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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998.08.05 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES~} -1 DATE: (080598) Present were: Presiding: Councilmembers: City Clerk: Attorney: Finance Officer: Engineer: Excused: City Council 8/5/98 7:30 P.M. Glen Pond Bruce Sutherland Farrell Young Marsha Bjornn Kay Beck Rose Bagley Stephen Zollinger Richard Horner Joe Laird Mayor Boyle County Commissioner, Brooke Passey also attended the meeting. A motion was made by Bruce Sutherland and seconded by Kay Beck to approve the minutes. All Aye RE: RECREATION USE OF WATER SLIDE AND EXCESS SURPLUS TOPIC: (22,47,,,RECREATION,POOL,P0LICE DEPT.,WATER SLIDE) Jack Bowman, Recreation Director, was as the meeting to discuss a couple of issues. He had been approached by several people wanting to purchase items in the locker room area of the pool. They were wondering if the city could put them up for sale. He took an inventory of what was there. He described several items that are there including some stacking chairs. The council told him they could use the chairs at the tabernacle. If we go ahead with a pool he did not think these items were worth trying to salvage. He ran into the same issue on the other recreations surplus and the council asked him to get with the police and sell them at their auction but they are not having one this year. Stephen told him if he sold the things on his own we would have to advertise. The council felt it would cost too much to advertise. They told him to talk to the superintendent of school to see if they need any of these things or try to piggyback onto another government entity who is having a sale. Jack suggested that he use the water slide for a snow slide. He had walked through it and it is in great shape. He had sent an ice block down and it works. It is a nice contained area. His only concern is the stairs going up. The council asked if there is more stress in the winter? Stephen told him the liability would be prohibitive because it is not designed for that purpose. They suggested that Richard check on the liability. RE: REPORT ON D.O.E. TOPIC: (22,47,,,D.0.E.) Alan Jimee representing D.O.E. was at the meeting to give the council an update on their operation. (Handout) They wanted to bring the city up to speed on what is going on and what they are looking at. (He explained) RE: PROBLEM WZTH BARKING DOG TOPIC: (22,47,,,DOGS,P0LICE DEPT.) Barking Dogs- Glen told the council he had been approached about continual barking dogs and the owners are unwilling to keep the dogs quiet. The individual that spoke to him said when he called the police and was told he was required to fill out a formal complaint and sign it before the officer could take care of the problem. The citizen had checked with some of our neighboring communities and found out their ordinances did not require that. You could call the police and be anonymous and the police would go tell the people to keep the dog quiet. He asked Stephen to review the ordinance to see iE we can accommodate them. Marsha said someone complained about their barking dog and she found the city is very effective in the enforcement. Glen felt there could be ways of handling it without having a formal ~, __- complaint filed and handed to the individual. Some people are reluctant to do that because they don't want to cause problems with their neighbor. Stephen explained the procedure, but would check on it and report back at the next meeting. RE: ADOPTION OF PARADE ORDINANCE TOPIC: (22,48,,,PARADE,POLICE DEPT.,ORDINANCE) Discussion on adopting a Parade Ordinance. (copy of ordinance was previously given to the council to review) Discussion. The council asked Stephen to prepare a Parade and Permitting Ordinance. RE: PUBLIC HEARING TO APPROVE BUDGET FOR 1998-1999 TOPIC: (22,48,,,BUDGET,PUBLZC HEARING) Public Hearing to Approve the 1998-1999 Budget. Richard gave copies of budget to council and people attending the meeting. He went through the budget and explained it. (copy on file) Richard explained in the water department there has been substantial increases in costs, because of increase in power, other miscellaneous increases in costs, the need to hire one more man and general inflation costs. The costs are over budget this year and if the rates are not increased they would be grossly over budget next year. He explained the rate increase (copy on file). For an average home using 10,000 gallons per month it will raise their bill about 60 cents and for a larger home using 20,000 gallon per month it will raise their bill about $2.30 per month. The larger users will see even a larger increase than that. Public Comment- Gene Palmer- representing Millhollow Trailer Court- 503 North Hill Road- He asked what the price per 100D gallons was 10 years ago? He -~----~. recalled it was 25 or 27 cents. From his calculations the rate of increase of water has over doubled the rate of inflation and asked L.. Richard to explain. Richard explained some things such as power bills -- and chemical testing of water have inflated a lot more than the average. We also have E.P.A. requirements that we did not use to have. We are not required at this point to treat the water, if we had to do that our costs would jump again. Gene said he had looked into putting in his own well and that was not a reasonable cost. He just wanted to know what the costs are as he figured it there has been a 100 raise. Wayne Clark representing Ricks College Physical Plant- He stated it is a great concern to them also. It would increase their budget and they were concerned about any other contributing factors for the increase. Richard explained the cost of Health Insurance, State fees for water dispensing, the new infrastructure, depreciation of fixed assets and replacement and we have added capacity to the system which is part of the depreciation expense, interest on the leases on the equipment. Over the last ten years we have probably doubled our storage capacity. Ten years ago we had to shut down when a pump went out because we would be out of water in less than a day and now we can last two or three days. We are going to raise the rates to break even but we have added a little bit of cushion which is 3~ to 4~ of the raise to help us keep from raising the rates for 2 or 3 years. Merle Fisher- 221 South 3rd West- How does adding Teton to the system ''. add to the overall cost of operating the sewer and water system? Richard explained Teton will be not be using our water but in the event they hook onto our sewage system, they will have to pay several hundred thousand dollars up front just to hook on. We are going to expand the plant, not just because of them but because we are at about 90$. This does not have anything to do with raising the water rates. The sewer rates that Teton will bring in as well as the up front hook-up fee which is several hundred thousand dollars is going to keep us from raising rates again which is the third year we have not raised sewer rates. Mr Fisher asked if that was the only reason we would have to expand our treatment plant? Richard told him if Teton was the only ones coming on we wouldn't have to expand the plant but we have Wilcox hooking on, a possibility of Basic American Foods hooking on and Sun Glow is expanding. Anyone of those three could out weigh Teton usage. Mr Fisher asked who builds the new facility to take care of that? Richard told him it would come out of the revenues of the increased users. These hook-up fees will subsidize the home owners. The council told Richard he had done a good job on the budget. RE: RESOLUTION NO. 98.2 RAISING OF WATER RATES TOPIC: (22,49,RE5,98.2,WATER,BILL,WATER DEPT.) Glen Pond introduced Resolution Number 98-2 raising water rates. (copy on file) A motion was made by Kay Beck and seconded by Bruce Sutherland to pass Resolution Number 98.2. All Aye RE: ORDIANCE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR 1998-1999 TOPIC: (22,49,ORD,807,TAXES,BUDGET) Annual Appropriation Ordinance to approve the budget. ORDINANCE NO. 807: AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF REXBURG, IDAHO, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 1998, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, AND APPROPRIATING TO THE SEVERAL DEPARTMENT, OFFICES AND FUNDS OF THE SAID CITY GOVERNMENT FROM THE REVENUE DERIVED FROM TAXES LEVIED FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR, AND ALL OTHER SOURCES, SUCH SUMS AS MAY BE NECESSARY OR DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO DEFRAY TBE EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES OF SAID CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, AND PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDINANCE. A motion was made by councilman Bruce Sutherland and seconded by Kay Beck that the rules requiring an ordinance of a general and permanent nature to be read on three occasions be dispensed with and that said ordinance be numbered 807. Those voting aye: Bruce Sutherland Marsha Bjornn Kay Beck Farrell Young Those voting nay: none Ordinance 807 was then placed before the council. The President of the Council then called for the voting far final passage of the ordinance, and the motion was made by Farrell Young and seconded by Marsha Bjornn that ordinance 807 be passed. Those voting aye: Bruce Sutherland Marsha Bjornn Kay Beck Farrell Young Those voting nay: none The roll showed all councilmen present voting "Aye" carried, the President of the Council declared that the majority of all the members of the City Council had voted for the passage of said ordinance was duly and regularly passed. Glen Pond declared the motion carried. RE: PAUL PUGMIRE REGARDING SKATE BOARD PARK AT PORTER PARK TOPIC: (22,49,,,PUGMIRE*PAUL,SKATE BOARD PARK, RECREATION) --- Paul Pugmire- Was at the meeting to discuss the Skate Board Park. He explained to the people attending the meeting that they had been '.. working on this for a year. The need has never been greater in our community for positive