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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996.08.21 CITY COUNCIL MINUTESr t } ~~ DATE: (082196) State of Idaho) County of Madison( ss City of Rexburg) CITY COUNCIL 08/21/96 7:30 P. M. Present were the following: Mayor: Councilmembers: Excused: City Clerk: Finance Officer: Attorney: Engineer: Pledge to the flag. Introduction of Scouts. Nile Boyle Kay Beck Farrell Young Glen Pond Ny1e Fullmer Marsha Bjornn Bruce Sutherland Rose Bagley Richard Horner Stephen Zollinger Joe Laird A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer and seconded by Marsha Bjornn to approve the minutes. All Aye RE: PROPERTY PURCHASE FOR GOLF COURSE DISCUSSED TOPIC: (20,145,,,G0LF COURSE) Jason Nielson, President of the Golf Board acting as spokesman for the Golf Board who were present at the meeting. They wanted to determine where the council was at with the purchase of the property for the nine holes that they have been talking about? They still have the individuals committed on the property purchase. The mayor told him the council discussed it two weeks ago and were still in favor of buying the property. The only person that has signed the contract and returned it was Rosa Reese. Don Rasmussen told them that basically Ross and Wally Robinson have agreed to go ahead and they just want a confirmation from the city Council if they pursue it, that the board is going in the right direction. The mayor told them if we get the signed contract, as far as the council concerned it is a go. The money to pay for the property will come from increase of golf fees. Nyle Fullmer told the board that the high school cross country coach had asked to run a cross country meet at the golf course of September 13 at 4:00 P.M. We have always worked with them in the past. Duffy told him they would have to discuss it at the Golf Board meeting because they have always had their meets in October. RE: SIDEWALK ON MILLHOLLOW - STEVE & JANICE MEIKLE TOPIC: (20,146,,,SIDEWALKS,MILLHOLLOW, MEIKLE*STEVE & JANICE) Janice Meikle of 25 Millhollow was at the meeting. She asked about the sidewalk on Millhollow. When they built their home, Steve talked to the mayor and it was agreed that they did not have to put the sidewalk in because it would be out of place and the only sidewalk on that side of the street. The hospital was going to put a sidewalk in on the other side of the road and it is in now. She was also told that the property on their side of the road the city was taking some of it to widen the road, so they did not want to put a sidewalk in. She wanted a letter with a Grandfather Clause so if she sells her home and someone else buys it they won't have to put a sidewalk in. The mayor told her that Millhollow ie one of a couple of streets that the city has a problem on, because it was accepted in with only about 50 feet up above where the Meikle house is. The way the ordinance is now every time a house ie sold it is required to put sidewalk in. The mayor reminded her that they had already signed a statement that they will put a sidewalk in whenever the city required it. Glen told her the council is bound by our ordinance. Kay stated he did not know how you could pick ~~ry and choose areas. (discussion) Nyle Fullmer felt the council would take it under advisement and get back with her. The council agreed. RE: PUBLIC HEARING SET TO AMEND EXISTING BUDGET TOPIC: (20,146,,,PUBLIC HEARINGS,BUDGET,L.I.D. 29,AIRPORT,GOLF COURSE, L.I.D. 23) The mayor told the council we need a Public Hearing to amend the existing budget to provide for the Airport Taxiway Construction, LID 29 Construction Fund, L.I.D. 29 Bond Fund Transfer, L.I.D. 23 Bond Fund Carryover, the Golf Course Sinking Fund Carryover, General Fund Balance ''... Transfer, and General Fund Balance Carryover. A motion was made by Nyle -- Fullmer and seconded by Glen Pond to set the Public Hearing for September 4. All Aye RE: SWIMMING POOL CLOSURE DISCUSSED TOPIC: (20,146,,,SWIMMING POOL,PROPERTY TAX,MADISON COUNTY) Richard handed out a copy of the budget for the last few years for the Pool and explained it. If we kept the pool open it would be a $42,000 lose. This year we budgeted a $2200 lass and we are ending up with a $43,000 loss. Because of this loss, in the work session the council contemplating shutting down the pool. He explained the property tax compared to cities of our size. The mayor explained in Idaho there ie no way except for property tax to get anymore money. The one percent came in two years after the flood. In 1977 and 1978 we had a lot of money to spend on infrastructure and we didn't need tax money then so we cut the property tax levy really low and then the one percent was voted in and the city couldn't raise it above 5 percent a year so we couldn't ever catch up. Two years ago the legislative put a cap of 3 percent on taxes so the total we can raise property tax for everything was $50,000. There is no way to get anymore money. We tried to pass a mill override for a swimming pool and it was voted down. The comment was it wasn't fair for the city only to pay for the pool when only 318 that uses the pool are from the city, the other 698 are out of the city and they pay nothing. We have tried to form a recreation district county wide for all the recreation. The budget is really tight this year and there is no