Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.04.04 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 4, 2001 7:30 p.m. STATE OF IDAHO) County of Madison) SS City of Rexburg) Present were the following: Mayor:Bruce Sutherland Council members:Paul Pugmire Nyle Fullmer Marsha Bjornn Donna Benfield City Clerk:Marilyn Hansen Finance Officer:Richard Horner P.F.C.:John Millar City Attorney:Stephen Zollinger Mayor Sutherland welcomed the scouts in attendance. Pledge to the flag. Eaglewood Enterprises Site Plan Approval John Millar explained this was only an informational item. The site plan had been approved by Planning & Zoning but because of the size of the complex and a couple of issues it was felt this would be informative to the Council. Keith Romney presented his drawings, explained the location and details to the Council and he hopes to begin construction immediately. Phase 1 will have three buildings, each with 18 apartments accommodating 6 girls for a total of 54 students. This will be the first complex built under the new parking requirement of 1 space per student. th There was discussion of the 7 South road, John explained the alignment and location of the road, that extensive discussions have been held with Mr. Romney, he has in turn worked with Steve Cook so the right of ways can be aligned without an off-set intersection to make a safe thnd intersection at 7 South and 2 East. The Mayor congratulated them on the plans and the project. Eric Erickson Site Plan Approval John stated this item was also for informational purposes and had been approved by Planning & Zoning. A site plan was distributed for review by the Council and explained by Eric Erickson. The stipulations from the highway department were that the entrance could be only 40' wide and the entrance is required to be 140' from the entrance to Highway 20. The ditch on the property will be culverted to the other side. The Mayor expressed the great addition this will be to the City and complimented them on the plans. Now that a full quorum was present Marsha made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Nyle. All voted aye, none opposed. Ttest Corporation of Encino, California The Mayor discussed the press conference which had been held this morning at the Tabernacle announcing that Ttest was locating their manufacturing facility in Rexburg. This company will employ 100 people in the near term and up to 500 people within 3-4 years. It is expected they will break ground either late May or early June with a scheduled completion around February, 2002. The City is excited and it will be a good thing for the community. Spring Clean-Up The recommendation for the City wide spring clean-up to begin would be Monday, April 16 and continue to Friday, June 1. It has been suggested that a systematic approach be taken and the clean-up will be scheduled in the same area on the same day as the residential garbage is picked up. This will eliminate the crew having to go all over town for pick-ups each day. Heavier loads can still be scheduled through City Hall. Jill Anderson commented that it is marvelous to have the spring clean-up program and she uses it whole heartedly. She would like to see it advertised more and feels the new system will be great. She also mentioned she is on the PTO Board and they are proposing an idea that some time in the future have a beautification award for residents, for yards, for recognizing people who do make a difference when they clean up. She would like to see the clean-up go further than it is and have people be accountable for clean up. She wondered if a program could be instituted that would th also correlate with the 25 anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood. Discussion of the beautification award for businesses through the Chamber of Commerce and discussion of awarding one for residences and the City taking part with the PTO for school clean- up on May 15. Mayor Sutherland pointed out that Jill is the Citizen’s Chairman of the Committee looking into the Recreation Center, Library and Fine Arts Center and gave his thanks for her efforts. After discussion concerning city clean-up the Mayor appointed Marsha as Chairman of a city clean-up day. Scout master from Troop 49 stated he and his troop would be available for help. th The Mayor also felt we should be concerned with some kind of festivities on the 25 anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood and wanted to work with Donna and the Chamber to develop ideas. Cost of Living Raise Richard presented the Consumer Price Index and discussed using this index as has been done in the past as a reference for a Cost of Living Raise. The index was reviewed and discussed and it was recommended that the Cost of Living Raise for 2002 be a 3.8% increase. Paul made a motion to approve the Cost of Living increase by 3.8%. Motion was seconded by Nyle, all voted aye, none opposed. Health Insurance Plan An explanation of health insurance benefits was distributed for review and discussion. Richard had met with the Employee Committee concerning the insurance and they