Minutes of The Price City Council Meeting

City Hall: Price, Utah

January 24, 2001, 4:30 p.m.

Present:

  • Mayor Lou Colosimo
  • Vernon W. Jones, Community Administrator
  • Roy A. Nikas, Council Member
  • Joanne Lessar, City Recorder
  • Betty P. Wheeler, Council Member
  • Pat Larsen, Finance Director
  • Joe L. Piccolo, Council Member
  • Nick Sampinos, City Attorney
  • Stephen L. Denison, Council Member
  • Gary Sonntag, PWD/City Engineer
  • Richard Tatton, Council Member
  •  Keith Wight, Human Resource Director
  • Aleck Shilaos, Chief of Police
  •  

    Others Present:

    Kathy Smith Sam White Lamar H. Jones

    Mabel M. Jones Scott Johansen Elayne Storrs

    Cheryl Hess Ramona Valdez Daniel Valdez

    Frank Lujan Shelley Karcich Jim Valdez

    Carey Seals Tim Simmons Ben Grimes

    John Serfustini

    1. WORK SESSION 4:30 P.M.

    The Council met at 4:30 p.m. to conduct a work session. They reviewed the funds that are available to businesses within the Redevelopment District and discussed ways to encourage businesses to apply for assistance in renovating and upgrading their buildings. Perhaps some changes need to be made to our current process. The idea is to make sure that the downtown district remains attractive and viable. Councilmember Piccolo suggested reorganizing the districts within the RDA. It was recommended to conduct a research to determine the possibility of starting another Redevelopment Agency or possibly two or three. Each RDA could consist of 100 acres each.

    Mayor Colosimo opened the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called with the above members in attendance.

    2. MINUTES - January 10 - 2001

    MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the minutes of the January 10, 2001 meeting be approved as written. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

    3. SUDA MERRIMAN, FRANK LUJAN, JIM VALDEZ, KENT JONES, SANDY CAMPBELL - Presentation of Award and Recognition For Exemplary Service To 7th District Juvenile Court Program

    Judge Elayne Storrs, Judge Scott Johansen, Carey Seals, and Tim Simmons, 7th District Court representatives, recognized Price City employees Suda Merriman, Frank Lujan, Jim Valdez, Kent Jones and Sandy Campbell, for their efforts working with juvenile court offenders. These people supervise these juveniles as they work off their court hours, and have done a wonderful job. An award was presented to Suda Merriman , who has directed this program for 18 years. The court expressed their appreciation to the above group and to Price City for participating in the program. Mayor Colosimo thanked the court system as they too have helped Price City.

    4. CASTLE COUNTRY TRAVEL - Presentation of Promotional Video

    Kathy Hanna-Smith, Castle Country Travel, presented a promotional video covering Carbon and Emery Counties. The City contributed $5,000 towards production of this video, which was shown to the Council during the meeting.

    5. CASTLE COUNTRY HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION - Request To Waive Building Permit Fee - Tabled

    Mayor Colosimo presented a letter from the Castle Country Housing and Development Corporation requesting that building permit fees be waived for the construction of a single family dwelling. Castle Country Housing and the College of Eastern Utah Building and Trades Program will become partners to build the house. MOTION. As there were several unanswered questions, Councilmember Piccolo moved that the item be tabled for further information. Motion seconded by Councilmember Nikas and carried.

    6. CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT - Sale of QWest Corporation To Carbon/Emery Telcom, Inc.

    Nick Sampinos presented the Consent To Assignment which provides for the sale of QWest Corporation to Carbon/Emery Telcom, Inc. He has reviewed the agreement and recommends approval. MOTION. Councilmember Nikas moved that the Consent To Assignment be approved and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the document. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

    7. RIVERVIEW WATER COMPANY - Direction To Take Over Water Company

    Councilmember Denison reported that several years ago, the Riverview Water Company requested that the City take over their operation due to the size of their lines, the problems they were encountering, and how they were running helter/skelter off the City=s main lines. He and Gary Sonntag reviewed this and felt that the City should either stop allowing the 1" lines coming off the City=s mains so that it does not become a problem in the future or take over the operation of the system. MOTION. After further discussion, Councilmember Denison moved that staff be directed to pursue taking over the Riverview Water Co. and that the agreement be brought back to the Council. Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried. Councilmember Piccolo recommended discussing the possibility of future annexation with those residents located within the Riverview Water Co.

    8. WATER TRANSMISSION LINE - Carbon County Capital Improvement Project List

    Councilmember Denison reported that in addition to the Water Transmission Line, that a list of the City=s Capital Improvement Projects needs to be submitted to Carbon County so that they can be included in requests to the Community Impact Board and other funding agencies. MOTION. Councilmember Denison moved that this list be submitted to Carbon County. Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.

