Minutes of
The Price City Council Meeting
City Hall:
Price, Utah
April 12,
2005, 5:30 p.m.
Present:
Mayor Joe L. Piccolo Joanne
Lessar, City Recorder
Councilmembers: Pat
Larsen, Finance Director
Betty P. Wheeler Nick
Sampinos, City Attorney
Richard Tatton Gary
Sonntag, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Jeannie McEvoy Nick
Tatton, Community Director
Mae Aguayo John
Daniels, Human Resource Director
Bret
Cammans, Communications Director
Aleck Shilaos, Chief of Police
Excused:
Councilmember Stephen L. Denison
Others
Present:
Ed Taylor David
Taylor Les Bowen Karl Kraync
Beverly Martinez Tom
Alleman Venyce Martinez Christie L. Downard
Ken Lininger Suda Merriman Steve Carpenter Holly
Hughes
Michael Glasson Paula
Wells Roberta Hardy Bill Cox
Dylan Morris Justin Stout Tim Cox Linda
Allred
Steve Christensen Steven
Burge Conner Jensen Keny Seals
Mayor
Piccolo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll was called with the above members present.
1. COUNCILMEMBERS
REPORT - Update
The Mayor and Councilmembers presented an update on the
activities they administer.
2.
UTAH RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION AWARD PRESENTATION
Steve Carpenter, Executive Director of the Utah Recreation
and Parks Association, presented a plaque to Suda Merriman which represents her
outstanding performance and dedication as a parks representative from 2003 to
2005. Price City and Carbon County
received two of the awards that were given this year. Mr. Carpenter thanked the Council for their
support. Without their support the Parks
and Recreation would not be successful.
Mayor Piccolo thanked Mr. Carpenter for his presentation.
3. ELECTRICAL
EVALUATION - Presentation By KEE Engineering
Karl Kraync, Jr., Kee Engineering, presented an analysis of
Price City=s electrical substation evaluations,
their condition and capacities, and planning for the future. The Downtown or Central Substation is running
about 30% spare capacity, the Courthouse Substation about 34% spare capacity,
and the High School Substation about 40% spare capacity. This is prior to the connection of the new
WalMart area. He estimates this will
then put that substation running 15 to 20% spare capacity. As far as liabilities are concerned, one of
the first issues that needs to be looked at is fencing and grounding. All fencing should be grounded and gridded
around gating areas. At the present,
there is no grounding on the Downtown Substation fence. The next issue is substation fencing
connected to outside fencing. Anytime
there is a connection to a substation fence, there is a potential to
electrocute anyone coming in contact with that fence. The Courthouse Substation has a connecting
fence and there is a partially repaired connection at the high school
fence. The Downtown Substation has a
short stub connection. The next issue is
a touch potential. Anytime two pieces of
iron touch without proper grounding, there is a potential for a person to be
electrocuted. The next one is step
potential. A person can be electrocuted
walking across the ground in a poorly grounded substation. A person can also be electrocuted by touching
the equipment. The next issue is the age
of the Downtown Substation, which is the oldest of the three substations. Because of its age, it is difficult to
replace or repair the equipment. It
would be difficult to locate a replacement voltage regulator or
transformer. Some of the equipment is
leaking. The PCB levels in this substation are well over
50 parts. The grounding grid is in need
of repair and the distribution voltage needs to be upgraded. The last issue is system documentation. There is a lack of information flow between
UP&L, the service provider, and Price City.
That information is used for everything, for repairs, for emergencies,
and for any problems with the system that brings the text up to speed. Four out of ten UP&L techs will know the
system well, while the other six might not know anything about it. Providing that information is critical. Load and volt analysis is another area that
needs to be improved.
April 12, 2005
Preventative testing is also critical. A system can be tested in several different
ways, such as oil sampling.
Documentation is critical for this testing. A bad voltage regulator disconnect is also
bad in the Downtown Sub. Mayor Piccolo
thanked Mr. Kraync for his presentation.
4.
CARBON HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE TEAM - Contribution Approved
Thomas Alleman, director of the Carbon High School Debate
Team, indicated that he is trying to rebuild the debate team. Several fund raisers have been held to raise
money. Holly Hughes, Team Captain,
requested that the Council consider making a contribution so that more students
can attend debate camp. Last year 5
students were sent to camp. Everyone of
those students qualified for State this year.
Four of those went to the quarter and semi finals. Costs to send one student is $575.00. Attendance at camp allows for more successful
debaters. MOTION. Councilmember Wheeler moved that $575.00 be
contributed. Motion seconded by
Councilmember Aguayo and carried.
5.
DISCONTINUANCE OF ACCIDENTAL DENTAL BENEFIT - Approved
John Daniels presented an update on the City=s employee benefit package. Recent data indicates that health care costs
are soaring 3 times faster than the average earnings. Utah is the 4th highest in the
nation with national trends increasing 14% to 16%. He reviewed Price City=s costs for medical and dental insurance
over the past several years. After
reviewing other insurances, Mr. Daniels
suggested that the City remain with Public Employees Health Plan administered
by Utah Local Governments Trust. PEHP is
adding different options aimed mainly to hold down the increase in costs, such
as increased deductibles. Options
offered are Preferred Care and Comp I and Comp II. Options for dental are Traditional and
Preferred. He recommended the Preferred
Dental. Most of the dentists in Carbon
and Emery Counties are on the preferred list.
The City currently has an Accidental Dental Insurance coverage. This covers accidental damage to natural
healthy teeth, not crowns, bridges, dentures, etc. In a study he conducted, he found that this
coverage has not been used any Price City employee in the past 2 years. This is also covered under the dental
policy. Mr. Daniels suggested that Price
City drop this coverage, which is paid for by Price City. MOTION. Councilmember Aguayo moved that the City
remain with PEHP as recommended per the above options and that the Accidental
Dental Insurance Coverage be eliminated.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and carried.
6. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM -
Authorization To Receive Proposals
As the decision was made to eliminate the Accidental Dental
Benefit, John Daniels suggested that an Employee Assistance Program take its
place. This type of program counsels and
assists employees with life issues, such as grief counseling, financial problems,
health, illness, mental depression, obesity, drug issues, etc. Mr. Daniels requested that he be allowed to
pursue this and receive proposals. He
hopes to get a proposal similar to what the costs were for the Accidental
Dental Benefit. MOTION. Councilmember Aguayo moved that Mr. Daniels
be authorized to seek proposals for the above program. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tatton and
carried.
7. PRICE CITY PERSONNEL POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES - Request To Change Benefit Eligibility For Full Time Employees Only
(Volunteer Fireman) - Tabled
MOTION. Councilmember McEvoy
moved that this item be tabled and placed on Unfinished Business. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and
carried.
8. J-2
UNLIMITED - Home Occupied Business Approved
Councilmember McEvoy reported that the Planning and Zoning
Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the request of Kerry Jensen to
operate a construction consulting business at his home located at 88 East 900
North. MOTION. Councilmember McEvoy moved that the business
be approved upon the purchase of a business license. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and
carried.
9. BALANCE
ROCK CREDIT UNION, MARX BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE - Conditional Use Permits Approved
Councilmember McEvoy reported that the Planning and Zoning
Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the following requests for
Conditional Use Permits per the stated stipulations on the Marx Brothers
Automotive..
April 12, 2005
Balance Rock Credit Union - 494 East Main
- Business & Sign
Marx Brothers Automotive - 270 West 100 North - Change of Use (Used Car Lot)
with the
stipulations that the U-Haul Trailers be parked north of his
building parallel at a slight angle not to block the road, require customers to
drive around to the east end of the building and exit onto 100 North, and
pavement of the north side of the building within an 18 month period.
MOTION. Councilmember McEvoy
moved that the requests be approved and that Conditional Use Permits be issued
per the above stipulations on the Marx Brothers Automotive. Motion seconded by Councilmember Wheeler and
carried.
10. PINNACLE CANYON ACADEMY - Conditional
Use Permit Approved
Before this item proceeded, Councilmember Tatton disclosed
that he does business with Pinnacle Canyon Academy.
Councilmember McEvoy reported that the Planning and Zoning
Commission gave a favorable recommendation to the request of Pinnacle Canyon
Academy, 210 North 600 East, for preliminary and final approval for
construction and remodeling with the stipulation that improvements include
curb, gutter and sidewalk on 6th East, and upon receipt of a
Development Improvement Agreement.
Pinnacle Canyon has asked permission to complete a raised sidewalk and
eliminate the curb and gutter, as 6th East has a cement wall on one
side and the street is slightly slanted.
Perhaps the drainage would occur naturally without the curb and gutter
and perhaps it wouldn=t.
The Commission did not have the expertise in this field to make that
determination. She asked Gary Sonntag
for guidance on this issue. Gary stated
that with respect to a project such as this where there are not any street
improvements, it is a condition of approval that they be installed and which is
supportive of the City=s Land Use Management Code. The intent behind curb and gutter, amongst
other improvements such as a sidewalk, defines the street, supports the edge of
the pavement and conveys storm water. It
is unknown how much storm water it may convey.
This is not a stipulation for curb and gutter. The Code basically states that curb and
gutter will be constructed. Curb and
gutter also provides a certain measure of pedestrian safety and supports the
sidewalk. Gary recommended that the
project be required to install curb, gutter and sidewalk. MOTION. Councilmember McEvoy moved that the project
receive preliminary and final approval, that a Conditional Use Permit be issued
with the stipulation that curb, gutter and sidewalk be installed and upon
receipt of a Development Improvement Agreement.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Aguayo and carried.
CONSENT
ITEMS - MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved that Items
#11through #25 be approved. Motion
seconded by Councilmember McEvoy and carried.
