Minutes of the Price City Council Meeting

City Hall: Price, Utah

October 25, 2006 5:30 p.m.

 

Present:

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

Councilmembers:                                                  John Daniels, Human Resource Director

Jeff Nielson                                           Aleck Shilaos, Police Chief

Richard Tatton                                     Bret Cammans, Customer Service Director

Jeanne McEvoy                                   Nick Tatton, Community Director

Rick Davis                                             Laurie Tryon, City Recorder

                Kathy Hanna-Smith                             Nick Sampinos, City Attorney          

                                                Pat Larsen, Finance Director

 

Others Present: Frank Ori                   C.J. McManus                     John Procarione                  Bill Engle

           Ron Brewer                Ann Evans                           Dawn Colvard                      Kent Jones

           Suda Merriman          Tom Richardson                  Garrett Hunt                       Mike Martinez

           Carey Seals                Janet and Frank Ori             Kami Christensen                Merrilee Hunt

 

Garrett Hunt of Boy Scout Troop 272, 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.             VISIONARY SERVICE LEADER AWARD- Frank Ori

 

                Frank Ori of Carbon County Recreation was awarded the October, 2006 Visionary Service Leader Award for his dedication to local youth and community activities.

               

3.             UTAH STATE COURTS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AWARD

 

                Seventh District Court Administrator, Bill Engle presented the Utah State Courts Restorative Justice Award to Jeanne McEvoy for her success and dedication to the Educational Enhancement program. This program has been set up to assist with the juvenile court referral system.  The Education Enhancement program offers after school tutoring sessions which young persons can attend as part of their court ordered community service. This program and its volunteers assist with the student’s behavior, attendance and scholastic problems. Jeanne McEvoy has contributed to this program for many years and touched many young lives due to her desire to see the youth and the program succeed. 

 

4.             FLEET INVENTORY MANAGEMENT- Computer Program Presentation

               

The Price City Public Works Assistant, John Procarione made a presentation on the Fleet Inventory Management computer program he has built to monitor and manage the City’s fleet. This was accomplished with assistance from Tom Richardson, Fleet Supervisor. The “2001 Fleet Inventory” compiled on August 17, 2001 was outdated and in need of an upgrade. This new management program, developed in-house, will enable staff to have a hands-on approach to keeping the fleet inventory updated on a consistent basis. The Mayor and Council expressed appreciation to John for the time and effort spent on creating this impressive data base program. 

 

5.             WELLNESS COUNCIL-

 

Ron Brewer, Chairman of the Price City Wellness Committee made a presentation concerning his recent attendance at the Utah Health Conference.  The presentation included some health statistics regarding the nations health care spending, the aging population and quality of life. The statistics and information will be published in next month’s Price City Health and Wellness Newsletter. Ron presented the City Council with the Health Worksite 2006 Award from the Utah Council of Worksite Health Promotion. Ron stated that the Wellness Committee appreciates the continued support of the Mayor and City Council with the efforts to create a healthy workplace within Price City. The Mayor commended Ron Brewer and the Wellness Committee for their efforts each month.

 

6.             ZAP TAX DISCUSSION- A Town Hall meeting will be held on November 2, 2006 at City Hall. This will be a question/answer type session for the public regarding the ZAP Tax question the November 7, 2006 ballot. The general public needs to be aware of what the tax represents and why the City came to the decision to put  the ZAP Tax question on the ballot. The Mayor, members of Council and staff will be available during the       information session.  

 

7.             CASTLE COUNTRY FENCING AND TREE SERVICE, LLC.-Home Occupied Permit-Tabled

 

                Councilmember Jeff Nielson reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission tabled the following request

from Castle Country Fencing and Tree Service, LLC for a Home Occupied Permit,:

 

a. Castle Country Fencing and Tree Service, LLC.- 337 North 5th Avenue-Stephen & Marie Manzanares, Owners-Business

 

8.             DIVERSITY, CASTLE COUNTRY FENCING- Conditional Use Permits

               

Councilmember Jeff Nielson reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation for the following request from Diversity for a Conditional Use Permit with contingencies. Castle Country Fencing and Tree Service, LLC for a Conditional Use Permit was tabled.

 

a. Diversity-37 East Main-Nichole Semsack, Owner-Business and Sign-Final with contingencies.

 

b. Castle Country Fencing and Tree Service, LLC.-950 East 100 North, Stephen & Marie Manzanares, Owners-Business and Sign

 

                MOTION. Councilmember Nielson moved that the business of Diversity be approved for a Conditional Use Permit. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hanna-Smith. Motion carried.

 

CONSENT ITEMS- MOTION. Councilmember Hanna-Smith moved that Items #9 through #16 be approved. Motion seconded by Councilmember Nielson and carried.

 

9.             MINUTES-

                a.  October 11, 2006

                b.  October 11, 2006- CDBG-Public Hearing

 

                The October 11, 2006 regular meeting minutes were corrected per the following:

                Item #6 Business License, page two, line 7 revised to read, “not required”.

 

Councilmember Nielson moved to approve the proposed change to the minutes. Councilmember McEvoy seconded the motion. Motion carried.

 

10.           COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT- Request to Set Date for Public Hearing for November 8, 2006 to Present the Proposed List for 2007

 

11.           UTILITIES DEPARTMENT- Permission to Accept the Wells Fargo Retail Image Lockbox Service- (Streamline Accounts Receivable Processing)

 

12.           POOL- Permission to Advertise and Bid the Capital Project Re-Circulation Lines Strainer Replacement

 

13.           AUDIT FIELD WORK- Permission to Pay Auditing Services Invoice from Smuin, Rich & Marsing-(to date) Ratification

               

14.           WATER TREATMENT PLANT- Emergency Power Generator Design Proposal

               

                We have received a proposal from Bruno Engineering, Inc, (electrical) to complete the site evaluation, design and construction documents for the installation of an emergency power generator at the water treatment plant. Their proposed fee is $5,044.00. The City has utilized the services of this consultant on prior projects. We are not aware of any other professional electrical engineering firm in our local area. The generator would support the plant mechanical, lighting and security systems. There is a budget of $15,000. The balance of the project will come through Community Impact Board funding.

 

15.           GARY SONNTAG AND DEBBIE WORLEY- Travel Approved

 

                Gary Sonntag- Utah Flood Plain & Storm Water Management Association Annual Meeting on November 2-3,

                 2006 in Moab, Utah

                Debbie Worley- Victim Advocate Training, October 30-November 2, 2006 in Vernal, Utah

 

16.           FIREHOUSE- Permission to Use the Firehouse on January 6, 2007 for Rabies Vaccinations from Dr. Grigg’s Veterinarian Clinic

 

Item #18 involved a member of Mayor Piccolo’s family. He excused himself left the Council Chambers voluntarily at 6:50 p.m.

 

17.           MOTION. Per the provisions established in Ordinance #2002-001, Councilmember Nielson moved that Councilmember Davis be appointed Mayo Pro-Tempore to deal with Item #18. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hanna-Smith and carried.

 

18.           POLICE DEPARTMENT- Permission to Hire a Police Officer

 

The Police Department is requesting permission to hire a police officer from the existing hiring roster.  If a new roster is created, the Police Chief will notify the City Council. In 2005, Price City had 1.9 officers per every thousand persons with 39 arrests per officer. In 2006, according to dispatch, the calls for service have gone up 13% with juvenile referrals up 11% since last year. The position needs to be filled as soon as possible. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved to approve the hiriring of a new police officer from the existing hiring roster. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hanna-Smith. Motion carried.

               

19.           RETURN OF MAYOR PICCOLO

 

MOTION. Councilmember Davis moved that Mayor Piccolo return and chair the meeting. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hanna-Smith and carried.

 

                Mayor Piccolo returned to the meeting at 6:52 p.m.

 

20.           ELECTRIC RATE SCHEDULE- Price City Power Distribution Board of Directors, Recommended Schedule Adjustments to Rate Tables 104, 105 and 112.

 

The adjustments provide for a base rate increase and move from a descending to an ascending schedule to promote Demand Side Management (DSM). The Price City Power Distribution System Advisory Board had met and reviewed the proposed rates and recommended that the City Council adopt them at tonight’s meeting.

 

  1. Proposed net metering schedule/rate.  All electric distribution providers around the state and specifically the members of UAMPS have been requested to adopt a net metering option into the rate tables. The proposed schedule is consistent with the terms and procedure used by other communities and Rocky Mountain Power.
  2. Proposed adjustments to commercial rates.  The proposed rate restructure will provide for a slight increase in each rate as well as change the rates from a declining structure to an inclining structure.

 

                After some discussion, the Mayor and City Council decided to take more time to review this matter with  suggestions from the Accounting Department and Power Board. This item should be reviewed by everyone involved and returned to the next City Council meeting with an equitable solution. The increase in rates is in preparation for the increase from the supplier. Rate increase increments are necessary to handle the wholesale costs, service, maintenance and the substation repairs. The distribution set forth in this recommended schedule rate adjustment is unbalanced and needs to be re-evaluated. The increase needs to prepare and cover for Price City’s upcoming electrical needs, but also to look at what increase is deemed necessary so it is not all at once. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved to table Item # 20 and return to the next scheduled council meeting on November 8, 2006 with an equitable solution. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hanna-Smith and carried. 

 

21.           PRWID-Update by Councilmember Tatton.

 

Councilmember Tatton reported the Helper Interchange project is going well. The contractor is installing Price City’s water line. The Department of Transportation will begin work on the District’s water line possibly next month.  A public hearing regarding the proposed water and sewer rate increases will be held in November 2006.

 

Councilmember Tatton gave special recognition and notice to the hours spent by City employees at the Basso Dino-Mine Playground with information provided by John Daniels. Many Price City employees donated time in addition to paid hours. Employees were used a total of 362 paid hours (362 ÷ 40 hrs = 9 weeks). The hourly value was $7,090 with the conservative estimate of man hours and equipment at $9,470.00.

 

22.           COMMUNITY PROGRESS- Update by Councilmember Hanna-Smith

 

The Adopt-a-Street signs will be installed soon to identify the areas volunteers have chosen to keep clean. There will also be “Do Not Litter” signs installed with a fine of $750.00 for littering.  Additional benches will be added to our downtown area in the near future. A new program has been implemented to give recognition to the local businesses for the exterior enhancement of their buildings and landscaping. Visual appearance is very important and those businesses that have taken steps to make the improvements will be recognized.

 

23.           COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND- Update by Councilmember McEvoy

 

Councilmember McEvoy presented the Mayor and Council with a list of names from the community that has generously donated to the Basso Dino-Mine Playground.  Although donations are no longer being accepted, a grand total of $260,000.00 has been gathered for this community project. Reclamation continues and an estimated $180,000 has been spent on the playground. If the remaining reclamation and construction cannot be accomplished by volunteers, the work will be contracted out. The new sign will be placed very soon. 

               

24.           INTERNATIONAL DAYS-

 

Mayor Piccolo made recommendations for the 2007 International Days event regarding a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from the City Council.

 

MOTION. Councilmember Hanna-Smith moved to appoint Councilmember Nielson as International Days 2007 Chairperson and Councilmember Davis as Vice Chairperson. Motion seconded by Councilmember McEvoy. Motion Carried.

 

25.           UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.  Emil Simone Complaint - 11-05

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

c.  Resolution 2006-21 Cemetery Fees

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

 

APPROVED:

 

______________________________

                                                                                                            Joe L. Piccolo, Mayor

ATTEST:

                           

_____________________________

Laurie Tryon, City Recorder

 

.