felt they should keep the same benefits as last year and these were discussed. Discussion of the Employee Committee. Marsha made a motion to approve the suggested health insurance plan. Motion was seconded by Nyle, all voted aye, none opposed. Budget Calendar Richard distributed the budget calendar for approval. He discussed the benefit of doing a two year budget which would give more ability for long term planning. April 19 is scheduled for the Council and Department Head working dinner to be either held at Ricks College or in the Council room with the dinner catered. It was the consensus that it would be held at the Council Room in City Hall. Richard will contact the Downtown Committee who is scheduled to meet at City Hall on that date to have them reschedule. Life Safety Recommendations 2 Mayor Sutherland once again reviewed the issue of Life Safety Recommendations, the problems which necessitated this item, the past meetings and the newly revised draft. Val Christensen reviewed the changes that had been made to the Life Safety Recommendations since the last Council meeting. These changes were discussed along with the amount of notice that has been given to the public over the last nine months of working on this project. Chris Huskinson from the Fire Department explained the necessity of having the life safety requirements in place to give the Fire Department guidelines and to keep the occupants safe and he is satisfied with the document. Paul explained his position on this matter then made a motion to approve the adoption of this life safety document as an instrument to the staff. Nyle made a second of the motion. Marsha requested the motion state there be two hearings on this matter. Discussion concerning hearings, amount of notice already given to the public, the people living in unsafe apartments, commercial business, and staff instructions compared to an ordinance. Nyle withdrew his second on the motion if it is to be an ordinance. Paul made a motion that the City Attorney be instructed to take the Life Safety Recommendations document, put it into ordinance form and it be on the first reading calendar at the next Council meeting. Marsha made a second to the motion. Voting as follows: PaulAye DonnaAye MarshaAye NyleNay Update on projects ndnd John reported on the traffic signal at 2 North and 2 East. The State has awarded the contract, it is anticipated construction will begin in about two weeks, with completion in approximately 3 months. Discussion of the white striping on the bike path. The City will be contracting for centerline striping and the bike path will be done at the same time. Targhee Pawn shop owned by Bill Kunz was discussed. He had been granted appropriate time to clean his property and to this point nothing has been accomplished. It was noted that the time given will expire at the end of April. Nyle made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Paul. All voted aye, none opposed. Sunbird Program Donna suggested that the City once again sponsor the closing social for the Sunbirds and local st Senior Citizens approximately the 21 of August at Smith Park. The City purchased the ice cream last year at an estimated cost of $250.00 and it was agreed to do the same for this year.. Cell Towers Steven Cook was present and questioned the Council concerning a decision made a few months ago concerning a Conditional Use Permit for SBA Towers. The permit had been granted by Planning & Zoning, when it reached the Council it was approved but with a 3 year condition. He explained that in 1983 he had a 190' cell tower on this property belonging to KRXK and was there until 1997. Presently U. S. Cellular has an antenna, erected in 1993, and the two antennas were side by side from 1983 to 1997. The company that owned the FM antenna abandoned the site and Steven took the tower down. The permit for this new antenna would have been the same place as the FM antenna and would have been within 5' of the same height as the other one was. The company interested in erecting the new antenna advised Steven that a 3 year condition was 3 not acceptable and they would not be putting up the antenna. He asked for an explanation of the condition of 3 years. Discussion of the 3 year condition, research on a cell tower ordinance, discussion of the Council not knowing the requested tower was within 5 feet in height of an existing tower, that another tower had been in that location, FAA regulations, the possible new ordinance. The minutes of this request from the February 7 Council meeting were reviewed and read by Stephen. Stephen informed Mr. Cook that the applicant has the right to again come before Council if the material had not been properly presented relative to the tower which had been there previously. Paul commented that this information does not change the need to produce an ordinance for this community. Nyle made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Paul All voted aye, none opposed. _________________________________________ Bruce Sutherland, Mayor ________________________________________ Marilyn Hansen, City Clerk 4