ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 20, 2015
REGULAR MEETING - 7:00 P.M.
ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 56 NORTH 100 WEST
Mayor Jerry A. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Escalante City Council Chambers.
Present at said meeting were Mayor Taylor, Council members’ Louise Barnes, Melani Torgersen, Marlene Stowe, Greg Allen, Guy Graham and City Recorder Debra Allen. City Treasurer Stephanie Steed was excused.
Also, present were Leslie Venuti, Geraldine Liston, Julie Ford, Deon Alvey, Marian Casse,
Dana Waggoner, Dennis Waggoner, Ray Christian, Doug Reynaud, Terence Tontlewicz,
Terry Olsen, Lawrence Barnes, Elaine Lott, Kimberly Muller, Marcie Hoffman, Cate Vining,
Dan Meisenbach, Sherri Meisenbach, Katie Meisenbach, Page Witzdam, Toni Wassenberg,
Andre Yazdi, Robert McElaney, Mark Austin, Vickie Crawford, Erica Wall, John Holland and Devin Cahn.
Mayor Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PERSONAL COMMENTS
ERICA WALL
Ms. Wall asked the Council why our City Policeman was not on duty? Mayor Taylor responded, "No comment". Ms. Wall then asked when will he be back to work? Mayor Taylor said, "You will know when we know".
DENNIS WAGGONER
Mr. Waggoner wanted to know more about the Resort Tax, how it will be allocated, if it was still moving forward? Council member Torgersen said she would address this in her report later in this meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 6, 2015 MEETING
Council member Barnes made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2015 meeting as written. Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members’ Allen, Torgersen, Stowe, Graham and Barnes voting aye.
MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 2015 EMERGENCY MEETING
Council member Stowe made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2015 emergency meeting as written. Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members’ Allen, Torgersen, Graham, Stowe and Barnes voting aye.
PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
PLANNING AND ZONING UPDATES & ORDINANCES
Council member Stowe said the P &Z Committee would like to know the Council's feelings on letting small items such as fences, small sheds and decks pass without going through P&Z and City Council meeting. Council member Allen asked if this would be new or existing projects? This item was discussed at length. The Council and P&Z need to confer and make a decision. Cate Vining also wanted to know if building fees needed to be changed. Should the city be charging more for larger projects and less for smaller projects. Elaine Lott thanked the P&Z committee for their hard work. It is a tough job, and they have also tried to adhere to the ordinances.
KIMBERLY MULLER - FENCE AND SHED EXPANSION
Ms. Muller's fence and shed expansion at 53 S. 300 W. has been approved by P&Z. There will be no sewer and water connections to the shed. Council member Graham made a motion to approve the Municipal Project Approval form for Ms. Muller. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members' Stowe, Allen, Graham, Torgersen, and Barnes voting aye.
ESCALANTE OUTFITTERS- TWO NEW CABINS
WATER ISSUE
P&Z passed everything on the two cabins, but were unsure on water and sewer connections. This was discussed at length. Council member Graham called the state and is still waiting to hear from them. The existing cabins do not have water or sewer connections, just one central bathroom. Right now they have a R.V. connection at the location the cabins are to be built. The proposed cabins will have sewer and water connections. P&Z Chairman Lott requested a definition of the difference between commercial and residential connections. Council member Barnes made a motion to approve the Municipal Project Approval form for Escalante Outfitters with the provision that it depends on Council member Graham's research findings. Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members' Stowe, Allen, Graham, Torgersen, and Barnes voting aye.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
WATER METER - DOUG REYNAUD
Mr. Reynaud requested a meter at 300 W. Pine Creek Road. He was informed by Council member Graham that his property is in the county and he needs to obtain a county building permit. He can at that time request a meter a water meter.
HWY 12 UPDATES - JOHN HOLLAND
Mr. Holland of the Scenic Byway 12 All-American Road presented his annual report (attached). He stated this pamphlet is a good source to use when applying for grants. The committee is working with UDOT to receive TODD signs to direct travelers to businesses. These signs will be a blue uniform sign off the road side. They are currently awaiting legislation to act on this matter.
The bike path expansion from Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon is ready to pave. Mr. Holland said their committee would encourage a Council member or citizen to act as a liaison and become actively involved with their committee.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE-DANA WAGGNOR
Mrs.Waggnor reported their organization currently has 55 business members. The committee feels they have a well developed website. She encouraged Council members and city employees to become actively involved with the committee.
WATER CONFERENCE - FEBRUARY 23-27, 2015
Water conference will be held February 23-27, 2015. Those to attend this conference can be members of Council and workers. Cost will be $315.00 plus rooms and travel expense.
Council member Barnes made a motion to approve to send Blaine Porter, Daryl Griffin and Guy Graham to the water conference on February 23-27, 2015. Council member
Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members' Stowe, Allen, Graham, Torgersen, and Barnes voting aye.
PIT RUN AND ROAD BASE FOR MOQUI LANE - LOUISE BARNES
Council member Barnes said the road base for Moqui Lane is $5,325.00. She is requesting a total of $5500.00. The extra money will be used to purchase road base and fill where needed as the road settles. Mayor Taylor said Harward and Rees Construction Company donated their grader to level the road base. Council member Barnes made a motion to purchase pit run and road base for Moqui Lane up to $5500.00. Council member Graham seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members' Stowe, Allen, Graham, Torgersen, and Barnes voting aye.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Administrative Department had nothing to report.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police Department had nothing to report
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Public Works Department had nothing to report.
LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
The Library Department had nothing to report.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department had nothing to report.
COUNCIL REPORTS MAYOR JERRY A. TAYLOR
Mayor Taylor said the Clinic will be finished soon so watch for the Grand Opening.
COUNCIL MEMBER GREG ALLEN
Council member Allen said the gas tank at the airport will be completed soon. There has been a few glitches that have come up, but will finish soon.
COUNCIL MEMBER MELANI TORGERSEN
Council member Torgersen reviewed the Resort Tax that she presented at the last City Council Meeting (attached to minutes of January 6, 2015). She is continuing to work on purchasing the old state road shed. The money from this fund does not need to be spent right now. Geraldine Liston said she served on this committee and everyone worked well together. They put a lot of thought and concern on how to best spend this money. Council member Torgersen thanked her for serving. Elaine Lott asked if the money can be shared into other areas besides what it is set aside for. Council member Torgersen said if Council agrees.
COUNCIL MEMBER GUY GRAHAM
Council member Graham had nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBER MARLENE STOWE
Council member Stowe said there will be an Emergency Preparedness Fair on March 20 & 21, 2015 at Escalante High School.
COUNCIL MEMBER LOUISE BARNES
Council member Barnes reported the pot holes in the streets are bad, but they have to wait for warmer weather to repair. The new street signs with the city logo are being installed by city workers. There will be a meeting at the city office January 22, 2015 concerning Main Street beautification. She is asking for input from everyone on the planter boxes on main street.
UNPAID BILLS
Council member Allen made a motion to pay the unpaid bills. Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members’ Barnes, Allen, Torgersen, Stowe and Graham voting aye.
Council member Torgersen made motion to go into executive session at 8:00p.m. to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members' Allen, Barnes, Graham, Stowe, and Torgersen voting aye. Present in the executive session were Mayor Taylor, Council members' Allen, Barnes, Graham, Stowe and Torgersen. City
Recorder Allen was excused. The Council came out of executive session at 8:18 p.m.
Council member Torgersen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried all in favor.
__________________________________________
Debra Allen/City Recorder
Date minutes approved: ______
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disability Act, individuals needing special accommodations during this meeting should notify Vickie Schulkoski, City Recorder at (435) 826-4644 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.