Minutes of The Price City Council Meeting

City Hall: Price, Utah

January 8, 2003, 5:30 p.m.

 

Present:

Mayor Joe L. Piccolo                                                                              Joanne Lessar, City Recorder

Councilmembers:                                                                                   Pat Larsen, Finance Director

    Betty P. Wheeler                                                                               Gary Sonntag, Public Works Director/City Engineer

    Stephen L. Denison                                                                            Keith Wight, Human Resource Director

    Richard Tatton                                                                                   Nick Tatton, Community Director

    Elizabeth H. Kourianos                                                                                                                                   Aleck Shilaos, Chief of Police                          

    Don G. Reaveley, Jr.                                                                         

 

Excused: Nick Sampinos, City Attorney

 

Others Present:

    Ken Larson                                                                                                                            Danny Decker                Stacie Decker                Lyle Bauer

  

Mayor Piccolo led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Roll was called with the above members in attendance.

 

 1.        COUNCILMEMBERS REPORT

 

The Mayor and Council presented reports on the activities taking place in their individual departments.

 

 2.        MINUTES - December 10, 2002 - Special Meeting

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Wheeler moved that the minutes of the December 10, 2002 Special Meeting be approved as written.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Kourianos and carried.

 

 3.        MINUTES - December 11, 2002  

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the minutes of the December 11, 2002 meeting be approved as written.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 4.        NOTRE DAME WINTERFEST - Temporary Special Event Beer Permit Approved

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that the Notre Dame Winterfest be given approval for a temporary special event beer permit.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Reaveley and carried.       

 

 5.         MYRLENE PARRY HIDER - Compensation For Moving Headstone In Cemetery Denied

 

Councilmember Wheeler presented a letter from Myrlene Parry Hider asking  the Council to consider paying either the full or half the costs incurred to move her father’s headstone to another grave site in the Price City Cemetery. Mrs. Hider paid to have her fathers body exhumed and moved to another location.  In doing so, cemetery personnel quoted her a fee for the exhumation, which did not include the headstone.  Mrs. Hider assumed that this fee included the headstone and was upset that the cemetery personnel did not inform her of this.  A monument company charged $110 to move the headstone.  Gary Sonntag, Public Works Director, wrote a letter to Mrs. Hider explaining that the headstone was not the City’s responsibility and that they could not pay for these costs.  Councilmember Wheeler felt that this was a misunderstanding and that the City should pay half of the costs, which would be $55.  Mayor Piccolo felt that this was overlooked by both parties, but recommended that the Council stick to the decision made by Mr. Sonntag.  Lyle Bauer, Cemetery Sexton, stated that he had been contacted by Mrs. Hider’s brother, administrator of their parents’ affairs, and he indicated he would be responsible for the costs incurred to move the headstone.  The brother has arranged to have the headstone moved back to its original location and will purchase another stone to be placed at the site where the father is now buried.  MOTION.   Councilmember Wheeler moved that Mrs. Hider’s request be denied and that the City Attorney be directed to write a letter to Mrs. Hider to that effect.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried. 

 

 6.        CARBON COUNTY TRAVEL COUNCIL/NINE MILE SIGN - Request For Funding - Tabled

 

Councilmember Wheeler requested that $1,000 be allocated for the Carbon County Travel Council/Nine Mile sign that is located at the west entrance to Price City.  The sign advertises  Nine

                                                                   January 8, 2003

 

Mile with information on the bottom of the sign to indicate current activities taking place in Price City.  MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that the request be tabled for further review.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

  7.       SEASONAL EMPLOYEES PERSONAL DAYS - Concept Approval

 

Lyle Bauer reported that a committee had reviewed his idea to provide one personal day off per month for seasonal employees.  This would apply to seasonal employees returning after one year of work to be used to cover a holiday, doctors appointment, family emergency, etc.  MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that this item receive concept approval and that it be investigated to determine how many employees this would effect and if it would be feasible to provide a set amount of days the first year and possibly more the second year, etc., to encourage them to come back every year.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Kourianos and carried. 

 

 8.         PIGEON  REMOVAL - One Proposal Received

 

Councilmember Reaveley reported that Boot-A-Pest submitted the only proposal for the eradication of the pigeons in the downtown area.    MOTION.  Councilmember Reaveley moved that the committee reconvene to review the proposal and report back to the Council.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 9.        CDBG 2001-02, #8C-2001, 300 NORTH PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS -

            Nelco Contractors, Inc. - Change Order #2, Final Payment

 

Councilmember Reaveley presented Change Order #2 to the contract with Nelco Contractors, Inc.  for the 300 North Pedestrian Safety Improvements.  The change order increases the contract #3,416 for additional fencing.  Nelco also submitted a request for a final payment in the amount of $8,411.64.  MOTION.  Councilmember Reaveley moved that the Change Order and final payment be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

                    

10.       WATER TRANSMISSION PIPELINE, CONSTRUCTION SERVICES - Hansen, Allen,

            & Luce, Inc. - Partial Payment

 

Councilmember Denison presented a request for a partial payment in the amount of $143,122.12 submitted by Hansen, Allen & Luce, Inc., for their contract on construction services for the Water Transmission Pipeline.  MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that the payment be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Reaveley and carried. 

 

11.        DECKER’S BICYCLES - Removal of Tree (77 East Main) - Denied

 

Dan Decker, owner of Decker’s Bicycles, 77 East Main, requested that the tree located in the front of his business be removed and that it be replaced with a dwarf variety.  The tree is so large that it interferes with his sign.  He feels it will hamper his business.  With the removal of the tree, he could have more parking spaces and a bike rack on the curb.  Mr. Decker stated that he would remove the tree, cement the hole, take out the root system, and place another tree further down on the property line, or pay the $675 for the purchase of additional trees.  Councilmember Kourianos stated that the Shade Tree Commission recommends following the ordinance that is in place, which states that it is the responsibility of the requesting party to pay for the removal costs and that the tree be replaced with the same calibre of tree.  If the Council feels it should be removed for a given reason, then the ordinance should be followed.  It is the Shade Tree Commission’s goal to plant even more trees.  Lyle Bauer, Shade Tree Commission representative, stated that using the formula that the University of Utah uses, the tree would be valued at a minimum of $22 per square inch of trunk area at 4 ½ feet high.  The value of this particular tree would be over $1,000.  Mr. Bauer stated that the tree does need to be trimmed away from the building and the power lines.  He felt that the tree should not be cut down.  It has grown for 15 years with hundreds of man hours taking care of it.  It  would not be equal to buy a $40 tree and plant it further down the street.  Mayor Piccolo questioned if the best solution would be to replant the tree on the corner 11' to the east or if it would cause problems for either the City or Mr. Decker.  MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that Mr. Decker be allowed to remove the tree and place it to the east property line.  The motion died for lack of a second.  MOTION.  Councilmember Kourianos moved that due to the comprehensive plan of the Shade Tree Commission to plant more trees and per the present ordinance, that the request to remove the tree be denied.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried with the following vote.

 

                                                                   January 8, 2003

 

Councilmember Wheeler - Aye                            Councilmember Tatton - Naye

Councilmember Kourianos - Aye             Councilmember Denison - Naye

Councilmember Reaveley - Aye

 

Councilmember Wheeler asked Mr. Bauer to trim the tree and work with Mr. Decker in both the Cities and Mr. Decker’s best interests.  Mayor Piccolo stated the Council appreciates the downtown businesses.  He thanked Mr. Decker for abiding by the law.                              

 

12.        TERRA SYSTEMS - Ridge Road Property Purchase

 

Nick Tatton presented a letter from Terra Systems offering to purchase up to 30 acres of City-owned property for $1,500 per acre.  This property is located along Ridge Road in Wellington.  In a telephone conversation with the owner, he indicated that he would purchase 10 acres immediately with the option to purchase 20 more.  Mr. Tatton recommended that the City maintain the railroad easement.  MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that the offer be pursued,  including maintenance of the railroad easement, that an earnest money agreement be prepared and reviewed by the City Attorney, and that it be brought back to the Council for discussion.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

 

13.        DANA YOUNG’S POSITION - New Job Description and Permission To Advertise For Full Time

 

Keith Wight requested that Dana Young be reclassified from permanent/part time to permanent/full time.  She currently is working for the Administration and Police Departments.  The Finance Department would like to use her for additional work, which would place her over the limit for part time classification.  Due to recent personnel changes, funds are available in the budget.  MOTION.  Councilmember Reaveley moved that the reclassification be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried with the following vote.

 

Councilmember Wheeler - Aye                            Councilmember Denison - Naye

Councilmember Tatton - Aye                               Councilmember Kourianos - Aye

Councilmember Kourianos - Aye

 

This item was revisited later in the meeting.  Keith Wight reported that a new job description should have been prepared for this full time position and requested that the above motion be rescinded and that he be given permission to prepare a new job description and advertise for the position.  MOTION.  Councilmember Reaveley moved that the motion be rescinded.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.  MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that  permission be given to prepare a new job description and advertise for the position.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

14.        PRICE RIVER WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - Update

 

Councilmember Denison reported that the Utah Department of Transportation has provided the Price River Water Improvement District with cost estimates to move the water transmission lines to accommodate the Helper Interchange.  The District wants to build a new box as part of changing the district lines and also changing out an old transite line to steel.  The District’s estimate to move the lines was approximately $800,000.  Gary Sonntag stated that he is preparing numbers for engineering and construction work in an effort to enter into an interlocal agreement with UDOT.  PRWID and Helper City are doing the same thing.  This will expedite the utility relocation which is a key point in advancing the Helper Interchange, which UDOT hopes to initiate soon.  Councilmember Denison pointed out that because the District started work along Highway 6 between Price and Wellington, the project was not impacted by the Governors cut list.  If the District had not started, it was likely the Governor would have denied funding.  As it now stands, the project will be completed.       

 

15.        UTILITY DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE - Postpone Starting Date of Four Day/10 Hour Week

 

MOTION.  Due to the questions and concerns that have surfaced since the Council action of the December 11, 2002 meeting pertaining to the Utility Department work schedule, Councilmember Denison moved that the starting date of February 1, 2003 be postponed and the project placed on hold until these concerns can be answered.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

 

Councilmember Denison was excused from the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

                                                                   January 8, 2003

 

16.        SMUIN, RICH AND MARSING - Audit Report For Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2002

 

Greg Marsing, Smuin, Rich and Marsing, presented the annual audit report for the Fiscal Year

beginning July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.  He reviewed the exhibits in the packet of information pertaining to expenditures and revenues, Fixed Assets, fund balances at the beginning and end of the year, and the Financial Statement.  It is the opinion of the auditor that the accounting practices and the financial position of Price Municipal Corporation are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Marsing for his report.   Mayor Piccolo complimented the Finance Department on their exceptional work.

 

17.        JIM MARRS AND ASSOCIATES, SHENG MING TZU WANG - Home Occupied Businesses Approved

 

Councilmember Kourianos reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the following requests for home occupied businesses.

 

            Jim Marrs and Associates - 295 South 600 West - Management Consulting, Jim Marrs-Owner

            Sheng Ming Tzu Wang - 669 North Windsor Road, Paul W. Gabb-Owner - Martial  Arts

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Kourianos moved that the home occupied businesses be approved upon the purchase of a business license.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

18.        FAMILY DOLLAR STORE - 718 East Main, Sign, Conditional Use Permit   

 

Councilmember Kourianos reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the request of the Family Dollar Store to erect a free standing sign at their business location at 718 East Main contingent upon restriping the traffic lane and protecting the base of the sign pole from vehicles.  MOTION.  Councilmember Kourianos moved that the request be approved per the above contingencies and that a Conditional Use Permit be issued.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried. 

 

19.        FLAG DAY SCHEDULE FOR 2003 - Approved

 

Mayor Piccolo presented the following Flag Day schedule for 2003.

 

Saturday, January 4^th - Statehood Day                             Friday, July 4^th - Independence Day

Monday, January 20^th - Civil Rights Day                            Thursday, July 24^th - Pioneer Day

Monday, February 17^th - President’s Day                          Monday, July 28^th - August 2^nd - International

Monday, March 17^th - St. Patrick’s                                                                                                                       Days

Saturday May 27^th - Armed Forces Day                            Monday, September 1^st - Labor Day

Monday, May 26^th - Memorial Day                                   Monday, October 13^th - Columbus Day

Saturday, June 14^th - Flag Day                                                    Tuesday, November 11^th - Veterans Day

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the Flag Day schedule be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Kourianos and carried.

 

20.        NICK TATTON - Travel Request - Struck

 

21.        ROGER TAYLOR, BRANDON SICILIA, PAUL BEDONT, GREGORY LOWDER, PAULA LEWIS - Travel Approved

 

Mayor Piccolo presented the following travel requests:

Roger Taylor, Brandon Sicilia - Advanced Taser M-Series Non-Lethal Weapons Training, January 29, St. George, Utah

Paul Bedont, Gregory Lowder - Winter Fire School, January 13 - February 1, St. George, Utah

Paula Lewis - Lt. Governor Olene S. Walkers Literacy Summit, January 9, 10, Sandy, Utah

         

MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the travel be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

 

 

                                                                   January 8, 2003

 

22.       STREET/MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENTS - Ratification Of Reinstatement To

            Original Work Hours

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Reaveley moved that the verbal action of the Council to reinstate the original work hours of the Street and Maintenance Departments be ratified.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

 

23.        CIB PROJECT LIST  - Approved For Submission

 

Nick Tatton presented a list of proposed Capital Improvement Projects to be processed through the Community Impact Board.  These items were selected at the Special Council Meeting held Monday, January 6, 2003.  Sam White added an item to the list and Gary Sonntag also presented a list of items to be added.  MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the base list be approved and submitted to Carbon County for placement on their list.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.  The final list is as follows:

 

Short Term List

General Plan Development and Land Use Development Code Revisioni/Update

GPS/GIS Mapping - Utilities Asset Management

Volleyball Court at South Park

Compressed Air Foam Fire Fighting System

Storm Drainage from 400 West to Price River

BLM Building Retro-fitting and Remodeling

 

Long Term List

Public Works Complex Facilities Repair - Leaky Roof Surface

Price River Water Line Crossing at SR10

Storm Drainage from Cliffview Cemetery to Sagewood Road

Meads Wash Flood Detention Basin

Downtown Substation Upgrades

Automated Utility Meter Reading System

Sewer Capacity and Development

Northeast Price Loop Road

New Water Tank

Downtown Street Lighting

Reconstruction of 300 West Price River Bridge

Pavilions for Parks

Elevator for Library

Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

 

24.        DENNIS CHRISTENSEN - Promotion To Sergeant

KEVIN DROLC, WILLIAM BARNES - Salary Adjustment Approved

 

Police Chief Aleck Shilaos presented a Sergeants Promotional List.  At this time, he would like to promote Dennis Christensen to the position of Sergeant, Grade 16.  Chief Shilaos presented the names of four other individuals listed by their ranking that he would like to place on the list for a one year period should another position become available.  MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the Sergeants Promotional List be approved and that the promotion of Dennis Christensen be approved effective January 12, 2003.  Further, that Mr. Christensen receive his annual anniversary increase in March.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Reaveley and carried.

 

Police Chief Shilaos explained that there is a salary problem with the promotion of Mr. Christensen.  Due to Mr. Christensen’s lengthy background in Police work, he was given an unusually high salary when he was hired 19 years ago.  In order to be equitable to the other two sergeants (Drolc, Barnes), who have been in their positions for the past 12 years, Police Shilaos recommended that they be given a $40/month increase.  MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the increases be approved effective with the next pay period.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

25.        BRIAN JUDD - New Hire Approved

 

Police Chief Shilaos recommended that Brian Judd be hired as a new Police Officer.  Mr. Judd is not certified and will need to attend the Police Academy.  He will be placed on the City’s payroll