All present included Mayor Hart,
Council Member Elwell,
Council Member McDonald,
Council Member Mendenhall,
Council Member Roberts,
Council Member Densley,
and
City Recorder Kari D. Jimenez.
STAFF:
City Manager/Attorney Dale Coulam,
Public Works Director Dave Glenn,
City Engineer Chuck Gillette,
and
Building and Zoning Administrator Kevin Rudd.
EXCUSED: None.
Audience: There were individuals in attendance but they did not sign in.
Council Member Elwell led the Flag Salute
Council Member Elwell gave the Invocation
There were no disclosures or conflicts of interest with items on this meeting's agenda.
Dave Glenn reported the City responded to several calls regarding frozen lines, most of which were irrigation systems that were not shut off. There were also some frozen pipes in homes where the water had to be shut off. A-T Asphalt still has some final items on the punch list to complete before final inspection of the project on Center Street. Staff met with Ence Homes and their Engineers regarding the drainage problem on 200 South near Sun Crest West. The City, Ence Homes and their Engineers are all going to participate to fix that problem. The Engineers will be providing a design in the next two (2) or three (3) weeks. The City met with the City of St. George regarding the bus service and possible routes. St. George just ordered a bus and it will be approximately sixteen (16) months before the bus will be delivered to them. Council Member Elwell referred to debris from an accident that was in the new roundabout on Center Street and Tuacahn drive. He inquired if a towing company is called to assist are they required to clean up the accident? Dale Coulam indicated towing companies usually have some duty to clean up but they are not always thorough. He will follow-up with Public Safety and provide an update to the City Council. Council Member McDonald stated he noticed a garbage truck left several oil spots along 100 North. Dave Glenn will follow-up with the company. Council Member Roberts inquired if a resident has a water leak if they can open the water meter themselves and shut it off or do they have to call the City? Dave Glenn indicated if it's during work hours he would prefer that they contact the City because some of the valves are old and they could be snapped off. If a resident has the tools and knows how to shut it off, they can take care of it themselves.
Chuck Gillette reported that the Tuacahn Wash Detention Basin project is progressing but it is behind schedule because the contractor has been dealing with complications in the installation of the concrete pipe outlet. The contractor is working to bring the project back on schedule and complete it prior to the February 15, 2013 deadline. Rosenberg and Associates is working on the design for the Tuacahn Wash Rip Rap project and that design is nearly complete. The City expects to start obtaining easements in the next two (2) weeks. The City will also submit the design to the State Engineer for a stream alteration permit and is expected to have the permit within 30 days after submission. Once the City has the permit, the bidding process will start for that project. ProValue Engineering, Inc. has been selected to design the Snow Canyon Drive Reconstruction. The design should be completed the week of January 21, 2013 and the City will start advertising for bids. The bid opening will be in February and is expected to be ready for the City Council to consider the award on February 21, 2013.
Kevin Rudd reported that building is continuing in the City and six (6) building permits have been issued thus far in January. There were a total of 95 building permits issued in 2012 which is approximately 20% higher than in 2011. The Planning Commission considered two applications for zone changes in the Kayenta area and recommended approval for those zone change requests. They will go forward to the City Council for Public Hearings. The Planning Commission also heard a Public Hearing on proposed amendments to the commercial zoning ordinance and will make a presentation to the City Council at one of the City Council meetings in February to explain the changes they are proposing. The Planning Commission also approved a Final Plat for the Taviawk Subdivision Phase 9-I that consisted of two (2) lots. Council Member Roberts referred to the Affordable Housing Plan and inquired if there is anything in that document that suggests that impact fees for multi-family be figured differently than single family. Dale Coulam did not know if the report recommends that but that may be a future discussion as impact fee analyses are modified. Kevin Rudd stated the current impact fee structure is not friendly to multi-family housing. Mayor Hart requested Kevin Rudd check with the surrounding communities and see how they handle their impact fees for multi and single family housing and then report back to the City Council. Council Member Densley indicated in other areas the impact fees are based on the number of plumbing fixture units.
