Minutes of The Price City Council Meeting

City Hall: Price, Utah

March 14, 2001, 5:32 p.m.


Present:

Mayor Lou Colosimo Vernon W. Jones, Community Administrator

Councilmembers: Joanne Lessar, City Recorder

Roy A. Nikas Pat Larsen, Finance Director

Betty P. Wheeler Nick Sampinos, City Attorney

Joe L. Piccolo Gary Sonntag, PWD/City Engineer

Stephen L. Denison Keith Wight, Human Resource Director

Richard Tatton Aleck Shilaos, Chief of Police


Others Present:

Mike McCandless Mark Greenhalgh Seth Chiaretta

Garry Harrison John Alger


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

MOTION. Councilmember Denison moved that the minutes of the February 28, 2001 meeting be approved as written. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

The following bids were received for the City Hall Block Parking Lot.

Henrie Construction, Carbonville $134,859.00

Nelson Construction, Huntington $138,064.50


MOTION. Councilmember Wheeler moved that a committee, comprised of herself, Councilmember Tatton, Gary Sonntag, Pat Larsen, and Fermin Gutierrez, be appointed to review the bids and given the power to act. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

MOTION. Councilmember Nikas moved that a special event beer permit be approved for the Notre Dame Parish Casino Night to be held Saturday, March 17, 2001. Motion seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.

Mike McCandless, representing Carbon/Emery Telcom, presented an update on acquisition of the QWest Telephone System in Carbon County. Approximately two weeks ago, the FCC approved the takeover. The official date for the transfer will be April 6, 2001. Their business office will be located at 6th East 1st North and will be equipped with a drive-up window. Mr. McCandless introduced Gary Harrison, a new employee with Carbon/Emery Telcom, who was previously with QWest. Mr. Harrison will be supervising the inside and outside plant personnel located in Price. Carbon/Emery Telcom has a lot of aggressive plans to bring this community up to where they should have been prior to this time. Gary Harrison reported that the company has plans to pull fibre optic cable from their central office to Carbon Credit Union, the Zions Bank building, the hospital, and to East Carbon. Their engineers will be moving into the old Mountain Bell business office and will be available for contractors and others.

Councilmember Wheeler reported that four proposals were received for the Library Community Survey. The Library Board appointed a committee to review them. They will be presented to the Library Board and then to the City Council.

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

Meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Reconvened at 5:47 p.m.

Councilmember Nikas discussed the possibility of pursuing the abandonment of a railroad spur located at 1st West and 100 South. The spur has not been used for approximately 20 years. It has a significant bump which creates problems for snow plows. He was recently approached by a representative of Bookcliff Sales, at which time he was told they have been in negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad regarding the easements across their property for the spur. Union Pacific stated that they were willing to remove the spur, but that it would cost several thousand dollars. Union Pacific indicated that if Price City does not want the spur, they can request that it be discontinued. Since that time, two other business owners located in the area have also indicated their desire that the spur be removed. MOTION. Councilmember Nikas moved that Mr. Sampinos be directed to write a letter to Union Pacific Railroad requesting that the spur be removed. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried. The response from Union Pacific will be brought before the Council.

Councilmember Piccolo reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission gave a favorable recommendation for Heirloom Inn, 145 North Carbon Avenue, to construct a sign. The sign, which complys with the zoning ordinance, will be located 5' from the sidewalk and will be 8' tall and 8' long. It will eventually be lighted. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the sign be approved and that a Conditional Use Permit be issued. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

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

J D Home improvements - 1298 East Airport Road, Stan Densley-Owner (Specialty Contractor)

Mad I Investigations - 158 Hillcrest Drive, Gilbert Madrid-Owner (Paper Process Server Only))


MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the above businesses be approved upon the purchase of a business license. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

MOTION. As there were questions regarding the operation of K & H Enterprises (home mortgage management program), Councilmember Piccolo moved that the business be tabled for further review by Mr. Sampinos. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

Mayor Colosimo presented the following travel requests:

Norma Procarione, Two Staff Members - Utah Library Association Annual Convention, May 2-4, Sandy, Utah

Shari Madrid - Utah Municipal Treasurers Association Spring Conference, May 2-4, St. George, Utah

Pat Larsen - Utah Government Finance Officers Association Spring Conference, April 9-11, St. George, Utah


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

Police Chief Aleck Shilaos reported that his department has # 870 Shotguns that are 18-20 years old. He would like to upgrade to the Mossberg Shotgun. He requested permission to declare four shotguns surplus and trade these in with a certified arms dealer. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the four #870 Shotguns be declared surplus and allow Chief Shilaos to proceed with his request. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

MOTION. As Resolution #2001-04 dealt with keg beer and since there were questions regarding a permit for beer in the can, Couniclmember Nikas moved that the resolution be tabled for further review. Motion seconded by Councilmember Denison and carried.

