Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004.01.28 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF REXBURG January 28, 2004 6:00 P.M. STATE OF IDAHO ) : ss. County of Madison ) Present were the following: Mayor: Mayor Shawn Larsen Council Members:Paul Pugmire Donna Benfield Nyle Fullmer Rex Erickson G. Farrell Young Garth R. Oakey Financial OfficerRichard Horner P&Z Administrator:Kurt Hibbert City Clerk:Blair D. Kay PFC:John Millar City Attorney:Stephen Zollinger Pledge to the Flag Department Heads review Departments: Mayor Larsen introduced Peggy Hymas to the City Council and Staff as an Americor Volunteer. She will work with the youth of the City on some programs connected to the “Promise to American Youth” effort. There are five promises listed in the program for the youth. 1)Caring Adults Ongoing relationships with caring adults — parents, mentors, tutors or coaches — offer youth support, care and guidance. 2)Safe Places Safe places with structured activities during non-school hours provide both physical and emotional safety for youth. 3)A Healthy Start Adequate nutrition, exercise, and health care pave the way for healthy bodies, healthy minds, and smart habits for adulthood. 4)Marketable Skills 1 Marketable skills through effective education help youth navigate the transition from school to work successfully. 5)Opportunity to Serve Opportunities to give back through community service, enhance self-esteem, boost confidence, and heighten a sense of responsibility to the community. Peggy will work with the Mayor and the Community on the following projects: 1)Mayor’s Youth Council 2)Earned Income Tax Credits 3)Tree City USA 4)Community Service Volunteer Day 5)First School Day The Mayor , City Council, and Staff began the work meeting at 6:00 p.m. to review the “quick wins” that are possible for Rexburg in the short term. The following list of items were discussed and included Vision statements and ideas were listed for discussion. THE VISION: -Ensure that Rexburg has excellent police, fire, and emergency services -Downtown Rexburg will be an inviting place to shop, visit, and spend time. -The community will be informed and involved LIVE: -More involvement with citizens and police (neighborhood watch) -Clean up Main Street entrance to City -Community slogan -Define funding for ladder truck (donation, grant, etc.) -More interaction (friendly) between police & residents -Involve the city employees fire, police, in our city volunteer day. -Newsletter with Bill -By spring have a plan for community volunteer day planting flowerpots, etc. -Beautify our alley ways (Make them customer friendly) -New City website with calendar -Ladder truck for fire department -Lighting throughout the City (Business & Residential) -More Christmas lights -Public art project based on existing community event. -Fund gateway project to partner with South Rexburg Arterial. -Mayors youth council -Establishing the branding for the City Slogan etc. WORK: -Invite companies to tap the work force that we have available 2 -Another industrial park -Create industrial development site inventory in conjunction with Medco -Establish more vacation days -Develop a comprehensive downtown development plan -Complete Business Park Development -Partner with tech to do a satellite center in Rexburg workforce development -Implement a community fiber network for high tech -Get the message out to the businesses out of state that Rexburg has an abundance of inexpensive labor that is honest, hardworking, and educated. THE VISION: -Establish a comprehensive economic development strategy, and create a climate that welcomes potential employers to the City of Rexburg. PLAY: -2 new parks turned green within six months -Advertise Rexburg as a “Family Place” heavily on the web (city page) include motel, sport vehicle, fishing, and snow mobile packages. Promote the location to Yellowstone, Tetons, and Island Park. -Decide on the pool issue -Pathways around Smith/Porter Parks -Get started on pool -More frequent enhanced Tabernacle Arts/Talent Performances -Design for new 9 hole at golf course -first day THE VISION: -Rexburg will offer a variety of multi-use recreational activities and facilities for all residents. COMMUNITY ID, EVENTS, HOSTS: -Secure Carlson Property, Design public plaza integrated with Tabernacle -Pass 1% public art ordinance -Community park center -See community park center (Plaza downtown) -College Ave. -Hanging flower pots -Smithsonian -Rings of nation flags -Banners on poles -A good place to start your day. A great place to spend your week; a spectacular place to live your life. “The center of fun” -Public Arts display -Move vintage fire truck -Downtown Theatre -Centrally located community plaza capable of hosting music, dance, and event 3 -Clean up exits to city with something good to look at MP GREENWAYS: -Make greenways (river corridor) to priority for longer term so inform Simpson, et al. -Bike path Rexburg to Sugar City -Establish a map of the greenways, show bike path, walking paths, etc. -Substantive park development at LP property -Bicycle/jogging path -Bike path striped on roads -Partner with Madison County and Sugar to develop countywide trail program -Stripe and sign all inner City pathways to add to pathway project -Connect two parks with a greenway path Mayor Larsen welcomed the scouts to the meeting. There were some students from Madison High School that the Mayor invited to get involved with the Mayor’s Youth Council. There will be some information presented to the students at the High School on how to get involved in City Government along with applications to join the Youth Council in the near future. 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 the January 14, 2004 meeting b.Approve City of Rexburg bills Paul Pugmire moved to approve the Consent Calendar; Donna Benfield seconded the The motion carried. motion; all voted aye, none opposed. Non Controversial Items Added to the Agenda : Homeland Defense Grant for an Air Monitor (Mike Clements, Homeland Security for the Governor’s Office) Spencer Larsen from theRexburg Fire Department explained that the Fire Department has had an air monitor in the past that is worn beyond economical repair. Spencer introduced Ron Moss (Madison County Civil Defense Director), and Mike Clements (Homeland Security from the Governor’s Office), work with Homeland Security for the State of Idaho. They presented a grant for the Community for an Air Monitor. Mike Clements indicated that they plan to supply the City and the County with additional equipment for the purpose of Homeland Security. Mike demonstrated the gas detector that will be provided to the City/County Fire Department. He explained that the total grant of $200,000 is for Madison County and the City. The detector detects four different gasses. 4 Mayor Larsen thanked them for the gift to the Community. Public Hearings: 7:35 p.m. Conditional Use PermitAppeal a Planning and Zoning – Commission decision to deny a Telecommunications Monopole for Cellular nd Communications at 117 North 2 East. The current Zoning is Highway Business District (HBD). – AFL Telecommunications Mayor Larsen opened up the Hearing with a Staff review of the proposal. Kurt Hibbert reviewed the proposal on the overhead screen. This request is to locate an additional cell tower on the same property. This proposal is to locate a tower within 150 feet ndnd of 2 East. The other two cell towers in the area are 300 feet and 200 feet away from 2 East. Discussion on the location of the 80 foot monopole (cell tower pole). Craig Ford – Representing Verizon Wireless discussed the process to follow the Community standards to locate the antenna in an area that is agreeable to the Community. This project began over a year ago with the requestor. The requestor indicated that there was not a Telecommunications Ordinance that regulates Cell Towers. There are five cell towers located in a small geographic area in Rexburg. Their desire is to serve the customers at the University. The University does not allow leases for wireless carriers on their property. nd Therefore 2 East became the next location of choice. The project calls for an 80 foot pole nd set back 150 feet from 2 East. Verizon Wireless has chosen to locate the antenna 6 inches off the pole so it will look more like a single pole. Rex Erickson asked about the type of pole and how it would be displayed on the lot. Garth Oakey asked how many companies can share a single pole. Craig explained that it depends on his height of the pole. Every Company has their own specifications to follow. There is a 15 foot separation requirement for antenna between carriers. Farrell Young asked why the carrier chose to locate in this particular area. Craig indicated that the property was at the Company’s desired location. This location allowed the opportunity to use an existing building to store the equipment. Rex Erickson asked about the NE corner of the Building and how far the pole will extend into the driveway to the north of the building. Craig mentioned that there is going to be a fence to protect the AC units that will be mounted outside the storage building. The fence will extend 10 foot beyond the building. Rex was concerned with the pole encumbering the right-of-way on the north of the building. 5 Craig Ford indicated that the FCC requires the bottom of the pole be fenced for safety purposes. He indicated that the fence could be designed to be aesthetically pleasing to fit the area. Garth Oakey asked about using the same pole that is currently on the property. Craig said that a crane test was conducted on that pole which indicated a sever limitation to the service area given the allowable height off an additional antenna on the existing pole. Rex Erickson asked about extending the height of the existing pole on the property. He asked about the existing cellular network (two stadium poles) for the University. He asked if the University would allow an additional carrier at the University. Craig Ford indicated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints does not entertain or allow private Companies be on their property. He indicated that they do have one contract for existing cellular service to the University with a private carrier. Mayor Larsen asked for additional testimony on behalf of the applicant. Donald Harris attorney from Idaho Falls spoke to the issue of the Ordnances and the location of the Monopole. The Highway Business District (HBD) has a 25 foot set back requirement. This pole is proposed to be located 150 feet from the set back. Craig Ford indicated that they were trying to cluster the cellular towers in central locations. Donald recommended allowing the clustering of the poles in the Business Corridor. The location of this request is behind Commercial buildings and it is private property. The pole location is nd immediately behind the buildings to the east which face 2 East. Donald provided a drawing to the City Council showing a minimum impact to the area. The United States Government has set forth the obligations or requirements for wireless communication companies to construct cellular towers in Federal Law, United States Code, Title 47, section 332 allows for the installation of Cellular Towers. This section covers the interaction between cellular companies and particularly where other cellular tower are already in existence. Donald indicated that shared cellular towers are a problem. In some cases, like in Television transmitter towers; there is a great deal of concern with the problems of maintenance, turf battles, etc. Donald indicated that it was a pole that looked like a power pole inside of the Hwy Business District. If not here, then where does the City want these towers located? Donald indicated that under section 6.13 Section D, in the Rexburg City Zoning Ordinance, the request meets the general objectives of the HBD Zone. There are no impacts on public facilities or services. It is compatible, and there is no loss or damage to any historic feature of the City. The monopole requires servicing three times a year. With the Conditional Use Permit, the request meets every test of the law. Donald recommend that the City Council grant the Conditional Use Permit. It will provide service to the area east of the University and the residents of the City. Rex Erickson asked where the existing towers for Verizon Wireless are located in the City. Craig Ford indicated that the signal shadowing occurs when a cellular tower is not located in an area that has a good signal. The first objective is coverage and the second objective 6 deals with the capacity for cellular phone transmissions at a given time. There are only so many calls per minute that are possible on a single cellular tower. The problem lies with dropped calls. A second cellular tower on the hill would not improve the coverage; however, it would improve the capacity for Verizon Wireless. The University is a small area with high capacity requirements. Rex Erickson indicated that Planning and Zoning Commission were concerned with the location of the cellular pole. They were not opposed to the monopole. Rex discussed the easement for the roadway on the north side of the storage building. It could not be blocked, because of the required access to the storage sheds. He asked if another corner of the building would be a possible location for the monopole. Donald Harris indicated that a single pole would be less intrusive than say the McDonalds sign or other structures that are already located in the City. The monopole is taller than a power pole however, it is not that intrusive. Rex mentioned that it may need to be located in a palm tree or some other enhancement. Rex Erickson indicated that Planning and Zoning are asking for a different location for the pole. Those in favor of the proposal: Chris Cornelius indicated that he was part owner of the property. He indicated that the pole was located there so they would not violate a contract with US Cellular, who owns the other cellular pole. The property owners decided to take 5 foot off the building to maintain the easement of 25 feet for the storage sheds. This maintains a 35 foot thoroughfare for customers and businesses to have access to adjoining properties. Chris indicated that they have a contractual obligation to maintain the 25 foot easement. Those Opposed to the proposal: None The Public Hearing was closed. Farrell Young mentioned the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3 to 2 to deny the request. Due to their split vote, Farrell was inclined to support the applicant. Paul Pugmire was not persuaded by the comments of the requestors. He indicated that the McDonalds sign was not a good example because it was a mistake in the beginning. He recommended that the applicant find another location for the monopole on the property. Paul recommended that the City adopt a Cellular Tower Ordinance that would lend guidance for the location of cellular towers in the City. Mayor Larsen read some of the minutes and the motion from the minutes of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on December 18, 2003, concerning the denial of the request for a monopole. He reviewed the conditions and concerns of the Planning and Zoning Commission on the request. 