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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - March 4, 2026 1 (208) 359-3020 35 North 1st East Rexburg, ID 83440 Rexburg.org | Engage.Rexburg.org City Council Minutes – March 4, 2026 Mayor Jerry Merrill Council Members: Bryanna Johnson David Reeser Colin Erickson Bill Riggins Eric Erickson Alisha Tietjen 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 Member Tietjen said the prayer. Council Member Johnson led the pledge. Roll Call of Council Members: Attending: Council Member Johnson, Council Member Tietjen, Council Member C. Erickson, Council Member Reeser, Council Member Riggins, Council President E. Erickson, and Mayor Merrill. Welcome New Employees: Tanner Grover – Waste Water Collections Tanner Grover introduced himself, he explained that he is from the Rigby–Rexburg area. He graduated from Madison High School and previously worked for UPS and Golden West Irrigation. He also shared that he enjoys snowmobiling and observing wildlife. 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. Jason Allred expressed his deep respect for the City Council and their ongoing commitment to the Rexburg Police Department. He acknowledged that the City Council attempted to address critical infrastructure needs through the proposed bond and said he appreciates the stated goal of keeping the city’s outreach educational. However, after reviewing the minutes from the January 21st City Council meeting minutes, when the City Council made the decision to place the police station bond up for another vote, he said he has become concerned that the city’s strategy crossed the legal line from providing neutral information to actively persuading voters. He stated that, in his view, this would violate the Public Integrity and Elections Act under Idaho Code Section 74. Jason Allred explained that the law prohibited the use of public meetings, public funds, or government outreach efforts to advocate for a “yes” vote or to influence voters regarding a bond election. He then outlined five specific concerns that he believed demonstrated violations of that law. First, he described what he called targeting for persuasion. He said that the Portman Square consultant, Amy Holly, had identified a segment of the community as the “movable middle,” referring to voters who could potentially be persuaded to support the bond through city efforts. He said that using taxpayer- funded surveys to identify residents who might be persuaded resembled a political campaign and should be done by political organizations rather than city government. Second, he discussed what he described as strategic timing for promotional activity. He said Council President Eric Erickson had stated that ensuring voter support was critical and had warned that holding the vote in May could risk another failure. Mr. Allred stated this suggests the City Council is considering the election timing based on how it might influence the likelihood of the bond passing. Third, he referred to what he called favorable election windows. He said Mayor Merrill had noted that a November election could be uncertain if other entities, such as the school district, proposed their own bond measures. According to Mr. Allred, the mayor’s support for the May election indicated that the vote was being scheduled at a time believed to be more favorable for passage. Fourth, he raised concerns about influencing voters who might otherwise vote no. He said Council Member Tietjen had commented that outreach efforts, such as door hangers, were important because some voters only learned about issues when they appeared on the ballot. He said she had suggested that seeing a reduced bond amount could prompt some voters who might otherwise vote “no” to support the measure. Fifth, he discussed what he called mitigating tax concerns. He said Amy Holly had noted that residents’ concerns about taxes could potentially be mitigated through additional information. Mr. Allred explained that if the goal of providing information was to reduce voter concern so they would vote yes, it would no longer qualify as neutral education. He 2 also referenced a comment by the mayor that voter concerns about taxes were an educational matter. Mr. Allred noted that, under Idaho law, the city’s role was to provide information about the cost, purpose, and consequences of the bond, not to “bridge the gap to a supermajority.” He added that the city attorney, Spencer Ramel, had warned that if the city’s actions were viewed as advocacy, it could risk invalidating the election results. Allred stated that, in his opinion, the actions described in the meeting minutes already constituted advocacy and therefore violated state law. Mr. Allred concluded by urging the City Council to stop attempts to persuade what had been called the “movable middle.” He asked the City Council to protect the integrity of the election by providing only neutral facts and allowing the voters of Rexburg to decide without the influence of what he described as a government-funded persuasion campaign. He also suggested that voters should receive equal information about potential negative impacts of the bond, including effects on traffic, noise, and property values near Pioneer Road. Mayor Merrill thanked Mr. Allred for his comments and concerns. He said he will refer to the city’s legal counsel for review. An audience member expressed her appreciation to the City Council for not cutting down the tree located on the northwest corner of Teton River Park area near the river. She mentioned the tree looked great after being trimmed and described it as an “awesome tree.” She added that it has the potential to become a heritage tree in the future. Mayor Merrill thanked the speaker for the comment and said he appreciated the feedback. He said it takes a long time for a tree to grow that large and explained that he did not want it to be cut down. Staff