Meeting Minutes
President Bill Riggins called the meeting to order around 1:15 PM. The members in attendance were President Bill Riggins, Joseph West, Marsha Bjornn, Kimber Ricks (visitor), Jerry Merrill, Richard Horner, and Terry Butikofer. Caitlin Larson was in attendance providing administrative support.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
President Riggins followed up on the status of the March 28, 2014 minutes. Terry informed the agency that the recording of the meeting was lost, but minutes will be generated from memory and sent out shortly. Joseph West made the motion to approve the April 30, 2014 minutes and Jerry Merrill seconded the motion. The motion passed and the minutes were approved.
Downtown District
Downtown District Progress
Terry discussed requirements for assisting the Fire Station with funding. This required an amendment to the plan for the downtown district. City officials suggested that the Urban Renewal consider adding certain streets to the plan. This was done, but required an eligibility report which tells that the additional streets did not exceed the allotted 10% of amendment changes.
Commissioner Kimber Ricks stated his opinions on the amendment, which are:
- Urban Renewal is not a solution to every needed fix
- Opposed to the idea of continually amending and adding boundaries and projects.
- Urban Renewal Districts should be formed, meet its purpose, and closed out; if another purpose if found, form another district.
Terry mentioned the changes in law that allow for only one amendment. He also said that if the amendment is not accepted by the group, a language change in the amendment would allow the Rexburg Fire Station to still be included.
Presentation and Approval of Eligibility Report for Amended Plan
Terry read Resolution 2014-4. Joseph West motioned to approve the resolution. Jerry Miller seconded. The motion passed and the resolution was approved. Richard Horner will attach the 5 C spreadsheet of costs to the plan.
Potential North Interchange District
Terry introduced the process of approving the first eligibility report for the district. Richard Horner explained the various properties which were added to the new report after discussion with the City. Basic America wants another entrance to the back side of its property. The idea is to place a bridge across the river and connect with the road going into Basic America (North 5th West). Basic America wants to trade the City for Mendoza Trailer Court to extend that road.
Joseph West summarized the proposal as gathering the funds to build a bridge across the river onto 5th West. Terry expressed concern with the timeline. All meetings need to be completed by the end of July.
- July 2 – Present to the City Council
- July 10 – Sugar City
- Make appointment to take to county commissioners
- Make appointment to take to 3 P&Zs
Kimber expressed no big concerns with the report, but stated that many details are missing. The agency discussed about Walmart breaking ground and its affect on the land. Terry directed the group to page 2 of the North Interchange Area Report to read about staying under the 10% value and land parameter on amendments. President Riggins stated that the focus is on obtaining the land in the plans. In final decision, land can be taken out of consideration.
Presentation and Approval of Revised Eligibility Report and Progress Report
Joseph West motioned to adopt Resolution 2014-3. Marsha Bjornn seconded. Motion was approved.
General Discussion
Presentation of Administrative Funding Methodology for All Districts
Richard Horner explained the desire to be more open to the public and open a website. To help with this, an administrative fund would pull 1% of the project expenses of each district. An overlook of the administrative fund is as follows:
- Individual districts would pay their admin fees, bills, etc. through the pooled funds.
- The fund is essentially a simple change in bookkeeping. The same money comes in, but is divided into general funding and district administrative funding.
Joseph expressed concern about having enough money pooled to fund the expenses. Richard did a rough estimate and feels it will be sufficient.
Terry read the Resolution-2014-5 Title and Section 2. Jerry miller moved to approve the resolution. Joseph West seconded. All were in favor and the resolution was approved.
Membership and Leadership Changes and Election
President Riggins presented his resignation to be immediate at the end of the meeting. He proposed Richard Horner as new President and Chairman. The board appoints Richard Horner to the committee because Bill Riggins split his term.
Marsha moved to appoint Richard to the Rexburg Redevelopment Agency. Jerry Merrill Seconded. A second motion by Joseph West was made to approve Richard as the Chairman and President of the Rexburg Redevelopment Agency. Marsha Bjornn seconded the motion. Both motions were approved.
Other officers and offices will be determined under Richard’s direction. Vacancies will need to be filled if members decide to opt out.
Adjournment
The agency agreed to wait a month for the next meeting. No time or date was set.
Minutes submitted by: Caitlin Larson
Approved by: Richard Horner