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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - December 6, 2023 1 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org City Council Minutes – December 6, 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 6:30 P.M. City Hall (0:01:50) Council Member Walker said the prayer. Council Member Flora led the pledge. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Flora, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member Erickson, Council Member Walker, and Council President Busby, Mayor Merrill did not attend the meeting. Amend the Agenda as per Idaho State Statute §74-204(4)(b): Amendment to include Item 13 - Execute Session, remove Item 8(2) Bid Approval, and Item 9(1) P&Z Board Ratification Council Member Erickson moved to approve to Amend the Agenda as per Idaho State Statute §74-204(4)(b): Amendment to include Item 13 - Executive Session, remove Item 8(2) Bid Approval, and Item 9(1) P&Z Board Ratification; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Welcome New Employees: Donella Willis – Cultural Arts, Connor Simpson – Fire Department, Samuel Virgen – Water Department, Rose Eastin – Police Department, and Whitney Hansen – Police Department. Oath of Office for Officer Whitney Hansen sworn in by City Attorney Stephen Zollinger Donella Willis introduced herself, she said she grew up in Cortez, Colorado and moved to Rexburg, Idaho in August of 2020. She started working for the city part-time in July of 2021. Council Member Flora thanked Donella for all she does for the city’s Cultural Arts Department. Samuel Virgen introduced himself, he said he grew up in St. Anthony, Idaho and is excited to work for the city’s Water Department as an operator. Rose Eastin introduced herself, she is married to Coltin Eastin and is the daughter of city Asset Management System Administrator, Farron Young. She will be working for the Rexburg Police Department as a parking attendant. Whitney Hansen introduced herself, she said she was born in Rexburg, Idaho; however, grew up in Driggs, Idaho. She moved back to Rexburg after graduating high school and started working for the Madison County Sheriffs Office. She worked as a dispatch operator and became the dispatch supervisor. She is excited to work and serve the community of Rexburg as a police officer. 2 City Attorney Zollinger administered the oath of office to Whitney Hansen. OATH OF OFFICE I, Whitney Hansen, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution and Laws of the State of Idaho, the Ordinances of the City of Rexburg, and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. I will endeavor to enforce these laws to the best of my abilities, and that I will faithfully discharge all of the duties assigned or requested of me in my capacity as a law enforcement officer for the City of Rexburg. ________________ Whitney Hansen Public Hearing 6:30 P.M. City of Rexburg Fee Changes. Designated as Resolution No. 2023 – 14 if motion passes – Matt Nielson Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the proposed fee changes and explained there is a recommendation from the Golf Board Members to keep the trail fee at the same rate instead of increasing the amount of the fee. 3 County Commissioner Todd Smith opened the public hearing. Council President Busby opened the public hearing. Public Testimony in favor of the proposal (5-minute limit): Public Testimony neutral to the proposal (5-minute limit): Public Testimony opposed to the proposal (5-minute limit): Council President Busby Closed the public hearing. County Commissioner Smith closed the public hearing. Council Member Erickson explained, as a form of employee retention for the city and county. He suggested continuing to offer city/county employees that retire after 20 years of service a 50% discount on season golf passes. County Commissioner Smith mentioned the county offers a 50% discount to current employees. County Commissioner Mendenhall said he believes that continuing to offer a 50% discount to retired employees after 20 years of service would bring additional revenues to the golf courses through golf cart rentals. The golf cart rentals are a major revenue stream for the golf courses. He said continuing the discount to retired employees as a goodwill gesture may be beneficial for employee retention. Council Member Flora questioned the number of years of service to continue to receive the discount. There may be employees that only worked 18 years or 10 years and suggested a discount of 20% or 10% could be offered for season golf passes. Finance Officer Nielson suggested if the decision is made to continue to offer season golf passes to retired employees after 20 years of service a formal policy would need to be adopted. Currently, the city employees pay 100% of the cost for a season pass and are reimbursed half of that cost which is taxable. City Attorney Zollinger explained once the employee ceases to be an employee it does not become a taxable issue. The Golf Course would set a fee for past retired employees that worked 20 or more years of service instead of 20% or 10% per year of service. Council Member Flora moved to approve Resolution No. 2023- 14 City of Rexburg Fee Changes; Council Member Chambers seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. County Commissioner Smith asked for clarification regarding the trail fee. He asked if they are deleting the trail fee or if they are leaving that fee unchanged. Finance Officer Nielson replied, the trail fee will remain unchanged, and the college pass will be discontinued. County Commissioner Mendenhall moved to approve Resolution No. 2023- 14 City of Rexburg Fee Changes; County Commissioner Parkinson seconded the motion; County Commissioner Smith asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay County Commissioner Mendenhall none County Commissioner Parkinson County Commissioner Smith The motion carried. Ratify the 2023 City of Rexburg General Election Results canvassed by the Board of Canvassers of Madison County on November 13, 2023 4 Discussion: Council Member Walker moved to Ratify the 2023 City of Rexburg General Election Results canvassed by the Board of Canvassers of Madison County on November 13, 2023; Council Member Erickson seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Public Comment: Limit 3 minutes; issues may be considered for discussion on a future agenda. Please keep comments on point and respectful. Staff Reports: (0:09:20) A. Public Works: – Keith Davidson 1. Surplus Items – Recreation Desk 2. Bid Approval and Budget Adjustment for Sanitation Shop Public Works Director Davidson said the Recreation Department has a desk to surplus. Council President Busby asked if the other city departments have a need for the desk. Public Works Director Davidson said the other city departments were notified of the surplus desk and they did not have a need for the desk. 5 Council Member Johnson moved to approve to Surplus Item – Recreation Desk; Council Member Flora seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Mayor’s Business: A. Ratify Corey Barnard as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission Item for Discussion: A. Staff recommendations to approve Amendments to Ordinance No 884 concerning the Historical Committee Bylaws. Designated as Ord No 1305 if motion passes – Jed Platt City Clerk Lovejoy explained some of the changes to the Historical Committee Bylaws highlighted in red. Council Member Chambers moved to approve Ordinance No 1305 Amendments to Ordinance No 884 concerning the Historical Committee Bylaws and consider first read; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Calendared Bills: A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: 1. Ordinance No 1304 Amend City of Rexburg Development Code Ord No 1200 – Sign Code amendments – Alan Parkinson Council Member Walker moved to approve Ordinance No 1304 Amend City of Rexburg Development Code Ord No 1200 – Sign Code amendments and consider second read; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. 6 B. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: NONE Consent Calendar: The consent calendar includes items, which require formal City Council action, however, they are typically routine or not of great controversy. Individual Council members may ask that any specific item be removed from the consent calendar for discussion in greater detail. Explanatory information is included in the City Council’s agenda packet regarding these items. (0:20:48) A. Minutes from November 15th, 2023 City Council Meetings B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Flora moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; Council Member Chambers seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Roll call vote for motion to move into Executive Session according to Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(d) To consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in Chapter 1, Title 74, Idaho Code Council Member Flora moved to approve to enter into Executive Session according to Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(d) To consider records that are exempt from disclosure as provided in Chapter 1, Title 74, Idaho Code; Council Member Walker seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Flora none Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member Erickson Council Member Walker Council President Busby The motion carried. Executive Session started at 6:54 P.M. Executive Session Ended at 7:44 P.M. Adjournment 7:45 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Council President, Jordan Busby Attest: _____________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk