Minutes of The Price City Council Meeting

City Hall: Price, Utah

January 26, 2000, 5:30 p.m.

 

Present:

Councilmembers:                                   Vernon W. Jones, Community Administrator

   Roy A. Nikas                                      Joanne Lessar, City Recorder

   Betty P. Wheeler                                Pat Larsen, Finance Director

   Joe L. Piccolo                                     Nick Sampinos, City Attorney

   Stephen L. Denison                             Gary Sonntag, PWD/City Engineer

   Richard Tatton                                    Aleck Shilaos, Chief of Police

Keith Wight, Human Resource Director

Robert Potts, IS Director

 

Excused: Mayor Lou Colosimo

 

Others Present:

   Ray Downard                                      Kent Boyack                             John Serfustini

 

Councilmember Nikas led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Roll was called with the above members in attendance.

 

 1.                MAYOR PROTEMPORE - Councilmember Roy A. Nikas

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that in the absence of Mayor Colosimo, that Councilmember Roy A. Nikas be appointed Mayor Protempore.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 2.                MINUTES - January 12, 2000

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that the minutes of the January 12, 2000 meeting be approved as written.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.  Councilmember Piccolo did not vote as he was absent from the January 12, 2000 meeting.

 

 3.                RAY DOWNARD - Sewer Back-Up Claim - Referred Back To Insurance Company

 

Nick Sampinos reported that he reviewed the sewer back-up claim submitted by Ray Downard.  He spoke with Gary Sonntag and the individual from the Price River Water Improvement District who assisted in unplugging the sewer main.  He presented a letter that he prepared to be sent to the insurance company requesting a re-evaluation of the claim.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the letter be approved as written and that Mr. Sampinos be authorized to send the letter.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

 4.                FRANK LUJAN - Recognition - Tabled

 

 5.                DENNIE SHINER CONSTRUCTION, HONEY DO’S, STITCH ‘N’ TIME SAVES NINE - Home Occupied Businesses

 

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

 

Dennie Shiner Construction - 532 South 200 East, General Contractor

Honey Do’s - 236 East 300 North, Allen Seth Bingham-Owner, Handyman Services

Stitch ‘N’ Time Saves Nine - 266 North 100 East, Inez L. Shuler-Owner, Sewing, Laundry and Cleaning Services

 

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

 

 6.                ELLIS PIERCE - Request To Vacate Alley Approved

 

Councilmember Piccolo reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the request of Ellis Pierce to vacate an alley located at 150 South between 200 and 250 West contingent upon future utility easements and present utility requests being met by the owner of the property.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the request be approved and that staff be directed to contact the owner and that proper documentation be prepared that will accommodate present and future easements for utilities on the property and that the necessary procedures be taken to vacate the alley.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 7.                HEATHER WICHMANNN, ROGER TAYLOR, KENT JONES - Travel Approved

 

Mayor Protem Nikas presented the following travel requests:

 

Heather Wichmann - Achieving Extraordinary Customer Relations, February 2, 3, Salt Lake

Roger Taylor - Field Training Officer, March 27-29, P.O.S.T.

Kent Jones - Sprinkler System Training, February 8, 9, West Valley City

 

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

 

 8.                JOE AND ALICE MARRA - Utility Bill Credit Denied

 

Robert Potts reported that Joe and Alice Marra, 230 South 300 East, are requesting a credit on their water and sewer account in the amount of $27.67 for their rental unit.  They did not understand that when the utilities are transferred to their name and that if electricity is kept on, that they also need to pay the water and sewer.  Councilmember Piccolo stated that in his review of this case, he discovered that there was only a two week period that the home was not rented.  MOTION.  In as much as it is a commercial piece of property and the utilities should have been collected from the renter, Councilmember Piccolo moved that the request be denied.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

 

 9.                DAVID AND POLLY ATWOOD - Utility Bill Credit Approved

 

Robert Potts reported that David and Polly Atwood, 2054 West 3550 North, Spring Glen, are requesting a credit on their water account in the amount of $23.71.  They connected to a private water line in October, 1999 and did not notify the Utilities Department that they disconnected their water with Price City.  They continued to pay their bill in November and December not realizing they no longer had to.  This credit is for the minimal amount.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the credit be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 10.            PURCHASE OF MOTOR ALLDATA SOFTWARE SYSTEM - Bidding Procedures Waived

 

Robert Potts requested permission to waive bidding procedures to purchase a Motor Alldata Sofware System.  This system can be used in the Shop Department as well as the library.  The system provides information on all cars and light trucks, foreign and domestic.  There is over fifteen million pages of information, updated quarterly, including tech service bulletins, diagnostic and repair information, wiring schematics, and component factors.  This will eliminate the need to continue purchasing manuals.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the request be granted and that the funds budgeted to purchase manuals be applied towards this purchase.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 11.            RESOLUTION - Price City Planning Commission Bylaws and Rules of Procedures - Tabled

 

Vern Jones presented the Price City Planning Commission Bylaws and Rules of Procedures and asked that the Council review them.  The Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed them and recommended that they be adopted.  MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that in order for the Council to review them, that the item be tabled and placed on the next agenda for adoption.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

 12.            CLASS “C” ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, 1999, SCHEDULE A & B, #8C-99 - Valley Asphalt - Final Payment

 

Gary Sonntag presented a request for a final payment in the amount of $4,292.25 submitted by Valley Asphalt for their contract on the Class “C” Road Improvements, 1999, Schedules A & B.  This is the payment of their retainage.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the payment be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 13.            SKATE PARK DESIGN AND HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE LANDSCAPING - Permission To Negotiate Contract With Brent Morris Associates Approved

 

Gary Sonntag reported that the City is in the process of working on the skate park design and the highway interchange landscaping, both of which will require the services of a landscape architect.  He requested permission to negotiate a contract with Brent Morris Associates.  This same architect worked on the Peace Gardens and their work was satisfactory.  MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the request be granted.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.

 

 14.            PRICE COMMUNITY CENTER - Elevator Tower Stabilization - Preliminary Report

 

Gary Sonntag reported that the elevator tower at the Price Community Center is experiencing significant movement due to settling.  It is separating from the main building.  Allen and Bailey Structural Engineering have evaluated the building damage and settlement.  RB & G Soils Engineering completed several soil borings around the building and ground water sampling.  The water shale bed rock is at approximately 43 feet.  The soil is saturated sandy clay.  It is anticipated that the testing will be completed and analyzed by next week.  Since being measured on December 9th, the elevator tower has moved approximately 1 3/4", currently about 1/32"/day.  The gap at the top is approximately 5" wide.

 

 15.            WATER EXPANSION PROJECT IV PHASE IV, #3C-99 - High Mountain Excavation - Partial Payment

 

Gary Sonntag presented a request for a partial payment in the amount of $16,962.49 submitted by High Mountain Excavation for their contract on the Water Expansion Project IV Phase IV.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the partial payment be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.  An amount of $5,805.60 will be retained.

 

 16.            CEDAR HILLS DRIVE RECONSTRUCTION DESIGN AND SURVEY CONTRACT (CLASS “C” ROAD PROJECT) - Johansen & Tuttle Engineering

 

Gary Sonntag presented a proposal from Johansen & Tuttle Engineering for surveying and designing the reconstruction of Cedar Hills Drive.  He recommended that the City enter into a contract with Johansen & Tuttle Engineering in the amount of $12,000.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the contract be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

 

 17.            CLOTHING ITEMS FOR EMPLOYEES - Discussion

 

Pat Larsen presented a list of clothing items that the City has been purchasing for employees.  She asked the Council to review them and determine if the items are appropriate.  Items on the list were rain jackets, heavy warm jackets, hats, coveralls.   The Council determined that the type of work done by our employees in harsh conditions, such as being called out during the winter to repair water and sewer lines, plow snow, dig graves, read meters and repair vehicles, warranted these types of purchases.  Gary Sonntag stated that he would conduct an inventory to determine who is purchasing what and why and report back to the Council.

 

 18.            INSERTING MACHINE - Permission To Purchase Approved

 

Pat Larsen reported that presently it is taking several employees several hours to stuff utility bills and run them through the postage machine.  In calculating the amount of time and the number of employees, the cost is over $300 each time billing occurs, which is twice a month.  The machine would pay for itself in two years.  She feels the employees don’t have the time to do this and recommended purchasing an inserting machine.  The machine will fold, stuff and seal up to 2,500 pieces in an hour at a cost of $10,300.  She has moved funds around in the budget revision for this purchase.  MOTION.  Councilmember Wheeler moved that permission be given to purchase the inserting machine and that Pat investigate further to see if a smaller machine at a reduced cost would handle the requirements of the City.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

                                             

 19.            BUDGET REVISION FY1999/2000 - Public Hearing Scheduled

 

Pat requested permission to schedule a public hearing to revise the budget for FY1999/2000.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the public hearing be scheduled for February 9th,  2000.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

 

 20.            PURCHASE OF POSTAGE MACHINE - Tabled

 

Pat Larsen reported that the postage machine is 15 years old and has been breaking down more and more often.  The present system is costing $238/month, which includes  the metering system and maintenance.  A  new machine would cost $306/month, which includes all of the above.  In four years, the City would own the machine.  The purchase cost for the machine alone would be $7,169.00.  Purchasing the machine outright would save a lot of interest.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that this item be tabled for further review.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Tatton moved that the meeting adjourn and that a meeting of the Redevelopment Agency convene.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:32 p.m.

