HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - May 1, 2024 (208) 359-3020
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
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City Council Minutes – May 1, 2024
Mayor Jerry Merrill
Council Members:
Bryanna Johnson Erick Erickson
Robert Chambers David Reeser
Colin Erickson Mikel Walker
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
6:00 P.M. (video index 0:00:01)
Council Member Johnson said the prayer.
Council Member C. Erickson led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member Colin Erickson, Council Member Erick Erickson, Council Member Reeser, Council President Walker and Mayor Merrill.
Welcome New Employees: Jared Martin – I.T. Department
Jared Martin introduced himself, he said he grew up in Idaho Falls and recently moved back to Idaho from Utah. He attended the College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls and worked for
Syringa Network before moving to Utah. While living in Utah for several years he worked for the State of Utah. He said he is grateful for the opportunity to move back to Idaho and to
be working for the City of Rexburg.
Presentation: Lightbridge Broadband Update – Brock Walters (0:02:14)
Mr. Walters reviewed the Lightbridge Broadband Update.
Council Member E. Erickson questioned the slide in the presentation, mentioning 200 plus homes have been connected to fiber. Does that mean the fiber is active and the home has access
to the
internet? Mr. Walters replied yes, the fiber is active with internet service. Council Member E. Erickson said his home is connected to fiber; however, it is not active yet.
Mayor Merrill asked how do residents know when the fiber is connected to internet service? Mr. Walter said Lightbridge and the Internet Service Provider (ISP), the customer selected
as their provider, would communicate with the customer when the fiber becomes active.
Mr. Walters said 49% of the customers who have selected Lightbridge are asking for a 1 gigabyte service and 67% are asking for 1 gigabyte plus. These are speeds that will not be seen
on other mediums besides fiber. The community members have chosen to look towards the future for what broadband can offer to homes. There may be a lot of homes that do not need a gigabyte
today; however, broadband provides the opportunity as we go forward to have these capabilities ubiquitous across the whole community.
Mr. Walter explained the value for cities to have open access fiber internet because of its competitive nature of bringing down prices as well as providing reliable and good internet
service for the whole community.
Council Member Johnson asked how Lightbridge decides which neighborhood is going to be connected. Mr. Walter replied they are connecting homes from west to east across the city. They
started in the Henderson Subdivision, moved to the Summerfield Subdivision and then moved west to east. He reviewed the areas; they are currently installing conduit for fiber.
Council Member Chambers said he lives near K Street where they are installing the fiber boxes. He asked how long before that neighborhood is connected to fiber. Mr. Walters explained
once the boxes are installed, they will start blowing fiber through the conduit and then splice the fiber in the green boxes. After the fiber is spliced, they will connect the home to
the fiber. The process takes about a month to complete.
Public Comment: Items not on the agenda; limit 3 minutes; issues may be considered for discussion on a future agenda. Please keep comments on point and respectful. (0:13:04)
David Merrill said on behalf of the Harvest Heights neighborhood and homeowner’s association, he is reporting a traffic safety concern related to west bound traffic on the east end
of 7th South. The stretch of 7th South from Millhollow Road, west to 2nd East has an increase of traffic on that segment. There are drivers that do not comply with the 35-mph posted
speed limit. There are drivers going 50 to 60 miles per hour through that segment of road which has several curves. Entering his neighborhood from Autumn Drive, there is a line-of-sight
issue because of large evergreen trees. He is working with the property owner to trim down those trees; however, the speed of traffic coming around that curve is dangerous.
Mr. Merrill said there are people walking in the morning down the northside of 7th South and there is no sidewalk, they are more at risk because of the high-speed traffic coming around
those curves. There is a consistent problem with high performance motorcycles going up and down 7th South and Millhollow Road. He formally requested traffic monitoring by the police
and a traffic radar sign along that segment of the roadway. Mayor Merrill said he would notify the Police Department about patrolling and placing the radar sign east of Autumn Drive.
He will also inform the City Compliance Officer about having the property owner trim the overgrown trees.
Staff Reports: (0:20:57)
Finance: - Matt Nielson
Approval for Budget Adjustment for 700 Radio System Upgrades Phase 1 for City Police, City Fire, Ambulance District, and Fire District
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Adjustment for the 700 Radio System upgrade phase 1 for City Police, City Fire, Ambulance District, and Fire District. This system upgrade
has been delayed for two years and Madison County has already paid their portion of the costs. This budget adjustment would take a substantial amount from the Contingency Fund bringing
it down to about $97,600 and the total cost to the city would be just under $300,000. Since this is phase 1 there will be a second amount of funds in the budget process for Fiscal Year
2025. The second amount of funds would be for the second phase of improvements they are looking to complete.
Council Member Johnson asked for the other two counties beside Madison that are upgrading their radio system. Finance Officer Nielson replied the other two counties are Jefferson and
Bonneville.
Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve the Budget Adjustment for 700 Radio System Upgrades Phase 1 for City Police, City Fire, Ambulance District, and Fire District; Council President
Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Budget Adjustment Consideration for Romance Theater and Tabernacle for Painting Tabernacle, Repointing and Brick Repair for Romance, and Change Order for Tabernacle Repointing (0:24:45)
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Adjustment for the Painting of the Tabernacle, Repointing and Brick Repair for the Romance Theater, and Change Order for Tabernacle Repointing.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the change orders for the Romance Theater. City Attorney Zollinger explained there is a drain that looks like a pyramid on the roof of the theater.
When the drain gets pluged a large puddle of water forms on the roof. The roof membrane is only five years old so the
water is not penetrating through the membrane. There could be a leak in the drain before reaching the storm drain or the drain is not leaking and there is calcification there because
the building is one hundred years old. City Staff will need to check to determine what is causing the calcification before the contractor fixes the issue.
Council Member Johnson asked about the cost to fix the drain issue. City Attorney Zollinger said if the issue is a pluged storm drain then the cost would not be signifficant. Council
Member Johnson expressed her concerns with approving the Romance Theater budget adjustment before the issue with the drain is determined because there could be additonal costs.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the change orders for the Tabernacle. Mayor Merrill mentioned when they were considering replacing the front entrance and side stairs those costs were
substantial. By fixing the stairs instead of replacing them, it is going to save city funds. Finance Officer Nielson explained the budget adjustment is to make the transfer of $91,250
from the General Fund to the Romance Theater Fund instead of transfering it to the Tabernacle Fund.
Council Member Johnson said she agrees with the city taking care of the historical buildings such as, the tabernacle and theater; however, the city has a limited budget with other priorities
besides these buildings. She would prefer to know the extent of the theater repairs before approving the theater budget adjustment. Mayor Merrill said if city staff were to find an issue
at the theater that would cost additional funds, then those repairs would still need to be made before they become worse.
Discussion regarding the location of the drain at the Romance Theater. The drain is located in the outer wall and is only accessable in the basement area. Council Member Reeser asked
if they approve the budget adjustment is it still under Fiscal Year 2024 Tabernacle Repointing Budget $850,000? Finance Officer Nielson explained depending on the revenues, that fund
could be over budget on the net side because the sales taxes have not come in as strong as the state had forecasted. Finance Officer Nielson said he is forcasting about a $100,000 to
$300,000 shortage in the budget; however, the shortage of funds could be made up by the sales taxes the city receives from the state in the last two quarters. The state will also use
the census numbers to calculate the sales tax funds that will be allocated to the city in the last quarter.
Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Budget Adjustment Consideration for Romance Theater and Tabernacle for Painting Tabernacle, Repointing and Brick Repair for Romance, and Change
Order for Tabernacle Repointing; with the stipulation to wait until city staff hears back about the drain scope on the Romance Theater before proceeding; Council Member Reeser seconded
the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Public Works: - Keith Davidson (0:39:44)
Bid Approval for Sanitation Truck Body and Chassis
Mayor Merrill explained city staff has some work to complete before presenting the Sanitation Truck Body and Chassis bid to the Councilmembers.
Mayor’s Business:
Proclamation No. 2024 – 04 May 16, 2024, as Arbor Day
Mayor Merrill read Proclamation No. 2024 -04 May 16, 2024, as Arbor Day.
PROCLAMATION
No. 2024-04
May 16, 2024, as Arbor Day
WHEREAS: In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and
WHEREAS: The holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and
WHEREAS: Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and
WHEREAS: Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, lower our heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide
habitat for wildlife, and
WHEREAS: Trees are a renewable resource giving up paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products, and
WHEREAS: Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community, and
WHEREAS: Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal,
NOW, THEREFORE: I, Jerry Merrill, Mayor of the City of Rexburg do hereby proclaim May 16, 2024, as Arbor Day in the City of Rexburg, and I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and
to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and
Further, I urge all citizens to plant and care for trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations.
ADOPTED by the City of Rexburg, State of Idaho, on this __ day of __ 2024.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Rexburg to be affixed this 1st day of May of the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four.
