General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Blanding

Public Body

City Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 23 2014

Notice Tags

Administrative Procedure

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

October 15, 2014 08:41 AM

Description/Agenda

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BLANDING CITY COUNCIL HELD ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS Present: Mayor: Calvin Balch City Councilmembers: Kelly Laws Robert Ogle Taylor Harrison David Johnson Joe B. Lyman City Administrator: Jeremy Redd Finance Director: Kim Palmer City Engineer: Terry Ekker General Services Manager: Jeff Black Community Development Director: Bret Hosler Police Chief: Lloyd Watkins Community Members: Kendall Laws, Terri Laws, Rodney Workman, Kay Johnson, Michelle Johnson Prayer/Thought - The prayer/thought was offered by Kim Palmer 1. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Councilmember Laws moved to approve the minutes and financial disbursements of the August 23, 2014 meeting. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion. Mayor Balch repeated the motion and asked for discussion. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Voting was as follows: Those voting AYE Councilmember Ogle Councilmember Laws Councilmember Harrison Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Lyman Those voting NAY NONE Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion carried. 3. OPEN FORUM A. None 4. REPORTS/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS A. Mr. Ekker presented the August 2014 Gas and Water Report Mr. Ekker reported that one new gas services was installed during the month of August. However, there has been several requests for natural gas during the month of September. Mr. Ekker told council that precipitation is at 80% of normal after the recent rains. There is 300 plus acre feet more of water in storage. This is more than last year. Well C is currently down because of a broken VFD. It has been sent for repairs. Well B is also still down, no splice or broken power cable was discovered. The pump is probably the problem and will be pulled tomorrow to verify. Councilmember Johnson asked if the City had ordered the spare VFD. Mr. Redd responded that the replacement has not been ordered. That money will be used to repair Well B and Well C. Crews are working to discover what is causing these problems. Councilmember Johnson stated that it has been his experience that the wells are in a high lightning area. B. Chief Watkins presented the August 2014 Police Report. Chief Watkins reported that a new police officer has been hired and will start on October 1st. The new officer has been working in the Salt Lake City court system as a bailiff for past two years. He will receive field training for the first six weeks and then will be scheduled while other officers are on so they can assist him if needed. Councilmember Laws asked where the new officer was from. The Chief responded that he is from Ogden, is married and has two young children. He asked the Council for consent to hire Lehi Lacy and Jeremy Homedew as part time reserve officers for the City. Colby Turk and Cal Dean Black are currently on the reserve roster. These part time officers will be working when City officers need to be gone. This will provide better coverage for the community during those times. Nancy Mahaffey, the current department secretary has resigned and will be leaving at the first of October. Interviews for her replacement will be held on Wednesday. Statistics from August were then shared by Chief Watkins. Total offenses were down by 11.5% from last year. Total citations and violations were also down. Councilmember Lyman asked what this meant. Chief Watkins responded that he hoped it meant his office was curtailing crime. He continued to say that reduction is a good thing. C. Jeremy Redd presented the August 2014 Fire Report. Mr. Redd told Council that Chief Stanley had to suddenly leave town. He directed the Council to a document that he had received from Chief Stanley outlining August’s activities. The department will be participating in live fire training next month with Monticello and Grand County fire departments. D. Jeremy Redd presented the August 2014 Recreation Report. Mr. Redd told Council that Mr. Palmer had surgery and was unable to attend the meeting. He continued to tell the Council that soccer has been completed, football is in full swing and girl’s basketball registrations are being accepted. The pool has been drained for the season. Winterizing of the parks will begin soon. Mayor Balch asked how long Lawn Max will continue to mow this season. Mr. Redd responded until mid-October. A. Terry Ekker presented the Project Status Report. 12” Mountain Line Replacement The Contractor has to complete punch list items. Dry Wash Spur Line construction is almost completed. 100% of the pipe has been laid. Structures and punch list items are still left to complete on the Dry Wash Line. Councilmember Laws asked how long the punch list was going to take. Mr. Ekker responded that they have not been pressured to complete the list because they were also working on the spur line. Blanding 2014 Waterline Projects The project is complete. There are grant funds leftover and it is hoped that they can be re-scoped and used for other water projects. Power Master Plan The mapping portion of the project has been completed. The system modeling is also complete. The draft of the Capital Facilities Plan has been approved and the final report is being prepared. The project is being put together for bid, based on the amount approved by Council for this fiscal year. Advertising will begin within a month. A presentation and final report will be made to Council in late October or early November. Councilmember Lyman asked what the actual project was. Mr. Ekker responded that there are several components in the plan. Each of the projects will be categorized as high, medium or low priority. East Side Sewer Trunk Line The alignment feasibility and right of way investigation is complete. Purchasing of easements will soon begin. The funding application process is ready to begin also. Jelly Sewer Project Project is 100% complete. It was completed on time and under budget. 2015 Streets Project Project cost estimates have been completed. The scope of work has been completed and submitted to the San Juan County Transportation Special Service District. The application will be prepared and submitted this fall. Councilmember Laws commented that CIB has committed all of their current funding, which may make getting the funds difficult. Mr. Redd commented that awarding will be delayed but CIB is still requesting that communities submit their project requests. B. Financial Report – Kim Palmer Ms. Palmer presented the August 2014 financial status report. Water revenues are climbing as a result of the recent water rate increase. 5. PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE 2014-2- SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY Councilmember Lyman moved to enter a public hearing for Ordinance 2014-2 Sale of Surplus Property. Councilmember Harrison seconded the motion. Mayor Balch repeated the motion and asked for discussion. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Voting was as follows: Those voting AYE Councilmember Ogle Councilmember Laws Councilmember Harrison Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Lyman Those voting NAY NONE Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion carried. No comments were made regarding the proposed ordinance Councilmember Johnson moved to leave the public hearing and return to regular session. Councilmember Ogle seconded the motion. Mayor Balch repeated the motion and asked for discussion. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Voting was as follows: Those voting AYE Councilmember Ogle Councilmember Laws Councilmember Harrison Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Lyman Those voting NAY NONE Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion carried. 6. AGENDA ITEMS A. Board of Adjustments Approval – Mayor Balch Mr. Hosler told Council that Steve Wilcox, Rodney Kyles and Holly Walker have been visited about sitting on the Board of Adjustments. All three have agreed to serve on the board. Councilmember Laws asked if it would be best to rotate individuals on and off the board rather than have to basically create a new board from time to time. Mr. Hosler responded that per the City Land Use policy a member sits on the board for a 3-5 year term. Councilmember Lyman commented that because they meet so infrequently there is always a need for retraining when they do come together. Mayor Balch moved to appoint Steven Wilcox, Rodney Kyles and Holly Walker to the Board of Adjustments. Advice and consent was give by the City Council for the appointments. B. UAMPS Report – Jeremy Redd/Kay Johnson Mr. Redd showed a video that went with the brochure included in the packet. The video discussed the different components of UAMPS and their role in providing power to its members. The newest piece being investigated by Blanding and UAMPS is small modular nuclear power. Mr. Redd reminded Council that it could take up to 10 years before power could be generated through these small nuclear reactors. Government regulations and costs will slow down the process. However, these plants should come on line about the same time as the coal plants go off line. Mr. Johnson added that UAMPS has recently invested $100,000 to continue the study of nuclear power. Councilmember Lyman asked how the power generated by these nuclear reactors compares to the power generated at a coal plant. Mr. Johnson responded they are comparable in providing megawatts. Mr. Johnson told Council that at the last UAMPS meeting, Mr. Redd was placed on six of the eight project boards and was also elected as chairman of the Natural Gas board. He had never seen this happen with a new member. Mr. Redd presented Mr. Johnson with a plaque recognizing December 9, 2014 as a day of