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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004.04.21 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF REXBURG April 21, 2004 7:30 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 - Excused Rex Erickson G. Farrell Young Garth R. Oakey Financial Officer Richard Horner P&Z Administrator: Kurt Hibbert City Clerk: Blair D. Kay PFC: John Millar City Attorney: Stephen Zollinger Pledge to the Flag Roll Call of Council Members: All present except Council Member Fullmer. 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 April 07, 2004 meeting B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills 1 Council Member Pugmire moved to approve the Consent Calendar; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Public Comment: on issues not scheduled on the agenda (limit 3 minutes): Jill Anderson – 419 Morgan Drive – asked the City Council to go public record and indicate some insight on the Community Center/Swimming Pool. Where does the Council Stand on this issue? She gave statistics for random input from the public concerning the time line for a Community Center. She indicated that the subject is up in the air. Also, it is a very hot topic. Mayor Larsen mentioned that it will be on the agenda in the near future. The Parks and Recreation Committee will be asked to provide input to the Council at that time. The Mayor mentioned that an individual has offered to provide some expertise on the issue. “It is definitely on the minds of the Council” per Mayor Larsen. Council Member Young indicated “the sooner the better”. Non controversial items added to the agenda: Council Member Benfield stepped down from the Council seat for the following item. Eric Erickson representing the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce indicated that they have an annual golf tournament. Last year the greens fees were exchanged for in kind donations to promote the City of Rexburg. The Chamber is asking that the green fees ($1,800) for the upcoming Chamber golf tournament be exchanged for an amount in excess of those fees for costs that the Chamber of Commerce incurs to promote the City of Rexburg. Last year the Chamber spent $2,300 to promote the Christmas tree lighting project. This year’s Chamber project has not been decided. Council Member Young was in agreement with the proposal. (It sounds like a good project”). The Chamber exceeded last years green fees by about $500. Council Member Pugmire reviewed the proposal. He reviewed a law suite from Ketchum concerning a private entity being in conflict with the State Constitution over the waiver of City fees. The City of Rexburg has exchanged services in lieu of waiving the fees to comply with the intent of the law. This would require the appropriate receipts to validate the exchange. The exchange is supported by the Golf Board. It allows the Chamber to raise money more effectively. There has been a request to include the County in the Chamber Advertisements. 2 Council Member Pugmire moved to do the same fee exchange that was done last year; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Discussion: this is the only golf tournament for the Chamber. All voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Council Member Benfield re-joined the Council. New Business: A. Preliminary Plat for the Valley View Estates Division #5 – Schiess & Associates, Kurt Rowland; Bart Stevens Bart Stevens – 210 Nez Pearce – reviewed a Preliminary Plat for Valley View Estates Division #5. It is the second phase of the project that was started about three years ago. There are 21 lots in 12.52 acres for this phase of the development. Council Member Erickson asked about the location of homes currently under construction in phase I that is adjacent to 2 East. nd The Council reviewed the proposal on the overhead screen. Mayor Larsen indicated that the Planning and Zoning Commission had approved the Preliminary Plat contingent upon Staff approvals. John Millar indicated that Community Development and the Public Works Department have approved the Preliminary Plat. Council Member Young moved to approve the Preliminary Plat for Valley View Subdivision #5; Council Member Oakey seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. B. Golf Board Report - Russ Benedict (deferred to a future meeting). C. New Staff Positions Mayor Larsen reviewed the new positions that have been added to the Staff due to the addition of the Community Development Department. There will be an Intern working for the City through the Mayor’s Office this summer; her name is Christine Brokaw. There will replacement positions advertised for a Parks Supervisor, Waste 3 Water Foreman and a Sanitation Driver. The Parks Supervisor is a year around position. Delynn’s position is being advertised internally as a Water Foreman. To date the following new employees are on Staff: Cathy Winters-Permit Technician/Receptionist; Bradley Johnson-Plumbing Inspector; Stacy Garitone–Planner/Grant Writer; Barbara Scoresby-Work Study Program