ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 07, 2015
PUBLIC HEARING - 7:00 P.M.
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 regular meeting were Mayor Taylor, Council members Louise Barnes,
Marlene Stowe, Greg Allen, Melani Torgersen, City Recorder Debra Allen and City Treasurer Stephanie Steed. Council member Guy Graham was excused.
Also, present were Margie Spencer, DeEtte Spencer, Tara Woolsey, Jared Woolsey, Pat Sorensen, Jean Bramble, Bert Steele, Sherri Steele, Blaine Porter, Deon Alvey, Tyson Steele, Terence Tontlewicz, Julie Ford, Richard Crawford, Elaine Lott, Jeanie Seymour, Daryl Griffin, Geraldine Liston, Lawrence Barnes, Mark Austin, Page Witzdam, Ray Barney, Victory Crawford, Vickie Crawford, Marian Casse, Dave Treanor, Leslie Venuti, Nick Smith, Ray Christian, Howard Hutchison, Drew Parkin, Peggy Meisenbach, Janalee Bernardo, Marty Henrie, Rachel Worlton, Kevin Worlton, Sam Shakespeare, Heidi Shakespeare, Brandon Large, Rebecca Large, Toni Wassenberg, S. Wassenberg, Andre Yazdi, Dan Meisenbach and
Sherri Meisenbach.
Mayor Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Taylor opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m.
ORDINANCE 2015-01 AMENDING ORDINANCE 8.10.050 ESTABLISHING NEW WATER RATES.
Mayor Taylor explained the public hearing is on new ordinances and asked for comments.
LESLIE VENUTI
Mrs. Venuti asked if the usage or the base rate is being raised. Council member Barnes explained the base rates will be increased $10.00 a month, if the ordinance passes.
ORDINANCE 2015-02 ESTABLISHING CITY PROPERTY WATER RATES
City Treasurer Steed suggested the Council review the General Fund Budget in September to see the impact on this fund.
ORDINANCE 2015-03 AMENDING PLANNING AND ZONING ORDINANCES CHAPTER 17.5. 18.5, 19.5, AND 20.6 MINIMUM PROPERTY WIDTH.
City Treasurer Steed explained the ordinance (attached). This will change the minimum width requirements of the lots.
Mayor Taylor closed the public hearing at 7:06 p.m.
DECISION ON ORDINANCE 2015-01
Council Member Barnes discussed a 4% raise to be added each year on the water base rate. In the future, we can always review this as the water reserve builds. Council member Allen said he feels it is most important to have water and we know we have to be able to cover unexpected expenses. This was discussed at length. Council member Barnes made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2015-01 (establishing new water rates) with the change of 4% increase on the base rate annually. Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
DECISION ON ORDINANCE 2015-02
Council member Stowe said Escalante City has not been paying for the water on city property. The city will pay $150.00 per meter from the General Fund to help the Water Fund. Council member Allen said this is a way to build the reserve so we can do repairs when needed . Council member Barnes said we have borrowed from the Sewer Fund to help the Water Fund. Council member Torgersen made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2015-02 (establishing city property water rates). Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
DECISION ON ORDINANCE 2015-03
Council member Stowe made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2015-03 (amending Planning and Zoning chapter 17.5, 18.5, 19.5 and 20.6 minimum property width). Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
PERSONAL COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 17, 2015 MEETING
Council member Barnes made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 17, 2015 meeting as written. Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2015 MEETING
Council member Barnes said there is one correction, employmee to employee.
Council member Allen made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2015 meeting with the correction of employmee to employee. Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
PLANNING AND ZONING UPDATES
NICK SMITH - CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT - 730 WEST 450 SOUTH
Mr. Smith has gone through the Conditional Use Permit process for a vacation rental and
meets all requirements. Planning and Zoning has approved this item. Council member Barnes asked where this project is located. Council member Stowe said in Moqui Garden, 730 West
450 South. Council member Allen made a motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit for Mr. Smith. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
NICK SMITH - BUSINESS LICENSE - 730 WEST 450 SOUTH
Mr. Smith would like to get a business license for a vacation rental with his Conditional Use Permit. Planning and Zoning has approved this item. Council member Stowe made a motion to approve the business license for Mr. Smith. Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
BERT AND SHERRI STEELE - NEW HOME - 575 SOUTH CENTER
Mr. and Mrs. Steele’s project meets all requirements and Planning and Zoning has approved this item. Council member Allen made a motion to approve the municipal project approval form for Mr. and Mrs. Steele. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
RICHARD AND SANDRA BROWN - ADDITION - 680 WEST 600 SOUTH
Mr. and Mrs. Brown's addition meets all requirements and Planning and Zoning has approved this item. Council member Allen made a motion to approve the municipal project approval form for Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Council member Barnes seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
ALBERTO VASQUEZ - GARFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Mr. Vasquez reported on Garfield Memorial Hospital annual report (attached). Mr. Vasquez said this year is Garfield Memorial Hospital's 40th anniversary and 20th anniversary for the long term care facility. Everyone is invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony.