honor for Kay Johnson in Blanding. The plaque is in appreciation of the many years of service Mr. Johnson has given to the City in purchasing power and serving as the UAMPS representative for the City. Mr. Johnson expressed his appreciation for the support the City has given him over the years. C. Electric Newsletter Approval – Jeremy Redd Mr. Redd told Council that the newsletter in the packet would be distributed to City residents with their monthly bill this month. The goal of the newsletter is public awareness. Much of the information will answer many of the questions residents may have about the City’s electric utility. The newsletter also provides general information about the online bill pay and the equal pay options. Councilmember Ogle commended Lisa Rarick for the excellent job she does at the front desk serving customers. He continued to say that he had witnessed the amount of time it takes her to input payments and how much more efficient it is for customers and staff if payments are made online. Councilmember Lyman asked what process ensures customers do not get too far behind or ahead with the equal pay option. Ms. Palmer responded that equal pay payments are evaluated each April to ensure the amount is in line with their usage over the prior year. Payment amounts are adjusted based on actual yearly usage amounts. City staff also monitor accounts throughout the year to ensure changes do not have to be made mid-year, but this rarely is the case. Individuals who choose the equal pay option must meet requirements that include owning the residence and having one year of continuous usage. D. Approval of 2013/2014 Audited Financial Reports – Jeremy Redd/Kim Palmer Kim Palmer shared highlights of the 2013/2014 audited financial reports with the Council. She pointed out that the City’s net position had increased by $614,754 from the prior year. Assets exceeded liabilities by $44,723,291 and of that amount $6,785,409 was unrestricted. Total debt has decreased by $556,413. Total debt is $6,936,658. She then stated that there was almost enough unrestricted funds to pay off all the City’s debt if there was ever a need to do so, but much of the debt carries little or no interest. Water income was down 12% due mostly to the reduction of water use and sales. Water expenses are up by 13% due to the cost of pumping the wells and well maintenance. Water still had a positive cash flow of $85,589. Ms. Palmer then stated that overall the City is in an excellent financial position. Councilmember Harrison moved to approve the 2013/2014 Audited Financial Reports. Councilmember Ogle seconded the motion. Mayor Balch repeated the motion and asked for discussion. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Voting was as follows: Those voting AYE Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Ogle Councilmember Laws Councilmember Harrison Councilmember Lyman Those voting NAY NONE Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion carried. 7. INFORMATION Mayor Balch commented on his attendance at the Utah League of Cities and Towns meetings that he had attended recently. Councilmembers Harrison and Ogle had also attended. He stated that the meetings and training were very helpful and enjoyable. He shared a quote made by David Church in one of the sessions he attended. He said, "One of the worst things a council can do is make a decision based on precedent". Councilmember Lyman asked for an item to be placed on the next Council meetings’ agenda to inform the Council regarding the City’s police department hiring policy. 8. OPEN FORUM A. Richard and Debbie Averill who live at 363 W and 200 South expressed concern about the recently backfilled sewer line on their street. The trench is sinking and will eventually sink into the sewer pipe if not repaired, which will cause an issue at their home. Mr. Ekker responded by saying there are issues in the area and that the City is working to remedy those problems. The line has already been repaired twice. 9. Councilmember Johnson moved to adjourn. Councilmember Harrison seconded the motion. Mayor Balch repeated the motion and asked for discussion. Hearing none, he called for a vote. Voting was as follows: Those voting AYE Councilmember Johnson Councilmember Ogle Councilmember Laws Councilmember Harrison Councilmember Lyman Those voting NAY NONE Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the ADA, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting may call the City Offices at (435) 678-2791 at least twenty-four hours in advance. Every effort will be made to provide the appropriate services.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

NO ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

50 W 100 S
BLANDING, 84511
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Contact Name

Pratt Redd

Contact Email

predd@blanding-ut.gov

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

October 15, 2014 08:42 AM

Notice Last Edited On

October 15, 2014 08:42 AM

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