ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 56 N. 100 W.
ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 16, 2015
PUBLIC HEARING - 7:OO P.M.
REGULAR MEETING - 7:OO P.M..
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, Marlene Stowe, Melani Torgersen, Guy Graham, City Attorney Barry Huntington, City Treasurer
Stephanie Steed and City Recorder Debra Allen. Council member Greg Allen was excused.
Also present were Jean Bramble, Cate Vining, Geraldine Liston, Blaine Porter, Ray Christian, Deon Alvey, Leslie Venuti, Marty Henrie, Lawrence Barnes, Shane Meisenbach, Danielle Solis, Emilee L. Woolsey, Elaine Lott, Dave Treanor, Howard Hutchison, Toni Yazdi and
Andre Yazdi.
Mayor Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Taylor opened the Public Hearing.
2015-05 RESOLUTION (2015-16 BUDGET)
Mayor Taylor asked the Council if they had any question or discussion on the Budget 2015-16.
Mayor Taylor explained the Budget and asked if there were any questions or comments from the public.
MARTY HENRIE
Mrs. Henrie asked about her items on the Agenda and if they were included in the Budget.
Mayor Taylor said we will discuss them during the scheduled items.
ELAINE LOTT
Ms. Lott asked where the Resort Tax will be spent? Mayor Taylor said right now it's in the Budget as a whole. Ms. Lott asked how will we, as a business owner, know how it will be put back into the businesses for tourism. Mayor Taylor said there is nothing proposed from the business owners at this time. Ms. Lott asked if they need to present projects to the Council. Council member Torgersen said at this time there are no projects. Ms. Lott asked if the percentages discussed with the Resort Tax Committee will stand and if they should bring proposals to the meeting. Council member Torgersen said the committee has set up a breakdown of where to spend the money, but it is not set.
ANDRE YAZDI
Mr. Yazdi asked when the City spends the Resort Tax money, if it has to be brought to the City
Council for approval. Council member Barnes said when she buys road base she has to ask the Council for approval, so when we do a project, it has to come before the Council and then they decide what fund it comes out of.
GERALDINE LISTON
Mrs. Liston said she is on the Resort Tax Committee and they had decided to wait a year to see how much money came in before bringing any ideas to the Council. Mrs. Liston said the committee spent a lot of time regarding the Resort Tax and the percentage breakdown was presented to the City Council.
2015-04 RESOLUTION (2014-15) REVISED BUDGET
Mayor Taylor asked the Council if they had any question or discussion on the Revised Budget
2014-15. Mayor Taylor explained the Budget and asked if there were any question or comments from the public. There were no questions or comments on the Revised Budget.
Mayor Taylor closed the Public Hearing at 7:08 p.m.
ADOPTION OF 2015 -16 BUDGET
Mayor Taylor asked if the Council had any comments or concerns on the 2015-16 Budget. There were no comments. Council member Barnes made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-05 (2015-16 Budget). Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Barnes, Graham, Stowe and Torgersen voting aye.
ADOPTION OF 2014 -15 REVISED BUDGET
Mayor Taylor asked if the Council had any comments or concerns on the 2014-15 Revised Budget. Mayor Taylor thanked the Council and the staff for their hard work on the Budget. There were no comments. Council member Stowe made a motion to adopt Resolution 2015-04 (2014-15 Revised Budget). Council member Graham seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Barnes, Graham, Stowe, and Torgersen voting aye.
PERSONAL COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE JUNE 02, 2015 MEETING
Council member Torgersen made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 02, 2015
meeting as written. Council member Graham seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe, Torgersen, Graham and Barnes voting aye.
PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
PLANNING AND ZONING UPDATES
Council member Stowe said she was unable to attend the Planning and Zoning Meeting and Council member Barnes attended in her place.
GUY GRAHAM - ROOF OVER EXISTING BACK PORCH - 280 N. 400 W.
Council member Graham stated a conflict of interest because this is his project.
Council member Barnes explained this project. Mr. Graham has supplied drawings and pictures of this project. Mr. Graham's project meets all requirements and Planning and Zoning has approved this item. Council member Barnes made a motion to approve the municipal project approval form for Mr. Graham. Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe, Torgersen and Barnes voting aye. Council member Graham abstained because of his conflict of interest in this project.