Redevelopment Meeting Minutes

Reconvened at 6:37 p.m.

 

 21.            RESOLUTION #2000-02 - Abolishing Compensatory Time For Salaried Exempt Employees

 

Keith Wight presented Resolution #2000-02, abolishing compensatory time for salaried exempt employees.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that Resolution #2000-02 be approved and that the Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to sign the resolution.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

 

 22.            RESOLUTION #2000-03 - Policy For Consistent and Effective Use Of Pagers, Call Out Pay and On Call Pay

 

Keith Wight presented Resolution #2000-03, setting forth a policy for consistent and effective use of pagers, call out pay and on call pay.  MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that Resolution #2000-03 be approved and that the Mayor and City Recorder be authorized to sign the resolution.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

 23.            UTILITIES DEPARTMENT JOB DESCRIPTIONS APPROVED - Meter Reader II, Utility Customer Service Representative, Utility Lead Meter Reader

 

Keith Wight presented job descriptions for Utility Department positions - Meter Reader II, Utility Customer Service Representative, and Utility Lead Meter Reader.  These positions were revised due to reorganization of the department.  The grades and rate of pay will not change.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the job descriptions be approved.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

 

 24.            LISA PETERSON - Salary Adjustment Approved

 

Pat Larsen discussed a reclassification for Lisa Peterson.  She would like to cross train Lisa to perform the same job functions as Linda Allred, Accounting Technician, Grade 10.  In addition, she would like to train Linda to perform the same job functions as Lisa is presently doing.  She plans to trade these positions back and forth so that they are both fully trained on each others job.  She is asking for this reclassification as Lisa’s job duties will increase.  Councilmember Piccolo stated that the committee that met to reorganize the Utility Department agreed that the positions would remain the same and that there would be no reclassifications or salary adjustments pertinent to those employees who will have additional duties added until such time that the committee can see the full effect of those duties.  He feels this needs to be discussed at budget time.  He does not agree that it should be raised grade for grade.  MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the request be denied.  The motion died for lack of a second.

 

Councilmember Denison recommended that Pat review the job description and run it through the City’s point system and report back to the Council.  If Lisa’s job responsibilities have increased, then it needs to be re-evaluated.  Councilmember Piccolo stated that if the increase requested tonight is for additional job duties, he has no problem with it.  He just doesn’t support reorganizing something that isn’t an emergency in the middle of a budget year.  Pat stated that Lisa’s job duties have increased due to taking over the responsibilities of billing.  MOTION.  Councilmember Denison moved that based on the additional  job duties due to the billing, that Lisa be given a salary adjustment of $.50/hour effective February 1, 2000.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.

 

 25.            SWIM TEAM SCORE BOARD - Discussion

 

Councilmember Denison reported that he met with Phyllis Cox regarding a score board for the swim team.  This would be a score board that attaches to the timing system.  The swim team has solicited private businesses to participate in this purchase, and in turn those businesses would have advantage to advertising on their behalf.  Dave Cox stated that most of the competitive equipment was purchased through a partnership between the school district and Price City.  Phyllis Cox stated that this is something that would benefit the high school swim team as well as the age group swim team.  Scott McDonald, Pool Director, is trying to increase the size of the age group swim team again.  This would help him in that pursuit, making Price City a first class competition area rather than a lower class competition.  Right now, Price City doesn’t have the swimming equipment that many pools across the state have.  Before the City makes a commitment, Councilmember Piccolo stated that he would like to be responsible to acquire the money for this equipment from private individuals.

 

 26.            TAM GREGERSEN - Salary Adjustment Approved

 

Robert Potts requested permission to transfer some of his job duties to Tam Gregersen and reclassify Tam as the Local Area Network Administrator at a Grade 16.  The transfer of these duties to Tam would allow Bob to concentrate on the Utilities Department and also anything that is involved with the computers outside of Tam’s responsibilities.  The Council discussed the inequity of the City’s grade and point system.  MOTION.   Councilmember Piccolo moved that Tam’s wages be increased to $14.51/hour effective February 1, 2000, that his title be changed to LAN Administrator and that his grade remain at 11.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.  The Council directed Keith Wight to review the City’s current point and grade system and recommend a better way to classify employees.    

 

 27.            NEW HIRES - Carey Seals, Wade Marinoni, Jeremiah Davies, Angela Atwood, Paul Bedont, Boyd Anderson, Gregory Lowder

 

Keith Wight presented the following new hires as Volunteer Firemen:

Carey Seals, Wade Marinoni, Jeremiah Davies, Angela Atwood, Paul Bedont, Boyd Anderson, Gregory Lowder

 

MOTION.  Councilmember Piccolo moved that the new hires be approved effective February 1, 2000.  Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.