HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999.07.07 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
DATE: (070799)
City Council
7/7/99
7:30 P. M.
State of Idaho)
County of Madison) ss
City of Rexburg)
Present were: Mayor:
Councilmembers:
City Clerk:
Finance Clerk:
Attorney:
P.F.C.:
Pledge to the Flag.
Introduction of Scout.
Bruce Sutherland
Marsha Hjornn
Kay Beck
Nyle Fullmer
Glen Pond
Farrell Young
Paul Pugmire
Rose Bagley
Richard Horner
Stephen Zollinger
John Millar
A motion was made by Marsha Hjornn and seconded by Farrell Young to
approve the minutes. All Aye
RE: INTERNET SERVICE
TOPIC: (23, 1,,, INTERNET,NET STEP)
Internet Service Providing. Richard explained. It is time to get hooked
onto the Internet with a little more speed. A hook up is between $40D
and $500 a month. We have been working with Net Step in providing the
service through microwaving computer to the E.C.I.P.D.A. Building. We
would just link into them and use that pipeline. Their normal service
fee is $556 but they are willing to give us a discount because they
want us as a customer and if we would allow them to put an antenna on
top of the water tower on the hill. The net cost would be down to $230
a month. That hook up could be used by all these buildings around City
Hall and in the future the Water and Wastewater could be hooked on. The
City Hall, Police., Fire and shop currently used by the Water Department
would be able to use that connection. There is an installation cost of
$4500 to put a microwave tower on this building but it looks like that
possibly could be paid for with grant money through E.C.I.P.D.A. They
are applying for a grant in the next few weeks. Richard told the
council there is enough money in the budget
A motion was made Kay Heck and seconded by Glen Pond to allow Net Step
to put a tower up on or by the water tower. All aye except Nyle Fullmer
who abstained because he had not arrived at the meeting until the
discussion was finished.
A motion was made by ICay Beckto allow the City to hook onto Net Step
Internet. Seconded by Farrell Young All Aye
RE: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SIGN AT IDAHO FALLS AIRPORT
TOPIC: (23,1,,,CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,ADVERTISZNG,RICKS COLLEGE,
TODRIST,AIRPORT)
Donna Benfield, Director of Rexburg Chamber of Commerce was at the
meeting to discuss an opportunity for Rexburg to participate in a
promotion going on at the Idaho Falls Airport for an advertising
campaign. It is something we have an opportunity to join in on now with
a renewal every fice or ten years. She felt it ie an excellent
opportunity for Rexburg to create an awareness of Rexburg. It would be
be beneficial to Rexburg Businesses and to the Rexburg Community. The
Idaho Falls Airport is in the process of upgrading and feel in the
future they will be receiving another major airline. They are in the
process of changing the display cases as well as other things. This
will be over a two year period. The main people that come through the
airport are business travelers and tourist travelers. Economic
Development and Tourism is an important part of Rexburg. If we had an
awareness to the traveler coming through Idaho Falls to do business
with pictures of various things in Rexburg they might realize that
Rexburg is not that far away. Because Idaho Falls is getting so busy
possibly Rexburg might be a good place to relocate a business. It is a
very visible place to approach people we want to approach.
----- She had presented this to Ricks College in hopes that they will share a
'. display case with us. They met and said they would like to go in with
the city and share the expenses. You can either sign up far a five or
'......, ten year contract. The Chamber and Ricks feel it would be better to go
with a five year contract. Her proposal is to take either a 3' or a 6'
display case. The ideal area for the case would be the baggage area
where people are standing waiting for baggage. She is asking the city
to participate.
Glen asked what the cost would be? Donna stated the cost on a 3' case
is $1800 a year for five years with the college paying 1/2 it would be
a cost of $900 for the city. The. S' case would be $3300 so it would be
$1650 each. There is a small production fee but she felt it could be
put together with a minimal charge using Ricks College's help. The
Chamber would not have any money to participate. At the third, fourth
and fifth year there will be an increase of about 3% which would be
about $40 a year. Discussion on the case and contents.
Glen Pond said as a city we can't obligate future councils so we would
have to pay the total cost for five years up front. Donna said if we go
with the five foot case and three foot case we would get a 10°s discount
and if we pay up front in cash we would get another 10~ discount. If we
do both we would get a 22~ discount. She is talking to Bear World and
Artco to see if we could get one side by side and come up with a 22%
discount. The college is unable to come up with the money up front and
want to do it year by year. They said what ever Rexburg is comfortable
with they would go with. Discussion.