ESCALANTE HOME CENTER - TWO STORAGE SHEDS - 425 E. HWY 12
Council member Barnes explained this project. The Escalante Home Center project meets all the requirements and Planning and Zoning has approved this item. Council member Barnes made a motion to approve the municipal project approval form for the Escalante Home Center. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Barnes, Torgersen, Graham, and Stowe voting aye.
GEORGETTE COSTIGAN - NEW HOME - 501 W. 350 N.
Council member Barnes explained this project. Ms. Costigan home meets all the requirements and Planning and Zoning has approved this item. Council member Barnes made a motion to approve the municipal project approval form for Ms. Costigan. Council member Graham seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Barnes, Torgersen, Graham, and Stowe voting aye.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
MARTY HENRIE - INSURANCE FOR THE HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
Mrs. Henrie expressed her appreciation to the Council and employees for the work on the City
grounds and how nice they look.
Mrs. Henrie is asking the City to cover the Holiday Festival insurance (attached). Mrs. Henrie asked if this has to be entered into the Budget. Mayor Taylor said when we change our insurance to Utah Local Governments Trust, the Holiday Festival will be covered at no cost.
MARTY HENRIE - USE OF THE COUNCIL ROOM FOR THE ART FESTIVAL
Mrs. Henrie is requesting use of the City Council Chambers for the Arts Festival to feature artist displays from our community (attached). Council member Torgersen said the library is also available, but the lighting in the City Council Chambers is better and it would also be more accessible. Council member Barnes said she would be willing to make the City Council
Chambers available and to make sure the City Office is secure. Council member Stowe made a motion to let the Escalante Canyons Art Festival use the City Council Chambers to display featured artists. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe, Torgersen, Graham and Barnes voting aye.
MARTY HENRIE - BIDS FOR HANDICAP ACCESS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER
Mrs. Henrie presented bids for a wheelchair lift (attached). Council member Torgersen said she is concerned because the building is older and not required to comply with ADA. If we start improving the building, we may have to make it all ADA approved. Council member Torgersen will look into this item and come back with more information.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE HOOK-UPS TO CITY WATER AND SEWAGE
Council member Barnes said she requested an ordinance from Garfield County concerning their Recreational Vehicle Connections (attached). Council member Barnes said it is the same as our City Ordinance forbidding the hook-up do to the chemicals killing our sewer ponds. This would be very costly to the City. Blaine Porter said he had talked to Utah Water Quality and they advise against it. Mr. Porter said right now Tropic, Kanab and Gunnison's sewer ponds are contaminated. Mr. Porter also said we need to be aware of the water meters being contaminated by Cross-Connections. Mr. Porter explained this happens when the irrigation water is connected to the drinking water. This item was discussed at length.
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
Mayor Taylor said he has been contacted by High Country Auto wanting to supply a vehicle at the Escalante Airport for transportation from the airport to town. City Attorney Huntington said he would like to see High Country Auto present this at a City Council Meeting.
Mayor Taylor said there has been 50 planes fuel at the airport since the fuel tank was installed.
Geraldine Liston said the road to the airport needs some repairs. City Attorney Huntington will present this at the next County Commissioner's Meeting.
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
The Fire Department was not present at said meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS
MAYOR JERRY A. TAYLOR
Mayor Taylor said there will be a meeting at the Escalante High School Auditorium, June 17, 2015, by the Garfield County Commission to declare a State of Emergency due to declining enrollment (attached). Mayor Taylor encouraged everyone to attend.
Mayor Taylor said he appreciates the Council and employees for their efforts around our community.
COUNCIL MEMBER GREG ALLEN
Council member Allen was not present at said meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER MELANI TORGERSEN
Council member Torgersen had nothing to report.
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, now the weather is dry, we will be filling potholes.
UNPAID BILLS
Council member Stowe made a motion to pay the unpaid bills. Council member Graham seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Barnes, Graham, Torgersen and Stowe voting aye.
Council member Barnes made a motion to go into executive session to discuss possible litigation at 7:53 p.m. Council member Torgersen seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Barnes, Graham, Stowe and Torgersen voting aye. Present at the executive session were Mayor Taylor, Council members Barnes, Graham, Stowe, Torgersen,
City Attorney Huntington, City Treasurer Steed and City Recorder Allen. The Council came out of executive session at 8:01 p.m.
Council member Graham made motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 p.m. Council member Barnes 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.