Reports: A. Parks & Recreation: - Jon Lewis 1. Update on Teton River Park and Steiner Park Construction Recreation Director Lewis gave an update on the construction of Teton River Park and Steiner Park. He explained that the Teton River Park project had been in development for quite some time and that construction has finally begun. Crews are already on site starting the grading work, and the Parks Department hopes construction will progress smoothly. He also informed the City Council about a change to the planned bouldering area. Originally, the design included three large boulders and two smaller ones. The plan has been adjusted to include four larger climbing boulders, along with smaller rocks for younger children to climb and play on. The goal is to make the feature appealing for people of different ages and skill levels, from beginners to those seeking a greater challenge. Council Member Johnson asked how tall the tallest boulders will be. Recreation Director Lewis responded that the tallest boulder will be about 14 feet, which would present a challenge but still be manageable. Council Member Tietjen raised concerns about safety and liability, asking whether the city could face legal issues if someone fell and injury occured. Recreation Director Lewis explained that the climbing area would include a soft impact pad beneath the structures. He also noted that users should understand their own abilities and that parents should supervise younger children. City Attorney Rammell added that the feature would be built according to industry safety standards, similar to other playground equipment in public parks. He noted that municipalities cannot completely eliminate liability, but following established safety standards helps mitigate risks. Recreation Director Lewis also mentioned that signage would be installed, which is common in parks. Council Member Reeser asked whether the boulders would be natural stone or manufactured. Recreation Director Lewis explained that the larger climbing boulders would be manufactured, while some smaller natural stones would also be placed in the area for children to climb on. He noted that the manufactured climbing structures are quite expensive. 3 Recreation Director Lewis presented a design concept for Steiner Park, explaining that the design is not yet finalized but is being shared with the City Council for feedback. The plan included a pavilion near the parking lot, a fenced playground, walking trails, and open grassy areas. The playground would be enclosed with a fence to help prevent small children from wandering toward a nearby canal. The park would initially be flood irrigated, similar to other areas in the region. The city planned to conduct further testing to determine whether this irrigation method would work well for the park. Council Member Johnson asked about how long water would remain on the field during irrigation. Recreation Director Lewis explained that in similar parks the water usually remained for around a day, and in some communities children actually enjoy playing in the water during that time. Discussion about the open field areas, which would not be designated as official sports fields. Instead, they would remain flexible spaces where people could play frisbee, practice sports, or use the area recreationally. Council Member C. Erickson asked whether a disc golf course could be added. Recreation Director Lewis explained that the park likely would not have enough space for a proper course and that it could create safety concerns with other park users. He noted that larger areas in the northern section of Teton River Park might be more suitable for something like that in the future. Recreation Director Lewis said the city hopes to begin development of Steiner Park later in the summer, though a final timeline has not yet been established. Some funding for the project would likely come from urban renewal funds. Mayor Merrill also mentioned a cost-saving approach for the grassy areas. Since part of the land has previously been pasture, the Parks Department plans to start mowing the existing grass rather than completely reseeding, which could save a significant amount of money. Trees will be planted using funds from a tree grant, along with irrigation to support proper establishment and growth. Council Member Tietjen asked whether Teton River Park is being funded entirely by a grant. Mayor Merill clarified that it is budgeted by the city, although the city regularly applies for grants to help offset park development costs when possible. Council Member Tietjen asked about maintaining existing parks, noting that some residents have expressed concerns about maintenance while the city is developing new parks. Recreation Director Lewis acknowledged that there are areas needing improvement and said he is working with the parks crew to develop plans to address maintenance issues during the upcoming season. Mayor Merrill added that some maintenance problems the previous year were caused by a major irrigation line break at Riverside Park, which left fields without water for an extended period. While there are always occasional equipment repairs and delays, he said the city generally receives positive feedback about park maintenance and intends to continue improving it. B. Police: - Josh Rhodes and Gary Hagen 1. Police Facility Bond Police Chief Rhodes explained that since the City Council approved moving forward with the Police Facility bond, the committee has been meeting every Thursday to work on a plan to educate the community and provide as much information as possible. He noted that there have been many questions and concerns raised by the public, especially through social media and community surveys. Because of this, the Police Department’s goal has been to ensure transparency and access to accurate information. The first step is updating the city’s website page with new information about the project. Chief Rhodes explained that the website now contained detailed information so residents could better understand the proposal. The site included updates on: 4 • The changes made to the project • Updated square footage and cost information • The layout and conceptual design • Results from the community survey He credited city staff for doing a significant amount of work organizing the information and helping make it accessible to the public. Chief Rhodes explained that the conceptual design has been reduced from the original proposal, with the removal of previously planned “gray space.” However, the design still allowed for future expansion if the city needed additional space 20 to 30 years from now. He also highlighted the FAQ section on the website, which addressed many of the common questions being asked by residents. Many of those questions have been gathered from social media discussions and public feedback. The content has been reviewed with assistance from the bond counsel and legal counsel to ensure the information remained factual and educational. Chief Rhode said the Police Department is also working to provide data and statistics to address community concerns. For example, some residents had raised concerns about noise from emergency vehicles at the proposed site. He explained that the Police Department is reviewing statistics to determine how often officers leave the station with lights and sirens activated. He noted that many emergency sirens heard in the area currently come from fire or ambulance vehicles, which can sometimes be mistaken for police responses. In addition, the department had been looking at traffic data for Pioneer Road and gathering information that could help evaluate the potential impact of the proposed police station location. Chief Rhodes also said that one officer has spent time analyzing police response times. They compared response times from the current station location to important locations in the city—such as Walmart, the BYU–Idaho campus, the high school, and junior high schools—with projected response times from the proposed Pioneer Road location. The analysis showed both advantages and disadvantages. For example, response times from the Pioneer Road location to the hospital would likely be slower compared to the current location. However, response times to other areas —such as parts of the BYU–Idaho campus, the high school, and other elementary schools—could be faster. He emphasized that the department is continuing to gather and present information so residents can understand both the benefits and potential drawbacks of the project. The goal is to provide the community with clear data so they can make an informed decision about the bond proposal. Chief Rhodes continued explaining that the committee meets every Thursday with Portman Square and the city’s media team to make sure the information being shared with the public is accurate and educational. He said the city has also added a tax impact calculator to the website so residents could estimate how the proposed bond might affect them. The calculator helps explain the difference between the total cost of the project and the taxable cost, which determines how the bond would impact property taxes. The website also includes contact forms and ways for residents to submit questions. Portman Square has been helping the city draft responses to those questions to ensure the replies remained neutral and informational rather than persuasive. 5 Chief Rhodes addressed concerns about low voter turnout in the previous election. Because of that, the city is including information on the website explaining how people could participate in the election process. This included details about: • Early voting • Absentee voting • How to register to vote He explained that the goal is to help residents understand how to participate so the city can receive a broader range of public input. In addition to the website updates, the city is planning an educational outreach effort on social media. Posts cover different aspects of the police station proposal, with the information tied back to the detailed explanations already provided on the website. The full communication plan is still being finalized. Chief Rhodes also announced plans for several public engagement opportunities, including: • Town hall meetings (including one scheduled for a Saturday) • Three scheduled tours of the current police station These tours would allow residents to see the current facility and better understand the department’s space limitations. He added that the department already held informal tours to community members who stopped by the station, whenever staffing and workload allowed. Mr. Allred asked whether the city would include negative information or potential drawbacks, not just benefits—in the materials being shared publicly. Chief Rhodes responded that the department intended to include both pros and cons. As an example, he referenced the response time analysis, which would show both positive and negative changes depending on the location being evaluated. Some areas would see improved response times from the new location, while others could experience slightly slower responses. Mr. Allred cautioned that while increasing voter turnout is positive, it could become problematic if the goal of encouraging turnout was to influence the election outcome. Chief Rhodes clarified that the Police Department understood those legal boundaries. He emphasized that the goal is not to influence the outcome, but rather to gather a clearer picture of public opinion and address the questions residents have raised. Mayor Merrill explained that if many residents voted and the measure still failed, that would clearly show the community’s position. The city desires a more accurate reflection of what the public truly desires, rather than a result determined by a small number of voters. He said the department’s efforts— such as town halls, station tours, and the FAQ section on the website—are intended to answer questions and gather feedback so the city could better understand and serve the community. Council Member Tietjen asked whether Portman Square’s fees were reduced, noting that during earlier discussions the City Council discussed negotiating a lower rate for their work related to the bond. Chief Rhodes responded that Portman Square did lower their rates. He explained that city Finance Officer Nielson has detailed pricing information. Chief Rhodes mentioned that Portman Square has been very helpful to work with, particularly in responding quickly to questions and concerns from the public. Their role also included helping the city ensure that responses to public inquiries are accurate and appropriately worded. He explained that the committee is also working with city Communication Specialist Sarah Kennett-Cromwell to develop prepared responses for commonly asked questions. Many residents have been asking similar questions, so having consistent, accurate answers prepared helps the city respond more quickly while maintaining correct information. Their goal is to continue finding ways to share information with as many residents as possible, so the public clearly understands what the proposed bond involves. Council Member C. Erickson acknowledged the effort required to gather information, organize meetings, and communicate with the public, and expressed appreciation for their work in helping provide information to the community. C. Public Works: - Keith Davidson 1. Idaho Transportation Department Supplement Agreement Key No. 23330 – Barney Dairy Rd to 7th North Action Item Public Works Director Davidson explained that the supplement agreement would add approximately $527,000 to the design contract. The project involves the design of a road and bridge connecting Barney Dairy Road to 7th North, running roughly along 9th East. As the design process progressed and additional studies were completed with LHTAC (Local Highway Technical Assistance Council), several extra requirements were identified. These added elements that increased the design costs. Public Works Director Davidson explained that LHTAC will fund most of the additional cost, while the city will be responsible for a small portion—just over 7% of the total costs. Council President E. 6 Erickson asked to confirm that the request is only for the design phase, not construction. Public Works Director Davidson confirmed that this request is specifically for the design work. Public Works Director Davidson explained that the construction costs are estimated to be a little over $11 million for the road and bridge project. Originally, the project was expected to cost around $6– 7 million, but the estimates increased as the design progressed. Funding for construction is expected to come from LHTAC as well as Urban Renewal funds. However, the construction funding from LHTAC has not been fully secured. Mayor Merrill asked whether LHTAC typically funds construction after already funding the design. Public Works Director Davidson explained that, in many cases, once LHTAC invests in the design phase, they do typically move forward with construction funding. The overall cost of this project has increased significantly, there was initially some uncertainty; however, LHTAC officials indicated they are optimistic about securing the funding, potentially through a state bridge funding program that LHTAC can access. Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve the Idaho Transportation Department Supplement Agreement Key No. 23330 – Barney Dairy Rd to 7th North; Council Member Riggins seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson Council Member Tietjen Council Member C. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council Member Riggins Council President E. Erickson The motion carried. Public Works Director Davidson informed the City Council that Max Egbert, the city’s Maintenance Facility Coordinator, has retired earlier than expected. He explained that he had originally planned to hire a new full-time employee to work alongside Max for about a year so that he could train them before his retirement. However, due to some unexpected changes, Max retired on February 20, earlier than the city had planned. Since then, he has started interviewing candidates to fill the position. During the interview process, they identified two strong candidates. Because of this, the department proposed hiring both individuals instead of just one. Public Works Director Davidson added that hiring both candidates is financially feasible because the budget had already included funding for Max and an additional employee during the training period. One of the candidates is a journeyman electrician, which would provide valuable skills for the city. Having an electrician on staff would benefit several areas, including: • Building maintenance • Streetlight repairs • Traffic signal systems • Electrical work in water and wastewater facilities Previously, the city had relied partly on help from the Building Department Electrical Inspector, Alex Owens, but due to increased construction activity in the city, Alex has become too busy to assist with city maintenance work. As a result, the city has been hiring outside contractors for more electrical work, which has increased costs. Because of this, the department believed hiring the electrician would be a valuable long-term investment. Council Member C. Erickson commented that this idea had already been discussed during the previous budget process, when the city had planned to bring in an electrician to reduce outside contracting costs. He also noted that Max’s earlier-than-expected retirement created a challenge, since there would now be less time for training and knowledge transfer, especially for complex systems such as the city swimming pool operations. Public