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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - June 14, 2023 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org City Council Minutes – June 14, 2023 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 5:00 P.M. Work Meeting - Madison 2022 Transportation Plan Review Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the mobility vs. access of the transportation plan. Discussion regarding traffic impact studies. The Idaho Transportation Department classification map is lined up with the federal standards. In 2004 the classifications were not lined up with the federal classifications. The East Parkway Corridor was discussed in the 2004 transportation plan. / / / / Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the 2013 East Parkway Corridor alignment plan. / / Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the 2015 vision network. / Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the proposed functional class right of way. Discussion regarding designation of the city roads. City Attorney Zollinger said any changes to the map indicating the proposed function class of roadway should be ran through the city’s traffic consultant to avoid liability to an individual councilmember. The City Council as an elected body should not be doing the engineering, they should be considering the recommendation from the expert traffic consultant group. The state requires the city have a proposed network vision map as far out into the future as possible Discussion regarding the estimated population numbers. City Attorney Zollinger mentioned the traffic counts are not solely based on population, they consider many other demographics. / 6:30 P.M. City Hall (0:02:46) Council Member Walker 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 via phone, Council Member Walker, Council President Busby and Mayor Merrill Amend the Agenda to add a bid acceptance for the golf course on item 7(A)(3) as per Idaho State Statute §74-204(4)(b). Council President Busby moved to amend the agenda as per Idaho State Statute §74-204(4)(b): Addition of item 7(A)(3) bid acceptance for the golf course; 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 Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Public Comment: Limit 3 minutes; issues may be considered for discussion on a future agenda. Please keep comments on point and respectful. Micheal Mesker passed out an outline of issues he believes took place at the Rexburg Pride 2023. / / Ron Nate also pointed out some of the issues with the Rexburg Pride 2023 event. He said he is grateful the drag queen performances were moved to the Romance Theater. He does not want the harmful content and harmful performances of drag queen to be performed in front of children. Some children may be attending the performances with their parent’s knowledge; however, there is no first amendment right to harm or corrupt children. Moving the performance to a venue to control who is coming in or not coming in is a step in the right direction. He believes moving the event to the Romance Theater for free sends a bad message. The bad message is if a performance is taking place at the park that parents do not agree with, the city will give you a free venue. The drag queens’ performances in a city theater without any costs it looks like the city is subsidizing drag queen performances. That is unacceptable. He said Mayor Merrill sent him a text indicating the drag queen performances were moved to the theater. He questioned if the theater is really a private venue, and does it exclude kids? The response to his question from Mayor Merrill was it removes the drag queen performances from the park where families could come by the performances innocently. He was at the park the day of the event and there were drag queens milling through the park, so families did come by the event innocently. Mayor Merrill mentioned the event organizers paid a large sum of money for the public gathering permit, the funds from the permit were extended to include the theater since the park was not being used for the performances. Mr. Nate said it appears to him that the Rexburg Pride Event received extra access to city venues at no additional costs. The Rexburg Pride Event organizers have not been honorable in their dealings with the city because they were handing out sex kits and there were milling drag queens. Mr. Nate said they give the impression they are going to protect children, yet they put kids in harm’s way. The city should bill retroactive for the theater, and they should be charged for more police officers. A permit should not be granted next year because they cannot live up to their agreements. The issuing of the permit for the Pride Event will be a campaign item. A city ordinance should be passed that makes it constitutionally and clear about the kind of family friendly activities that are allowed in the city parks. These event organizers say it is family friendly; however, the event clearly violates the city’s obscenity and vulgarity standards. Maria Nate said she is saddened by what is happening in the Rexburg community, state, and country. She believes the city Councilmembers do not understand the gravity of what is happening to our youth. The rhetoric and cult like thing that is happening to our children at an alarming speed. Anyone who has teenagers right now sees it because it is everywhere. She is fascinated by this new tactic that these pride events are taking where they talk about family friendly drag queens. The grooming of children is what is happening at these events, and it is being sanctioned by our government, city council and in some instances by our churches. She said she is done being quiet, done just sitting round doing nothing and done with being kind, it is not kind to let children fall into this delusional trap that is happening with this whole gender spectrum. She said it is getting worse and worse. Mrs. Nate said this event was a mark for our community and asked, do we have community decency or not? Are we going to allow the LGBTQ Club to recruit our children away from what we know to be good and normal behavior? This is not normal, they are recruiting and coming for our children. She said she is not going to let them come without a fight. In Pocatello, they are saying these drag events are ok because they have vetted all the songs and have made sure all the performers are over the age of 18 and wearing approved clothing. These are men dressed up sexually as women and that is deviant behavior. Idaho is behind compared to other states thank goodness; however, it is coming. They are coming for our children; they are coming to our schools. Mrs. Nate read a post from a drag queen named Pickle from Los Angeles, California. She said the post stated “I read stories to kids today and will continue to keep reading to them. I’m going to start teaching drag queen in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. I will advocate for this work until it is a requirement. I’m going to push drag so deep into the education system that your kids won’t be able to get into college unless they meet the requirement.” Mrs. Nate urged the Councilmembers to stop this from happening and to take a stand for children and families. She asked them to set a marker that this community is not going to allow this kind of deviant behavior in our city parks or schools. David George said he and his family look to the