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ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK MEETING
APRIL 30, 2008, 5:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Jon PIke
Council Member Gloria Shakespeare
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Gail Bunker
Council Member Gil Almquist
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
City Recorder Gay Cragun
OPENING:
Mayor McArthur called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. The pledge of allegiance was led by Council Member Pike and the invocation was offered by Mayor McArthur.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mayor McArthur requested that those wishing to speak to the City Council limit their remarks to five minutes.
Gay Stuart explained that she volunteered at a local high school teaching illegal alien students the English language. She advised that for the most part they had no education. She also advised that they had not received any vaccinations. She inquired if illegal alien food handlers were required to be tested for diseases.
Larry Gardner requested that the City?s current policy on use of the Town Square be reconsidered.
Council Member Almquist arrived.
Mr. Gardner explained if use of the Town Square is left open for everyone, no one can be assured that they can utilize it. He requested that the City give some organizations the opportunity to schedule at least a portion of the Town Square so a large activity can be planned, such as a class reunion or family reunion.
Mr. Gardner was advised to contact Kent Perkins so this request can be accommodated.
Greg Stevens suggested the zoning in the downtown be increased, as the current RCC zone stagnates the area. He suggested that building height restrictions be lifted. He suggested that the Water Walk be expanded similar to the San Antonio River Walk and paid for with special impact fees assessed against buildings over three stories and through motel and hotel taxes. He suggested a committee be formed to investigate these possibilities.
Larry Morrison commended the City Council on adoption of an ordinance requiring compliance with federal laws governing employment eligibility and verification of workers by entities who contract for provision of services to the City, and inquired if a similar ordinance would be adopted with regard to business licensing.
Mr. Morrison was advised that the City?s legal department is currently working on this matter.
St. George City Council Minutes
April 30, 2008
Page Two
Margaret Heaton suggested that in these lean economic times, dog parks are unnecessary and the City should not be paying for special places for people to walk their dogs.
Frank Stuart thanked the City Council for installing the traffic signal on Snow Canyon Parkway. He inquired if citizens would have a vote on the Lake Powell pipeline issue.
Mayor McArthur encouraged Mr. Stuart to attend a documentary on the history of water in Utah, Monday at noon in the Water and Energy Services building. He commented that no community can ever have enough water, but that conservation also needed to be encouraged.
Council Member Shakespeare commented that Representative David Clark said he had no problem with putting the Lake Powell pipeline issue to a vote.
Joe Hagen inquired what type of aircraft will be able to use the new airport and what the weight bearing capacity of the runway will be.
Mayor McArthur replied that 737s will be able to use the runway.
Mr. Hagen inquired if the airport would be just a regional airport or used for direct routes to destinations across the United States.
Mayor McArthur replied it will be a replacement airport for jet traffic. The runway is 9,300 ft. in length with the capability of expanding to 11,000 ft. It will have service through United and Delta through Skywest, but this is non-exclusive so there is the possibility of other carriers using the airport.
Steve MacFarlane inquired if the original plan for the new airport was still in place or if cutbacks to the original plan had been made.
City Manager Gary Esplin replied the City has been in contact with Southwest Airlines and other airlines. However, the replacement airport will be located 100 miles from an international airport, and this will be an economic decision made by the airlines. The runway length has not been cut. The budget for the airport is $177,000,000, with the capability of adding future improvements. The new terminal building will be 27,000 sq. ft. The airport site consists of 1300 acres vs. 274 acres at the existing airport. There is plenty of room to expand for general aviation and jet carriers. The intent is to open the new airport January 1, 2011.
The meeting then adjourned.
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Gay Cragun, City Recorder |
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