City Council

Copy of the City of Ivins record for City Council, preserved by OwnUtah.com Ivins Meetings. Official source: City of Ivins Granicus archive.

CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
September 5, 2013

MAYOR AND COUNCIL: The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. and announced there was a quorum present.

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, City Engineer Chuck Gillette, and Building and Zoning Administrator Kevin Rudd.
EXCUSED: None.

Audience: Rob McKnight, Brantley McKnight, Brycen McKnight, Tim Bryan, Ken Miller, Gordon & Aprile Beardall, Jenny Johnson, Claudette Larsen, Stacy Young and others who did not sign in.

Boy Scout Troop No. 1807 posted the colors and led the Flag Salute

Council Member Roberts gave the Invocation

There were no disclosures or conflicts of interest with items on this meeting's agenda.

Jenny Johnson reported on Heritage Days. The event will be similar to last year with community service in the morning, a continental breakfast for those who participate in the community service, entertainment, talent showcased throughout the day, competitive activities like a pie-eating contest and tug-of-war, a soapbox derby and extended hours for the vendor booths. The vendor booths will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and will be free for residents. The Historical Society will provide a tour and information about the original homes in Ivins and will be raising funds for permanent markers for the original homes. She invited Mayor Hart to begin the festivities and sing the song he wrote and performed last year at Heritage Days. She also invited the City Council Members to assist with the continental breakfast and judge the soapbox derby, which will start at 3:00 p.m. The Mayor and City Council thanked her and the committee for their efforts.

Dale Coulam indicated Benny Sorensen and Chief Flowers were both excused but handed out a written report that they provided previously. A copy of the reports are available by request through Ivins City Hall.

Commissioner Scott reported that Bryan Pack was sworn in as a Planning Commission member at the last Planning Commission meeting. They approved a Final Plat on Taviawk Subdivision Phase XI-E located on Morningstar Way in Kayenta.

3)	CITIZEN COMMENT & REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - NONE

4)	PUBLIC HEARING AND ACTION ITEMS - NONE

Chuck Gillette reported this discussion came about at the request of land owner Ms. Beardall who was present at the meeting. The City asked that the traffic study for the 200 East and 400 South intersection be reviewed by a traffic engineer to determine if that intersection would require a roundabout. The Engineers data showed there wouldn't be a problem with that intersection if traffic was controlled with the two stop signs through build-out. Dale Coulam stated that due to the impracticality previously discussed and having now re-visted the traffic study, what is before the City Council tonight is to determine if there is an exception to the Transportation Master Plan's preference for a roundabout at that intersection. Council Member McDonald thanked Chuck Gillette for looking into this. Mayor Hart indicated it seems to be the most economical for the City if the City isn't required to place a roundabout at that intersection.

MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to find exception to the Transportation Master Plan and amend it to show that the City does not need a roundabout at the intersection of 200 East and 400 South
SECOND: Council Member Densley

VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hart told Mr. and Ms. Beardall that they now have their answer and thanked them for being in attendance at the City Council meeting.

Dale Coulam reported there has been a change in the name of the owners of the parcel. Ence Homes will be the builder rather than Salisbury Homes. Another change is to simplify the history of the approval process. Ence Homes will be ready to record a mylar in the near future for phase 1 of the project. Due to some soil issues in the southwest corner of the development, an Amended Preliminary Plan has also been filed that changes the location of the park. The TRC (Technical Review Committee) has reviewed the Amended Preliminary Plan and has approved the plan proceeding to a Public Hearing at a Planning Commission meeting. This agreement will allow the developers to bond for a storm drain that connects to 200 East and for grading the City Park portion of the project. There is also a new requirement that rear privacy walls on the east, west and north frontages of the project include offsets at regular intervals to comply with City policy prohibiting the construction of long, flat walls along major streets. There are a number of changes regarding the City park because the language was complicated as it was originally drafted and the changes are to simplify it. The City will do the improvements rather than the developer and the developer has specified that they do not want a dog park feature in the development as the location of the dog park would be surrounded on three sides by homes. The developer has also requested that the requirement for rear yard landscaping be removed. Council Member Elwell referred to recitals paragraph "D" and inquired about when all of the other improvements would need to be made. Dale Coulam indicated those will be done in phase 2.

