MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BLANDING CITY COUNCIL HELD ON
FEBRUARY 24, 2015
AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS



Present:        
Mayor:		                            Calvin Balch
City Councilmembers:				Kelly Laws
						Robert Ogle
Taylor Harrison
David Johnson
Joe Lyman
City Manager:					Jeremy Redd
Finance Director:	 			Kim Palmer
City Engineer:					Terry Ekker
General Services Manager:		           	Jeff Black
Community Development Director:  		Bret Hosler
Police Chief:					Lloyd Watkins
Fire Chief:					Craig Stanley
	        	    							 
Community Members:  Kendall Laws, Emily Laws, Roma Young, Trent Holliday, Jared Hillhouse, Lehi Lacy. 

Prayer/Thought - The prayer/thought was offered by David Johnson.

1.	The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

2.	Councilmember Harrison moved to approve the minutes and financial disbursements of the February 10, 2015 meeting. 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 Johnson
		Councilmember Harrison
		Councilmember Lyman
				
Those voting NAY		NONE
Those abstaining		Councilmember Laws
				
	Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion carried.  
3.	OPEN FORUM 
A. None

4.	REPORTS/DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
A. Mr. Redd presented the Project Status Report
12” Mountain Line Replacement Project
Mr. Redd reported that SCADA integration is being completed on a couple of meter stations associated with the project.

Backup Power at the Water Treatment Plant
Mr. Redd reported that options for standby backup power are currently being considered.

Blanding Power Distribution Project
Mr. Redd reported that the project has been postponed to allow for a concentrated effort in completing the 2015 streets project.

East Side Trunk Line Project
Mr. Redd reported that the project is awaiting funding.  That funding is anticipated to occur this fall.

2015 Streets Project
Mr. Redd reported that the project design is at 30%.  This project has been bumped to the top of the priority list.  It is believed there will be a large cost savings by bidding and completing the project in 2015 because of the decline in fuel costs.  The project is scheduled for bid in May 2015.  Councilmember Laws  suggested the project be given a completion date of October, to ensure the project is completed before winter.  Mr. Redd responded that considerations would be written into the bid specs.

B. Financial Report – Kim Palmer
Ms. Palmer presented the financial status report.  Councilmember Ogle asked why the airport expenses were so high.  Ms. Palmer responded that lights had been replaced in the large hangar. She also stated that the county would reimburse the City for 50% of the cost. 

5.  	AGENDA ITEMS
	A. Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands Contract - Jeremy Redd
	Mr. Redd introduced Heber Heyder and Jason Johnson from the Forest Service.  Mr. Redd reminded Council that the Forest Service had cleared all their outstanding debt with the City and their account was current.  Mr. Redd told Council the Forest Service has a year-to-year contract with the City to purchase water to fight fires. They would like to increase that contract to a five year contract.  The contract states that each year representatives from the Forest Service will attend City Council to discuss the contract and the prior fire season. Mr. Heyder shared that only 355 acres were burned last year.  It was a "good" year for fires, meaning there were very few.  He estimated that only 7 or 8 bucket loads of water was used last year.  He also mentioned that Bret Jacobsen, a City volunteer firefighter,  had participated in some interagency activities. He was able to sign off and complete his fire boss squad book.

Councilmember Laws stated he prefers the one-year contract. The one-year contract requires that the
Forest Service comes to Council each year to renew the contract.  There is nothing in the five-year 
contract that would require them to attend.  Mr. Heyder responded that he does not have a problem 
with continuing the yearly contract, although it is easier for their administrative process to secure a multi-year contract.  Councilmember Laws reminded everyone that not all the water in Recapture Reservoir or Dry Wash belongs to the City.  Mr. Redd stated that he spoke last year with the Water Conservancy District and the Blanding Irrigation Company, and they are aware of the City’s agreement with the Forest Service and will work with the City if there is a need to provide water to fight fires that belongs to them.
	
	Councilmember Laws moved to approve the 2015 Fire & State Lands Contract with a one-year time frame, and an end date of December 31, 2015. 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 Johnson
		Councilmember Harrison
		Councilmember Lyman
		Councilmember Laws

Those voting NAY		NONE

	Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion carried.
	
	B. Yearly Department Report - Police - Chief Watkins
	Chief Watkins reported that the document shared with the Council are basically his thoughts regarding law enforcement.  The goals of law enforcement are to prevent crime and disorder, and gain and maintain public trust.  The Blanding police department wants to provide a community where citizens can feel safe from harm.  In order to prevent crime the department needs the training and equipment to effectively prevent crime and solve cases that occur.   The department seeks voluntary compliance, to impartially and fairly enforce the law, caution when using force,  and to remind officers that they are members of the community in which they serve.

