Minutes of the Price City Council Meeting

City Hall: Price, Utah

January 10, 2007 5:30 p.m.

 

Present:

Mayor Joe L. Piccolo                                           Gary Sonntag, Public Works Director/City Engineer                    

Councilmembers:                                                  Nick Sampinos, City Attorney

Jeff Nielson                                           Aleck Shilaos, Police Chief

Richard Tatton                                     Pat Larsen, Finance Director

Kathy Hanna-Smith                             Bret Cammans, Customer Service Director

Rick Davis                                             John Daniels, Human Resource Director

                Jeanne McEvoy                                   Laurie Tryon, City Recorder

 

Excused Absence: Nick Tatton-Community Director

 

Others Present: Russell Wilson, Lisa Richens, Fuzzy & Dondra Nance, C.J. McManus, Ryan Falk, Sadon Hughes, Greg Marsing and Brian Jewkes

 

Mayor Piccolo led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called with the above Councilmembers and staff in attendance.

 

1.             COUNCILMEMBERS REPORT-Update

 

                The Mayor and Councilmembers presented an update on the activities and functions in which they have participated.

 

2.             AUDIT REPORT- Annual Audit Report

               

                Greg Marsing of Smuin, Rich and Marsing presented and reviewed the audit report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2006. Mr. Marsing reviewed the financial statements, individual fund statements and schedules, the statement of net assets, which included assets and liabilities and reports according to governmental auditing standards.  The auditor’s opinion is that the City is doing everything in a correct manner. The audit did not find any material instances or weaknesses in internal control. Mayor Piccolo thanked Mr. Marsing for his report. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved to accept the audit report. Seconded by Councilmember McEvoy and carried.

 

3.             VISIONARY SERVICE AWARD- Russell Wilson

 

                Russell Wilson received the Visionary Service Leader Award for his community involvement within Price City.            

 

4.           INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION (IMBA)- Requesting Direction

              Regarding New Trail System- Dondra Nance

 

Dondra and Fuzzy Nance are seeking a letter of support from Price City for the continuation of a trail system that was started in 2002. The letter of support would be for the efforts to build and design safe trail systems in Carbon County. Additional funding and assistance may be necessary to create biking trails comparable to Fruita, Colorado’s trail system which according to them is a great bike trail.  Mayor Piccolo recommended applying at least one year in advance when requesting money from different entities.  They would like to make Price a friendly mountain bike town so avid bikers would come directly to Price instead of traveling through to Moab or Fruita. There are already over 70 miles of single track trails on Wood Hill in Price. The trails go over County, City, BLM and private land. Bikers look for single 18” to 3’ wide trails which hikers, runners and walkers can use. The couple is seeking direction and support from all entities that are involved with property. The bicycle and travel magazines would then be able to list Price as a city for bikers with great trails.  The media would be invited for a press release. Fuzzy and Dondra Nance are interested in educating the community on bicycle safety awareness, helmet awareness etc. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved to authorize issuance of a letter of support from Price City for this project. Seconded by Councilmember Hanna-Smith. Motion carried.

 

5.             PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

 

Councilmember Jeff Nielson reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave favorable recommendations for the following requests for Conditional Use Permits.

 

a.  Castle Ridge Subdivision – (Approx) 500 N. Homestead Blvd. – Toni Johnson and Doug Perkins- Preliminary and Final

b.  East Price Business Park Subdivision-1900 E. Airport Road- Ellis Pierce and Jim Boud- Concept, Preliminary and Final

                c.  Mont Harmon Junior High Sign- 60 W. 400 N.- Deon Kone- Final

 

MOTION. Councilmember Nielson moved that the Conditional Use Permits be approved. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hanna-Smith. Motion carried.

 

CONSENT ITEMS- MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved that items #6 through #23 be approved. Motion seconded by Councilmember McEvoy and carried.  

 

6.             MINUTES-

                     December 13, 2006

                     January 5, 2007- Special Council Meeting

 

7.             FINAL PAYMENT- Final Payment to Smuin, Rich and Marsing – 2006 Audit

 

8.             RESOLUTION 2007-01 - Revised Job Descriptions for Equipment Technician I, Equipment Technician II, Equipment Technician III and Master Mechanic

 

9.             RESOLUTION 2007-02 -Revision of Section XVIII, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual

 

10.           MECHANIC SHOP- Promotion of John Gurule to Equipment Technician II

 

11.           SWIMMING POOL- Advertise and Hire Two Lifeguards-Budgeted Item

 

12.           SLOPE STABILIZATION WATER TREATMENT PLANT DIVERSION- Project #5C-2006-Bid Award

 

13.           SUNRISE ENGINEERING: Contract Building Inspection- Partial Payment #4

 

14.           10 FOOT IN-BED SALT SPREADER- H & K Truck Equipment-Project #6E-2006 Payment

 

15.           TRAVEL REQUEST- Authorization for Travel

               

                Riley Jones, Building Inspection Department-International Code Council (ICC) Conference, February 19-23, 2007- St. George, Utah

 

                Ron Brewer and Billy Wardle- Water & Sewer Department- 2007 Rural Water Conference- February 27-28, & March 1-2, 2007- St. George, Utah

 

16.           BEAR SOFTWARE LICENSING CONTRACT-Updated Software Licensing Agreement Between Price City and Executive Pulse, Inc. for BEAR Program Services

 

17.           BEAR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR APPROVAL- An Additional BEAR Program Independent Contractor for the Green River Area-Keith Brady

 

18.           ECONOMIC VITALITY LOAN- Change Loan Fund to an Enterprise Fund from Special Revenue

 

19.           EAST PRICE BUSINESS PARK- Fee Waiver for Internal East Price Subdivision

 

20.           RESOLUTION 2007-03- Approval and Adoption of New Planning and Zoning Building Department-Fee Schedule and Resolution

 

21.           RESOLUTION 2007-04- Approval and Adoption of the January 2007 Version of the Price City Affordable Housing Plan

 

22.           CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND BUDGET COMMITTEE- Public Hearing Scheduled for Capital Improvement Projects for March 14, 2007

 

23.           BUSINESS LICENSES- Business Licenses for KDK Distributing and Namaste-Energy.

 

 

24.       PRICE RIVER ENHANCEMENT PROJECT- Bicycle Pedestrian Pathway Phase I, Letter of Support and

              Intent to Maintain Pathway

 

The Price River Enhancement Project is chaired by Roger Barton of the Utah Association of Conservation Districts. The water quality assessment has begun and will continue through the fall of 2007. The work on removing invasive trees will start in March 2007 and continue for the next 2-3 years. Spin offs from the river project may include pedestrian pathways and trails (eventually from Helper to Wellington), fire load (trees & brush) reduction, improved vegetation, wild life intrusion control, enhanced river fishery, access to the  river, reduce vagrancy presence (hobo camps) and to improve the gateway and entries to the City. The County is sponsoring an application to the Utah Department of Transportation requesting enhancement funds to design and build a bicycle pedestrian pathway (Phase I) along US 6 from Carbon Avenue (SR10) to the Old Gordon Creek road crossing. Depending on funding the project could be trimmed back to 100 North (SR55). Construction would likely begin in 2009. The County requests that the City provide a letter of support for the application on the bicycle pedestrian pathway project. This fits into the City’s transportation master plan and will be a positive improvement to the City. The County also requests that the City provide a letter indicating its willingness to maintain the pathway once it is built. This would potentially include: pathway pavement repairs, fence maintenance, removal of weeds, paint striping, signing, snow removal, managing access and police enforcement. This would only be for that segment of the pathway that is within or adjacent to the City limits. Councilmember Davis had some concerns regarding the total costs of maintenance for this on going project after it is complete. At this time, Price City will provide a letter of support and intent to maintain the pathway. This project could add to the quality of life in our community and will be tourist attraction to those entering our City. MOTION. Councilmember McEvoy moved to authorize the issuance of a letter of support and intent. Councilmember Davis seconded. Motion carried.

               

25.           OIL AND GAS LEASE- Approval of the Oil and Gas Lease from Associated Resources

 

                Nick Sampinos presented the Oil and Gas Lease from Associated Resources (representing Shell Oil) and is requesting approval to sign the lease under the terms and conditions with a five year extension. The original acreage of 448.95 acres to be leased has been changed to 318.92 acres. One third of the actual surface is owned by someone else with Price City owning the mineral rights. The property is South of Ridge Road and Southeast of the saw mill and has not been used for approximately 40 years. An additional item to the leases is an extension clause that would extend the lease five more years upon expiration of the initial five year term.  This option would be available in case there is no drilling in the first five years. The shut in clause in the lease would be used if a well produces then is shut down, Price City would then receive $2.00 an acre for 3 years. Reclaiming of the property is supervised through Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved to approve the lease with Associated Resources and to include the renewal extension. Motion seconded by Councilmember Davis. Motion carried.

 

26.         BUSINESS LICENSE FEE SCHEDULE- Advertise and Bid for an Independent Research

              Company

 

The business license fee schedule needs to be completed as soon as possible as it has not been done since 1986. An independent research company would benefit the City in a positive and fair way instead of having someone in house do the research. The purpose of the would be to provide a basis and justification for license fees charged by the city. MOTION. Councilmember Nielson moved to advertise and solicit bids for an outside independent research company to research our current business license fee schedule. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton. Motion carried.

 

27.           WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER EQUIPMENT GRANT- Proceed with Firefighter Grant

 

In last year’s legislative session, new laws governing wildland fire suppression were enacted. These new laws affect our responsibility in responding to wildland fire within our response area. Each firefighter participating in wildland firefighting will be required to obtain wildland firefighter certifications. Greg Lowder, Sid Nelson and the Fire Chief are the only firefighters that currently have these certifications. Chief Bedont is requiring all firefighters to go through the training. A grant is available through the Utah State Lands and Forestry Division. This grant will not require out of pocket expense to Price City or the Fire Department.  MOTION. Councilmember Hanna-Smith moved to approve Chief Bedont to proceed with the grant application. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton. Motion carried.

 

28.           BUSINESS LICENSE APPROVAL FOR INNER BALANCE 4 MIND BODY & SPIRIT

               

The building has already been through the process of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application and is permitted to for this type of business. Therefore, the business license can be given without a separate CUP. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved to approve the business license for Inner Balance- 4 Mind Body and Spirit. Seconded by Councilmember McEvoy. Motion carried.

 

29.           PRWID by Councilmember Tatton-

 

At the last PRWID meeting, finalizing the budget was successful. There was a reorganization of the board assignments. Update on the Helper Interchange project was given. The project is coming along.

                               

30.           COMMUNITY PROGRESS UPDATE by Councilmember Hanna-Smith

 

The signs entering Price City are in poor condition and need to be restored.  One of the signs is at the entrance into Price by the Hospital on Highway 6 and the other is at the South Price interchange by Kilfoyle’s.

 Councilmember McEvoy would like to see the city website address listed on each sign.  All Councilmembers are in support of the sign restoration.

Councilmember Hanna-Smith is also working on eliminating all of the yard and garage sale signs that are hanging on telephone poles, buildings and sign posts.  A news release will be placed in the local newspaper in order to educate the citizens of Price City on this regulation.

 

31.           PLAYGROUND UPDATE by Councilmember McEvoy

 

                The project is still on going with projects to complete such as: retaining walls, sidewalk, signage and memorial stones. A billboard will be placed near the highway to bring attention to the Basso Dino-Mine Playground and also to say thank you to the community for all of their dedication and hard work.

 

32.           UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.             Emil Simone Complaint - 11-05

b.             Buck and Claudia Moynier-Road- 7/06

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

Meeting Reconvened at 7:58 p.m.

Regular meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. 

APPROVED:

 

________________________

                                                                                                            Joe L. Piccolo, Mayor

ATTEST:

                           

 

__________________________

Laurie Tryon, City Recorder