May 6, 2021 – Council Minutes

Work Meeting – 6:30pm:

Review of Police and Other Employees Pay:

In attendance: Councilmen R Burke, D Burke, Councilwomen A King, B Harrison, public works Mitch Bradley, Clerk David Swager

General discussion among the council that a pay increase was needed not only for the police but all the employees.  Consensus among the council members that any pay adjustment/increase would be initiated at the start of the next fiscal year.  Councilwoman King felt the police needed to be adjusted with extra attention given to the beginning wage and adjusting those up the scale with a slightly different rate of increase.  Councilwoman Harrison reminded everyone the police had received a 10% increase two years prior which brought their pay scale in line with other cities.  The turnover in the police department was discussed; would an increase across the board in pay affect the turnover or would there still be a turnover in those beginning officers? Mitch Bradley stated that from the print out of the other cities that was provided the police are near the top of those cities while the public works employees are at the bottom.  He wanted to remind everyone the topic was not just police but all employees. 

Meeting discontinued at 7:00pm

Regular Meeting:

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm Thursday, May 6, 2021.   The pledge of allegiance was given by David Swager and the prayer given Nicole Weight.     

The Mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilman D Burke   Present  

Councilwoman King  Present

Councilwoman Harrison  Present  

Councilman R. Burke      Present  

Councilwoman Weight  Present       

Councilman Datwyler  Absent

Also present: Mitch Bradley, attorney Dunn.

Swearing In Library Board Member:

The mayor asked if Denisse Baxter would step forward to be given the oath of office for the library board. 

Amend Agenda:

The mayor asked if the agenda could be amended to allow for public comment as one person wished to make a statement.

Councilwoman Harrison moved to amend the agenda to allow public comment at this time seconded by Councilwoman Weight. 

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

Public Comment:

Kimber Tower came forward and commented on the school shooting that occurred this day.  The Rigby police department responded to the call and assisted with the incident.  She commented people will have issues after this event and encourage the city to assist not only with the students but with the first responders.

1^st Reading Ordinance #2021.619 – amending Titles #9 thru #14 of the city code:

Councilwoman King moved the mayor read the ordinance in title and summary only seconded by Councilman D Burke.

Mayor reads the title and summary of ordinance #2021.619.  The public hearing on the amendment will be held May 20. 

Request for services & annexation:

Planning zoning administrator Ione Hansen came forward with a map showing the parcel adjacent to the LDS Church on 4000 E and 200 North owned by Brian Lott who is requesting  water services to his proposed development.  Being the development is outside of the city boundary the council questioned if the city could provide water services without it being annexed.  Several options were discussed including adjacent property owned by the Grover family also wished to be annexed with city services.  Discussion about how far to extend the water line east on 200 North and the size of the water line.  Mr. Lott explained all of the development will have surface water for irrigation of the lots which will be 2 – 3 acres in size.  The potable water will only need to be for the household and not for irrigation.  Mr. Bradley indicated that a 16 inch water line should be installed to provide water for future development but that Mr. Lott development would only need a 4 inch water line.  Discussion and options on methods to pay for the difference in pipe from 16 inch vs. 4 inch was discussed.  Mr. Bradley will provide costs estimates for a later discussion. 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to allow for Mr. Lott’s request for water service subject to the provision in the development that if and when the property is eligible and is contiguous to adjoining property the development will be annexed with the provision being placed on the deed of each parcel.  Motion seconded by Councilwoman King.