Chief Watkins then shared that the DARE program has been brought back into the schools.  He believes 
schools are the best place to start building a relationship with people.  He feels a relationship between
officers and children is an important thing. Councilmember Lyman asked the Chiefs impression about the DARE program.  Chief responded that he is not concerned with the program but wants to see officers in the school building relationships with kids, parents, and school staff.  Councilmember Ogle stated that at the middle school there is a definite need for the interaction.  Councilmember Harrison asked Officer Lacy what his experience was with the DARE program at the school.  Officer Lacy responded that DARE provides a positive influence in the schools which is a major plus.  

Chief Watkins then shared the goals he has for equipment and supplies, including; fingerprint 
processing and collection equipment, blood spatter collection and processing chemicals and 
equipment, cameras, software and storage devices,  pamphlets, and DARE supplies.

Chief Watkins then told Council that three of the goals for animal control were to acquire better 
apprehension tools including poles, net guns and chemical capture supplies.  He also would like to see 
animal registrations and rabies shots required.  A shelter next to the department would also be 
beneficial and convenient for the animal owner, but would be considered sometime in the distant future.

Mayor Balch  asked Trent Holliday what his biggest frustration is as the City dog catcher.  Mr. Holliday responded that catching the at large animals was the toughest task. Having a net gun would allow him to more efficiently impound the animals. He also expressed a concern that his current vehicle was having transmission problems. Mr. Redd responded that he would work to resolve the problem with the vehicle.

C. Yearly Department Report - Fire - Chief Stanley
Chief Stanley shared photos that showed an overview of the different activities of the department during 2015.  The photos included trainings and fires.  During 2014 the department had eighty-five total page outs.  These included; fifteen wildland fires, five structure fires, eight trash fires, and one car fire.  They were also called out for six rescue related calls, eight carbon monoxide calls, thirty-four landing zones and eight false alarms. The department had just under 3000 hours of participation. Mr. Redd then commented that the fire department is efficient in stretching their resources to the maximum.

D. Hazard Mitigation Policy - Jeremy Redd
Mr. Redd shared with Council the updated version of the hazard mitigation policy as was discussed in a prior Council meeting. He told Council that he has met with the City attorney, renamed the document and reworked it.  The policy will require the City to take reports or complaints, inspect the report/complaint and take action to resolve the situation.  Each complaint will be categorized and prioritized.  Having the policy will help if there is ever a liability issue.  The policy covers potholes, utility meters, trees, and any other potentially dangerous situations regarding City-controlled property. The Council was pleased with the direction the policy is headed.

E. Resolution 2-24-2015-1 Encouraging Comprehensive Transportation Funding - Kelly Laws
Councilmember Laws told Council that the original document had come from the Utah League of Cities and Towns.  That document covered areas that mostly applied to the Wasatch Front.  He and Mr. Redd had reworked the document and made it more applicable to Blanding City.  The proposed legislation would allow for a .0025 option sales tax. This means that the City could choose to impose the tax if needed.

The other proposed legislation would require the .0025 tax.  It is fairly certain that one of these two options will be passed in the current legislative session.  The proposed resolution would be the voice of Blanding City.  Councilmember Ogle expressed his dislike for any additional taxes and would not approve the resolution.  Councilmember Harrison stated that the tax would only be an option, and it would not go in effect unless it was needed to maintain City streets.  Councilmember Laws stated his dislike for taxes also, but commented that if there is any tax that can be considered fair, it would be a consumer tax.  A consumer tax is based on what a consumer spends.  Councilmember Lyman stated that the premise of the resolution is to avoid the required tax, not necessarily to have the option tax.

Councilmember Laws moved to approve Resolution 2-24-2015-1 Encouraging Comprehensive Transportation Funding. 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		NONE

Those voting NAY		Councilmember Ogle
		Councilmember Johnson
		Councilmember Harrison
		Councilmember Lyman
		Councilmember Laws

 	Constituting all members thereof, Mayor Balch declared the motion failed.
	
6.	INFORMATION
Councilmember Harrison stated he had met with David Palmer and discussed the concerns voiced at the last meeting regarding the Wellness Center. Mayor Balch asked if the the individual hired to monitor the college students is a City employee or an employee of the  college.  Councilmember Harrison responded that she is hired, employed, and supervised by the City.

7. 	OPEN FORUM
NONE

8.	Councilmember Lyman 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 8:26 p.m.