7 Nyle Fullmer reviewed the reasons for the Planning and Zoning Commission’s denial of the request for a monopole at that location. Rex Erickson was in agreement with Paul that the applicant could find a better location on nd the property that is not as close to 2 East as this request. He suggested placing the monopole 30 feet from the existing cellular tower. Chris Cornelius commented on the reasons for the proposed location. The equipment would be in the last large storage unit for the tower. They have only worked with Verizon Wireless on this proposal. Their neighbor, Hearthside has not been involved in the discussion. nd Paul Pugmire indicated that the current design for the pole would be visible from 2 East. He did not support the appeal request. Paul Pugmire moved to deny the appeal for the monopole as requested; Rex Erickson seconded the motion; Discussion: Donna Benfield indicated that she would like to see the monopole installed in an unobtrusive location on the property. She referred to a cellular pole in Provo that is decorated like an evergreen tree. She recommended that the City adopt a cellular tower Ordinance. Donna indicated that the Council does not want to disallow the monopole; they just want the pole to be as palatable as possible. Mayor Larsen recommended that a cell tower ordinance needs to originate from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Rex Erickson mentioned that the Council is not indicating that the monopole can not be installed; however, he indicated that the Council is stating that they are opposed to the location of the proposed pole. Paul indicated that his motion is to deny the appeal; however, it has nothing to do with the applicant returning to the City with an amended location for the monopole under a Conditional Use Permit. Paul indicated that he is not opposed to a cellular tower on this property. He is only requesting a change in the requested application for this plan for a Conditional Use Permit at this location. Paul did not think that the request was adequately developed. Paul recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission prepare an Ordinance to regulate cellular towers. Question: Those voting ayeThose voting nay Paul PugmireFarrell Young Donna Benfield Nyle Fullmer Rex Erickson Garth R. Oakey The motion to deny the appeal was approved. Paul Pugmire moved to instruct the Planning and Zoning Commission to create an Ordinance to regulate cellular towers; Nyle Fullmer seconded the motion; all voted aye, The motion carried. none opposed. New Business: 8 Chris Huskinson (Fire Inspector) requested that the City of Rexburg move forward with the implementation of a Knox Box or rapid entry system. He presented a plan to install lock boxes that would have building keys located in them on site. The fire department has the only key to the lock boxes. Chris went over the brochure that described the lock box systems. In Idaho almost every Fire District jurisdiction has a lock box system. The cost of the lock boxes is a one time fee to the property owner. Chris provide the City Council with a sample Knox Box Ordinance for Rexburg. Buildings with sprinkler systems and fire alarms would be applicants for this lock box system. This would help the Fire Department obtain access to the facilities without knocking down doors and breaking windows for access when there is an emergency response requested. The Mayor asked if this program would be retroactive to existing businesses. Discussion on having these boxes located on the University buildings. University housing was discussed as a possible location for the lock boxes. Discussion on the security of the keys for the lock boxes. Rex Erickson asked who would install the boxes. Chris indicated that the property owner would be responsible for the installation of the boxes. The box that was displayed would cost the property owner $229.00 plus installation. Chris Huskinson indicated that in 2002 the Fire Department received 6 emergency response calls on buildings with alarm systems; however, in 2003, the Fire Department received 19 emergency calls for the same purpose. Rex Erickson asked if he boxes would be mandatory for each business. Chris indicated that only businesses with sprinkler systems or fire alarms would be required by Ordinance to have the lock boxes. Mayor Larsen asked if buildings with alarm systems tied into the Fire Station would be the only buildings that would require the Knox Boxes. Chris indicated that not all buildings with alarm systems are tied into the Fire Station. Nyle Fullmer indicated that the Knox Boxes are a good idea and that it is a valid process. Rex Erickson was in favor of the proposal. Donna Benfield was also supportive of the idea. Mayor Larsen asked Chris to provide an Ordinance for Knox Boxes in a future meeting. Chris mentioned that all structures with sprinkler systems or fire alarms that are in existence on the effective date of the Ordinance shall have one year to install a Knox Box. Old Business: Assessment Roll for Local Improvement District 32 (L.I.D. 32) L.I.D. for 2002 second reading for Ordinance 913 Assessment Roll for Local Improvement District 33 (L.I.D. 33) 9 L.I.D. for 2003 second reading for Ordinance 914 Mayor Larsen reviewed the process to read the Ordinances a second time. He asked Keith to address the complaints that were brought up at the last meeting on the first reading of the Ordinances. Keith Davidson reviewed the complaints that were addressed to the City. Marsha Riley 1) responded to the City after the last meeting. She wished they could have done the work themselves. They thought the driveway was included in the cost estimate that was provided by the City. Keith indicated that future estimates will be itemized to eliminate confusion. The billing was modified to correct an adjustment in the measurements for her project. The billing went from $1,509.42 to $1,492.95. Greg Palmer 2) rendered a concern in a letter to the City at the last meeting. He requested clarification on the work that was actually done by the City. He did not realize that it was going to cost as much as was indicated on the billing. Keith indicated that Greg had asked the City to do additional work. Keith mentioned that to correct this problem, the City will provide the residents with the actual cost before the work is started. The City replaced additional curb and gutter that was not part of the Palmer request. Keith adjusted the billing to reflect the cost without the additional curb and gutter. The billing changed from $2,551.51 to $2,275.94. Jerry Schlegelmilch 3) was represented by Ronald Lindsay in the complaint. He agreed to pay $2,400 on the original billing of $2,525.49. John Thomas 4) was concerned with quality of the work. He was not disputing the billing according to Keith. The Engineering Department will review the quality of the work in the spring of 2004. If the concrete is in need of replacement, the City will replace the concrete. Keith Davidson reviewed the changes to the LID process that need to be changed in the future. He indicated that the City needs to establish standards for the process to replace sidewalks by Ordinance. This would help eliminate gray areas. Mayor Larsen concurred with the need for a check list that is based on standards. When the LIDs were started, concerned residents asked about the standards that the City was using to determine if a sidewalk needed to be replaced. The resident may feel that his sidewalk is fine, and it does not require replacement. Keith Davidson will no longer take verbal request to do the work for residents. The Engineering Department will require requests to expend funds for reimbursable private projects like sidewalks to be requested and authorized in writing. Mayor Larsen indicated that there was an additional complaint on the LIDs that will be address tomorrow. 10 Rex Erickson commended Keith for a job well done. The City needs to be proactive in giving the citizens the option for actual costs. Donna concurred with Rex’s comments and thanked Keith for his efforts on the LIDs. Rex Erickson moved to accept the resolution of the complaints registered on the LIDs as explained by Keith; Nyle Fullmer seconded the motion; all vote aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Nyle Fullmer moved to suspend the rules for passage of the LID Ordinances at this meeting; No one seconded the motion. Mayor Larsen indicated that the motion dies for lack of a second. Farrell Young moved to consider LID 32, Ordinance 913, as second read; Donna Benfield The motion carried. seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. Farrell Young moved to consider LID 33, Ordinance 914, as second read; Donna Benfield The motion carried. seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. Employee Pay Ranges: Richard Horner explained the process for the Council to adopt the recommended pay ranges. This would not establish a pay increase for each employee; however, the pay increases would be proposed by the Department Heads on a case by case basis. Mayor Larsen asked Richard to discuss the recommendations for the application of the proposed pay range changes. Richard Horner reviewed the list of recommendations that were proposed by Richard. 1)Do not offer across the board pay ranges. Department Heads would initiate that process on a case by case basis. 2)Department Heads may request individual pay raises based on merit. 3) Treat the last step in a pay range as a temporary step and only recommended that step on an annual basis based on merit. The merit pay would be awarded in a lump sum amount and would not be added to the base pay. The base pay would only be increased as the cost of living increases. 4)Department Heads can hire anywhere within the range; however the recommendation would be to use the first four steps for a new hire. 5)Do not give a raise for employees that are under consideration for an immanent demotion in grade or pay. 6)Reduction in pay would be initiated by the Department Head. Farrell Young asked for clarification on the retroactive option for applicable applicants back to October 01, 2003. Richard explained that an employee may have recently received a raise within the last two years. Farrell asked if the budget would support the retroactive pay. Richard indicated that there was a contingency in the budget for this action if some employees qualified. 11 Mayor Larsen asked Richard to explain when this process was started. Richard Horner indicated that the study was completed last spring in 2003 that recommended these pay range changes. Two to three months ago, this summary of the proposal was presented to the City Council. It does not apply to appointed or elected officials. Paul Pugmire indicated his support for the process. This is a way to support employees in a tangible way that work hard for the City. Rex Erickson was supportive of the process. It is worthy of our support. He was appreciative of the preliminary work that was done in the process before bringing it to the Council for approval. Donna Benfield was also supportive of the process. Mayor Larsen requested a motion to adopt the new pay ranges. Paul Pugmire moved to adopt the employee pay ranges as presented; along with the six (6) procedural recommendations for pay raises that Richard proposed; Donna Benfield seconded The motion carried. the motion; all vote aye, none opposed Update on Projects: John Millartraffic signal light reviewed the progress on the that is being installed by Arbys. It is under construction and will be finished ahead of schedule. Tools for Learning building is being remodeled for the City Staff that works in the Community Development areas. It is being finished so that part of the staff will nd be able to move out of the Police Station in the 2 week in February. The back of the building will be the location for the GIS Department. Staff will move into the front part of the building in two weeks after the GIS Department has moved into the ndnd Traffic Signal rear of the building. The at 2 South and 2 West budget was budgeted for about $25,000 for upgrades; The actual costs will be closer to $2,500. Mayor Larsen asked John about the façade for the Tools for Learning building that will house the Community Development Center. The Staff had discussed the option of requesting the adjoining building to work together and develop the same street presentation for both buildings. John Millar indicated that there are structural issues with the front of the building that need to be reviewed. There is a possibility of using awnings on the buildings. The plan is to keep the look of the building similar to the look it had when it was built. Discussion on the look and street presentation of the building. A proposal will be brought before the Council for the façade for the building. 12 Committee Reports: Paul Pugmire reviewed the Golf Boards responses that they have received concerning their “Request for Proposals” on the 9 hole addition to the Teton Lakes Golf Course. th They have scheduled a meeting on the 12 of February to receive presentations from Architectural firms that are interested in designing the 9 hole project. Donna Benfield indicated that the Traffic Safety Committee has received a lot of positive feedback on the parking signs that were installed on College and Harvard avenues. Paul Pugmire indicated that his neighborhood is watching the process with withheld judgment. Mayor Larsen has received positive feedback from a resident concerning the signs on College Avenue. Farrell Young reviewed the position of the Downtown Vision Committee on the proposed changes to the parking from diagonal parking to parallel parking. The Committee is very supportive of the proposed change which will include added parking behind the businesses on Main Street. They are to the point of donating property to improve the situation. They are asking the City to improve the alleys to improve the alley’s image. A landscaped sidewalk in the alleys was recommended. Mayor Larsen asked for future plans to improve the alley behind Tools for Learning building. Richard Horner indicated that the Downtown Vision Committee is going to request a long term study. Tabled requests: None Mayors Business: = Mayor Larsen has asked Councilman Nyle Fullmer to serve as a liason to the United Way Board. Discussion on the plans for City Committees and the “rules of order” that they will operate under. The Mayor asked for a list of residents that would be willing to serve Committees for the City. Mayor Larsen indicated that it was a mater of organization. He asked the Council members to require the following items for the City Committees that they oversee: 1)Committee Bylaws 2)Know who serves on the Committee 3)The “Rules of Order” for the Committee 4)The membership of the Committee 13 5)The time and place the Committee meets Farrell Young asked how many residents are allowed to serve on each City Committee. Mayor Larsen requested the Council members provide a packet for the Committees and hold a Committee member meeting to train them and explain the expectations and procedures for City Committees. Committee travel compensation is only offered to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Donna Benfield asked the Mayor who should facilitate that meeting. Mayor Larsen asked the Council Members to facilitate the Committee Meetings. Mayor Larsen recognized the hours of commitment that is rendered by Committee members and asked for consistency in the Committees. He indicated a possibility of having a recognition dinner at the end of each year for service rendered by Committee members. The Mayor asked the Council Members to fully staff the Committees before the training meetings are held. Mayor Larsen asked the Council to approve the appointment of Farrell Young as a member of the Urban Renewal Agency. The Mayor will also serve on the Committee. Stephen Zollinger indicated that a member of the City Council can not serve on the Urban Renewal Agency as a representative of the City Council. Nyle Fullmer moved to accept the mayors recommendation; Paul Pugmire seconded the The motion carried. motion; all voted aye, none opposed. Mayor Larsen received notification of a Public Hearing meeting on the south arterial th project on the 24 of February from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. It is an Idaho Transportation Department Public Hearing. Mayor Larsen indicated that he will continue to serve his appointment on the Eastern Idaho Special Services Agency. He has served on that Board for the past two years. Mayor Larsen mentioned that he will participate with Paul Pugmire, Donna Benfield and Rex Erickson the Oversight Committee in a review of the Police Department. He discussed the plan to establish oversight review procedures that can be used in other Departmental reviews. The first meeting in this process will be held Friday of this week at City Hall. Farrell Young asked for the Departmental assignments in order to authorize the bills for the City Departments. Nyle Fullmer asked for approval to be appointed to the Legislative Committee. Also the Mayor was asked to serve on the Legislative Committee. Mayor Larsen indicated that it would be great for Nyle to be on that Committee. 14 Paul Pugmire explained the process for getting legislation before the State legislature. The Legislative Committee meets 4 to 6 times per year in conjunction with the Association of Idaho Cities meetings. It is an ongoing dialog of issues concerning Cities in the State which consists of 201 municipalities. Paul explained that it is a good and healthy forum. Mayor Larsen explained that he has asked the Association of Idaho Cities to facilitate a Community review of Rexburg by Government leaders outside our Community. They would spend two days evaluating our processes and procedures. A formal report would be given to the City to formalize the recommendations made by the Review Committee after the two day process was completed. Donna Benfield reminded the City Council of the Farmers Merchant Banquet tomorrow night. She reviewed the trip to Arizona to seek sunbird to be housed as summer residents to fill vacant apartments. She and the Mayor were accompanied to Arizona recently by some of the Rexburg apartment owners. All of the meeting rooms were filled with applicants to sign up to come to Rexburg. Mayor Larsen was very pleased with the turn out they received in Arizona. In a room of 100 people, some people would stand up and say how wonderful it was to come to Rexburg for the summer. One gentleman indicated that Rexburg reminded him of OZ. Donna Benfield thanked the City for supporting the trip. Rex Erickson gave a very good hand to Jack Bowman and his wife Kari for the successful “Winter Snow Fest” event that was held this past week. The event was a well attended event by the residents of Rexburg. Mayor Larsen talked about creating a “Sense of Community” by holding these events. He participated in the “Polar Bear event” which was very cold; however, the hot tub was nice to have next to the cold tank. Paul Pugmire moved to go into executive session concerning a pending law suite; Garth Oakey seconded the motion; Those voting ayeThose voting nay Paul PugmireNone Donna Benfield Nyle Fullmer Rex Erickson G. Farrell Young Garth R. Oakey The motion carried. 15 Executive Session to discuss a pending law suit. Executive Session ended Rex EricksonGarth Oakey moved to adjourn; seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. Adjourned ______________________________ Shawn Larsen, Mayor __________________________________ Blair D. Kay, City Clerk 16