    9. WATER TRANSMISSION LINE - Carbon County Grant Request

    Councilmember Denison reported that in a recent discussion with Dennis Dooley from Carbon County, he asked if there were any grants available from the County to help offset some of the costs for the Water Transmission Line. Mr. Dooley informed him that there is a special service district set up as a Recreation and Roads District. They discussed various ways of getting money from that fund. The best option is to request that an amount from this fund be turned over to the County=s General Fund, which could then be given to the City in the form of a grant. He recommended pursuing a formal request to the County. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved that authorization be given to Councilmember Denison to proceed with this request. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

    10. HEAVENLY SCENT, TELERON COMMUNICATIONS - Home Occupied Businesses

    Councilmember Piccolo reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the following requests for home occupied businesses.

    Heavenly Scent - 160 South 400 East, Sandi T. Cox-Owner. Office use only for sale of gel candles.

    Teleron Communications - 373 South 500 East, Apt. #2, Ronald O. Alexander-Owner. Reservations for dinner engagements via computer.

    MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the businesses be approved upon payment of the business license fee. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

    11. TRAVIS LEAUTAUD - Single Lot Subdivision, 1721 East 500 South - Conditional Use Permit

    Councilmember Piccolo reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation to Travis Leautaud for a single lot subdivision located at 1721 East 500 South. This involves a home that he built a few years ago and is in an area that was recently rezoned from an RR to an SF-8. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the request be approved and that a Conditional Use Permit be issued. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

    12. SMITH=S GAS STATION - 955 East Main - Conditional Use Permit

    Councilmember Piccolo reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation for preliminary and final approval for a Smiths Gas Station and signs to be located at 955 East Main in the old McDonalds building. One of the issues raised was the driveway on the west side of the property. However, staff has reviewed this and came up with a way to slow the traffic down coming from 1st North to Main Street, making it a one-way driveway only wide enough for one car and exiting onto Main Street and then jogging the traffic approximately where the old McDonalds property separated in the parking lot so that it is not a straight through. Gary Sonntag reviewed the plans and felt they were sufficient. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that preliminary and final approval be given to Smiths Gas Station per the amended plans as discussed to include the signs and that a Conditional Use Permit be issued. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

    13. KENT BOYACK - Travel Approved

    Mayor Colosimo presented the following request:

    Kent Boyack - Winter Fire School, February 2, 3, St. George, Utah

    MOTION. Councilmember Nikas moved that the travel be approved. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

    14. FRANCIS DUZENACK - Travel Approved

    Mayor Colosimo presented the following travel request:

    Francis Duzenack - Utah Chapter of ICBO Annual Conference, February 19-23, St. George, Utah

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

    15. SHANE HENRIE - Travel Approved

    Mayor Colosimo presented the following travel request:

    Shane Henrie - Law Enforcement Thermographers= Association (LETA) Certification, April 9-13, Phoenix, Arizona; Utah Drug Academy, April 30-May 11, P.O.S.T.

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

    16. SAM WHITE, BILLY WARDLE, STEVE QUINTANA

    Mayor Colosimo presented the following travel requests:

    Sam White, Billy Wardle, Steve Quintana - Rural Water Association of Utah Annual Conference, February 28-March 2, St. George, Utah

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

    17. BRIANNA WELCH, THEDA USSERY, BETTY RUDEN - Travel Approved

    Mayor Colosimo presented the following travel requests:

    Brianna Welch, Theda Ussery, Betty Ruden - How To Take Charge of The Front Desk, February 11, 12, Salt Lake, Utah

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

    18. UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD - Wireline Crossing Agreement

    Vern Jones presented an easement agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad which allows the City to cross the railroad tracks to run fibre optic cable to the Public Works Complex. He recommended that the agreement be approved and that the fee in the amount of $1,825 be paid. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the agreement and payment be approved and that the Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to execute the agreement. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

    19. ORDINANCE #2001-001 - Establishing Minimum Standards For Wastewater Discharge

    Vern Jones presented Ordinance #2001-001, establishing minimum standards for all commercial and industrial connections discharging sewage and waste water into the main sewer lines within Price City. This provides a little more flexibility to sampling manholes, and outlines the responsibilities of the property owners in acquiring their samples and providing the City with a report. MOTION. Councilmember Wheeler moved that Ordinance #2001-001 be adopted, that the Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to sign the ordinance, and that it become effective upon publication. Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.

    20. CLASS AC@ ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, #18C-2000 - Valley Asphalt, Inc. - Final Payment

    Jerry Wright presented a request for a final payment in the amount of $2,500 submitted by Valley Asphalt, Inc., on their contract for Class AC@ Road Improvements. MOTION. Councilmember Nikas moved that the payment be approved. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

    21. PRICE MAIN STREET RECONSTRUCTION II, ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT - Sunrise Engineering, Inc.

    Jerry Wright reported that Sunrise Engineering submitted a proposal to complete the design and prepare construction documents for the reconstruction of Main Street from Carbon Avenue to 300 East at a cost of $97,686.78. This project replaces the entire road from curb to curb and replacement of the water and sewer lines. Staff has reviewed this and is recommending approval. MOTION. Councilmember Nikas moved that the contract be approved and that the Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to execute the documents. Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.

    22. CULINARY WATER TRANSMISSION LINE REPLACEMENT, ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT - Hansen, Allen and Luce, Inc., Engineering

    Jerry Wright reported that Hansen, Allen and Luce Engineering submitted a proposal to complete the funding applications, design, water distribution master plan and construction services for the replacement of the water transmission line from the Water Treatment Plant to the 10 million gallon water tank at a total cost of $1,679,387. This project replaces the two existing older deteriorating water transmission lines with one large diameter water line. Staff has reviewed this and recommends approval. The Council expressed concern that, at this time, it is unknown what grants and loans the City will receive for this project. At this point, an amount of $364,000 is available from what has been set aside; $264,00 from past water rate increases and $100,000 from a deleted project. If the City does not receive funding, it is questionable if the water line project can proceed and if they will be able to pay the costs of the above contract. If the City has to borrow the whole amount of the project, the cost to rate payers would be extreme. The Council did not feel comfortable with this scenario. Councilmemember Denison reported that he and staff members met with the Community Impact Board, the Utah Division of Drinking Water and the Board of Water Resources. However, neither agency made any commitments. Another meeting has been planned with all three agencies. The Council discussed issuing a purchase order to the contract in an amount not to exceed $364,000. This would allow Hansen, Allen and Luce, Inc., to begin the project and that within the next month or two, the City should know what funding will be available. If funding is available, the project could proceed further. If not, the engineering firm would just be allowed to spend the available amount of $364,000.00. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the contract be approved up to an amount of $364,000 so that this project can proceed and that the Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to execute the documents. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried. Councilmember Tatton voted Anaye@.

    23. BUDGET TRANSFERS - Approved

    Pat Larsen presented the following budget transfers and requested that they be approved:

    $174,350.00 from General Fund to Capital Projects Fund

    $159,437.50 from General Fund to Library Fund

    $ 12,500.00 from Redevelopment Agency To General Fund

    $900,000.00 from Electric Fund to General Fund

    $156,800.00 from General Fund to Swimming Pool Fund

    $ 24,600.00 from General Fund to Drug Task Force

    $ 24,950.00 from General Fund to IS Fund

    $ 21,300.00 from Electric Fund to IS Fund

    $ 21,300.00 from Water Fund to IS Fund

    MOTION. Councilmember Wheeler moved that the budget transfers be approved. Motion seconded by Councilmember Nikas and carried.

    24. CULINARY WATER TRANSMISSION LINE REPLACEMENT - Meeting With Financial Advisors

    Pat Larsen reported that she has scheduled a meeting with Wells Fargo (First Security Bank), the City=s Financial Advisor, to discuss funding for the Water Transmission Line. Wells Fargo has been the City=s advisor for quite some time. She has also been approached by Kimball Young and Associates to present a proposal. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved that both companies be invited to conduct a presentation. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

    25. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS SPECIALIST - Job Description Approved And Permission To Advertise For Permanent/Full Time Position

    Keith Wight presented the job description for the Information Systems Specialist and requested permission to advertise for the position. He discussed the grade and the minimum to medium wage. It was recommended to add communication systems to the job description and change the title to Information and Communications Systems Specialist. In addition, add other certifications as required under special qualifications. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the amended job description be approved and that permission be given to advertise for the position. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

    26. WATER TREATMENT PLANT - Permission To Advertise For Two Full Time/Temporary Positions

    MOTION. Councilmember Wheeler moved that permission be given to advertise for two full time/temporary positions for the Water Treatment Plant. Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.

    27. PRICE RIVER WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT - Update

    Councilmember Denison reported that the ammonia project at the wastewater treatment plant continues to proceed very well. Everything still looks in line to meet the deadline. Another issue involving filters recently occurred at the treatment plant. During the process of changing out heads and filters on Filter #1, a backwash was conducted on Filter #2. Something happened to increase the pressure in the filter and it caused the floor to crack and buckle approximately 8". Two companies that are specialists on filters inspected the damage and suggested that the existing system be removed and a stainless steel retrofit system be installed. Costs are estimated at $130,000, which is unexpected and unbudgeted.. The District will do some of the work to lower the cost. The purchase of the filter system is approximately $92,000. This amount will be taken out of the project to paint the water tank on Four Mile Hill. Councilmember Denison recommended that perhaps pressure sensors could be placed on the City=s system to prevent this from happening to the City=s system..

    28. ORDINANCE #2001-002 - Burning of Garbage, Trash, Refuse and Yard Waste

    Nick Sampinos presented Ordinance #2001-002, amending Section 8.08.050 of the Price Municipal Code to prohibit all open burning of garbage, trash, refuse, yard waste, and all other combustibles within Price City, unless a special burning permit is first obtained from the Price City Fire Chief, except on cultivated lands. MOTION. Councilmember Nikas moved that Ordinance #2001-002 be adopted, that the Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to sign the ordinance and that it become effective upon publication. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

    Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

    APPROVED:

    ATTEST: Lou Colosimo, Mayor

    Joanne Lessar, City Recorder