Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - January 22, 2026 1 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org Trails, Parks & Recreation Minutes - January 22, 2026 Committee Members: Carlee Francis Eric Erickson JD Hancock Eric Isaacson Doug Stutz City Staff: Eric Erickson – City Council Rep. Bryanna Johnson – City Council Rep. Jon Lewis – Recreation Director Keith Davidson – Public Works Director 5:30 P.M. City Hall Roll Call of Council Liaison: Council Member Johnson Roll Call of Committee Members: JD Hancock, Eric Erickson, Eric Isaacson, and Doug Stutz 1. Approval of November 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes: Committee Member Erickson moved to approve the Trails, Parks, & Recreation Meeting Minutes for May 2, 2025; Committee Member Isaacson seconded the motion; Recreation Director Lewis asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Committee Member Hancock none Committee Member Stutz Committee Member Isaacson Committee Member Erickson The motion carried. 2. Update Member Assignments – Review evaluation checklist a. Committee Member Hancock assigned to Porter Park. b. Committee Member Erickson assigned to Smith Park and Dog Park, c. Council Member Johnson assigned to Park Street Park and Evergreen Park, d. Committee Member Isaacson assigned to Eagle Park, e. Committee Member Stutz assigned to Nature Park, f. Rec. Director Lewis assigned to Riverside Park, g. Council Member Francis assigned to Hidden Valley Park. Recreation Director Lewis reported Council President E. Erickson will no longer be serving on the committee. Council President E. Erickson was assigned to Hidden Valley Park, that park will now be reassigned to Committee Member Carly Francis. Recreation Director Lewis explained that at the previous committee meeting, an evaluation checklist for each of the parks was discussed. That checklist is completed and he included it in the committee members meeting 2 packets. He will also be sending electronic versions of the checklist to complete and submit. Depending on how many parks each committee member is assigned, they will complete evaluations of their assigned parks every six weeks. He said he chose the six-week timeframe because this committee is going to begin meeting via Zoom, in between the committee’s quarterly meetings. Where he will provide updates regarding trails, parks and recreation from city staff. He said he sent the committee members notes from the city staff’s trails, parks and recreation meetings. The city staff meetings have been inconsistent due to the holidays and scheduling conflicts. Once the evaluations are turned in, they are going to be reviewed, and City Employee Greg McInnes will personally go through the evaluations and checklists. This is intended to ensure a clear understanding of the priorities and the goals that need to be accomplished. Recreation Director Lewis reported the items discussed during the City Staff Trails, Parks, & Recreation meeting are looking and applying for additional grants. City Staff discussed the possibility of using grants to help with funding, specifically for trails. Committee Member Stutz asked whether inspections were expected to be conducted every six weeks. He noted he completed the inspection of Nature Park, so that park is up to date. He asked for clarification regarding whether the checklist needed to be completed online. Recreation Director Lewis explained that the checklists did not have to be completed online. He is going to send the checklist document in a printable format; it will also be provided in PDF form so they can edit it electronically. The format would depend on personal preference. Recreation Director Lewis also explained that the checklist is not a final draft. Although some members have already reviewed it, he encouraged feedback. He asked the committee members to share any items they felt were missing so the checklist could be as thorough as possible. The goal is to include enough detail to clearly identify and address any issues needing to be fixed. He encouraged the committee members to review the checklist. 3 3. Discussion regarding Steiner Park Plans Recreation Director Lewis presented additional updates regarding the new Steiner Park. He said they have reached a point where they want to move forward with getting the park developed and ready for use. He provided clarification about the location of the park, confirming that Steiner Park is located off 5th West. Recreation Director Lewis shared a couple of design concepts for the park, and input from the committee is being requested. Several key elements were outlined, including the parking lot, a canal running through the area, and the incorporation of a pathway that could eventually connect to future projects. Plans also included a play structure, restrooms, and a pavilion. The first design concept was described as having the parking lot closer to the road, with a pathway running along the left-hand side. A unique grouping of trees was noted in the design, which was due to groundwater surfacing in that area. Because of this, that area is planned to be set aside. They also discussed potentially using part of the space for athletic activities if needed, although it was not intended to be a dedicated soccer field or similar facility. He said one concern involved flood irrigation in the area, which could make a playable surface more challenging if the space is used for athletics. 