outlets for the energy and the time of our youth. Recreation is part of the answer for these problems. The plan they have does not ask for city money or an outlet of public money beyond the work they are asking for. They are at the meeting to present their plan and he turned the time over to John Watson from J.R.W. to present the plan. They also want to ask for the council's designation of a piece of land in the NE quadrant of Porter park for the Rexburg Skate Park. He stated that the skaters will continue to skate rather we provide a place for them to skate or not and as they continue to skate they will be on the streets and in the parking lots ~"~ C of businesses or private and public property. The sport of skateboarding is a valid sport as any other. John Watson presented a plan. (copy on file) It would be about 9000 square feet. The tennis court is 1200 square feet. There will be a berm around it and that will keep the noise down. There will not be anymore noise than the traffic noise. He explained how there would be obstacles in the skate park and explained the plan. Paul explained they have it broken down into three categories: (1) The things that will be donated from the city will be the land and site preparation. They will go to the county commission and ask for gravel required for drainage and the delivery. (2) They have already had donated by J.R.W. substantial architectural drawings. The committee have taken it upon themselves to raise money for some of the things. (3) The substantial cost will be concrete and construction management. Those things they are currently preparing a grant application to C.H.C. Foundation in Idaho Falls. It will become property of the city and will become part of the inventory of the Parks and Recreation. Maintenance will become part of the Parks and Recreation Department's responsibility. They have on their committee a Licensed Architect and a Licensed Civil Engineer. They will help to see that as this is designed it will be done to the highest standard as possible. Comment from Public- She felt they needed this type of a facility but did not feel this was the location because many families meet their for reunions or picnic and if their is a skateboard park they need to be supervised. There will also be a problem of parking. The kids at the meeting said they would skate to the park. A question about the liability. The city's insurance will cover it if certain conditions are met. (discussion) --- Marilyn Hansen- 231 West 2nd South- She lives right across the street from Porter Park. She stated they are in agreement that we need a skateboard park. The problem is having it in Porter Park. After Paul --- stopped at her house she decided to do some research on the park. She checked on the one at Farmington, Utah and Boise by making telephone calls. By the time she finished talking to these people she was excited about a skateboard park in Rexburg. (she gave handouts) Paul has put in a lot of time and effort. We need to have a long range plan. Boise said theirs was not in a City Park. They built it as an addition to the city not a replacement. They found some ground where there was no development, it was a gravel parking lot. It is under a bridge, open and spacious. Farmington said when they decided to build the skatepark it was important to the city and they built it in one of their parks but they have seven parks. This park was designed in the long term run and it was put on the edge of town next to I-15. The homes and residents surround two sides of the park. The skateboard park was in prior to the homes so as they bought lots they were informed that a skateboard park would go in and they had the option of staying there knowing the park would go in. She discussed the problems that they overcome. The skateboard park is not close to homes. Idaho Falls are building one in Tautphaus Park. In Grand Junction they took a drainage field and made it into a beautiful skateboard park. There should be some ground in Rexburg that needs to be improved. (She further discussed a skateboard park and location and also having the youth police it so there is no vandalism.) Most of the areas where there is a skateboard park they have told them if there is vandalism or other problems they will close it down. It would be nice to have an area big enough and enough parking to accommodate competition. She felt we need to look at a different location. Maybe we could incorporate some county property into it. A skateboard park at Porter Park would be an annoyance to the people living across the street that have lived there for years. The people in Boise commented on how much revenue their competitions brought into the ~{,i city. She proposed that we put this on hold and find a general spot that everyone would be happy with. She volunteered to help. Some of the other areas don't allow the kids to skateboard to the skateboard park and they are cited if they skateboard in other parks or locations in the city. She thought they should involve more people in the community. Question on the hours of the skatepark? Glen told them it would be from daylight and the parks close at 11:00 P. M. Paul told them the skatepark would only be open in daylight hours. A question about the equipment allowed? Mary Ann Mounts- 20 East 2nd North- She is a granddaughter of Author Porter who is responsible for building Porter Park. She is not against a skateboard park. The park was built about 60 years ago to provide a place of beauty and tranquility in the city. A11 her life when she goes anywhere, people always say that is the city with that beautiful park. We need to ask ourselves what is the park for? We need to appreciate the need that people have for beauty and open space. She feels that this activity will not benefit from the beauty of that park. but by the same token the beauty of that park will be somewhat diminished because of this. That is one of the most pretty parks she has seen and she treasures that park as many people do. As a Planning & Zoning Commission we set up in the Comprehensive Plan and we interviewed people and one of the questions we asked was where in Rexburg is a place you value and most often the answer was Porter Park. Her family went to the Sand Dunes on the 24th and they spent a lot of time trying to find a spot where they were not over run by 4-Wheelers or Sand Dune Buggies. She felt how sad that is that we can't go out there anymore and enjoy a peaceful quiet time. She hates to see the city under value that particular aspect of this park. We need to decide if the park is just for the teenagers to enjoy or is it for everyone to enjoy? There should be a place in the city for a facility such as this that would not take away from the beauty of this park. She asked that the council would limit this development to that which is appropriate and compatible. Jeff Vail-262 South 3rd West- He lives one block south of the park. Prior to the time he had lived there, he lived in Blackfoot. Blackfoot pride itself that they have a lot of trees, but in his opinion he finds that Porter Park one of the prettiest places in Eastern Idaho because of the trees and the serenity that is there. The picnic shelters are great areas for family reunions and the south side is an area for games and many experience are there for the youth. He believed there are areas in this city that are being under utilized and ignored. He suggested that the area by the high school would be a good area for this type of activity. He felt it would sad to destroy something this beautiful to build the skatepark. He felt that for the betterment of the city they should find an alternate location. Cliff Jaussi- He is not oppose to the skatepark but not in a park we have now. This city does not have enough parks. We have two parks that are nice. He has not heard who is going to pay for the supervision. He did not think we should give up any of the property in the parks. He did not think this would be big enough, we need it built where it could be expanded. Merle Fisher- in the paper he read there was a possibility that they ~- might acquire the Louisiana Pacific property for a park. He felt that would be an ideal spot for the skatepark. He urged that Porter Park not be destroyed but that they get an alternate site that could be built up with adequate parking. David Ward- 249 Harvard- He is sensitive to the noise factor and the concerns of the number of skaters and the destruction of beauty. He is serving on the committee. They did take that into consideration. They questioned how they could create a skateboard park in such a way that it would not be a tax burden on the citizens and recommendations of finding other land. If they found other land they would have to consider the cost of purchasing other land. Howard Clark - Will there be more kids come in to use the skate park. If there is more than 30 kids we will need a bigger area so the park can be handled and help the city with revenue. (other discussion) Alice Bean- When Paul Pugmire came to talk to her she had asked him why Porter Park? He said because it was highly visible. She felt too that it was because it pretty and a nice place. She recommends that it be built out of town possibly between here and Sugar City with a swimming pool and park. It would need a lot of planning, quiet, peaceful and beautiful. The Youth asked if it were built that far away, how could they get to the park. They wanted to be able to skate to the skatepark, because a lot of parents won't take them. El Ray Klinger- 208 South 3rd West- Across from the park. He has seen a lot go on in the park. When Mr Pugmire talked to him he was very oppose to it but after talking to him he realized that we need a park like that but not in this park. You see people sitting under the trees reading, playing and relaxing. There are a lot of elderly people enjoying the park. Why do we have to get rid of something that everyone can enjoy? Kids going to the skateboard park would have to go across the busy highway. Glen directed the comments to the council. Kay stated he didn't discount anything that has been said. The problem that has not been addressed is baseball, basketball and football use the park. He would like to find something that would please everyone, but it is hard to point a finger and say if you play baseball, basketball, tennis, or football you can use the park but if you skateboard you are out to ruin our town. It is hard for him to understand why these kids would use more parking, drinking fountains or restrooms than soccer players or baseball players. As a Councilmember he could not discriminate. If we can find another place that would be great. (discussion) Marsha- The committee has been working on this. They looked at Smith Park and no one wanted it there either. They looked at the Nature Park but we were thinking of college kids using it and we want a place that is visible. We talked about using the old lagoon but she was not sure that was visible and accessible to the youth. She felt it would get more use if their parents didn't have to take them. Everyone says have it some place else, but no one has said where and no one wants it by them. We need it someplace that doesn't cost us money. The committee have worked long and hard on it and it has been in the paper. We have a chance to get this grant and that is why we wanted to get some city property that is already owned. (discussion pro and con) Brooke Passey stated that he is in favor of the skatepark. The county has a piece of property next to the National Guard Armory that could possibly be used for it or if the Louisana Pacific property is acquired that would be a good place. He felt that the county would be willing to get involved. Discussion. A motion was made by Farrell Young tc table it until an investigation for another spot was done because of the things that have been brought to out attention. Motion died for lack of a second. A motion was made by Marsha Bjornn that we have done a lot of study on this and that we proceed to put it in Porter Park and that we dedicate that piece of property for the purpose of the skateboard park. Seconded by Bruce Sutherland. Scott Kidd suggested that the council consider the principles at Porter Park that they considered at Smith Park and decided not to have it at that park. He did not feel it was compatible with a residential neighborhood. (Discussion) Marsha withdrew her motion and made a motion to commit to the skateboard park to donate property from the City or County that they will provide adequate space on property for a ekatepark to be placed and include the offer from Commissioner Paseey that we consider the county property. Seconded by Farrell A11 Aye Because of the lateness of the meeting a motion was made by Kay Beck and seconded by Marsha Bjornn to table the items for the Mill Levy and Sidewalk until the next meeting. A11 Aye RE: SIDEWALK PROBLEM ON ROLLING HILLS DRIVE TOPIC: (22,53,,,SIDEWALK, ROLLING HILLS DR.,STREET DEPT.) Kay told the council that a few years ago there was some property on Rolling Hi11s Drive that was undermined by water. They put in new sidewalk, curb and gutter. At that time there was a bad spot on the corner and there was a disagreement and they didn't fix the corner. He, Joe and Stephen looked at it and determined that it was a city problem. Right while they were looking at it some water came down the street and ran right down that hole so there was no doubt that was where the problem had started. He felt we should go back and tear it out and do it right. The sidewalk has jumped up in front of Vance Forsgren's place. Joe said there is a problem. Stephen stated it is our problem but if they had done what we had requested them to do initially it probably would not have generated this problem. We had no authority to require them to do it. We asked them to alternate the standard structure at the time they did it. They elected not to do it as a result they have lost it again. We probably have a responsibility because it is the existence of a non crown on the half road that causes the flooding at that corner. Joe said we have that same problem all over the hill. Stephen stated the majority of the water that is coming down that street is from the field and another problem is that there is a half street. Stephen stated that through circumstances which they have no control it needs to be redone. Glen stated that we need to fix it. Kay suggested maybe there was a way we could go in with a loader put a berm in to keep the irrigation water off the street. The council stated that Nyle Fullmer and Farrell Davidson need to go up and pursue it. Bruce reported on the Planning and Zoning Meeting. RE: ABANDONMENT A SECTION OF THE CITY STREET KNOWN AS NORTH 5TH WEST TOPIC: (22,53,ORD,805,5TH W.,FAIRGROUNDS,ABANDONMENT,STREETS) This ordinance was passed in 1997 and is located in the ordinance book. A motion was made by Kay Beck and seconded by Marsha Bjornn to pay the bills. A11 Aye Meeting adjourned. Mayor Nile L. Boyl~ F / < /}}, //<f// City Clerk, Rose %Hag,ey