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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - August 20, 2025 1 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org City Council Minutes – August 20, 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. Council President Walker 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 (via Zoom), Council Member E. Erickson, Council Member Reeser, Council President Walker and Mayor Merrill. Welcome New Employees: Taylor Adamson – Sanitation/Streets Tylor Adamson said he is grateful for the opportunity to work for the City of Rexburg. He is 22 years old and married, his wife’s name is Makell. He said he is excited about the opportunity to learn, serve and contribute in the best way that he can to the Sanitation/Streets Departments and the citizens of Rexburg. When not working, he and his wife enjoy driving their Harley motorcycles. 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. Gerald Griffin said that he lives in the Sorenson Edition, which is off 3rd East and 3rd South. He explained that the neighborhood had vintage homes from the 1960s and 1970s that had been built just east of the university. He said that he was on a fact-finding mission and wanted to ask a few questions. He noted that Doug Hancey had already been lobbying on the issue, so they probably knew what he was talking about. Mr. Griffin said that he thought 3rd East was one of the most beautiful streets in Rexburg. He described it as being meticulously cared for, with beautiful trees and homeowners who took great pride in their yards. He said that he had noticed with some alarm over the past few years that some homes seemed to be purchased as rental units for students, and after the students left, those homes were rented to others. He said that many of the homeowners live out of state and that it did not seem like those houses were being cared for. He emphasized that this had become particularly egregious over the past year or two. Mr. Griffin explained that when he told people visiting from out of town where he lived, he often told them that although his home was just east of the college, they would have to drive through a rough part of town to get there. He said that some of the homes on strategic corner lots looked like neglected rural properties with high weeds and under watered yards. He stated that while he was reluctant to tell people how to manage their property, he had assumed that Rexburg had a compliance officer and ordinances in place to mitigate these problems. Mr. Griffin clarified that he did not want to dictate how people should live, but if the situation became an eyesore or a detriment to the neighborhood, he believed the city should step in. He asked if there was a compliance officer who could be accessed and what could be requested of that person. He also brought up a chronic dog-barking problem that had begun that year, saying that it often started at 4:30 in the afternoon and went on until 10:00 at night. He explained that although he had tried to be a good neighbor by closing his windows and letting go of the issue, he still wanted to know what options were available. Mayor Merrill responded that yes, there was a compliance officer and ordinances in place. He said there was always a fine line, just as Mr. Griffin mentioned, about interfering in people’s business. He explained that while he personally liked nice yards, not everyone cared for their property the same way. 2 He believed there should be some minimum standard so that a property did not become a problem for neighbors. Mr. Griffin asked if the standards were codified. Mayor Merrill explained that the city had nuisance ordinances, which could be found on the city website, and that noxious weeds were also prohibited under state law because they could be a fire hazard. Mr. Griffin asked if there was someone he could call. Mayor Merrill said that residents could call the front desk at City Hall, they will then be directed to City Compliance Officer Natalie Powell and depending on the situation—such as the barking dog complaint—residents could also contact the police. Mr. Griffin then mentioned that several motorhomes and even a semi-truck had been parked for long periods of time in his neighborhood. Mayor Merrill confirmed that there were ordinances regarding that as well, which generally limited vehicles to being parked on the street for about 48 hours. Doug Hancey said he lives on Yale Avenue and that a neighbor was buying cars, parking them on the street, and reselling them, which made the street hard to navigate. Mayor Merrill explained that operating a business like that from a residence was not allowed unless it was one of the few permitted home businesses. He again advised calling the city compliance officer. Council Member E. Erickson added that for quick action on abandoned vehicles, residents could also call the Idaho Department of Transportation, which would connect them with their regional officer. Council Member E. Erickson said that they had experienced the same issue with a barking dog. He said the police had been very receptive to such complaints. He added that the police would come out, sit and listen for about 15 to 20 minutes, and if the dog continued barking, they would contact the dog owner and address the issue. He emphasized that the Police Department had been very responsive. Mr. Griffin said that he usually preferred to resolve things himself, but he acknowledged that