way to raise anymore money. A lot of people are against closing the pool. Kay Beck stated that Rexburg picks up a lot of things that are county wide and we can't continue to do it. He explained. The people who are not in the city limits both county and out of the county are complaining and are not paying anything for the pool. The city is picking up the tab. Barbara Nelson- she moved from the city to the county. She was here as a parent and an educator. A lot of the people in the county are not aware that they are not contributing to the swimming pool. she discussed the city taxes and what amount went to the general fund and the pool. As a patron and someone from the county she is more than happy to pay extra for the use of the pool. She had some suggestions. While the city is working on a recreation district, what happens to the children. She would like to see something done with the problem before it occurs with children. She would be happy to help, but she does not want to see the pool closed. County residents do come to the city and spend their money. The mayor had discussed Nampa'e program with recreation. Nampa'e can prove that their juvenile delinquency and juvenile youth problems have gone down since they have a good program for the kids. The mayor felt that it was better to give the kids a good recreation program than send one to jail. Swimming Instructor at the pool- About 1/3 of her students are from Rigby, about 1/3 from the county and about 1/3 from the city. She had called those people that were outside of the city and they all said they would contribute money or whatever to keep the pool open. she felt that if you let the public know the public would help out. She is concerned about the kids. The Sports and Fitness Club and the College can't accommodate as many children as the city pool. The pool is there ,~ ~fC °` to help keep the children out of trouble and have fun. It also brings business into the city. Farrell- Asked if she thought people would be willing to contribute sizable amounts of money to keep a leaky pool functioning or would they rather contribute to a new pool. She felt we need to pass a bond, but we need something during the time it takes to pass a bond. (discussion) Marsha- Asked if people outside of the city expressed wanting to build a new pool as well as keeping the old one going. She said they expressed both and would help out on anything that needs be. Dr. Doug Smith- He was on the pool committee prior to the election. He said he believes in the swimming pool. The committee spent a lot of time on the last study. They did some surveys to decide what would be the best thing to do either to rebuild the pool and put some money in it and keep it operational or to build a new one? The studies were that it would be better to build a new pool and better to have an outdoor pool because we already have two indoor pools in the community that operational in the winter time and they are under utilized. He felt people come to our pool because it ie an outdoor pool. He felt the Rexburg Pool ie for kids and families. We need to get out and tell people we want that pool and want it operational and want to keep it. Whether we renovate that pool and make it usable or pass a bond, we need a pool. He felt it was a community thing and he would hate to see us close the pool because of the bickering between the city and the county. There are a lot of things the county pick up that the city doesn't have to do. He felt the council should provide leadership for this. He felt that was what failed on the committee, is they did not have a strong support from our leadership in the city. He thought we could have passed an override if we would have really got after them and let the people know and have each councilman get out and tell the people that they believed in it and stand for it. It is a matter of getting out there and telling people what it is all about. He would do what he had to do to help. Bart Lindermen- He did not think the pool looses money, we need to change our attitude about it. He thought the pool is an expense. We know who uses the pool and who takes swimming lessons. More than half of the classes were not from the city and he proposes that they pay their fair share. He felt we should deal with just one issue when it comes to recreation and that is the pool and not all these other projects. We need to let people know who is paying the cost. He stated that he voted against the pool bond because he was interested in only the pool not offices, game rooms, and ping pong tables. Alan Dunn- He was concerned about if the pool closes for one or two summers. He would like to make sure it does not close at all. He does not want to go without having the pool there for the summer. He feels the pool keeps kids busy all summer long. If you don't pay for it in the pool, you will pay for it in the police department. He suggested that the mayor and Clair Boyle come and speak at the Community Council Meeting that is held on every third Thursday. He would like to support keeping the pool open. He felt that we would see a lot of older children that would have drown if we did not have a pool. Kendra Webb, Teacher & Lifeguard- She has worked at the pool for two years and this is the first summer she has really felt attached to the pool. She hoe watched so maey lives actually change. She would feel terrible to see it close. If you shut the pool down for two or three years, you will start over with new lifeguards and each year you progress as a lifeguard. It will never be ae safe and it won't be fair to the children, public and pool employees. Marsha- As a new person on the council to go through the budget, it was an eye opener. As we looked at every item in the budget, with reference to the pool and all other departments, she saw loyal employees to the city. The extra time the employees put in, Clair Hoyle being one, that we don't pay them for and how they make ends meet with the tight budget. No one came in with a budget that was high, they only came in with bare needs and then trimmed it more. The pool wouldn't have lasted ae long ae it has if it had not been for Clair l ',FT ~,+~1,~ Boyle and the people working with him. All the employees have the city interest at heart. Kay suggested that everyone at the meeting get a friend and meet with the county commissioners. Mike Mitchell- He has been manager of the pool for nine years. Each summer the pool has been hie life. He has seen all of the other kids at the pool and his kids have to come to the pool to see him. He had talked to Brooke Passey about a Recreation District and asked him if they would put in their budget money for it this year and Brooke said no. We need to look at the big picture and say what we can do in the next two years? He also gave a State of the Pool report. He said if the pool closes he felt a legacy will be lost. The pool is for the kids. You also have to remember that all the parents that bring kids to the pool shop in Rexburg. Clair Boyle- He would like to back up what has been said. The council is not against the pool in any way. It isn't easy for them to say we had better close the pool, but at the same time they have to come up with money to pay the bills. He felt we should go to the county and tell them we want the pool and we want a Recreation District. He told them that Mike has done a tremendous job as manager of the pool and gone the extra mile to keep the pool going. Doug Smith- He sees ue fighting County vs City. He felt the council should say we support the pool. He agreed that we should go to the county and see what we can do. We have got to do something now. Maybe we need to form a citizens group right now to generate the money. Nyle Fullmer told him if we can get the money we can amend the budget. The council supports the pool but he did not see any way we could do it unless we get the people to raise the money to support it. Doug stated at some point it will cost more money to build a new one when you can't fix the old one. The longer we go inflation increases the price of the pool. He suggested that they form the committee now with the people that were at the council meeting. The council suggested that Clair take them in the back room and form the committee. RE: FENCE BY AIRPORT AND GOLF COURSE TOPIC: (20,148,,,AIRPORT,GOLF COURSE,FENCES) The mayor reported that the Airport have the fence staked out and ready to go, but the Municipal Golf Course will still be open. RE: DEAN GROVER APPOINTED TO TABERNACLE CIVIC CENTER BOARD TOPIC: (20,148,,,GROVER*DEAN,TABERNACLE CIVIC CENTER BOARD, TABERNACLE) The mayor told the council that we need to make an appointment to the Tabernacle Civic Center Board to replace Roger Sorenson. He recommended Dean Grover to fill that place. A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer and seconded by Farrell Young to make that appointment. All Aye RE: TRIANGLE SECTION ON SHOSHONE DISCUSSED TOPIC: (20,148,,,SHOSHONE,RANDALL CORPORATION,WENDEBOE*CALVIN, MILLHOLLOW) Calvin Wendeboe was at the meeting to discuss the issue of Shoshone. He has an option to purchase a lot across from the triangle weed - patch. He stated that it goes on and on and nothing gets done with '.. that triangle and he felt the city needs to improve it or vacate the street and deed it to the property owners. He asked what he needs to do to get some action? It is an eye sore. The mayor told him it would coat as much to improve that property as it would to keep the pool open. Calvin suggested that safety is a concern and if the city was not going to improve it they should put up a barrier to block the street off. Glen Pond told him when that had been discussed before, the issue was around the developer and the council felt that the developer would have to stand the cost. The Randall Corporation would pay $4000 but the entire coat was $10,000. The council told him if he is buying the property from the Randall Corporation he needs to tell them to solve the problem. l Calvin stated he wanted to start digging for hie foundation before the snow. He suggested if the city wants them to maintain the property they should deed it back to them. He feels the city should maintain the property the same as they require home owners to maintain their property. He asked if there was someone in the city they could work with? Nyle Fullmer told him to meet with Joe and see if they could come up with some ideas that would work and be feasible. Farrell stated that they need to get the the Randall Corporation and get them involved. Joe stated in long term Shoshone will be a major street rather than Millhollow in possibly ten or thirty yearsaway. Hrett Miller- He has a corner lot up there and he felt it was a safety issue especially if someone ie traveling the wrong way. The Triangle is a play place for four wheelers. They get a lot of dirt from the dry farm on their corner. It is also a speed issue. He asked about stop signs and other alternatives. The mayor asked Nyle what was happening on the watering of the lot on 2nd East. Nyle stated that they were just waiting for Stephen to write up an agreement and then the council could vote on it. RE: SIDEWALK L.I.D. - CONTRACTOR TO ASSESS SITUATION TOPIC: (20,149,,,SIDEWALKS,L.I.D. 29) The mayor reminded the council that we sent around to them a list of the people that objected on the sidewalk L.I.D. We will need to vote on everyone of those as to if they will listen to their objection or just go ahead with the L.I.D. ae outlined. Kay stated that he did not think there were any on the list that warrants any discussion with the exception of the one with the retaining walls on Shoshone and that would be a real expense. Maybe we should set up a meeting with individuals like that rather than telling them to spend several thousand dollars and put the money into a sidewalk fund. Farrell asked why that would be any more of an impediment than the masonry mail boxes that are planted in the middle of the sidewalks? Stephen stated that a sidewalk that ends with a three foot drop presents much more of a problem than a sidewalk that has a mailbox in the middle of the sidewalk. Joe stated that even though they didn't protest to the sidewalk L.I.D. there are at least two other locations where we have the same retaining wall perpendicular to the street and if the sidewalk goes by the property it would require another retaining wall to go parallel with the sidewalk to take care of the problem, although they didn't protest. Kay felt that some of the council and Joe needed to get with those people and work out a reasonable solution. He said there was one man who he felt was struggling financially and he ie down there putting in his sidewalk to comply with the ordinance, so it is hard for him to okay anyone else to not put one in. Joe state the ones that have to put in the retaining wall are looking at a coat of about $3000. Joe stated on some streets the right-a-way is too narrow for curb, gutter and the sidewalk behind the street. Joe stated that there are some unique situations. Stephen suggested that you could build a sidewalk with stairs in it, but there are things that have to be dealt with. Joe stated that with the surveying and everything that needs to be done, it would be two or three months to get everything ready Ito go. Realistically we are looking at a spring job. (discussion) A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer to go ahead and get a contractor to give us an estimate of what they think they could do. Maybe they will have some ideas for these unique situations. Seconded by Kay Beck. All Aye RE: CURFEW ORDINANCE DISCUSSED TOPIC: (20,149,,,CURFEW ORDINANCE) Stephen told the council that he had gotten a couple of Curfew Ordinances from other cities that he has been reviewing and reported on some of their regulations. The council directed him to get with Nyle and chief Archibald and draft up an ordinance for the next meeting. Stephen is also drafting a joint power agreement for generic property which would work for the golf course. ~ ~~~=-1 The mayor read a letter from Louisiana Pacific about their property. (copy on file) The mayor read a letter from the Highway Department about traffic signals which is in the council packets for them to read. (on file) Street Development Plan- Joe had given the council a copy of a street development plan previously. The council felt they should have a work _.. meeting to discuss the plan and also the plan check. After Labor Day would be the best for the meeting. Discussion on a Storm Drainage ordinance ae recommended by P&Z. The council felt we need to get some copies of an ordinance from other cities and have the P&Z review them. Richard gave a copy of the tentative budget and reviewed it. (discussion) RE: JOINT FIRE OPERATION TO GO 50-50 ON EXPENSES TOPIC: (20,150,,,FIRE DEPARTMENT) A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer and seconded by Marsha ejornn to agree with the County Eire District for the Joint Fire Operation to go 50-50 on expenses with the Fire District for the year 1997. All Aye RE: RAISE IN THE WATER RATE TOPIC: (20,150,,,WATER RATES,UTILITY BILL) Richard pointed out that there would be a raise on the water of about 15 to 20~ in the Utility Fund. RE: TENTATIVE BUDGET ADOPTED & SET TO BUDGET HEARING TOPIC: (20,150,,,BUDGET) A motion was made by Kay Beck and seconded by Nyle Fullmer to adopt the Tentative Budget and set the budget hearing. All Aye RE: P & Z RECOMMENDATIONS ON CHANGES IN SIGN & ZONING ORDINANCES APPROVED TOPIC: (20,150,,,P & Z,SIGN ORDINANCE,ZONING ORDINANCE) Marsha reported that the P&Z had recommended some changes in the Sign Ordinance and the Zoning Ordinance as was in the minutes of the P&Z minutes. A motion was made by Marsha and seconded by Kay Beck to follow the P&Z recommendations on the changes. All Aye A motion was made by Marsha and seconded by Nyle to pay the bills. All Aye Clair came back into the meeting and reported on the meeting on the Pool. Meeting adjourned. ~ ~~~ Mayor, ~i1e L. Boyle ~. ~/ ~~J~f fFG•/ City Clerk, Ro eJfBagk~