Gary Sonntag reported that in previous meetings, the Council directed him to pursue an alternative heating system for the swimming pool complex. He recently met with Questar Gas to re-evaluate the situation, if the City would be eligible, and how it would work. He was surprised to find out that what he thought would be a $17,000 savings, would only amount to a $1,000. In dealing with various gas rates and certain requirements, he found that they all have one thing in common, and that is they are all subject to the latest gas rate and the rates change often. As such, he cannot recommend that the City follow through with the alternative heating system. The current rate, which is the Uniform F1 Rate (industrial, is sufficient for now. Gary suggested that the City look at conserving energy, such as insulating pipes, changing out equipment, changing procedures, etc. He requested permission to continue to work with Ray Moore, Professional Engineering Services, to see what can be accomplished through energy conservation. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the request be granted. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

Gary Sonntag reported on the 300 South drainage issue. He presented an aerial drawing of the area and pointed out that the objective is to collect surface water that drains down to the dead end streets at the south end (approximately 325 South) of 400, 500 and 600 West. The first alternative would be to direct all of the storm water to 300 South into an existing culvert that goes to the river. The road would have to be reconstructed as the water runs from the center of the block in an east-west direction. It doesn't run from one end of the block to the other. There is actually a crown in the middle of the road. It will not be possible to get all of the water to run to 700 West. Anticipated costs of this option would be $182,000 - $183,000. The second alternative would be to put in a pipe system, collect the water at each of the dead end roads, place it in a pipe along the state highway and then to the river. This would mean going across private property. The slope of the line would be quite shallow, but he thinks the water would flow in that direction. Costs for this option would be approximately $103,000. The third alternative would be to put in minor improvements to divert the water in an effort to overcome the largest impact. This would consist of putting in waterways, collecting the water and preventing it from going down to the dead end along 600 West. By doing this, the water on 2nd and 3rd South would go over to 700 West, where it would be intercepted into the existing pipe and then to the river. Costs for this option would be approximately $3,500.

Gary stated that a meeting was held with the property owners to get their input and discuss the alternative solutions. In that meeting, he reviewed the possibility of connecting 6th South with 600 West and making it a through street. There were concerns as to whose property it would go through, who would build the improvements, the traffic that would find its way through there, etc. He also reviewed intercepting the water in a collection system and coming down through these properties. If this was done, there would only be one culvert that could be intercepted. The water would then go underneath the highway and into the river. However, this method could cause the flooding of some farm fields. For a variety of reasons, these property owners are not in a position of having a storm drain system run across their property. He feels that 300 South should not be reconstructed at this time. He would like to do some minor improvements to see what can be done to reduce the greatest impact for the least amount of money. Councilmember Nikas stated that in the second alternative, besides the projected $103,000 cost, there could be a cost of acquiring the property as the person may demand a condemnation situation as opposed to just an easement. MOTION. After further discussion, Councilmember Denison moved that minor improvements in the amount of $3,500 be selected for this drainage problem. Motion seconded by Councilmember Nikas and carried.

Keith Wight requested permission to advertise, interview, and hire nine Lifeguards, two Sr. Lifeguards, and three Office Clerks. He anticipates hiring them by May 1, 2001. MOTION. Councilmember Wheeler moved that the request be granted. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.

Keith Wight reported that the committee appointed to interview applicants for the position of Water Treatment Plant Laborer, Temporary/FT, selected Andrew Krajnyak and Casey Miller. They will begin employment April 2, 2001. MOTION. Councilmember Piccolo moved that the new hires be approved. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

APPROVED:

ATTEST: Lou Colosimo, Mayor

 

Joanne Lessar, City Recorder