August 26, 2021 – Council Minutes

The mayor called the meeting to order at 7:14 pm Thursday, August 26, 2021.   The pledge of allegiance was given by Aliza King and the prayer given Richard Datwyler.     

The Mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilman D Burke   Present
Councilwoman King  Present
Councilwoman Harrison  Present
Councilman Datwyler  Present
Councilman R. Burke      Arrives 7:13 pm
Councilwoman Weight  Absent 

Also present: Chief Tower, attorney Dunn, Mitch Bradley

Public Comment:

Chris Bloxham – Expressed displeasure with the work and slow pace with the construction being done on 4^th North.  The contractor is having ongoing issues with getting the work done.

Jill Taylor – Has not been notified when the water service would be shut off.  Water is off anywhere from 15/20 minutes to as long as 4 hours.  Contractor has not notified residents when work would require them to move cars and when informed the work does not progress beyond the prior day’s work.  

Shantel Wiese – Road is not drivable or passable with pot holes and boulders in road.  The road has been torn up for months and they see no progress being made.

Councilman R Burke enters meeting: 7:13 pm

Annette Thompson – Operates a day care and was informed the construction work would not affect her day care, has been nothing but havoc. Also complains about the water being shut off with kids in her day care.  No advance notification has been given.  When the water service was changed but all of her plumbing inside were clogged with dirt.  Had to have a plumber come in and clean and clear each water fixture. 

Jennie Decker – (Stowell Property-3855 E 300 N) – Expressed her opposition with the proposed storage units being constructed.  Buyer went against what he originally proposed. 

Brian Decker – (Stowell Property- 3855 E 300 N) – Expressed concern that storage units are not best and use for the property.  Feels the council should revoke the special use permit granted the buyers by the p/z commission.

Councilman Datwyler motioned to move the discussion on the Larry Wilson street up on the agenda seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a voice poll:  all in favor none opposed.

Larry Wilson Street – Michelle Barber – comment on Larry Wilson and being born and raised in Rigby he needed to be recognized for his accomplishments:  being the only hall of famer in any sports being born and raised in Idaho.  There will be a special event this coming Friday at the high school with a bronze sculptor and a brief highlight of his life’s accomplishments.  As part of this Mrs. Barber and Randy Green would like to have street signs erected on 1^st North indicating this is where Larry grew up on the house west of the Presbyterian Church. 

Councilwoman King moved to allow the erection of the street signs on 1^st North seconded by Councilman D Burke. 

The mayor called for a voice poll:  all in favor none opposed.

Public Hearing:

• 2022 Budget:

The clerk presented and recapped the proposed 2022 budget outlining maximum property tax levy of $1,603,960 and total expenditures totaling $35,685,281. 

There was no public comment.

Council discussion: Councilman D Burke discussed the pay increases for the employees citing the police pay scale has not been decided. 

Councilman D Burke moved to approve the 2022 budget as presented seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke   Yes

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes

Councilman Datwyler  Yes

Councilman R. Burke  Yes

• Funded Grant Proposal:

Kristine Staten representing The Development Co reviewed a proposed grant that is available for a precast bathroom for the central park.  The grant if granted to the city would fund $225,000 for the bathrooms of an estimated cost of $270,000.  The city will do in kind work for the water and sewer connection.  The location would be just west of the tennis courts and south of the block shelter. 

Public Comment:  None

The information was informational only for the general public. No action.

Planning/Zoning:

• Annexation of BUKU Properties  – Applicant withdrew application
• Annexation w/ Zone – 3855 E 300 North:  Applicant withdrew application
• Rezone 335 S 3^rd West – Jesse Thomas, owner, indicated they were willing to have the lot zoned R-2 per the motion on August 5, 2021.

Public Works:

• 1^st Reading of Ordinance #620, #621, & #622 – Pretreatment, Sewer User update and Interrupter.

Councilman Datwyler moved to read the ordinance in summary form seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a voice poll:  all in favor none opposed.

The mayor reads the summary of ordinance. 

• Contract Decrease – East Sewer Line reroute:

Mitch Bradley stated the east sewer line reroute has change order with a net decrease of $67,374 due to not having to dewater the trench and a smaller amount of asphalt being used.

• Contract Increase – East Sewer Line reroute: 

Mitch Bradley indicated the contract as approved for the engineering work by Keller’s had a percentage based on final construction cost amounting to $20,692. 

Councilman D Burke stated he was upset with how this works out being Keller’s did no additional work based solely on increased construction costs.  Mitch Bradley stated the contract was approved May 2020 and it did allow for the percentage based on final construction costs.  Going forward in the future it would more than likely be based on fixed fee contract. 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to approve the increase in base contract price seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke   No

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes

Councilman Datwyler  Yes

Councilman R. Burke  Yes

• Electrical upgrade in City Park:

Adam Hall representing the Midnight Madness Car show presented the council with a proposal of increasing the lighting and electrical works in the central park.  The car show is growing and the need for more electrical work is needed.  The car show has volunteers who will donate time and material for the lights and electrical work.  The car show has committed $10,000 towards the project and asked if the city would assist.  Hall presented pictures of the electrical boxes Sugar City have in their park and they would like something similar. 

Councilman D Burke voiced support for the upgrade. 

Councilman R Burke moved to authorize moving forward on the upgrade once a dollar amount is known and brought back to the council seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke   Yes

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes

Councilman Datwyler Yes but had reservations that the electrical only benefit the car show.