The mayor said we don't have it budgeted but we can possibly put it in
the budget or take it out of the contingency fund. We could make the
commitment and not pay them until the new budget starts.
A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer that we participate and go for the
larger space of 5'. Seconded by Farrell Young. All aye
RE: PARKING SIGNS AT BRODIE'S BAIR SALON
TOPIC: (23,2,,,SIGNS,PARKZNG,STREETS,CART BUS,BUSES)
Brodie Hair Salon Signs- The mayor explained she had put some signs out
in front of her.Salon on Main Street for parking only for Hrodie's
Salon. She stated with the Cart Hus and Greyhound Bus parking in front
they are having a problem with their customers not knowing where to
park. The Cart Bus and Greyhound Bus do have signs out. The mayor told
her the reason the Greyhound Bua and the Cart bus have been allowed to
do that is because in 1992 the city made an agreement with them to
allow them to put signs up because they are a Public Utility Service.
We can't do that for private business. (discussion) John Millar
suggested that it could be signed as one or two hour parking which
would help. The mayor also told her that by October we will have a
traffic signal on Main and 1st South which will make it easier for your
customers to park across the street and cross over to your shop. It was
suggested that the employees don't park in front and leave that for
customers. John said he would check it out and see if there are any
possibilities for parking. Stephen suggested that it be signed as
between signs Public Parking and the city would sign it.
RE: STOP SIGN AT 2ND EAST AND 1ST SOUTH
TOPIC: (23,2,,,TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE,2ND EAST,STOP SIGN,IST SOUTH)
4 Way Stop at 2nd East and lot South -
The mayor explained that Bart Webster, Chairman of the Traffic Safety
Committee was at the meeting for any questions. The Traffic Safety
Committee works hard to look at the entire city and look at the traffic
flow and they try to make decisions that are best for the entire city
and neighborhood. He ask that people try to keep the comments so as not
to repeat what has been said.
David Martin- 130 S 2 E - He gave the council a letter from the former
Mayor John C Porter regarding the 4 way Stop and why and when it was
put in and the compromise that was made with the residents on 2nd
East. (copy on file) The neighborhood felt they were singled out. Same
of the things they did not feel the Safety Committee had addressed (1)
The school bus stop for the Middle School stops on the West side of the
intersection. (2),When the stop sign was taken down it was done really
quick without warning. He felt the city should have taken more time
such as stripping it for a two way stop instead of a four way stop. He
felt the council should have a safe operating procedure in a safe
orderly manner when they do have to make a change. He had asked for the
traffic count and still has not been able to get it. He asked the
council to support the compromise that was promised to the citizens of
that area by former city leaders.
Van Christian- 262 E 1 S - The concern he had about switching from the
a way stop sign to a 2 way stop sign is there is an apartment complex,
Kenneled Apartments, that has been family housing for years and it has
switched to mens housing which is going to significantly increase the
amount of traffic. That is something that needs to be taken into
consideration. The ambulance used that road on a regular basis from the
hospital and the 4-way stop made it easy for them to get through that
intersection with all that traffic coming down that hill. Another
concern is there is a lot of people in that area that use the downtown
and come across that intersection especially students going to Sunior
High and in the winter that intersection is very slick and that makes
it a concern because it would create a greater hazard.
Clair Boyle- 1921 Meadowview- He uses that street and even though he
lives in the county, he feels that is as much his street as if he lived
',. in the city. For 26 years they have traveled up and down that road and
'.. was pleased to see that sign removed and would like to seethe sign
_... removed at the top of the hill. If you have to go up that street ten
times a day and stop at every stop eign and start and coming down it is
hard on the car and especially hard in the winter to stop at all those
stop signs. The police patrol that road more than any street in the
city. If there is a hazard they should look at the hazard in the winter
with the icy roads. About two years ago Randy Schwendiman was hit on
that comer after he stopped and then went through the intersection and
was broadsided by a college student at a 4 way stop. He discussed the
promise that was made to that subdivision about water and that they
have to pay 50% more for their water than the city residents and that
one council makes a promise and times change and twenty years later a
council is expected to keep that promise. He was aware that the safety
of children is important. Traffic can be controlled by police.
