HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Meeting - April 2, 2025 (208) 359-3020
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
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City Council Minutes – April 2, 2025
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
5:30 PM Work Meeting – Discussion of Museum of Rexburg and artifacts
Museum Curator Alisha Tietjen gave a presentation about the Museum of Rexburg and the archiving process of the museum artifacts. She said she and her team have archived over 6,000 items
and have packed up about 3,500 items in the last year. They have attached a donation slip to each artifact indicating the person or group that donated the item. The items that do not
have a donation slip are tagged with Rexburg/Sugar City/Madison County to know which location the artifacts came from. They have archived flood artifacts into software that can easily
bring up the flood artifacts with a tag number and have finished about 70% of the archiving.
Curator Tietjen reviewed the immediate needs and questions regarding the Museum of Rexburg and the musuem artifacts. They are going to need space for a flood exhibit next year for the
50th Anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood.
Curator Tietjen said they also need about 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of storage space and about 3000 to 4000 square feet of space for a new museum. The items would not be able to be
in a trailer because they need to be able to have easy access to artifacts.
Curator Tietjen shared four of the different exhibit ideas to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood.
Curator Tietjen said the chart below is the 2023 Idaho Overnight trips log, it states that 13% of the people who come to Idaho to do overnight trips come to museums. They started keeping
track of people who contacted the musuem, in December alone they logged 46 conversations.
Curator Tietjen reviewed the questions asked about the Museum of Rexburg and the future vision for the museum.
Curator Tietjen reviewed the list of the new possible museum experiences.
Curator Tietjen reviewed the list of links for more information about the Museum of Rexburg.
Council Member Chambers asked Curator Tietjen how much space she would need for the exhibit ideas she presented. Curator Tietjen explained she would need about 800 square feet for the
exhibit.
Council Member Chambers asked when the museum artifacts need to be moved out of the Tabernacle. Finance Officer Nielson said the museum artifacts need to be moved to repair the HVAC
system at the Tabernacle; however, the city is waiting for a grant to fund the HVAC repairs, the grant will not be awarded until June. Finance Officer Nielson said they might have to
move those funds into fiscal year 2026 which means they will not start the repairs until October.
Council Member Johnson asked about the storage locations for the museum artifacts. Curator Tietjen said she and Cultral Arts Director Platt discussed using the pump house on 2nd east
as a possible location, they also discussed using the effluent building; however, these buildings are too small. They have looked at different buildings in the city but there is not
a budget to purchase or rent a building. Curator Tietjen said she has looked into purchasing storage containters but the containers cost about $9,000.
Discussion regarding the size of the containers needed to store the museum artifacts.
Finance Officer Nielson explained a few years ago Cultral Arts Director Platt discussed the possibility of using the Hatchery space at City Hall to have a museum exhibit; however, the
RBDC has continued to honor their contract with the city and they have paid their rent until August of 2026.
Discussion regarding the timeline of the Tabernacle remodel. Finance Officer Nielson mentioned the remodel is taking place in phases. The basement where the artifacts are being stored
is going to be torn apart during the remodel so the artifacts need to be moved to prevent damage.
Council Member E. Erickson asked if the storage of the artifacts is a temporary solution or are they looking for a permanent solution. Curator Tietjen said the plan is for the museum
to not be put back in the Tabernacle because there will not be enough space for the museum after the new bathrooms are built in the basement. She said the museum has outgrown the space
in the Tabernacle basement. There are currently more artifacts than they had in 1980 when the museum was started, it is difficult to rotate through displays to keep the musuem active
when there isn’t storage space to move in and out large items.
Council Member E. Erickson said the Tabernacle is a historical building and would lend itself to a museum. He wondered if the upstairs could be repurposed to keep the museum there. Curator
Tietjen said the space the museum currently occupies in the Tabernacle is going to be remodled into a venue space that people can rent for events. They are planning to have a tabernacle
exhibit display in that space. She said to be able to more effectively tell the flood stories the museum needs additional space.
Council Member Reeser said the short-term problem is the storage space for the museum artifacts. He wondered if city staff has contacted the School District about possibly using some
of the space at the old Jr. High School for storage. Doug Ladle said he spoke to Travis Schwab with the School District and was informed every room is filled with school curriculum and
other items.
Finance Officer Nielson explained they could potentially use the effluent building for some of the documents because it is controlled space, it has air conditioning, heating and a conex
box could also be used to store the rest of the items.
Council Member C. Erickson asked if the city is able to build a new police station. could the old police station be used for the museum? Fiance Officer Nielson replied the plans are
to sell the police station and use the funds from the sale towards the costs of the new police station.
Council Member E. Erickson expressed his concerns with not having a location to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood.
Discussion regarding several buildings in town to relocate the museum or for storage of the museum artifacts. Council Member Chambers suggested using the old seminary building by the
old Jr. High School as a relocation site for the museum. The School District currently uses that building as storage for the grid kid football equipment. He asked if both the city and
county representatives could approach the School District to use the building for the museum.
Mayor Merrill asked the Historical Society members if they are willing to carry on the work of the Historical Society by volunteering at the muesum.
Lewis Clements said the Upper Valley Historical Society started in 1965 when a group of businessmen assembled to discuss a list of goals they had as a society. After the Teton Dam Flood,
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints decided to tear down the Tabernacle. The Historical Society and city members formed a committee to determine if they could acquire the
Tabernacle from the church. The city received a $50,000 grant from the Department of the Interior to buy the Tabernacle from the church with the idea that there would be a museum in
the basement and community hall upstairs. The two main people on that committee were Dwayne Wilding who was a businessman in Rexburg and Mayor John Porter. These two men were the leaders
in obtaining the grant. The Teton Flood Museum opened in 1983 and the Historical Society was running the museum up until the early 90s when the city took over the operation of the museum
and the Historical Society moved into the east side of the annex building. The annex building is where they house the paper documents and the hard artifacts are housed in the museum.
Lewis Clements said he was worried when Jill Spencer retired from running the musuem; however, his worry only lasted a day because Curator Tietjen has been dedicated to the history
of the community and has done an excellent job with the museum. The museum has been rated as one of the first class museums in the State of Idaho by the Idaho Association of Museums.
Mayor Merrill asked Mr. Clements why the city took over the operations of the museum? Mr. Clements replied the city felt they they could do a better job of operating the museum and
in his opinion the city did do a better job because the Historical Society at that time was begining to lose members. He said it was difficult to obtain volunteers.
Doug Ladle explained at this point, the Upper Valley Historical Society is 100% supportive of the museum. He is pleased to hear the city is talking about short-term storage and not
completely doing away with the museum. Rexburg is the size of a community that needs a museum, the children living in the city often go to the museum with family or on a school field
trip.
Council Member E. Erickson asked Mr. Lewis if there has been state funding for historical preservation and museums. Mr. Lewis replied the county had given the Historical Society an
assessement for years; however, when the Historical Society membership decreased about four years ago, he terminated the county’s support. As of now the Historical Society has little
money coming in from a Teton Flood grant reimbursement for the museum, those funds are in the bank. Mr. Lewis said
the museum has received grants through the state from the red, white and blue license plate fees that go into a historical restoration fund. They were able to restore the Tabernacle
windows with grant funds.
Mr. Clements said there is a group of individuals who are desirous in making sure the Historical Society is re-established to maintain the Historical Society’s library of historical
documents. They want to assist Curator Tietjen to locate a proper place for those documents to be temporarily stored. They also desire to see tours down Main Street and firesides about
the history of Rexburg. The youth and new citizens moving into Rexburg need a museum to learn the history of their city.
Mayor Merrill said he personally feels it is important to maintain the history of the community that is why museums are important; however, the difficulty comes when funding is not
available. The ideas shared by Curator Tietjen to bring in more revenue and keep the patron’s interested in coming back to the museum are valuable.
Work Meeting Adjournment 6:24 P.M.
6:36 P.M.
Council Member Chambers said the prayer.
Mayor Merrill led the pledge.
Roll Call of Council Members:
Attending: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member C. Erickson, Council Member E. Erickson, Council Member Reeser, Council President Walker and Mayor Merrill.
Discussion regarding the Councilmembers that will not be able to attend the April 16th, 2025, City Council Meeting.
JustServe Proclamation Presentation to the City of Rexburg
Eric Andreasen explained JustServe is a free website and app which exists solely to help connect individuals, families, community members and groups with meaningful service opportunities
in the area. In recognition of the city’s recent official declaration and proclamation commitment to service, he presented the city with a plaque and award for officially registering
with JustServe. He presented the City Council with some JustServe bags, T-shirts and other fun items.
Oath of Office for Police Officer Andrew Foster, swearing in by City Attorney Spencer Rammell
Mayor Merrill asked Andrew Foster to come to the front of the room and introduce himself. Andrew Foster said he was hired as a lateral detective for the Rexburg Police Department. He
previously worked for the Teton County Sheriff’s Office in Driggs, Idaho. He served there for 10 years, two years on patrol and eight years as a detective. He said he and his family
relocated to Rexburg in 2023, he has two kids. Brooklyn Foster is his oldest daughter and attends Hibbard Elementary School and his son Coleman is his youngest child, he will be old
enough to attend school soon. His wife’s name is Angela Foster, and she is his high school sweetheart. They both attended high school in Driggs.
City Attorney Rammell administered the oath of office to Andrew D. Foster.
OATH OF OFFICE
I, Andrew D. Foster, 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.
________________ Andrew D. Foster
Public Comment: Items not on the agenda; limit of 3 minutes; issues may be considered for discussion on a future agenda. Please keep comments on point and respectful.
Mayor’s Business:
Mayor Merrill reported that in the last two weeks all the city employees have attended training with a consultant who teaches and trains in leadership, we can all be leaders in our
own right. The training
challenged us to look at ourselves to determine how we can better take care of each other and make our work culture a good work environment.
Mayor Merrill reported he attended the EICAP Board meeting, they have some concerns with the federal budget cutbacks. EICAP is heavily subsidized by government grants and donations.
EICAP’s purpose is to assist individuals break free from the throes of poverty and become self-sufficient.
Mayor Merrill reported the Rexburg Soup Kitchen held their grand opening at the Veterans Hall Building by the county fairgrounds.
Mayor Merrill mentioned JustServe is hosting a Global Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 3rd. They are organizing three different pickup locations around town where volunteers can collect
supplies needed to pick up trash along highway 20. He encouraged everyone to participate in the Global Cleanup Day.
Staff Reports:
Finance: - Matt Nielson
Proposed Mayor and City Council salary raise recommendation, set Public Hearing for May 7, 2025, Action Item
Finance Officer Nielson gave an update regarding the process the city is going through for the new police station. Mayor Merrill has signed the contract with the architect and the Construction
Manager/General Contractor. They will hold a kickoff meeting on April 8th at City Hall from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Discussion regarding the potential site and square footage of the new police station that will be discussed at the kickoff meeting.
Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the proposed Mayor and City Council salary raise for 2026.
Council Member Johnson said Mayor Merrill’s salary is as high as the other mayor’s salaries where their city’s population is higher than that of Rexburg’s. Mayor Merrill explained the
mayoral responsibilities are the same regardless of population. Some of the other mayors may have additional responsibilities such as an airport; however, they have an airport manager
that runs the airport. Finance Officer Nielson said other cities also set up an automatic 2% increase for the mayor’s salary each year.
Council President Walker moved to approve to set a Public Hearing for May 7th, 2025, for the Proposed Mayor and City Council salary raise recommendation; 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 President Walker
Council Member Reeser
The motion carried.
Public Works: - Keith Davidson
Resolution 2025-03 Amend Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk and Local Improvement District Replacement Reimbursement Policies & Procedures Action Item
Public Works Director Davidson explained after the City Council Work Meeting on March 25th, 2025. He calculated how long street reconstruction would be deferred if the city were to
pay 100% of the costs to replace the curb and gutter, the city would defer the reconstruction of roads by about 11 years in addition to the 50.8-year plan. He said if the city were to
cover 100% of the costs to replace curb and gutter and 30% of the replacement of sidewalk costs, the city would defer the reconstruction of roads by an additional 13 years to the 50.8-year
plan.
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the street maps on the overhead screen. The area highlighted in blue are areas where the city has reconstructed the roads. The roads in the pink
area are where the city has seen new development. He said after new development occurs the roads are dedicated over to the city. The map illustrates within the past 30 years the amount
of reconstruction and growth of city streets.
Council Member E. Erickson asked if any of the new roads created from development have been reconstructed in the last 30 years. Public Works Director Davidson replied that there might
have been one new road that has been reconstructed, he believes it was Rolling Hills Drive.
Public Works Director Davidson mentioned the map below illustrates the areas where the roads were reconstructed. The areas highlighted in green were reconstructed in the last 10 years.
The areas in yellow are roads reconstructed from 2006 to 2015 and the areas in red were reconstructed in 1996 to 2005. The roads in white were reconstructed prior to 1995. The streets
in the white area have not been reconstructed.
Council Member Johnson asked if the curb and gutter need to be replaced every time they reconstruct a road. Public Works Director Davidson replied no, they do not have to replace the
curb and gutter every time they reconstruct a road. They replace the curb and gutter when water begins to pond on the street. When the curb and gutter have cracks, water will infiltrate
into the ground causing the roadway to deteriorate.
