10.27.20 Council Minutes

THE STATE OF UTAH
COUNTY OF SEVIER
CITY OF RICHFIELD

At the City Council
In and For Said City
October 27, 2020

Minutes of the Richfield City Council special meeting held on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Richfield City office building located at 75 East Center, Richfield, Utah. Mayor David Ogden presided.

 

1. OPENING REMARKS
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. MINUTES APPROVED
5. EXPENDITURES APPROVED
6. FARMERS MARKET/FOOD TRUCK RALLY REPORT
7. 5-YEAR NO OCCUPANCY OIL AND GAS LEASE WITH S&K ENERGY DENIED
8. APPLICATION TO THE JOINT HIGHWAY COMMITTEE APPROVED
9. COST ESTIMATES FOR 500 EAST SIDEWALK DISCUSSED
10. INCREASES TO THE WATER AND SEWER FEES DISCUSSED
11. CHANGES TO ANNEXATION WATER POLICY DISCUSSED
12. OTHER BUSINESS
13. MEETING ADJOURNED

 

1. OPENING REMARKS given by Todd Gleave

 

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Kathy Christensen

 

3. ROLL CALL Present: Bryan Burrows, Kathy Christensen, Todd Gleave, Connie Nielson, Mayor David Ogden (Not voting), Michele Jolley (Not voting), Tyson Hansen (Not voting). Excused: Kip Hansen.

 

4. MINUTES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the minutes of the meeting held on August 25, and September 8, 2020. Motion: Approve the minutes of the meetings held August 25 and September 8, 2020, Action: Approved, Moved by Connie Nielson, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Kathy Christensen, Todd Gleave, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kip Hansen.

 

5. EXPENDITURES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the warrants for May, June, July, August, and September 2020. Motion: Approve the warrants for June, July, August, and September 2020, Action: Approved, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Todd Gleave. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Kathy Christensen, Todd Gleave, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kip Hansen.

 

6. FARMERS MARKET/FOOD TRUCK RALLY REPORT. Pam Lang thought the farmers market went well, but she felt that it could have been better organized. Mayor Ogden asked her what she would do differently. She indicated that the food truck part started before the farmers market, so she felt people came for the food rally. The exposure as a vendor was awesome in her opinion. She felt that if they could have started the market sooner it would have been better.

Councilmember Burrows stated that he talked with Paula Warner and she felt that things were fairly positive with the farmers market and the response. He went up to the park last week and he noticed Taco Time was packed. Everything at the park was packed. There was hardly any room for parking. Ms. Warner talked with Councilmember Burrows and told him that they have registered their farmers market with the Tax Commission as a special event. That allows them to collect sales tax.

The health dept allowed people to use their food stamps to purchase the produce and they gave them double points to purchase them at the farmers market.

Councilmember Nielson asked if everyone was allowed to participate. Ms. Lang stated that the farmers were first come first serve so that there were not too many selling the same things.

Michelle Olsen asked if had considered having it on Saturday morning as well. Ms. Lang stated that she has been involved with farmers’ markets on Saturday before, but she was surprised how many people turned out on Monday evening.

We do need to look at some policy changes to continue this in the future. Everything he has heard about this was positive. *Mayor Ogden thought that Saturday morning might be a good day.

Councilmember Burrows felt that the advantage of having it on Monday night is that it would not interfere with other things at the park.

Mayor Ogden would like to see this continue. He asked Ms. Lang to get together with their committee and discuss the changes they would make and then approach the Council early in the summer so we could start thinking about what changes need to be made.

We did have a complaint from a food truck owner who said he was not allowed to come. He came once and then Mr. Castle would not allowing him to come again. Councilmember Nielson noted that her concern was to be sure that our business owners are protected.

Mayor Ogden also stated that there is a safety issue on the north side of the park with the open ditch. He knows it is historic, but with the farmers market there and the sun going down earlier and getting darker he sees that as more of a problem. He wondered what it would cost to cover that ditch or make it saver. Councilmember Burrows noted that we would need to check into this and see if it is listed as a historical site before we do anything there. We do not want to do something and then have to tear it out.

City staff has been getting ideas on what other communities are doing and coming up with some suggestions for the Council. Once that is in place, then they could come back and let the Council know what they would like to do. That will give the Council the opportunity to make sure it is a good solution for both parties.

 

7. 5-YEAR NO OCCUPANCY OIL AND GAS LEASE WITH S&K ENERGY DENIED. The Council had previously addressed this matter and determined that we do not want drilling to take place on the land that the City has currently leased to the Division of Wildlife Resources as a wildlife management area. Mayor Ogden noted that this would still allow them to drill the City’s property, but they would have to do it from adjacent properties. The Division of Wildlife was still concerned that they may potential contamination to their wells if drilling were to occur.

