THE STATE OF UTAH
COUNTY OF SEVIER
CITY OF RICHFIELD
At the City Council
In and For Said City
July 25, 2023
Minutes of the Richfield City Council meeting held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023,
at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Richfield City office building located at 75 East Center, Richfield, Utah. Mayor Bryan L. Burrows presiding.
- OPENING REMARKS
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
- MINUTES
- EXPENDITURES
- UTAH’S DAY OF SERVICE DISCUSSED
- INTRODUCTION OF FOREST SERVICE PERSONNEL
- PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDMENT TO TITLE 12 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
- PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDMENT TO TITLE 13 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
- PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDMENT TO TITLE 15 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
- PUBLIC HEARING – HANSEN ANNEXATION
- BRAMAKIAN GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT APPROVED
- TRANSPORTATION UTILITY FEE DISCUSSED
- IDEA FOR YOUTH GATHERING PLACE DISCUSSED
- 2025 STATE FIRE CONVENTION DISCUSSED
- PURCHASE OF THREE MONUMENTS WITH ENGRAVING APPROVED
- OTHER BUSINESS
- EXECUTIVE SESSION
- RECONVENE & ADJOURN
- OPENING REMARKS were offered by Kendrick Thomas
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Mayor Burrows.
- ROLL CALL. Present: Bryan Burrows, Brayden Gardner, Kip Hansen, Elaine Street, Kendrick Thomas, Tanner Thompson, Michele Jolley, Tyson Hansen.
- MINUTES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the minutes of the meeting held on July 11, 2023. Motion: Approve the minutes of the meeting held July 11, 2023, Action: Approved, Moved by Elaine Street, Seconded by Tanner Thompson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Brayden Gardner, Elaine Street, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
- EXPENDITURES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the September and November 2022, and June 2023 warrants. Motion: Approve the warrants for September and November 2022 and the warrants for June 2023., Action: Approve, Moved by Tanner Thompson, Seconded by Kendrick Thomas. Councilmember Hansen asked about a fuel expense on September 10, noting that there was also a credit. Mr. Hansen stated that every employee has a card, and each vehicle has a card. When fuel is purchased with the cards, we pay the highway tax, but because we use the cards, we get a credit back for the taxes paid on those purchases. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Brayden Gardner, Elaine Street, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
- UTAH’S DAY OF SERVICE DISCUSSED. Rosalee Riddle discussed the 9/11 Day Of Service that our State participates in, and hopefully, our City is on board with that. She participated in a June meeting in June where Abby Cox talked about the theme for this year, which is his honor to serve and unite. The communities are supposed to come up with how we can participate on Saturday, September 9. A combined service project at the fairgrounds is on September 13 from 1 to 7. Some opportunities for service and something about the day of service on the back of the newsletter for August and September to advertise the day of service. 7:10
- INTRODUCTION OF FOREST SERVICE PERSONNEL. Mayor Burrows recognized two ladies from the Forest Service audience and asked if they would like to introduce themselves. Naomi Gardner is the Public Affairs Officer for this region, and Jamie Lay is the Partnership Coordinator. Ms. Gardner noted that their office is still under construction and will not be finished until 2024. What does the due? Jami stated that is a new position, and now she is just.
- PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDMENT TO TITLE 12 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE. to receive comments on an. Kendall Welch discussed the changes made in the ordinance and explained how the items found in it will be included in the zoning ordinance so that it is all together. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 5 with no comments and recommended that this amendment be approved. Mayor Burrows opened the hearing at 7:17 pm. Hearing no comments, the hearing closed at 7:18 pm.
- PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDMENT TO TITLE 13 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE. At 7:18 pm, Mayor Burrows opened a hearing to receive comments on an amendment to Title 13 of the Municipal Code. Ms. Welch explained that this amendment deals with the handling of stormwater throughout the City. This is already being followed, which will put the requirements into writing for ease of enforcement. A public hearing before the Planning Commission was held on July 5, and it was recommended for approval. Hearing no comments, Mayor Burrows closed the hearing at 7:20 pm.
- PUBLIC HEARING – AMENDMENT TO TITLE 15 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE. At 7:20 pm, Mayor Burrows opened a public hearing to receive comments on an amendment to Title 15 of the Municipal Code that includes changes to ensure compliance with the State code. The changes also provide language so that the City does not have to amend the ordinance each time the State changes the State code. A hearing before the Planning Commission was held on July 5, and they recommended the amendments for approval. Hearing no comments, Mayor Burrows closed the hearing at 7:21 pm.
- PUBLIC HEARING – HANSEN ANNEXATION. At 7:21 pm, Mayor Burrows opened a hearing to receive comments on a proposed annexation for Brock and Mandy Hansen, located at approximately 2630 South 325 West containing 2.52 acres. The Council reviewed an aerial photo of the property, and Mayor Burrows asked if they were annexing the whole parcel. Mr. Hansen indicated that the annexation would include half of the parcel. Hearing no comments, Mayor Burrows closed the hearing at 7:22 pm.
