Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - December 21, 2022 Mayor Jerry Merrill Council Members: Robert Chambers Jordan Busby Mikel Walker Tisha Flora Colin Erickson 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 Erickson said the prayer Council Member Johnson led the pledge Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member Erickson, Council Member Walker, and Mayor Merrill Council Member Chambers did not attend the meeting. Council President Busby arrived at the meeting at 6:35 P.M. Presentation: Idaho Transportation Department to present the plan for the North Rexburg Hwy 20 Exit 337 Rachel Telford reviewed the installation plan for the traffic signal on the North Rexburg Highway 20 exit 337. The reason she chose this type of signal design is to prevent traffic from backing up. Council President Busby asked for the date of when the construction for this traffic signal will begin. Ms. Telford replied they have scheduled the construction phase to install the traffic signal for the year 2024. Public Comment: Limit 3 minutes; issues may be considered for discussion on a future agenda. Please keep comments on point and respectful. Ayden Rennaker requested a time slot for the upcoming City Council meeting to make a presentation. The group he represents is Rexburg Life and the Rexburg Vision Fund; they have been working on marketing studies about urban renewal in the city’s downtown area. He said from their marketing studies, they have obtained the perspective of the university students and long-term residents over the last two years. The group was responsible for the ice-skating rink downtown that provided a lot of interaction with citizens, and they would like to share their insights with the Councilmembers. Staff Reports: Finance: – Matt Nielson Financial Reports Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Monthly Financial Reports. / / / / / Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Annual Road and Street Financial Report which is submitted to the state every year. He said he left both Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 so that the Councilmembers can compare between both years. The state requires that the city report on the different sources of revenue. He reviewed the box to the right indicating the revenue sources. The closing balance and ending balance for fiscal year 2022 were reviewed. Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the funds obligated for future projects and indicated that amount was calculated based on the street five year capital improvement plan. / Council President Busby asked about the large increase shown in New Construction: for Roads. Finance Officer Nielson explained there were many contributed streets from developments last year that totaled about 3.7 million dollars. There was more cost in the Local Improvement Districts (LID) last year. City Staff was aggressive in adding streets to LIDs for improvements. They brought forward several more streets as LIDs for next year because they knew there would be a carryover of funds. Council President Busby said with the amount of development taking place in the city last year he thought the Local Impact Fees would be higher. Finance Officer Nielson said the amount of revenue received from impact fees sometimes depends on timing because it could take years before the city receives the impact fees as a contribution. The amount of impact fees collected also depends on the type of development; for example, a single-family home will bring in a lesser amount of fees than a large box store. Budget Adjustment for remodeling underneath the stage at the Romance Theater Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Adjustment to remodel underneath the stage at the Romance Theater. Council Member Erickson asked if they could postpone the project until next year so that the additional expense is in the budget. Council Member Flora explained this project is in the five-year capital improvement budget, it is not a new project. They did not spend $30,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 budget, now the estimated cost of the project is an additional $69,800. Council Member Erickson said he would prefer the city departments to stay within their budget. Council Member Johnson asked if they do not complete this remodel on the theater. What type of impact it would have on the theater? Finance Officer Nielson said some of the impact that would occur is not having access to the area underneath the stage. Mayor Merrill said there have been times when performers have had to go to a nearby business to use the restroom so that they do not have to cross the entire theater to go use the restrooms located in the front of the theater. Council Member Walker said the longer a project is postponed the costs tend to increase. Finance Officer Nielson said city staff have started the demolition underneath the stage. Mayor Merrill said city staff has taken apart and hauled out the old boiler. Council Member Walker encouraged the Councilmembers to go to the Romance Theater and review the work that has been and still needs to be completed. / Council Member Walker moved to approve the Budget Adjustment for the remodeling underneath the stage at the Romance Theater; 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 Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Public Works: – Keith Davidson Resolution No. 2022 – 31 Set Public Hearing for January 18, 2023, for Final Assessment Role for Local Improvement District 51 (LID 51) Public Works Director Davidson reviewed Resolution No. 2022-31 to set a public hearing for January 18, 2023, Final Assessment Role for Local Improvement District 51 (LID 51). He said most of the property assessments were lower than the estimated costs. Council Member Flora asked if the property owners have received notice of the lower costs. Public Works Director Davidson said once the public hearing is set, city staff will send out the lower estimated costs to the property owners. Council Member Flora moved to approve Resolution No. 2022 – 31 to Set Public Hearing for January 18, 2023, for Final Assessment Role for Local Improvement District 51 (LID 51); Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Surplus 2008 Chevy Silverado extended cab Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the surplus of the 2008 Chevy Silverado extended cab pickup. Council Member Walker asked if the city’s Park Department could use the pickup. Council President Busby questioned the surplus of this pickup due to the low mileage. Finance Officer Nielson said the Building Department personnel previously used the pickup and Building Official Stoddard wanted to maximize the return on this vehicle; however, they can offer the pickup internally. Finance Officer Nielson mentioned Building Official Stoddard thought he could obtain $15,000 by selling the pickup. The blue book value of the pickup is about $10,000. / Council President Busby said he believes there will be new vehicle request from Department Heads during the budget process in May. He recommended to keep the pickup and not surplus the pickup. Council President Busby moved to table the Surplus of the 2008 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab Pickup; 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 Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Council Member Johnson asked for the date of the town hall meeting for the property owners that are included in LID 51. Public Works Director Davidson said due to the timing of the public hearing they might not have enough time to hold the town hall meeting. He has been in communication with many of the property owners included in LID 51. City Attorney Zollinger suggested they hold a question-and-answer meeting on January 4 prior to the regularly scheduled meeting. Council Member Erickson asked about the traffic light delay on 2nd East at the intersection of Teton River Drive and North 2nd East. Public Works Director Davidson said he would contact the Idaho Transportation Department regarding the delay on this light. Information Technology: – Todd Smith Broadband Project Update IT Director Smith reviewed the Lightbridge Progress Report. / / / / Mayor’s Report: Mayor Merrill reported the Winter Park at the Teton Lakes Golf Course is now open. There is cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice-skating available at the park. Council President Busby asked about a Winter Fest event at the Winter Park. Mayor Merrill said city staff has not decided on a date for the Winter Fest event. Mayor Merrill mentioned the new park the city is building at the old Barney Dairy property; they would like the park to include river rafting, bike trails and other sport activities geared towards teenagers in the community. The city has hired a design consultant for the new park; however, they would like input from the citizens as to which sport activities they desire at the park. Mayor Merrill reported city staff continues to meet with several representatives regarding the city’s water rights. He said it is time for the city to reconvene the Impact Committee. He has contacted several committee members and they are willing to reconvene. Mayor Merrill reported the city in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce is hosting the State of the City Address, it is scheduled on Tuesday, January 24th 7:30 A.M. at the Atrium. Item for Consideration: Planning & Zoning recommendation to deny a rezone at approximately 501 E 7th S, parcel numbers RPR6N40E296601 and RPR6N40E322402, from Low-Density Residential 1 (LDR1) to Medium-Density Residential 1 (MDR1) zone – Alan Parkinson Planning and Zoning Administrator Parkinson reviewed the rezone request at approximately 501 E 7th S, parcel numbers RPR6N40E296601 and RPR6N40E322402, from Low-Density Residential 1 (LDR1) to Medium-Density Residential 1 (MDR1) Zone. / / Council Member Johnson said she believes this is a good example why they need to change the designations on the Comprehensive Plan Map. She does not believe the Medium Density Residential 1 Zone (MDR1) is a good fit for this area. Council Member Walker said he agrees the MDR1 is not a good fit for this area. Mayor Merrill mentioned he read many of the letters from citizens regarding this rezone and they referenced that this area should only be single-family owner-occupied zoning. He pointed out the single-family aspect of that zone the city controls; however, the owner-occupied aspect is not something the city controls and anyone can rent his or her home at any time. Council Member Johnson moved to deny a Rezone at approximately 501 E 7th S, parcel numbers RPR6N40E296601 and RPR6N40E322402, from Low-Density Residential 1 (LDR1) to Medium-Density Residential 1 (MDR1) Zone; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Calendared Bills: Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: Ordinance No 1294 Rezone at approximately 301 S 12th W, Parcel No. RPRXBCA0254499, from Rural Residential 2 (RR2) to Low-Density Residential 1 (LDR1) and Low-Density Residential 2 (LDR2) zones – Alan Parkinson ORDINANCE NO. 1294 Rezone Approximately 301 S 12th W from Rural Residential 2 (RR2) to Low Density Residential 1 (LDR1) and Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) 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 President Busby moved to approve Ordinance No. 1294 a Rezone at approximately 301 S 12th W, Parcel No. RPRXBCA0254499, from Rural Residential 2 (RR2) to Low-Density Residential 1 (LDR1) and Low-Density Residential 2 (LDR2) Zones; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora Council Member Erickson Council Member Johnson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: NONE 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 December 7, 2022, Meeting Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Flora moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bill; 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 Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Adjournment 7:33 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: _____________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk