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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981.09.09 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES1 RE: ADJOURN A motion was made by Nile Boyle and seconded by.Jim.Morris to adjourn. All Aye. C. May John C. Porter City Clerkse Bagley MINUTES OF A SPECIAL BUDGET HEARING September 9, 1981 State of Idaho) County cf Madison( City of Rexburg) A Budget Hearing of the City Council for the City of Rexburg, Madison County, held September 9, 1981, at the City Hall. Present were the following: Mayor: Councilman: John C. Porter Sander Larson Morgan Garner Nile Boyle Jim Morris Glen Pond Councilwoman: Darlene Blackburn Also Present: Rose Bagley, City Clerk Richard Horner, City Treasurer Mary Smith City Attorney Mayor Porter told the council there were two or three items that needed to be discussed before the hearing. A resolution was read by Mayor Porter proclaiming a General City Election to be held on November 3, 1981, designating the polling places, designating the registrar and deputy registrars, and ordering the city clerk to give notice of such election. The boundaries of the precincts will remain the same. The following are designated as the polling places for such election: FOR THE FIRST PRECINCT: Adams School FOR THE SECOND PRECINCT: Washington School FOR THE THIRD PRECINCT: Erickson Pontiac FOR THE FOURTH PRECINCT: Lincoln School That Rose Bagley, City Clerk, is hereby designated as Registrar and the following as Deputy Registrars: Nancy Otteson, Deputy City Clerk, Marie Hathaway, Deputy City Clerk; Barbara Sorenson, First Precinct; Laurie Dance, Second Precinct; Joan Brunson, Third Precinct; Joyce Larsen, Fourth Precinct. A motion was made by Morgan Garner and seconded by Nile Boyle to pass the resolution. Those Voting Aye: Those Voting Nay Darlene Blackburn Sander Larson Morgan Garner Nile Boyle Jim Morris Glen Pond None The mayor told the council he had not been able to find an appeals board for mobile homes yet. The mayor told the council Steve Meikle has moved, leaving a vacancy on the Golf Board, he suggested appointing Keith Larson to this board. About 20 persons attended the public hearing including State Legislator, Mark Ricks and Representative Mel Hammond, also some city employees were present. The proposed budget was presented, by the Mayor. (copy attached) He explained the Police, Fire and Street Department should be financed through the property tax. The Utilities should pay their own way, because of the freeze on our property taxes they can't be raised. 5 �l Paul Carver ask about the students using facilities in Rexburg and not paying taxes. Ross Reese stated if people want services they will have to pay for them. The legislature might help us get some action but it won't be soon enough. He ask how soon we could get help from the override election, and how much money we need to raise. He told the council and mayor he thought they had done a marvelous job. The mayor told the group, what we want to decide are the ways we can make up the amount the city is short on the budget and make it balance. The police wanted two cars and they have been cut to one car. They wanted another man, this man has been cut, also possibly one other officer might have to be cut; four other employees are possibly going to be cut. We are going to cut out some of the street lights by turning off every other one. Cliff Jaussi said if all taxes increase, he did not know how he could make enough money to pay utilities and where are we going go get money to keep going. The Mayor told the group to make the budget balance we have raised water, garbage and sewer rates. We have reached a limit as to what we can raise. We have had a lot of complaints on water bills, everyone has used a lot more water. He read quotes from people complaining to the girls in the office about their high bills which he had overheard, so he knew there was a problem. Many people have questioned the reads and we have sent the water men out to read the meters over, they have probably re -read about 30 meters in the past week. He also explained the trees and flowers on main street have been put in by service clubs originally, but the city now has to keep them up and keep them watered, but we cannot do it anymore. We will take care of the trees only, because they don't take as much time. He said he had talked to people about raising fees, some areas raising water sewer and garbage will hurt. In the trailer courts they will have to give 90 days notice before they can raise the rates. We need to take that into consideration. The override election is the way to go. He r,&viewed the water rates from other cities (copy attached). The only city charging less than Rexburg would be St. Anthony, even with the raise. Ross Reese said if his yard was any bigger his water bill would exceed his house pay- ment, also water, sewer, and garbage should stand alone. Fees should be self sustain- ing. Bonding should stand alone, taxes should not subsidize those utilities. Cliff Jaussi said he did not think people should pay more than their share of utili- ties. Glen Pond stated we need money in the fees to replace equipment. Mayor Porter said that under law there is only a certain percent of money you can carry over to another year. We use to borrow money for equipment, but the city has changed this, they have not borrowed money on a tax anticipation note for a long time. He ask if the people would approve an override election with a 2/3 vote, for about $100;000,;., Glen Pond told the group the police cars are wearing out, either we need to replace them or the officers will be walking and will not be able to get where they are need- ed on time. A question was ask about leasing equipment. The mayor explained when equipment is leased we have to pay property tax on it, it is not a savings, and we also have to pay interest on it. Paul Carver ask how much money it would cost an individual on his taxes for an over- ride election of $100,000. Richard Horner told him it cost about 20% or 22% of his city taxes. Cathy Koon from the Post Register ask if the override did pass in November, wouldn't it be about a year before the city could get the money: The mayor told her the city could borrow on a tax anticipation note as soon as the election passed. The override would be for one year, it could be for two years. The mayor told them another thing is we have been trying to get beer licenses raised for a long time. We finally have got them raised, which will help a little. It costs the city to have employees keep the beer cans and bottles picked up. Paul Carver ask about getting sales tax raised 1% to help the cities. Mel Hammond told him it has been considered, but they have felt the people would not stand for it. And he also told them he was sure they would not consider it next year because it is an election year. Paul Carver said he felt the students were not paying a fair tax, the property owners are picking up the tab. Mayor Porter told him the city gets more Revenue Sharing, Highway User Fund, and Liquor money because of the bigger population with the students. Mel Hammond told them President Reagan was having meetings to talk to the states to try to cut Blocks Grants. Nile Boyle pointed out that when the city considers capital expenditures the city will be hurting next year if the Legislature does not change the system. Farrell Davidson explained the citizens could help the street department. People sweep their sidewalks and driveways into the gutters. If the property owners would clean the gutters in front of their property it would help. He told them Ralph Anderson cleans in front of his store every morning. We are also having trouble with cement and gravel trucks spilling on the streets after they have been cleaned. Mayor Porter said he had instructed the police department to ticket them when they do this. The mayor explained that the city had tried to clean up vacant lots and haven't got enough man power. Next year we are going to put this work out on contract. Farrell told them there is a problem because of the debris on the lots which cannot be seen with the weeds and the mower hits them and breaks. We cannot afford to keep it repaired. Ross Reese ask if there was an alternative other than the override election besides cutting costs. He said people built homes after the flood that they could not afford to live in, and ask if the city built a city they couldn't afford to maintain. The Mayor told them he didn't think any city in the state operates a fire department as cheap as Rexburg does. The county and city share costs. If we could get a deal with the county sheriff department it would help. A question came up aboout the Golf Course and its cost to the city. The mayor explained the old golf course was breaking even. We now have a board that is over both golf courses, the revenue is put together to pay the bills, the balance of money needed to run the golf course is paid half by the city and half by the county. He said he was sure in three or four years we would break even. The council was ask if the student housing on the campus pay taxes. The Mayor told them no but the college was good to pay their share. They have paid their share on the water project and storm drains. They pay theii share when we have large expenses that have anything to do with their operations. Mayor Porter told the group we need to develop methods of raising money. Pocatello schools and churches have to pay for a fire protection fee in leu of taxes. He explained Ricks College pay the base fee less bond fee for water, because they have paid that amount in one lump sum. The college maintain the streets on campus and have their police security. A question was asked about closing the swimming pool. Mayor Porter explained we will lease it to someone and they will run the pool. Question, should we do something with the golf course. Why should the non golfers pay for it. They were told the Sun City People do a lot for the economy of the city, if we didn't have the golf course they wouldn't come to Rexburg. Cliff Jaussi suggested a tax be charged to the Sun City People so they can carry their share. Ross Reese explained, the Sun City people have increased the value of the apartments, which would increase the tax and contribute to the income and they are very trouble free. Roscoe Orton explained they had kept the expense on the pool down even with continual expense. The Revenue that comes in is mainly from the lessons. If the pool is cut out many children will not have lessons. The college can't give the lessons, the water is too deep. There are close to 400 kids that wouldn't get lessons. The head instructor is paid for by the Red Cross but the others are not. Mayor Porter told them they had got $8000 on the Community Chest Drive instead of $5000 last year to help out. The Swim Team is going to try to raise money. /c RE: RE: RE: Kathy Koon, of the Post Register ask if the Override Election fails, how will the city cut employees. The mayor told her two people will retire and some employees will be transferred to other departments. He expressed appreciation to the people for coming and especially Senator Ricks and Representative Hammond, Senator Ricks said he had appreciated coming and getting acquainted with the problems, he could see the city problems clearer. Mel Hammond said it was good to be here. Sander Larson told the council the city will have to increase the fees at the beginning of the new fiscal year so we don't get behind. The amount of the Override was discussed by the council. The Mayor said he and Richard Horner would go over everything in the morning and let the council know. A motion was made by Darlene Blackburn to adjourn, seconded by Morgan Garner. All Aye. C May John C. Porter i City Clerk R e Bagley MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 16, 1981 STATE OF IDAHO( COUNTY OF MADISON) CITY OF REXBURG( City council meeting was held September 16, 1981 at the City Hall. In the absence of Mayor John C. Porter, President of the Council, Nile Boyle, presided. Those present: Nile Boyle Pres. of Council Councilman: Jim Morris, Glen Pond Morgan Garner Sander Larsen Councilwoman: Darlene Blackburn In the excused absence of City Clerk, Rose Bagley, City Attorney, Mary Smith, was asked to take the minutes. MINUTES MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING HELD September 2, 1981, were read and on motion of Darlene Blackburn, seconded by Glen Pond, and unanimously approved. APPLICATION FOR A MOBILE DISCO LICENSE Richard L. Davis of Targhee Chalet, Rexburg, made application for a mobile disco license which is a mobile unit to furnish music for dances. The matter was discussed. Moved by Jim Morris, seconded by Darlene Blackburn, that the license be granted. The acting Mayor called for a vote. All voted to grant the license except Sander Larson who voted no. PETITION FOR ANNEXATION TO THE CITY OF SUBDIVISION -VALLEY VIEW ESTATES A proposed petition for annexation to the City of Rexburg of the subdivision known as Valley View Estates Addition was presented to the Council by some of the property owners in the addition. The petition provides that the property be annexed subject to the existing restrictive covenants and provisions recommended by the City Planning Commission; that is, requirements for street lights, curbs and gutters and storm drains be waived and that all animals maintained in the addition at the time of annexation be permitted to remain as per the "Grandfather" clause.