They would pay the City $1,200 for a 5-year lease. Councilmember Christensen does not feel like we should enter into a lease with S&K Energy when we currently have one with the DWR Motion: Deny the oil and gas lease with S&K Energy, Action: Den, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Connie Nielson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Kathy Christensen, Todd Gleave, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kip Hansen.

 

8. APPLICATION TO THE JOINT HIGHWAY COMMITTEE APPROVED. Micklane Farmer was present to discuss the application. The last time he was here, he was asked to put together some estimates for Center Street from 100 East to 300 East and 500 North from 400 West to College Avenue. Center Street would cost approximately 1.78 million dollars. Councilmember Gleave asked what that would include. Mr. Farmer stated that would include curb and gutter on both sides with the sidewalks being replaced. It would be a 66-foot road with parking on both sides. There is concrete underneath the road in that area which increases the costs. We will also have to replace the water lines along there.

The cost estimate for 500 North from 400 West to College Avenue is approximately 1.53 million dollars. This would be about $300,000 less than Center Street and we would be getting a 1/2 block more. That will complete the 500 North corridor from Main Street to College Avenue.

Mayor Ogden asked about the information that Mr. Farmer stated would help us get the funding. Mr. Farmer stated that they look at the traffic counts when they consider a project. The traffic count on Center Street is about 880 and on 500 North it’s 2,000. Also, the existing condition of the road would also be considered and Center Street was just micro sealed so it would not show the actual condition of the road. The City’s match would be 6.77%, but anything about 1.5 million the City has to pay for.

Councilmember Nielson thought it would be nice to finish one street completely. She does agree that something needs to be done on Center Street, so she asked what her options going forward would be. Councilmember Christensen said that we could never do Center Street all at once. We would have to do it in phases like we did 100 East. She felt that we need to do 500 North. Mr. Farmer thought that 500 North would have a better chance of getting the funds. Motion: Approve the application to the Joint Highway Committee for 500 North from 400 West 50 College Avenue, Action: Approved, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Bryan Burrows. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Kathy Christensen, Todd Gleave, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kip Hansen.

 

9. COST ESTIMATES FOR 500 EAST SIDEWALK DISCUSSED. Keith Mogan stated that this would replace the sidewalk on the west side of the street from approximately 750 North down to 600 North. this is a narrow road and dangerous.

They met with Duane Breese and Lyle Larsen because it would involve both of their properties. They are both in favor of the project because of the safety concerns that they have seen.

Mr. Farmer stated that the south portion from The block between 700 North to 600 North and would cost approximately $102,000 with asphalt, curb, gutter, and sidewalk. The portion from the Stake Center to 700 North would cost approximately $73,000. This would include a retaining wall by Mr. Breese’s house because there is such a drop off from the sidewalk to his property.

Mayor Ogden is concerned about the amount of fall along there and the kids riding skateboards on it because he can see them going too fast and getting hurt.

Councilmember Burrows stated that the road from 750 North to 600 North is very dangerous and has to be done. He does not know how there has not been a kid hit along there.

Mr. Mogan stated that there would not be enough fall on that sidewalk that there would be an issue with skateboards.

Mayor Ogden asked if we would have enough money to do this project right now. Mr. Hansen said that we did not budget for this project. He will look at the budget and see if there is not some money that we could use for this project. The project could be done in phases if we need to.

Mayor Ogden suggested Mr. Hansen see what options we might have and we will discuss them at the next meeting.

 

10. INCREASES TO THE WATER AND SEWER FEES DISCUSSED. Mr. Hansen gave the council some options showing how different rates would affect their water bills.

Mayor Ogden stated that it is not that he does not care what option we choose because he thought there were some that were clearly better than others. He said that we need to do it so that when we go to the CIB for our sewer project that we have this in place and are not just talking about it.

Councilmember Christensen asked if the proposal is to change the usage from 4,000 gallons to 6,000 gallons per month. She thought that each apartment should have to pay a base rate. Councilmember Gleave also felt that apartments should pay more of a base rate. While in agreement, Councilmember Burrows did not think each unit should pay a full base rate because that would double their bills.

The Council all agreed that we need to raise the base rate by $1. Councilmember Christensen would like to see what apartments are paying before we raise usage amounts. This will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Hansen will look at Eagle View, Armstrong Apartments, and put them on a spreadsheet.

 

11. CHANGES TO ANNEXATION WATER POLICY DISCUSSED. The Council reviewed a proposed ordinance to amend the general plan for annexations and the acceptable water shares required.

The City Attorney recommended the Council consider charging an additional amount if they allow money in lieu of water shares. His example was if a share was selling for $12,000 then the City ought to require $13,000. The other suggestion he had was to do something like we did in the Industrial Park with commercial and give them a credit based on how many employees they will have and what kind of a business they are bringing in. Councilmember Christensen thought this would be difficult because we could do that and then have them go out of business.

