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,
and
Parks and Recreation Director Benny Sorensen.
EXCUSED: None.
Audience: Linda Elwell, Gayle Bray, Stacey Trujillo, Thomas P. Trujillo, Sue Shives, Oakley Utter, Jr., Sara Dupre, Doug Wilson, Barbara Williamson, Aggie Smith, Chip Van Wert, Barbara Rusick, Scot Pectol , George Stoddard, Sandy Johnson, and others who 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.
Doug Wilson with WCWCD (Washington County Water Conservancy District), Special Project Coordinator, commented that Ivins is a member of the regional water supply agreement that was signed by Ivins City in 2006. He mentioned that Mayor Hart sits on the Administrative Advisory Committee and also has a representative on the Technical Advisory Committee. The project discussed is the Sand Hollow Regional Pipeline. In accordance with their Regional Water Supply Agreement, the WCWCD is seeking municipal approval for the Sand Hollow Regional Line which is approximately a 9-mile, 36-inch diameter pipeline with a four (4) million gallon storage tank that will provide culinary water to the growing cities of Hurricane, Washington, and St. George. The Gunlock, Santa Clara, and Snow Canyon wells contain arsenic and require blending. The benefits to Ivins, Santa Clara, and St. George is that it would allow more water to be sent to them; and would provide better water once the blending is done. The estimated cost is $15 million and is expected to be completed in 2015.
The agreement requires municipal adoption of the District's Capital Facilities Plan, which provides for the acquisition and construction of water resources to serve new growth. The Municipal Partners are St. George, Washington, Ivins, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Toquerville, La Verkin, Leeds, and Apple Valley. Mayor Hart stated he would like to know what the impact is going to be on the impact fees before the City Council deliberates and votes on this. Doug Wilson will have an individual contact the Mayor with an answer to his question.
Barbara Williamson with Best Friends Animal Society recognized Ivins No Kill Animal Shelter, FIAS (Friends of Ivins Animal Shelter) and INKAS (Ivins No Kill Animal Supporters) for their work in 2012. She presented certificates to Aggie Smith, Linda Elwell and Connie Butterfield. The certificates honor their Life Saving Achievement and recognized Ivins No Kill Animal Shelter for attaining a 90% or more save rate.
Benny Sorensen reported that Run Run Reindeer is Saturday, December 7, 2013 which helps Toys for Tots. He's assembling the teams for Basketball and they're up about 25 participants over last year. He attended the 2nd and 3rd meetings of the CARE (Cultural Arts Recreation Enhancements) meeting; a proposed County wide sales tax increase of 1/10th with funds being used to benefit established and new Arts and Recreation programs. There's one more meeting, and then they'll put together a committee and present a proposal to the public. There was a last minute soccer tournament the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. There were a lot of teams from Northern Utah. He reported that the City will be starting on the landscape buffer on the southeast side of the new roundabout on Docena and Center Street and he will be meeting with the property owners on that corner to decide where the buffer should be located. He will then meet with the City Engineer to draw the plans. The City has everything winterized and locked up due to the cold temperatures. There were no burials at the cemetery the month of November. They've had some more vandalism where kids plugged the toilets and drains in the restrooms and that caused flooding. Officer Evans reviewed the video, recognized the kids and had a talk with them.
Bob Flowers was excused but a written report was provided on his behalf to the City Council. A copy of the report is available by request through Ivins City Hall.
Lance Anderson reported the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on a Zone Change located between 600 West and 400 West on 400 South. There were quite a few comments from residents. They are concerned about the proposed size of the lots. That agenda item was tabled until the next Planning Commission meeting. Troy Dennett, applicant and owner would like to expand the Adobe Ice Box. That item was also tabled to the Planning Commission meeting.
Dale Coulam stated the first section pertains to hands free driving to comply with statute and recommendations of the Utah Local Governments Trust. Section two (2) of the Resolution addresses updating employee's driving records. For the majority of employees who will be driving on behalf of Ivins City, that is required when they are hired but in the past those have not been updated. The Trust recommends regular updates and is set up to do that for the City. The Trust has also created a chart of what's acceptable and what's not acceptable. The concern of the insurer is an employer can be held liable for the acts of its employees, particularly if the employer knew or should have known that an employee was an unsafe driver and the employer did nothing to stop it.
Council Member Roberts inquired if moving violations included speeding tickets. Dale Coulam replied yes. Council Member Roberts inquired if an employee could lose their job if they had three (3) speeding tickets. Dale Coulam stated they could if that was required as part of their specific job duties. Council Member Roberts inquired if the Council determined that three (3) moving violations was borderline, would that put the City in jeopardy at higher rates? Dale Coulam stated it's unlikely. Ivins particular experience ratings affect the City more than the actual policy does. The City sends its employees to safe driving training on a regular basis and that shows in our experience rating. If the City Council changed the table to say three (3) tickets is borderline, the Trust would prefer to see a policy in place because the City currently has no such policy. Council Member Roberts inquired if an employee is considered borderline, what the time frame is for probation. Dale Coulam stated the City would look at the specific violation and it would be reviewed on a case by case basis. The City would be notifying it's employees that when they get to the unacceptable range, they will not be able to drive for the City any more and depending on what they do for the City, that could affect their job status. Council Member Elwell had concerns as well and inquired how the MVR (motor vehicle record) is tracked for life. Dale Coulam stated it doesn't go back for life, just a few years. This policy change recognizes the possibility of a change in a driving record and allows the employee a chance to rectify it. Council Member Elwell inquired if specifics should be added in. For example, if you have a borderline employee, let them know they can participate in a safe driving program then allow a time limit to complete it in. Council Member McDonald stated that the opportunity is already out there for the employee to rectify. If an employee receives a ticket and if they're aware it can affect their employment, they'll be more concerned with a resolution. If this is what the Trust is recommending, he's ok with the way the Resolution is written. Insurance companies do that already and after drops off and it's no longer a concern of the insurance company. Dale Coulam indicated he thought the drop off period was a few years but, he'll contact the Trust and find out what the Trust's drop off date is and then report back to the City Council. He inquired if the City Council wants to expand the Borderline by one or are they comfortable with where it is if they know the drop off date. Mayor Hart stated a violation shouldn't stay with someone for more than five (5) years. The City Council agreed. Council Member McDonald indicated he's in favor of leaving it alone unless the time frame is way out there. He recommended a minimum of three (3) years for the drop off time period. The City Council confirmed they're comfortable with the hands-free language in the Resolution. Dale Coulam stated he will obtain additional information from the Trust and report back to the City Council. Council Member Densley inquired what the percentage is of our city staff that falls under this guideline. Dale Coulam indicated potentially it's 100%.
MOTION: Council Member Roberts moved to table discussion item 5)A
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 |
Council Member McDonald will be attending a solid waste meeting soon and will report shortly.
Council Member Elwell - no report
Council Member Mendenhall - no report
Council Member Roberts reported on the CARE meetings and the renaming of that to RAP (Recreation Arts and Parks) because that's a term used state wide. St. George City was in attendance and concerned with distribution. He hopes they handle the distribution like Cache Valley did. One and a half percent is for administration and all cities receive 30% based on their population. If St. George pulls out they can do it on their own and then it only benefits St. George. He thinks we should be on board with the County so it benefits the County. A penny on every $10 is spent. Only lasts for 10 years then has to be re-voted on. He also reports that he's heard a lot of coyotes are being seen and inquired if anyone else is seeing them. City Council commented yes.
Council Member Densley reported that he'll be attending the Snow Canyon meeting tomorrow at 10:00.
Dale Coulam stated he submitted a written report. Mayor Hart said that's very helpful. Dale mentioned the city applied for Paramedic Available license for the Ambulance Service. We're in the last phases dealing with vehicle inspections and obtaining supplies. We plan to go live February 1, 2014.
Mayor Hart indicated the City has a grant application that we're trying to process with the Community Impact Board (CIB) for a new ambulance and that board seems to favor Public Safety related things. In January, we're going to have them look at a new ambulance as a City as part of the grant. The chances are looking favorable. On December 11th, we have a phone call with Five Counties to have them include this on their plan. He also reported the solar project application that included a couple of areas. We received a $50,000 grant from Rocky Mountain Power to expand our solar generating array on the fire station. This should provide all the power in which that building requires. The Mayor thanked Rocky Mountain Power.