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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Minutes - May 7, 2025+16V R G, kf 9 A. 0 (208) 359-3020 � 35 North 15t East Ve('SM EO 5883 Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org I Engage.Rexburg.org ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ City Council Minutes — May 7, 2025 Mayor Jerry Merrill Council Members: Bryanna Johnson Eric Erickson Robert Chambers David Reeser Colin Erickson Mike] 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 6:3o P.M. Council Member Johnson said the prayer. Mayor Merrill 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 (via zoom) and Mayor Merrill. Council Member C. Erickson did not attend the first part of the meeting; however, he attended the meeting during the executive session. Council Member Chambers moved to amend the agenda as per Idaho State Statute §74- 204(4)(b): Amendment to include reason for executive session §74-2o6(i)(c)(1) in Agenda Item ii; Council Member E. Erickson 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 E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Welcome New Employees: Terry Rackham — Streets/Sanitation Driver; Straton Morton — Street Department Mr. Rackham and Mr. Morton introduced themselves. 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. Mr. Taylor explained the challenges, history, and plans regarding the development and relocation of the city/county airport. He emphasized the increasing costs of about $1oo,000 per year and expanded responsibilities such as maintenance, hiring, and infrastructure support that come with a larger airport. He highlighted that while the FAA funds much of the upkeep, the city/county would still incur expenses for the airport. Mr. Taylor made the following key points regarding the city/county airport: • Growth Justification: The community's growth necessitates a larger, more modern airport, with benefits to local entrepreneurs and businesses. • Long -Term Effort: This airport project has been discussed for decades; When Mr. Taylor's father was Chairman of the Airport Board 30 years ago, and the need has persisted. • City Commitment Needed: Mr. Taylor stressed the importance of getting formal commitment from city officials to move forward with the relocation and expansion of the airport. • Economic Opportunity: A new airport would allow Rexburg to compete with the nearby Idaho Falls Airport for business and aviation activities. Current Challenges: The uncertainty around the airport relocation has led to hesitancy from potential hangar builders and has even driven some to invest elsewhere. Next Steps: Hiring someone to manage the project and coordinate with multiple agencies is crucial to avoid remaining in "airport purgatory" or give up on the relocation of the airport. Vision and Legacy: Mr. Taylor urged long-term thinking, acknowledging that the payoff may benefit future generations more than the current one. Staff Reports: A. Finance: -Matt Nielson 1. Budget Adjustment Approval for Pickleball Projects at Nature Park and Smith Park Action Item Finance Officer Nielson explained there is a change order for the work needing to be completed on the tennis courts at Smith Park. An additional $io,600 is needed to replace the court fabric. The poles also need to be replaced because they are leaning significantly. He received feedback from the pickleball community asking if there could be gates for each of the courts to not interrupt play. He received a bid for the items mentioned. Finance Officer Nielson said he asked the contractor who originally installed the pickleball courts at Nature Park to assess the conditions of those courts, they said the courts have larger and smaller cracks. After evaluating, they determined that it would cost just over $34,000 to complete the necessary work. This would include fining all the cracks, level work, repainting and resurfacing of the courts. Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Budget Adjustment for the Parks Department regarding the Pickleball Court Projects. Debt: PARKS Fisc3l Year Affected: W25 Expense Accounts to Receive Increased Budget: Accounts Where Budget is Coming From: Account: 4't3FMJ-3901 Amount: 45.000 Transfer in From General Fund Account: 01411-8000 Amount: Con General Fund Would leave S133 500 AccourytJ I AmountI TOTAL: Net Expense less Revenue (This must be zero) Coming From: Contingency: 45,000 Other Expanse: New Revenue: TOTAL INCREASE 45.000 Reason for the Increase: Pickle Ball Change Orders: Nature Park -It has been 7 years since pickle ball went in at nature paric We are seeing some cracking and repairs e reached out to onginal contractor and their proposal (see attached) is S34.360 to repair/resurfoceipaint the 4 courts. Our hope would be to another 7 years with the repairs. This would need to come from contingency in gianeral fund. Smith Park Conversion from tennis: We are needing a change order of S10,600 to replace posts and fence on north side and add 4 smaller gates so each court has its own gatEL This would also cone from contingericy in general hrtd Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Budget Adjustment for the Pickleball Projects at Nature Park and Smith Park; Council Member Reeser seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting eve Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. B. Public Works: - Keith Davidson 1. Approval of surplus of 2007 Chevy Trailblazer from the Recreation Department - Action Item Public Works Director Davidson reported that the Recreation Department would like to surplus the 2007 Chevy Trailblazer, they no longer have a need for this vehicle. 0) Council Member Reeser moved to approve the Surplus of a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer from the Recreation Department; Council Member Chambers seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Those voting nay none 2. Bid Approval of Heat Exchanger Equipment for the Wastewater Treatment Plant - Action Item Public Works Director Davidson said he received bids for the heat exchanger for the Wastewater Treatment Plant; it will help increase the capacity of handling the bio-solids. He reviewed the three bids received. Owens Pump & Equipment had the low bid. Mayor Merrill asked for clarification regarding the Heat Exchanger Equipment for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Public Works Director Davidson explained the Wastewater Treatment plant processes bio-solids by running them through a pasteurization process. As the bio-solids move into the tanks, they pass through heat exchangers, which preheat the solids. This shortens the time the waste is in the tank and reduces the amount of heat needed; however, to process more bio-solids, the heat exchangers need to be expanded to handle the increased volume. Bid Tab Project; Heat Exchanger Equipment 412612025 @ 3:00 pm CONTRACTOR/COMPANY NAME: BID AMOUNT: q, T Council Member E. Erickson moved to approve the low bid of $163,000 from Owens Pump & Equipment for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Heat Exchanger Equipment; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting n Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. 3. Bid Approval of Wastewater Repairs 2025 -Action Item Public Works Director Davidson said he received the bids for the Wastewater Treatment Plant repairs today; he would prefer more time to review the bids before making a recommendation to the City Council. He said he will present the bids at the next City Council Meeting. Mayor's Business: A. Proclamation 2025 — o2 Proclaiming May as Frontline Worker Appreciation Month - Action Item Mayor Merrill read Proclamation 2025 — 02 Proclaiming May as Frontline Worker Appreciation Month. PROCEAALNUON Proclairning Alay as Frontline l t7 orker Appreciation 31, 072t%i Whereas, frontline workers are the bui'ders of cur community, exercising curiosity, compassion, courage. and creativity to provide essential services that ensure the safety, health, and educatio..n of cur residents. and Whereas, cver 9 m'llion healthcare v,,orkers across the United States serve in hospiia?s, cl°nics, anc Icng-term --arefacilities often placing themselves at rise: to provide lifesaving care; and Whereas. firefighters respond to an estimated 36 milion emergercy calls each year. ever BC0, 000 sworn lavv enforcement officers nat onwide work tiro essly to upheld the law and ensure pubic safely, and emergency medioal services (EMS) personnel respond to more than 240 million calls annually: and Whereas, teachers dedicate their careers to shaping the future of our communities. vrith over 3.7 million eduea?ors in the U.S. pro -Ailing kno*o 'edge and guidance to cur youth; and Whereas, frontline workers embod, the essence o` Builder - flexib a thinke-s and cons'ructive proclern solvers vino respect the dignity of all people - by dedicating themselves to overcoming cha lenges and unitrg ccmmunties. Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed i Jerry Mewl,, (;'aver of Rexburg, Idaho, do heresy proclaim the (north of May as FRONTLINE'NORKER APPRECIATION M0tdTH in the City of Rexourg and encourage all residents to joir in re--ogm-zing and honoring the heroic. contriautions of our healthcare vier►,ers frefrghters, lav; enforcement officers. EMS personnel: and teachers. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Rexburg to be affixed on this 77-" day of.Way of the year of our Lord, two thousand twenty-five, I.1112.1017.18 l Jerry Merrill MAYOR ATTEST: Deborah Lovejoy REXBURG CITY CLERK Council Member E. Erickson moved to ratify Proclamation 2o25 — 02 Proclaiming May as Frontline Worker Appreciation 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 E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. B. Proclamation 2025 — 03 May 15�h, 2025, as Arbor Day - Action Item Mayor Merrill asked Council Member Johnson to read Proclamation 2025 — 03 May 15th, 2025, as Arbor Day. PROCU"'LNUON Jlay 15, 2025. as Arbor Day WHEREAS: In 1872, J. Sterlirg Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special dty be set aside for the planting of trees. and WHEREAS: The holiday, called Arbor Day- 1&as first obseR;ed vpith the planting of more than a million trees ir. Nebraska. and WHEREAS: Arbor day is nov; obser:ed'lhrouyhout the nation and the world. and WHEREAS; Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and :eater, lv. per our heatirg and cooling costs. moderate the temperature, clean the air. produce oxygen and provide habitat for viildlife, and WHEREAS: Trees are a renev.,able resource giving up paper,1&ood 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 communit;:, and WHEREAS: Trees, wherever they are planted; are a source of joy and spiritual renev.,al. NOW, THEREFORE: I, Derry Merrill. tvlavor of the City of Rexbura do herebyproclaim Nlay 15. 2025, as Arbor Day in the City of Rexburg, and I urge all citizens to celebrate A.rb•�r Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and Further, I urge all citizens to play+ and care for trees to gladden the heart and promote the ?.,ell -being of this and future generations. ADOPTED by the City of Rexburg, State of Idahc, on this'' day of May 2025. IN WITNESS WHEREOF. f : is a twre!;ri� se: my hand 9rI �;9Js"ed:,he E3eai 3fthe f;rV C€Rexburg :C be affxee. r ,,is ? " uay rr;liay rf the y5w :i our Lornl t1'.'0 tihO:iSa'7J "'ve.rrv-,"ve. Jeri^r A;arr;.� Afievor ATT=ST L eborah LC Veiny. Cir,V viP rY Council Member Johnson moved to ratify Proclamation 2025 — 03 May 15th, 2025, as Arbor Day; Council Member Reeser seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Those voting nay none Mayor Merrill reported people often wonder, "What is Flow-Bor Day?" Well, it's a combination of planting flowers and trees. On that day, lots of volunteers come out to plant flowers all along Main Street and Center Street. This event will take place next Thursday, May 15th, at 4:00 P.M. He asked the City Council if any one of them is available to join him and the other volunteers. It's always a fun event. He said most of the time, they simply walls up and down the street, supervising and making sure that the flowers are being planted correctly. They do not have to do a lot of hard work or get down on their knees to plant the flowers, as there are many younger volunteers who help with the planting. Item of Consideration: NONE Calendared Bills: A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: NONE B. Third Reading: Those items ,which have been second 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. Council Member E. Erickson moved to approve Ordinance No 1330 the Creation of Local Improvement District 54 (LID 54) and consider third read; Council Member Chambers seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Council Member Chambers Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Those voting nay Council Member Johnson 61 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 April 23, 2025, Meeting B. Approve the City of Rexburg Bills Council Member Chambers moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; Council Member E. Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Those voting nay none Roll call vote for motion to move into Executive Session as per Idaho State Statute §74-2o6(i)o) To consider labor contract matters authorized under section 74-2o6A(i)(a) and (b), Idaho Code and (c) To acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency Action Item Council Member Reeser moved to enter into Executive Session as per Idaho State Statute §74-2o6(i)U) To consider labor contract matters authorized under section 74-2o6A(i)(a) and (b), Idaho Code and (c) To acquire an interest in real property which is not owned by a public agency; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a roll call vote: Those voting aye Council Member Johnson Council Member Chambers Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Executive Session Started at 7:16 P.M. Executive Session Ended at 9:29 P.M. Adjournment 9:30 P.M. Attest: Marianna Gonzalez, C ty Dep Cler PROVED: erry Merrill, Mayor Those voting nay none on