it was sometimes a fine line. He explained that the dogs in question were not his immediate neighbors’ dogs but belonged to homes that backed up to his yard. Mayor Merrill responded that if Mr. Griffin felt comfortable, he could talk directly to the neighbors and explain that the barking was really bothering him, sometimes that approach was more effective. Karen Webster addressed the City Council and explained that she lives on Yale Avenue. She said that her yard was maintained by Merrill’s Landscaping and that it looked great, but that was not the issue. She explained that the houses across the street from her had once been wonderful homes built by the founding fathers of the community, but they had since been bought and turned into rentals. Instead of one family living in those homes, she said there were now four or five renters in each, and every renter had a car. She explained that this created a severe parking problem, making it difficult to drive down the road because cars lined both sides of the street. Mrs. Webster asked whether people who bought those homes were required to check in with the city to ask about property taxes, covenants, or housing requirements, or if they could simply rent them out to multiple tenants and allow the properties to deteriorate. Mayor Merrill responded that long-term rentals were allowed in LDR-1 and LDR-2 zones, which were low-density residential areas. He clarified that short-term rentals, defined as 30 days or less, were not allowed. Mrs. Webster asked if housing college students is considered a business. Mayor Merrill explained that renting out a house as a short- term rental is classified as a business. Mrs. Webster asked if there was anything the city could do about the parking issue. Council Member Johnson added that during development code updates, the City Council had recently discussed limiting the number of people allowed in a rental home and adding parking restrictions. Although they had not yet voted for it, they had considered capping occupancy. Mrs. Webster then asked when the City Council was going to stop the growth in Rexburg. She explained that now people were being asked to rent rooms in their homes because there was not enough student housing. She described the traffic congestion, saying that at certain times of the day, it was impossible to drive down Rexburg’s streets without being stuck in line. She emphasized that this was not the small-town Rexburg she has known and loved since 1954. Mayor Merrill responded that everyone loved the community, which was why so many people wanted to live here. Mrs. Webster urged the City Council to at least create rules for renters, such as requiring them to mow and water their yards. Mayor Merrill acknowledged that there were some rules in place and that the city might need to improve enforcement if it was within their authority. However, he explained that they always had to balance enforcement with government overreach. Mrs. Webster gave an example of a neglected property near her home on Yale Avenue. She explained that the yard had been left in disrepair for five years, looking like it belonged in the sandy hills. She said her property value has declined because no one would want to buy her home if it sat next to what she described as a garbage dump. 3 Mrs. Webster invited the City Council to drive up Yale Avenue to see the neglect of these properties. She thanked the City Council for listening, saying she had fussed about the issue for a long time and needed to get it off her chest. She emphasized that Rexburg was too special to let it deteriorate. Mayor Merrill thanked her and expressed appreciation for her family’s contributions to the community. He suggested that the Councilmembers take a tour of the neighborhoods to see the conditions for themselves. He said the City Council might need to revisit the idea of setting minimum standards. Mr. Hancey added that he had identified six addresses in his neighborhood where the conditions were intolerable. Mayor Merrill invited him to submit those addresses so the compliance officer could review them. Council Member E. Erickson explained that they had received two separate complaints from individuals. One complaint had come from someone who lived near where his mother lives and the other complaint had come from a different individual. He said he agrees there needs to be some sort of minimum level of property maintenance. He mentioned that he did not know exactly what that standard should be but suggested that it might be worth reviewing ordinances from other cities to see what could be applied locally. Council Member E. Erickson pointed out that the issue was especially noticeable during the long, hot summer months when yards that were not watered looked terrible. Items from Council: A. Committees: MEPI, Cultural Arts, Grants, School Board, MUSIC, MYAB, Emergency Services Board, Beautification, Trails/Parks & Recreation, Urban Renewal, Airport, Golf Board, ADA Oversight Board, Historical Preservation Committee, and Legacy Flight Museum Council Member Johnson reported the Recreation, Trails and Parks Committee did not meet. Mayor Merrill reported that Wilcox Logging had come in with their large machine to pick up big piles of wood down at Eagle Park. As part of the process, the machine with its heavy tracks damaged some of the trails, which left Recreation, Trails and Parks Committee Member Eric Isaacson quite distraught. However, thanks to a quick response from the mitigation group, the issue was addressed right away. He said that he called Fire Department employee Rob Ricks, who brought his crew down from a job east of town the very next day. Along with the city Streets Department crew, they hauled in bucket loads of topsoil. Together with the streets staff and fire personnel, they rebuilt the trails and restored them to good condition. Mayor Merrill mentioned that they even received a text message from Mr. Isaacson saying that the kids were excited because some of the rebuilt features were actually bigger and better than before. Mayor Merrill said Mr. Isaacson sounded relieved, especially since a visitor from Australia was scheduled to come the following Monday to see the course and the practice area. Because Mr. Isaacson had been leaving for scout camp that week and would not be around to work on the trails, he had been very grateful for the quick action. Mayor Merrill expressed appreciation for the team’s efforts in getting the work done so quickly. Council Member Johnson shifted the discussion to the goats being used for fire mitigation at Eagle Park. Mayor Merrill explained that they had met with the goat herders at the park to map out a plan. The goat team suggested fencing off small sections at a time so that the goats could work without interfering with the trails. He noted that the goats were not bothered by people riding nearby. Mayor Merrill added that he had visited a site west of town where the goats were already working on private property. The goats had been effective at clearing brush, though they sometimes ate smaller flowers or plants. He believes those plants would grow back the next spring, much like they had been pruned. They also identified certain young trees they wanted to protect, and the goat herders agreed to fence those off. Mayor Merrill emphasized that the goat team had been cooperative and willing to follow the city’s requests. Council Member Johnson asked whether the Eagle Park trails would be closed in September because of the goats. Mayor Merrill replied that the goat herders could fence around the trails, allowing them to remain open. Finance Officer Nielson added that the pavilion and grass area at the front of the park would also stay open. Mayor Merrill clarified that while the road would be closed to vehicle traffic, people could still walk their dogs, jog, or use the trails as usual. Mayor Merrill emphasized that the city was trying to keep the park as accessible as possible while also accomplishing the fire mitigation work. Council President Walker reported the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board (MYAB) and ADA Oversight Board did not meet. The MYAB will begin meeting again in September. Mayor Merrill mentioned the MYAB had a booth at the Celebrate Youth Event and signed a few new board members. Council Member Chambers reported the Urban Renewal Agency met today; however, he was unable to attend the meeting. 4 Mayor Merrill reported that the Alpha Development Group, which had been the development group working on the city’s downtown project, had experienced some organizational changes and had backed out of the project. The Urban Renewal Agency (URA) is planning to reissue a new Request for Proposal (RFP) and some of the groups that had responded to the last one were welcome to speak with them again. In addition, a few new local developers have expressed interest in the project. URA is planning to put the opportunity back out for them to consider. Mayor Merrill added URA had also tendered a new offer for the school district property, which the School Board was scheduled to meet about the following night. If they accepted the offer, URA would likely focus their efforts on that property from an urban renewal perspective. Council Member Chambers said if the School Board rejects the offer, URA has requested a face-to-face meeting to work out any differences. Mayor Merrill said URA is trying to keep the lines of communication open and be able to move some items forward. Council Member E. Erickson reported that he had visited with city Recreation Director Lewis earlier that day about the pickleball courts, which had seemed to be dragging on for a long time. He explained that city staff felt they had a commitment set for the first of September. A contract had not yet been signed, but they hoped it would be finalized soon. He added that, with luck, some pickleball could be played before the snow arrived. Mayor Merrill noted that one positive development was the completion of the other courts. The new surface looked good, and people appreciated it, along with the fencing and netting that had been installed around the courts. The improvements cut down on wind and reduced noise. A nearby resident had texted to say she really appreciated the change because it no longer seemed as noisy as before. The material placed around the fence, which was a type of shade cloth, had made a noticeable difference. Council Member Reeser reported that the Legacy Flight Museum and Police Department have not met. However, he noted that school was starting on Monday for the students. He explained that he received a concern through the principal at the high school. The concern had come from Brady Clawson, who had received a message indicating that the flashing pedestrian crossing lights on 7th South, south of the university, were not working. Council Member Reeser stated that the message had been sent via email or text, and the sender