Councilman R. Burke  Yes

Professional Service Contract:

1. WWTP Contract – Kristine Staten representing The Development Co. came forward with a contract for administrative services for the funding for the new WWTP plant.  The contract broken into phases total $90,000 in total.  After a reading of the contract by the attorney who noted a couple of changes Councilman Datwyler moved to approve the contact with the changes as recommended by the attorney seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke  Yes
Councilwoman King  Yes
Councilwoman Harrison  Yes
Councilman Datwyler Yes
Councilman R Burke  Yes

2. Park & Recreation Grant: Kristine Staten representing The Development Co reviewed a proposed grant that is available for a precast bathroom for the central park.  The grant if granted to the city would fund $225,000 for the bathrooms of an estimated cost of $270,000.

They had one completed and installed in Challis this summer and Rigby’s would be similar.  The city will do in kind work for the water and sewer connection.  The location would be just west of the tennis courts and south of the block shelter.  The grant being presented is for writing the grant in the amount of $3,000.  Administrative fee would be $14,000 if the grant got awarded the city.  Discussion centered on adding the electrical work in the park if it could be added to the project with the volunteer/donation being counted towards the city in kind. 

Council discussed whether or not Angie Hill could write the grant however the deadline is coming up within 30 days.  She could write the grant but time would be the limiting factor. 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to allow the mayor to discuss the grant with Angie and if she was able to submit it within the time be allowed to do so, if not he is authorized to execute the contract with The Development Co.  Motion seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke  Yes
Councilwoman King  Yes
Councilwoman Harrison  Yes
Councilman Datwyler Yes
Councilman R Burke  Yes

• Urban Renewal Agreement:

Tabled did not have agreement.

• Purchase of Used Vehicle: Mitch Bradley stated he has been in contact with John Adams Auto Group for a used pickup.  John Adams has located a single owner pickup in the amount of $26,419.55.  This dollar amount is within his budget and he needs a pickup. 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to authorize the purchase of the F-150 from John Adams Auto Group in the amount of $26,419.55 seconded by Councilwoman King.

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke   Yes    

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes 

Councilman Datwyler  Yes

Councilman R Burke  Yes

Clerks Items:

• Appropriating Ordinance #2021-623:

The clerk presented Ordinance #2021-623 for the council to review and adopt.

Councilman Datwyler moved to publish and adopt ordinance 2021-623 seconded by Councilwoman Harrison. 

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke   Yes    

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes 

Councilman Datwyler  Yes

Councilman R Burke  Yes

• Review of June 2021 Financials and Journal Entries:

The clerk reviewed the excel spread sheet of revenues vs. expenditures for budget to actual.  Revenues were exceeding the percentage and expenditures were running below budget.  Journal entries were recurring interest earnings along with the posting for the internal service funds credits and charges.

• INEL Bus Lease:

The new INEL bus lease follows the prior lease with the exception of it being a 10 year term vs. a 5 year term lease.  The lease can be cancelled with 120 days written notice and is for $150.00 per month.

Councilwoman King moved to approve the new INEL lease seconded by Councilman D Burke.

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke   Yes    

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes 

Councilman Datwyler  Yes

Councilman R Burke  Yes

Other Council Business:

• Police Pay Scale: 
  Councilwoman King presented two options for the police merit pay: zero to three percent and one percent to four percent. Council discussed the pros and cons of both suggestions.  Opinion seemed to favor the zero to 3%.  Officer Scott explained how the military does their pay schedule along with the process of evaluations that is used for each of the officers.  He stated Rigby’s police pay is below the average in other cities.
  
  With no clear decision coming forward and discussion becoming circular and repetitive Councilman Datwyler moved to table further discussions seconded by Councilwoman Harrison.
  
  The mayor called for a voice poll:  four in favor with Councilwoman King voting nay
• Police Update:
  Chief Tower stated the two police cars are being processed and he’s looking at a school resource officer with the school district. 

Approval of Minutes:

• August 5, 2021: Councilman Datwyler moved to approve the minutes of August 5, 2021 seconded by Councilwoman King. 

 The mayor called for a voice poll:  four in favor with Councilman R Burke abstaining.

• August 11, 2021: Councilman Datwyler moved to approve the minutes of August 11, 2021 seconded by Councilwoman Harrison.  

 The mayor called for a voice poll:  four in favor with Councilman R Burke abstaining.

Review and Approval of Bills:

The clerk stated the just approved the Ford pickup from John Adams for $26,419.55 needed to be added to the bill list.

Councilman Datwyler moved to approve the bills of August 26 including the John Adams bill for $26,419.55 seconded by Councilwoman Harrison.  

The mayor called for a roll call poll:

Councilman D Burke   Yes    

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes 

Councilman Datwyler  Yes

Councilman R Burke  Yes

Executive Session:

Councilman Datwyler moved to enter into executive session per Idaho Code 74-206.1(b): To consider the evaluation of appointed city officials seconded by Councilwoman King.

The mayor called for a voice poll:  all in favor none opposed.

Council enters executive session: 10:50 pm

Council exits executive session: 11:03 pm

The mayor asked if there was any discussion/decision hearing none he then asked for a motion to adjourn.

Adjournment:

Councilman Datwyler moved to adjourn seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor called for a voice poll:  all in favor none opposed.

Meeting adjourned: 11:03 pm

City of Rigby

   _________________________

   Jason Richardson, Mayor

  Attest:

  _______________________

 David Swager, Clerk

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