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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - May 23, 2022 1 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 12:00 P.M. Court House Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member Erickson, Council Member Walker, Council President Busby, and Mayor Merrill. Luncheon with Elected Officials and City/County Staff Mayor Merrill welcomed Dustin Parkinson the new elected County Commissioner. Items of Discussion: A. Fire Protection Requirements in County for Commercial Buildings Building Official Bret Stoddard explained the fire protection requirements for buildings are based on water to sprinkler systems, occupancy, and usage; however, fire protection requirements for fire are based on water flow such as fire hydrants, water supplies and the distance the water would need to flow. Chief Child said a couple of years ago the Fire Department asked a BYU-I University Class to use a mathematical equation to know how much water the Fire Department could deliver in a rural environment based on the fire engines and ability to get water. The mathematical formula has been used and it is the reason commercial buildings have been allowed in the county. Chief Child explained the area surrounding the Thornton Interchange is zoned commercial. There is not a good year-round water source which is causing the formula not to work. The first thing that needs to be considered is water flow and second the water for the sprinkler systems. An offer has been made on a piece of property near the Thornton Interchange to dig a deep well that will allow for the correct water flow within a mile radius from the well. He said Gary Armstrong has sent out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a commercial water system to further enhance the Fire Department’s ability to deliver water. There is potential for large industrial businesses to relocate to this area; however, that can’t happen without a commercial water system. Gary Armstrong said the first step is to complete a Master Water Plan that will extend for the Rexburg City limit along Highway 20 on both sides of the highway all the way down to the Snake River. The next step would be to come up with a plan on how to build a system which will include a Fire Station, fire flow, fire suppression system and possibly culinary water. David Decker said not having a water system does not only affect the commercial properties but residential properties as well by the amount of fire insurance premiums they are assessed. 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Phone: 208.359.3020 x 2101 Fax: 208.359.3022 deborahl@rexburg.org www.rexburg.org “Special” City Council Minutes May 23, 2022 2 Commissioner Todd Smith said the city takes care of the county’s commercial inspections. He asked how the new well would be funded. Chief Child said the Archer Fire Station was funded by Community Development Block Grants and Tri-Entity Fire District Budget. B. Comprehensive Plan Update City Planning and Zoning Administrator Alan Parkinson said the city has contracted with Logan Simpson, they are a company that will work with city staff in updating the plan. The process could take up to one year. They are currently, in the process of forming a steering committee. There will be different community leaders and citizens involved in the process. C. Broadband Project Update City IT Director Todd Smith reported the city and county have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the city/county fiber optic ring. The installation of the fiber began on May 4th. The company contracted to do the work is WideOpen Networks. It will take up to ten years to complete the project. The goal is to run fiber to each home. A Broadband Board has been formed to recommend items to the elected officials. D. Transportation Plan Update City Public Works Director Davidson reported an open house will be held on Wednesday, June 1st to review the completed Transportation Study, it will be recommended to the County Commissioners and City Council Members. E. County Sponsored Events and Explore Idea of Madison County Museum City Cultural Arts Director Jed Platt reported the museum was relocated to the lower level of the Tabernacle in June of 1981. The city took over the museum in 1989. The Tabernacle is in desperate need of repairs. Where the museum is located is not as accessible to all patrons. The museum has artifacts from all areas in the county. The City of Sugar City is planning to have a museum. Where a lot of the same history and collection is shared by both cities. The idea to have a county museum was shared at one of the meetings with Sugar City. Commissioner Mendenhall said the county does not have a building to use as a museum. City Cultural Arts Director Jed Platt said there is a program through the State of Idaho Preservation Office it is called Certified Local Government (CLG) to give the city and county access to federal funds. A board would need to be formed to apply for the CLG. F. Future of Rexburg-Madison Airport and Legacy Flight Museum Public Works Director Davidson said the feasibility study has been completed for the new location of the airport. They are waiting for FAA’s approval of the new site. Once the FAA approves the new site, the site would undergo an environmental assessment. He said he hopes in a couple of months the FAA approval of the new site will be received. The FAA would pay for 90% of the costs to relocate the airport. The funds have been placed in an account. Commissioner Todd Smith asked how the relocation of the airport would affect the Legacy Flight Museum. City Clerk Lovejoy said there are concerns if the museum is relocated to the new site it may not be as well attended; therefore, causing the museum to close down. G. Possibility of Establishing as County/City/Madison School District Information Letter Mayor Merrill said the idea of establishing a County/City/Madison School District information letter. The newsletter would be mailed or electronic. County Commissioner Todd Smith said the county doesn’t have all the residents living outside the city limits email addresses and the county doesn’t send out monthly bills like the city. Mayor Merrill suggested sending out the newsletter to residents outside city limits in the tax notices. H. Future Infrastructure – Roads, East Parkway Corridor 3 Public Works Director Davidson reported the East Parkway Corridor is at phase one of the building process. A grant from Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LTAH) was awarded to the city in the sum of three million dollars for the corridor project. He said LTAH as asked for a Request for Qualification from engineering firms. The project is slated to start construction in the year 2028 depending on funding. There are several studies needing to be performed before any groundbreaking begins. Council Member Erickson said he spoke with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) regarding the different road arteries. He asked if the city and county work together with ITD, they would be more inclined to prioritize the road work needing to be completed in the city and county. Commissioner Todd Smith said he is a part of the Rural Planning Organization (RPO) and believes the organization would be the one to recommend to ITD the road work needing to be completed in the city and county. Mayor Merrill recommended County Commissioner Mendenhall be the chairman of the RPO. Commissioner Todd Smith asked County Assessor Shaun Boice to report on the upcoming property tax assessments. County Assessor Boice said Idaho has been a market value state. The market value for Madison County was at 94% last year and was out of compliance by 88.6%. The assessed values are going up 20 to 30% in residential. The tax bill is going to increase; however, not drastically. His department is educating the residents on how to appeal their assessment; however, they are very confident in their assessments and error on the side of the residents. Discussion regarding property tax assessment and market values. I. Possibility of Future Joint County/City Building to Reduce the Footprint of Tax- Exempt Property for Madison County Mayor Merrill said the purpose of having a joint county/city building is to reduce the footprint of tax- exempt property for Madison County. City Finance Officer Nielson explained several decisions need to be made. He would prefer a committee be formed of City/County Officials and include School District Representatives to explore the option of having a joint building. One decision would be who the committee members will be in a couple of years. The second step would be property acquisition and then design of the building. County Commissioner Todd Smith said the idea of a joint building was a thought for many years. The county will outgrow it’s building in the next couple of years. Adjournment 1:18 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Deputy City Clerk, Marianna Gonzalez