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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - September 18, 20241 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org City Council Minutes – September 18, 2024 Mayor Jerry Merrill Council Members: Bryanna Johnson Eric 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 6:30 P.M. (00:00:02) Council Member Reeser said the prayer. Council Member E. Erickson led the pledge. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member E. Erickson, Council Member Reeser, Council President Walker and Mayor Merrill. Council Member C. Erickson asked to be excused. Presentation: Rexburg Autism and Disabilities Club – Jake West & Parker Bryant (00:02:23) Parker Bryant said they are honored to be here tonight. He introduced the club which is called Disability, Advocacy and Social Club (DASC). He is the co-founder. Jake West is the founder. He stated their mission, which is to bring like-minded people together and socialize. They do activities like game nights, movie nights, social outings and other social activities. They want disabled people to understand that they are not alone. Jake West said that they provide social support and inspire differently abled people. Anyone can join. They encourage real connections. They encourage all ages but primarily 18 plus. Parker Bryant said they want to make people feel safe. Their primary goal is to make friends. Idaho doesn’t have much to offer for disabled people. They want to end loneliness among disabled people. They often get turned away by employers, but they deserve equal employment opportunity. 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. (00:09:36) Sam Edwards wanted to talk about an incident that occurred at the corner of University and Golden Beauty Drive on August 26th at 5 pm. His daughter and care giver were heading east on University Blvd. There was a vehicle in the center of the lanes that got impatient and ended up rolling up over the hood of their van. No one was injured, but it could have been much worse. There have been a lot of accidents right there. He would like to see possibly a median or light installed to help stop accidents at this intersection. 2 Mayor Merrill indicated that it is something that they are looking into and want to find a solution to the problem. Council Member E. Erickson agrees that something needs to be done to make that section safer. Discussion about traffic problems in that area. Items from Council: (00:18:18) Committees: MEPI, Cultural Arts, Grants, School Board, MUSIC, MYAB, Emergency Services Board, Beautification, Trails/Parks & Recreation, Urban Renewal, Airport, Golf Board, ADA Oversight Board, and Legacy Flight Museum Council President Walker reported that the MYAB have met once and will meet again tomorrow to do pen pals with a 3rd grade class at South Fork Elementary. The MYAB will be in the Homecoming Parade on Friday. The ADA Oversight Committee met on Tuesday. They are planning on setting up a booth at the Experience Rexburg event on Saturday. Mayor Merrill mentioned that on Tuesday, September 24th at 3:00 pm, the Melaleuca Call Center will be cleaning up at Eagle Park. Council Member Chambers reported that Madison Economic Partners Inc. (MEPI) is finalizing their new by-laws and creating a new logo and website. Their focus is providing analytic data, economic gardening and responding to industries and businesses that are interested in coming to Rexburg. Urban Renewal is finalizing some property acquisition for the downtown project. They are also looking at sponsoring an Urban Renewal 101 type class for elected leaders, especially state leaders, that they can introduce prior to the next legislative session. Cultural Arts is preparing for Oktuberfest coming up on October 12th with a community concert that night at the Tabernacle. The play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, will be in November. The museum is still looking for exhibit space and they are in dire need of storage space. The Historic Preservation Committee had their first meeting a week ago and elected their officers. Council Member E. Erickson reported that the inaugural meeting for the Trails, Parks and Recreation Committee will be tomorrow. Council Member Reeser reported that he also attended the meeting with the Cultural Arts. He has not met with the Legacy Flight Museum since the air show. Mayor Merrill reported that the repointing project on the Tabernacle is all done. They also repainted the tops of the towers. They are now working on the Romance Theater walls. Staff Reports: A. Finance: – CFO Nielson is in Boise for the ICCTFOA Conference. The financial reports are available in the city council packets. B. Public Works: - Keith Davidson (00:25:24) 1. Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adjustment for New Grader Public Works Director Davidson presented the budget adjustment needed for a new grader. They were originally looking at a used one, but discovered the new one was a better option. It will have a warrantee and will last much longer. It also has a wing on it, which will be good for keeping snow out of driveways. He asked the city council for approval of the budget adjustment to purchase the new grader. Council Member E. Erickson asked if this will be in addition to the graders that the city already has or if they plan on selling one of the old graders. Director Davidson replied that this will be in addition to what they already have. 3 Council President Walker moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Adjustment for a New Grader; 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 E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Council Member Chambers asked about the area at the Nature Park northwest corner that is muddy. Director Davidson said there was a water line break, but he thought it had been repaired, but he will check on that. Council Member Johnson mentioned that they should have a work meeting soon to go over snow policies. Director Davidson agrees, and he reported that they will be installing cameras at different well sites to monitor the snow depth. Director Davidson mentioned that they will be making a lane closure on 2nd East while the contractor makes additional repairs. They will start tomorrow and be done by the weekend. 2. Approval for Engineer Selection for 5th West Extension Feasibility Study (This item will be put on hold until next meeting) Mayor’s Business: (00:33:17) Brett Crandall announced that there are 700 more students this year than last year, and they have the largest Freshman class ever. This weekend, there will be a devotional with Elder Uchtdorf after the Experience Rexburg event. Mayor Merrill attended the annual Mayor’s Roundtable yesterday at Harriman State Park. It is hosted by the mayors of Island Park and Ashton. There were nine mayors in attendance. There was some good advice. Mayor Blad of Pocatello said they have been able to get 50 million dollars in grants without a match. He and Grant Coordinator, Mary Flanary, will get in touch with them to see what grants they have been awarded. One was for 16 million USDA. Mayor Merrill mentioned the email from Brady Mower about pickleball courts. The current courts do have significant cracks. He said maybe we should spend the money to fix the current courts before building new ones. Mr. Mower also mentioned that the new courts should be next to the current courts so people can play together. Council Member E. Erickson isn’t sure he agrees with that because it is more convenient to have courts close to where you live. Mayor Merrill said they could have the same company fix the current courts at the Nature Park when they come to repair the tennis court at Smith Park in the spring. Items for Consideration: NONE Calendared Bills: (00:38:51) A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE B. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: 1. Ordinance No 1320 Amendment to the Rexburg Development Code, Ordinance No 1200, as it pertains to Fences and Billboards as well as other substantive and non- substantive items #23-00958 – Alan Parkinson 4 Council Member Johnson moved to approve Ordinance No 1320 Amendment to the Rexburg Development Code, Ordinance No 1200, as it pertains to Fences and Billboards as well as other substantive and non-substantive items 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 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. (00:41:00) A. Minutes from September 4, 2024, Meeting B. Approve the 2024-2025 Beer and Wine Licenses C. Approve Payment of the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Reeser moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes, beer and wine licenses, and city bills; 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 E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Adjournment 7:11 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: _____________________________ Mary Flanary, Grant Coordinator