Ruth Martin- 130 South 2nd East- The police that patrol that street
have been there since they have been calling. The traffic has increased
in speed since the stop sign has been taken out. If you go to the stop
sign on 2nd South and look down that highway what you see is Highway 33
heading out of town which is a four lane with a turn lane in the middle
and a stop light. People seem to forget when they hit that last stop
light and are headed into town on Highway 33 that they are still in a
Residential area. We have children, older people and apartment
buildings there and people will not slow down on that street unless
they are reminded there is a reason to stop coming up. They have
watched it and can tell when a police officer parks down the road
because the traffic slows down. The minute the officer leaves the
traffic picks up again. The officer doesn't hide to watch the traffic
and take a speed count. When that stop sign was taken out there were
accidents immediately. The traffic flow was functioning just fine on
that corner. When people leave the college after meetings or whatever
they come down that street to get out of town to various places. They
have a hard time getting out on the street and people sitting at 1st
south can't cross the road or even turn onto 2nd east. It is a
dangerous intersection and they have lost some quiet in their
residential neighborhood. There are other areas in the city that should
provide for the traffic flow across town, 2nd West could feed the
college. They don't need faster cars on their street, they need the
stop sign back. she asked that the council honor the deal that was made
with them to have that stop sign. It's their neighborhood and should
not be a cross through speed way.
Preston Haley- 275 East 1st South- He thanked the council and the
safety committee for the position they hold and the work they do. As
far as the stop sign is concerned it has had a negative effect in
their neighborhood. He asked if there was a time frame in between
announcing that a stop sign is removed and the time it is removed or is
there a set procedure? In that process is there a procedure which the
public can be involved in that decision making? It concerns him as to
what is the justification in putting in a stop sign and what is the
justification in removing that very same stop sign? Have the reasons
for putting it in changed over time? He would like the sign back in. He
wondered when the traffic count was taken?
Mike Severy- 65 South 2nd East- A concern is it is hard for him to get
out of his driveway onto the street. There is a steady flow of traffic
and with the stop sign gone it will be next to impossible to get out of
his driveway to go to work.
Mrs Harrell- 216 E 1st S- One concern she has is the large house that
sits on the South East Corner of that intersection. It is very large
and very high. When you come down the street you are already starting
to slow down because we knew there was a stop sign and would have to
stop and slide into that intersection. She felt it was one of the worst
spots in the whole city. Her concern is if a college student believes
he doesn't have a stop sign there so he can reduce that brake a little
and then we will have people sliding going east/west and they will not
be able to see around that house on the corner and now we have a higher
speed from the south to the north and there will be a bad wreck.
Another concern is a comment that was made to teach our children to go
to a different controlled intersection. The concern is the other two
controlled intersections we have are some of the most dangerous
intersections. She does not want her children on Main Street because it
is one of the worst intersections for people turning in all directions.
If a child is trying to get to the bus stop, he will dart out in front
of a car. Her concern for 2nd South is that everyone trying to get
across will go to 2nd South to get across and that will double the
traffic on 2nd South. She asked that they have a controlled
intersection that alleviates some of that traffic.
Ellie Christman- 262 E 1 S - She commented on the cost to run a car.
They have to buy new car and get their car fixed but that is a fair
price for safety.
Dee Williamson- 930 Westwood- He was thankful they took out that stop
sign. He has driven up and down that road many times and has never had
a ticket. Times change and roads become mare crowded. You need to be
aware of your driving conditions. He thought taking out that stop sign
is a good idea. His concern is the traffic on the upper end of the hill
by Aspen. People need to prepare to stop in the winter.
Linda Walker- 120 S 2 E - It is hard to get out of the driveway. The
most important thing is the safety of the children. She has a child
that has friends on the other side of the street and it is hard without
the stop sign for them to cross. She is concerned about the safety of
the children.
Karen Muir- 230 E 3 S - About twelve years ago she had a little girl in
the car with her that was killed because of a stop sign that was not
visible at the time. It was in the county. Several residents in that
area had complained about it previously to the accident and nothing was
done until it was too late. She asked that the council take into
consideration the things they were trying to stress about the safety of
the children.
David Taylor - 203 E 2 S - We live on that road and have children that
meet together and go across that intersection many times a day. It will
also be harder to get out of his driveway. The traffic does change when
v
a police officer sits there. He would be really concerned if the 4 way
stop above his block were taken out. There are a lot of changes.
Josh Taylor - 203 E 2 S - He walks to Junior High and he is a teenager
and teenagers are stupid. Teenagers are rebellious and are going to be
cruising up and down that street. He is concerned because a lot of his
friends that are younger are going to use that intersection when they
walk to school and it is going to be dangerous. He hears the cars
speeding up and down that road and he is scared for himself and the
]rids when they cross that intersection.
Doug Smith - He is not happy with the removal of that stop sign. The
traffic has picked up speed and it is more dangerous to cross that
street. He has been grateful that there has been a 4 way stop at that
intersection. There is a downhill from the west into that intersection
and sometimes it has been too slick to stop and he has slid right
through that intersection even though he was not going fast and was
grateful that the other car was still sitting there watching him slide
through. He questioned the traffic count. A lot of people use that road
to go to the medical offices.
Milce Olsen - 265 E 1st S - Each morning he has to go to Idaho Falls to
work and he crossed at that intersection. The traffic. has picked up.
Even though the stop sign isn't there people are still stopping at that
intersection and he did not think that was safe. A comment about the
wear and tear on a vehicle to have to stop, he works as a mechanic and
he would be glad to put breaks on the car for Mr Boyle for free if
there is that much wear and tear on the vehicle.
Tracy Morris - 219 E 1 S - She has five children and is in the yard
with those children and sees the children trying to cross at that
intersection. She sees children who can't get across the street so they
dart across the street right in front of cars. She asked the council to
take the )cids safety into consideration.
', Jack Harroll - 216 E 1 S - He is torn on the issue. As he drives down
', the street from the hill there are several small trees planted in the
section between the sidewalk and the street so as you are coming down
the street as those trees grow it would be more difficult to see the
corner because of the trees. He suggested a sign "PEDESTRIAN CROSSING"
at that intersection.
Glen Pond asked to hear from Bart Webster representing the Safety
Committee.
Bart Webster- This decision was brought about by the decision to put
the 4 way stop by the Post Office. It was their intent to address the
traffic flow. In response to Mr Martin about the compromise, when the
stop sign was put at 2nd East and 3rd South it was with the
recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee. The understanding was
in order to put one in at 3rd South we would probably talcs the one out
at 1st South and 2nd East. We need to look at the whole picture. They
did not look at the traffic count. Their intent was to make a smoother
flow of traffic and have always considered the police and ambulance
getting across town. He felt it needs to be turned back to the Traffic
Safety Committee.
Kay Beck- He told the people that the council were very concerned about
the safety of the children and the people. He lives in an area where
the whole addition has to cross the street to go to school and there
are no signs. The children were considered in this. Kids are always in
danger in everything they do. The people that serve on the Traffic
---- Safety Committee are good hard working people and the only thing they
get for their effort is maybe some flack. They don't just look at one
intersection they look at the whole city. The street in front of his
house is not just his street it is public property and we need to move
traffic. As far as a commitment or an agreement this may have very well
been intended but he did not think a mayor or anyone sitting on the
council if they were to say they were going to put a sign up and it is
never going to come out then he had a hard time believing that because
traffic changes. We can't commit tonight that something is going to
stay that way forever. John said he had just got the traffic counts and
(~l
hadn't had time to analyze it yet. The traffic counts were done in
March and April of 1998.
Marsha Bjornn- Questioned how the decision was made to take the stop
sign down, she couldn't remember? The mayor reported it was a committee
report and agreed by the council in discussion. The mayor felt there
was enough consensus and made the final decision. Marsha questioned if
we should have let the citizens know. The mayor told her we did not
need a public hearing for decisions on traffic control. The
recommendation was made by the traffic safety committee to remove the 4
`"` way sign at 1st South and 2nd East and put a 4 way sign in at Center
and 1st South. The discussion was piggy backed together. The mayor also
'. stated that we have these committees that work very hard that we call
'......_.. and ask them to dedicate their time and experience and they do the best
they can for the city. The city council could not manage all these
things that we aslc the committees to manage. If there is a problem then
the council will make a final decision. Discussion on putting stop
signs in to regulate speed.
A motion was made by Farrell Young that in view of what we have heard
at this meeting that we send it back to the Traffic Safety Committeefor
one last investigation with the traffic count and that it then come
back to the Council for a vote. Seconded by Marsha Bjornn. All Aye
The mayor talked about traffic safety devises that was demonstrated in
Boise. It was suggested that there be a pedestrian count. They also
asked if the traffic count could be done when school is in session.
RE: ABANDONMENT OF RICKS AVENUE
TOPIC: (23,6,,,RICKS AVENUE,L.I.D. 31,SZDEWALKS)
Abandonment of Riclcs Avenue- Bill Cook was at the meeting to discuss
the improvements on Ricks Avenue or abandonment. He told the council he
was going to be gone for a couple of weeks however the neighbors have
not yet come to an agreement about the street. He asked if we could
table the decision for a couple of weeks. John said that would not be a
problem. Stephen explained that Bill and Kevin Bott would be the only
ones that would be impacted by the L.I.D. He told him as long as he was
willing to go out and get his own contractor and have the work done to
the city standard there would be no problem putting his on the L.I.D.
We can take it off our L.Z.D. bid but Mr Coolc would be obligated to go
in on his own and get it done before the end of the summer if we go
that direction instead of a sidewalk on just one side and that could
still be on the L.I.D. funding but it would not be on the bid package.
They are not talking about abandonment at this point. Stephen said they
had met with some of the neighbors last week and discussed the problems
created by not enforcing our ordinance by allowing a sidewalk provision
to be abandoned on Ricks Ave given that it is a street that is
traveled. Several compromise solutions were discussed. One included
making it into a one way street but the neighbors present did not think
it was the best solution. A discussion took place on right-a-way on the
south side of Ricks Avenue which extends three to four feet in back of
curb to the best of their guess. If we could get the entire street to
agree to a L.I.D. type of funding of a sidewalk for the entire length
on the south side curb back except where the parking lot is, which
would just be stripped, then we would avoid this problem every time
property changes hands. We would sign the north side of the street and
require pedestrians to cross at 2nd East and 3rd East to use the
sidewalk only on the south of Ricks Ave. What we have is an alley that
was converted to a street without obtaining the right-a-way on the
north side. We have sidewalk right-a-way we think on the south side. It
was decided to table the issue unless they come to a conclusion prior
to that. Mr Cook asked if they could put the sidewalk around a tree and
he was told that would not be a problem. He also questioned restricting
parking to only one side of the street. Stephen told him that could be
done if the property owners agreed. Everyone on the street needs to
come in and talk to Richard regarding putting the sidewalk on the L.I.D.
RE: CREED CARDON EAGLE PROJECT
TOPIC: (23, 7,,,EAGLE PROJECTS,MAZN STREET,EXITS,WATER TRUCK,
DUMP TRUCKS,EQUIPMENT)
Creed Cordon regarding the update on an Eagle Project to Heautify the
main entrance to the city. He gave a handout regarding his plan and
explained it. (on file) All they need from the city is for six to eight
weeks to have the water truck water the plants to germinate the plants
about three days a week. The mayor had a concern about the sloop for
the water. Sohn felt it could be done without a washout. On July 31
they need a dump truck to haul the trash and weeds. Jahn said that
could be worked out. He also asked if the city could help at all
financially. The mayor said we would see what we could do. (discussion)
Marsha asked questions on design and plat materials. The mayor told him
to get all the information he needs and come back to the council.
RE: TYLER MOORE EAGLE PROJECT
TOPIC: (23, 7,,,EAGLE PROJECTS,WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT,POLICE, PARK)
Tyler Moore was at the meeting to discuss an Eagle Project to request a
site for over night camping for scouts. It is hard to find a camping
spot close to Rexburg for over night camping for scouts. Seaver Dick
Park is close but there is a lot of traffic and a lot going on and they
would like something a little more private. They are thinking of the
area by the Wastewater Plant. (showed location on the map) There is
room for three camp sites. It is along the south edge of the Teton
River. The city is building a jogging path through there. He had talked
to John Millar. Sohn said that is scheduled in the next two weeks for
a church group to do some clean up with the dead wood and trees down
there. For his project he was going to identify the camping areas and
develop one with a fire pit and clean out areas for tents and parking.
The mayor told him that would be a good area. Discussion on the Police
and Fire training facility and shooting range in that area. John
recommended if the area is developed for the camp site that it be gated
with a lock and that anyone using the site would have to schedule it
and come into City Hall for a key so we know when and who is using it.
Paul suggested it should be part of the parks. Tyler said he would get
a design and would develop one of the sties. (Discussion) He said he
would just need help developing the parking lot with having some gravel
hauled in. Nyle suggested that he come back to the council with a
serious proposal and design.
RE: SURPLUS EQUIPMENT
TOPIC: (23,7,,,SURPLUS,EQUIPMENT)
Discussion on permission to surplus the Old Garbage Truck and Street
Sweeper. A motion was made by Nyle Fullmer and seconded by Kay Heck to
surplus this equipment. All Aye
Marsha discussed the Air Show and wondered if the city helped with it
at all?
A motion was made by Glen Pond and seconded by Nyle Fullmer to pay the
bills. All Aye
Meeting adjourned.
Mayor, Bruce Sutherland
J
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City 'lerk, Rods Hay