LaVerkin City Council Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 6:00 p.m.

Council Chambers, 111 S. Main, LaVerkin, Utah

Present: Mayor Karl Wilson; Council-members:  Ray Justice, Scott Stratton, Phil Jensen, Doug Beecher, Hugh Howard; Staff:  Kyle Gubler, Chief Lloyd Watkins, Troylinn Benson, Derek Imlay, Kevin Bennett

A. Meeting Called to Order - BSA Troop 1661:  Invocation given by Jaxon Sanders and Pledge of Allegiance led by Rylan Anderson.

Mayor Wilson reminded those in attendance of the passing of Former Mayor Tom Stocks.  He proceeded to read a thank you card from Mayor Stocks' wife, Gay Stocks to the Council.

B. Consent Agenda:

1.      Declarations of conflict of interest

2.      Agenda

3.      Minutes:  September 7, 2011 regular meeting minutes

4.      Review Invoices and Checks:  $ 134,383.29

Motion was made by Council-member Phil Jensen to approve the consent agenda as written with the invoices and checks in the amount of $134,383.29, second by Council-member Doug Beecher.

Mayor Wilson mentioned after researching State Law he has found that a Roll Call Vote is not required as long as the chair recognizes nay votes by name.  Kevin Bennett (City Attorney) stated that a roll call is required and Mayor Wilson conceded to the City Attorney's opinion.

Roll Call Vote:  Stratton-yes, Beecher-yes, Jensen-yes, Justice-yes, Howard-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

C. Committee Reports:

1.      Planning Commission - Council-member Ray Justice reported that Planning Commission had a meeting last week to go over a couple of issues that are still pending to get direction from the Commission.  Nothing is on the agenda for tonight

2.      Water Board - nothing to report

3.      Sewer Board - Blair Gubler not available to report

4.      Fire District - Chief Kuhlmann not available to report.

D. Citizen Comment & Request for Future Agenda Items: none

E. Business:

1. Discussion and possible action concerning the La Verkin City vehicle policy.

Mayor Wilson is not ready to present the policy to the council but Kyle Gubler has some recommendations to hear.  The changes will be presented in October.

Kyle Gubler researched what other City Administrators policies are.  Most City Administrators do not have a vehicle.  He proposed to turn the Tahoe over to the Police Department and he will drive his own vehicle.  Kyle has been addressed by the citizens why he needs a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Kyle will get reimbursed for mileage as stated in his employment contract.

Kyle explained the estimated savings to the city.  He also explained perception concerns.

Mayor Wilson was at first against this policy but as he looked at it he now agrees with it.  He would feel better having the Council ratify this tonight.

Council-member Phil Jensen thanked Kyle for giving up his vehicle for the good of the city.  He agrees with this proposal.

Motion made by Council-member Doug Beecher to approve the proposal made by Kyle, second by Council-member Scott Stratton.

Council-member Ray Justice appreciated the opportunity to save money for the city and the willingness of Kyle to prevent misconceptions.

Motion carried unanimously.

Not included in the budget amendment will be the $8000 for a police vehicle being moved to administration for mileage for Kyle Gubler to use.

2. Discussion and possible action concerning Resolution R-2011-22:  A resolution opening and amending the fiscal year 2011-2012 Budget.

Mayor Wilson presented.  Reasons for amending the budget were 1) audit findings found an item not properly capitalized and 2) payments of 2 bonds were pushed to July 1^st which is the first day of the new budget.  Mayor Wilson explained the problems with the cash-flow.

Mayor Wilson explained the line item budget adjustments and changes.  He also explained that the police vehicle $8000 will be moved to Administration in the next budget amendment.

Motion made by Council-member Ray Justice to approve Resolution R-2011-22, second by Council-member Hugh Howard.

Doug Beecher stated that this is evidence of the hard work everyone has done that this amendment could be accomplished.

Roll Call Vote:  Howard-yes, Justice-yes, Jensen-yes, Beecher-yes, Stratton-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

3. Discussion and possible action concerning Resolution R-2011-23:  A resolution amending Resolution No. R-2011-21, to correct the legal description of the property which is the subject of the lease-purchase agreement approved by and though said resolution.

Kevin Bennett explained that the deed for the property for the location of the animal shelter from Ash Creek Special Service District, the legal description was wrong.  Two problems were created with it being wrong.  The loan was for a specific piece of property and the legality could be questioned or defaulted. It also placed Kevin, personally on the line.