Works Director Davidson explained that most of the funding for the position would come from public works budgets, including streets, water, and wastewater, with only a small portion coming from the general fund. The additional employee would also provide backup for building maintenance duties, which previously relied heavily on Max alone. Council Member Johnson asked when Max had originally planned to retire. Public Works Director Davidson responded that the city had expected him to retire next year, which would have allowed for a full year of training for the new employee. That training would have been especially important for systems such as: 7 • The city swimming pool • The upcoming ice rink • The splash park • HVAC systems in city buildings Despite retiring early, Max has indicated he is still willing to help occasionally and assist with training the new employees if needed. He added that any necessary budget adjustments related to the change will be addressed at the next City Council meeting. Public Works Director Davidson reviewed the city’s sidewalk replacement criteria. He explained that Council Member Johnson suggested reviewing the policy so that new council members could better understand the standards the city uses when deciding whether sidewalks need to be replaced. He noted that the criteria are posted on the city’s website so residents can see what engineers evaluate when determining whether a sidewalk, curb, or gutter needs replacement, particularly during Local Improvement District (LID) street reconstruction projects. The main factors the city considers include safety hazards and the overall condition of the sidewalk. He outlined several specific criteria used during inspections: • Vertical displacement greater than ½ inch, which can create a tripping hazard. • Separation between the sidewalk and the back of the curb of 1½ inches or more. When this gap forms, water can run between the curb and sidewalk, eroding the ground underneath and creating voids that weaken the structure. • Spalling or surface damage, where the surface of the concrete breaks down. Typically, this applies when about 50% of the slab is damaged to a depth of at least ¼ inch. • Missing pieces or chunks of concrete that could create tripping hazards. • Cracks or fissures, such as when a sidewalk section has 10 feet or more of cracking, or when a crack is ½ inch or wider for at least three feet. • Voids or depressions where water could collect and freeze, creating ice hazards. • Locations where no sidewalk exist, which may require installation when street reconstruction occurs. Council Member Johnson explained that she had requested the discussion because of a recent sidewalk replacement case discussed in a previous meeting. Since she lived near the location, she had gone to look at it herself and had taken photos. She asked which specific criteria the sidewalk in question met. Public Works Director Davidson responded that the north section likely met the criteria, particularly because the crack appeared to be wider than ½ inch, and there were also other cracks and small holes that could fall within the replacement guidelines. Council Member Johnson said that when she personally inspected the sidewalk with her husband, it did not appear to meet the criteria clearly. She expressed concern that the standard might be too strict, especially given the region’s harsh climate, which can cause sidewalks to crack and weather quickly. She suggested that instead of requiring full replacement, the city might consider grinding down the uneven surface in some cases. She felt this could help maintain trust with residents by avoiding unnecessary replacement costs, particularly when sidewalks that are only around 10 years old already show some wear. Council Member Riggins shared his professional perspective about why sidewalk cracks can become a bigger problem over time, especially in climates like Rexburg’s. He explained that the region experiences repeated freeze-and-thaw cycles, where water enters cracks in the concrete, freezes, expands, and then melts again. Each time this happens, the crack becomes wider. Even if the surface is ground down to make it level, the underlying issue remains. The next year, the sidewalk can shift again as water enters the crack, freezes, and expands beneath the concrete. He also noted that once water begins getting underneath the sidewalk, it can cause the slab to swell and lift. This ongoing movement means that simply grinding the surface may only be a temporary solution, and the problem could return repeatedly over time. Council Member Riggins added that concrete will naturally crack no matter what, but the way it cracks and shifts can depend on how it was built. He suggested that in many cases there may be no steel 8 reinforcement inside the sidewalk, which would normally help hold the concrete together and reduce separation when cracks form. He raised a question about construction standards during neighborhood development. Specifically, whether the city requires builders to prepare the proper base material beneath the concrete when sidewalks are first installed. A properly prepared base can help control movement and reduce cracking over time. He emphasized that water is one of the most destructive forces affecting concrete. Once cracks develop, water will continue to enter, freeze, and expand each year, gradually making the problem worse and causing continued movement in the sidewalk. Council Member Johnson responded that her main concern is the financial burden on residents. She said that many residents had told her the bills for sidewalk replacement are too expensive, and she is trying to think of any possible ways to help lower those costs. She said if sidewalks need to be replaced after only a few years, that standard might be too strict, especially given the local climate. She explained that in Rexburg’s conditions, sidewalks might be repaired or replaced and then develop similar cracks again within just a few years because of freeze-thaw cycles. Because of that, she wondered if there might be ways to make the process easier and less expensive for residents, such as grinding or other repairs instead of full replacement. Public Works Director Davidson responded that the cracks in the sidewalk pictured look like something heavy was driven over it, which may have caused the cracking. He said that most homeowners do not typically repair their sidewalks on their own. While there are some residents who voluntarily choose to fix their sidewalks, that is not very common throughout the community. He also explained that the city only requires sidewalk replacement during street reconstruction projects, the city typically won’t be returning to that area for another 30, 40, or even 50 years. Because of that long timeframe, engineers try to ensure the sidewalk is in good condition when the work is completed. Public Works Director Davidson acknowledged the concern, noting that if the city were requiring homeowners to fix sidewalks every few years, that would indeed be unreasonable. However, the intention is that once repairs are completed, the sidewalks should last many decades before the city returns for another reconstruction project. Council Member Reeser asked whether there might be a way to seal cracks to prevent water from entering and causing further damage. Public Works Director replied that there are some methods people try, such as filling cracks or sealing them, but because of concrete expansion and contracts with temperature changes, these repairs often do not last very long. In many cases, by the time the labor and materials are considered, it can be cheaper to remove the damaged section and pour new concrete. Mayor Merrill added that in some situations where a sidewalk slab is only slightly lifted, the city has sometimes been able to grind down the raised edge to eliminate the tripping hazard while leaving the rest of the slab intact. That can be a quick and cost-effective fix when the concrete itself is still in good condition. Public Works Director Davidson agreed that if a homeowner proposed a solution such as grinding or another repair method, the city reviews the solution and decides whether it would be acceptable. However, many of the different types of repairs costs could sometimes become as high or higher than simply replacing the slab of sidewalk. Public Works Director Davidson added that the LID Committee is scheduled to meet the following evening at 5:00 p.m. to continue discussing ideas and possible improvements related to the program and sidewalk replacement process. Mayor Merrill reported on the Jon Schmidt concert fundraiser that had recently taken place. There were two events associated with it: a gala on Friday night and the concert on Saturday night. While the final numbers were not yet confirmed, he estimated that around $150,000 was raised between the two events, with approximately $40,000–$50,000 coming from the gala alone. He said both events were very successful and well attended, and that people seemed to really enjoy them. He expressed appreciation to BYU–Idaho for helping with the venue and assisting with ticket sales and logistics, as well as Beehive Credit Union for sponsoring Jon Schmidt and helping to bring him to Rexburg. Mayor Merrill also reported that he had recently attended several ribbon cuttings around town for new businesses. Many of them were locally owned small businesses, though some larger national chains are also preparing to open. He said it is encouraging to see so much business activity happening in the community. Mayor Merrill announced that the city would be hosting a business competition this coming Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. The event would run for several hours, and people could come and observe the presentations throughout the day. He suggested that anyone interested could talk with Economic Director Scott Johnson or Aaron Denney for more details. Mayor Merrill reported on a meeting he attended that morning with the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC). He explained that the committee meets once a month and includes representatives from several organizations, such as: • The hospital 9 • The health department • Schools • Church organizations • BYU–Idaho • Various city departments During this meeting they conducted a tabletop emergency exercise focused on measles outbreaks, since a recent measles case reported in Madison County, linked to an outbreak in Utah. The group discussed how different organizations would coordinate responses and what steps would be taken in the event of a larger outbreak. He explained that these meetings are meant to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities during emergencies, helping the community respond in a coordinated way if something serious happens. Mayor Merrill mentioned that earlier that day city employees participated in a safety training held in the council chambers. The training covered emergency procedures for different situations, including severe weather, fires, and active shooter scenarios. Staff reviewed evacuation routes and discussed how to respond to different types of emergencies. Council Member Tietjen asked whether similar emergency training courses would be held for other city buildings. Mayor Merrill responded the training that day was specifically for City Hall, but he would check with staff to see whether additional drills could be scheduled for other facilities. Council Member Tietjen suggested including buildings such as the Tabernacle, where evacuation planning is important. Mayor Merrill also mentioned that he had been invited to the Senior Center luncheon to give another State of the City address. During the visit, attendees asked many questions about new businesses coming to town and future developments. He said it was an enjoyable opportunity to talk with residents. He also noted that the presentation had been recorded by East Idaho News and Channel 8, and that the full 48-minute video could be viewed on their Facebook pages for anyone interested. Items of Consideration: NONE Calendared Bills: A. Second Reading: Those items which have been first read: 1. Ordinance No 1344 Annexation and Rezone of approximately 1600 N 2nd E into the City of Rexburg and to rezone from Transitional Agriculture (TAG) to Community Business Center (CBC) zone, file #25-01351 – Alan Parkinson Action Item ORDINANCE NO. 1344 Annexation of Approximately 1600 N 2nd E in the Impact Area of the City of Rexburg into the City of Rexburg, Madison, Idaho and Rezone from Transitional Agriculture (TAG) to Community Business Center (CBC) Zone AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN LANDS TO THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO; DESCRIBING SAID LANDS AND DECLARING SAME A PART OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO; AND AMENDING AND CHANGING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, AND THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE SAME UNDER THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO; AND PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE. 10 Council Member Johnson moved to approve Ordinance No 1344 the Annexation of approximately 1600 N 2nd E into the City of Rexburg and to rezone of said property from Transitional Agriculture (TAG) to Community Business Center (CBC) zone and consider second read; Council Member Reeser seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson Council Member Tietjen Council Member C. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council Member Riggins Council President E. Erickson The motion carried. 2. Ordinance No 1345 Creation of Local Improvement District 55 (LID55). Boundaries encompass real property primarily along Birch Ave., Ash Ave., 4th West from 2nd South to 5th South, 7th South from 12th W to the west end of Summerfield Subdivision as well as several miscellaneous properties – Keith Davidson Action Item LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 55 CREATION ORDINANCE ORDINANCE NO. 1345 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, CREATING LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 55; 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 C. Erickson moved to approve Ordinance No 1345 the Creation of Local Improvement District 55 (LID 55). The boundaries encompass real property primarily along Birch Ave., Ash Ave., 4th West from 2nd South to 5th South, the west end of Summerfield Subdivision as well as several miscellaneous properties, excluding 7th South from 12th West to Highway 20 contingent upon the City Council review of administrative fees and any other possible cost components to minimize the financial impact on homeowners, while still moving forward with the remainder of the project and consider second read; Council President E. Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Tietjen Council Member Johnson Council Member C. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council Member Riggins Council President E. Erickson The motion carried. B. Third Reading: Those items which have been second read: 1. Ordinance No 1343 Rexburg Police Facility Bond Election Ordinance to seek funding for construction of a new police facility in the May 19, 2026, Election – Matt Nielson ORDINANCE NO. 1343 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 QUESTION OF THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $14,995,000 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 11 Council President E. Erickson addressed City Attorney Rammell and asked whether, considering the concerns that were raised earlier in the meeting, if he saw any legal issues with moving forward. City Attorney Rammell responded that he did not see an issue moving forward. Council Member Riggins moved to approve Ordinance No 1343 Rexburg Police Facility Bond Election Ordinance to seek funding for construction of a new police facility in the May 19, 2026, and consider third read Election Council Member C. Erickson seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson Council Member Tietjen Council Member C. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council Member Riggins Council President E. Erickson 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 February 18, 2026, Meeting - Action Item B. Approve Payment of the City of Rexburg Bills - Action Item Council Member C. Erickson moved to approve the Consent Calendar containing the minutes and city bills; Council Member Riggins seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Tietjen Council Member C. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council Member Riggins Council President E. Erickson The motion carried. Roll call vote to move into Executive Session as per Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(f) To communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated - Action Item Council Member Riggins moved to enter Executive Session as per Idaho State Statute Idaho State Statute §74-206(1)(f) To communicate with legal counsel for the public agency to discuss the legal ramifications of and legal options for pending litigation, or controversies not yet being litigated but imminently likely to be litigated; Council Member Reeser seconded the motion; Mayor Merrill asked for a vote: Those voting aye Those voting nay Council Member Johnson none Council Member Tietjen Council Member C. Erickson Council Member Reeser Council Member Riggins Council President E. Erickson The motion carried. Executive Session Began 7:45 P.M. Executive Session Ended 8:37 P.M. 12 Adjournment 8:39 P.M. APPROVED: ________________________________ Jerry Merrill, Mayor Attest: ________________________________ Marianna Gonzalez, City Deputy Clerk