City Council

Thursday, January 29,2004
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK MEETING
JANUARY 29,2004, 3:30 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Larry Gardner
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Rod Orton
Council Member Bob Whatcott
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
City Recorder Gay Cragun

EXCUSED:
Council Member Sharon Isom


SITE VISIT TO VIRGIN RIVER FLOOD PLAIN IN BLOOMINGTON:
A site visit was made to the Virgin River flood plain area on the east side of Bloomington Gardens Subdivision.

DISCUSSION RE IRVINE RANCH MODEL:
Finance Director Phil Peterson explained that Irvine Ranch has an advantage over the City as they are one developer and do not charge impact fees. The City?s concern is how rates will be set in relation to and based on its current financial situation. While he initially was skeptical about how the model could be built into the City?s position financially, he now thinks it may be possible. He did not, however, want to incorporate the Irvine Ranch model into the City?s old software, and then have to pay again to have it implemented in new software. The model will be compatible with the City?s new software, however, there will be an additional cost to install it as it is outside of the normal software package. There are hardware issues holding up implementation of the new software. It is estimated that the new software will be installed in six months, with installation of the Irvine Ranch model in one year.

Council Member Gardner inquired if it would be implemented all at once or in certain areas of the City at different times.

Mr. Peterson replied that this would depend on the amount of money allocated.

Council Member Gardner inquired as to the method used to determine the number of gallons allowed per user.

Conservation Coordinator Ren? Fleming advised that the number of gallons would be determined by a scientific formula based on irrigatable lot size and climate.

Council Member Gardner commented that the Irvine Ranch model base rate covered all of Irvine Ranch?s capital demands. He inquired if there was a combination where not all of the fixed costs would be covered by the base rate, realizing that the City will always have usage.

Mr. Peterson replied that the two would have to be split, and this is why it will take a minimum of six months after installation of the software to implement the model. An analysis of the rates and equipment needs must be done, as well as a survey of each lot to determine how many people are in the home, irrigatable landscape area and type, etc.

City Manager Gary Esplin commented that when impact fees are collected must also be looked at. It everything is funded through impact fees, there will not be enough collected to do all the capital work, and there must be some combination.

Carol Sapp commented the Irvine Ranch model appealed to her because through conservation less infrastructures is needed thereby reducing the amount needed in the long run. Impact fees will increase if the City continues to build for the peak and water is not conserved. This plan will result in a lesser need in terms of capital facilities within the same amount of time.

Water Superintendent Frank Kell commented that build out is done for fire protection, whether for one house or 20, the line is sized accordingly to maximum build-out.

Council Member Allen inquired if a large increase in the base rate would be needed.

Mr. Peterson replied that he did not yet know.

Council Member Whatcott suggested that the calculations be made as soon as possible.

Mr. Peterson distributed a handout exhibiting water sales by rate code. He advised that he would begin working on calculations for the base rate.

DISCUSSION RE BLOOMINGTON HILLS SEWER EXTENSION:
Water Services Director Barry Barnum explained that there are many sewer lines behind homes and between properties in the Bloomington Hills area that the City cannot reach for regular cleaning. If these lines had to be repaired, the City would have to take out landscaping and remove block walls and fences, etc. to get into backyards. He displayed a map of the lots affected. He suggested that a policy be adopted to let the homeowners know that if they deny access, the City will not clean the line. If a repair is required, the City will take down a wall or remove landscaping in order to make the repair, but replacement is the homeowner?s responsibility and will be done at their expense. He proposed that a notice be provided to a section of Bloomington Hills at a time. Additionally, as areas are cleaned and crews find that a line is inaccessible, they would make note of this and provide a notice to the homeowner.

DISCUSSION REGARDING A WATER WASTE ORDINANCE:
Water Services Director Barry Barnum distributed a copy of the proposed Water Conservation Ordinance and explained that while usage is low, it would be a good time to introduce the ordinance which would prohibit the watering of driveways or sidewalks.

Conservation Coordinator Ren? Fleming explained that the ordinance was modeled after similar ordinances throughout the southwest, and it is common for communities to have a water waste ordinance.

The ordinance will be scheduled on a City Council agenda.

ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A motion to adjourn to an executive session was made by Council Member Gardner and seconded by Council Member Orton. Mayor McArthur called for a roll call vote, as follows:

Council Member Gardner - aye
Council Member Orton - aye
Council Member Allen - aye
Council Member Whatcott - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

RECONVENE:
A motion to reconvene was made by Council Member Orton and seconded by Council Member Whatcott. Mayor McArthur called for a vote, and all voted aye. The motion carried.

DISCUSSION RE WATER POOLING:
Water Services Director Barry Barnum explained that a proposal has been made by the Washington County Water Conservancy District that water be provided to cities through the District. The County would be the wholesaler and all users would share in the cost of water treatment and expansion at the Quail Creek Treatment Plant. It was suggested the Vegas model be used to pool resources within the County to benefit all. He then distributed a hand-out concerning the pooling scenario and reviewed it. He explained that the District would become the local water purveyor and sell water to communities at wholesale rates after it is treated who would then retail it to its customer cities. This would eliminate competition and conflict between communities and would allow the communities to take advantage of the lowest cost sources first.

A discussion took place concerning the structure of the governing board. It was the consensus of those present to pursue the recommendation.

DISCUSSION REGARDING REUSE WATER:
City Manager Gary Esplin advised that the reuse project has been delayed six months because of the EA. It may be possible to separate the project into two sections, thereby allowing the City to at least proceed with one portion. Water Services Director Barry Barnum will check into this.

MISCELLANEOUS:
A discussion took place concerning the need to master plan the Middleton area.

The meeting then adjourned.



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Gay Cragun, City Recorder