City Council Meeting Minutes August 20, 2020
Minutes of the Fairview City Council Meeting held on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at 85 South State Street, City of Fairview, County of Sanpete, State of Utah.
Mayor Dave Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. City Council members present were Brad Welch, Mike MacKay, Cliff Wheeler, Casey Anderson, and Mike Sorensen. City employees present were Jan Anderson, Steve Gray, and Greg Sorensen. Citizens present were Richard and Billie Jo Cox, Rhett Wilkinson, Tyler Faddis, Nathan Miner, and Erma Lee Aaron.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilman Matt Sorensen moved to approve the minutes from July 16, 2020. Councilman Brad Welch seconded the motion. The voting was unanimous in favor of.
APPEARANCES:
Chad Wray, Street Traffic Discussion. Mr. Wray was unable to come. Councilman Cliff Wheeler briefed the City Council on Mr. Wray’s concerns which were the amount of traffic and the speed of the traffic that goes by his house on 100 North. Chief Steve Gray stated that he would move the portable speed sign on that street. The speed limit on residential streets is 25 mph. There was some frustration from the Council. A traffic study was done a few years back. The budget never afforded the cost of the signs. It was stated that the City needs to follow through with what is presented and approved. Enforcement is the key. Chief Gray stated he would review the new code and review the traffic study and come back with information, and the Council can start from there.
Tyler Faddis from Jones DeMille was present at the meeting. He introduction himself, his office in in Manti. He has extensive knowledge with sewer reuse.
REPORTS/ACTION ITEMS – BOARDS/COMMITTEES/OFFICERS:
Planning Commission
Richard Cox, 36 South 100 West, Green House Permit. Richard Cox would like to put in a greenhouse. It will take approximately a year to get it going. He is seeking approval of the City Council that they will approve a business license for the spring house when he has it done. He plans on raising leafy greens. It will not be a public green house. It will be a wholesale greenhouse. The system for growing will be hydroponic. Traffic is not an issue. He plans on running new utilities to the greenhouse. There will be no wastewater or waste. There may be lights at night (light pollution). He has talked to his neighbors. He is willing to put up black tarps at night if needed. Councilman Matt Sorensen moved to go forward to get the design and initial paperwork for the County, and then, start process for the business license to proceed with his business venture with the green house. Councilman Mike Mackay seconded the motion. The voting was unanimous in favor of.
Fire Department
Nathan Miner Fire Department Update. Councilman Brad Welch express his thanks for the firework show on the 24th of July. Nathan Miner briefed the City Council on the activity of the fire department. This year there have been 15 fires, 9 car crashes, and 2 smoke alarm calls. Along with the calls there was a fuel spill at Millers. Most of this activity has been since July 29th. Fire restrictions went into place on June 1st. The restriction is more stringent than the State’s restriction. No open burning at all. The only exception is a prepared fire pit, less than three feet in diameter. There must be water present. No cutting grinding/welding outside if possible.
Just had an ISO survey inspection. As of August 1st, the rating changed from a six to a five. This rate change will help with the homeowners’ insurance. The last survey with ISO was ten years ago.
Police Department
Chief Steve Gray – Police Department Update. Purchased six cameras. They have been set up at the sports park. Steve Gray briefed the City Council on the activity within the police department. Activity has been busy. Numbers were shown via presentation. A grant was received in January of 2020 for $7,000. It was used to purchase equipment. Another $4,500 is available. A DUI grant was also received. There are five more DUI shifts available and need to be done by the end of September. There have been some animal and nuisance calls. The animal ordinance is awesome. The nuisance ordinance needs some work– need to look into updating it. An evidence audit was performed. It is a good idea when a new chief comes in that an audit be performed. Looking at implementing a “No” program with the school. This program goes over drugs, crimes, accountability, etc.
Update with Cares Act Funds. Councilman Brad Welch stated that the State received money, and the money was divided by population through counties, cities, etc. Those who choose to apply for this money must adhere strictly to the rules associated with the money. Small amount of money can be used for administration. The money received was around $120,000. Have purchased a plex-glass cage for the police vehicle. Will use some to finish the bathrooms at the sports park and upgrading bathroom facilities throughout City property. It will be hygiene related. No touch facets, dispensers, and handstand sanitizers stations. Gary Keddington will help the City with the accounting of the money. It needs to be spent by December 31, 2020.
Seeking Approval to go After Funds for Completion of Sports Park. President Donald Trump passed the “Great American Outdoors” act. Mayor Dave Taylor would like to apply for money to finish the sports park. He also met with DNR. If approval is granted would like to get started in January. Lee R. Sorensen will help with ball fields. If the City Council will give him the okay, he will start the application. To get the sports park finished, it will take a lot of volunteers. There will need to be committees, etc. This type of money usually has a 50/50 match. There is no guarantee for the money but would like to try. Councilman Brad Welch moved to allow Mayor Taylor to seek funding under this “Act” to finish the sports park. Councilman Matt Sorensen Seconded the motion. The voting was unanimous in favor of.