was worried because school would be starting soon. He had suggested that Mr. Clawson call Public Works Director Davidson. He clarified that the text message was not entirely clear but had mentioned 7th South. He thought the issue might have been near the middle school. He confirmed that signals were located at both the middle school and Burton Elementary School. Public Works Director Davidson indicated he would check both pedestrian crossing lights in that area to determine which one was not working. Council Member C. Erickson reported that the “Celebrate Youth” event held the previous day had been a great success. There had been some minor miscommunication regarding garbage service from the city, but that issue was addressed. Otherwise, everything was ready for the start of the new school year. Council Member C. Erickson mentioned that he too received complaints about 7th S and an issue with the pedestrian crossing light on 12th West and he requested that city staff investigate that matter. He also noted that both the Golf Board and the Airport Board had canceled their meetings until the following month. B. Other Reports: Staff Reports: A. Information Technology: - Todd Smith 1. Telecommunications Services Agreement with Silver Star Communications - Action Item IT Director Smith reported that the city has several agreements with Silver Star that need to be reviewed and signed. Including two new agreements. There is a total of three agreements with Silver Star. One of those agreements is the Indefeasible Right to Use (IRU), that was completed at the end of the previous year. This IRU gave Silver Star the right to use the city’s main fiber backbone, which had already been put in place. IT Director Smith explained the fiber project is near completion; therefore, the two additional agreements require City Council approval. The first agreement is a fiber maintenance agreement in which Silver Star agrees to maintain the fiber huts, generators, and related infrastructure, as well as perform locates on the fiber. The city would retain ownership of the huts and generators, but Silver Star would maintain them, since—outside of the Parks and Golf Departments—they had exclusive use of those facilities under the IRU. 5 Council Member Chambers moved to approve the Telecommunications Service Agreement with Silver Star Communications; 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 C. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. 2. Fiber Maintenance Agreement with Silver Light Fiber Network - Action Item IT Director Smith explained the second agreement with Silver Light is a telecommunications services agreement. Under this contract, Silver Star would provide Internet service to approximately 80 city assets, including traffic signals, buildings, lift stations, and water well sites, at a cost of about $30 per month for the internet service to those sites. The city would also share the cost of installing fiber at new locations, such as new lift stations or buildings. In addition, the agreement included a 10-gig internet connection to City Hall, which had already been in use for a couple of months. IT Director Smith noted that this was a significant upgrade compared to the city’s existing 300-meg connection with Silver Star and an 800-meg connection with Blackfoot, bringing total capacity from about 1.2 gig to 10 gig. IT Director Smith continued to explain the cost of the 10-gig connection would be $850 per month, which is an exceptional deal compared to the typical $5,000–$7,000 per month charged for similar connections. The city would retain its Blackfoot connection as a backup for redundancy. Council Member E. Erickson asked if the city has other internet connections and if there are other connections, will those be disconnected. IT Director Smith clarified that the Silver Star connection would be upgraded from 300 meg to 10 gigs, while the Blackfoot connection would remain but with telephone service changing from analog PRI circuit to digital SIP trunk, reducing costs by about $500–$600 per month. Both connections would be kept for failover capability to maintain up time. Council Member Johnson asked about the costs of maintaining the huts. IT Director Smith said the maintenance of the huts is tied to the telecommunications service agreement; however, there is no fee directly associated with the huts. The use of the huts by Silver Star is tied to the initial IRU agreement and it is also in Silver Star’s best interest since their revenue depended on the infrastructure being maintained. Council Member Chambers clarified the length of the contract is five years. He asked if the rates mentioned in the contract would remain the same for the length of the contract. IT Director Smith confirmed it was a five-year contract with rates locked in for that term. Silver Star reserved the right to adjust rates at renewal period but agreed to provide sufficient notice for the city to plan for budget impacts. Council President Walker moved to approve the Fiber Maintenance Agreement with Silver Light Fiber Network; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member C. Erickson Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. B. Finance: - Matt Nielson 1. Financial Reports Finance Officer Nielson explained that he wanted to give a couple of quick updates so that it is on the record, because he had emailed a few things back and forth regarding the third reading of Ordinance No. 1335 Amend Ordinance 1316 Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriation Ordinance and the Ordinance No 1334 Rexburg Police Facility Bond Election. On the Rexburg police facility bond, he and City Clerk Lovejoy reviewed the 6 ordinance. In Section X of the ordinance at the end, they noticed that the term of 30 years had been left in. They had already changed all the other terms to “not to exceed 15 years.” They updated that section from 30 years to 15 years for the third reading of that ordinance. Finance Officer Nielson explained on the ordinance for the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriation, he sent an email, and since then, he was able to go through the L2, certification process, for property tax. That resulted in a total reading of $111,279,400. He noted that the general fund contingency went down to about $80,900, and the property tax that they certified was $7,290,000. That gives an idea of where the city landed. He said he knew that they would have to make modifications to those two numbers because the estimates are finalized during the certification process. Finance Officer Nielson also clarified that in the last two City Council meetings, there had been discussion about the July 3rd 250th Anniversary Celebration. For full disclosure, he went back to what he would call the status quo, which was a budget like what they had used for the last four years, since COVID, when they began holding the fireworks displays. Council Member Johnson asked why the contingency has gone down. Finance Officer Nielson explained that he estimates high when publishing the city budget. The budget ended up being about $45,000 less when it was certified. He reduced the contingency accordingly and had to reduce on the other side as well. He explained that the reason why he estimates high when advertising the budget, is because the city cannot certify more than what was advertised. He said he had learned that lesson the hard way once and was forced to republish and hold another public hearing, which was not worth repeating. Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Cash & Investment Balance Report. He explained that he and Finance Controller Miller conducted an analysis to compare the interest earned across all funds last year with what they projected for this year. The totals were almost the same. Interest earned was projected at about $1.85 million this year, while last year it was $1.81 million. That represented a 3.43% overall return. This made sense because they did not invest all the city’s money, as they had to keep some liquid for cash flow purposes. Finance Officer Nielson said they plan to continue reinvesting where possible in the two- to four- year ladder. They expect to be a little more aggressive in that area because they believe interest rates will continue to drop. Their goal is to preserve a larger return over the four-year period. For perspective, the one- to five-year agencies and treasuries the city reinvested in were between 3.7% and 3.9%. Investments under nine months typically returned 4% to 4.3%, so the difference was not significant. At the end of July, city’s checking account balance appeared high. This was because the final large property tax payment of $2.34 million had been deposited into the General Fund. He mentioned each year, they usually begin expending more than what is being brought in until about January, that is the typical trend. They simply must manage the cash flow through those months. Council Member E. Erickson asked if there are typically less funds in the city’s checking account at the end of July. Finance Officer Nielson clarified that it was typically much less, the higher number occurred simply because of the timing of the property tax deposit. In fact, he recorded it in the general ledger before it appeared on the bank statement. They always try to keep balances under the FDIC limit, though this was not always possible. For example, when they run a $1.5 million check, they need to have sufficient funds available to clear that check. It is a fine balance to manage. Whenever possible, they move funds into the LGIP, which is averaging a 4.4% return. They worked aggressively to keep money there to maximize returns while still staying under FDIC limits. 7 Finance Officer Nielson reviewed the Treasurer’s report through 10 months of the fiscal year, which was through July. When reviewing expenditures, the target percentage to monitor is 83%. If any department was significantly above that percentage, those areas would raise concern. Finance Officer Nielson noted that the Sanitation Department appeared quite high due to the shop capital project, which had come in a little higher than what they had anticipated in the budget for the year. Finance Officer Nielson reported that the Finance Department has also been working with the Fire Department as they transitioned their employees to the Fire District. The Fire Department has asked if they can pre-fund for next year. After discussion, they decided not to pre-fund operations as requested. Instead, they chose to close out certain funds, such as the Fire Station Building Fund and the Joint Fire Equipment Fund, before October 1. That would allow the district to manage its own cash flow. The Fire Department also has access to the Fire District’s resources. They had already completed the closeout of the Ambulance Capital Replacement Fund the prior month. Finance Officer Nielson mentioned that if the new utility fees were approved in September, then next year they would begin closing out the Community Safety Lighting Fund as well. Overall, expenditures were at 49%. Council Member E. Erickson asked how the Fire Department transition to a Fire District is going. Finance Officer Nielson explained that it was going well, though it required a lot of work. They are slowly moving toward their targets; however, there will still be much to do over the next two months. On the accounting side, he said he sent an email to the Finance Department staff designating liability and receivable accounts. He said he instructed them that if expenses were received belonging to fiscal year 2026, they should book them there. At the end of the month, they would prepare an invoice stating what was owed to the city, and they would issue payment for what the city owed the Fire Department in return. They expected to continue that process through at least the first quarter. He added they have a solid plan in place to track expenses, and they will continue to assist the Fire Department with their frequent requests for information. Overall, the transition was moving forward. 8 C. Public Works: - Keith Davidson 1. Bid approval for the Riverside Lift Station and Gravity Sewer - Action Item Mayor Merrill said the bid approval for the Riverside Lift Station and Gravity Sewer will be presented at the next City Council meeting. 2. Treatment Plant Power Reliability Improvements (BRIC Grant) – Design Contract Approval for SKM Engineering - Action Item Public Works Director Davidson explained the city received a grant to study the power supply at the Wastewater Treatment plant. He said he and Wastewater Department staff looked at ways to better utilize the system since some areas of the plant were not backed up with generators. He is recommending the city contract with SKM for $180,000 and is seeking City Council approval. Council Member E. Erickson asked if this was an ongoing project or something done annually. Public Works Director explained that it was not annual, but rather a one-time BRIC grant with a required $45,000 match. This phase was only for the study and design of the necessary upgrades. Mayor Merrill clarified the purpose of the project is to evaluate the plant’s power reliability and identify improvements needed for backup systems. The study would examine the entire plant, determine which areas required upgrades, and provide design recommendations. Those recommendations could then be used for budgeting the project or applying for additional grants to help fund construction. This particular contract is only for the study and design phase. Council Member Chambers moved to approve the Design Contract from SKM Engineering for the Treatment Plant Power Reliability Improvements (BRIC Grant) in the amount of $80,000; 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. 3. Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (Safe Streets for All Grant) – Contract Approval for Keller Associates - Action Item Public Works Director Davidson explained the city received a Safe Streets for All grant to complete a comprehensive safety action plan for the community. He said he is recommending the city select Keller Associates for the project and enter a $240,000 contract with them. As part of the grant, the city committed to providing $60,000 worth of in-kind work. Public Works Director Davidson said Keller Associates planned to review accident data provided by LTAC, which maintains a comprehensive website showing crash history. They would identify high- risk areas with severe accidents and then prepare design recommendations for improvements at approximately 20 selected sites. The design plan will include prioritizing the most effective improvements. Possible outcomes could include recommendations for four-way stops, signal lights, crosswalks, bike paths, or other traffic calming measures. Each improvement would be based on warrants, traffic levels, and accident history. Public Works Director Davidson said the results of the study would be brought back to City Council, and an oversight committee would review the data, recommendations, and proposed improvements in coordination with Keller Associates. 9 Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Contract from Keller Associates for the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (Safe Streets for All Grant); Council President Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member C. Erickson Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Council Member C. Erickson asked if the Councilmembers can be on the committee that will review and give input on the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan from Keller Associates. Public Works Director Davidson responded that the invitation to be on that committee is open to city staff and Councilmembers. Council Member Johnson, Council Member E. Erickson and Council Member C. Erickson all said they would like to be part of the committee. Public Works Director Davidson reported he was able to get in contact with the railroad company. They looked at the preemptive for the signal on Trejo and Yellowstone sometime after the 16th of September. He explained that it would likely be the middle to end of September. Unfortunately, the students would already be back, but at least we had a better date for the project. Council Member Johnson asked for an update on the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) on 12th West and wanted to