The Mayor asked the clerk to poll the council:

Councilman D Burke   Yes   

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes  

Councilman R. Burke      Yes  

Councilwoman Weight  Yes

Planning/Zoning Job Description/Responsibility:

The council reviewed the draft copy of the general duties and responsibilities of the planning zoning director.  The recent AIC meeting had recommended that the city have general duties/responsibilities for each job within the city.  The city up to this point did not have a job description for the planning/zoning administrator. 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to approve the job description with the job being a full time position with 40 hours per week seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The Mayor asked the clerk to poll the council:

Councilman D Burke   Yes   

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes  

Councilman R. Burke      Yes  

Councilwoman Weight  Yes

Urban Renewal Agency Rehabbing Scotty’s Ball fields:

Mitch Bradley came forward and showed a concept draft of the layout for the three baseball diamonds the Scotty’s South Park.  Discussion in favor with the urban renewal agency going forward with the addition of field lights, power/water services for food trucks and changing of the batters cage and other changes. 

Councilwoman Weight moved to approve the urban renewal agency proceeding with the project seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The Mayor asked the clerk to poll the council:

Councilman D Burke   Yes   

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes  

Councilman R. Burke      Yes  

Councilwoman Weight  Yes

IPDES Permit:

Scott Humpheys came forward and presented the council with a contract from Keller Eng to complete the permit for the wastewater treatment discharge permit due June 30, 2021.  The clerk noted that under the terms of the contract the “compensation to the billing rates included as Attachment A” was not attached.  The mayor stated since the contract was incomplete the contract would need to be resubmitted.

March ’21 Financials Review:

The clerk reviewed the financials of the city for the period ending March 31, 2021.  He noted the year is 50% over with the budget to revenues percentages exceeding for most of the funds greater than 50%.  Expenditures to budget were for the most part running below 50% however he sees that changing over the next 30/60 day period as projects get under way and summer work starts up.  He reviewed the journal entries for the interest and internal service funds. 

Quarterly Interfund Transfers:

The clerk presented the council with a summary of the interfund transfers to be made for the March period as follows:

	To	From
General Fund	18,750.00
Water Revenue		6,250.00
Sanitation		6,250.00
Sewer Revenue		6,250.00
Capital Improvement Fund	100,000.00
General Fund		100,000.00

Councilman D Burke moved to authorize the transfers seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The Mayor asked the clerk to poll the council:

Councilman D Burke   Yes   

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes  

Councilman R. Burke      Yes  

Councilwoman Weight  Yes

Chamber Merchant/Farmer Banquet:

The clerk stated the annual merchant/farmer banquet is scheduled for Thursday July 15 which is the same date as the second council meeting.  Being July has 5 weeks he suggested moving the second council meeting from July 15 to July 22. 

Councilwoman King moved to reschedule the council meeting from July 15 to July 22 seconded by Councilwoman Harrison.

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

Review of police and other employees pay:

Councilman D Burke stated the work meeting was working towards agreement among themselves but had not at this time completed and come to a consensus.  The mayor suggested setting a general work meeting at 6:00pm for each of the next few scheduled council meetings and make suggestions prior to the end of June. 

Lights in Central Park:

Councilman D Burke indicated that they were still waiting for bids for the electrical work needed in Central Park and it would more than likely be 3-4 weeks out. 

State Funding:

The clerk informed the council the state has allocated $48,000 to the city in one time funding for road improvements.  The state also allocated $4 million to community airports for upgrades which the Rigby airport will be applying for to pave the runway and taxi way on the recently acquired land. 

Approval of Minutes:

Councilman D Burke moved to approve the minutes of April 22, 2021 seconded by Councilwoman Harrison. 

The mayor called for a voice poll:  all in favor none opposed with Councilwoman Weight abstaining. 

Review and Approval of Bills:

Councilwoman Harrison moved to approve the bills seconded by Councilman D Burke. 

The Mayor asked the clerk to poll the council:

Councilman D Burke   Yes   

Councilwoman King  Yes

Councilwoman Harrison  Yes  

Councilman R. Burke      Yes  

Councilwoman Weight  Abstained

Adjournment:

Councilwoman Weight moved to adjourn seconded by Councilwoman King. 

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

Meeting adjourned: 8:32pm

CITY OF RIGBY  

     ______________________

     Jason Richardson, Mayor

 ATTEST:

  __________________

 David Swager, Clerk

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