Dale Coulam indicated this was sent to Ivins by Washington County. There are several jurisdictions that have already adopted this and it is on the agenda tonight for the City Council to consider. There was one individual who submitted a letter of concern regarding this. A copy of that letter is available by request through Ivins City Hall. Council Member Elwell agreed with what is in the Resolution and stated he has been following the news about this. He thought the word "Dixie" should remain in the new name of Dixie State College. However, he questioned whether or not the City has sought out the opinion of the residents and inquired if the City should be speaking on the residents' behalf. Council Member Roberts indicated he is in support of this and was contacted by several alumni from Dixie who are residents of Ivins and they have all indicated that they absolutely support the name of "Dixie" being in the name of the new University. He read the following quote from Thomas G. Alexander, a Historian with Brigham Young University "There is absolutely no evidence that the use of the name Dixie in connection with the college had anything to do with pro-Confederate or even pro-Southern sympathy. Council Member Roberts stated it simply referred to the nickname for Washington County, "Utah's Dixie." He is in favor of the Joint Resolution. Council Member McDonald is personally in favor of the Joint Resolution. He struggles with voting on behalf of the residents. Without polling the residents he doesn't think the City can effectively voice anything but the Council's own opinions. Mayor Hart stated he doesn't have a strong opinion either way. Council Member Mendenhall had the same concern as Council Member Elwell and Council Member McDonald regarding speaking on behalf of the residents but doesn't feel strongly one way or another about the name. Council Member Densley doesn't want lines drawn to divide the community and thinks the majority of the businesses are tied to the Dixie name. He thinks the word "Dixie" should be part of the new name. Mayor Hart indicated the name "Dixie" is a regional connotation and doesn't identify the college or future University as a St. George institution. It sound more like a regional institution which he feels is positive for Ivins City. Council Member McDonald supports the Joint Resolution based on the historical relationship that "Dixie" has with the area.
MOTION: Council Member McDonald moved to approve this Resolution
SECOND: Council Member Roberts
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Roll call vote. Council Member Elwell voted in favor with an explanation. He thanked Council Member Roberts for refreshing his memory. The other Council Members also voted in favor.
Mayor Hart stated the modeling is being finished and requested this item be tabled.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to table item 5)B to a later date
SECOND: Council Member McDonald
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Dale Coulam indicated this process has been going on for several years and most communities in Washington County have been in the process of negotiating with Baja. Last year Washington City adopted a Franchise Agreement that resolved a majority of the issues the municipalities have had with Baja's agreement. The draft that the City Council has is based upon what Washington City passed with some modifications to the agreement. For the most part Baja has agreed to include his proposed changes. He would like to know what the Community Education Channel's (CEC's) position is on reporting. Mayor Hart requested Dale forward the information to him via email and he will forward that onto the CEC for a response. Council Member Roberts referred to undergrounding of cable and the preference to bore under the road instead of cutting it up.
Council Member Mendenhall provided a report showing real estate activity for the area to the City Council, a copy of which is available by request through Ivins City Hall.
Council Member McDonald - no report
Council Member Elwell - no report but stated that Dixie State College or Dixie State University will draw people because of its location and not the name.
Council Member Roberts - no report
Council Member Densley reported the Open House for the VA Center is planned for May 20, 2013
Mayor Hart reported the City held the first of three (3) neighborhood meetings of the year. The meeting was well attended and was a very effective meeting. He was invited and made a presentation at the Economic Summit on the VA Center. There are very optimistic reports for business growth and construction in Washington County.
Dale Coulam reported he has been receiving questions regarding when individuals can apply for employment at the VA Center. He requested if any of the Council Members become aware of that to please pass that along. Council Member Roberts indicated they can send their resumes into the Veterans Administration and they will forward those on to the management team when the management team is selected. Mayor Hart stated the selection of the management company will likely be made in the middle of February, 2013 with the hiring process starting the first part of March, 2013. He suggested once that information is confirmed that there be an article in the Ivins newsletter with the information and placed on Ivins website. Dale Coulam reported that the City received a nice letter from Cameo Park addressed to Public Safety and Public Works regarding the City's quick response and resolution to a water leak in that area. At the upcoming neighborhood meeting, the focus will be on the drainage improvements on 200 South near Sun Crest West and Amber Estates. There is a verbal agreement in place for the drainage improvements and he anticipates bringing a Memorandum of Understanding for that at the next Council meeting. The City tested the Parlant system which is similar to Reverse 911 and sent out a reminder of the neighborhood meeting to those in a select area. The comments regarding the message that residents received as part of that test were favorable. Mayor Hart requested an article go in the newsletter regarding the Parlant system with an invitation for individuals to provide their cell phone numbers so they can receive a call.
| D. |
Items to be placed on future agendas - None |