Special Meeting

Wednesday, July 27, 2011, 6:00 pm.

City Council Chambers, 111 South Main Street

LaVerkin, Utah 84745

Present: Chairman Anna Andregg; Commissioners:  Michael Hinckley, Richard Hirschi, Allen Bice, Dan Howard; Staff:  Derek Imlay, Kyle Gubler, Kevin Bennett, Katie Wilson, Troylinn Benson, Doug Gubler; Public:  Ray Justice, Boyd Earl, Russ Funk, T. G. Thornton, Chester & Georgia Hardy

I.              Call to Order: Chair Anna Andregg brought the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.  Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance was given by Richard Hirschi.

II.           Presentation:

A.     Street Study - Russ Funk (Sunrise Engineering) passed out 80% of the plans for 100 East Road Project.  He left them with the Commissioners to look over.

This was a difficult project for two main reasons: a) it was to implement the Drainage Project and b) the existing road is narrow and on a steep hill.  The road needs to be widened and to meet current standards was difficult.

Russ referenced page PP6.  There is a 4% cross Slope all the way across.  There is a section of road that will be 28 feet of asphalt (36 total feet including curbs and sidewalk) and a sidewalk only on the west side.  This will only allow parking on one side of the road.  Between Center and 100 S (on 100 E) there will be a sag which will bring the road back down and an oversized storm drain will be put there if approved.

Most of the road except between Center and 100 S will be 50 feet across.  And Center to 200 S will be a complete reconstruct.

Russ mentioned additional costs for extras if the Commission/Council wants them.  The extras won't change the design.

Anna stated that because this was a presentation there will not be public comment.

III.         Approval of Minutes

IV.        Approval of Agenda

V.           Public Hearing:

Kyle Gubler gave a brief explanation.  La Verkin City acquired the property and would like to change it to the Public Facilities Zone and change a use in that zone to allow an animal control facility.

Commissioner Andregg opened the public hearing for comment at 6:14 pm.

Grant Thornton - He asked the staff how much is collected in license fees versus expenses.  Kyle explained that the expenses have been $36,000 in a contract with Hurricane.  Mr. Thornton went on to state that he doesn't believe the City should be doing this.  He spoke of a city in Utah that deals with unwanted animals by using carbon monoxide (CO).

Chester Hardy - He has lived right next to the property in question for over 40 years.  He explained the owner history of it.  He believed the public is unaware of what is going on and want the whole public to receive the letter he did.  Chester doesn't believe there is enough room for a building on that section of the property.  He thinks it would be better to switch where the park will be located and the animal control building.  The ground would be more stable on the wider portion making it easier for a building to be built.  He has no objection to the project and he's happy with the idea if the City will switch the two areas around.  Chester had talked to Council-member Stratton who told him that the City didn't want a lot of people walking by Chester's house.

Commissioner Andregg closed the public hearing at 6:26 pm.

Commissioner Hinckley brought up the funding.  Kyle Gubler explained that if the site is approved that Zions Bank has funding package and well as using at the money that had been paying Hurricane for their animal control services.

Kyle went on to explain that the City has already hired a part-time Animal Control Officer, Kelly King, who has accepted the position.  It will be part-time, 5 hours per day with other duties as needed, but the main priority will be animal control.  She worked and managed the Hurricane facility in the past.

Commissioner Hirschi stated that police officers can pick up the animals and work with volunteers.  He is sure the animals will be well taken care of.

Kelly King is certified to euthanize and able to do all the City is asking her to do.

Commissioner Andregg responded to Mr. Thornton's comments earlier.  She explained that La Verkin will be doing everything that Hurricane was doing.  But La Verkin was not happy with Hurricane's services so we terminated the contract with them.

Mr. Thornton stated that the City should be more concerned with people.

There was a discussion of whether the city will be saving money.  Council-member Justice commented that our return will hopefully be greater because our Animal Control Officer will patrol the City when Hurricane did not.

Commissioner Howard explained to Mr. Thornton that the City is in the people business but people have pets and want them found and returned to them instead of just disposing of the animals.

There was a discussion of the feral cats living on the city's property.

Minutes taken on behalf of the City Recorder by Katie Wilson