HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - November 03, 2021 (2)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
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.
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 3, 2021
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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
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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
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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.
A. Minutes from October 20, 2021
B. 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.
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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