Rexburg council ratifies volunteerism proclamation, approves surplus equipment and routine items; schedules executive session

Rexburg City Council on March 5 ratified a proclamation committing the city to promote volunteerism, approved the surplus of a golf‑course side mower, cleared routine consent items and voted to enter executive session to discuss labor contract matters.

The nut graf: the council approved the proclamation after a public commenter asked the city to soften language that named a single volunteer platform; staff agreed to adjust the proclamation’s wording to read “platforms like JustServe” to make volunteer sign‑up more inclusive. The council then approved several routine items, declared a surplus for a side mower from the municipal golf course and voted to move into executive session under Idaho law to discuss labor contract matters.

During public comment, Fred Merrill, a local resident who said he is organizing a community nonprofit soup kitchen at the VFW Hall, asked the council to change the proclamation’s wording so volunteer opportunities are promoted on “platforms like JustServe” rather than naming a single platform. City staff indicated that wording change was acceptable and that they would confirm with JustServe; the proclamation was later presented with the adjusted language and ratified. Merrill said the soup kitchen will open in early April and hold a ribbon cutting at noon on April 1; staff recorded the community project and the volunteer request.

In staff reports, Public Works Director Keith Davidson requested council approval to surplus a lightly used side mower the golf course no longer needs. Council approved a motion to surplus the equipment after staff said the mower is not performing the intended application and the city had a comparable articulating mower; staff will check with the county (a partial owner) before final disposition.

The consent calendar — which included minutes from the Feb. 19 meeting and authorization of city bills — was approved by voice vote. The council also advanced Ordinance 1328 (rezone of property on West Moody Road) to a third‑reading calendar after a second‑reading motion passed. The meeting concluded with a council motion and roll‑call vote to move into an executive session under Idaho Code Section 74‑206 to consider labor contract matters; the roll call was unanimous.

Ending: staff will confirm the proclamation language with the volunteer platform contact and post open‑house and LID materials ahead of the next meeting; the city will also verify county interest before disposing of surplus equipment and will return to open session after executive session to complete any remaining agenda items.