Kevin asked that the Council, if they approve this resolution, to put in their motion to approve with the legal description to be inserted when it is received from Ash Creek, since it was not received in time for this Council meeting.

Kyle stated that Ash Creek will bill La Verkin for the map and they will pay the title company.

Motion made by Council-member Ray Justice to approve Resolution R-2011-23, second by Council-member Phil Jensen.  Roll Call Vote:  Stratton-yes, Beecher-yes, Jensen-yes, Justice-yes, Howard-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

F. Staff. Mayor & Council Reports:

City Administrator - Kyle Gubler

1.      Kyle thanked Jeanette Watkins for her work as Sports Director.  She has done a great job.  Debi Swaner is taking her place and staff is in the process of finding her an assistant.

2.      He attended the UCLT conference with Mayor, Kevin and Doug Beecher.  It was really beneficial for him to attend those workshops.

3.      He has tried to set an appointment with UDOT and Craig Hammer (WCSD) but he is having a problem getting ahold of Nathan Merrill who is in charge of Safe Routes to School to try and come up with a solution to our children walking to school.

Brad Last has requested to Mayor Wilson that he be on that committee.

Council-member Justice questioned if other cities may have the same issues.  And there was a gentlemen at the WCSD meeting that confirmed that it was a very unsafe route for students.

Public Safety - Chief Lloyd Watkins

1.      Travis Romney has done a great job with 7 felony arrests.  The officers have been very busy with calls.

2.      Jeanette decided it was time for her to step down and taking a break to be with the kids.

Director of Operations - Derek Imlay

1.      The meter replacement program that Mayor Wilson implemented.  They have completed the first phase which is the north side of Stowell's subdivision.  They are putting in electronic meters and the state required backflow devices.  In four months the entire Stowell's subdivision will be finished.  In about 8.3 years the entire city on electronic meters.  When that time is done they will start replacing the older electronic meters.

2.      Animal Shelter - the footings are done and the plumbers, masons and trusses will be done quickly.  They should be done in November.

3.      On Call water breaks - the number of on-call breaks are rising.  The break in front of Council-man Howards home will be replaced.  He thanked Doug Gubler for his quick response.  Derek would like to remind citizens to use the On-Call system and not call cell phones.  The staff takes turns being on-call.  Doug & Derek are always first or second responders.  If there is a break the citizens can call the city office and there is a link to the on-call line.

Treasurer - Troylinn Benson

1.      Shut-offs - 154 notices, 87 door hangers, and 10 shut-offs.  There are three homes still off.  Nine out of the 10 homes were possibly occupied.

2.      She passed out the July 1-August 31 Budget Report.  Mayor, Beecher, Justice and Kyle Gubler discuss sales tax and revenue.  A discussion was had about possible developments going in on 500 North.

Mayor Wilson: nothing to add

Jensen:

1.      Recycling Project will be held on Monday in Ivins.  They will introduce the binnie character.

2.      Thanked Derek for informing them of the On-Call system.

Justice:

1.      ZC3 met and the Confluence Park meeting was cancelled.

Beecher:

1.      ULCT - to learn about economic development.  He learned about a special tax credit and explained it to the Council.

2.      Beautification - Dumpster Days are Oct 7-8.  There will not be a fall State Street cleanup since it was just done in May.

Stratton: nothing to add

Howard:

1.      Mosquito Abatement - planning a $350,000 building in purgatory for studies.

2.      Thanked Derek for his response to the break outside his home.  Derek stated that only authorized city personnel can turn off the water.

Mayor requested an executive session to discuss personnel issues.

Motion made by Council-member Ray Justice to close the meeting to an executive session after a brief recess, second by Council-member Phil Jensen.  Motion carried unanimously at 7:15.

Mayor Wilson stated there are no actions to take from the executive session.

Motion made by Council-member Ray Justice to adjourn from the executive session, second by Council-member Doug Beecher.  Motion carried unanimously at 8:30pm.

G. Motion made by Council-member Phil Jensen to adjourn from the regular meeting, second by Council-member Ray Justice.  Motion carried unanimously at 8:30pm.

Minutes were taken on behalf of the City Recorder by Troylinn Benson and Katie Wilson.