11.12.19 Council Minutes

THE STATE OF UTAH
COUNTY OF SEVIER
CITY OF RICHFIELD

At the City Council
In and For Said City
November 12, 2019

Minutes of the Richfield City Council meeting held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Richfield City office building located at 75 East Center, Richfield, Utah. Mayor David C. Ogden presiding.

1. OPENING REMARKS
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPOINTMENT
5. MINUTES APPROVED
6. EXPENDITURES APPROVED
7. PUBLIC HEARING ON COONS ANNEXATION
8. SALE OF GRANITE PAVERS TO THE WAYNE COUNTY VETERANS TABLED
9. STATEWIDE UTILITY AGREEMENT WITH UDOT APPROVED
10. INSTALLATION OF THE LIGHTS ON THE BIKE PATH APPROVED
11. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
12. FUNDS FOR NEW FLAG POLES AT THE LION’S PARK AND THE CITY PARK
13. INSTALLATION OF A SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND GRASS SEED FOR THE NEW PARK APPROVED
14. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR SAND SEPARATOR AT THE CEMETERY WELL APPROVED
15. OTHER BUSINESS
16. EXECUTIVE SESSION
17. RECONVENE & ADJOURN

 

1. OPENING REMARKS were offered by Councilmember Barnett.

 

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Councilmember Christensen.

 

3. ROLL CALL. Present: Mayor David Ogden (Not voting), Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson, Matt Creamer (Not voting), Michele Jolley (Not voting). Excused: Kevin Arrington, Mike Langston.

 

4. APPOINTMENT. Mayor Ogden recommended that Marlee Christiansen be appointed as Treasurer. Motion: Appoint Marlee Christiansen to serve as Treasurer, Action: Approved, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Bryan Burrows. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

5. MINUTES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the minutes of the meetings held August 13 and October 22, 2019. Motion: Approve the minutes of the meetings held August 13 and October 22, 2019, Action: Approved, Moved by Connie Nielson, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

6. EXPENDITURES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the warrants and cash disbursements for October 2019. Councilmember Burrows asked if the expense for a grinder was what the State was going to reimburse us for. Mayor Ogden asked about the expense for Ensign Staffing. It was explained that this was for an employee to fill in while Mrs. Christiansen was out on maternity leave. He also asked about the payment to Cottonwood Irrigation for water shares and if it was an annual payment. Councilmember Christensen noted that it was an annual payment. Motion: Approve the Warrant Register and Cash Disbursements for October 2019, Action: Approved, Moved by Richard Barnett, Seconded by Connie Nielson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

7. PUBLIC HEARING ON COONS ANNEXATION. At 7:13 p.m., Mayor Ogden opened a public hearing to receive comments on annexation petition filed by Michael and Julie Coons located at approximately 600 South and 600 West. Councilmember Barnett reported that he knew that they are moving forward because they have issued eviction notices to all those that are living in the mobile homes there. If they are renting, they have to be out by next month. If they own their place, he thought they had to be out by June. Hearing no comments, Mayor Ogden closed the hearing at 7:14 p.m.

 

8. SALE OF GRANITE PAVERS TO THE WAYNE COUNTY VETERANS TABLED. Mayor Ogden explained that they said they would pay $4 each for the pavers. Mayor Ogden had found out that we purchased the pavers from Rick’s Monument and we paid $11 each for them. Mayor Ogden noted that they are deteriorating rather rapidly unless they are in the ground because they will not remain stable. Mayor stated that we have approximately 450 of the 12×12 and they want to buy 200 of them. Mayor Ogden felt that this would be a good thing to do. Our kiosk at the cemetery needs to be upgraded and we need to get that started. Councilmember Burrows does not think we should sell the pavers until we figure out what we are doing there. Mr. Mogan also found that we have some 6×6 pavers that were not used anywhere and we have 800 of those. We also have some 3×6 pavers. Councilmember Nielson thought that we needed to make sure we have enough for repairs, but then also to do the kiosk. Another time we discussed if there was anything that we could use those for at the new park. We just need to be sure our needs are met first. Councilmember Christensen asked how fast they are deteriorating. Mayor Ogden stated that he was told they deteriorate rather quickly, but he does not know how long that is. Motion: Table the sale of pavers until we know what we are going to do with the kiosk at the cemetery, Action: Approved, Moved by Richard Barnett, Seconded by Bryan Burrows. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

9. STATEWIDE UTILITY AGREEMENT WITH UDOT APPROVED. This is a renewal of the existing agreement we have with UDOT. This agreement allows the City to apply for and receive permits to hold special events such as parades on Main Street. The agreement is for 5 years. Motion: Approve the Statewide Utility Agreement with UDOT, Action: Approved, Moved by Bryan Burrows, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

10. INSTALLATION OF THE LIGHTS ON THE BIKE PATH APPROVED. The City received a price of $15,535.00 from A&D Jensen Contractors to install the lights on the bike path. Councilmember Barnett commented about how reasonable this cost was and felt that we should be able to install a few more lights on the north side of 500 North. The staff discussed this, but the cost to fix the canal bank along the bike path is going to be considerable, so some of the money may have to go to fix that. Motion: to approve the installation of lights along the bike path for $15,535 by A&D Jensen Contractors, Action: Approve, Moved by Richard Barnett, Seconded by Connie Nielson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

11. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT. The Planning Commission met last week and they reviewed an application for a conditional use for a short-term rental at 345 East Center. This was approved pending a fire inspection by the fire marshal. They approved a change in the landscape that was approved for the Rally Stop because there was an unknown right of way around the motel. Eric Torgerson wanted to do a mix use at 246 West 800 South. The property is zoned for a mixed use, so the Planning Commission told Mr. Torgerson to start the process with the development review committee. Brion Terry, Greg Bean and Monte Turner have terms on the Planning Commission that are expiring. Monte Turner and Greg Bean would like to stay on the Planning Commission for another term. We will need to replace Brion Terry because he has served 3 terms.
Councilmember Burrows asked what qualifies as a mixed use. Mr. Robinson stated that it is commercial mixed with residential. Mr. Torgerson is planning a strip mall with an office and shopping and residential use on top.

 

12. FUNDS FOR NEW FLAG POLES AT THE LION’S PARK AND THE CITY PARK. Brett Butler got a quote for new flag poles at the City Park and the Lion’s Park. The quote from Colonial Flag was for $5,655.40 for each pole, including the installation. Mayor Ogden asked if Mr. Butler had considered getting another bid. Councilmember Christensen wondered if we were not doing a little bit too much stuff to worry about adding flag poles. Councilmember Barnett asked if the flag pole at the City Park was broken. Keith Mogan stated that the pole at the City Park is broken. Councilmember Burrows wondered if they still make the fiberglass or composite poles in Gunnison. Mayor Ogden said that the gentleman that sold him flags showed him some flag poles in a magazine that are considerably less, so he felt that we maybe should do a little more research. Councilmember Burrows wondered if we really use the one at the Lion’s Park. Councilmember Christensen cannot imagine that we need a flag pole at the Lion’s Park. Councilmember Nielson noted that the Council has talked about how everything at the Lion’s Park is old and needs to be refurbished, so it seemed to her that we ought to wait until we have a plan in place before we start adding new things. Mayor Ogden stated that there is an old pole at the Lion’s Park. Councilmember Nielson could see us replacing the pole at the City Park, but she cannot see us doing the Lion’s Park. Motion: Table replacing the flag pole at the City Park pending further investigation as to cost and alternatives, Action: Approved, Moved by Richard Barnett, Seconded by Connie Nielson. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

13. INSTALLATION OF A SPRINKLER SYSTEM AND GRASS SEED FOR THE NEW PARK APPROVED. The Council reviewed a bid of $23,402.67 to install the sprinkler system at the new park, but it does not include the grass seed which will probably cost an additional $10,000 to $15,000. If we choose not to do this, we will just have dirt and weeds and maintaining that maybe as much or more costly in the long run to maintain. We will not be able to apply for any CDBG funding until 2021. The cost for the sprinklers and the grass will be approximately $38,000. We would be able to use some of the funds from the PAR tax to pay for this. The plan is to have the City crew do the installation. They would like to get this done so that grass can be planted in the spring. Motion: Approve the installation of sprinklers and grass seed for the new City park, not to exceed $38,000, Action: Approved. Moved by Bryan Burrows, Seconded by Connie Nielson. Councilmember Christensen declared a conflict of interest since the bid for the sprinkler supplies is her family’s business. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington

 

14. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR SAND SEPARATOR AT THE CEMETERY WELL APPROVED. Mr. Mogan explained that the Council had approved $22,000 for the cemetery well. Since then, the contractor has pulled the pump and inspected the well and found some additional problems. The static level of the water had changed. The last time it was pulled in approximately 2004, it was about 75 feet and now it is at about 125 feet. The additional funds would include 60 new feet of pipe to lower it down along with a sand separator. That is another $25,000. Mayor Ogden asked how the sand separator would work and if it were something that would fill up and be useless. Right now we have to put the additional pipe in and out of the additional $25,000; $8,000 would be for the sand separator. Carson DeMille stated that there used to be a filter in the building after it came through the pump and we were looking at replacing that because it was too expensive to pull the pump. Now that it is pulled it would be a really good idea to put the filter in. Councilmember Christensen asked if the funds would come from the water fund and it was stated that they would. Councilmember Burrows wondered how much the power bill has gone up if it is pulling from twice as far. Motion: Approve additional funds to a sand separator and additional pipe for the cemetery well, Action: Approved, Moved by Richard Barnett, Seconded by Kathy Christensen. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

15. OTHER BUSINESS. Councilmember Barnett talked about the bond election and suggested that maybe the City could bond on its own for a new pool. He does not know how the vote went in the City. He does not believe it would be in the best interest of the City to tie up the recreation tax money for years to come because we have many other projects that we need to use that money for. He does not believe that it would prudent for us to try and build something of this magnitude on our own. He felt very strongly that if the College wants a student life center then the College ought to go to the legislature and get money for a student life center.
As a City Council, our job is to look out for what is in the best interest of the citizens of Richfield City. Maybe we need to take a look at what we can realistically do ourselves and not hamstring ourselves in the rest of our recreation projects for the next 15, 20, 25, 30 years by biting off more than we can chew.

Councilmember Burrows thinks that the CIB would probably still help, but he has come to the conclusion that we need to build an indoor/outdoor facility and let the school district take on the old facility for their swim teams.

Councilmember Barnett felt that we could fund more than an 8 million dollar project and we could have a very nice facility, but he does not think that it is realistic for us to push forward with the results of the bond election and build what we had talked about building.

Councilmember Nielson state that she felt our hands were tied because it was a County bond. She thought that there should have been some more education because she did not think that people really understood all of the benefits and the fact that their taxes were not going to go up. She thought that if we go forward with this we need to do a better job of getting out the information.

Councilmember Barnett felt that we were forced to push this faster than what we wanted because we were told that we had to get the funding from the legislature this year.

Councilmember Christensen thought that a lot of people who voted against it really thought their taxes were going to go up. Councilmember Burrows thought that a lot of people who voted against it were really concerned about the operation and maintenance and the overall cost of it. We will never get this on a County vote again.

Councilmember Barnett felt that we were behind the 8 ball and realistically we needed another year and our legislators told us we did not have another year, so we tried to rush and whenever we try and rush, it always backfires.

Councilmember Barnett since he knew this would be his last meeting; he started reflecting on the things that had happened since he moved to Richfield, 23 years ago. Home Depot, Wingers, Fairfield Inn, Costa Vida, Millers/Wendy’s, Comfort Inn, KFC/Taco Bell, Hampton Inn, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo Bank, strip mall by Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply, Larsen’s Ace Hardware’s new building and expansion, the renovation of McDonalds, Silver Eagle/Burger King, Jones & DeMille’s expansion, Auto Zone, Hansen’s Auto Body, Eagle View housing development, Sears/Big 5 Sports building, video store, Knights Interior, Hogi Yogi/Lotsa Motsa building, 12 Timbers, Winkel Distributing, Mountain Land Distributing, Frontier Village, Arby’s, Subway, Time to Shine Car wash, Stonehenge, Hospital expansion, Holiday Inn Express, BMX track, Elevate Oral Surgery, Mountain America Credit Union, Ashley Steck building, Cedar Dermatology, IHC Dialysis Center, Women’s Health Clinic, 2 new LDS Church buildings, Impact Fitness that started out as a plumbing supply business, Dollar Tree, Shepherd’s Floor Covering, State Bank Building on Main Street, Ideal Dairy, Western Ag Credit, new High School, Four Points health clinic on Main Street, Albertsons/Lins, Premium Oil, Maverick renovation, Therapy West/Surgery Center, Thalman Orthodontics, Thalman physical therapy, Dr. Jeffery’s office, Dr. Barnett’s office, Best Western, South China restaurant, Super 8 Motel, Chevron Station, Elwood Staffing building, Jiffy Lube, Ahern Rentals, Mountain View Family medicine, Sorenson Insurance building, Crazy Lady Auto, High County Auto, Huish Theater renovation, Christensen’s renovation, Richfield Reaper, Cambridge Park apartments, JRS repairs, Mountain View Vision, Main Street Perk, Commercial Tire Store, Superwash, JRS Auto Sales, addition to the Quality Inn, Easy Furniture Store, Richfield Auto Sales/Soda Run, O’Riely Auto Parts, Mid State Jeep, Mike’s Auto, Paradise Press, Savage Engineering, DNR Field office, Modular One, Innovative Trailer, Los 5 Amigos renovation, Cedar Canyon Senior apartment. To say that we have gone through and unprecedented season of growth in Richfield in the past 23 years is an understatement; even going through a major economic downturn in 2008-2009.

