October 5, 2023 – Council Minutes

The mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm Thursday, Oct, 5, 2023.   The pledge of allegiance was given by Aliza King and the prayer given by Doug Burke.          

The mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilwoman King                         Present  

Councilman D Burke                        Present    

Councilwoman Harrison                Present

Councilman Orme                            Present  

Councilman Wilder                          Absent     

Councilman R. Burke                      Absent      

Also in attendance:  Mitch Bradley, Chief Fullmer, Attorney Sam Angell

Amend Agenda:

Councilman Orme moved to amend the agenda to allow an action item for a grit scrubber purchase for the WWTP at the headworks bldg. The reason for the need to amend the agenda is that information was not available by the due date and the need to approve the purchase due to the lead time.  Motion seconded by Councilwoman Harrison. 

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

Public Comment:

None

Water Tank 200 North:

The mayor indicated he and Mitch had had a discussion with Keller’s regarding the contract for the water tank contract this evening meeting and they will be considering revising the contract, so he would like the item tabled until next council.

Councilwoman King moved to table the decision/discussion on water tank seconded by Councilwoman Harrison. 

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

Resolution # 217-2023 – Per Diem Rates:

The council reviewed the resolution increasing the per diem rates as discussed in the Sept 21 meeting.  Councilwoman King moved to adopt resolution #217-2023 seconded by Councilwoman Harrison. 

The mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilwoman King                         Yes   

Councilman D Burke                        Yes    

Councilwoman Harrison                Yes

Councilman Orme                            Yes

Swearing In Planning/Zoning Member:   

The mayor asked Roger Stone to step forward and be sworn in as a new planning/zoning commission member. 

WWTP- Headworks Screens:

Scott Humphreys from the WWTP plant presented a new screen that will cut down on the amount a hair and other material entering the treatment plant.  He obtained two prices: Headworks Inc $471,672 and Cogent $362,500.  After discussion Councilwoman King moved to accept the Cogent bid proposal of $362,500 for the screens seconded by Councilman D Burke. 

The mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilwoman King                         Yes   

Councilman D Burke                        Yes    

Councilwoman Harrison                Yes

Councilman Orme                            Yes

Fybercom Internet Service:

The city attorney having reviewed the proposal offered by Fybercom to bring internet service to a portion of the city thought it best to have an ordinance to protect the city and the company on the rights and obligations of both.  Council concurred and directed the attorney to prepare an ordinance for that service.

Naming Rights on Rodeo Grounds:

The Urban Renewal Agency is looking at replacing the grandstands and bucking chutes in the rodeo.  As part of that they wanted to have the city’s permission to allow naming rights for donations to raise funds for the grandstands.  Council discussed a single name or names per section of the grandstand, with individual sponsorship being best for each section of the grandstand along with a sponsor board.

Restrict Parking on City Streets:

The attorney reviewed the city ordinances for restricted parking on city streets.  He added the following to code 6-4-11: PLACES WHERE STANDING OR PARKING RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED:

    F.  Recreational Vehicles, Boats, and Service Vehicles or Trailers: It shall be unlawful for any person to leave a recreational vehicle, boat, or service vehicle (or service trailer) parked continuously on any city street for more than forty-eight (48) hours.

After council discussion, the decision was made to delay implementing the ordinance at this time being there are other ordinances that was being considered to add and the attorney felt it best to consolidate all the changes into one ordinance.

Renew Employee Health Insurance:

The clerk stated he had met with the city’s insurance broker and reviewed the options for the employee’s health insurance plans.  The broker had reviewed several other carriers besides Regency (Select Health, Blue Cross, Pacific Source Health, and other plans within Regency Blue Shield.)  The Regency plan has been changed from the 2750 plan to a 3250 plan and the 4000 plan to a Demand 4000 plan.  These two plans had a price increase of 2.71% and 7.85% respectively.  The other plans reviewed had a higher premium increase ranging from 9.50% to 58.12% over the current Regency plan.  A third plan is being allowed to allow better benefits for those with high prescription costs and low medical costs.  The new plan provides for prescription coverage outside of the deductible for medical expenses. 

Councilwoman King moved to approve the adoption of the three medical plans offered by Regency Blue Shield seconded by Councilwoman Harrison. 

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

The clerk also mentioned the council needed to decide if the city coverage would be allowed for “domestic partners” as married individuals. 

Councilwoman King moved that the city allow domestic partners coverage as married individuals seconded by Councilwoman Harrison. 

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

Amending Sanitation Code – Restricting Grass Collections:

The clerk had amended city code #4-5-140, #4-5-240, #4-5-030(10) with the following additions/deletions:

• 4-5-140(1): CERTAIN MATERIALS NOT COLLECTED – RESPONSIBILITY FOR DISPOSAL- ADDING GRASS TO THE NOT COLLECTED LIST.
•  4-5-240: NON-RECYCLABLE GARBAGE AND REFUSE- ADDING GRASS TO THE NON-RECYCLABLE LIST.
• 4-5-030(10): DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF TERMS – DELETING GRASS CUTTINGS FROM DEFINITIONS.

Councilwoman King moved to approve and adopt ordinance #2023-639 as to the changes to city code #4-5-140, #4-5-240, #4-5-030(10).  Motion seconded by Councilman Orme. 

The mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilwoman King                         Yes   

Councilman D Burke                        Yes    

Councilwoman Harrison                Yes

Councilman Orme                            Yes

Surplus Land:

Mitch Bradley stated he has been approached about the city selling a lot north of South Park.  The lot is 1.87 acres.  The lot is north of the Burgess Canal and the city does not have direct access to the lot without building a bridge across the canal. The east side of the property has restricted access through ITD right of way.  To the west and south the property is land locked by two individually owned parcels.  The parcel is a fire hazard with overgrown weeds and grass.  Currently the areas north of the canal is fenced off to keep kids away from the canal.  There was a bridge across the canal that was removed do to safety issues and at the request of the canal being the bridge was hindering its maintenance in the area of the bridge.  There is no foreseeable use for the property. The clerk indicated the city would need to advertise the property as surplus and follow state code on the disposition of the property.

Councilwoman Harrison moved to declare the 1.87 acres a surplus property seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilwoman King                         Yes   

Councilman D Burke                        Yes    

Councilwoman Harrison                Yes

Councilman Orme                            Yes

Review and Approval of Minutes:

• Sept 7, 2023:  Councilwoman King moved to approve the minutes of Sept 7, 2023 seconded by Councilman Orme.

The mayor called for a voice poll:  all in favor with Councilman D Burke opposed.

• September 21, 2023:  Councilman Orme mentioned the phase of sole provider for the internet service should be stricken from minutes.  After discussion, it was felt the phrase should be removed.  Councilwoman Harrison moved to approve the minutes of Sept 21, 2023, as corrected, seconded by Councilman Orme.

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

Review and Approval of Bills:

The clerk indicated there was one late bill payable to Altura Co. in the amount of $14,000 that needed to be added to the list.  The work is for the administration of the Wilson Park restroom grant. 

Councilwoman Harrison moved to approve the bills with the addition of the $14,000 payable to Altura seconded by Councilwoman King. 

The mayor asked the clerk to call the roll:

Councilwoman King                         Yes   

Councilman D Burke                        Yes    

Councilwoman Harrison                Yes

Councilman Orme                            Yes

Adjournment:

Councilwoman King moved to adjourn seconded by Councilman D Burke.

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

Meeting adjourned: 8:30pm

CITY OF RIGBY                    

                                                _________________________

                                                Richard Datwyler, Mayor

ATTEST:

 ________________

 David Swager, Clerk

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