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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.04.18 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 18, 2001 7:30 p.m. STATE OF IDAHO) County of Madison) SS City of Rexburg) Present were the following: Mayor:Bruce Sutherland Council members:Kay Beck Paul Pugmire Nyle Fullmer Marsha Bjornn Glen Pond Donna Benfield City Clerk:Marilyn Hansen Finance Officer:Richard Horner P.F.C.:John Millar City Attorney:Stephen Zollinger Mayor Sutherland welcomed the college students in attendance and also recognized Brooke Passey, County Commissioner. Pledge to the flag. Donna mentioned a correction to the minutes on page 4, to show that the City committed to spend the $250.00 for the Sunbird closing social. Marsha made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Donna. All voted aye, none opposed. Ricks College Robert Wilkes, Ricks College Vice President updated the Council on recent developments at Ricks. The ground breaking ceremony for the multi-use facility on campus was held today, he thanked everyone that had been in attendance. Garth Hall has been appointed as successor to Brent Kinghorn for the position of Vice President of Advancement. Devin Shaum was appointed to be the Director of the new Student Activity Program, he replaces Garth Hall in the position. Garth Miller was appointed as Assistant Academic Vice President for Technology and will report to Don Bird. As of Thursday of last week Ricks College received permission from the Board of Trustees to begin feasibility studies to develop plans to build family housing for the students on an “as needed” basis. The Board continues to welcome other resources in providing the estimated 1,000 apartments that will eventually be needed. The college has no intention of competing with the private sector, the college building process is a lengthy one so in any case they are likely two years away from having something to be used. Their interest is only to play whatever part they need to in providing a sufficient number of apartments which are affordable and a quality that students can afford. Senior Citizens Elaine Anderson with the Senior Citizens discussed their desire for a discount on Senior Passes at the Rexburg Golf Courses. Discussion on pass fees at other area golf courses, it being a jointly owned County/City facility, times and courses for tee times, the Rexburg courses being self- sustaining, the Sunbird program. Lynn Griggs representing the Golf Board stated there are numerous golf leagues, however, the league times are off set so there is always a course free for tee times. 1 Paul discussed the feelings of the Golf Board from their last meeting. It was their judgment not to establish discounted senior fees because of the residency requirement that would need to be added to distinguish the local seniors from the Sunbirds which would entail adding a residency requirement to other activities. Paul supports the decision that the Golf Board has made. Glen made a motion to send this matter back to the Golf Board and have them present the Council with some type of a comparison with the courses immediately around Rexburg and outline the different fees for the Rexburg courses. Nyle seconded the motion, all voted aye, none opposed. Jed May Request for Band Concert Jed May presented his request for a barbecue and band concert at Smith Park at the gazebo on Friday night April 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., there will be no charge. They have invited local bands from Ricks College and he is requesting permission from the City Council to have the concert. The bands would be Wind Sock, Indifference and Johnny Coathanger. After discussion concerning volume, times and clean up it was approved for the concert to be held. Public Hearing on Zone Change for Bruce Sutherland, Dan Neumann and EISSA The Mayor declared a conflict of interest on this public hearing, it involves a zone change from HBD to HDR. John Millar stated there had been a public hearing before Planning & Zoning and was approved for the zone change. Public hearing was opened. There was no public comment and the public hearing was closed. Glen made a motion to accept Planning & Zoning’s recommendation to approve this zone change from HBD to HDR. Motion was seconded by Donna. All voted aye, none opposed. th Public Hearing for Zone Change for the City of Rexburg at 350 W. 7 South John Millar explained the location of this property near the National Guard Armory which is 60' wide by 660' long running north and south. The request is to change the zoning from MDR to HDR to be in compliance with adjacent property. The Mayor opened the public hearing. There was no public comment and the hearing was closed. th Glen made a motion to approve the zone change from MDR to HDR at 350 W. 7 South. Motion was seconded by Paul, all voted aye, none opposed. Beautification at Madison High School Camille was present to share what the PTSO is doing at the High School. The theme for this year is “Let’s Make The World A More Beautiful Place”. This theme will be carried out in two ways, the first the beautification of character, the second is the beautification of physical surroundings which will be the project at the high school on May 15. The students will be released from school at 12:20 p.m., they would like the civic leaders to be there to mentor the students. There will be 1 businessman, 1 civic leader and 1 teacher for every class to work along side the students to show them what it is like to serve the community. Camille explained the program in detail. She is requesting that the Mayor and Council be available to help on May 15, 2001, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. At 3:00 a time box will be buried for 25 years, all those participating will have a picture and signature in the box. Jill Anderson distributed packets of information to everyone. The Mayor introduced the scouts in attendance. Workmen’s Compensation and AFLAC Insurance Richard reviewed the discussion from the last meeting concerning the insurance as well as the meetings which had been held with the employees. Seventy-six percent of the employees 2 recommended the on-the-job coverage from AFLAC be dropped but retain the balance of the coverage. The issue had been discussed with the State Insurance Fund, and it was their recommendation that