- BRAMAKIAN GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT APPROVED. The Council reviewed a ground lease agreement with Bruce Bramakian. Adam Robinson stated that Mr. Bramakian purchased an existing hanger. Motion: Approve a ground Lease Agreement with Bruce Bramakian, Action: Approved, Moved by Tanner Thompson, Seconded by Elaine Street. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Brayden Gardner, Elaine Street, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
- TRANSPORTATION UTILITY FEE DISCUSSED. Micklane Farmer explained that the transportation utility fee is a fee the City could charge and dedicate to maintaining roads. This would help supplement the Class C road funds the City received each year. To do this, the City would have to go through a study to determine the fee. One community based their fee on the amount of traffic the businesses produce. An example given was that a convenience store would generate more traffic than another business, so the fee for that type of business may be higher than other types of business. Councilmember Hansen is not in favor of pursuing this. Councilmember Thomas declared a conflict because he is an employee of Jones and DeMille Engineering.
Mayor Burrows stated that inflation has been high the last year, and everything in the City has also increased to operate. He believed that we need to increase to keep functioning, but he thinks we need to do it as conservatively as we can. He asked Chief Lloyd how much his budget had increased just in fuel alone. Chief Lloyd noted that at least $20,000 to $30,000.
- IDEA FOR YOUTH GATHERING PLACE DISCUSSED. Gerald McMorris discussed his idea of providing a place for youth to gather and participate in activities. He thought of using the old Pizza Hut building as someplace where youth could hold dances and art programs and have a place to socialize. Mayor Burrows talked about Ryan Shaddix’s program, but Mr. McMorris felt it should be something community-based and driven.
- 2025 STATE FIRE CONVENTION DISCUSSED. Mayor Burrows made a policy to stay out of the fire department’s business while in this position. Mr. Christensen is on the State Fire Board and was asked to see if the Fire Convention for 2025 could be held in Richfield. Mayor Burrows was aware that he had approached the Travel Council and the SVC, and they were willing to help with the event if it were held here. Chief Worley indicated that it conflicts with the Father’s Day tournament. Councilmember Thompson stated that the transient room tax is a benefit, but if only 200 people and the motel rooms are already maxed out, then he does not think this is a giant concern.
Lance Nay stated that they used to require that the convention be the weekend of the Father’s Day Tournament, but they have relaxed that so it can be held on a different date. Chief Worley stated that June and July are really busy getting the fireworks done. By the time the 4th of July is over, everybody has had it. Then if you add three more days for the convention, they have to take a vacation and do it. He said if they cannot do it right, then there is no point in doing it. Chief Worley told the fire department that if they vote to hold the convention here, he will not have 10 or 12 guys there doing it all alone. It is going to be 25 guys doing it. That is how it was presented, and the majority did not favor holding the convention here.
Larry Hansen stated that if the convention is on the same weekend as the Father’s Day tournament, there are about 60 teams that come here, with about ten players on each team. Every motel room in the valley and as far south as Beaver has been booked. He noted that 50% of the firemen are already involved in the tournament, and if they are involved in the fire convention, he did not think they could do justice to both.
- PURCHASE OF THREE MONUMENTS WITH ENGRAVING APPROVED. Mayor Burrows has been looking at some monuments he would like placed at the City office. He suggested that they have the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Star-Spangled Banner on them. He thinks we need more of a reminder of this in our community. He felt that our kids lack knowledge of these things and thought it would be a good way to bring attention to this. We have discussed doing away with some of the landscaping, so he came up with the idea of putting these monuments in. Councilmember Street stated that we need to have them lit.
Councilmember Thomas thinks it is a great idea, and he noticed in the hallways of our schools that they would have the slogan “In God, We Trust,” he wondered if we could add this somehow. Motion: Approve the purchase of three monuments to be a patriotic display at the City office, Action: Approved, Moved by Kendrick Thomas, Seconded by Brayden Gardner. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Brayden Gardner, Elaine Street, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
- OTHER BUSINESS. Mr. Hansen discussed the City’s revenue sources, and even though they were up this past month, they are still relatively flat.
He also discussed the property tax rate increase. Mr. Hansen stated that when we discussed this in the first meeting in June, we saw a $160 million tax rate increase. We thought that was our new growth, and we felt we could capitalize on that new growth by increasing the property tax revenue and not having that big of an impact on the citizens. Now that more information has come to light, that home that we looked at that was assessed at $416,000 in June is assessed now at $501,000, so with all of the values going up, he wondered if that makes any of the Council reconsider the increase.
Councilmember Hansen did not think that this would make a difference. Mayor Burrows suggested that we may want to look at dropping it down just a little because we may have to come back and do it again. He noted that this is something to consider over the next couple of weeks before our meeting because there will be some angry residents. Councilmember Hansen stated that if we look at that, we live and die by sales tax, which is even more unstable, more unpredictable, and as far as looking out for the interest of the City and the services that are wanted, we have to do something other than rely on sales tax.