Councilmember Barnett then reflected on the City /County things that have happened in 23 years since he lived in town. The Skate park, Centennial Park, Veterans Memorial, Sevier Valley Center, Richfield High School, Cedar Ridge High School, County Administration building renovation, County Fairgrounds, New City park, new water tank, Technology Drive/College Avenue, 9-hole golf course expansion, plus a clubhouse expansion, a new fire station, parking lots behind the buildings on Main Street, Main Street Beautification project, bike path, bike trails, Sevier School District office building, Main Street repaving project, Freedom Stage, New business park, airport expansion project, 4-million dollar sewer extension project, the County jail and 3 new traffic lights.

Councilmember Barnett said that we are doing great here! He appreciated the opportunity to serve and the good people that he has served with. We have some things that still need to be done. We need to figure out what to do with the new park and what we are going to do to get more water. We need to figure out how to get the bike paths through the rest of town. We need to figure out how to expand the library; the swimming pool and we have a skate park that needs to be taken care of.

Councilmember Nielson stated that we will miss Councilmember Barnett because he is well-spoken and has good judgment. Councilmember Barnett stated that the Council has not always agreed, but we should not either.

Councilmember Nielson stated that next year in 2020, it is the anniversary of women’s right to vote. A lot of people are celebrating this year because that is when the amendment to all women to vote passed. The first ballot cast by women was held in 1870. Next year the State is gathering support for a celebration and Elaine Wayland and Peggy Harrison have been working on this and have gone to each of the mayors in the County asking for a woman representative. They have asked Connie Nielson and Kathy Christensen to participate. They are going to be asking for ideas to use in 2020 to teach people about women’s voting rights and women’s rights. Councilmember Nielson stated that it has been fun to go back and look and read about the fact that women could not own property and women could not have their own bank account. Women could not, without the authority of a man, cross the plains. You had to be under the protection of a man, whether it was a son or someone else, they had to be protected by someone. She indicated that they will be doing some different events in Richfield City.

Councilmember Nielson hopes that we can regroup over the pool and come up with a different plan and do whatever we can do to make this come together and be something that we can afford and maintain.

Councilmember Burrows thanked Councilmember Barnett for his efforts and stated that he has enjoyed serving with him. He knows that sometimes people get accused of being on the Council for a purpose and Councilmember Barnett has never done that. He has served because he cares about our community and Councilmember Burrows appreciates that.

Councilmember Burrows stated that he is disappointed about the pool as well, but we need to keep on this. He told Mayor Ogden that his efforts have not been in vain. It may be several years from now, but Mayor Ogden has laid a great foundation for this, so he asked him not to give up and not to quit.

Councilmember Christensen stated that she is going to miss Councilmember Barnett. He has been a good City Council member and he is very wise in the things he brings out. He really thinks things out and she is really going to miss him. She also felt bad about the swimming pool, but she is confident that we will pull through and figure out something good.

Keith Mogan stated that a few weeks ago, the detention basin was discussed. He has a contractor who is in the process of digging out a path in the Cottonwood basin. The contractor has dug down approximately 17 feet 3 inches around the outlet structure. We are going to try and get some money from FEMA to rehabilitate the facility by digging it out. It is going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Councilmember Barnett asked if we would have done a little at a time as we went along could we have kept on top of this. Mr. Mogan thought that would have been the case. Councilmember Burrows asked where we are going to put the material that we are digging out now. Mr. Mogan stated that we are just scraping it and spreading is out because we do not having any where to put it.

 

16. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion: Convene an executive session to discuss strategy for the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property, Action: Approved, Moved by Kathy Christensen, Seconded by Richard Barnett. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yea = 4). Yea: Bryan Burrows, Richard Barnett, Kathy Christensen, Connie Nielson. Excused: Kevin Arrington.

 

17. RECONVENE & ADJOURN. At 10:26 p.m., reconvene and adjourn.

 

PASSED and APPROVED this 14 day of January, 2020.