All present included
Council Member Elwell,
Council Member McDonald,
Council Member Roberts,
and
Council Member Densley.
STAFF:
City Manager/Attorney Dale Coulam,
Director of Finance Wally Ritchie,
Parks and Recreation Director Benny Sorensen,
Building and Zoning Administrator Kevin Rudd,
and
Deputy City Recorder Sharon Allen.
EXCUSED:
Council Member Mendenhall
Audience: Claudette Larsen, Chuck Warren, Becky Warren, Shawn Denevan and others who did not sign in.
Council Member Densley led the Flag Salute
Council Member Densley gave the Invocation
There were no disclosures or conflicts of interest with items on this meeting's agenda.
Parks and Rec Report
Public Safety Report
Benny Sorensen provided a written report to the Mayor and City Council, a copy of which is available by request through Ivins City Hall. He reported that Council Member McDonald provided him with a grant application but he spoke with two (2) individuals in the County weed department and was told that the weeds that are in Ivins are not on the State list, meaning Ivins would not receive funding from the State. Mayor Hart referred to the RAP (Recreation, Arts & Parks) tax that was recently passed and would like that to be on a future City Council agenda to determine the priorities. Benny Sorensen stated the City currently has a priority list that they use for budgeting purposes so the City will continue to follow the same priority list. He'll provide the list to the Mayor and City Council.
Mayor Hart indicated Bob Flowers was excused but provided a written report to the Mayor and City Council electronically. A copy of the report is available by request through Ivins City Hall.
Chairman Jeff Loris reported that the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing and recommended approval of a Preliminary Plan for Red Cliffs Estates and forwarded this to the City Council for a Public Hearing. They also approved a Final Plat for Palisades at Snow Canyon Phase 4, the Minutes from the previous Planning Commission meeting and the meeting schedule for 2015.
Stan Seegmiller reported that everyone they worked with at Ivins City for this audit was excellent. They quickly answered questions and provided the requested documents. He provided portions of an Independent Auditor's Report to the Mayor and City Council. He was very complimentary of the tight internal controls and professionalism of staff, especially for a small city. he advised the City Council that they found no material weaknesses or deficiencies during the course of their audit. A copy of the report that was provided is available by request through Ivins City Hall. Dale Coulam clarified that the entire report is a thick document and will be available on Ivins website www.ivins.com
Densley - no report
Roberts - no report
McDonald - no report
Elwell - no report
Mayor Hart reported that he had a discussion yesterday with the Mayor's of St. George City and Santa Clara City regarding the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center. The determination among the Mayor's was that what should be done at this point is for the committee that's required and referred to in the agreement, be re-established. A discussion should also take place concerning the operation of the facility as well as any language for possible modifications or amendments to the agreement. It was suggested that the representative for each City should be an elected official and will meet at least twice a year and possibly quarterly for the immediate future. Council Member Densley agreed to serve as Ivins representative. Mayor Hart referred to an article in the paper regarding Dr. Nadalt who is a specialized Oncologist in the field of Genomics which is the diagnosis of cell structure and prescribing medical treatment based on the individual cancer cell and is on the forefront of cancer treatment. IHC (Intermountain Health Care) is looking at building a research facility in St. George that could potentially establish St. George and Southern Utah as one of the leading research areas in the Country in this field. Council Member Roberts inquired if IHC is doing anything to encourage Dixie State University to offer medical degrees. Mayor Hart attended a Dixie State University strategic planning meeting and the sense was to set their sights very high and focus on expanding the medical degree options and the high tech degree options. The belief is that because of the climate and lifestyle, this is a desirable place to be for companies but Southern Utah doesn't currently have the workforce to support that kind of industry. Dixie State University is the key to that. He reported that someone from out of state provided the remaining $50,000 to build the eagle monument for the Southern Utah Veterans Home. The triangular piece of property on 200 North will be turned into a memorial park.
Dale Coulam reported that Sharon Allen is the new Deputy City Recorder. She handled the Planning Commission this week with the City Recorder and now the City Council meeting solo.
Dale Coulam referred to the Planning Commissioners' terms and stated they are five (5) year terms. That length of time can be daunting. He researched what other cities are doing for Planning Commission terms and the majority of the terms are for three (3) or four (4) years. Santa Clara and Springdale's Planning Commission terms are still five (5) years, but St. George City, Hurricane City and Cedar City are four (4) years and Washington City and some other cities in northern Utah are three (3) years. He inquired if the City Council would like to consider changing the term to a three (3) or four (4) year term. If so, the discussion would start at the Planning Commission because it's in the zoning ordinance.
The other potential agenda item relates to an extended sick leave policy that was in place for employees prior to January 1, 2004. There are only three (3) employees that this relates to. He has discussed this with the Finance Director and it may be beneficial to pay that out rather than continue to carry the liability forward. Council Member Densley inquired if it would significantly affect the budget. Dale Coulam clarified that it would not. It would help to just have one (1) leave policy for all employees.
Council Member Roberts referred to the RAP tax and inquired if the Parks and Recreation Department is going to present the projects to the City Council. Mayor Hart stated that the City has to determine how that tax is going to be used and specifically, what portion of the funds would be for the arts and what portion would be for recreation.
The Mayor and City Council agreed to bring these items forward as agenda items.