the on-the-job coverage with AFLAC also be dropped. Discussion concerning the Workmen’s Comp on-the-job coverage and the off-the-job coverage by AFLAC. Nyle made a motion to follow Richard and the employees’ recommendation and cancel the AFLAC on-the-job coverage at the next premium due date in May. Motion was seconded by Glen, all voted aye, none opposed. Budget Hearing Richard requested a motion to set the budget review hearing for September 5, 2001 so it can be communicated to the county. Nyle made a motion to set the budget hearing for September 5, 2001, seconded by Glen. All voted aye, none opposed. The Mayor announced there will not be a quorum available for the May 2 meeting. After discussion the next City Council meeting was scheduled for May 9 at 7:00 a.m. Life Safety Recommendations Discussion concerning the fact that there were no home owners who called concerning these recommendations and Marsha felt it must be an all right ordinance and made a motion to suspend the rules for the Life Safety Recommendations Ordinance which will be Ordinance 851. Motion was seconded by Kay. Voting: Paul - NayDonna -Aye Glen -NayMarsha -Aye Kay -AyeNyle - Aye Marsha made a motion to pass the Life Safety Recommendations Ordinance 851 as written. Nyle made a second to the motion. Discussion concerning the ordinance, Stephen explained and reviewed the ordinance which had been presented at the previous meeting two weeks ago. Voting: Paul -AyeDonna -Aye Glen -AyeMarsha -Aye Kay -AyeNyle - Aye ndthth Open ditch on 2 South between 4 and 5 West Stephen has been approached by a farmer who is the single remaining user of the open ditch on ndthth 2 South which runs between 4 and 5 West. It has been requested by the neighbors in the Evergreen Subdivision whose property is adjacent to the ditch to cover the ditch. Those neighbors have come up with approximately $5,000 to offer toward closing the ditch and paying the farmer to move his water to a different area. The neighbors are simply requesting that the City consider participating at whatever monetary value they believe it to be worth. The LDS Church has not been approached and Joe Laird has not committed yet whether he will participate financially or not, a developer on the land further West is considering participation. Discussion. It was felt by a majority of the Council it was in the best interest of the City to not have an uncovered ditch running through the City. nd Eric Anderson - 320 W. 2 South Eric stated there were a lot of school children in that neighborhood walking along that road. He would encourage the City to participate in the covering of that ditch. Discussion of funds coming from the contingency fund. Paul made a motion to approve from the contingency fund $5,000 to participate in closing the ndthth ditch on 2 South between 4 West and 5 West contingent upon the participation from the other private entities and appropriate engineering review from the Public Facilities Director. Kay seconded the motion. All voted aye, none opposed. Parking at Ricks College Snow Building 3 Marsha has received complaints concerning the removing of parking spaces in front of the Snow Building. Marsha read a letter from Brent Jones in opposition to moving the parking spaces. nd Discussion on the speed limit on 2 South, additional cross walks in other areas around that nd block, the improvement of visibility with the parking spaces removed, 2 South being really the only east-west street to move traffic which lowering the speed limit would inhibit, Traffic Safety Committee recommended the removal of the spaces, the lighted cross walk, available parking lots, nd the possibility of parallel parking on 2 South, providing of shuttle service. It was suggested that the time based parking in front of the Snow Building be referred to the Safety Committee for review as well as the possible need for 1 or 2 handicap stalls. Sidewalk Criteria on flat lands John reviewed the current adopted standards for sidewalks. Presently 12" of gravel is required to be placed under all sidewalks prior to construction. On the hill where there is a problem of freezing and moving water in the winter it is felt that is justified. In the areas of basically minimal or zero grade the 12" requirement has proven to be excessive. There have been a lot of complaints from contractors and home owners and it is the feeling of the Building Department it is an overkill but still an adopted standard. It is being requested of the Council to consider decreasing that 12" back to 6" on flat lands. It is felt that the area is defined as to flat land and grade. Paul LaFollette - 106 Birch Paul stated when he purchased his home on Birch Ave. they had to put in sidewalks and investigated contractors. They found that most of the contractors would not agree to do the 12" base which told him that almost no one is doing the 12" unless they think they may get caught. Stephen referred to a complaint by Roy Ellis of Homestead Construction that if a contractor can pour their concrete fast enough and they are beating Val to the punch they are pouring the concrete on whatever is there. The consistency with those trying to do it right are having to charge their clients considerably more than the ones hurriedly pouring concrete. If the standard were more practical there may be 4 or 6" of base from everyone. Discussion. Nyle made a motion to take the recommendation and require only a 6" base for sidewalks on the flat land. Motion was seconded by Kay, all voted aye, none opposed. Val suggested that for this to be monitored on the sequence of inspections that a sidewalk inspection be listed which presently is not required. The Building Department will look at adding the sidewalk inspection. Discussion concerning striping in front of Kennedy School. John will talk with the principal about the cars parking on the street at that point. Targhee Pawn was again brought up but Mr. Kunz has been given until May 1 to clear this up. Zoning Changes Recommended by Planning & Zoning John reviewed the zoning changes recommended by Planning & Zoning which had been previously mailed to the Council and are summarized as follows: HDR2 - The High Density Residential Zone 2 is to plan for multiple family housing units “not approved BYU-Idaho housing” but to fill housing needs for families at affordable rates. Construction to be done in larger tracts of ground and owned in common as larger apartment complexes and not sold as individual units. Maximum density is based upon bedroom capacities with parking and landscaping adjusted in accordance. ? 