know when the City Council would hear what the conditions for that CUP are going to be. Public Works Director Davidson said they are determining the costs for that CUP. As soon as those items are worked out, they will bring the CUP proposal to City Council. Council President Walker asked about the Local Improvement District 54 (LID) street project on 5th West and 1st South. Public Works Director Davidson said the work is moving along, with crews finishing up concrete on 5th South. There was no firm date yet on when paving would occur. On 1st South, the work is moving along well. Because of the sewer line replacement, bypass pumping had to be set up on 2nd West. Crews planned to finish the manhole by Friday, and hopefully, by the middle to end of the following week, they would be out of 2nd West and able to move fully onto 1st South. Mayor Merrill noted that a restaurant owner had asked about how long the construction on 2nd West would continue. He observed that crews had installed ramps and signage to allow access to businesses, and that it seemed to be working well. He noted they were doing what they could to mitigate impacts and get the project completed as quickly as possible. Public Works Director Davidson stated that construction always had impacts, but mitigation was the priority. Council Member E. Erickson asked whether the street construction on Park Street was still planned. Public Works Director Davidson confirmed it was, but later in the season, after the areas around campus were finished. Council Member E. Erickson asked whether the CRABS method would be used on Park Street. Public Works Director Davidson said he did not remember if they were completing the CRABS method on Park Street; however, he said he would double-check and inform the City Council. Council Member C. Erickson asked whether staff had checked the streetlight on University Boulevard and 12th West on the northbound side, since school was starting soon. Public Works Director Davidson explained that city engineer Joel Gray had gone out to check the light, and observed a short delay, the issue was resolved. Mayor’s Report/Business: A. Ratify Vanessa Johnson as a member of the Planning & Zoning Board - Action Item Mayor Merrill reported on a recent meeting he attended regarding water storage options in eastern Idaho. The event was co-hosted by Henry’s Fork Watershed Council and the Eastern Idaho Water Rights Coalition, with the city providing the venue at the Romance Theater. Approximately 200 people attended. Discussion focused on raising existing dams, constructing new dams, and other water storage possibilities. The meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, irrigation representatives, fisheries managers, recreation advocates, water rights specialists, and attorneys involved in ongoing water litigation. The Lieutenant Governor also attended. 10 Mayor Merrill noted that the meeting was valuable in fostering communication among groups with differing concerns and in setting the stage for future discussions and planning. He emphasized that water storage was a critical long-term issue for eastern Idaho and that planning now would help secure the region’s water needs for future generations. Council President Walker raised a safety concern about the fence around the playground area at the Nature Park. Part of the fence on the northeast corner was down, creating a risk for children slipping through and reaching the nearby canal. He stressed that this was a significant safety issue. Mayor Merrill also reported that at the north part of Riverside Park the grass has begun to turn green again after construction impacts, but a major leak erupted on the main irrigation line near the swimming pool. Crews had dug out the area and planned to bring in a vac truck to remove water from the hole to complete repairs. He noted that multiple water line breaks this year had set the Parks Department behind on other work, since emergency repairs had become the priority. Mayor Merrill provided an update on the hockey arena project. The contractor initially poured cement without placing sleeves for utility lines, requiring additional boring under the cement in two locations. The Water Department was preparing to run the line through the new sleeves to the west side of the arena. Once completed, the trench can be filled, and they will begin the landscaping. The goal is to have the facility ready for its grand opening in September. Mayor Merrill reported Planning and Zoning Commissioner Vanessa Johnson’s first three-year term has ended. He said after visiting with her, she expressed her willingness to serve another term. Mayor Merrill recommended her reappointment, pending City Council ratification, after which he would install her for a second term. Council Member Reeser moved to ratify the second-term appointment of Vanessa Johnson as a member of the Planning & Zoning Board; 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. Items for Consideration: A. Public concern submitted on 7/18/2025 regarding the lack of sidewalks between Applebee’s and the Yellowstone Hwy on University Blvd. Pedestrians are walking through the weeds from the hotels to the restaurants. Mayor Merrill reported that a citizen had submitted a letter expressing concern about the lack of a sidewalk between Applebee’s and the Yellowstone Highway. Currently, there is only a worn path where pedestrians walk through the vacant property. The property is owned by the Wilcox family, who have not indicated any plans for development; however, it is the property owner’s responsibility to install sidewalks on their property. Public Works Director Davidson explained that sidewalks are generally required in one of three ways: 1. When property changes hands and development occur. 2. When the City undertakes a street reconstruction project in the area. 3. When the City Council directs that a sidewalk be installed due to public demand. Council Member Reeser asked whether there are pedestrian crossings on all four corners of the intersection. Public Works Director Davidson confirmed there were crossings on all four corners of the intersection, though the paint markings were faded and ADA ramps were not yet in place. Council Member Johnson requested that staff provide an estimate of the cost to construct the missing sidewalk segment, including ADA access and crossing the railroad tracks, so that they could make an informed decision. Discussion regarding options such as claw back agreements, where costs could later be recouped when the property is developed, were also discussed. 11 Public Works Director Davidson noted that they had spoken with the property owner earlier in the day, and the Wilcox family expressed no interest in installing the sidewalk themselves, citing no economic benefit. Mayor Merrill noted the consensus of the City Council is to move forward by obtaining cost estimates and reviewing possible funding and cost-recovery options before deciding. Calendared Bills: A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: 1. Ordinance No 1335 Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Amendment – Matt Nielson Action Item Ordinance No. 1335 Amend Ordinance 1316 Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriation Ordinance AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1316, THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2024, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025: APPROPRIATING ADDITIONAL MONIES THAT HAVE BEEN OR ARE TO BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND BUDGET REDUCTIONS IN THE NET SUM OF ($2,138,700) AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Council President Walker moved to approve Ordinance No. 1335 to Amend Ordinance 1316 Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriation Ordinance and consider second read; Council Member Johnson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member C. Erickson Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. B. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: 1. Ordinance No 1333 Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation – Matt Nielson Action Item ORDINANCE NO. 1333 FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET APPROPRIATION AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2025, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2026, AND APPROPRIATING TO THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS, OFFICES AND FUNDS OF THE SAID CITY GOVERNMENT FROM THE REVENUE DERIVED FROM TAXES LEVIED FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR, AND ALL OTHER SOURCES, SUCH SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF SAID CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026; AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCE. Council Member Johnson moved to approve Ordinance No 1333 Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation and consider third read; Council Member C. Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member C. Erickson Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. 2. Ordinance No 1334 Rexburg Police Facility Bond Election Ordinance to seek funding for construction of a new police facility in the November 4, 2025, Municipal Election – Matt Neilson Action Item ORDINANCE NO. 1334 Rexburg Police Facility Bond Election AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, MADISON COUNTY, IDAHO, ORDERING A SPECIAL BOND ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 12 QUESTION OF THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $16,750,000 TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION AND FURNISHING OF A POLICE STATION FACILITY AND RELATED COSTS; ESTABLISHING THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF THE SPECIAL BOND ELECTION; APPROVING A FORM OF BALLOT; PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION OF VOTERS; PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE Council Member Reeser moved to approve Ordinance No 1334 Rexburg Police Facility Bond Election Ordinance to seek funding for construction of a new police facility in the November 4, 2025, Municipal Election and consider third read; Council President Walker seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member C. Erickson Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. 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 August 6, 2025, Meetings - Action Item B. Approve Payment of the City of Rexburg Bills - Action Item Council Member E. Erickson moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the city bills and minutes; Council Member C. Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Chambers Council Member C. Erickson Council Member E. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council President Walker The motion carried. Adjournment 7:53 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: ________________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, City Deputy Clerk