Councilmember Thomas felt that if we could show CIB that we are willing to increase property tax to pay for the pool, they may go a little way in helping us get a little more grant. Councilmember Gardner is still in favor of the same revenue increase. He thinks it makes sense if you look at the projects being accomplished and the matches we have seen. Councilmember Gardner talked about the pump track, and the number of kids already using it, even though it is not finished, is phenomenal. Leveraging what we have to gain something, whether a pool or a pump track, is huge. Councilmember Thompson felt that it was incredible the way we were able to get that pump track. Mayor Burrows agreed because many good things are happening, and positive things are happening for our youth if they want to take advantage of it. The playground equipment at the new park is phenomenal for the kids at that end of town. He felt that we had made some strides in giving the kids an opportunity. These are free for them, so they do not have to pay to come, and so this is a real plus all the way around. Councilmember Gardner stated that this leads him to stay with the same mindset on the tax increase. The more financially viable, the more we can accomplish.
Councilmember Thompson keeps having people ask what is happening with the burned-out motel. Mayor Burrows stated that his last update was that they were waiting for an asbestos study to come back. He would think they would start taking it down within the next two weeks. Councilmember Thomas stated that he knows they are in design for the new facility that he has seen the preliminary plans for.
Councilmember Gardner reported that there is a plan to work on the rifle range project on August 1. The range will be closed that day.
Councilmember Street is still getting complaints about kids on their scooters around town. Mayor Burrows stated that nothing was to be done because they were not doing anything wrong.
Councilmember Thomas updated the Council on the plan to put an “R” on the hill. He thought that he found an excellent place to put it, and they have a preliminary design and should have some cost information within the next few weeks. Councilmember Gardner wondered about having it lit. Councilmember Thomas wondered about having something up on top that shines down on it. That is usually a little more effective. A concern is that it will get shot, and there will be the need to replace parts occasionally. He is trying to devise a way to lower it down to replace those things and take care of the lights if we put them up there. Councilmember Thompson wondered how tall it would be. Councilmember Thomas stated that it would be just under 40 feet tall.
Councilmember Hansen suggested lighting it from the inside. He knows there is no power there, but on a special occasion, we could go up and start a generator to light it. Mayor Burrows wondered what it would be built out of. Councilmember Thomas stated it would be made out of steel, with a steel skeleton and sheet metal fastened so that it could be removed and replaced if a panel is damaged. Mayor Burrows stated that he has 60 feet of 6″ high beam if they want to use that. It would make a cool outside frame.
Michelle Olsen asked about what the tax increase would be used for. She thought it would be good to discuss whether there is a reason for it, a project it will be used for, or why it is needed. She has just heard from people who have not heard anything about it other than the notice of the tax increase, and she thought it would be good to let people know why the increase is proposed. Councilmember Thomas wondered if sending out some information about the increase would be appropriate. Mayor Burrows thought it would be appropriate to show people the increases in just a few of our budget items like fuel, asphalt, cement, etc.
Councilmember Hansen stated that if people look at their shopping carts, they can see that the costs have doubled, and we are not immune from it. Everything has gone up. The public hearing is set for August 8. Councilmember Gardner thought we could show some of the most significant budget increases. Councilmember Hansen stated that it is hard to pull out just a few things because it is spread across the entire budget.
Councilmember Gardner stated there should be a way to show the grant funding received and the City’s cost to match those grants. Mayor Burrows noted that we have received 11 million dollars in grants, but it still costs us 1.5 million dollars to get it. That is great but not great if we do not have the money. Fortunately, we have put most of that away to cover the match.
Councilmember Hansen wondered if we could prepare a brief power point or a flipchart to highlight the things we have been discussing. Anytime you are talking about raising taxes, there will be public clamor. If you can make people leaving here feel like we did not just blow them off and not care about what they said, but if we can show them that this is in their interest. It is cheaper to maintain what we have than to try and rehabilitate it ten years down the road.
Chief Lloyd stated that the three vehicles we just bought cost $9,000 more a piece than the last ones we purchased. Mr. Mogan noted that it is impossible to find vehicles here. We need to replace one of the public works trucks, so we may need to get one up north to get one. Chief Lloyd stated that the County had just purchased vehicles, and they had to go up north to get them. Mr. Hansen said that it used to be that governments and school districts used to get a discount, but with the inventory woes that the manufacturers have, they have taken all of that away, so we now have to pay what everyone else has to pay.
Mayor Burrows reported that the Sandstone Apartments are having a ribbon cutting on August 15, but he does not have the time. He will get a time and let the Council know.
- EXECUTIVE SESSION. At 8:21 pm, Motion: Adjourn and convene an executive session to discuss a potential litigation matter, Action: Enter Closed Session, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Elaine Street. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Brayden Gardner, Elaine Street, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
- RECONVENE & ADJOURN. At 8:38 pm, Motion: Reconvene and adjourn Action: Adjourn. Moved by Brayden Gardner, Seconded by Tanner Thompson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Brayden Gardner, Elaine Street, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
PASSED and APPROVED this 8th day of August 2023.
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Recorder