All present included Mayor Hart,
Council Member Elwell,
Council Member McDonald,
Council Member Roberts,
Council Member Densley,
and
City Recorder Kari D. Jimenez.
STAFF:
City Manager/Attorney Dale Coulam,
Parks and Recreation Director Benny Sorensen,
Public Safety Director Bob Flowers,
Building and Zoning Administrator Kevin Rudd,
and
Director of Finance Alan Rae.
EXCUSED:
Council Member Mendenhall
Audience: Deborah Kidder, Gwen Harrington, Tim & Judy Terrell, Mary Smith, Teresa Hoffman, Judith Kapuscinski, Jane & Dennis Evans, Ila Craig, Katie Mays, Jill & Paul Scheffel, Claudette Larsen, Garry Morris, Kent Hayes, George Stoddard, Todd Muse, Thomas Skudlarczyk, Dan & Jan Kendrick, Lisa Rutherford, Sandy Johnson, Joe Stambaugh, Dennis Ellis, Matt Marten, Tom Grove, Lance Anderson, Cheryl Collins, Charles Wood and others who did not sign in.
Mayor Hart acknowledged there was a quorum present and indicated Council Member Mendenhall was excused.
Council Member McDonald led the Flag Salute
Council Member McDonald gave the Invocation
There were no disclosures or conflicts of interest with items on this meeting's agenda.
Benny Sorensen reported that over the last three (3) weeks at UNITY Park he has noticed an increase in families using the park. The Dirty Hurty All Trail Half Marathon and 5k was held on March 9, 2013 with approximately 150 participants. Ivins City has hosted numerous baseball/softball tournaments in Ivins over the past few weeks and registration for baseball and tennis is open. Ivins Soccer Association started in March and they had over 600 youth signed up for soccer this year. The Easter egg hunt was held last Saturday March 30, 2013 and the fence for the dog park on 600 West has been repaired. There is approximately 1 1/2 acres available for the dogs to run. The Parks and Recreation department is down a staff member due to an off-work injury. Shade structures have been ordered for areas of UNITY Park and the splash pad will open on April 13, 2013. There was some damage over the winter to the irrigation system due to freezing temperatures. The City is continuing to work on the roundabout on Center Street and Snow Canyon Drive and there were two burials in March.
Bob Flowers provided a written report to the City Council members. A copy of the report is available by request through Ivins City Hall. He reported that there have been complaints about police officers being less present in Ivins since Ivins City and Santa Clara public safety departments merged. When the public safety departments combined, he was very aware of and sensitive to the citizens in both cities. Based on the statistics provided in the written report, he is confident public safety is present in both cities with the calls for service spread evenly across both cities. Council Member Roberts commented on Officer Holt working with the Santa Clara Elementary school as a Resource Officer and indicated he's doing a great job.
Chairperson Adel Murphy reported that the Planning Commission reviewed a Concept Plan Report for Ivy Place subdivision and held a Public Hearing on three (3) proposed amendments to the City Code regarding lot averaging, smaller accessory buildings and front yard courtyards. The Planning Commission approved the Final Plat for the Taviawk Subdivision Phase IX-J. Chairperson Mike Scott was re-elected as Vice Chair and Adel Murphy was re-elected as Chair.
Kevin Rudd reported the City Council approved a zone change for this property at the previous City Council meeting. The zoning for the property is R-1-7.5 (Single Family Residential minimum lot size 7,500 sq ft). All of the lots are significantly larger than that with the smallest lot being just under 9000 sq ft. There were concerns expressed about the cul-de-sac during the zone change process but the TRC (Technical Review Committee) and City Engineer have reviewed the plan and determined it complies with City Ordinances. The TRC recommended approval of the cul-de-sac with a change in depth for lots 9 and 10 from 70 feet to 75 feet.
Mayor Hart indicated the City appreciates the help it has received on this document from Five County Association of Governments. Dale Coulam stated Five County Association of Governments originally provided a draft document to the cities in Washington County because this document is important to have in place when a City applies for grants and it is a required element of a city's General Plan. He received an email from an individual with Five County Association of Governments stating they were pleased that Ivins City is taking ownership of the document. The draft document went through the Planning Commission and some changes were recommended. The Public Hearing tonight is on the Planning Commission's recommendations. Mayor Hart opened the Public Hearing. There being no comments, Mayor Hart closed the Public Hearing.
