Audience: Judith Kapuscinski, Claudette Larsen, Teresa King, Lance Anderson and others who did not sign in.
Mayor Hart acknowledged there was a quorum present and that Council Member Mehr would be present shortly.
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. Council Member Mehr was not present at the time.
Mayor Hart welcomed Council Member Miriah Elliott and asked her to introduce herself. Miriah Elliott indicated that she has lived in Ivins for three (3) years. She is an Attorney and married with three (3) young sons.
Parks and Rec Report
Public Safety Report
Benny Sorensen referred to the house fire that occurred on Christmas Eve across from his home. He appreciated Council Member Johnson and the other Fire Fighters who respond and do their jobs. It's amazing to see how things work in that situation. He referred to his written report that was provided to the Mayor and City Council, a copy of which is available by request through Ivins City Hall. He reported that basketball starts on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 and the Run Run Reindeer Fun Run was held on Saturday, Christmas Eve morning. There were 725 people registered and the majority of those participated. The Hog and Jog Fun Run will be held in conjunction with the Easter Egg Hunt. There will be a baseball tournament at the end of January and footings for the pavilion at Desert Rose are in, with the pavilion anticipated to be installed the week of January 8, 2018.
Fire Chief Dan Nelson referred to the fire that occurred on Christmas Eve and reported that the cause was electrical and one life was lost. He indicated that Council Member Johnson was instrumental in keeping the other woman from going back into the home, which likely saved that woman's life. He reported that the new fire engine is almost outfitted and is currently after the Rachel station in Santa Clara. Council Member McDonald inquired if that unit will be housed at the Ivins Center Street Station. Chief Dan Nelson clarified that it will after it has been outfitted.
Council Member Mehr arrived at 5:35 p.m. and declared that he had no disclosures or conflicts of interest with items on this meeting's agenda.
| B. |
Planning Commission Report |
There was no report because the Planning Commission did not have a quorum.
Mayor Hart requested nominations. Council Member Mehr nominated Council Member Johnson. Council Member McDonald nominated Council Member Densley, indicating that it takes more than one (1) year of being Mayor Pro Tem to get a feel for it but also stated that he would support either one.
MOTION: Council Member Mehr moved to approve electing Ron Densley as Mayor Pro Tem for 2018
SECOND: Council Member McDonald
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Mehr |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Johnson |
AYE |
| Council Member Elliott |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Resolution
Mayor Hart nominated Council Member Miriah Elliott to serve as the Ivins City Representative but indicated that he would take other suggested from the Council if they'd like.
MOTION: Council Member Mehr moved to approve Resolution No. 2018-01R, a Resolution of Ivins City, Utah, appointing a Representative to the Southwest Mosquito Abatement District Board of Directors, being Miriah Elliott
SECOND: Council Member Densley
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Mehr |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Johnson |
AYE |
| Council Member Elliott |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Roll call vote. All Council Members voted in favor.
Mayor Hart requested that the rules be suspended to address agenda item 5)E
MOTION: Council Member McDonald moved to suspend the rules and bring agenda item 5)E up to the present
SECOND: Council Member Densley
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Mehr |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Johnson |
AYE |
| Council Member Elliott |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Staff Report
Dale Coulam indicated that the City has agreements with the Kayenta Arts Foundation (KAF) as well as Tuacahn but the one key difference he recalled in the agreement with Tuacahn is that the City would provide $10,000 per year and no more. In the agreement with KAF, the City agreed to give them between $3,000 and $10,000 per year and they could also apply for any excess RAP tax funds, if any. This year the City itself submitted an application to correct a problem that has been raised by the Council for the lighting in the "horse" roundabout. The current lights are low voltage tractor lights, are very few in number and are very dim. The Parks and Recreation Department has proposed a lighting system that is fully automatic and can change colors or brightness, giving the roundabout a more dramatic entrance into the City. KAF also submitted an application. No application has been received from Tuacahn but they have submitted a Citizen Comment. Council Member McDonald referred to the agreement with Tuacahn and stated that he understood that the prohibition of applying for any excess RAP funding was for that specific project where they obtained a bond and they were only prohibited from asking for more for that project only and that is how he interpreted it. Dale Coulam reviewed the Tuacahn agreement and confirmed that there was not any language prohibiting Tuacahn from applying for excess RAP tax funding. Kevin Smith representing Tuacahn inquired if Tuacahn High School would be precluded from applying RAP tax funds. They just found out about a project but understood that if it was too late to apply for the funds, they would wait until the appropriate time to apply. Dale Coulam clarified that the Resolution requires applications to be received before the end of December of each year and that Tuacahn High School was only prohibited from using part of the $10,000.00 specifically pledged for the Tuacahn expansion/renovation project. Kevin Smith stated that they would apply at the appropriate time if they're not precluded from doing so and indicated that they would be applying for $5,000 for an artist workshop and residency program. Mayor Hart inquired how much uncommitted RAP tax funds are available. Wally Ritchie indicated that after all commitments, there is $11,961 available for the Council to decide how they would like those funds dispersed. The City lighting request is just over $15,000 and the request from KAF is for $10,000. Judith Kapuscinski stated that she is now the past Chair of KAF. She thanked the Mayor and City Council for the $10,000 that the City recently gave them and clarified that KAF has submitted a request for uncommitted RAP tax funds because they are still outfitting the Center and are preparing for the Street Painting Festival. Council Member Densley recalled the City providing funds in the past for the Street Painting Festival and inquired as to the status of that. Wally Ritchie clarified that the City hasn't budgeted for that for a couple of years because it's part of the RAP Tax project. Mayor Hart referred to the request for lighting and inquired if the balance to pay for the lighting would come out of the budget. Wally Ritchie clarified that it would. Council Member Elliott referred to when the Street Painting Festival was in the budget inquired how much the City contributed to that festival. Wally Ritchie indicated $2,000. Council Member Densley stated that he'd like to see all of the uncommitted RAP tax funds go towards the City lighting project. Council Member Mehr suggested that the City stick to the process for requesting uncommitted RAP tax funds. He indicated that it's tremendous what the KAF has done and is doing. He'd like to see the City create something for Ivins name sake like a statue of Anthony Ivins but he also agreed with Council Member Densley and stated that he'd like all of the uncommitted RAP tax funds to go towards fixing the lighting in the roundabout where the horse statues are. Council Member McDonald indicated that the City met the maximum amount they were contracted to for KAF, he supported the City's effort to replace the lighting in the roundabout with the full amount of uncommitted RAP tax funds. Council Member Johnson stated that she didn't realize that KAF wasn't receiving City funds for the Street Painting Festival but the City did provide them the full amount of $10,000. She agreed that the full amount of uncommitted RAP tax funds should go towards replacing the roundabout lighting. Council Member Elliott agreed that both projects were worthy causes and suggested that if possible, to provide $2,000 of the uncommitted RAP tax funds to the Street Painting Festival and the remainder to the City roundabout lighting project.
MOTION: Council Member Densley moved take the surplus RAP tax of $11,961 and apply it to the lighting of the statues in the roundabout
SECOND: Council Member McDonald
VOTE: The motion carried.
| Council Member Mehr |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Johnson |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
| Council Member Elliott |
NAY |
Project layout drawing
Mike Rodriguez indicated this is a continued discussion from the prior City Council meeting. He referred to the Fremont at Snow Canyon project and stated that those buildings are clustered rather than being long rectangular buildings and the project was approved with smaller setbacks based on that. Dale Coulam referred to the south side of that project which seems to meet the ordinance on its face. The west walls have offsets with a total length of approximately 80 feet. He referred to a Twinhome project where the units are side-by-side and each unit measures 40 feet for a total of 80 feet in length. Those are also designed to look like a single family home, which would also be approximately 80 feet in length. Staff is comfortable with a length of 80 feet rather than 60 feet and the TRC (Technical Review Committee) also agrees. The Mayor and City Council agreed that 80 feet was a better measurement and that this should proceed to the Planning Commission for discussion and to start the process.
Staff Report
Chuck Gillette stated that the City is currently working on realigning 600 West so that it will intersect with Old Highway 91. That new configuration will provide a significant enhancement to the current intersection configuration for safety and traffic flow. The realignment of 600 West also requires 400 South to be realigned to intersect with 600 West. the improvements for 400 South have already been completed and a gap remains to connect those improvements over to Old Highway 91. This project would connect the newly completed 400 South improvements to Old Highway 91 for roadway and utility improvements. The City received a reasonable bid from JP Excavating and would like to proceed. Mayor Hart inquired as to the approximately timetable to complete this project. Chuck Gillette stated that after the Notice to Proceed is issued, it would be a 45 day contract. He requested that the approved amount be $148,841 to include a contingency. Council Member Mehr noted that there is nothing budgeted for this and inquired if this project could wait until July. Wally Ritchie indicated that there are some compelling reasons to get it done now, including safety of the community. The City can amend the budget and intends to do that in the next month to address this project and expenditures that have occurred and were not anticipated with the purchase of the new fire apparatus, the combination of services for Fire and EMS, the purchase of the fire truck and some parks projects that have come up. He clarified that the City can use a percentage of impact fees for the gap fill.