with the State of Idaho and BYU-I. D. Downtown Banner Policy John Millar has ordered banners for Main Street. They will be up for the Pride Day event on April 30. The brackets will be available for the University to put up th banners on Main Street for special occasions. The cost is $8.00 each for pole banners and $50.00 dollars each for up and down street banners. The banners have a 5 year life expectance. The University for Spirit Week, Conferences, and the Dance Festival could use the banner brackets. The upper bracket is stationary, and the lower bracket may be adjustable. The plan is to put the brackets for the banners as high up the pole as possible with a bucket truck. E. LID 32 & 33 Ordinances to Authorize the Issuance of Warrants Richard Horner reviewed the need to issue long term warrants for these two LIDs. The current warrants have been issued on a temporary basis for the work that started in May, 2002. The City would like to change the interim warrants to long term warrants that will be amortized over a 10 year period. 1/10 of principle will be paid back each year for 10 years. The holders of the warrants requested an April 01, 2004 effective date. The City needs to issue the Debt on the long term warrants. The public will continue to pay the debt as agreed in the interim warrants. Three people hold the debt and they will put the debt into individual warrants to be repaid over a 10 year period. Discussion on the process for the repayment of the warrants. Council Member Erickson moved to suspend the rules to issue the debt on these two LIDs (LID 32 & LID 33). Council Member Oakey seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Pugmire asked why the Council needs to suspend the rules. Richard Horner mentioned that the creditors would like to have this money approved as soon as possible to cover the temporary warrants. Those voting aye Those voting nay Paul Pugmire None Donna Benfield 4 Rex Erickson G. Farrell Young Garth R. Oakey The motion carried. Council Member Erickson moved to approve the proposal for the warrants for LID 32 and LID 33; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Public Hearings: A.7:35 p.m. Impact Area Re-Zone request from Ag-1 to Light Industrial - located North of the East Moody Road and West of the Railroad Tracks, approximately 24 acres. - Five Brothers Family Limited Partners Council Member Erickson briefed the Council on the Hearing on this proposal that was held before the Planning and Zoning Commission. It is a proposal to clean up an existing use of the property. They want to come into compliance. It is west of the rail road tracks and north the East Moody Hwy. The Public Hearing was opened: Those in favor: None Those opposed: None The pubic Hearing was closed to public input. Council Member Erickson moved to approve the re-zone of the property (approximately 24) acres for AG1 to LI (light industrial) to accommodate the existing use; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Young asked if there was other Light Industrial property near this property. There is Light Industrial Property to the south of this property. All voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Old Business: A. Contract with the Development Workshop for 3.06 acres (tabled) Mayor Larsen asked for a motion to remove the Contract discussion with the Developmental Workshop from the table. 5 Council Member Pugmire moved to remove the Contract discussion with the Development Workshop from the table; Council Member Benfield seconded the motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. John Millar review the history of the Plat and the need to have it re-plated to develop a 68 foot right of way for a full street. The new Plat allows for the conversion of three lots into two lots and a road relocation. The total acreage for two lots that are being proposed to sell to the Development Workshop is 2.79 acres. The costs to develop out the remainder of the subdivision with sewer, water, power, gas, telephone streets, curb & gutter, excluding sidewalks would be $260,000. That would leave $25,000 per acre for developmental costs. The original ground cost 8 or 9 years ago was $10,000 per acre with an escalation factor, the current value of the property is at $15,000 per acre. This would give a final value to the lots of $40,000 per acre. 2.79 acres times $40,000 is $111,600. The front 2 lots sold for 56,000 per acre. The difference from market value to the value placed on the lots by the City is $16,000 times 2.79 which equals about $45,000. Council Member Erickson loves the Development Workshop like a brother; however, he questioned the City putting them into this lot at a cost below market value. He questioned why the City would subsidize this proposal. Why would the City spend $250,000 to take in $150,000 or less? Council Member Pugmire indicated that if the City sells the property at $111,600, it would be neutral cost to the City. In a sense, the City would forgo a future profit, due to the contribution the Developmental Workshop has made to the clientele that they serve in the Community and the surrounding Counties. Paul indicated that no one gets hurt financially with this proposal. Council Member Erickson agreed with that analogy; however, the Workshop is a profitable non profit organization. He asked to see the figures on their business before they make a decision. They would leave a big hole in the Community if they moved out of the Main Street to the Business Park. Personally, he is opposed to doing deficit spending to accommodate this request. Council Member Benfield asked Council Member Pugmire if the City had another similar type business in the Business Park providing the same services. Dwight did not know of a similar business. The Staff thought Donna was referring to the psychology lab that is new to the Business Park. Dwight Whittaker – 3801 Marlene Street, Idaho Falls, and The Developmental workshop in Rexburg, indicated they have been in Rexburg for about 15 years. They started as a non profit organization in 1971 with Mrs. Tomlinson’s son. There was a 6 movement to get these clients out of State care which cost in excess of $500 per day to a home environment. They would be in their own home setting. The Developmental Workshop received the opportunity to start this training program about 15 years ago. They have taken a very aggressive posture being one of the largest training centers in the Northwest and the largest Community Rehabilitation Program in the State of Idaho. Over 95% of their funding comes from their real work in the Workshop and with some by-products they produce. Last year they lost $52,000 due to new projects that were purchased for new work opportunities for people with disabilities. They budget for excess revenue of about 3%. Without that revenue they would not be able to expand into other communities. They do strive to make a profit when they can. It looks like they will be in the black this year. In 30 sum years of operation they have never had a cash loss. They have had a paper loss taking into account depreciation. They have an independent auditor who reviews their financial operation and gives financial advice. They are in business to go out of business if they successfully train and place each individual. They serve about 80 to 100 individuals per year. They are looking to expand and get into a better location which would be better suited for their needs. They are an economic benefit to the Community. They are looking for a new work process with the USDA for the packaging of Potato Flakes. The Workshop plans to package one pound bags of potato flakes and market them through out the county and the world. They have had some interest in the current location to convert the building to a medical building with other office space. There is a report from a realtor that there is a buyer for the existing building. The Development Workshop wants to separate the rehabilitation process for their clients into a separate building. Dwight indicated that he was not ashamed of their progress and growth. He is very proud of the Development Workshop. He mentioned that St. Anthony and Sugar City have made overtures to bring the Workshop into their Communities. Council Member Erickson agreed with what was said and indicated that the Workshop has the cash available to develop the property. The amount should come from the workshop so that the City does not set a precedent to pay more to the workshop than would be done for other applicants to the Business Park. He would like to see the number from the Workshops balance sheet. Dwight Whittaker reviewed his perception of the average cash balance in their checking account. He was concerned with putting the rest of the Corporation at risk by spending their existing cash on this project. He would opt to finance a portion of the balance of the cost of the land. Council Member Erickson indicated that this is not a bankrupt business. It is fairly profitable. He would like to see a proposal to keep the City from having to do deficit spending on this request. Dwight mentioned that his current amount approved by the Development Work Shop Board of Directors is $90,000. He is limited on the amount 7 he can allocate for land by his Board of Directors. John Millar indicated that the $260,000 would finish out the Rexburg Business Park. This proposal would provide for 11 more lots that can be sold to build out the Business Park. Council Member Erickson continued to review the cost to develop phase II of the Rexburg Business Park. Council Member Pugmire reviewed the proposal as a zero sum gain. The entire development would costs $260,000. He indicated that the City would be giving up a possibility of $45,000 in profits that would go into the revolving loan fund. Are we willing to have this entity stay in the City at this cost? Council Member Pugmire moved to approve the land offer of 2.79 acres at $111,600 contingent upon the Development Workshop’s Board of Directors approval for the sale. Council Member Young seconded the motion; Discussion: Council Member Oakey asked about the Porter property where the Development Workshop is currently located. He was concerned with having the building vacant. Mayor Larsen asked to clarify the motion concerning a time frame. The Council discussed a previous proposal to purchase the land from the City on a three year time frame. The previous agreement was to facilitate a grant application by the Development Workshop. The agreement indicated that if nothing developed on the property, the City would purchase the property back after three years. Dwight indicated that a previous agreement given to the Council would remain the same except the price of the land. Council Member Oakey mentioned that Ted Hendricks was working on a Grant from E.C.I.P.D. A, which would include economic development funds. Ted asked the Development Workshop to move forward with the land purchase to facilitate the Grant request for economic development funds. Dwight indicated that they would pay cash for the acreage, which would allow the City to proceed with the infrastructure for the remainder of the Business Park. The building project for this proposal would take another one to three years to construct two buildings. Representative Shirley spoke to the Council as a member of the Workshop Advisory Board. He asked the City Council to approve the proposal. Council Member Benfield was favorable to the proposal. She feels much better with this proposal as a neutral revenue proposal. She was concerned with doing something for one requestor that is not done for another requestor. Council Member Erickson supports Donna’s views. He asked Dwight about the future plans for the Development Workshop. He asked Dwight if they are tied to ARTCO. He asked if a road would connect the Development Workshop to ARTCO. Dwight indicated that they prefer to get as close to ARTCO as possible for future business relationships. They hope to have the road go through to ARTCO. John Millar indicated that there is property owned by ARTCO adjacent to the 2.79 acre lot. The adjacent location would 8 allow for a future parking lot and inter business connection in the Business Park. A road between the two businesses would be ARTCO’s responsibility. Council Member Pugmire referred to a precedent of forgoing an opportunity for a profit to allow a non- profit organization to grow in the Community. Council Member Erickson was still concerned with treating this proposal different than another proposal. He would be comfortable with $156,600. If they did not have the cash flow, for this project, he would feel differently. Council Member Pugmire requested to amend his motion with permission of the second to the motion to add the wording: contingent upon substantial and recognizable progress in constructing a facility within a three year period from today; and in the absence of that construction, the City will purchase the property back from the Development Workshop at the original price at an interest rate of 4% per annum; Council Member Young concurred with the amendment to the original motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. B. Discuss the 180 day moratorium for large Commercial Buildings over 36,000 sq. ft. Mayor Larsen reviewed the history for the proposal and asked the Council what the next move would be for the Council on this moratorium. City Attorney Zollinger indicated that it would require a health & safety reason to extend the original request. The original reason for the moratorium was for a public welfare issue concerning the buildings being built over 40,000 square feet. Council Member Erickson mentioned that if we ignore the moratorium, it will expire and go away. Mayor Larsen indicated that the City could direct the Planning and Zoning Commission to move forward on a Commercial Design Standard proposal before May 19, 2004. Council Member Pugmire indicated that the City is in process of working on Commercial Design Standards. He recommended that the Planning and Zoning Commission complete their work on the Ordinance and then have three readings of the Ordinance in the Council before the moratorium is lifted. Council Member Erickson would like to see the moratorium expire and let Planning and Zoning prepare a proposal for Commercial Design Standard. 9 Council Member Pugmire moved to extend the moratorium on buildings over 36,000 square feet for 60 days until July 20, 2004; or until a Commercial Design Standards are adopted by the City, (which ever comes first); Council Member Oakey seconded the motion, all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. C. Review Off-Premise sign requests (Applications denied) – Michael Watts (Outdoor America roadside advertising) Mayor Larsen reviewed the proposal and history of this request to have City Council review a decision made by the City Staff to deny multiple sign requests due to insufficient information. The Mayor invited anyone at the meeting to make comments on the issue. Mr. Alan C. Stephens – (Thomsen - Stephens law practice from Idaho Falls) referred to a previous discussion with the City Council where they asked for an approval of the sign requests. They followed up that discussion with a letter to the City. He encouraged the Council to approve the sign requests. They asked for fourteen sign request approvals, however, they would accept 4 or 5 signs request approvals out of the fourteen originally requested. The Council discussed the location of the 4 or 5 signs that Alan had requested for approval. Mr. Stephens contended that City Staff had conditionally approved those 4 or 5 signs. One was on the railroad right-of-way which was considered to be one parcel. There was already a sign on that parcel. The others were all presented to the City with engineering drawings with proof of leases on those properties. City Attorney Zollinger concurred with Mr. Stephens that there were five signs assessed by the sign technician. One of those five signs would have been precluded by the Zoning Ordinance because it would have been the second sign on a single parcel. Therefore, out of the five original sign requests, four were reviewable and would have been awarded subject to the specific information that was requested by Planning and Zoning. Council Member Young commented on his concerns with subjecting the Staff to a law suit. He would rather approve the requests than go through a long drawn out legal process that the City would have to go through to defend the non-approval of these requests. Council Member Oakey asked if the complete application had been submitted as requested by the City. Mr. Alan Stephens referred to Mr. Watts from Outdoor America, who had felt like he had complied with all of the requests for information on the sign requests. 10 When the issue came to the City Council meeting for review, the individual from the City Department involved indicated in that meeting that he was seeking the actual engineering head drawings for the signs that were in the applications. What they had been given was the engineering drawings which are quite expensive, for the complete head to your Council (City Attorney Zollinger) with the letter along with a rendition of the time line for the requests in the permit process. Mr. Stephens indicated that he was under the impression that he had submitted a complete package for those five signs; subject to discussion on the fifth sign on the railroad property. Council Member Oakey asked if the packets contained owner’s permission. City Attorney Zollinger indicated to Council Member Oakey that the owner’s permission documents were provided to the City Council in the attachments they received from Attorney Zollinger. Mr. Alan Stephens mentioned that the evidence of owner’s permission was included in the information packet sent to City Attorney Zollinger for all fourteen sign requests. City Attorney Zollinger mentioned that he did receive the information on the head detail under a different cover letter in a separate packet from American Sign including the ownership consents. Council Member Erickson thought that the Staff’s denial was very defendable. He asked “What has transpired in the last 30 days to compromise that decision” made by the Council the last time. Council Member Young indicated that the Council did not vote on the issue. Council Member Oakey mentioned that a decision was extended until they could take a look at these four signs. He indicated that the decision by Staff on the remaining signs was defendable with no exposure. City Attorney Zollinger mentioned that the term “less exposure” would be more desirable. Council Member Erickson deferred to Legal Council on the question “Are we in a position to defend our actions with the letter the Clerk sent out denying those originally?” City Attorney Zollinger indicated that “We are always in a position to defend”. He indicated that the City Department that made the decision would be in a better 11 position to answer that question. Mayor Larsen mentioned that the Planning and Zoning Administrator, Kurt Hibbert, has made a determination on the defensibility of the issue. Council Member Erickson asked the City Attorney if the applications are dated; “When we got the applications”, “When we got what we got”, “and the dates we tried to get the rest of it” “and they never did come in”. Council Member Oakey confirmed with the City Attorney that the information came in after the date of the Staff denial of the requests. Council Member Erickson reiterated City Attorney Zollinger the fact that the requested information was received after they were all turned down. “Why, we should now reconsider and let them have four?” Council Member Oakey indicated that the applicant was notified in November of 2003 to provide the requested information. “There was plenty of time to provide that information within that time limit”. Council Member Erickson indicated: “That is correct”. Council Member Erickson moved to deny the request to reconsider the sign requests based on the Staff’s recommendation to deny the requests for signs; Council Member Pugmire seconded the motion; Discussion: Mr. Alan Stephens commented on the denial being based on a period of time. “If you are denying it on the basis of the information was not obtained in the proper, or given to the City in the appropriate time, you are making a serious mistake, because the City did not set a deadline”. Council Member Young reiterated his position on the issue. He did not want to expose the City Staff to the time commitment and scrutiny they would have to go through in order to defend this decision. He felt strongly that it is fuzzy enough and it is in an area where the City has had one Ordinance to another, and the timing has been very imprecise. He would have to vote against this motion. Council Member Pugmire asked why Council Member Young took that position. Council Member Young indicated that he was a very non-litigious (characterized by litigation) person. Council Member Pugmire referred to the Community at large and the need to see it through the process. The Mayor called for a vote on the motion. Those voting aye Those voting nay Paul Pugmire Donna Benfield Rex Erickson G. Farrell Young Garth R. Oakey The motion carried. D.Third Reading Tree Ordinance 919: B No action was taken until a red line copy showing the proposed changes by a 12 BYU-Idaho student could be provided to the City Council. The Council discussed the ability of the City Council to adopt the Ordinance with changes on the third reading. City Council Report: A.Council Member Young reminded the Council of the invitation to the Grand Opening of the Smithsonian Institute display. He indicated that they need to RSVP to the University if they were going to the dinner on May 08. The Mayor will speak th at noon, which is opened to the public. It will be a fun event. Secondly, the Scroll Newspaper ran a large article about the Community Orchestra. They are getting donations from people with support ($5,000 drum set) and money. The first event is the 16 of June. They plan to have three or four concerts per year. th B. Council Member Benfield got the $500 dollar grant from Wal-Mart for flowers and beatification. The Mayor and Council Member Benfield will pick up the check from them tomorrow. She mentioned the planned Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. The Parade will start at Smith Park and go down Main Street. We will be honoring our National Guard. There are a hundred Guardsmen between here and Ashton that are waiting for deployment to IRAC. C. Council Member Erickson had nothing to report. D. Council Member Pugmire reviewed the final phase of the Police Oversight Committee review. The report will follow in the next two weeks. It will be given out to the public. He mentioned that there has been great cooperation from the Police Department. It should be duplicated for each of the Departments in the City. We have gone too long without doing this kind of work. He will recommend bi-annual reviews for City Departments. E. Council Member Fullmer – Excused F. Council Member Oakey reviewed the Parks and Recreation Board report on the Indoor and Outdoor facility for a swimming pool. He passed out a report from the Board to the Council concerning the issues for review. Mayors Report: Mayor Larsen is putting together a binder for the Council that with contain all of the Committees in a handbook format. The names, phone numbers, and email 13 addresses will be compiled for the handbook. Mayor Larsen reviewed the winners of the poster contest with the students. The posters were judged by the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee. There were 170 posters to judge. The Grand Prize Winner was Breck Wightman from the 6 Grade th at the Madison Middle School. The Mayor mentioned that a Tree Ordinance would allow the Community to apply for the designation of “Tree City USA”. Mayor Larsen read a proclamation for “Day of the Child”. The “Day of the Child” is to honor the Children of Rexburg. Children are the responsibility of all of the Citizens. The Proclaim declares April 30as the “Day of the Child” each year, which th will coincide with Arbor Day. Council Member Pugmire moved to adopt the Mayor’s Proclamation as read declaring April 30 as a “Day of the Child”; Council Member Benfield seconded the th motion; all voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Mayor Larsen mentioned the four projects on April 30as follows: th, Meet at Smith Park at 4:00 p.m. with your gloves, rakes and shovels!! Receive assignments: 1)Exchange the soil around the trees on Main Street and Center Street 2)Plant 160 fingerling trees in a nursery area at Hidden Valley Subdivision 3)General cleaning at Smith Park 4)Clean the Carousel in Porter Park Participants will receive a Rexburg Pride Days Tee Shirt for participation in the Pride Days Projects on April 30, May 22, June 19, and July 31. Mayor Larsen encouraged everyone to attend the Pride Day events and bring a shovel and rake. There was a Press Release announcing this program. Non controversial items added to the Agenda: Skate Board Competition request: Kelly Noack – 75 South 5 West – mentioned that he had a concert recently with th 5 bands which went off without complaint. They want May 22 for another event at nd 14 the Skate Park. He asked about the 11:00 p.m. closing of the Skate Park. Council Member Pugmire mentioned that it would require changing City Policy (Ordinance). It should go to the Recreation Committee for consideration. They meet the 2 Tuesday of each month at 8:00 p.m. nd Council Member Pugmire moved to support there request for an event on May 22, 2004; Council Member Young seconded the motion; Discussion: The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Council Member Pugmire amended his motion with permission of the second to have the event approved from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; the entrance fee is $5.00 for participants. The Public can come for free. All voted aye, none opposed. The motion carried. Mayor Larsen reviewed the Calendar: Kurt Hibbert and Chairman Dyer will attend these meetings for the neighborhoods. April 22, 2004 - Neighborhood meetings at Madison Middle School and Adams Elementary School at 7:30 p.m. Council Member Erickson will be at Adams School with David Stein and Mary Haley. Council Member Oakey will be at the Madison Middle School. April 23, 2004 – Delynn Edstrom’s retirement party from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. April 26, 2004 – Kelley Long’s retirement party is the same time. April 27, 2004 – Meeting with Keller and Associates at 5:00 p.m. concerning the South Rexburg Arterial and the County Transportation System. April 28, 2004 – The City is hosting a Regional Transportation Meeting with the Regional ITD Director from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with the Northern Counties. It is a review of Regional ITD planning. April 29, 2004 – Neighborhood Meetings at Lincoln Elementary and Kennedy Elementary Schools. Council Member Oakey will be at Kennedy. April 30, 2004 – Rexburg Pride Day starting at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Larsen mentioned that he had a luncheon for the Executive Committee for the University Elder Scott asked the Mayor to submit a proposal on how the University could be involved with the City on infrastructure to include parking. Mayor Larsen mentioned that the Standard Journal requests Porter Picnic and Dinner free to the Public. They want the City to provide a discount to the event for promoting the City. Discussion: Should the City help support a private business? 15 Council Member Pugmire recommended that the City be a co-sponsor of the event and use the event to promote the City. Mayor Larsen referred to the Chamber deal on the Golf Course fees. Council Member Erickson indicated that there is a little difference. It is a private business. The Chamber is a non profit organization. Discussion on Council Member Pugmire’s recommendation. The Council indicated that the City should not help a private business on a promotional event. The mayor will visit with Rich Ballou on the issue. Dave Schwartz reviewed the City concerning a City Pool issue. Mayor Larsen will provide copies of his comments to the Council. Report on Projects & Quick Wins: Mayor Larsen reviewed the City Projects and the Quick Wins report. John Millar reported on Smith Park bike path being installed the plan is to install a retaining wall with stacked blocks as rapidly as possible; also, a larger basketball court is being installed there will be a 2 inch conduit along the path for future lighting. Mayor Larsen asked if the basketball court could be concrete. John will run the numbers for a comparison. A foot of gravel will be placed under the pad and the path. They are putting a conduit along the bike path for future use by the City. Council Member Pugmire recommended that the concrete be done right to avoid cracking. Kiwanis could raise funds $2,000 this year and $2,000 next year. The time line will be tight to do the court first before the path. Contractor is doing crack sealing around town. John discussed reconstruction around Mrs. Parkinson’s home and around the turn by her house. The holes in the road will be repaired in the mean time. Council Member Erickson commended John on the Smith Park project. Richard Horner offered some information to the Council on the Downtown Revitalization Assessment. He indicated that he mailed it to them. Council Member Erickson asked about the Evergreen Park improvements. Community Park, Hidden Valley Park, and the Evergreen Park will get playground equipment. The plan is to have soccer fields on the Evergreen Park. Their will be $300 to $500 donated at Evergreen Park per The City Attorney Zollinger. Mayor Larsen recommended having a “Welcome to Rexburg” sign at the Evergreen Park 16 on West Main Street. John Millar indicated that Impact Fees could be used for the New Parks. Tabled Requests: a.Commercial Design Standards (tabled) b.Proposed Ordinance 911 for booting cars (tabled) Work Meeting 6:00 p.m. May 19 regular meeting. Mayor will decide on a work th meeting before the next Council meeting. Adjournment 17