4 Committee Member Erickson asked for further clarification regarding the trees and bushes in that area. Recreation Director Lewis explained that there is a pipe that drains into the area, causing water to collect and pool there. The original idea had been to place bushes around the area to help keep smaller children from accessing it. Because a canal is also located nearby, there has been discussion about whether a fence should be installed to prevent children from reaching the canal or whether the park should be configured differently to address safety concerns. The bushes are primarily intended to discourage people from entering the area when high water is present. Committee Member Isaacson expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of bushes as a safety measure. He noted that bushes would not prevent children, particularly young boys, from entering the area and could make it harder to see or rescue someone if an incident occurred. He said he would prefer leaving the area open or installing a fence, as those options would be less inviting and potentially safer. Council Member Johnson asked why the pipe existed and whether it needed to remain in place. Recreation Director Lewis explained that the pipe appeared to lead to a stormwater retention area and might function as an overflow, although further clarification is needed. Discussion about whether the area could be filled in, and agreement was expressed that it might be a viable option. It was also suggested that the pipe could potentially be fed into another area in the bottom right -hand corner of the property. Recreation Director Lewis agreed to seek clarification from Public Works Director Davidson to better understand the purpose of the pipe and to report back to the group. Committee Member Erickson recommended including dog waste stations with bag dispensers throughout the park. Recreation Director Lewis acknowledged the dog waste stations are a good idea, with an emphasis on ensuring that the stations were consistently stocked. Council Member Johnson asked how high the water pooled in the area and how frequently it occurred. It was stated that the speaker was not certain how high or often the water pooled, but GIS images showed the area as muddy rather than deeply flooded. It was unclear whether the area posed a drowning risk or was primarily swampy. Recreation Director Lewis indicated that he would visit the site and would assess the conditions firsthand. Recreation Director Lewis reviewed park concept number two. In this concept, the parking lot had been relocated to the opposite side of the property. The layout included restrooms, a pavilion, and a playground in designated areas. He stated that if the playground were placed in that location, a fence would be required along the canal to address safety concerns. This concept also featured a wide-open green space. Another key difference is the sidewalks designed to extend all the way through the park and reconnect with the existing walking path. This design allowed visitors to walk in loops within the property, which would be especially useful for parents or guardians while children are playing. 5 Committee Member Erickson expressed concern about placing the playground toward the back of the park, stating that it could increase the risk of children entering the water. Committee Member Isaacson noted a potential benefit of that layout, explaining that it would place parents closer to both the playground and the water, allowing for better supervision. He mentioned that in the alternative layout, parents would be positioned much farther away. Committee Member Stutz pointed out that a similar setup already existed at the Nature Park and has not appeared to cause issues. If the fence was properly maintained, it was believed that children would be prevented from accessing the canal. Agreement was expressed that fencing would be an effective safety measure. Committee Member Isaacson commented positively on the walking loop concept, noting that they liked the idea of a connected walking path. Committee Member Handcock asked whether the drainage flowed into the Eden Development. There is an open area nearby that was used for grain. Committee Member Erickson clarified the surrounding area, noting that Mesa Falls Apartments are located nearby, with Eden situated farther down. He explained where the first entrance to Mesa Falls is located when traveling in that direction . Committee Member Isaacson suggested the sidewalk layout, proposing that it be placed on the north and east sides of the parking lot so that people walking laps would not need to cross the parking lot repeatedly. Council Member Johnson asked whether a fence would be installed to block access to the canal. Recreation Director Lewis confirmed that if that design concept is chosen, a fence would be required due to the proximity to the canal, and that the fence would be non-negotiable. Further clarification was provided about potential sidewalk loop options, including routing the path around different sides of the park. Recreation Director Lewis agreed that these alternatives could be considered as part of the design. The discussion then moved on to the third concept. It was suggested that, based on how children typically behave and the amount of freedom they would likely have in the park, the location of the playground might not significantly change the need for a fence. It was stated that a fence would likely be necessary regardless of where the playground was placed. It was also noted that in some layouts, children would simply be farther away from the hazardous area before reaching it. Recreation Director Lewis reviewed the third design concept of Stiener Park. This concept allowed for walking paths that cut through the park and formed a loop in that section. While the path would still run near the parking lot to some extent, the pavilion and restrooms were placed in designated areas. A preference was expressed to swap the locations of the restroom and the pavilion so the restroom would be closer to the parking lot and playground. This change was suggested to improve convenience and reduce the likelihood of children moving closer to the canal. 6 The Committee Members agreed that placing the restroom closer to the parking lot and playground made sense. Committee Member Stutz emphasized that a fence would be required regardless of the layout. He raised concern that placing a playground near the canal without a fence would create safety risks and require increased patrol. He noted that having the playground adjacent to a fenced area would be safer, as parents would be nearby and able to closely supervise children. Council Member Erickson asked about whether the objective of the park was to be more kid -friendly, adult- friendly, or a mixture of both. Recreation Director Lewis explained that the goal is to create a mixed-use park. The intent is to provide additional green space for the community outside of the typical Porter Park and Smith Park, while also including a walking trail and a playground for children. He noted that many of the recent projects being reviewed did not include playgrounds, so this design is intended to serve a broad range of interests. Council Member Johnson mentioned that there are many children living in the nearby apartment complexes, making the inclusion of a play structure a good idea. From a parent’s perspective, having restrooms located close to the playground is viewed as important so children do not have to cross the entire park to use the facilities. Committee Member Handcock asked about funding and maintenance. Recreation Director Lewis confirmed that the city would be paying for the park and that maintenance would be handled by city staff. The name Steiner Park is a requirement due to the land being donated by the Steiner family. 4. Updates on Teton River Park Recreation Director Lewis presented updates regarding Teton River Park. He recalled that at the previous meeting, the committee had been informed that the project needed to be rebid. Since that meeting, the rebid results have been received. A bid sheet had been provided, and the bid highlighted in yellow was from BFC Diversified. Although the top bid listed is lower than the others, that bidder acknowledged errors in their submission and withdrew after realizing some items had been missed. Recreation Director Lewis and Public Works Assistant Director conducted research on BFC Diversified. The company is based in Idaho Falls, and conversations with others who had worked with them on past projects indicated that they were reputable. Based on that information, the City Council decided to accept their bid. The company has since signed the agreement, officially committing to the project, and they were planning to begin work in the spring. While an exact start date is not yet available, it is expected that work on the south section would begin early in the spring. Committee Member Erickson asked whether the Teton River Park is being completed in phases. Recreation Director Lewis confirmed that the park is being completed in phases. He explained that many components had been removed from the original plan to reduce the overall cost, which had initially been estimated at approximately $4.5 million. He clarified that the $2 million budget covered all phases of the south side only. He 7 noted that plans for the north side have not been finalized, and that development of that portion is not expected for another eight to ten years. He confirmed that the current discussion focused solely on the small triangular section of the park. He added that additional progress would likely require further funding, potentially through donations. Recreation Director Lewis explained that city staff have been actively pursuing grants as part of the funding strategy. A significant grant had been received for trees, which allowed those resources to be used across several ongoing projects. He said Mayor Merrill asked him to present an idea to the committee for feedback. Mayor Merrill proposed hosting a citywide tree-planting event on Arbor Day. The event is intended to take place throughout the city, and the committee was asked whether they might be interested in participating. The proposed date for the Arbor Day tree-planting event is April 24. At this time, no additional details were available, but he stated that more information would be gathered and shared as planning progressed. Committee Member Stutz asked about the size of the trees, with clarification sought on whether they would be small enough to plant without heavy equipment. Recreation Director Lewis indicated that the expectation is for smaller trees, although the size has not been confirmed. The plan was to order the trees and store them at R&D Nursery until they could be distributed and planted in various locations. Recreation Director Lewis explained that some trees would be planted at Don Jo Complex, some at Steiner Park, some at Teton River South, and additional trees would be placed in other locations under consideration. He emphasized that tree selection has been discussed with Greg McInnes, who expressed a preference for species that would be easier to maintain and would not complicate ongoing park operations. Committee Member Stutz suggested that the college students could be involved in helping to plant the trees. Recreation Director Lewis noted that the college already participated in service projects and is often looking for volunteer opportunities, along with other campus groups. Recreation Director Lewis reported over the past month, much of his attention has been focused on the ice rink, but with spring approaching, preparations are beginning for the upcoming season. Plans have been finalized, and he intends to participate in the interview process for parks staff to ensure stronger staff and better support for ongoing park projects. One major initiative discussed with Greg was the creation of a specialized project crew. While the regular maintenance team would continue routine work like weed trimming, this project crew would focus on smaller improvement projects—such as scraping and repainting shelters or completing other enhancements to improve the overall appearance of the parks. Committee Member Stutz asked about the ducks at the Nature Park and whether they would return. Council Member Johnson clarified that the city had not removed the ducks; rather, the ducks had naturally died off over time. People had been known to release ducks into the park, and at times individuals had rescued or rehabilitated them. Committee Member Stutz said this winter marked the first season in some years without ducks at the Nature Park. She confirmed that the city was not responsible for their absence. Committee Member Isaacson asked about the progress with working with the BYU-Idaho University Recreation Management Department students. Recreation Director Lewis reported good progress with engaging students from the Recreation Management Department, he summarized some of those benefits: • Strong student engagement: Several Recreation Management students from BYU–Idaho signed on to intern, with three students ready to start and more in progress. • Recruitment advantage: Teaching as an adjunct and speaking in classes helped generate student interest. • Flexible internship program: Students can continue after internships in a permanent part-time role (up to 30 hours/week) without mandatory seasonal breaks. • Retention improvement: This flexibility addresses past seasonal limitations and helps retain students long-term; two former interns are still working with the city. • Effective collaboration: Working with professors and campus events successfully connect students to opportunities and strengthens staffing for park operations. 8 Committee Member Erickson asked about a maintenance plan for Eagle Park this coming year. Recreation Director Lewis said the Parks Department has not developed a detailed maintenance plan for Eagle Park for the coming year. The only action that has been scheduled is to spray weed control, which needed to be done soon to avoid issues with snow. He also discussed with Greg the possibility of sending their crew into the park a few times during the year, or possibly more, to maintain areas deeper in the park, not just the front section with the open grass. Committee Member Handcock said he visited Porter Park three times that week and noticed several maintenance issues. The Northwest garbage receptacle had two broken boards that needed replacement, and he assumed the city had a supply for such repairs. He expressed concern that the city should prioritize maintaining existing parks before investing in new ones. Committee Member Handcock reported the swing has still not been fixed, despite having informed Greg to inspect and repair it; it has been laying broken for at least three or four days. He also commented on the poor condition of the outdoor fireplace, noting that he has submitted bids from masons to repair it, but the city did not consider it worth repairing. Additionally, signs in the park are deteriorating and falling apart, which reflected poorly on the city’s image. Committee Member Handcock said he observed that, due to a winter with little snow, Porter Park ha s effectively become a dog park. People were allowing their dogs to roam their off leash, leaving numerous piles of dog waste throughout the park. He suggested installing doggy bag receptacles in at least two locations as a potential solution. Committee Member Handcock also noted that the north bathroom remained closed and inaccessible to the public, and that piles of pine boughs and dead branches have not been picked up. Several garbage cans were full or half-full, and he personally collected multiple buckets of trash that morning, indicating a lack of regular maintenance. Additionally, he highlighted a trench left from a former sprinkler system, which posed a liability concern and had not been addressed despite previous discussions. He expressed frustration that, despite identifying multiple issues in the park, little action ha s been taken. Committee Member Handcock said the broken swing is preventing children from using the playground, and the accumulation of dog waste discouraged families from using the open fields. He suggested using social media, including police and Facebook pages, to inform the public. He also recommended putting up doggy bag posts and leash reminder signs to encourage compliance with city ordinances. Overall, he stressed the urgent need for maintenance and enforcement to make the park safe and enjoyable for the community. Committee Member Isaacson explained that he has not recently visited Eagle Park because, during winters, the park is usually covered in snow. Another participant noted that, since the snow ha s not fully covered the parks this year, it is accessible and should be checked. Recreation Director Lewis acknowledged that winter work typically keeps their resources elsewhere, but due to unusual weather, the crew ha s been doing other projects and could now focus more on park maintenance. He said he would supervise and follow up more closely. Recreation Director Lewis said he is overseeing the work being completed at the parks. Council Member Johnson suggested assigning part-time staff to address issues like picking up dog waste to avoid conflict with other crew members. They also discussed the possibility of creating smaller teams that could compete to maintain parks, potentially motivating better performance. Committee Member Erickson asked about the installation of lights for the pickleball court. Recreation Director Lewis indicated that the system is currently powered only by the breaker box, limiting public access, but proposed having staff or recreation employees manage turning lights on and off. Committee Member Isaacson reported on the condition of Eagle Park, noting that trees had been cleared since August, creating more open space. While this increased safety, it reduced the natural, wild feel of the park. He also noted that vegetation was growing back thicker than before. He mentioned the aftermath of tree clearing at Eagle Park. He noted that many areas that had been cleared were now overrun with thick aspen saplings, growing just inches apart, which created a new problem. He also highlighted that efforts to remove roses and 9 willows were largely ineffective because these plants grew back quickly, leading to frustration about wasted money and resources. While some tree removal is necessary to eliminate hazard trees, he felt that much of the clearing had been excessive. Committee Member Erickson said despite these challenges, he saw potential in Eagle Park but was discouraged by the current direction of maintenance and decision-making. Committee Member Isaacson mentioned the issue with the unpleasant odors in the park. Committee Member Erickson suggested potential solutions, including solar-powered fans to redirect the smell and plant scent-filtering vines or bushes along the park fence to reduce odors. Recreation Director Lewis announced that they would set up a Zoom meeting every six weeks to continue discussing ongoing issues but invited participants to reach out any time before then if needed. Adjournment: 6:30 P.M.