local leaders for protection and to defend them. The LGBTQ is a political movement that is pushing its way into communities. The handing out of sex kits to children at a city park during the Pride Event is alarming. Michael Williams said he has been a licensed marriage and family therapist since 1988. He applauded the moving of the drag queen performances to the theater. When a behavior is normalized that consist of detrimental effects on the people that are not sure about their identity. Especially, when the message they are receiving is stating this is what you are, this is where you want to go as far as identity. These types of events are not in the best interest of young people. There is a tacit agreement when the city, county or state supports an event on their property. As he understands the obscenity laws define the community and whatever has been tolerated by a community is no longer obscene. Victor Harrison said he is saddened and disturbed by the condition of the asphalt. He lives at the intersection of Nina and North Hill Road. He is tired of the potholes, if the city is spending money on golf courses, the flowers for Main Street, and on the parks is a waste of money. The Councilmembers need to focus on the improving of the asphalt, it should be their priority. He has been complaining about the asphalt on North Hill Road for years. He mentioned the following streets need immediate attention North 4th East, South 5th West from Les Schwab from University Boulevard, South 4th West from 2nd South to 6th South, the potholes are about three feet in diameter. Andrew Hale said he is thankful to the Councilmembers for asking the drag queen performances to be moved to the Romance Theater. He compared the sexualized adult entertainment of drag queen performances to that of strippers. Drag queen performances are not appropriate for children. Mike Nygren expressed his concerns with the way things are going in the community, other cities, and nation. He mentioned an incident that occurred regarding a Pride Event in Washington DC. John Crystal said a couple of city council meetings ago he brought up the concerns with the cement work that was completed on streets participating in Local Improvement District 51. He asked about the concrete work warranty. Public Works Director Davidson said Edstrom Construction completed the work on LID 51 and they are scheduled to evaluate the concrete work in mid-July. Items from City Council: (:05:03) Committees: MEPI, Cultural Arts, Grants, School Board, MUSIC, MYAB, Traffic & Safety, Emergency Services Board, Trails, Beautification, Parks, Recreation, Urban Renewal, Airport, Golf Board, and Legacy Flight Museum Council Member Chambers reported the M.E.P.I. committee is working on an interactive online brochure. The purpose of the interactive brochure is to give industries their first look at Rexburg. As industries respond and want to visit Rexburg, the committee members will give familiarization tours of the city. He reported there are many arts programs scheduled this summer, he encouraged everyone to visit www.rexburgarts.org to find dates and time for the art events. Other Reports: NONE Staff Reports: (0:15:54) Finance: – Matt Nielson Financial Reports Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Cash and Investment Balance Report. / Fiscal Year 2023 Final Budget Adjustment Approval Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the budget adjustment to complete some of the projects at the golf course. Council Member Johnson expressed her concerns with purchasing 15 additional golf carts, she believes the additional golf carts will cause an overcrowding of the golf courses. Finance Officer Nielson explained the golf cart rentals brings in additional revenues and both golf courses have a demand for carts. They rotate out the old golf carts and sell them to bring in revenue. Some of the carts are 20 years old. / Council President Busby moved to approve the Golf 2023 Budget Adjustment as presented; Council Member Chambers seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Bid Acceptance for Teton Lakes Golf Course Parking Lot Expansion Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the bids for the Teton Lakes Golf Course parking lot expansion project. The parking lot expansion has been on the docket for several years. The Golf Board recommended the bid of $80,267 from HK Contractors be approved and accept alternate bids 1 and 2 to pave additional cart paths. They have asked the county to chip seal and repaint the parking stalls. / Council President Busby moved to approve the low bid of $80,267 from HK Contractor for the Teton Lakes Golf Course parking lot Expansion and alternate bids 1 of $6,850 and 2 of $17,721; 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 Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the budget adjustment for the Tabernacle sound system. The city requested bids for the sound system. There was $80,000 in the budget; however, the bid came in at $99,900 which is over budget. The city received an anonymous donation of $30,000 to improve the sound system at the Tabernacle. Council Member Flora asked Finance Officer Nielson to thank the donor. / Council Member Walker moved to approve the Budget Adjustment for the Tabernacle Sound System; 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 Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Finance Officer Nielson explained there are several budget items he will be presenting at the upcoming city council meetings including additional budget adjustment, and the amended budget for Fiscal Year 2023. Mayor’s Report: (0:29:10) Mayor Merrill mentioned the Fourth of July parade he and the Councilmembers are attending. He reported he attended the Water Users Association seminar the last two days. There is a lot of demand for water in many different areas. The city has good water rights; however, we need to make sure we continue to be diligent in maintaining the water rights. Items for Consideration: NONE Calendared Bills: Tablet Items: Adopt the Updated 2022 Madison County Transportation Plan. Work Meeting to review plan scheduled June 14, 2023 at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Council Member Flora moved to re-table the Updated 2022 Madison County Transportation Plan; 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 Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE 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. (0:46:29) Minutes from June 7th, 2023, Meetings Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; 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 Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Roll call vote for motion to move into Executive Session according to Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(f) To communicate with legal council for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated Council President Busby moved to go into Executive Session according to Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(f) To communicate with legal council for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated; 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 Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried Executive Session started 8:04 p.m. Executive Session ended 9:10 p.m. Adjournment 9:11 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jordan Busby, Council President Attest: _____________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk