HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - November 16, 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
6:30 P.M. City Hall (video index 0:00:24)
Council Member Flora said the prayer
Council Member Erickson led the pledge
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council
Member Erickson, and Council President Busby
Mayor Merrill and Council Member Walker asked to be excused.
Staff Reports: (0:01:41)
A. Finance: – Matt Nielson
1. Financial Reports
Finance Officer Nielson said he contacted the Madison County Commissioners, and they will be
attending the December 7th City Council Meeting to review the proposed fees that overlap between the
city and county. He said there is not a fund in the expenditure report that stands out because the city is
only one month into the fiscal year.
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020 x 2101
Fax: 208.359.3022
deborahl@rexburg.org
www.rexburg.org
City Council Minutes
November 16, 2022
2
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Cash and Investment Balance Report. There has not been much
change in the investments. The city is reinvesting in the 12-to-24-month terms at four to five percent. There
is about 39 million dollars in reserves.
2. Budget Adjustment for Baseball Quad (0:03:08)
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Adjustment for the baseball quad. The baseball quad is a
multi-year project, and it is in the third almost fourth year of construction. There was not enough time to
complete all the projects last year, creating a carryover of $36,000. After city staff’s evaluation of the
baseball quad, they noticed some incomplete areas. He said a list of items needing to be completed and
the associated costs of those items are at the bottom of the budget adjustment. The estimated cost to
finish the baseball quad project is about $120,000.
Council President Busby asked about the $28,000 and questioned why city staff did not purchase the
lawn mowers. Finance Officer Nielson said Parks Director McInnes informed him the motors stopped
3
working in four of the lawn mowers, so he purchased new motors for the lawn mowers. He said Parks
Director McInnes believes he will not need to purchase new mowers for about a year or so.
Council Member Erickson asked if security cameras were installed at the baseball quad. Council
Member Flora asked Council Member Erickson what types of concerns he has regarding the baseball quad
that would warrant security cameras. Council Member Erickson replied he is concerned with people
spraying graffiti or damaging the facility. Also, if someone were to be injured at the baseball quad, the city
would have video of the accident. Finance Officer Nielson explained broadband fiber will eventually be
placed near the baseball quad. Currently, the employees use Myfi which is a boardband hotspot to process
payments. Before the cameras are installed, boardband fiber would need to be avaiable to operate the
cameras. Finance Officer Nielson said he would add the costs of the cameras to the capital improvement
budget to review during the budget process in May, which would be affective in October of next year.
Council Member Chambers moved to approve the Budget Adjustment for the Baseball Quad;
Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
3. Budget Adjustment for New Paramedic Program – Troyce Miskin (0:10:12)
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Adjustment for the New Paramedic Program. This revenue
is for the Ambulance District. He said because the City Finance Department oversees the operations budget
of those joint ventures, the adjustments need to be made in the budget. In Fiscal Year 2023 there were costs
to start the program. The costs are mainly in wages, tools, supplies and training. They hope to bring in about
$120,000 in registration fees from the program. He said the rest of the costs for the program would require
a contribution from the Ambulance District. He reviewed the forecasted revenue that will possibly be
brought in by the paramedic program for Fiscal Year 2024.
4
Fire Chief Miskin explained the new Paramedic Program will be benificial. The Ambulance District has been
paying a lot of money to another agency to train their paramedics. They have the expertise in house to train
paramedics.
Council Member Erickson said he understands the paramedic program is a rigorous program to enter and
wondered if there is a waiting list of people desiring to enter the program. Chief Miskin said there is a waiting
list and they will need to start turning people away from the first class. Council President Busby asked for the
cost to register for the program. Chief Miskin replied the cost in tuition is about $10,000. The program takes
about 14 months to complete.
Council Member Chambers asked currently, where are the paramedics being trained. Chief Miskin said the
Ambulance District has a contract with the National Medical Education & Training Center, Inc. out of
Boston, Massachusetts. The cost is about $18,000 per student, which includes tuition and cost of travel back
to Boston three times to complete their program. There are other agencies using the national training center
and he believes once the program is established here, local agencies will shift their focus to the program being
offered locally.
Council President Busby asked about the location of where the program is going to be taught. Chief Miskin
explained their long term hope is to create an Academy with the Madison School Distric to offer certification
in law enforcement, emergency medical technician (EMT), dispatch, certified nursing assistant (CNA), and fire
to the high school students. These certifications would be taught at the high school.
Council Member Chambers asked about the facility and space needed to hold the paramedic program
classes. Chief Miskin explained the paramedic program is considered a hybrid and the didactic portion of the
program is completed online. The instructors can remote in to teach in any place. This will allow flexability for
the instructors and allow the program facilitator to choose the instructor they desire without taking up
classroom space. The clinical portion of the program would take place at a facility such as Madison Memorial
Hospital or the student’s local facility whether that be Pocatello or elsewhere. The only time they would need
space for the paramedic program is for a one to two week skills camp where the students receive hands-on
instruction for the skills needed for their job. Currently, they are partnering with the school district to use the
upstairs of their administration building.
Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Budget Adjustment for the New Paramedic
Program; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
5
B. Public Works: – Keith Davidson (0:17:30)
1. Resolution No. 2022 – 28 Fiber for Signal Interconnection on SH-33 Agreement Approval
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed Resolution No. 2022 – 28 Fiber for Signal Interconnection
on SH-33 to enter into an agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). This agreement is
in conjunction with the fiber ring the city is building. The inter-connectivity of the signals will allow the
city engineers to view the programing of those signals at City Hall.
Resolution for an Agreement for Federal Aid Highway Project No. A23(473) State Highway 33
Rexburg Signal Connect Key No. 23473
Resolution No. 2022-28
WHEREAS, the Idaho Transportation Department, hereafter called the STATE, has submitted an
Agreement stating obligations of the STATE and the CITY OF REXBURG, hereafter called the CITY,
for signal interconnection; and
WHEREAS, the STATE is responsible for obtaining compliance with laws, standards and procedural
policies in the development, construction and maintenance of improvements made to the Federal-aid
Highway System; and
WHEREAS, the CITY and the STATE are providing funds for this project; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the Cooperative Agreement to install fiber for interconnection of signals on SH-33 within city limits
is hereby approved.
2. That the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of the
CITY.
3. That duly certified copies of the Resolution shall be furnished to the Idaho Transportation
Department.
________________________________
SIGNED BY: Jerry Merrill, Mayor
CERTIFICATION:
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy of a Resolution passed at a regular meeting of the Rexburg
City Council, City of Rexburg, held on November ___, 2022.
(Seal)
________________________________
Deborah Lovejoy, City Clerk
Council Member Flora moved to approve Resolution No. 2022 – 28 Fiber Signal
Interconnection on State Highway 33 Agreement; Council Member Chambers seconded the
motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
2. Brigham Young University Idaho (BYUI) Agreement for Right of Way on University Blvd
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the Right-of-Way Acquisition Agreement with Brigham
Young University Idaho for the extension from University Boulevard up to 2nd East to install the fiber
ring. The city has agreed to build a roadway, curb, and gutter. When city staff needs to adjust a pivot they
will adjusted it or install a fence if needed.
6
They also discussed giving the university an easement near Steiner Park for the university to be able to
install water and sewer lines for their property.
Council Member Erickson moved to approve the Brigham Young University Idaho (BYU-I)
Agreement for Right of Way on University Boulevard; Council Member Johnson seconded the
motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Council Member Erickson mentioned the formation of a taskforce to remove graffiti on structures
around the city.
C. Information Technology: – Todd Smith (0:25:03)
1. Broadband Project Update
IT Director Smith reviewed the broadband report. The project is ahead of schedule and they have
installed about 61 percent of the conduit. At the end of this week two work orders will be closed by Silver
Star, meaning they have completed the work on the east side of the project. They have been waiting for
over 12 months for the shipment of fiber. They recently received 5,000 feet of fiber and they are still
waiting for 120 thousand more feet.
IT Director Smith reported the building of the fiber huts and electrical work for the huts were sent out to
bid. Edstrom Construction was awarded the bid to construct the fiber huts and Mountain Valley Electric
was awarded the eletrical work bid for the huts.
7
IT Director Smith mentioned he attended the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board meetings in Boise with
other municipalities and legislators. They discussed how to apply for federal funding and the timeline for
that funding. The soonest they can apply for the funds is the middle of next year.
Council Member Chambers asked about the timeline of when the first residential customer will be able to
connect to the new broadband. IT Director Smith said the huts will not be completed until the first of the
year and only a few huts will have fiber at the begining. The soonest a residential customer will be able to
connect to broadband will be sometime in the month of July. Council Member Flora asked where the future
funding will be spent. IT Director Smith explained in the broadband performa in the third year of the 10
years, it indicated the city would end up in the red. The additonal funding would help to offset the third
year.
Public Comment: Limit 3 minutes; issues may be considered for discussion on a future agenda.
Please keep comments on point and respectful.
Items from City Council: (0:32:11)
Council Member Flora reported the findings of the second survey regarding the forming of Recreation
District will be presented at the December 7th City Council meeting.
Public Hearing 7:00 P.M. Hearing on Proposed Idaho Community Development Block Grant Activities
for Making Improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant – Rick Miller, Altura (0:33:11)
Mr. Miller explained the Public Hearing is a requirement of the Idaho Community Development Block
Grant Program. The grant is a funding opportunity for the city to upgrade the Headworks Facility at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant. The total budget for the Headworks Facility is 5.4 million. The application for
the grant is due at the end of this week. In January, if the state is agreeable toward the project, they will
request an addendum to the application. They will submit the addendum to the state and in April, the state
will make their final decision. The funding will be available in May. Before the state submits the contract, the
city will need to conduct an environmental study. He said all the city residents would benefit from this
project.
Council President Busby opened the public hearing
Public Testimony in favor of the proposal (5-minute limit): None
Public Testimony neutral to the proposal (5-minute limit): None
Public Testimony opposed to the proposal (5-minute limit): None
Council President Busby closed the public hearing
8
Council Member Flora asked if the block grant is a highly competitive grant. Mr. Miller replied yes, this is
a highly competitive block grant. The City of Rexburg will be competing with the other communities of the
State of Idaho. The city has a strong competitive possibility because of their fund match and other items
that help rank the city higher than other cities.
Council Member Chambers asked if the city is not successful in obtaining the grant funding this go
around, would the city be able to reapply for the grant. Mr. Miller replied, the city could resubmit for the
grant; however, until the state awards the grant to the city, the city cannot start on the project.
Item for Consideration: (0:39:43)
A. Pebble Creek Plat Approval 2332 W 2000 S #22-00303 – Kyle Baldwin
City Planner Baldwin reviewed a map of approximately 2332 W 2000 S and staff report.
9
Discussion regarding future road connectivity to University Boulevard. Public Works Director Davidson
said as development occurs there will be a road connecting to University Boulevard in the future.
Council Member Chambers moved to approve the Pebble Creek Plat at approximately 2332 W
2000 S; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
B. Friendship Estates Plat Approval Approximately 154 N 4th E #22-00450 – Kyle Baldwin
City Planner Baldwin reviewed a map of approximately 154 N 4th E and staff report.
Council Member Flora moved to approve the Friendship Estates Plat Approval at approximately
154 N 4th E; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a
vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
10
Council President Busby reported on the Shop with a Cop Event on Saturday, December 10th. Council
Member Erickson asked residents to line West Main Street to cheer on the children and officers as they
drive to the Madison High School for breakfast.
Calendared Bills:
A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE
B. 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.
A. Minutes from November 2, 2022, Meeting
B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and
pay the city bills; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked
for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Adjournment 7:18 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk