HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.07.03 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
July 3, 2001
7:30 a.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
Pledge to the flag.
CART
Denise Miler, representative of CART, a private non-profit corporation that provides low cost
transportation for seniors, disadvantaged, low income, disabled and the general public. CART
currently has 5 buses or vans and 6 employees. She explained the steady increase of riders over
the years, future plans of CART, financial benefits, and made a request for information as to what
the City wants in public transportation. Discussion concerning financial donations from the City.
It was requested that Denise obtain information concerning the financial amount contributed from
the County as well as the monthly vehicle report for the month of June and return at the next
Council meeting.
Recreation Center Drawings
Mayor Sutherland had requested $40,000 in the budget to begin work on ascertaining accurate
information concerning the building of a recreation center. Lengthy discussion. The $40,000 is
to design a pool and/or recreation complex.
Nyle suggested an update be presented from Jill and her committee before any firm commitment is
made on the $40,000 item. It was the general consensus to have this report on August 1.
Glen was excused for another meeting.
Salary Increase for Council and Mayor
Discussion concerning the salary increase for Council and Mayor. Richard distributed and
reviewed a chart showing the status of the wages for the City of Rexburg compared to
surrounding communities with similar population. Discussion concerning the last pay raise, the
Mayor’s time in the office, the work and time involved in the Mayor’s office and with the Council,
Kay felt there should not be a raise every time there was an election. The Mayor felt the raise two
years ago was the first raise in 12 years so it had not been raised every year. Richard commented
that the job would not be getting easier, as the City grows it will take more time and be more
demanding. It was felt it was necessary to raise the salaries so that citizens could be able to afford
to put in the time to take over a Council seat or Mayor’s office.
Kay made a motion to double the Mayor’s salary and leave travel allowance the same. Paul
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seconded the motion, Kay withdrew his motion. Discussion concerning this matter, it is not
about Bruce Sutherland it is concerning the Office of Mayor, the size of the City, a transitionary
step up for what is coming into town.
Kay made a motion to double the Mayor’s salary with the clarification that the job is considered
4/5's time, leaving the travel allowance the same. Paul made a second to the motion. All voted
aye, none opposed.
Discussion concerning the wages of the Council. Kay stated when he ran he didn’t know the
Council was paid a wage and felt that wages were not a factor in getting people to run, he feels
there cannot be a price put on the hours spent, a comparison with other cities should not be
considered, the Council is working for Rexburg and there is an obligation of everyone to support
the community they live in. Paul felt it was appropriate to pay the Council and pay should be
commensurate with other cities in the State, that public service is not lost on anyone on the
Council, this job will get nothing but more difficult and feels it is appropriate to compensate the
position for that. Paul is unclear and undecided as to seeking re-election next fall and felt a
motion was in order.
Paul made a motion to do the same thing to the Council salary as was done with the Mayor’s
salary, double the base salary and leave the travel alone putting the Council in the middle of the
pack state-wide. Motion was seconded by Nyle. Voting as follows:
PaulAyeKayNay
DonnaAye MarshaNay
NyleAyeGlenAbsent
Star Program and Heritage City
Marsha discussed the Governor’s program, “The Brightest Stars” which was presented at the AIC
Conference in Nampa. This program is to recognize outstanding individuals, businesses and
organizations across Idaho that make extraordinary efforts to improve the well being of families
and children. These will be nominated from communities across Idaho, finalists will receive a
Brightest Star Certificate and 3 state-wide winners will receive a $5,000 award each. Anyone is
invited to nominate individuals, businesses or organizations and the Mayor will select 3 finalists in
each category, the Governor will choose a committee to select one state monetary award winner
in each category. Discussion.
Marsha will go to the community to solicit nominations in the three categories and have articles
published explaining the program.
Idaho Heritage City program is to create a history that will carry on in the community to
encourage preservation and interpretation in cultural heritage under 14 different categories. If the
City meets 7 of the categories they qualify as a heritage city. This could be a vehicle to encourage
doing more to preserve our history. Marsha will organize the various aspects of this program that
are required.
Update on Projects
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John reported that the bases are in on the traffic signal on 2 East, the poles should be set and it
will come together very quickly.
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The traffic signal on 2 West and Main Street is being switched to a computerized system and
should be completed soon.
Through the STIP Program (State Transportation Improvement Program) the reconstruction of
Main Street is being changed from $150,000 and is now being shown as $1.1 million with part of
that cost being the renovation of all traffic signals through town.
The contract has been awarded to HK Contractors for the seal coating of streets. The schedule
and contract have not been returned as yet. The contract allows until the first of September for
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completion but they will be pushed to complete before that time.
A resolution for intent to create LID 32 will be presented at the next Council meeting. It is a
fairly small LID, mostly sidewalks because of new homes and property transactions or pieces of
sidewalk and curb and gutter because of streets being reconstructed.
The plans for a $400,000 street reconstruction project is nearing completion which overlays
several streets in town and reconstructs one block of 4th East by Lincoln School and a little on
East Main.
There has been a little trouble with the North well, the pump motor has gone out and needed
repairs, but is back in service. The depth of the ground water is being checked in the various
wells to see if we are experiencing a drop or change and are also monitoring the timing of those
pumps to determine how close to capacity they are running. If the level is dropping the Council
will likely be asked to consider conservation methods. Discussion concerning storage water and
water levels.
Discussion concerning poles on the bike path near the Stake Center, odor at the Nature Park, the
load at the treatment plant from NorSun, the yield sign located on Aries coming in from the
Evergreen Subdivision, the possibility of a stop sign at the end of Gemini and at the top of the
Evergreen Subdivision, Louisiana Pacific property, Targhee Pawn Shop, LDS Stake Center,
handicap spaces at ball diamonds, patching basketball courts, restroom at Smith Park, lights at
tennis courts, the possibility of lights at the skate park, service day for Ricks College set for
October 13, upcoming dance festival.
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Discussion concerning the Council and Mayor appearing in the 4 of July parade.
Nyle made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Donna. All voted aye, none opposed.
Kay was excused.
9:30 a.m.
Nyle made a motion to go to Executive Session, seconded by Paul for the discussion of a
personnel issue.
Reconvened 9:45 a.m.
Marsha made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Donna, all voted aye, none opposed.
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