01.12.21 Council Minutes

THE STATE OF UTAH
COUNTY OF SEVIER
CITY OF RICHFIELD

At the City Council
In and For Said City
January 12, 2021

Minutes of the Richfield City Council meeting held on Tuesday, January 12, 2021
at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Richfield City office building located at 75 East Center, Richfield, Utah. Mayor Pro-tem Bryan Burrows presiding.

1. OPENING REMARKS
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. MINUTES APPROVED
5. EXPENDITURES APPROVED
6. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 ACCEPTED
7. ANNEXATION PUBLIC HEARING – SMITH LOFT PROPERTIES, LLC.
8. ANNEXATION ORDINANCE 2021-1 ADOPTED
9. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
10. KEEPING OF ANIMALS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES FOR COUNTY FAIR DENIED
11. SIDEWALK PROJECT ON 500 EAST APPROVED
12. NEW PARK DISCUSSED AND REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS APPROVED
13. REQUEST FOR DENIAL OF ANNEXATION DENIED
14. RECESS
15. RECONVENED
16. UPDATES FOR SECTIONS OF THE GENERAL PLAN APPROVED
17. OTHER BUSINESS
18. EXECUTIVE SESSION
19. RECONVENE & ADJOURN

1. OPENING REMARKS by Councilmember Nielson
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE by Councilmember Hansen
3. ROLL CALL Present: Bryan Burrows, Kathy Christensen, Todd Gleave, Kip Hansen, Connie Nielson, Michele Jolley, Tyson Hansen. Excused: Mayor Ogden.
4. MINUTES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the minutes of the meetings held March 10, and October 13, 2020. Motion: Approve the minutes of the meetings held March 10 and October 13, 2020, Action: Approved, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.
5. EXPENDITURES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the warrants for October and December 2020. Motion: Approve the warrants for October and December 2020, Action: Approved, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Kip Hansen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.
6. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 ACCEPTED. Mr. Roberts reported on their opinion. He stated that the City’s total debt decreased by a net amount of $919,331 this past year. Mayor Pro-tem Burrows asked a question about our business-type activities and the fact that we were down $300,000 in 2020. Mr. Roberts pointed about that these are business-type assets and this figure goes down because of depreciation.

Gabe Miller addressed the notes found in the audit and the compliance section. He also reported on their findings. Motion: Accept the Audited Financial Statement ending June 30, 2020, Action: Accepted, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Connie Nielson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.

7. ANNEXATION PUBLIC HEARING – SMITH LOFT PROPERTIES, LLC. At 7:35 pm Mayor Pro-tem Burrows opened a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed annexation of property located at approximately 191 West 1500 South. Councilmember Nielson asked when they plan to start construction. Tim Soffe stated that they anticipate starting the construction of the housing portion of the project in the spring or early summer. Councilmember Nielson asked how many units they are planning for.

Mr. Soffe stated that there would be 120 total units. She asked how big the units would be. Mr. Soffe indicated that they average around 900 to 920 square feet each. The one-bedroom units are a little smaller and the 3 bedroom units are a litte larger, but the average is about 920 square feet.

Councilmember Nielson also asked if this would be strictly for employees. Mr. Soffe noted that is the intent, but that does not mean that they would not rent them to local people.

One of the reasons they are doing this is that they believe they will need to have a place for the employees to come down and operate the plant since there is a need for housing in this area. Mayor Pro-tem Burrows asked how many employees they would anticipate needing to run the plant. Mr. Soffe stated that right now he believes there is 120.

Mr. Soffe further stated that the tenured employees have expressed the desire to come down and work here. However, he does not think that all of them will come, so there will be a need to hire locally for those positions that will not be moving down. He thinks there will be the availability of jobs when the plant opens up.

Mayor Pro-tem asked if this property would all be for housing. Mr. Soffe indicated that they have left a portion of the site that would be available for commercial. The Smiths have indicated that there could potentially be a commercial meat counter along with some other tenants on this property. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Pro-tem Burrows declared the hearing closed at 7:39 p.m.