Whatever we do, we need to be sure that what we are requiring is adequate. The City should be getting the value or the money for the water rights. The reason for increasing the cost is that we may not be acquiring rights now and when we do, the price may increase.

Councilmember Burrows thought we should be able to take the money and put it into an interest-bearing account specifically for the purchase of water rights.
At the last meeting, the Council discussed allowing cash in lieu of on a case by case basis. Councilmember Burrows stated that the purpose of this is because not all commercial development will be the same. He noted the example of the bike plant that will be using water, but not a significant amount and they will be on 10 acres of ground; compared to a meatpacking plant that uses all kinds of water.

There is an item on the ballot this year that would allow the City to sell surface rights where in the past we could not. Councilmember Burrows noted that we traded some surface shares for underground water. Now you could actually leverage that and maybe trade for underground if this item passes in November.

The proposed ordinance will specifically state that accepting water shares for underground water will be considered on a case by case basis for proposed commercial developments. The market value of what a share is selling for at that time and that value must be equivalent to what the market value of underground water is at the time of the annexation.

 

12. OTHER BUSINESS. Mr. Hansen stated that the new dump truck is in Salt Lake now. A couple of months ago, he listed the old 1990 International dump truck for sale based on a suggested price from Jay’s Diesel. So, he listed it for sale for $11,000. We did not have any interest so a week or so later, he dropped the price to $10,000. We had a guy come and look at it today and he made us an offer of $7,500. Mr. Mogan stated that the money from this sale will be used to pay for a new sander which would cost about $5,700.

Councilmember Nielson suggested we counter the offer at $8,000. Mayor Ogden suggested $8,500 to start. The Council would be fine with the funds being used to purchase a new sander.

Mr. Hansen also showed the Council some new City logos that we had drawn up. He asked the Council which they would prefer. He will get some different color suggestions for the logos the Council liked and have them narrow it down to 2 logos and then we will have the employees give their opinions.

Sales tax was discussed. Mr. Hansen noted that year to date we are up on all of the taxes being collected. For the month, we are down on collection except for general sales tax.

Councilmember Burrows heard that the quilt show turned out very well.

Councilmember Nielson is concerned about the underground tanks that use to be on the corner of 200 North. Councilmember Gleave stated that his dad used to own that property, so he knows for sure that the tanks have been removed and that there never has been any contamination found.

Mayor Ogden reported that the visitors center is closed for this year. There is a kiosk that is being installed near the visitor’s center being paid for by the Paiute ATV Trails Committee to show the trails up in the mountains. Mayor Ogden is negotiating with them to show the bike trails on the kiosk as well.

Councilmember Burrows has noticed that from Curtis Trucking into about the Motel 6 people are traveling too fast. UDOT has installed a speed sign, but Councilmember Burrows does not feel like that helps. Chief Lloyd stated that there is a problem where the speed reduces from 45 mph to 30 mph. This is where his officers have been writing tickets.

Councilmember Burrows said that people are not stopping at the red lights. The traffic problems on 400 West were also discussed. They also discussed putting a 4-way stop on 500 North and 300 East.

Mayor Ogden reported that he is still planning a Veteran’s Day program. The school is still planning to come and sing some songs and the High School band is planning to come as well. He is working on a speaker and asked for some suggestions. Councilmember Burrows suggested Mayor Ogden ask Rick Pruitt. Mayor Ogden will call him.

The Council discussed the annual employee Christmas party. It was suggested that we could give the employees a gift certificate for dinner and it could still be at Frontier Village. Councilmember Nielson felt that the City holding a party may not set the proper tone since we have been asked not to gather. Councilmember Burrows and Councilmember Christensen felt that we should cancel the party.

Chief Lloyd reported to the Council that he has a vehicle in need of tires. He has always purchased them through the State contract because it costs a lot less. The only place in the area that sells State contract tires is in Salina where the Sheriff’s office purchases their tires. Councilmember Burrows asked how much the difference is in cost. Chief Lloyd said that it is enough that the businesses cannot match the price. Mr. Mogan stated that when they went to purchase tires for the backhoe is was almost $300 more a tire from the State contract price to what we could purchase the tires locally. Chief Lloyd stated that we are better off going to Salina to purchase the tires. Councilmember Burrows suggested talking to Pearson Tires to see if they could get on that list.

13. MEETING ADJOURNED. At 7:30 p.m., Motion: Adjourn, Action: Adjourned, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Bryan Burrows. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Kathy Christensen, Todd Gleave, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kip Hansen.

PASSED and APPROVED the 26 day of January 2021.