APPROVED:
____________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Deborah Lovejoy, City Clerk
Council Member Chambers moved to ratify Proclamation No. 2024 -04 May 16, 2024, as Arbor Day; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Items for Consideration: NONE
Calendared Bills: (0:42:45)
Tabled Items:
Public/Private Partnership contract for Community Ice Rink – Matt Nielson and Stephen Zollinger
Mayor Merrill explained the developer is nearing a consensus on the contract and will probably be ready for the next City Council meeting.
Second Reading: Those items which have been first read:
Ordinance No 1313 Rezone 1040 W Main St from Mixed Use (MU) to Community Business Center (CBC) #24-00147 – Alan Parkinson
Discussion:
ORDINANCE NO. 1313
Rezone 1040 W Main St from Mixed Use (MU) to Community Business Center (CBC) Zone
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND PROVIDING THAT THE ZONED DESIGNATION OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED, SITUATED IN
REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDAHO, BE CHANGED AS HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
Council President Walker moved to approve Ordinance No 1313 the rezone at approximately 1040 W Main Street from Mixed Use (MU) to Community Business Center (CBC) and consider second
read; Council Member Chambers seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Ordinance No 1314 Rezone 52 N 3rd W from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) and Mixed Use (MU) to High Density Residential 1 (HDR1) #24-00110 - Alan Parkinson
Discussion:
ORDINANCE NO. 1314
Rezone 52 N 3rd W from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) and Mixed Use (MU) to High Density Residential 1 (HDR1) Zone
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND PROVIDING THAT THE ZONED DESIGNATION OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED, SITUATED IN
REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDAHO, BE CHANGED AS HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve Ordinance No 1314 the rezone at 52 N 3rd W from Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) and Mixed Use (MU) to High Density Residential 1 (HDR1)
and consider second read; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: (0:44:36)
Ordinance No 1310 Amendment to Ordinance No 810 Parade and Public Assembly to prohibit personal property placed in the public right-of-way until 6:00 P.M. the day prior to an event and
designate areas of park facility reservation - Keith Davidson
Discussion:
CITY OF REXBURG ORDINANCE 1310
PARADE AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDAHO AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 810 KNOWN AS THE "PARADE AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY ORDINANCE" TO PROHIBIT PERSONAL PROPERTY PLACED ON THE
PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY PRIOR TO 6:00 P.M. THE DAY BEFORE AN EVENT; SETTING AREAS AROUND PARK SHELTERS AND FACILITIES FOR RESERVATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES
AND PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
Council Member E. Erickson moved to approve Ordinance No 1310 the Amendment to Ordinance No 810 Parade and Public Assembly to prohibit personal property placed in the public right-of-way
until 6:00 P.M. the day prior to an event and designate areas of park facility reservation and consider third read; Council Member Reeser seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for
a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Ordinance No 1311 Rezone 245 Rodney Dr from Public Facilities (PF) to Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) #24-00022 – Alan Parkinson
Discussion:
ORDINANCE NO. 1311
Rezone 245 Rodney Dr from Public Facilities (PF) to Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) Zone
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND PROVIDING THAT THE ZONED DESIGNATION OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED, SITUATED IN
REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDAHO, BE CHANGED AS HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve Ordinance No 1311 the Rezone at approximately 245 Rodney Drive from Public Facilities (PF) to Low Density Residential 2 (LDR2) and consider
third read; Council President Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Ordinance No 1312 Rezone 1022 W Main St from Mixed Use (MU) to Community Business Center (CBC) #24-00084 – Alan Parkinson
Discussion:
ORDINANCE NO. 1312
Rezone 1022 W Main St from Mixed Use (MU) to Community Business Center (CBC) Zone
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND PROVIDING THAT THE ZONED DESIGNATION OF THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED, SITUATED IN
REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDAHO, BE CHANGED AS HEREINAFTER DESIGNATED; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
Council Member Chambers moved to approve Ordinance No 1312 the Rezone at approximately 1022 W Main Street from Mixed Use (MU) to Community Business Center (CBC) and consider third read;
Council Member E. Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
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. (0:46:53)
Minutes from April 17, 2024
Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes, and pay the city bills; Council Member Reeser seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Johnson none
Council Member Chambers
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Council E. Erickson mentioned there has been discussion about combining the Recreation, Parks and Trails Committee. Council Member Johnson said she is in favor of combining these committees
because there aren’t sufficient committee members to fill each committee. She believes it would be helpful to have input from people that use the trails for biking to indicate where
the next trails should be located. Council Member C. Erickson suggested reaching out to the bike club to see if one of their members would like to serve on the committee.
Adjournment 7:23 P.M.
APPROVED:
________________________________
Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
_____________________________
Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk