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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - April 23, 2025 1 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org City Council Minutes – April 23, 2025 Mayor Jerry Merrill Council Members: Bryanna Johnson Eric Erickson Robert Chambers David Reeser Colin Erickson Mikel Walker City Staff: Spencer Rammell – 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. Mayor Merrill said the prayer. Council Member Johnson led the pledge. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Chambers, Council Member C. Erickson, Council Member E. Erickson via zoom, Council Member Reeser, and Mayor Merrill Council President Walker did not attend the meeting. Presentation: FLOOD 50 Event – Jed Platt Cultural Arts Director Platt said he is excited to share an event that has been nearly 50 years in the making. Next year they will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood. Many residents are familiar with the flood or were affected by it or have family history that reflects the event. They consider the flood an event that helped to shape the communities affected by it and they think it is worth commemorating. Cultural Arts Director Platt explained as they considered how to best commemorate the flood. Their thought was not to have a monument of the disaster, they wanted to concentrate and focus on the service and how the community came together to work on the recovery after the flood. Cultural Arts Director Platt gave a presentation of the plans they are working on to commemorate the Teton Dam Flood Event. He said he has included some general flood facts in the presentation. 2 Cultural Arts Director Platt said they have produced a new documentary called Flood of Memories and an accompanying book will be released as part of Flood 5o. They have worked with committee representatives from surrounding communities and fully realize that the flood was not a Rexburg specific event; however, the city has become the stewards of its history. They are looking for how to best commemorate the anniversary of the Teton Dam Flood and include all the surrounding communities that were affected. Their vision to reminisce and commemorate this event with each community affected is a threefold mission to remember, to serve and to connect. There are several ways that they came up with how to best tell the story through events happening the first week of June 2026. Cultural Arts Director Platt said they have planned walking tours of downtown Rexburg, identifying evidence of the flood that still exists today. The City of Sugar City will also be hosting walking tours. Cultural Arts Director Platt said they have collaborated with BYU-Idaho Students to develop an app that allows people to look at pictures of what the city looked like during the flood and what the city looks like today. There will be some other interactive activities going on during the commemoration event. A big part of the event will be the ribbon cutting at the dam site. There are some improvements underway at the site with new signage and a walking trail. A VIP event is planned for the actual June 5th Anniversary, they will be hosting bus tours that will follow the flood route. They are compiling an audio recording of narratives from people’s flood experiences that will be part of the bus tour experience. The audio recording will explain the different sites along the way, and they will stop along the route to visit those sites. Cultural Arts Director Platt said at the end of the Flood 50 event, they will make a download of the audio narratives of the people’s flood experiences and have them available on the museum’s website for families to be able to take the flood route road trip at another time. Over the last five years, they have hosted an event called Flood of Memories at the Romance Theater on the anniversary date of the flood and showed one of the flood films, after which they open some time for people to reminisce and share stories. Every year they hear new stories that have never been shared before. As people reminisce, they record them sharing their stories for their family history. They are planning on having exhibits and displays throughout the downtown. One event that was memorable for people at the time of the flood 3 was a gathering at Rick's College where Spencer W. Kimball gave a message of hope. They would like to culminate with a guest speaker on campus in a fireside event at the end of the week. Cultural Arts Director Platt continued to explain the different events that will take place in the first week of June 2026. They are planning a golf tournament, the traditional Teton Dam Marathon, followed by a party at Smith Park and a preparedness fair. There will be river floats and a motorcycle rally starting at the Teton Dam site and end at the American Falls site where the water was contained. Cultural Arts Director Platt said they are looking for ways for people to be involved, hands on and express their experience. The museum has a lot of samples of original flood mud, and they have been boxing up the mud; however, the mud is crumbling. They have invited inspired artists to create works of art using the mud and display their art pieces at the Flood 50 event. There are a few concepts for a historic photo exhibit. Cultural Arts Director Platt said they are planning on showing the three flood films on a rotating basis at the Romance Theater and a live theater production based on the flood stories at the Romance Theater. He added another centerpiece of Flood 50 is an interactive exhibit, which will be part of the downtown walking tour. Cultural Arts Director Platt mentioned service is a big part of this event so their desire is when people look back 50 years from now, they can say they were part of an epic event. At the time of the flood, the communities showed up for each other and helped each other, that is one reason they want an epic service focused event. They are going to invite people to complete 50 activities of service or 50 hours of service in a broader way. The people participating in the service activities can log their service hours at the museum website. 