Discussion regarding the budget for street reconstruction.
Council Member Johnson asked for clarification regarding the streets budget because sometimes the budget is 13 million dollars, and a lot of those funds are earmarked for LIDs. The
earmarked money for LIDs was seven million dollars and not two million dollars. Finance Officer Nielson explained that the total carryover reported to the state in 2024 was seven million
dollars; however, the total carryover funds include $2,251,793 in Street Impact, $161,069 in Street Lighting, these funds can only be used for those purposes and cannot be used for street
reconstruction. The Street Maintenance Fund is money received from fuel taxes and franchise fees, the amount of funds not used at the end of the fiscal year are transferred to the Street
Reconstruction Fund 43 and New Street Construction Fund 44. As the city completes street maintenance and LIDs, there are generally two to three LIDs being completed because one will
be closing, and a new LID is being planned. The report below also illustrates the amount of funds needed for the future projects in the five-year plan. Finance Officer Nielson said there
are some years where there are ten-million-dollar Urban Renewal projects; however, Urban Renewal Street project funds cannot be used for LIDs.
Discussion regarding the process other cities use to replace curb and gutter. There are other cities that only pay one third of the costs of curb and gutter replacement, the rest of
the cost is covered by the property owner.
Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the changes to the cost sharing reimbursement for the replacement of sidewalk, curb, and gutter resolution.
Council Member C. Erickson asked for clarification regarding the city’s participation in the costs of the sidewalk. He wondered if the no cost participation is for replacement or new
sidewalk. Public Works Director Davidson clarified, the cost sharing is for replacement sidewalk only, the property owner would be responsible for the entire costs of the sidewalk if
the sidewalks were non-existent.
Discussion regarding the city’s participation of the sidewalk costs.
Council Member C. Erickson expressed his concerns with the city’s increased participation causing the street reconstruction projects to be delayed by 60 years. He understands LIDs are
a burden to property owners; however, the city’s full participation in the costs to replace curb and gutter will help lift some of the property owners’ burden.
Mayor Merrill said he prefers to increase the city’s cost participation in smaller increments to be fair to the property owners that participated in previous LIDs. He mentioned the
discussion that took place at last week’s City Council meeting, which spurred discussion to put a permanent levy override for a vote and if the levy override were to pass it would provide
more money in the street budget.
Mayor Merrill explained the proposed changes to the policy of the city to participate in 100% of the curb and gutter replacement costs, the homeowner taking 100% of the cost for the
sidewalk, and the
lowering of the interest rate to finance the LID for ten years are methods the city is using to help mitigate the costs to the property owners.
Council Member E. Erickson suggested forming an LID committee to research how to obtain voter turn out for a permanent levy override. Mayor Merrill said the last time a permanent levy
override was voted upon it failed; however, that was quite a few years ago and changes have occurred.
Council Member Chambers said he is in favor of organizing a task force to include a couple of citizens who are interested and let them look at alternatives to the LID approach. He asked
that Public Works Director Davidson oversee the organizing of the task force. The task force members could investigate what other cities are doing to fund LID improvements. He said he
has several names of people interested in being a part of the task force.
Council Member Reeser said he too is in favor of creating an LID task force. He said he is not in favor of changing the LID policy for every LID in the future, he would rather find
a relatively permanent long-term solution to fund the LID improvements.
Council Member Johnson said she felt like the city’s 30% participation in the cost of the sidewalks was incremental because that change was made several years ago and then adding the
city’s participation of 100% of the curb and gutter replacement cost felt incremental as well. She said now the city is taking away something that was there before and adding something
new. Mayor Merrill said with the city’s 100% participation in the curb and gutter, it is taking away quite a bit of money from the property owner’s costs.
Council Member Johnson said a lot of property owners attended the City Council Meeting last week and she spoke to some of them after the meeting. She explained even though the City
Council had not voted upon the changes to the LID resolution the consensus was to add 100% city participation costs for curb and gutter and keeping the 30% city participation for sidewalks
and now that is being changed. She said she feels bad about the changes, and it may feel a little dishonest to some residents. Council Member E. Erickson said he disagrees that there
was a consensus made by the City Council; therefore, there was no dishonesty. There was a lot of discussion regarding the city’s percentage participation for the curb and gutter. At
the end of the meeting, they discussed the property owner taking 100% of the sidewalk costs.
