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Rexburg council approves Stocks Avenue right-of-way vacation, purchases Main Street parcel and routine items
Summary
At its Oct. 15 meeting the Rexburg City Council voted to vacate a small right-of-way on Stocks Avenue to accommodate a business project; approved the city's share of a $1.3 million purchase of a Main Street parcel; and passed routine items including a vehicle surplus and fall cleanup dates.
The Rexburg City Council on Oct. 15 approved several actions the city said facilitate local development and routine municipal operations.
Votes at a glance: - Stocks Avenue right-of-way vacation (Ordinance No. 13-38, first reading): Council approved vacating a small median/jog in Stocks Avenue so an adjacent business can use the space for building and parking. The motion passed by voice vote and will proceed through the ordinance-reading process. - Purchase and sale agreement (60 W. Main St.): The council approved a joint city–county purchase of roughly 1.39 acres from the school district for $1.3 million total; the city and Madison County will split the cost. Urban renewal will purchase adjacent parcels and is expected to fund demolition of existing structures after the school district vacates in mid-June. - Surplus property: Council approved surplus of a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 from the wastewater department. - Fall cleanup dates: Council approved the city's fall cleanup period from Oct. 20 through Nov. 10. - Consent calendar: Council approved minutes and payment of city bills.
Stocks Avenue vacation City staff said a median and small landscaped island in Stocks Avenue were originally created to preserve a tree in a business park but now impede development and driver sightlines. Several nearby residents and business owners testified in favor of the vacation, saying the median creates confusion for motorists and is difficult for large vehicles to navigate. One nearby property owner said he would cover the cost of the curb and sidewalk adjustments required if the vacation proceeds. Councilmember Reeser moved to vacate the portion; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.
Purchase of Main Street parcel The approved purchase is part of a larger set of transactions involving urban renewal and the Madison School District. Urban renewal will buy two parcels (the former school and adjacent lot) and the city and county will jointly purchase a separate back parcel for public parking and future city/county planning. The city’s share is about $675,000; the county will pay the remaining share. Urban renewal will pay for demolition of the school district buildings after the district vacates the property in June.
Administrative and routine approvals The council authorized surplus of a wastewater department truck and approved fall cleanup dates. Staff said the vehicle will be sold or otherwise disposed of following city surplus procedures. The fall cleanup period is intended for leaf and yard debris collection citywide.
What next Ordinances require additional readings under city rules; the Stocks Avenue action was treated as a first reading. The purchase and sale agreement will be forwarded to the school district for its action. Council members asked staff to prepare any intergovernmental or maintenance agreements necessary for the newly acquired parcel prior to closing.