MARTY HENRIE - HOLIDAY FESTIVAL INSURANCE
Mrs. Henrie said the Holiday Festival is held Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Arts Festival has covered their insurance for renting the old gym, but they can no longer provide this. Mrs. Henrie is inquiring if the city could add them to the city insurance. Mrs. Henrie said they are willing to pay the amount if needed. Mayor Taylor will talk to the auditors and the insurance company.
MARTY HENRIE - HANDICAP ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER
Mrs. Henrie said we need to get handicap access to the upstairs of the Community Center.
Mrs. Henrie has gotten an estimate for around $10,000.00 to use the Senior Citizen Center ramp and add a lift system. Council member Torgersen will look into this item.
MARTY HENRIE - ARTS FESTIVAL FEATURED ARTIST DISPLAY
Mrs. Henrie said the Arts Festival has a featured artist every year and this year they want to feature local artists and display their art. Mrs. Henrie said they would like to use the council room, if it is available, because they would like to keep the display as close as possible to the main exhibits. The festival is scheduled for the last Friday and Saturday of September. Council member Torgersen said she will see if they can use the Senior Citizen Center. Mayor Taylor said the council would have to talk about using the Council Chambers.
PAGE WITZDAM - CITY ATTORNEY
Mrs. Witzdam said she had called for her brother Mark Austin to be on the agenda, but he left on an emergency so they will re-schedule.
COUNCIL MEMBER ON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD
Mayor Taylor said he feels the council has enough to do and wouldn't have time to be on another board. Andre Yazdi said that was a verbal request by Mark Austin to have a member on the board. Mr. Yazdi said the Chamber of Commerce only wants a Council member to come to the semi-annual board meeting. Mayor Taylor said if you want someone to attend, let us know.
UTAH RETIREMENT SYSTEMS TRAINING - MAY.
City Treasurer Steed explained she would like to attend the Utah Retirement System Training in May. This training is to go over the current retirement laws and updates regarding participation.
Council member Allen made a motion to send City Treasurer Steed to the Utah Retirement System Training in May. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING - APRIL.
City Treasurer Steed explained this is a mandatory training for courts that run criminal histories. This training is required by the FBI. There will be a training held in Richfield on April 22, 2015.
Council member Stowe made a motion to send City Treasurer Steed to the Security Awareness Training on April 22, 2015 in Richfield. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT BID
Council member Barnes said bids were put out to replace 2,400 sq. ft. of crumbling sidewalks. The city received few calls, one bid we received was for $300,000.00. A bid from Munson Construction for $12,590.00 was submitted. Council member Barnes feels this is a reasonable bid. Council member Barnes said she has seen other places to be fixed and would like to request $13,000.00 to cover this cost also. Council member Torgersen suggested $13,500.00. Council member Barnes agreed and said the completion date would be extended though June. Council member Barnes made a motion to approve $13,500.00 for the sidewalk replacement bid. Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye.
Council member Guy Graham arrived at the City Council Meeting at this time.
REQUEST FORM FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Mayor Taylor would like people requesting to be on the City Council Agenda to fill out a form instead of a phone call. This will allow the Mayor to review the request before putting items on the agenda. The forms will be available at the city office. Council member Allen said this would be more formal. Council member Stowe made a motion to approve the request form for the City Council Agenda. Council member Allen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Allen, Stowe, Torgersen, Graham and Barnes voting aye.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Administrative 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
Fire Department was not present at said meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS
MAYOR JERRY A. TAYLOR
Mayor Taylor reminded everyone that tomorrow is the ribbon cutting ceremony for our new clinic. The ceremony will be put on by the clinic staff and everyone is invited .
Congressman Chris Stewart will be attending the ceremony.
Mayor Taylor said we are working on a museum and the property east of town will need to be annexed. Vickie Crawford asked if this is by the Heritage Center. Mayor Taylor said yes.
Mayor Taylor said it is good to see everyone and thanked everyone for coming out.
COUNCIL MEMBER GREG ALLEN
Council member Allen said the culvert on the road by the Brown's and Barney's property is being fixed. Council member Allen thanked Blaine, Terry, Guy and Daryl for working on this project.
COUNCIL MEMBER MELANI TORGERSEN
Council member Torgersen said the trenches are covered up at the Splash Pad and it will be up and running in May, depending on the weather. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to be announced.
COUNCIL MEMBER GUY GRAHAM
Council member Graham had nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBER MARLENE STOWE
Council member Stowe had nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBER LOUISE BARNES
Council member Barnes said they will fill pot holes next week, if weather permits.
Council member Barnes said Main Street clean-up will be April 17, 2015 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A potluck dinner will follow at the pavilion. If weather is bad, it will be the following week, April 24th, at the same time.
UNPAID BILLS
Council member Stowe made a motion to pay the unpaid bills. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Barnes, Torgersen, Allen, Graham and Stowe voting aye.
Council member Stowe made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Council member Torgersen second the motion. Motion carried all in favor.
__________________________________________
Debra Allen / Recorder
Date minutes approved: 04/21/15
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.