4 Cultural Arts Director Platt said they have invited Kirby Heyborne, who has a television program called Making Good, where he travels the country and focuses on different service projects to help with the service campaign. Director Platt reviewed the schedule of the events and asked the City Council for their thoughts and any input. Cultural Arts Director Platt also mentioned they anticipate the Flood 50 event will bring a lot of commerce to Rexburg and surrounding areas by hosting the largest volunteer reunion. They are advertising beyond Rexburg because after the flood, relief efforts came from surrounding states. Their advertising will say something like “come back to Rexburg and see what you helped preserve.” The marathon and all the other activities will also help draw people to the event. They will begin advertising this June so people can start making plans to attend the event. 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. William Clements read the John Denver rendition of the poem The Ambulance Down in the Valley Joseph Malins (1895) Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed, Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant, But over its terrible edge there had slipped, A duke and full many a peasant. So the people said something would have to be done, But their projects did not at all tally. Some said, “Put a fence around the edge of the cliff,” Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.” But the cry for the ambulance carried the day, For it spread through the neighboring city, A fence may be useful or not, it is true, But each heart became moved with pity, For those who slipped over that dangerous cliff; And the dwellers on highway and alley Gave pounds and gave pence not to put up a fence, But an ambulance down in the valley. Then an old sage remarked, “it’s a marvel to me That people give far more attention To repairing the results than to stopping the cause, When they’d much better aim at prevention. “Let us stop at its source all this hurt,” cried he. “Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally. If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense With the ambulance down in the valley. Mr. Clements said for those of you who are having a hard time connecting this poem with LIDs, he clarified some of the connections. The Cliff is the LID, the fall is an unexpected bill from the city, the ambulance is the city bond and loans on the property owner and the excessive strategic shifting of costs to the unlucky city citizens. The fence is using the city funds properly and using other state legislation more effectively, so there is no excessive tax burden on city citizens. Isaiah Stanfield said he is against LIDs and does not believe the citizens of Rexburg need to pay for the beautification projects of the city. If the city can appropriate funds correctly, they will not have to charge the citizens a bill that they are not expecting or that the citizens desire to pay. A good example of the failure of LIDs is Park Street. The road is too narrow, and he said he believes there is a lot of damage to the residents’ homes there because of the LID project. It was difficult to recuperate for those residents. He said it is a bad idea to continue with LIDs. Isaiah Stanfield added one of the items in the pervious City Council meeting was the City Council and Mayor’s salary raises. He said he does not think it is appropriate for the Mayor and City Council to be charging the citizens for city projects, they should be using tax money to pay for those projects. Items from Council: A. Committees: MEPI, Cultural Arts, Grants, School Board, MUSIC, MYA B, Emergency Services Board, Beautification, Trails/Parks & Recreation, Urban Renewal, Airport, Golf Board, ADA Oversight Board, Historical Preservation Committee, and Legacy Flight Museum 5 Council Member Reeser reported the Legacy Flight Museum Board met last week. They discussed the goals of the museum and the plans for next year. They are debating whether to continue having or not having the Air Show and how often. Council Member Chambers reported this morning he attended a meeting with Congressman Simpson and one of the topics that was addressed was the grant situation from the federal government to the City of Rexburg. City Grant Writer/Coordinator Flanary did a great job researching the amount of grant funds the federal government has terminated from the city. The amount of federal grant funds that have been terminated are 1.16 million dollars and there are 2.6 million dollars on hold. Congressman Simpson informed them there is no chance of getting back the terminated grants; however, the grants that are on hold, he is going to try to get those grants back. One of the grants was for the two-million-dollar reconnecting communities, this grant was for the study that would look at crossing Highway 20. The study would include looking at three different crossing options over or under Hwy 20 and drawing up plans for the preferred options. Council Member Chambers said it is difficult for a city of our size to fund two-million-dollar studies and obtain plans prepared, not to mention the utilities such as sewer and water. Many of these projects are beyond the city’s reach without federal grants to help. Council Member Chambers reported the Cultural Arts Department is hosting the Nathan Pacheco concert at the Tabernacle, it is an Easter celebration and tickets are still available. There is a link to Nathan Pacheco’s website on the city’s website to purchase tickets. On April 29th there is a free Tabernacle Orchestra concert at the Romance Theater. Council Member Chambers reported that the Urban Renewal Board met to discuss some of their projects that are in jeopardy in the downtown area due to extreme construction costs. They will be meeting with the developers to determine if there is any way to salvage some of those redevelopment projects that included mixed-use, commercial, residential, and retail office space. They are meeting with the developers tomorrow to try and figure out their next steps. Council Member Johnson asked if there is anything the City Council could do regarding the federal grants that were placed on hold. Council Member Chambers replied, besides sending the grant report to Congressman Simpson there isn’t anything else the City Council could do. He was informed by Congressman Simpson’s staff assistant that she would investigate why the grants were place on hold and get back to the city. Council Member Johnson said all the City Council members received an email from the City of Idaho Falls representative asking for help because their funding was cut as well. As for the Trails, Parks, and Recreation Committee, they will be meeting soon. Council Member C. Erickson reported the Golf Board met to discuss the new golf season this year, it started out well. The golf courses faired well through the winter, the greens look good, and the courses are packed with patrons. The golf season started out great. Council Member C. Erickson reported the Madison School District has about four and a half weeks left of the school year. Their end of the school year schedule is packed with a lot of spring sports. There is a jazz concert on May 1st, Choir Concert on May 7th at 7:30 P.M. and there is an Orchestra Concert on May 13th at 7:00 P.M… The Madison High School Graduation Ceremony is on May 22nd at the BYU-I Center starting at 6:00 p.m. They will also be hosting the DARE Graduation on April 28th at the High School starting at 7:00 P.M. Council Member E. Erickson reported he has been out of town and has not met with the Parks and Recreation Departments. He said it is important to note that all the city services are being affected by the termination of the federal grants. The park and recreation are a part of those services being affect ed. The city is going to need to tighten the budget because they have relied on federal money since COVID. B. Other Reports: Staff Reports: A. Finance: – Matt Nielson 1. Financial Reports Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Treasurer’s Expenditure Report. The city is halfway through the fiscal year. He pointed out the column labeled “spent” on the report. The General Fund is sitting at about 47%, which is a good percentage because it is an operational fund and does not have a lot of capital in that fund. The General Fund percentage is an indicator of how the city is trending in terms of the expenses, which are a little lower than the 50%. 6 Finance Officer Nielson reported he is preparing a six month forecast for the upcoming budget meetings. There are a few departments that are forcasted to be a little over budget. He said he has contacted these departments and asked them to tighten their budget so that they come in under budget by the end of the fiscal year. The Sanitation Fund is a little high at 58% because of the shop building. The over all spent is at about 27.6%. Finance Officer Nielson explained he forecast worst case scenario as if that department is going to buy everything that is in the budget; however, history indicates the departments do not always purchase everything budgeted. The departments that are going to have the most difficult time staying within budget are police and fire. These two departments are trending higher. Council Member C. Erickson re-emphasized what Council Member E. Erickson said regarding tightening up the city budget and being more conservative. Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Cash and Investment report. He said he is trying to reinvest in the two-to-three-year period to lock in those higher interest rate returns; however, it is becoming more difficult particularly in water and sewer because there are a lot of capital projects over the next few years. He added he is having to look at the city’s liquidity needs and having to time those investments so that money is available for those big projects. 7 Finance Officer Nielson mentioned Real Estate Investments (Streets) is going to close at the end of this month in fact he is going to sign for that investment tomorrow. This investment was the one over by Second East also known as the Squires property. In the books the investment is shown at $327,334, it is actually going to close at about $780,000. The Real Estate Investments (Streets) funds will come off the investment report and go back to the cash to basically help streets which is a significant amount of funds for the street fund. B. Public Works: – Keith Davidson 1. Surplus Burley Wheel Kit in the Recreation Department - Action Item Public Works Director Davidson reported that the Recreation Department is wanting to surplus the burley wheel kit. The Burley stroller trailers are used out at the golf course for skiing, there is a ski kit that goes on the stroller; therefore, the wheel kits are not needed. Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve the Surplus of the Burley Wheel Kit; 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 The motion carried. 2. Set public hearing on May 21, 2025, to surplus the Old Pump House Property located at 195 E 1st S - Action Item Public Works Director Davidson recommended setting a public hearing on May 21, 2025, to surplus the property located at 195 E 1st S, the old well house. The well house was being utilized as a city maintenance building. Mayor Merrill explained the building is old with crumbling mortars and quite a bit of work that needs to be done to repair the building. 8 Council Member Reeser moved to approve to Set the Public Hearing on May 21, 2025, to surplus the property located at 195 E 1st S; 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 The motion carried. 3. Bid Approval for Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54) - Action Item Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the three bids received for Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54). Public Works Director Davidson explained the bids received were lower than the city engineer’s estimates; however, the miscellaneous properties included in LID 54 came in higher because those properties are in a unique location. He said he has contacted the miscellaneous property owners to let them know and hopefully they can find a different contractor that would charge less to complete the work. As for the rest of the properties included in LID 54, there is a significant reduction in those costs. The sidewalk costs came in lower than the amounts the city engineers originally estimated. Council Member Johnson said she is thankful that the bids came in lower than the estimated costs; however, she is going to vote no to LIDs for the reasons she has previously stated. Council Member Reeser questioned the difference between the miscellaneous properties and the other properties included in LID 54. Public Works Director Davidson replied the miscellaneous properties are properties that changed hands and do not have sidewalks. Director Davidson said the property owners are notified with a fair amount of time that they need to install sidewalks on their property. When the property owners do not comply with installing sidewalks then they are included in an LID. Public Works Director Davidson mentioned the realtors are to explain the property does not have a sidewalk and city code requires a sidewalk be installed so the buyer can negotiate the price of the home to include the costs of the sidewalk. The miscellaneous properties included in LID 54 are spread throughout the community; therefore, the contractor is not obtaining the scale of the project which causes the costs to be higher. Discussion regarding the amount of sidewalk needed in a section of Andrew’s Place. Public Works Director Davidson said he contacted the property owner and discussed the possibility of postponing the installation of the sidewalk to include on a future LID. 9 Council Member C. Erickson asked Public Works Director Davidson if other property owners included in LID 54 have contacted him since the last City Council meeting. Public Works Director Davidson replied, a couple of property owners have contacted him since the last City Council Meeting. The son of Mary Flud, whose property is included in LID 54, contacted him about a letter that stated they would not have to install curb and gutter on the north and south side of their property; however, they completed a lot of research and determined it was only reflecting the north and south side of 7th South for the curb and gutter. The letter did not reflect anything about the west side of their property. Council Member Johnson wondered if piecemealing the miscellaneous properties included in LID 54 is the most effective way of installing sidewalk because it is expensive. Public Works Director Davidson explained that including miscellaneous properties in LIDs is the only recourse the city can use to ensure property owners install sidewalks on their properties. The miscellaneous property on an LID is not the cheapest option; however, unless the City Council is not going to require sidewalks or the maintenance of the sidewalks until the city reconstructs the road then an LID is the only other option. Council Member C. Erickson said there is a section of property along Pioneer Road without sidewalks and there are a lot of kids walking on that side of the road. He would prefer to have large sections of property without sidewalks to be included in an LID instead of only completing smaller sections throughout the city. Public Works Director Davidson replied, the City Council has the option to authorize city staff to include those large sections of property without sidewalks on an LID. Mayor Merrill mentioned a study group is being formed to investigate alternatives to LIDs whether those alternatives would include bond measures. He said he was made aware the City of Idaho Falls sent their residents a letter regarding the replacement of 40 feet of curb and gutter and the property owner’s costs would be $3,500. The City of Idaho Falls may not have LIDs; however, the property owner still pays for the improvements in front of their property and a financing mechanism is not available. Mayor Merrill said the City Council has passed several items that are in the property owners’ favor including: the LID financing option with a lowered interest rate and the city’s full participation in the costs of replacing curb and gutter. The bids also came in lower than the estimated costs. Public Works Director Davidson expressed his thoughts about the study group Mayor Merrill is bringing together to investigate an LID alternative. He said he would give the group background information about the first City Council Meeting and subsequential meetings pertaining to LIDs. He would then help educate the group where the street funds come from and work through the budget. A City Council Member’s representation on the committee would be beneficial. Council Member Chambers moved to approve the low bid of $3,297,102.00 from HK Contractors for Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54); 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 The motion carried. Mayor’s Report/Business: A. Proclamation 2025 – 04 April as Fair Housing Month - Action Item Council Member Chambers read Proclamation 2025 – 04 April as Fair Housing Month. PROCLAMATION No. 2025-04 April as Fair Housing Month WHEREAS, April 2025 marks the 57th anniversary of the passage of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Federal Fair Housing Act; and WHEREAS, the Idaho Human Rights Commission Act has prohibited discrimination in housing since 1969; and 10 WHEREAS, equal opportunity for all-regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin-is a fundamental goal of our nation, state and city; and WHEREAS, equal access to housing is an important component of this goal-as fundamental as the right to equal education and employment; and WHEREAS, housing is a critical component of family and community health and stability and WHEREAS, housing choice impacts our children’s access to education, our ability to seek and retain employment options, the cultural benefits we enjoy, the extent of our exposure to crime and drugs, and the quality of health care we receive in emergencies; and WHEREAS, the laws of this nation and our state seek to ensure such equality of choice for all transactions involving housing; and WHEREAS, ongoing education, outreach and monitoring are key to raising awareness of fair housing principles, practices, rights and responsibilities; and WHEREAS, only through continued cooperation, commitment and support of all Idahoans can barriers to fair housing be removed; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jerry Merrill, Mayor of Rexburg, do hereby proclaim April 2025 to be FAIR HOUSING MONTH In the City of Rexburg, Idaho. ADOPTED by the City of Rexburg, State of Idaho, on this __ day of ___l 2025. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Rexburg to be affixed this 23rd day of April of the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five. APPROVED: _____________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor ATTEST: ______________________________ Deborah Lovejoy, City Clerk Council Member C. Erickson moved to ratify Proclamation 2025 – 04 April as Fair Housing Month; 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 The motion carried. Items for Consideration: NONE Calendared Bills: (02:02:12) A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: 1. Ordinance No 1330 Creation of Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54) – Keith Davidson Action Item LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 54 CREATION ORDINANCE ORDINANCE NO. 1330 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, CREATING LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 54; DESCRIBING AND SETTING FORTH THE BOUNDARIES OF SAID LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; PROVIDING FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE THEREIN; APPOINTING AN ENGINEER TO PREPARE THE NECESSARY PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE WORK; AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISING FOR BIDS FOR SAID WORK AS AUTHORIZED BY LAW; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF COSTS AND EXPENSES OF SAID IMPROVEMENTS TO BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE PROPERTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT BENEFITTED THEREBY AND THE METHOD OF ASSESSMENTS; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BONDS AND WARRANTS; PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 11 Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve Ordinance No 1330 the Creation of Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54) and consider second read; Council Member Reeser 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 The motion carried. B. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: 1. Ordinance No 1329 Rezone at 238 & 243 Ella Lane 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 Johnson 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 third 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 The motion carried. 12 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. A. Minutes from March 25th, April 2nd and 11th, 2025, Meetings - Action Item B. Approve Payment of the City of Rexburg Bills - Action Item Council Member Chambers moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and 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 The motion carried. Discussion regarding joint City Council and Planning & Zoning Meeting on May 8th, 2025. Adjournment 7:26 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: _____________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, Deputy City Clerk