MOTION: Council Member Elliott moved to approve an expenditure of $150,000 for 600 West and 400 South Roadway Improvements
SECOND: Council Member Johnson
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Mehr |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Johnson |
AYE |
| Council Member Elliott |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Plan
Wally Ritchie stated that this Plan addresses the years 2018 through 2023 and addresses Planned Projects in Parks, Public Works, Public Safety an Administration. Mayor Hart referred to the replacement of City Hall being towards the end of the 5 year plan. He indicated that he would like to see the City begin some basic design work on that while he's in office and put out some kind of RFP (Request for Proposals) to select an Architectural firm. Council Member Densley referred to infill in the Historic Township and moving overhead power lines, underground. He'd like to see the City come up with a sharing situation between the City and developers, to share the cost of doing that. Wally Ritchie clarified that Staff has been discussing possible solutions and that will likely be a future agenda item because it's an ordinance issue. Mayor Hart indicated that he didn't see anything in the 5 year plan regarding for beautification projects like landscaped medians on Snow Canyon Parkway and Center Street. Chuck Gillette stated those can be added to the 5 year plan.
MOTION: Council Member McDonald moved adopt the 5 year strategic plan, as amended with discussion
SECOND: Council Member Johnson
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously.
| Council Member Mehr |
AYE |
| Council Member McDonald |
AYE |
| Council Member Johnson |
AYE |
| Council Member Elliott |
AYE |
| Council Member Densley |
AYE |
Schedule
Wally Ritchie indicated that the budget process starts today and will go through June. Most of the work is staff work until the first part of April. Staff and the City Council will talk about budget priorities in February. The City Manager, Department Heads and himself will hold their budget meeting on January 22, 2018.
Council Member Elliott reported that she was made aware that the Women's Influence Center of St. George will be providing a presentation at Rocky Vista University on February 10, 2018.
Council Member Densley - no report
Council Member Johnson - no report
Council Member McDonald - no report
Council Member Mehr acknowledged the passing of Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on January 2, 2018 and read the following: "I wish to express our love and sympathy at this time of loss. He was the Prophet, leader and friend to so many in our community. His life was one of exceptional service to others and serves as a great example for all of us to follow: Being kind to our neighbors; sharing compassion to those in need and facing the future with optimism."
Mayor Hart reported that the State Legislature is aware that the approach they took to funding road maintenance was not effective and they are looking at variety of alternative ways to take care of the needs to maintain the highways. He is proud of what Ivins City does. Ivins roads function well and the City pays over $300,000 a year out of General Funds to maintain those. Wally Ritchie indicated that there was a Transportation Task Force that has been meeting since the last legislative session and they are looking at different options on how to fund on the City and State level. Mayor Hart stated that he, Dale Coulam, Bob Flowers and Dan Nelson attended a meeting at the Southern Utah Veteran's Home regarding their Emergency Preparedness plan. Ivins is also working on updating its Emergency Preparedness plan. Mayor Hart encouraged the City Council Members to attend the Neighborhood Meetings that are scheduled for January 23, 24 and 25 at Ivins City Hall, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Hart reported that he conducted a Performance Review with City Manager Dale Coulam and indicated that it was a very positive meeting. He heard a comment from a prominent individual and wanted to share it with the City Council, that being categorically, Ivins City is the best run small City anywhere that this individual has worked and he has worked in many states. Mayor Hart publicly acknowledged Dale Coulam, Wally Ritchie and Staff and commended the way they work together and carefully manage the resources of the City.
Wally Ritchie referred to the Arts RAP Tax and clarified that the City accepts applications through the end of December each year and those applications can be submitted throughout the year, although a decision is not made until January. He reported that they'll be amending the budget in February. Mayor Hart indicated that there is new resident in Ivins who was instrumental creating the ZAP Tax in Northern Utah and one of the points he made was they went to great lengths to let residents know what that tax funded so residents knew what those funds built.
Dale Coulam reported that the City received another rebate from the Utah Local Governments Trust in liability coverage and workers compensation, totaling approximately $8,000. Parks and Recreation Supervisor Dalan Briggs heads up a Safety Committee that does a tremendous job of keeping safety a top priority that results in fewer claims for injuries. The City did not hold the Open Meetings Training tonight but that is still required by law and will be held in the near future.
Council Member Densley would like to discuss an entrance sign into Ivins on Highway 91. Council Member Mehr referred to Santa Clara's entrance sign on Highway 91 and indicated that he had a concern with the way the light shines on that sign. When someone is turning left onto Highway 91 off of Pioneer Parkway, the light on that sign looks like a motorist light and causes hesitation before turning. Dale Coulam stated that he would mention that to Santa Clara.