Council Member Walker said at the City Council Meeting last week he said he was in favor of the city participating 30% of the sidewalk costs and 100% of the curb and gutter costs; however,
after looking at the budget numbers he is in favor of the property owner paying 100% of the sidewalk costs.
Discussion regarding the estimated costs for LID 54.
Council Member Reeser said with the city paying 100% of the curb and gutter, that leaves about $62,000 of sidewalk costs for the properties included in LID 54. He said if the city were
to pick up 30% of the city sidewalk costs, it would not be a large issue.
Council Member Chambers stated at 50-year reconstruction rate for city roads, it is a colossal failure, but at 60 years it is a greater colossal failure. The city is currently in failure
mode with street reconstruction. He said regardless of what the city’s participation percentage is, an alternative funding source is needed, whether that is a permanent levy override.
Council Member Johnson said it is important to remember that the city is not going to not reconstruct roads because the roads and sidewalks do not have to be linked together, it is
inaccurate to say the city roads are going to be in complete ruin if the city picks up more of the costs.
Discussion regarding federal ADA requirements for handicap access on the corner of the street must be upgraded anytime a street is reconstructed. Public Works Director Davidson said
the past City Council implemented sidewalk replacement criteria and when sidewalks are being replaced then that sidewalk is brought up to the ADA requirements.
Council Member E. Erickson moved to approve Resolution 2025-03 Amend Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk and Local Improvement District Replacement Reimbursement Policies & Procedures; Council
President Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Chambers Council Member Johnson
Council Member C. Erickson Council Member Reeser
Council Member E. Erickson
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Calendared Bills:
Tabled Items:
Creation of Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54). Designated as Ordinance No 1330 if motion passes and considered first read – Keith Davidson Action Item
Discussion
Council President Walker moved to remove from the table Creation of Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54) Designated as Ordinance No 1330; 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.
Council Member E. Erickson moved to approve Ordinance No 1330 the table Creation of Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54) and consider first read; Discussion: Council Member Johnson
said she doesn’t feel like the City Council has done anything to help the people who have lived in the city for decades that did not have a sidewalk, they did not know when they moved
to Rexburg that they would ever have to put in a sidewalk and now their sidewalk bills are tremendous because of putting in a sidewalk; Council Member C. Erickson seconded the motion;
Mayor Merrill asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
Council Member Chambers Council Member Johnson
Council Member C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council Member Reeser
Council President Walker
The motion carried.
Mayor Merrill mentioned Public Works Director Davidson informed him that he will work with the property owners needing their sidewalk replaced and review the sidewalk replacement criteria
with them to determine if they can possibly wait to replace their sidewalk.
Second Reading: Those items which have been first read:
Ordinance No 1329 Rezone 238 & 243 Ella Ln from Medium Density Residential 1 (MDR1) to Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR2) #25-00039 – Alan Parkinson Action Item
Discussion:
ORDINANCE NO. 1329
Rezone 238 & 243 Ella Ln from Medium Density Residential 1 (MDR1) to Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR2) 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 1329 Rezone 238 & 243 Ella Ln from Medium Density Residential 1 (MDR1) to Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR2) and consider second
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.
Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: NONE
Items for Consideration:
Discussion regarding alleyways more specifically between s 1st E and Cornell Avenue – Keith Davidson and Alan Parkinson
Public Works Director Davidson explained that a property owner and potential buyer contacted him regarding the alleyway that is between 1st East and Cornell and a second alleyway on
2nd South and 3rd South. There are numerous apartments that line up along 1st East and a lot of homes along Cornell Avenue; however, several of those homes are dormitory housing. P&Z
Administrator Parkinson clarified some of the homes are single family homes, the rest are rentals, some dormitory to multi-family duplexes with apartment complexes surrounding these
properties.
P&Z Administrator Parkinson said there is access across the back of some of these properties; however, the alley is not paved. Public Works Director Davidson said the city’s policy
requires the alley access to be paved. The buyer’s concern is should one property owner be responsible to pave the whole alleyway. The alleyway would be rated as one-way because it is
not wide enough for two-way traffic. The parking requirements also require the parking stalls to be paved.
Public Works Director Davidson said one solution could be to create an LID to pave the alleyways so that every property owner participates in those costs. There are apartment tenants
and single-family homeowners that utilize the alleyway. This alleyway is not being used as a typical alleyway, it is acting more like a driveway for parking lots.
Discussion regarding the possibility of redevelopment to dormitory style housing in the areas where these alleyways are located.
Council Member Reeser asked if there are other requirements to bring the alleyways up to code. Public Works Director Davidson explained as soon as the alleyways are paved the stormwater
runoff is going to be an issue because they are on a hill. The installation of a curb and gutter would only be one of the items to consider.
Discussion regarding other items to consider are the overhead and underground power lines and would the garbage trucks have sufficient room to go through the alleyways to pick up dumpsters.
Council President Walker questioned if the alleyways need to be paved because of the development? Why do the other property owners have to participate in those costs if they are not
part of that development? Public Works Director Davidson said the property owners that are not part of the development would be using the alleyway, and the costs are to bring the alleyway
up to city standards. These alleyways are more egregious in the fact that it is not being treated like a historical alleyway in residential areas. The volume of vehicle traffic in historical
alleyways is lower. There is a lot more vehicle traffic in these alleyways and the traffic volume could increase with higher density development.
Council Member C. Erickson said he has concerns with one development enforcing the changes to the alleyway. He suggested city staff canvass the area and talk to the other property owners
to determine if they desire the alleyways to be brought up to city standards through an LID process.
Council Member Johnson asked, what would the city need to change to keep the alleyway as is? Public Works Director Davidson replied, the city would need to change the regulation that
stipulates all parking needs to have a paved surface to the road system. He said he is researching to determine if this alleyway was even dedicated as right of way to the city as an
alleyway. Council Member Johnson said she would like to see more information regarding the costs to bring the alleyway up to city standards.
Discussion regarding the maintenance of the alleyways. The city plows the alleyways during the winter.
Brent Esplin said he is interested in purchasing one of the parcels located along the alleyway. There are about 21 parcels surrounding the alleyway and all but three of the parcels
are apartments. The owner of the property feels like they are being penalized because they can’t sell their home or have apartments in the basement because they can’t afford to pave
the alleyway to meet the city standards. The property owner was given three options: find a new buyer, hire an attorney or pave the alleyway to meet the city’s standards.
Mr. Esplin said it may seem unfair to ask the other property owners to help pay for their share of the costs to pave the alleyway; however, it is also unfair to hold the two-property
owners hostage by not being able to convert their property into apartments and only making the two properties’ pay to pave the entire alleyway. He said he would prefer the two properties
to be grandfathered in with the rest of the properties or the LID option. An LID is the fairest way to share the costs. This alleyway is the busiest alley in the city. Mr. Esplin said
it would not be fair to make one property pay for the costs to improve everyone else’s property.
Council Member Johnson asked for the costs if the city were to pay to pave the road. Public Works Director Davidson said he will provide a cost analysis at the next City Council Meeting.
Planning & Zoning recommendation to approve the Teton Vu Estates Plat, located at 1114 N Yellowstone HWY, subdivided into 56 lots #24-00686 – Alan Parkinson
P&Z Administrator Parkinson explained that the Plat is a combination of townhomes along the front and south side with apartment complexes in the back, the project meets the Planning
and Zoning standards. The city services can accommodate this project as well.
Council President Walker asked if this Plat is similar to the Thompson Farms project. P&Z Administrator Parkinson said there are differences between both projects one being Thompson
Farms was a Planned Unit Development where Teton Vu Estates is staying within the stanards for that zone.
Council Member C. Erickson expressed his concerns with the capacity of the sewer line that will service the Teton Vu Estates. Public Works Director Davidson replied, Teton Vu Estates
will not be built in time before the sewer line is replaced. The city has awarded the bids to replace that sewer line, and They are working to bore underneath the river. The construction
of the lift station for that sewer line will start this fall.
Discussion regarding a meeting with the City of Sugar City and Teton regarding the costs to replace that line.
Council Member Chambers moved to approve the Teton Vu Estates Plat, located at 1114 N Yellowstone HWY, subdivided into 56; 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 President Walker
Council Member Reeser
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.
Minutes from March 19th, 2025, Meeting
Approve the City of Rexburg Bills
Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes 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 C. Erickson
Council Member E. Erickson
Council President Walker
Council Member Reeser
The motion carried.
Roll call vote for motion to move into Executive Session as per Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(j) To consider labor contract matters authorized under section 74-206A(1)(a) and (b),
Idaho Code Action Item
Council President Walker moved to enter into Executive Session as per Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(j) To consider labor contract matters authorized under section 74-206A(1)(a) and
(b), Idaho Code; Council Member Chambers seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call 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.
Executive Session started at 8:17 P.M.
Executive Session Ended at 9:12 P.M.
Adjournment 9:18 P.M.
APPROVED:
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Jerry Merrill, Mayor
Attest:
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Marianna Gonzalez, City Deputy Clerk