MOTION: Council Member Densley moved to approve the Second Amended Development Agreement for the Desert Rose subdivision
SECOND: Council Member Roberts

VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hart stated he brought this issue up after attending a CIRPAC (Community Integrated Resource Planning Advisory Committee) meeting. He isn't suggesting that Ivins City oppose the Lake Powell pipeline but much of the information and research that was presented at the CIRPAC meeting centered on the impact of conservation and the degree to which conservation post-pones or possibly eliminates the need for the pipeline. The Washington County Water Conservancy District (WCWCD) has a reasonably aggressive conservation plan underway. He would like to know if the Council would like to have a presentation on things that can be done to stimulate additional conservation of water. Kayenta dramatically restricts the amount of water that can be used in irrigation. He is not suggesting that the Council pass a Kayenta water ordinance. Some of the other points made at the CIRPAC meeting was the pricing policy for water, making the first reasonable use of water a very economical and affordable thing for households and pricing structures that become more punitive as the level of use increases. The water use inside the home is approximately only 30% of the overall water use in a residence with the other 70% being on the exterior. There are technologies that are in place and being developed that can be used on the exterior to reduce the volume of water that is used. Ivins City may want to put in place some kind of incentive program in the future or work with the WCWCD to expand their incentive programs. He inquired if the Council would like to look at this issue and see if there are other things that the City might do to invite the improved use of water within Ivins and to look at water pricing structures. The WCWCD receives funds from property tax and that's a fairly rare thing. In most cases water districts and municipalities base their user fees on the actual cost of water but that is not the case in Washington County. He has had a number of residents as why water is subsidized with property tax. It seems to him that ought to be user fee based.
Council Member Densley indicated he listened to the WCWCD comments on the radio last week. If you take away landscape and grass, the ambient temperature goes up, which increases the usage of air conditioning and more electricity is used. He would like to see Ivins investigate secondary water systems and develop that. Mayor Hart stated Ivins already has the advancing of the secondary water system in Ivins Capital Facilities Plan. Ivins has been working for sometime with the WCWCD on a plan to charge those lines. It would be a big advantage to utilize secondary water on the exterior of the homes because the cost of the water is essentially half the price of water that has to be run through the treatment plant. Ivins City is in a great position with water from Gunlock and the wells on the west side of the county, to bring water that has a higher level of arsenic into the secondary lines and use that water on the outside. Council Member Roberts agreed with Council Member Densley and indicated he and Council Member McDonald were at a meeting at the WCWCD not too long ago and listened to a presentation from them. He thinks that if the City is going to bring someone in to discuss this that Ron Thompson with the WCWCD be invited to attend and provide information as well. There have been some cities that have started this process already and the following are listed in order of most effective to lease effective with water conservation: pressure management, leak detection, water meter testing replacement program, water restriction hours, new landscape, standards for new construction and similar. There were twelve (12) listed and he mentioned the first six (6). He suggested the City pursue pressure management, leak detection and a water meter testing replacement program and educate residents about water conservation. Mayor Hart clarified that he's not promoting or stating a position against the Lake Powell pipeline. Council Member Elwell referred to the tier system and stated it punishes not only the waster but also the large family and that is inherently unfair. He agreed that water conservation is worth looking at but he is not enthused with the tier system. The City Council agreed it would be a good idea to listen to presentations from both sides at a work meeting. Mayor Hart suggested a work meeting be scheduled in advance with notice to the community to attend.

Council Member Elwell requested item A be removed from the Consent Agenda.

MOTION: Council Member Elwell moved to approve Consent Agenda items B and C
SECOND: Council Member McDonald

VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.

Council Member Elwell inquired if there is a difference in the longevity of the two pieces of equipment listed. He would like to see the City purchase whatever piece of equipment will do the better job over the longest period of time. Mayor Hart suggested the Council could table or give staff the authority to purchase whichever is better and clarified that the current GPS equipment is not out of date, but that the proposed purchase would be an upgraded piece of equipment that would allow the City to do the work in-house rather than contracting with an Engineering firm.

MOTION: Council Member Elwell moved to approve Consent Agenda item A with a caveat that the Council will allow either of the two, whichever would be most cost effective and last longest for the City
SECOND: Council Member Densley

VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.

7)	CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Council Member McDonald - no report
Council Member Roberts - no report
Council Member Mendenhall - no report
Council Member Densley reported that he attended the Snow Canyon State Park board meeting. They are looking for individuals to serve on a Citizens at Large Committee. He suggested they mention it in their newsletters to obtain applications from interested individuals.
Council Member Elwell - noreport

Mayor Hart reported he conducted the City Manager's review with Dale Coulam. They covered the various aspects of his job and how effective they're being done. The review was very positive and Mayor Hart made a couple of recommendations. The City Manager will be providing a report that updates the City Council with items that were discussed in prior meetings. Based on the comments that have gone to the Mayor from the City Council and others by members of the community, Dale is doing an effective job. He currently holds the positions of City Manager and City Attorney, as well as Human Resource Director, Legal and Administrative Director. He stated he is very comfortable doing those other duties because he has done those for a long period of time and, other than the City Attorney position, the others really are subsets of the City Manager role. Mayor Hart indicated staff has taken on additional duties and they wear many hats to perform the work load. That is why the City is in a good position. It's a great example of leadership and a good mindset for Ivins culture.
Mayor Hart reported that Aggie Smith from the Ivins animal shelter approached the Mayor concerned that as Santa Clara develops closer to the Ivins, that development could affect the night sky. He suggested Ivins talk to the Santa Clara City Council regarding that. The City Council agreed to extend that invitation.
Mayor Hart attended a meeting where the CARE (Cultural Arts & Recreation Enhancements) RAP (Recreation Arts and Parks) tax was discussed. The Washington County Arts Council would like to put a committee together and asked Ivins to provide them with three (3) to five (5) representatives from Ivins City to be a part of the discussions of how they would structure the way the funds are allocated. He suggested Ivins Parks and Recreation Director Benny Sorensen be on the committee as well as a representative from the cycling community. If there are other recommendations, he requested the City Council let him know as soon as possible. They would like the contact information by September 20, 2013. Council Member Elwell suggested someone from the Equestrian community serve on the committee.

Dale Coulam reported that the Public Safety Department has begun implementation and training on the Lexipol policies and procedures which the Council had approved. He attended a meeting with the Ivins Tourism Council and they discussed using social media to get the word out about Ivins City. Regarding the wayfinding signs, they think they have a couple of slats to add a "food/gas/groceries" slat on two of the signs and if they're the right size, they will obtain the lettering for the slats. If they're not the right size, they will get some made. The issues regarding chickens being allowed in residential areas and the review of the sensitive lands ordinance have been given to the Planning Commission.

Council Member Roberts suggested there be a discussion regarding Ivins finding a suitable place for a dog park in Ivins, including the possibility of a dog park on SITLA property. Mayor Hart has had residents approach him about getting a marker on Highway 91 indicating they have entered Ivins City.

9)	CLOSED MEETING

10)

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: Council Member McDonald moved to adjourn
SECOND: Council Member Mendenhall

VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully,

Kari D. Jimenez, CMC
Ivins City Recorder

Council Member Elwell	AYE
Council Member McDonald	AYE
Council Member Mendenhall	AYE
Council Member Roberts	AYE
Council Member Densley	AYE