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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2004 ORM F EQUEST R RAVEL T CCS ITY OUNCIL PECIAL M EETING December 15, 2004 (12:00 p.m.) Those attending the meeting: County Commissioners Commissioner Reed Sommer Commissioner Roger Muir Commissioner Brooke Passey Mayor & City Council Mayor Shawn Larsen Donna Benfield Farrell Young Nyle Fullmer Irma Anderson Mayor & Council Members: City Staff : Shawn Larsen — Mayor Val Christensen – Building Official Paul Pugmire Donna Benfield Kurt Hibbert — Planning & Zoning Dir Farrell Young Nyle Fullmer Richard Horner — Finance Officer Rex Erickson Irma Anderson Blair Kay — City Clerk John Millar — Public Works Dir Stephen Zollinger — City Attorney New Business:Work meeting with County Commissioners: A) New 9 hole golf course at Teton Lakes Golf Course B) Update on the Airport Projects Mayor Larsen reviewed many services and projects that are shared between the County and the City. The group mentioned the following projects: 1)Teton Lakes Golf Course 2)Rexburg Airport 3)ES (Emergency Services) 4)GIS (Mapping Department) 5)Trails of Madison County 6)LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) 7)Probation Officer 8)Dispatch 9)Rexburg Impact Area 1 10)Urban Renewal Agency 11)Evergreen Kiwanis Park The Evergreen Kiwanis Park was created by a grant from the FAA to the Rexburg City/County Airport to purchase 5 ¼ lots in the flight zone and the developer’s (Zollinger) donation of 3 lots on West Main Street. Commissioner Reed Sommer and Commissioner Brooke Passey indicated that the City and County officials need to work together on the development of the Evergreen Kiwanis Park. Commissioner Brooke Passey reiterated the problems that have been created in the past when the officials at the City do not communicate to the County officials on joint City/County projects. He recommended that they work on better communication between the two government entities. Commissioner Passey reviewed the proposal that the County made to the City to help with the Animal Shelter. The County would be willing to participate in the Animal Shelter by paying for an expansion project that is agreeable to the County. To date, the City has not provided the estimated cost to the County for the expansion of the Animal Shelter facilities. Mayor Larsen indicated that they did provide labor estimates for ½ of a police officer’s salary and a proposed care fee per animal of $35.00. Council Member Fullmer recommended that the City provide the good estimate of hard costs for expansion to the County as soon as practical. Mayor Larsen stated that there is a need to expand the Animal Shelter; therefore the City will provide a firm estimate on the proposed expansion of the Animal Shelter to the County Commissioners before the first of March, 2005. Council Member Young agreed that an estimate should be provided to the County so that the project could move forward in the current budget year. Commissioner Roger Muir requested an agreement of cooperation between the City and County for the expansion and operation of the Animal Shelter. There was some discussion on a Dog Exercise Park and where it could be located in the City. A location on the northwest edge of Rexburg was mentioned. Mayor Larsen commented on the Comprehensive Plan Map that the City recently passed. 2 Commissioner Brook Passey mentioned that a recent change in the Comprehensive Plan Map approved by the City in the Impact Area was not reviewed by the County. Mayor Larsen reviewed some City Budget Graphs that indicate how the City and County share revenue and expenses. the Teton Lakes Golf Course, the Airport, and Emergency Services were noted as being part of the City Budget with County participation. The group discussed the allocation of tax revenues. The City and County are split about 50/50 on assessed property valuations. Commissioner Brook Passey brought up the recent Downtown Revitalization Review that was conducted by Tom Hudson. He indicated that the County needed more input in the discussion. Tom’s proposal for the County block did not meet with the needs and expectations of the County; however, the Vision presentation was a good presentation. He mentioned that the proposal for the County property would have fit better on the other side of the street where the County Building is located. He was impressed with the Farmer’s Market concept. John Millar reviewed the progress that has been made to improve the Airport. The north end of the runway has received an upgrade in the end of runway lighting. A portion of the tarmac around some hangers was repaired. The acquisition of the protection zone near the Evergreen Kiwanis Park is moving forward. These properties are in the appraisal phase at the FAA’s request. There is not a mandate to raise the buildings; however, there can not be any property improvements that would increase the value of the properties. There are plans to add street lights at Mother Hibbards in the near future. The intersection at Main and the Airport road will need a traffic light in the future when traffic studies require this additional light. Mayor Larsen discussed the idea of having the County provide the City with equipment and labor during at County down time to help resurfacing City Streets. The Commissioners indicated that the County Crews are busy; however, there is a period of time in the fall that they could do some City Streets before they change over to the winter equipment. The City could do the preparation work, clean up, and flagging for the County Crews. John Millar indicated that the County Road and Bridge Supervisor has mentioned that the County Crews could do 5 to 7 miles of Street resurfacing for the City at the end of the season. Mayor Larsen and the County Commissioners commented on the items that could be jointly supported: 1)City Street resurfacing 3 2)Animal Shelter 3)Historical Society 4)Golf Course John Millar commented on the plans for the 9 hole addition to the Teton Lakes Golf Course. The architect (Phelps) has discussed the option of saving money on the project by using local contractors, City and County crews with Phelps as the General Contractor. The project will cost between 1.1 million and 1.6 million dollars, depending on how much money can be saved with local crews. 5)Snow removal 6)University Way development 7)Signs in the Impact Area County Commissioner Reed Sommer reminded the group to keep Sugar City in the loop. Council Member Benfield commented on the GIS (Mapping Department) and how well it is working with City and County support. She is proud of the progress they have made with the City/County maps and detailed infrastructure information for the City and County to share. The group discussed the recent past effort to create a County wide Recreational District. They indicated that any effort of that magnitude will need to have specifics in hand before approaching the public to support another proposal. The past proposal failed due to the open ended nature of the request. Adjournment ____________________________________ Shawn Larsen, Mayor _____________________________________ Blair D. Kay, City Clerk 4