City Council

Thursday, February 26,2004
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK MEETING
FEBRUARY 26, 2004, 4:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM

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

EXCUSED:
Council Member Sharon Isom
Council Member Rod Orton

OPENING:
Mayor McArthur called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. He invited several Scouts in the audience to introduce themselves. The pledge of allegiance was led by Scout Cameron Ivie, and the invocation was offered by Mayor McArthur.

Council Member Gardner arrived.

Mayor McArthur invited another Scout to introduce himself.

DISCUSSION RE PROPOSED PROJECT AT DINOSAUR SITE:
Council Member Allen introduced Joe Iacuzzo and Eric Thompson from Paleo Consulting, LLC and explained that they recently delivered a presentation to the St. George Dinosaur Tracks at Johnson Farm Board of Directors with regard to the services Paleo Consulting can provide.

Mr. Iacuzzo explained that Paleo Consulting specializes in consulting work and has worked with exhibits, museums and developers all over the world developing dinosaur-themed exhibitions since 1996.

Mr. Eric Thompson presented a power point presentation explaining their past experience in exhibits, attractions and tours, the scope of services offered, project planning, creative deisgn, exhibit construction oversight, funding acquisition, and consulting. Paleo Consulting can create a master plan, working with the City and scientists to decide what belongs in the museum and what story to tell. They also can write grants for funding acquisition, an education program, and marketing of the facility. Their fee would be based on a percentage of all funds secured for the project.

MISCELLANEOUS:
Council Member Gardner advised he received a complaint from a bicyclist that cars are blocking the bike paths when stopped for traffic lights at the intersection of

Snow Canyon Parkway and Highway 18. He suggested that signs be installed advising motorists not to block the bike paths.

Mayor McArthur advised that he received a complaint about a 4' wall that blocked the site distance of motorists in the area of the new fire station in Dixie Downs.

Staff was not aware of a site distance problem in this area and will research it.

DISCUSSION RE SIGN AT SANDSTONE VILLAGE:
City Manager Gary Esplin explained that T. J. Maxx would like to install a sign on 100 South in front of their new project even though they do not have frontage along this street and the sign would be considered an off-premise sign The sign would be a joint sign advertising T. J. Maxx and Fazoli?s. The Sign Review Board approved the sign. Mr. Esplin advised that according to City Code, the T. J. Maxx project would be allowed to install five signs along their frontage, however, they are only requested permission for three, including the one on 100 South. He inquired of the City Council if they would like to grant permission for the sign on 100 South subject to the conditions that only three signs be installed for this project.

It was the consensus of the City Council to approve placement of the sign on 100 South with the stipulation suggested by the City Manager.

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

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

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

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

DISCUSSION RE POWER RATES:
City Manager Gary Esplin explained that large commercial customers are paying less for power than City?s cost. Staff has looked at the way the billing brackets are structured in an effort to remedy this situation.

Finance Director Phil Peterson explained that large commercial customers are on a demand system with a very restricted rate, and as a class pay just a little bit less than the City?s actual cost for the power. In trying to obtain equity for the class, there may be inequity for individuals. He suggested that the rate increase be addressed in two separate issues - the first as an across-the-board rate increase of 8% on April 1, with another adjustment at a later date based on usage type. An 8% increase in April would provide a reserve of 2% by the end of 2005, with a 6.7% reserve by the end of 2006, gradually building to a 10-13% reserve.

City Manager Gary Esplin commented this would still leave the City with the lowest rates in the immediate area except for Dixie REA?s.

Mayor McArthur updated the City Council on a recent library meeting.

The meeting then adjourned.



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Gay Cragun, City Recorder