8. ANNEXATION ORDINANCE 2021-1 ADOPTED. The Council reviewed Ordinance 2021-1 that would annex the property owned by Smith’s Loft properties. It has been requested that the zoning for said annexation would be part multi-family residential (RM-11) and part general commercial (CG) based on the descriptions provided by Smiths. Motion: Adopt Ordinance 2021-1 annexing the property located at approximately 191 West 1500 South, containing 8.867 acres, with the zoning of 2.480 acres along 1500 South Street to be general commercial (CG) and zoning of 5.838 acres on the south side of the property as multi-family residential (RM-11), Action: Adopted, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Kip Hansen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.
9. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT. Rick Robinson was present to discuss the Planning Commission meeting held on January 4, 2020. A public hearing was held for a request to change zoning for the property located at 345 East 300 North to commercial shopping. The property all around this parcel is zoned residential so the Planning Commission did not approve the zone change.

The Planning Commission recommended that the Council approve an annexation request for property located on 1300 South between 300 and 400 West to be zoned general commercial.

A site plan for a business to be located at 1200 South and 100 West was approved with a change to the orientation of the building.

The Planning Commission approved the plans for a business called CSS Composites to be located at 100 East between 1100 and 1500 South. They were required to pave the existing road along the frontage of this property.

Plans for Phase 3 of the Links Subdivision were reviewed. A public hearing will be held at the Planning Commission’s next meeting. This is the last phase for this subdivision.

Mayor Pro-tem Burrows asked if the drainage was discussed. When this was discussed previously there were some drainage issues because the pipe they were wanting to connect into was not big enough to handle it. He recalled they were going to put in some type of pond or something there. This is a different owner.

The Planning Commission reviewed a proposal to locate a project between 300 and 400 West and 1200 and 1300 South. The developers would like the City to consider a higher density zone for residential developments. The Planning Commission established a committee to look into this and bring a recommendation back for review.

A request to change the AppleTree Inn motel into apartments was discussed. The Planning Commission requested that the developer provide them with plans showing how this would be changed including how the parking would be handled. The rooms currently do not have kitchens and they could not have an apartment without one. Without knowing what they are planning, nothing could be approved.

10. KEEPING OF ANIMALS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES FOR COUNTY FAIR DENIED. The Council discussed the Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow the keeping of no more than 3 animals in residential zones for youth projects such as animals to enter into the County Fair for 150 days. Motion: Deny the keeping of animals in residential areas for the County Fair, Action: Deny, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.
11. SIDEWALK PROJECT ON 500 EAST APPROVED. Micklane Farmer discussed the sidewalk project for 500 East. Mr. Farmer stated that the total cost for the project was approximately $175,000. The south section of the project was estimated to cost $98,000. It will be bid with 2 schedules so that the Council can award one section or both sections depending on how the prices come in. Councilmember Nielson stated that this is really needed there. Mayor Pro-tem Burrows felt that this was a lot of money for just one block. He wondered if we should wait until we get closer to the budget.

Councilmember Hansen thought that a large cost was the irrigation boxes. Mayor Pro-tem Burrows could not see where those boxes came out on the east side of the road. Councilmember Hansen could not find it either. Mr. Mogan stated that there is quite a bit of asphalt included in the south section of the project.

Mr. Hansen suggested using the Class C road funds to pay for this. We do not have any street of asphalt projects planned this year. We did the large project last year and the plan going forward was supposed to be to wait for about 4 years and get the loan paid down and then do another big project. Motion: Approve the 500 East sidewalk project, Action: Approved, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Connie Nielson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.

12. NEW PARK DISCUSSED AND REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS APPROVED. Kelly Chappell was presented to discuss the new park. One of the first things we would like to do on this project is to get a supplier on board for equipment for the playground, park benches, and other miscellaneous items. He discussed a Request for Qualifications that could be sent out to suppliers and that would allow the City to select a supplier so that they can be involved in the design process and give some suggestions.

Mayor Pro-tem Burrows asked if they would be able to provide the restroom facilities. Mr. Chappell stated that not all of them provide restroom facilities, but some of them do. Motion: Approve the Request for Qualifications for a supplier for the new park, Action: Approved, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.

