a resident within LID 51, explained that Marianne Drive has the rolled curb so it would look better if it all matched. As for the narrower road, it would be a problem with all the people parking there during fairground events. Jan Wright, a resident within LID 51, asked if the council will vote soon on this LID. She is concerned about the prices going up. Director Davidson explained that the next step is to present a notice of intent to create the lid then there will be a public hearing and then the council will vote, so probably in December. Council Member Johnson questioned the option on the survey to postpone the LID. Mayor Merrill said that has only happened one time and those people regretted it because costs went up. Discussion about mailbox placement. Surplus Desks, File Cabinets, and City Hall’s GMC Jimmy Public Works Director Davidson asked council for permission to surplus some desks, file cabinets, lights, and the GMC Jimmy that has been used by city staff. / / / / / Council President Busby said he doesn’t want to surplus desks and then sign a bill for new desks a few months later. He wants to be sure we are being fiscally responsible. Director Davidson explained that sometimes the size or configuration of the old desk, doesn’t work with the office space available. Council Member Flora moved to approve the surplus of desks, file cabinets and the GMC Jimmy; 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 President Busby The motion carried. Council Member Mann asked about the “no parking on the streets overnight” dates in the winter. The dates are December 15 or after graduation until March 1st. He also asked who bought the park equipment that was surplused. Director Davidson will check on that and let him know. On bigger items, Councilman Mann would like to see who bought them and what the winning bid was. Council Member Walker asked for an update on Park Street. Director Davidson said they have poured part of the curb. Discussion about gas lines on Park Street. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Merrill said he received notice from the Idaho Attorney General’s office that we will receive money to go toward opioid abuse prevention. They had their first M.U.S.I.C. (Mayor’s University Student Involvement Committee) meeting with the university students. The group is excited to be involved with the community. He said one question brought up during the recent campaign was why sewer costs are so high. He wants people to understand that there are always upgrades and repairs that must be done and the equipment is not cheap. He had Brandy Davis, the Public Works Administrative Assistant, call other cities to see what their sewer rates are. She reported that Rexburg’s sewer rates are lower than most other cities. Mayor Merrill said the Wastewater Collections staff run cameras through the lines throughout the year and check each line every three years. They have found several problem areas and have fixed them, preventing more expensive problems down the road. Items for Consideration: City Staff Recommendation to approve destruction of Building Plan hard copies that have been archived digitally in the City's designated records archive system. Designated as Resolution 2021 - 13 if motion passes - Deborah Lovejoy Council Member Walker moved to approve the destruction of Building Plan hard copies that have been archived digitally in the City's designated records archive system. Designated as Resolution 2021 - 13; 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 President Busby The motion carried. Calendared Bills and Tabled Items: Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: Ordinance No 1269 Annex Location 1 Approximately 1154 McJon Ln; Location 2 Approximately South 5th West and University Blvd; Location 3 Approximately 1365 and 1371 N 2nd E; Location 4 Approximately 702 N 9th E; and Rezone Location 3: from Transitional Agriculture (TAG) to Community Business Center (CBC) Zone; and Rezone Location 4: Approximately 702 N 9th E from Transitional Agriculture (TAG) and Rural Residential 1 (RR1) to Public Facilities (PF) Zones #21-00621 - Alan Parkinson / / / Council Member Johnson moved to approve Ordinance No 1269 Annex Location 1 Approximately 1154 McJon Ln; Location 2 Approximately South 5th West and University Blvd; Location 3 Approximately 1365 and 1371 N 2nd E; Location 4 Approximately 702 N 9th E; and Rezone Location 3: from Transitional Agriculture (TAG) to Community Business Center (CBC) Zone; and Rezone Location 4: Approximately 702 N 9th E from Transitional Agriculture (TAG) and Rural Residential 1 (RR1) to Public Facilities (PF) Zones #21-00621 and consider it second read; 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 President Busby The motion carried. Ordinance No 1270 Rezone Land at approximately 547 Trejo St, parcel #RPRXBCA0259012 from Community Business Center (CBC) to High Density Residential 1(HDR1) Zone #21-00681 - Alan Parkinson ORDINANCE NO. 1270 Rezone Approximately 547 Trejo St from Community Business Center (CBC) to High Density Residential 1 (HDR1) 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 Walker moved to approve Ordinance No 1270 Rezone Land at approximately 547 Trejo St, parcel #RPRXBCA0259012 from Community Business Center (CBC) to High Density Residential 1(HDR1) Zone #21-00681 and consider it second read; 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 President Busby The motion carried. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: Ordinance No 1268 Rezone at approximately 2331 W 2000 S, Parcel No. RPRXBCA0014217 from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) to Community Business Center (CBC) zone #21-0622 - Alan Parkinson ORDINANCE NO. 1268 Rezone Approximately 2331 W 2000 S from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) to Community Business Center (CBC) Zone 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 Flora moved to approve Ordinance No 1268 Rezone at approximately 2331 W 2000 S, Parcel No. RPRXBCA0014217 from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) to Community Business Center (CBC) zone #21-0622 and consider it third read; 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 President Busby The motion carried. Mayor’s Business: Council Member Mann asked about the second meeting in December. It will be the 15th. They will plan on a regularly scheduled 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 October 20, 2021 Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council President Busby 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 Johnson Council Member Mann Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Council President Busby moved to go into Executive Session per Idaho State Statute 74-206(1) (j) To consider labor contract matters authorized under section §67-2345A[74-206A](1)(a) and (b), Idaho Code; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call 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. Executive Session started 7:16 P.M. Executive Session ended 7:52 P.M. Adjournment 7:56 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: _____________________________ Mary Flanary