11. MINUTES
- March 23, 2005, April 7, 2005
12. RESOLUTION #2005-05 - Amending The Fee
For Irrigation Water Users
13. JOANNE
LESSAR, LISA RICHENS, BRIAN JUDD, BRANDON SICILIA, BILL WARDLE - Travel
Approved
Joanne Lessar - Utah League of Cities & Towns Conference (Conference
Speaker), April 14, St. George, Utah
Lisa Richens - Annual Government Auditing Update, May 5, Salt Lake City,
Utah
State and Local Government Conference, May 6, Salt Lake City, Utah
Brian Judd - D.A.R.E. Certification, June 13-24, Salt Lake City, Utah
Brandon Sicilia - Street Survival Seminar, June 28, 29, Salt Lake City,
Utah
Bill Wardle - Backflow Training and Certification Exam, May 2-6, Orem,
Utah
14. PRICE
CITY ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - Permission To Prepare Resolution To
Establish A Cost Recovery Charge
15.
CASTLE COUNTRY REGIONAL
INFORMATION CENTER - New Agreement and Change In Funding ($4,000 Per Year In
Funding)
16. VAN
MAYS (PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS 161 EAST 100 NORTH) - Phase I Easy Reimbursement
($1,409.38)
April 12 2005
17. CAVE
HOLLOW - Development Agreement Approved - Lot 201-205
CASTLEVIEW HOSPITAL CLINIC - Partial Release of Development
Agreement.
18.
UDOT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM
- Permission To Submit Request For Funding (Improvements On State Roads SR10,
SR55 or US6)
19.
UTILITY METER ACCESS POLICY -
Permission To Adopt
20.
UTILITIES ELECTRONIC METER
READING EQUIPMENT - Permission To Purchase (Estimated Cost $88,145.80)
21. POLICE
OFFICER ROGER TAYLOR - Acceptance of Resignation Effective April 18, 2005 and
Authorization To Start Hiring Process For A Replacement
22. NEW
HIRES APPROVED - John Diaz (Cemetery
Laborer, Temp/FT); Jason Wichmann
(Utilities
Meter Reader, Temp/FT) - Ratification
23. NEW HIRE - Amanda Hamaker, Cemetery
Laborer, Temp/FT
24. STREETS
DEPARTMENT MAINTENANCE - Permission To Advertise and Hire One Seasonal Laborer
25. SWIMMING
POOL SEASONAL EMPLOYEES - Permission To Hire Eight Lifeguards and One Office
Clerk
26. SHARON
KLARICH - Travel Approved
Councilmember Tatton requested that before travel is
approved for Sharon Klarich, that she and Councilmember Wheeler follow up on
training Price City employees on information they received at a women=s conference. Councilmember Wheeler stated that she would
follow up on this. MOTION. Councilmember Aguayo moved that Sharon
Klarich be approved to attend a Utah Business License Conference, May 5 and 6
in Ogden, Utah. Motion seconded by
Councilmember
Wheeler and carried.
27. IRRIGATION
WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2005 SEASON - Approved
Councilmember McEvoy stated that she has some concerns
regarding the irrigation water management program. She questioned watering hours between 7:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and what those residents who work during the day would do
for water if it is cut off at 3:00 p.m.
She also questioned the elderly resident who has to access hard-to-walk
areas in order to get water. What if
they stumbled and fell and couldn=t help themselves? At
what point would the City be liable? Gary
Sonntag explained the irrigation process and stated that the City can no longer
afford a program to service the irrigation ditches. He was given the task to accomplish the
delivery of water at a less cost and to come up with a proposal. The water user has a responsibility to search
out water in his ditch, and if it is necessary, he will have to go to the canal
to get it. The City will open and close
the gates, but the user will need to find the water. The ditch will run as long as necessary to
make sure each user gets their share of water.
Some gates will open and close the same day. Others will open and close the next day. Some could be running on the weekend as
well. The ditch will run as long as
necessary to make sure each user gets their share of water.
Councilmember McEvoy thanked Gary for his explanation and
indicated that she has a better understanding about the irrigation
process. MOTION. Councilmember Tatton moved that the
Irrigation Water Management Program for the 2005 season be approved with the
appointment of a referee or ditchmaster to resolve disputes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Aguayo and
carried.
28. INTERNATIONAL
DAYS COMMITEE - Update
Councilmember Tatton reported that plans for the
International Days events are moving along well and all committees are
functioning well. The car show is up and
running. Flyers will be distributed
advertising the giveaway of a customized pedal car. The opening ceremonies are going good and
everything seems to be on track. The cars
for the car show will be in the parade.
The Rock Crawlers will be situated on the east side of Pioneer Park
against the cement wall. A lot of work
has been done on additional parking and traffic control. There will be an area specifically
April 12, 2005
designed for vendors to do their cooking. The gravel around the water tanks will be
leveled for additional parking.
29. COMMUNITY
PROGRESS - Update
Councilmember Wheeler discussed the Main Street tree
lighting project. She, Bret Cammans and
Nick Tatton are reviewing it and are going to find a new plan. Electrical lines need to be placed along Main
Street in order to hook up the lights as well as for loud speakers and
music. It all needs to be evaluated and
engineered. She will continue to proceed
with this project.
Conner
Jensen, David Taylor and Parker Cammans from Boy Scout Troop #283 were at the
meeting as part of their Communications Merit Badge.
Meeting
adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: Joe L.
Piccolo, Mayor
Joanne
Lessar, City Recorder