1 bedroom units - 1.5 parking stalls per unit. Maximum units per acre- 42 units ? 2 bedroom units - 2 parking stalls per unit. Maximum units per acre - 38 units ? 3 bedroom or more unit - 2 parking stalls per unit. Maximum units per acre - 34 4 Minimum acreage per development 2 acres. Under 2 acres will be viewed by P&Z but not encouraged. HDR 2 can be put in any multiple housing areas on comparison plan and will be done as a zone change and determined by P&Z public hearings and City Council. The current high density residential has developed primarily around college housing. Now we need to look at family units which will typically be lower impact, fewer people in each apartment and Planning & Zoning felt there was a need to go to a little higher zone. Currently we allow up to 30 units per acre and with the parking requirement increased you cannot get much higher than 21 or 22 per acre. In order to get more family housing they looked at going with a higher density and a change to the parking requirement. It was the recommendation of Planning & Zoning that this proposed HDR2 be added to our current zoning ordinance. Discussion of mixing up the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in a complex and monitoring the parking requirement which would be proportioned out. Paul would like this stated in the ordinance. Discussion on developments under two acres will be considered but not encouraged portion of the proposal, this needs to be in clearer form. Paul requested if this were going to be in an ordinance that it appear in ordinance form. John and Stephen explained that these changes entail changes on numerous pages in the Zoning Ordinance so the plan was to just amend the ordinance with all the enumerated changes that are approved then come back with the Ordinance in adoption form. Changes are put into a form that can be voted on and given directive to Planning & Zoning to begin acting upon them. Until such time as a grouping of changes have been compiled and they can go through the hearing process it is cost prohibitive to amend every time there are minor changes. Discussion. Paul made a motion it be the policy of the City of Rexburg pursuant to adoption into Ordinance that the HDR2 Zone be added to the current Zoning Ordinance of the City of Rexburg as described in the present draft. Motion was seconded by Nyle. All voted aye, none opposed. Parking Requirements John reviewed the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Board to amend the parking requirement on multi-family housing from 2.5 spaces to 2 which is where it was prior to the last change. Discussion Paul made a motion it be the policy of the City of Rexburg pursuant to adoption into Ordinance the parking requirement for multi-family housing be reduced from 2.5 to 2 stalls per unit. Motion was seconded by Donna. All voted aye, none opposed. Exception to Setback Requirement This requirement was an error in the way it was presented in the Ordinance. The way it was discussed and approved through Planning & Zoning is that the 7' setback be required in new developing subdivisions and where it can be in the City but that in new developments the setback could be changed from 25' to 20'. It was written incorrectly and the new verbiage would be as follows: 4.9 Exception to Setback Requirement When fifty percent (50%) or more of the lots on the same side of the street have been built, all buildings erected, established, or rebuilt shall be in conformity with the average setback of existing buildings. In all Residential Zones all buildings erected, established, or rebuilt shall be required to place the sidewalk a minimum of seven (7) feet behind the curb and gutter, where conditions permit. In new residential subdivisions the front yard setback may be changed to twenty feet (20). In all zones the area between the curb and gutter and the sidewalk is to be landscaped. Paul made a motion it be the policy of the City of Rexburg pursuant to adoption into Ordinance that the setback requirements be restored as described by the Public Facilities Director. Motion was seconded by Donna. All voted aye, none opposed. 5 Planned Residential Development John presented another issue that had appeared before Planning & Zoning, the preparation and development of what is termed a Planned Residential Development. This will allow for the clustering of homes in a two acre minimum document. This does not change densities of the underlying zones, this would be allowed in all residential zones except LDR, it allows for townhouses or clustered houses to be built on a deeded parcel of land and the remainder of the area would be a commonly held area owned and administered by a homeowners association. The document presented is a comprehensive document on what is required to meet the requirements of a Planned Residential Development. To enact this it requires a Conditional Use Permit giving the Planning & Zoning Board the opportunity to attach conditions onto that. Planning & Zoning have seen plans from a developer and are quite excited about seeing this done and what it could mean to the community. Discussion of a couple of minor changes concerning Public Facilities Director title and a change from final plat to site plan on Section 4b. Paul made a motion that with the changes which have been noted it be the policy of the City of Rexburg pursuant to adoption as amended into Ordinance to approve the Planned Residential Development as part of the Zoning Ordinance. Marsha seconded the motion, all voted aye, none opposed. Nyle made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 10:05 p.m. for real estate discussion. Reconvene at 10:30 p.m. Committee Reports Donna reported that she had been assigned to do something in conjunction with the City and the th Chamber to celebrate the 25 anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood. The commemoration will happen on June 5 at the Civic Tabernacle at 7:00 p.m. with a program that the City can participate in. Glen made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Nyle. All voted aye, none opposed. Nyle made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Glen. All voted aye, none opposed. 6