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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Minutes - November 04, 2020 1 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 Marianna Gonzalez said the prayer. Brett Stoddard led the pledge. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Mann, Council Member Walker, and Council Member Wolfe - Attending via Zoom: Council Member Flora, Council Member Busby and Mayor Merrill. Mayor Merrill asked Council Member Mann to conduct the meeting because he was feeling ill. Motion and Order to Amend the Agenda – Addition of Executive Session Pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) to Agenda Item 13 Council Member Walker moved to approve to Amend the Agenda – Addition of Executive Session Pursuant to Idaho Code 74-206(1)(b) to Agenda 13; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 Member Wolfe Council President Busby The motion carried 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 Presentation: A. Randy Rhead and Subsidized Housing Managers (Village and Brenchley Apartments) Presentation on Public Transportation Assistance Mr. Rhead said he came before City Council about a year and a half ago to address the transportation needs of the city. Currently, he is a driver for CT Transportation and has been stopped by city residents inquiring about public transportation. He contacted the management of Brenchley and Village Community Garden Apartments to determine the transportation needs of their tenants because when he was a driver for Targhee Regional Public Transportation Authority (TRPTA) he would receive many requests for transportation from these two apartment complexes. He said he asked Danielle Quayle the manager of Brenchley Apartments and Shannon Gilgen 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Phone: 208.359.3020 x 2101 Fax: 208.359.3022 deborahl@rexburg.org www.rexburg.org City Council Minutes November 04, 2020 2 manager of Village Community Garden Apartments to speak tonight regarding their tenant’s transportation needs. Mr. Rhead said he started a petition requesting City Council to consider funding public transportation. He collected over 80 signatures. Danielle Quayle the Manager of Brenchley Apartments explained the tenants living at Brenchley Apartments are 62 years of age and older, or disabled. The tenant’s rent is subsidized based on their income. Their tenants have suffered for transportation needs since TRPTA was dissolved. They relied on the subsidized transportation TRPTA provided to them. She said due to the minimal funds collected per unit the complex cannot offer transportation. She said their tenants are in dire need of public transportation to get to medical appointments. Council Member Flora asked if an online service group could be created to help transport these residents to medical appointments or to local stores to buy their needs. Ms. Quayle said there are many seniors in this facility that don’t have access to internet due to low income. Some seniors don’t know how to use the internet. Mayor Merrill said city staff has contacted the Research and Business Development Center (RBDC) to complete a study to understand the public transportation needs in Rexburg. It’s important to have the necessary data before considering to implement such an expensive program. He said due to the high costs of public transportation the city would need other funding sources such as grants or a joint venture with the county and East-Central Idaho Planning and Development Association (ECIPDA). The data and funding will take time to collect. He said he agrees with Council Member Flora to start a service group of community members that would be willing to transport the elderly seniors to their medical appointments and grocery stores in the city. Council Member Flora said the Just Serve program could be used to sign up volunteers that would be willing to transport senior residents to their appointments or stores in the city. The volunteers could be added to a schedule so the tenants would know the days and times transportation is available. Randy Rhead said there are issues with relying on volunteers for public transportation. There have been times when the volunteer forgot or had a conflict and couldn’t provide transportation to residents. He said a solution to help fund public transportation would be to receive donations from community members. The city could partner with CT Transportation, LLC to fulfill the city’s public transportation needs. This company has the necessary vehicles to transport disabled residents. Ms. Quayle said there are liability concerns with using volunteers to transport disabled residents. Council Member Mann said he would prefer to wait for the public transportation study the RBDC is preparing for the city. The funding will also need to be considered as well. Mr. Rhead said he spoke with the County Commissioners regarding public transportation, too; however, there is a larger need for city residents than for county residents. Staff Reports: A. Community Development: - Bret Stoddard Building Official Stoddard reviewed the Building Valuation Report for the month of October. There are several New Single Family Residential Permits issued. The Building Department is busy imputting the old building permits into the computer system. They are working to digitize all of the building froms so that they are more readily available to the public. 3 B. Finance: Matt Nielson 1. Financial Software Package RFP Bid Acceptance and Budget Adjustment Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Financial Software Package Request for Proposal (RFP). Council Member Flora asked how often technical services are needed for the current finance software. Finance Officer Nielson replied the amount of service varies on average about once or twice a week per departments using the system. City Clerk Lovejoy mentioned there is only one programmer available to make changes to the current software. Finance Officer Nielson explained the estimated maintenance fees for current financial software DataNow and the proposed annual maintenance fees for the new software. He also reviewed the revenue sources for the new software. 4 Finance Officer Nielson said he is seeking approval from City Council to move forward with contract negotiations with Tyler Technologies for Munis Software. The final budge adjustment will be before City Council once negotiated and city stall will submit an application for potential grant funding. Council Member Flora said the Finance Department has been budgeting and saving funds for years to replace the financial software and they have been discussing the need for the new software with City Council. Council Member Mann asked how much funds have been saved for the new software. Finance Officer Nielson replied the city has saved about $305,700 and those funds are in an investment account. The implementation of the new software is a difficult process and is going to take about a year and a half to fully implement, causing an overlap in costs for both the old and new software. Discussion regarding the integration process of the new software. Council Member Wolfe moved to approve the contract negotiation with Tyler Technologies for Munis Software; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Council Member Mann asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora Council Member Johnson Council Member Mann Council Member Walker Council Member Wolfe Council President Busby The motion carried C. Public Works: - Keith Davidson 1. Wastewater Treatment Plant Blower Bid Acceptance Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the bids received for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Blowers. The blowers being replaced have been operating for 34 years. He mentioned the Rocky Mountain Power incentive for the project of $182,290.50 because the new blowers will be more efficient. Two companies turned in bids for the project and the low bid is from Lone Star Blower. There are three blowers being replaced. 5 Council Member Johnson moved to approve the low bid of $307,240 from Lone Star Blower for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Blowers; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 2. Wastewater Collections Portable Generator Budget Adjustment Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the Budget Adjustment for the Wastewater Collections Portable Generator. Council Member Walker moved to approve the Budget Adjustment for the Wastewater Collections Portable Generator; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 Public Hearing 6:50 PM: NONE Mayor’s Report: Mayor Merrill reported the number of Covid-19 cases have continued to increase over the last two days. He encouraged everyone to continue following the Eastern Idaho Public Health mandates and social distancing guidelines. 6 Brett Sampson Director, Community Relations and University Events BYU- Idaho reported the university will not be holding classes on November 25th, 26th and 27th. They are encouraging students to remain in town and not travel to their hometowns for the holiday. There will be a Thanksgiving dinner on campus for the students that stay in town and there will be fun activities for them to participate in during the three days. He said 1000 students have already RSVPed to stay in town and there is currently 18,000 students on campus. The last day of the Fall Semester is December 15th and they will resume classes on January 6th. Most students generally return to school a week before classes begin. Mr. Sampson mentioned the university is determined to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and will assist the community in doing so as well. The university is considering different Covid-19 testing. Items for Consideration: Calendared Bills and Tabled Items: A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: Ordinance No 1241 Development Code Ordinance 1200 Amendment – Amendments to Subdivision Process and Associated Sections to Align With These Amendments; New Lot Line Adjustment Section #20-00715 – Alan Parkinson Council Member Wolfe moved to approve Ordinance No 1241 Development Code Ordinance 1200 Amendment – Amendments to Subdivision Process and Associated Sections to Align With These Amendments; New Lot Line Adjustment Section and consider second read; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Council Member Mann asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora Council Member Mann Council Member Johnson Council Member Walker Council Member Wolfe Council Member Busby The motion carried B. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: a. Ordinance No 1238 Rezone Grand Loop from Technology Office Zone (TOZ) to Community Business Center (CBC) #20-00690 – Alan Parkinson ORDINANCE NO 1238 Rezone Grand Loop, Rexburg, Idaho to Community Business Center (CBC) 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. 7 Council Member Wolfe moved to approve Ordinance No 1238 Rezone Grand Loop from Technology Office Zone (TOZ) to Community Business Center (CBC) and consider third read; Council Member Mann seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 b. Ordinance No 1239 Rezone approximately 242 East Main St and Professional Plaza St from Low Density Residential 1 (LDR1) to Community Business Center (CBC) #20-00689 – Alan Parkinson ORDINANCE NO 1239 Rezone Approximately 280 East Main St and Professional Plaza, Rexburg, Idaho to Community Business Center (CBC) 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 1239 Rezone approximately 242 East Main St and Professional Plaza St from Low Density Residential 1 (LDR1) to Community Business Center (CBC) and consider third read; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 c. Ordinance No 1237 Amendment to Ordinance No 1200 Rexburg Development Code Removing Infill/Redevelopment and Amending PED Requirements #20- 00603 – Alan Parkinson 8 Council Member Johnson moved to approve Ordinance No 1237 Amendment to Ordinance No 1200 Rexburg Development Code Removing Infill/Redevelopment and Amending PED Requirements and consider third read; Council Member Wolfe seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 Business: A. Proclamation 2020 – 05 November 6, 2020 Extra Mile Day Council Member Mann read Proclamation No. 2020 – 05 November 6, 2020 Extra Mile Day. PROCLAMATION No. 2020 – 05 November 6, 2020 Extra Mile Day WHEREAS, Rexburg, Idaho, is a community which acknowledges that a special vibrancy exists within the entire community when its individual citizens collectively “go the extra mile” in personal effort, volunteerism, and service and WHEREAS, Rexburg, Idaho, is a community which encourages its citizens to maximize their personal contribution to the community by giving of themselves wholeheartedly and with total effort, commitment, and conviction to their individual ambitions, family, friends, and community; and WHEREAS, Rexburg, Idaho, is a community which chooses to shine a light on and celebrate individuals and organizations within its community who “go the extra mile” in order to make a difference and lift up fellow members of their community; and WHEREAS, Rexburg, Idaho, acknowledges the mission of Extra Mile America to create 500 Extra Mile cities in America and is proud to support “Extra Mile Day” on November 6, 2020. Now, Therefore I, Mayor Jerry Merrill of Rexburg, Idaho do hereby proclaim November 6, 2020, to be Extra Mile Day. I urge each individual in the community to take time on this day to not only “go the extra mile” in his or her own life, but to also acknowledge all those who are inspirational in their efforts and commitment to make their organizations, families, community, country, or world a better place. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Rexburg to be affixed this 4th day of November in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty. APPROVED: _____________________________ SEAL Jerry Merrill, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Deborah Lovejoy, City Clerk Council Member Wolfe moved to ratify Proclamation 2020 – 05 November 6, 2020 Extra Mile Day; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 9 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. A. Minutes from October 21, 2020 Meeting B. 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; Council Member Mann 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 Executive Session – Roll Call Vote for Motion to Enter into Executive Session per Idaho State Statute 74-206(1)(b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, or public school student. Council Member Wolfe moved to approve to go into Executive Session per Idaho State Statute 74-206 (b) To consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent, or public school student; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Council Member Mann 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 Member Wolfe Council President Busby The motion carried Executive Session stated 7:55 P.M. Executive Session ended 8:38 P.M. Adjournment 8:39 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: _____________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk