HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - June 7, 2023
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Rexburg, ID 83440
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City Council Minutes – June 7, 2023
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
5:00 P.M. Work Meeting in City Hall Front Conference Room: Fiscal Year 2024 budget
review – set tentative Fiscal Year 2024 Budget – Matt Nielson
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the 2024 Budget Highlights Report.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Fiscal Year 2024 Personnel Requests. The city has applied for a grant to
pay for the cost of one patrol officer position, if the grant is not awarded to the city only one patrol officer will be
hired.
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Finance Officer Nielson mentioned if all the personnel requests are approved, the budget increase in the
general fund would be about $500,000.
Discussion regarding the Human Resources/Finance HR Generalist full-time position. Arts Director Platt
explained the need for a Cultural Arts Office Manager. Most of the revenues for the Art Department come from
venue rentals. The office manager would be responsible for showing and scheduling the buildings. He mentioned
the usage of the building was not being accounted for in the budget; for example, the Tabernacle Orchestra uses
the building for about 100 hours just for rehearsals. When accounting for the usage of the building the cost of the
programs increases from a couple thousand dollars to about $20,000. Arts Director Platt said befor e adding
additional art programs he would prefer to have sufficient personnel to handle the growth of the current
programs.
Discussion regarding the Recreation Programs/Events Coordinator full-time position. Recreation-Event Manager
Jacob Linford explained the recreation programs continue to grow in participants and without the needed
personnel the current staff works extra hours, which accumulate to extra vacation days because they are salary
employees. The winter park brought in a substantial amount of revenue and Teton Dam Marathon held this past
weekend a record-breaking number of participants. Council Member Walker asked if the canceling of Kidsburg at
the Zone would free up some time for that employee to take on other responsibilities. Council Member Johnson
said she feels comfortable in allowing the Recreation Department to hire a programs/coordinator full -time
position. Council President Busby explained there is a balance between the city and the private sector providing
recreation programs to the community. He would like to see the private sector provide more recreation programs.
Discussion regarding the decisions needed to balance the budget. There are items that need to be cut out to
balance the budget. Council President Busby asked when the Budget Oversight Committee will meet to decide
which items to cut out of the budget. Finance Officer Nielson said they will need to collect data from the
departments before the committee meets. The challenging aspect is knowing they are increasing the general fund
by about $650,000 on expenses that will continue going forward year after year whereas capital items are a one-
time expense. He believes if the country does not have a recession the tax dollars will increase because of the new
census numbers. Council Member Chambers mentioned they could consider a budget amendment after the
property tax revenues are received.
Discussion regarding the Human Resources/Finance HR Generalist full-time position. Council Member Flora said
she is in favor of adding the Human Resources/Finance HR Generalist full-time position.
6:30 P.M. City Hall (0:06:40)
Council Member Flora said the prayer
Mayor Merrill led the pledge
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
Presentation: Rural Water Association of Idaho presentation of certificate of graduation to Ryker Siepert
Gary Seavers with the Idaho Rural Water Association showed a YouTube video to the audience about their
apprenticeship program. He then invited Ryker Siepert to come forward. Mr. Seavers explained that Ryker has
completed 288 hours of related training instruction in the wastewater industry and over 4,000 hours of on-the-
job training. This apprenticeship certificate is nationally recognized and the equivalent of an Associate’s degree.
He presented Ryker with the certificate, a jacket and a challenge coin. He also presented Wastewater Director
Jared Gunderson with some recognition gifts for his mentorship of Ryker.
Presentation: Proposed Ordinance for Drag Queen Performance Venues – Kelly McKamey (0:22:39)
Kelly McKamey of Rexburg gave a packet to each of the council members and mayor. He explained that as he
and his wife try to understand things happening in the world today, they try to research and educate themselves
on the matter. He wanted to know why, suddenly, there is a drag queen story hour. He then proceeded to give
some background on drag queens in the United States. The first recorded drag queen was a man named William
Dorsey Swann, born in 1860. Mr. Swan was a slave and then freed after the civil war. He was arrested several
times. He would dress in women’s clothing and entertain at private parties that were sensual in nature. This came
known to be drag queening. The culture of dressing in women’s clothing stayed underground through the decades
and was a private affair. Most drag queens were homosexual males. It was an adversely sexual activity. In 1969
there was a police raid on a gay bar in San Francisco that came to be known as the Stonewall Riots. The gay bar
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was also a drag queen outlet, providing services for money. The idea of dressing in drag became a revolutionary
statement against the police and against traditional heterosexual values. In the 70’s, a Frenchman named Michel
Foucault revolutionized and is considered the father of the queer theory. His main focus was on boy lovers, which
is adult men having sex with male boys. One of his followers was a woman named Ruben who wrote essays and
books focused on fighting for the rights of sexual deviants. One of her followers wrote a book called “Gender
Trouble” that is still taught in some colleges in the United States today. Another follower, Sarah Honkins, focused
on helping people understand that dressing in drag helped satisfy people’s hidden fetishes. This movement did not
gain a lot of traction through the 80’s until a man named Harris Kornstein AKA Little Hot Mess became popular
by participating in mass media and social media platforms in an effort to help drag queen shows become
normalized. He worked with the previously mentioned ladies to publish a manifesto for drag queening called “The
Playful Practice of Queer Imagination and Early Childhood”. The focus of this manifesto is to help teach kids how
to live queerly. It focuses on bringing queer ways into the education of young children, primarily under the age of
10. One of Kornstein’s focuses is to raise the idea to a new level so that others will accept it.
Mr. McKamey continued with the question: How does this apply to Rexburg? He provided some data that shows
in 2021 Rexburg Police received 4 reports of sexual assault of people ages 11 to 17, and then one year later, in
2022, Rexburg Police received 49 reports of sexual assault of people ages 11 to 17. Of those, 48% were assaults by
acquaintances and 36% by a friend. 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 4 boys of those that were sexually assaulted, were found to
have been sexually groomed as a child. Sexual grooming is breaking the normal barriers that children have when
they are revolted by things, and you start to normalize their exposure to graphic sexualization. That reduces their
ability to resist being molested.
Mr. McKamey said that he is pleading with the City Council to help stop children from being groomed sexually
by any source. Books about drag queens should not be accepted. Rexburg has high moral standards and prides
itself on being safe for children. It’s our job to protect the children. He presented a plan of action that includes
drafting an ordinance, banning all such performances in public spaces. He is asking the council to take a stand
and present an ordinance to the community.
Mayor Merrill thanked Mr. McKamey for his research. He said we are all on the same page as far as protecting
the children in this community. He has spoken with the organizers of the Pride event coming up this weekend and
they have assured him that it will be a clean event. He has read the material presented by Mr. McKamey and found
it interesting. He appreciates it. He believes that they can come up with an ordinance that fits within the law.
Council President Busby asked when they can prepare and present an ordinance. Mayor Merrill said they can
start immediately and present it at City Council in the near future.
Public Comment: Limit 3 minutes; issues may be considered for discussion on a future agenda. Please
keep comments on point and respectful.
Ron Nate, Chairman of Mass Resistance Idaho Madison County Chapter, wanted to talk about a few things. He
said drag queen performances for children is not protected speech. There is no first amendment right to corrupt or
harm children. Ordinances that protect children are perfectly fine. Drag queen performances are harmful to
children. Drag queen shows are a form of grooming kids. There is no such thing as a kid friendly drag show. It
robs children of their innocence. He wants the City Council to commit to enforce laws already on the books. Idaho
law 18-1513 states it is the intent of the legislature to protect children from harm and that performances of an
obscene nature are harmful to kids. He also pointed out that it is already in Rexburg City Ordinance #1211
regarding activities in the park. It states:
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation using such Parks to either perform or permit to be performed
any of the following acts:
E. Endanger the safety of any person by any conduct or act, including abusive or harassing behavior as well as use of
obscene language or gestures.
Mr. Nate encouraged the City Council to direct the police to enforce those laws this Saturday at the Pride Event.
Mayor Merrill said there will be four officers at the event, and they will enforce the laws. He expects it to be a
peaceful and high standard event. The organizers of the event have promised that it will be.
Council Member Flora is grateful for the education and the emails and phone calls she has received. She
wonders if we should educate the parents and let the parents decide what to do with that information.
Mayor Merrill tried to move on with the agenda but a lady in the audience stood up and asked that their voices
be heard regarding the Gay Pride event happening in Rexburg on Saturday. Ma yor Merrill agreed to let the people
speak.
Laura Spackman from Rexburg said that nothing about drag queens and what they do is ‘G’ rated. She repeated
a quote that Mr. McKamey also read by Tim Ballard that states, “I have spent almost 18 years hunting child
predators, mostly men, who want to have their way with children in a sexual context. I can state with authority,
there is no innocent or normal reason for a man to dress up as a sexualized woman and dance in a sexual
fashion for children. This is predatory behavior. Period”. Ms. Spackman went on to quote several people who
have stated that they are sick of the LGBTQ community pushing their beliefs on the rest of us. Even those who
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used to support Pride have turned away from it. Pride events have no business being in a public park around
children.
Tamber Harward of Rexburg said that he is a gay man and has lived an openly gay lifestyle. He has been to
many gay clubs and seen many drag shows. He left that lifestyle because of moral degeneracy. He knows what
drag culture is all about. He was shocked when he heard about the drag queen story hour. In drag shows, they
strip, maybe not completely naked, but allowing drag queen story hour leads to normalization. There is no such
thing as a non-sexualized drag queen. The culture itself is hyper sexualized, even t heir drag queen names are
sexually based. This shows what that culture is like. While not everyone in that culture is grooming children and
that’s not their intent, we still don’t want our children exposed to that.
Carrie Hanks of St. Anthony wants to prevent this from coming to our community. She asked the city council if
they would feel comfortable bringing their kids or grandkids to the pride event. She referred to State Statute, Title
18 Section 1514 that describes obscene materials.
Ms. Hanks asked the City Council if they can guarantee that no simulated sex acts will occur at this event? She
believes that allowing this event will attract more of these types of performances to Rexburg. Minors need to be
protected. She wants the council to enforce the codes and statutes and stop the event.
Sue Widdleton of Rexburg expressed that Rexburg is sacred ground and a sacred community that was founded
by our forefathers who believed in sacred rights. She came here 9 years ago because it was a safe place and she
wanted to raise her family here. She is pleading for the safety of her grandchildren. She wants Rexburg to be
known as a community who will protect children at all costs. She can’t believe that they a re allowing the Pride
event to take place. She believes these type of shows draw in predators.
Izak Realba? of Rexburg stated that God made them male and female; however, he doesn’t believe in that, nor
does he believe in deity, but he does oppose drag queen shows. The ideology of transgenderism has grown out of
proportion and is a problem. It has grown and keeps growing rapidly. He thinks people should look at the
psychology behind this growth. He believes that drag shows should not be seen by children.
Andrew Hale of Rexburg moved here three years ago from California. He fled California for this very reason. He
said this event has got to be stopped, at least the Drag Queen show part of it. He said this should not even be a
discussion.
Todd Grant of Rigby is here to voice his opposition to the Gay Pride Event this Saturday. Homosexual
relationships are morally wrong and destructive to our society. He quoted some scriptures. He quoted from Dr. W.
Cleon Skousen who wrote “The Majesty of God’s Law”, which states that homosexuality destroys civilizations. Mr.
Grant said free speech does not include pornography . He talked about the founding fathers and the law of nature.
Government was instituted of God. He quoted Ezra Taft Benson. He is disappointed that this type of event has
ever been allowed to take place.
Attorney Spencer Rammell reminded Mayor Merrill that there is no legal obligation to allow everyone to
speak but it is up to the mayor’s discretion.
Mayor Merrill thanked Attorney Rammell and reminded the audience that comments need to be kept to 3
minutes.
Twigs Wakeman thanked the mayor for allowing them to speak. She lives in Rexburg but is from California. Her
brother was gay, and she has seen all this behavior and the destruction is causes. This lifestyle is not what we want
in this community. She thinks the City Council needs to go into the big cities and see what it’s like. Her brother
committed suicide at the age of 42. She thinks the City Council needs to be educated.
Steven Bareman of Rexburg quoted title 18 chapter 41. Pride events are a deviant sexual group. Pride events
promote obscene material by their very nature. He implores the City Council not to allow it to take place.
Manuel Bates lives in a van in Rexburg. He moved here last November and loves the town. He heard that armed
citizens scared away a pride event in the past. He hopes that doesn’t happen again. Mayor Merrill said he doesn’t
believe that ever happened. Mr. Bates said he plans to open an indoor skate park that is family friendly that is a
safe environment where kids can play and ride scooters. He wants to help benefit the community.
Doug Norton of Rexburg has lived here for 30 years. The city has been proactive on standards in the past. Most
of the people would support the city if they were sued for cancelling the Pride event. He doesn’t want this deviance
in our neighborhood.
Maria Nate of Rexburg talked about autogynephilia, which is a male’s propensity to be sexually aroused by the
thought of himself as a female. She is offended by men who parade around in dresses, pretending to be females.
She read a poem written by a 14-year-old girl from Ireland called “I Am Not a Dress”.
Nathan Mark of Rexburg, founder of Rexburg Patriots, has been researching local corruption within the city. He
thinks it is a large problem here. He indicated that Merrill Quality Landscaping contracts most of the city jobs .
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Mayor Merrill stopped him immediately and said that is false and suggested that if he is going to make accusations
of corruption that he gets his facts straight. Mr. Mark believes there is corruption within City Attorney Zollinger’s
family as well. Mayor Merrill stopped him again and told him that he needed to get his facts right before accusing
anyone of corruption. Mr. Mark believes that the City Council will do nothing about the Pride Event.
Dennis Summers of Rexburg and a lifelong resident thinks City Council could restrict the Gay Pride event and
put them somewhere else where kids don’t stumble on it accidentally. He wishes Rexburg would put out a warning
about the event so people know not to go to the park that day. There is a federal law that all schools teach the
constitution during constitution week, but he has found, as part of his job, that many teachers are not aware of
that law.
Kara Layton of Rigby says that during public children’s programming, they are not allowed to run commercials
because kids are too impressionable, so it doesn’t make sense that kids are allowed to be exposed to a Gay Pride
event at a children’s park. Is there no law to keep our kids safe from these events?
Jared Bragge from Parker said no one wants to get sued but sometimes you just have to stand up for what’s
right. You need to take the title of leader and stand up as leaders. He reminded City Council that they stood up for
no mask mandates during COVID, so he wants them to please stand up for this and be leaders.
Reed Stone of Rigby has been sued. He relied on the protections of Title 18 to protect his kids. The FCC has rules
regarding inappropriate content on public airways, this is similar because it is inappropriate content in public
parks. Mr. Stone explained that visual images go directly into the brain and are accepted as truth and then must
be re-evaluated. Children are not developed enough to make those evaluations regarding sexual content.
Mayor Merrill announced a five-minute recess - 8:10 p.m.
Meeting resumed - 8:15 p.m.
Staff Reports: (1:51:14)
A. Finance – Matt Nielson
1. Set Public Hearing for July 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. for Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriation Budget
Chief Financial Officer Nielson asked to set the public hearing for Fiscal Year 2024 budget. He presented a
summary of the funds. He would like to set the public hearing for July 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m...
Council Member Chambers moved to set the public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriation
Budget for July 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked
for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
2. Set Public Hearing for July 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. to claim Foregone Property Tax for fiscal
year 2024 budget.
Chief Financial Officer Nielson proposed that the city claim $62,000 of Foregone Property Tax and apply it
towards public safety personnel and set the public hearing for July 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m...
Council Member Walker moved to set the public hearing to claim Foregone Property Tax for fiscal
year 2024 budget for July 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.; Council President Busby seconded the motion; Mayor
Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
B. Public Works – Keith Davidson (1:54:48)
1. Surplus back foyer couches and end table from City Hall and 20 filing cabinets from the Police
Department
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Public Works Director Davidson asked to surplus the old couches and end table from City Hall and 25 file
cabinets from the police department.
Council Member Erickson asked if the school district could use the filing cabinets. Mayor Merrill said that is a
good idea and he will check with the superintendent to see if they can use the filing cabinets.
Council Member Erickson moved to surplus back foyer couches and end table from City Hall and
20 filing cabinets from the Police Department with the stipulation to check with the school district
about the filing cabinets first; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a
vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Director Davidson gave an update on the LID warrantee work. He spoke with Mike Cooper from Mountain
Valley, and they indicated that they would get on it by the end of June to do some warranty work on Park Street.
Edstrom Construction will do some warranty work in July.
Council President Busby would like to see that everyone on those LID’s be contacted.
Council Member Walker asked how long the construction on 7th South with take. Director Davidson said it
should be done by the 4th of July.
Mayor’s Report: (1:59:16)
Mayor Merrill reported that there are a lot of projects going on. State Senator, Jim Risch declared
Friday, June 9th as Support Local Gems Day. They want to encourage everyone to show support for local
businesses. Mayor Merrill read the letter from Senator Risch’s office.
Items for Consideration: (2:01:08)
A. Planning & Zoning recommendation to approve Trappers Landing Div. 2 Commercial Plat located
at approximately 20 S 12th W #22-00124 – Alan Parkinson
Planning & Zoning Director Parkinson reported that the developers of Trappers Landing have met all the
requirements and dedicated the rights-of-way. Planning & Zoning is recommending the final plat for approval.
Council Member Erickson asked about the intersection at State Highway 33 and 12th West. He said north
bound traffic backs up every morning and afternoon there. Having just one lane going east is a problem. Director
Davidson said they have talked to ITD about it. There can be adjustments to the signal timing. As development
occurs, there will be additional measures placed. Council Member Erickson said they will need to relocate the
traffic light and power box and open another lane. He would like to see something done right away. Director
Davidson said that it has been thoroughly looked at with ITD, so it is on their radar.
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Council Member Walker moved to approve Trappers Landing Div. 2 Commercial Plat located at
approximately 20 S 12th W #22-00124; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for
a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
B. Planning & Zoning recommendation to amend Ordinance No. 1200 Rexburg Development Code
#22-00299 concerning substantive and non-substantive items, with the exception of any
domestic livestock changes being removed from the amendment. Designated as Ordinance
No. 1298 if motion passes. Request to waive the rules and consider the ordinance third read –
Alan Parkinson
Planning & Zoning Director Parkinson indicated that there were two items that came up in Planning &
Zoning: a request for CUPs for townhomes in LDR2 and a request for CUPs for Daycares in LDR2. There was also
a discussion in Planning & Zoning about the animal changes, and they decided that it would be better to go back to
what we already had and leave it unchanged. They struggled with defining “adequate space for an animal”.
Council Member Johnson would like the request to have a CUP for townhomes in LDR2 be removed. Council
Member Flora agrees with Council Member Johnson. She does not believe it is necessary to have a CUP for
townhomes in LDR2 when they can use the zoning of LDR3.
Council Member Chambers indicated that it was his idea to have CUPs for townhomes in LDR2 because he
likes to see a variety of housing types in neighborhoods. Council Member Flora said they can use a PUD. Council
Member Chambers explained that a PUD is used at the beginning of a development and a CUP is used after the
development. Council Member Johnson would like to preserve the few neighborhoods that allow for unattached
housing. Council Member Erickson would also like to preserve the unattached housing areas.
Council Member Johnson asked about the animals. Why did they go to so much trouble just to have it left the
same? Council Member Flora agrees. She liked the solution they came up with in their work meeting. If
“adequate” needs to be defined later, that’s fine, but she wants to give it a year and see what happens. Most
neighborhoods have their own CCR’s, anyway. There will be exceptions to the rule, but how many? Compliance
Officer Natalie Powell indicated that she has never had someone ask for a horse or a cow in the city limits. Council
Member Walker said if we haven’t had any problems over the past 18 years, why are we changing it to begin with.
We haven’t had to define adequate before so why now? Council Member Johnson thought this would take care of
the exceptions.
Attorney Rammell instructed that the ordinance would need to go back to Planning & Zoning because it is a
substantial change. Just the line items for CUP for townhomes and the changes for animals would go back, the
rest can be passed tonight.
Council Member Johnson moved to send Ordinance #1298 section 4.04.020 Permitted Uses in
LDR2 Residential-Single-family Dwelling, Attached (Townhomes) back to Planning & Zoning
concerning line item regarding CUPs for townhouses in LDR2; Council Member Flora seconded the
motion: Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
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Council Member Johnson moved to send Ordinance #1298 section 4.04.020 Permitted Uses in LDR2
Residential-Single-family Dwelling, back to Planning & Zoning to add in the one-line item regarding
adequate space for domestic livestock; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked
for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora Council Member Walker
Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Council Member Flora moved to suspend the rules to consider Ordinance #1298 third read; Council
Member Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Council Member Flora moved to approve amendments to Ordinance #1200 Rexburg Development Code
#22-00299 concerning substantive and non-substantive items, with the exception of CUPs for townhomes and
changes to the animal rules - Ordinance No. 1298, and consider third read; Council Member Johnson
seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Calendared Bills: (2:25:11)
A. Tabled Items:
1. Adopt the updated 2022 Madison County Transportation Plan. Work Meeting to review plan is
scheduled for June 14, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Item 1 to remain tabled
2. Take from the Table – Rezone 728 S 5th W from Low-Density Residential 2 (LDR2) to Medium-
Density Residential 1 (MDR1) zone #23-00135 – Alan Parkinson
Council Member Flora moved to take from the table Rezone 728 S 5th W from Low-Density
Residential 2 (LDR2) to Medium-Density Residential 1 (MDR1) zone #23-00135; Council Member
Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
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Council Member Flora moved to deny the zone change at 728 S 5th W from LDR2 to MDR1;
however, grant the CUP for the Daycare; Council President Busby seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill
asked for asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE
Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: NONE
Council Member Erickson mentioned the little train used at the Celebrate Youth Event was being surplus by
the State Operation Life Saver. He was able to obtain the train for city use. The Police Department will use it at the
special needs luncheon.
Mayor Merrill mentioned that the Community Forestry grant was submitted for $15 million.
Consent Calendar: (2:32:18)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 r egarding these items.
A. Minutes from May 17th Meetings
B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
C. Approve 2023 Firework Stand Business Registrations
Council Member Erickson moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city
bills and approve the 2023 Firework Stand Business Registrations; Council Member Johnson seconded
the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Council President Busby requested to go into executive session per state statute #74-206 (f) to discuss a legal
matter.
Attorney Rammell said that a motion would need to be made to amend the agenda.
Council Member Flora moved to amend the agenda; Council Member Erickson seconded the
motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
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Council Member Busby moved to go into executive session per Idaho State Statute #74-206(f) to
discuss legal matters; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill ask for a roll call
vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried
Executive session began 9:00 pm
Executive session ended 9:53 pm
Adjournment 9:54 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Mary Flanary, Grant Coordinator