| B. |
Discussion regarding the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve a proposed amendment to the Moderate Income Housing Element of Ivins City’s General Plan |
Mayor Hart indicated he would like to know how the data was compiled, if it's accurate and what was taken into consideration for trends and projections. Dale Coulam indicated raw data was put into a program and is uniform for what the Association has done for all of the cities. It would be appropriate to ask them that and have them respond. Council Member Elwell stated he would like this item tabled because he has concerns. He served on DAWHAC (Dixie Area Workforce Housing Affordability Committee) for three (3) years and a lot of recommendations were made and a lot of information exchanged. The main component that came from that was that in order to be effective in providing Workforce Housing, which refers to Nurses, Teachers, Police Officers and similar, the entire area had to work together. The Ombudsman program was created as a result. There are several things in the proposed amendment that he feels does not necessarily qualify as being Ivins plan. He has problems with some of the information offered in the proposed amendment. He sees a defensive attitude with the plan rather than a pro-active attitude and the plan is based on model software which the City does not know what that consists of. There are many changes in the proposed amendment that the Planning Commission suggested that he agrees with but there are many that he does not agree with. Council Member Roberts indicated he likes the statement that Planning Commissioner Mike Scott made about not knowing who wrote the plan and their agenda as opposed to an independent consultant. He is pleased with the Planning Commission's approach. He inquired where Ivins City falls short and is not meeting the standards already. Color Country Community Housing, which is a self-help moderate to low income housing, has developed in Ivins and has been welcomed by Ivins. There are rentals in Ivins and places zoned for rentals. He does not see that the City is discouraging that type of moderate income housing. He agreed that this item should be tabled and discussed at a future City Council meeting. Council Member Densley would like to take more time to study this. Council Member McDonald agreed and requested Council Member Elwell provide his comments to the Council Members before the next City Council meeting.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to table this to a future City Council meeting
SECOND: Council Member Elwell
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
ABSENT |
Dale Coulam stated Debbie Bannon's resume was previously provided to the City Council for their review. She has been training this week. She already knew one of the systems Ivins uses and is quickly picking up the other programs. The current City Treasurer Robert Evans has taken a position as the Treasurer for Toquerville. Debbie Bannon indicated she has an Accounting Degree and has been in the accounting field for more than 20 years.
MOTION: Council Member Elwell moved to approve Resolution No. 2013-06R, a Resolution of Ivins City, Utah, Appointing Debbie Bannon as City Treasurer
SECOND: Council Member McDonald
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
ABSENT |
Roll call vote. All City Council Member that were present voted in favor.
Mayor Hart stated Commissioner Jeff Loris has done an excellent job on the Planning Commission. He was appointed to a partial term that expired on April 1, 2013. He attended the Planning Commission meeting on April 2, 2013 but abstained. Mayor Hart suggested Commissioner Jeff Loris be re-appointed to serve a full term on the Planning Commission.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to approve Resolution No. 2013-07R, a Resolution of Ivins City, Utah, re-appointing Planning Commission Member Jeff Loris
SECOND: Council Member Densley
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
ABSENT |
Roll call vote. All Council Members that were present voted in favor.
Garry Morris, Kent Hayes and Judy Kapuscinski were present representing the Kayenta Arts Foundation and the Kayenta Center for the Arts. They are not requesting any funds from the City but are requesting the impact fees of $78,537.13 be deferred. They provided a deferral proposal to the City Council, a copy of which is available by request through Ivins City Hall. Their proposal would pay the impact fees over a fifteen (15) year period. Mayor Hart is supportive of this because the impacts are not felt immediately. Dale Coulam referred to a Color Country Community Housing request in the past to defer impact fees and indicated if the City Council agreed to defer the impact fees, there would need to be an agreement outlining the terms of the deferral. Color Country Community Housing ended up paying the deferral fees up front so there was never an agreement drawn up. Council Member Densley inquired how it was going for the foundation to raise money for the Arts Center. Garry Morris stated the fundraising is going really well and that they have enough money to break ground as early as May, 2013 if there is an agreement on the deferral of the impact fees. Dale Coulam indicated he needs direction from the Council regarding what the basic parameters would be for the agreement. Council Member Elwell referred to setting precedence and thinks the bulk of the fees should be paid up front and then a portion deferred. Council Member Roberts stated he's in favor of deferring impact fees but indicated fifteen (15) years is a long time to defer. He would like to see a larger portion up front and the deferral to be less than fifteen (15) years. Council Member McDonald agreed with Council Member Elwell and Council Member Roberts. Council Member Roberts referred to an email that Council Member Mendenhall sent to the Mayor and City Council opposing the deferral and requested that email be part of the record. A copy of that email is available by request through Ivins City Hall. Council Member Densley indicated it's difficult to start a business and suggested the representatives revise their figures and bring them back to the City Council. Mayor Hart stated that the Arts Center will be a brand enhancing component to the City that is tourist focused. Judy Kapuscinski indicated they are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The cost of building is increasing and suggested the fees be deferred and the details worked out later so they can move forward. Council Member McDonald thinks the Arts Center is a great opportunity for the City and views it as his responsibility to the citizens of how the City handles their funds. He suggested the deferral be over a ten (10) year period rather than fifteen (15) years. Dale Coulam suggested the possibility of a twelve (12) or thirteen (13) year deferral. Council Member Elwell stated he isn't opposed to a fifteen (15) year deferral but would like to see more of the impact fees up front in the first couple of years and suggested $5000 increments. Mayor Hart indicated it would likely take a year to build the center and there would be no impact during the time it's being built. Judy Kapuscinski stated they are flexible with the deferral and just need some parameters to work with. The Mayor and City Council agreed to defer the impact fees over a thirteen (13) year period with payments being made as follows: $2500 for the first two (2) years, $5,000 for the next five (5) years, $7500 for the next six (6) years with a final balloon payment in the last year. The representatives of the Kayenta Arts Foundation and Arts Center agreed to those terms and thanked the City Council.
MOTION: Council Member Densley moved to approve our discussion that we've talked about the amortization of funds over the period of thirteen (13) years, broken down to what the City Manager said
SECOND: Council Member Roberts
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Elwell |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Roberts |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
| Council Member Mendenhall |
ABSENT |
Alan Rae provided a PowerPoint presentation to the City Council on the Fiscal Year Ending 2014 Budget. A copy of his presentation is available by request through Ivins City Hall. Revenue for the General Fund currently comes from the following: Charges for Services-27.44%; Property Tax-25.06%; Sales Tax-19.83%; Franchise Tax-10.85%; Intergovernmental-5.06%; Transfers In-4.80%; Licenses & Permits-4.41%; Other-2.55%. Priorities have been incorporated into the budget. General Government: Snow Canyon/Tuacahn Roundabout Center Piece; Suntran Bus Service; 2.5% Pay-for-Performance increase. Public Safety: Police vehicle. Parks & Recreation: Vehicle; Center Street/Docena wall and landscape; additional shade structure for UNITY Park; update Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Public Works: Center Street path lighting; 200 East path; Vehicle; replace Meter Reading Mobile Collector; update GPS equipment. Alan Rae indicated the tentative budgets will be on the agenda for discussion and revisions at the next City Council meeting. The Mayor and City Council complimented Alan Rae for his competency in preparing the budget, stating it's put together very well and is easier to read than in the past.
Council Member Densley - no report
Council Member Roberts no report but inquired if Mayor Hart was able to attend the meeting regarding the Veteran's home. Mayor Hart indicated yes. He met with Dennis McFall and Terry Schow. The next meeting will be on May 3, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. and they will be taking a tour of the facility.
Council Member McDonald no report but requested that information be provided to the City Council members when the Council is asked to consent to an appointment.
Council Member Elwell - no report
Mayor Hart reported he attended a Mayor's meeting regarding the ruling on the Ambulance/EMS services for St. George City and the potential impact on other cities. The Attorney and spokesperson for Dixie Ambulance are pleading their case with the hope of getting a letter sent to the State Board. Representatives from Gold Cross were present but were not invited to make comment. It's a State ruling and nothing the cities are going to have much to say about. Mayor Hart was approached by Steve Urquhart who is the Attorney for Gold Cross asking what they can do during the transition to support Ivins EMS service to help it be viable and enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement. They also offered to not approach the VA nursing home for non-emergency transport and to talk about service to Santa Clara City. Council Member Densley inquired as to the status of the Snow Canyon State Park Committee. Mayor Hart indicated the new oversight committee will eventually meet but they are still working out the details on the Interlocal Agreement. Mayor Hart referred to lot size averaging and Dale Coulam's suggestion of a 10% rule. He likes that suggestions and would like the Planning Commission to discuss that when they're discussing that issue.
Dale Coulam reported he had a good discussion with a State representative regarding Wildland fire fighting. Working for the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) is no longer an option due to budget cuts at the Federal level. Those cuts are happening at the Federal level and will then be passed down to the State and City level. Staff and the Mayor had a meeting with Ron Thompson at the Water Conservancy District regarding developing Ivins Reservoir as a year round lake and park. Dale Coulam provided several contracts to the City Council for their review in preparation for the next City Council meeting. He reported that a new part-time employee will be starting on Monday, April 8, 2013 to assist in the Administrative Department.
| D. |
Items to be placed on future agendas |