Mayor Taylor mentioned that there are trail funds available for nonmotorized trails. It is a 50/50 match. This project would allow the City to finish the berm with a walking path. This money needs to be applied for by April. It will be award in June. Councilman Brad Welch stated this would fall under the prior conversation and motion.
Topsoil Replacement at Ball Fields by City Shop. The sprinkler line at the ball field is in place. The fields can be watered in two days. The fields are very uneven. Branch Cox has been contacted to go in and blade the ground and smooth it out. The fields need to be raised with topsoil. With the layout of the fields, only two games can be played at one time. Suggest doing away with the third field. Would like to bring in new topsoil and sand to replace the infields. There is a five-foot elevation difference in the fields. The fields will be out of commission for another year. Mayor Dave Taylor would like the City Council to allow him to use money from the PTIF account to accomplish this project. Councilman Brad Welch asked what the plan was to move the dirt– will this go out to bid. It would take approximately 260 loads of topsoil to accomplish this project. This would be more than the City employees could take on. To have community help would put a great burden on the City if an instance were to happen. Councilman Brad Welch moved to proceed with bids and then bring the bids back to the Council to review. Councilman Matt Sorensen seconded the motion. The voting was unanimous in favor of.
Seeking Funding from FEMA and Utah State Fire Funds to Clean Cottonwood Creek. Mayor Dave Taylor met with Tom Peterson, County fire warden. Zach Leavitt from 6-County is working on a new mitigation plan for 6-County. Fairview City has an opportunity of funds from FEMA regarding mitigation of flood. Need approval from the Council to proceed with applications. If funding is received, then the plan is to rebuild the creek. Councilman Brad Welch moved to go after funding and then return and report before accepting funding. Councilman Mike MacKay seconded the motion. The voting was unanimous in favor of.
Beautification Awards. The following are recipients of the beautification award: Phil and Ruth Benson, Lynn and Dawnie Bridges, and Gilbert and Rosa Dewolf.
CFPP Power Project Update. This project is five years into planning and two years into the permitting process. The next step is budget and finance. They are asking for more money for further planning and study. There are risks where it is the first of its kind. The City has until the 30th of September to decide if they want to continue with the project. Need to think long-term. If coal and gas get pushed away, there are not a lot of choices. Councilman Casey Anderson asked the Council to review and think about this. Final decision will need to be made next month.
Enforcement of Ordinances and Animal Ordinances. Councilman Casey Anderson had four citizens ask about four different ordinances– with dogs and cats, is there a leash law, vehicles parking too close to the road, tall grass fire hazards, speed of vehicles and ATVs. Councilman Anderson asked how we want to enforce the ordinances? Mayor Dave Taylor said to have them call the City office. It needs to be documented.
Follow-up Discussion on Deer Study. Mayor Dave Taylor assigned Councilman Casey Anderson and Councilman Brad Welch to count the number of residential deer in the City. Councilman Welch flew a drone over the City. Findings were that it is not a city-wide problem but a localized problem. Most of the deer can be found along the creek bed. It was suggested that DNR be contacted and get their opinion on the localized issue instead of a city-wide issue. It may be as simple as clearing out the creek bed. Deer are prone to go where there is water, feed, and shelter. Mayor Taylor asked Councilman Anderson to contact DNR see what their recommendation would be and come next month and report.
INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES:
Resolution No. 2020-14R; A Resolution of the City Council of Fairview Adopting City Council Rules of Order. It is required that all cities adopt some rules of procedure. Fairview City has not put in place these rules. After some discussion, Councilman Brad Welch moved to approve Resolution No. 2020-14R with the following amendment: paragraph six, … or at the direction of the Mayor or a least one (1) member of the Council. Councilman Cliff Wheeler seconded the motion. The voting was unanimous in favor of.
MAYOR REPORTS:
Mayor Dave Taylor stated that Kacey Young was hired as a groundman for the City. He started August 17th. Come the first of the year, he will start the school. It will take four to five years to complete. This job has a six-month probation period.
The City experienced a power outage Tuesday, August 18th, Mt. Pleasant City had a transformer go down. A few years back, the City had purchased an extra one. This transformer happened be what they needed. Mt. Pleasant came and got it to replace the one that went out on them. Will start looking for another transformer that is the same size the City is using. Like to look at get another
It is the goal to go paperless. It was asked if the Council would like to have a tablet. The consensus was no. The Council was okay using their phones. Mayor Taylor is looking into using the “cloud” for storage. Les Olson has a program for this. The cost is $4,000 upfront with yearly service cost of $200. Mayor Taylor will study this further.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:
Councilman Casey Anderson moved to approve the vouchers from July 15, 2020 to
August 18, 2020. Councilman Cliff Wheeler seconded the motion. The voting was unanimous in favor of.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilman Mike MacKay moved to adjourn meeting at 9:45 p.m. Councilman Matt Sorensen seconded motion. Motion carried in favor of.
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