13. REQUEST FOR DENIAL OF ANNEXATION DENIED. Derek Stokes was present to discuss property he owns just south of the golf course. He noted that they were approved through the County to build a single residence on this property, so they need to request denial of annexation so that they can move forward.

Councilmember Gleave stated that if the City grows in that direction, we could not create a County island right there.

Councilmember Christensen asked if sewer and water are available in that area. The cost to run the sewer and water to Mr. Stokes’ location would not be feasible. Councilmember Christensen wondered if he would be able to have a well and a septic tank if we annexed. He currently has a well. Mayor Pro-tem Burrows asked if there is any water on the golf course that is culinary that he could hook into.

Mayor Pro-tem Burrows would like to get them going, but if those services ever come through there they would hook to them. Councilmember Hansen also felt that this would be a solution for the here and now and that would not mean that sometime in the future upon his request. Mayor Pro-tem Burrows wondered if we could write something into that annexation that he would hook to those services when they are available. The law does state that if they are within 300 feet of a sewer line, they would have to hook to it. Mr. Mogan stated that there is not any water close to where he could hook onto it.

Councilmember Gleave had a concern about this being so close to the golf course because the City will grow in that direction at some point.

Mr. Stokes asked about impact fees and if they could pay the impact fees when he connects to the water and sewer. There would not be an impact fee now because he would not be hooking onto the system. Another question was where he has a well there would we require water shares from him at the time of annexation. The Council felt that he could also be required to provide an underground water right at the time he hooks onto the system.

Motion: Deny request made for denial of the annexation of property for Derek Stokes with the recommendation that he annex and would be allowed to use his well and septic tank until water and sewer are available and that underground water and impact fees will be surrendered and paid for at that time, Action: Denied. Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave

Mayor Pro-tem Burrows recommended that Mr. Stokes look into a residential fire sprinkler suppression system because there is no fire protection out there and they are not that expensive.

14. RECESS. At 8:31p.m., the regular session of the Richfield City Council recessed to convene a Community Reinvestment Agency meeting.
15. RECONVENED. At 8:44 p.m., the regular session reconvened.
16. UPDATES FOR SECTIONS OF THE GENERAL PLAN APPROVED. Consider a proposal to redo sections of the City’s general plan. Bruce Parker of Planning Development Services has been working with us to update our zoning code and teaches a class at the University of Utah. They would be willing to update some of the sections of our general plan, such as the land use, moderate housing, zoning map, the vision statement, etc. Councilmember Nielson wondered if we would have input in the process. The Council would have input in the process and so will the Planning Commission. Motion: Approve the update to sections for the general plan by the University of Utah not to exceed $20,000, Action: Approved, Moved by Connie Nielson, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.
17. OTHER BUSINESS. Councilmember Nielson wanted to know what was happening with the old Topsfield Lodge. Mayor Prot-tem Burrows stated that it changed owners and they re-did the roof and have been doing some remodeling. We were kind of letting it go for now because a lot of the people staying there were working on the solar farm and there was not enough housing in the County for them. Mayor Pro-tem Burrows stated that he understood that they are mostly gone.

Councilmember Nielson recommended that the Council sign up to get COVID shots. In the next few weeks, they will be giving those shots at the public health department.

Councilmember Hansen stated that his wife pointed out that the utility bill looks different. He noticed that we have our new branding on the bill and the envelopes. He really likes it and is excited that we are moving forward with it.

Mr. Hansen reported that the new website will be finished soon. He had been in contact with Mayor Ogden earlier today and was told that they are looking at consolidating a bunch of State agencies and build a new building, 23,000 square foot building, where the old hospital was. They are also looking at buying the vacant property to the east too.

18. EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 9:02 p.m., Motion: Adjourn to convene an executive session to discuss the purchase of real property, Action: Adjourned, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Todd Gleave. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.
19. RECONVENE AND ADJOURN. At 9:25 p.m., reconvene and adjourn. Motion: Adjourn to convene an executive session to discuss the purchase of real property, Action: Adjourned, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Kip Hansen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Bryan Burrows, Connie Nielson, Kathy Christensen, Kip Hansen, Todd Gleave.

PASSED and APPROVED this 13th day of April 2020.