DEDICATION OF FOREST PARK: Held on site. The meeting then reconvened at the City Office.
DISCUSSION RE REQUEST FROM DIXIE COLLEGE:
President Nadauld explained that in order to get access to the new Holland Building and Plaza, they would like the City’s help to build a teardrop on 300 South. The College is over budget on the project. The cost of the teardrop is approximately $350,000, which includes everything. This will complete the plans for an attractive entrance to this part of the campus. He expressed gratitude to the City for the partnership that has always existed between the College and City. He stated the College has always promoted economic development. The racquetball courts will be torn down as part of the Holland Building and Plaza project.
Stan Plewe advised that the College is moving ahead with its plans to acquire East Elementary by having the property appraised. The College will be announcing that East Elementary is on its list of acquisitions as they do not want anyone else to acquire the property. The School District is enthusiastic about it.
Councilmember Bunker commented that the City has helped other educational facilities such as the Dixie ATC. She stated that 300 South is a City street and she is in favor of helping the College if possible.
Mayor McArthur commented the City has already committed its budget up through June 30.
Councilmember Almquist inquired who would maintain the teardrop.
President Nadauld replied that the teardrop would become State property. The College would work with the City for a lease of the street so it would be maintained by the College.
City Manager Gary Esplin commented that the City has no problem letting the College utilize the street as long as they take care of access for emergency vehicles. There must be a dedicated right-of-way of a certain width. He stated that College maintenance of the road could be a trade-off long term as maintenance costs would not have to be born by the City. He stated that this is really a pavement management
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April 26, 2012
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issue rather than building a new road. It is making an existing road more functional. He stated he thought that Economic Development funds could be used for this purpose, as well as funds from the Road Improvement fund, and Pavement Management fund. However, it will be a question of priorities. He stated that the City could have an answer for the College within 30 days.
Councilmember Nickle arrived.
A field trip to the new Plaza was planned for Friday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. and again at noon on Monday, April 30.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSIONS:
City Manager Gary Esplin advised that Bill Hickman’s daughter would like to rent the Pendleton home in the downtown area for use as a hair salon and boutique for one year. They are offering $600 a month. The City will continue to maintain the outside, and the tenants will pay the utilities. The City will have to approve all improvements made to the home. It was the consensus of the City Council to proceed.
City Manager Gary Esplin announced that the Ironman will continue in St. George with the last three years of its contract with a 70.3 mile Ironman, or half of an Ironman. It will be a qualifier for the Las Vegas World Championships.
Mayor McArthur advised he received a request to put stuffers in utility bills for a fundraising project at the Plaza by the new Holland building.
It was suggested that instead the fundraiser could be advertised through a link on the City’s website and in the Inside St. George magazine.
Mayor McArthur advised that Andy Callahan would like to use the old airport for an organized 1/8 mile timed event. Insurance will have to be provided in the amount of $3,000,000. The City Council determined it would like to hear the noise level before approving the event.
City Manager Gary Esplin advised that if it is held at the southern end of the old airport it would not disturb anyone.
Public Works Director Larry Bulloch advised that Ryan Marshall met with Ed Rogers of the Dixie ATC and identified a possible option for bus service without having to add another bus. The bus will stop at the Dixie ATC every two hours, however, this will mean bus services will be late by ten minutes at the regular stops throughout the rest of the City
City Manager Gary Esplin expressed concern that regular bus riders will be inconvenienced. He inquired how many would be riding the bus from the Dixie ATC.
He suggested that perhaps three stops a day could be made at the Dixie ATC, rather than every two hours.
Councilmember Pike suggested a survey should be completed before anything is changed.
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April 26, 2012
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Mayor McArthur commented the City prides itself on being on time and he did not want to take away from the reliability of the bus service. He stated that Dixie ATC
should be providing projected ridership numbers before the City moves ahead with this change.
DISCUSSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT HOUSING:
Community Development Director Bob Nicholson recapped the City’s parking requirements. With occupancy up to four, two spaces per unit are required. With occupancy up to six, one parking space per bed is required. 90% of students in off-campus housing have a car, and if parking is not available at their complex, they will park on the street or on neighboring properties. The options are: leaving the parking requirements as is, allowing additional building height for under-building parking or providing a discount on the street impact fee for providing one parking space per bed.
Planning Commission Chairman Ron Bracken commented that almost every student has a car, and friends who come to visit them have cars. He stated he could not see why the City would want to create a parking problem when it didn’t have to.
Stan Plewe advised that 49% of students living on campus have cars.
Dennis Garr commented that the City’s current parking requirements do not make sense.
Councilmember Bunker inquired if the City could investigate the idea of an overlay zone to encourage campus housing and then give a variance for height for under-building parking.
City Manager Gary Esplin commented the problem is if college housing does not have more to offer than its proximity to the College, it will turn into family housing.
Community Development Director Bob Nicholson advised that he will work with Stan Plewe on survey numbers and come back with a recommendation.
ADJOURN:
MOTION: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Almquist.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nickle.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:
