City Council

Thursday, April 22,2004
Minutes



City of St. George Council Meeting
Special Meeting
April 22, 2004, 4:00 p.m.
Administrative Conference Room

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Rod Orton
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Bob Whatcott
Council Member Gail Bunker
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
Deputy City Recorder Ren? Fleming
Assistant to the City Manager Marc Mortensen

EXCUSED:
Council Member Larry Gardner

Opening:
Mayor McArthur called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Charlie Jergins. Pastor Larry Sharp offered the invocation.

Consider approval of an Interlocal Agreement with UDOT for a traffic control center.
Aaron Baker indicated the traffic control center is a branch of the center run in Salt Lake City. Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is matching City funds to cover the cost of the center.

Public Works Director Bulloch indicated space will be provided in City Hall for the UDOT personnel.

Aaron Baker indicated video feed will be brought into the office so staff can see how changing a signal affects traffic.

There was discussion concerning the traffic control system. Video cameras will be placed at all signals; information will be relayed via radio air waves. The agreement will enable equipment to be purchased

Council Member Allen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Orton to approve the Interlocal Agreement with UDOT for a traffic control center.

Council Member Whatcott asked about the cost of the project.

Public Works Director Bulloch indicated the cost is about $87,000 and is in the budget.

Council Member Allen amended the motion to approve the agreement subject to legal review and approval. Council Member Orton seconded the amended motion. Mayor McArthur called for a voted, all voted aye, motion passed.

Update on Public Works Projects
Public Works Director Bulloch presented a Power Point presentation on Public Works projects. The presentation included information on Red Hills Parkway, 200 East Connection, Highland Drive, Highland Drive and Skyline Drive Connection, River Road Phase II, Riverside Drive Phase IV, 400 East Storm Drain, Traffic Control Center and the Dixie Drive Bridge.

The group discussed options with regard to the Dixie Drive Bridge and the associated road work. The contractor was offered $65,000 if he guaranteed to complete the project by July 31, 2004. The contractor indicated to Public Works Director Bulloch that he will work to complete the project by July 31, 2004; however, he didn?t want to take the $65,000 because he may not be able to meet the deadline. The contractor made a counter proposal to make every attempt to finish the project by July 31, 2004 but if it is not completed by that date; penalties would not be assessed until September 22, 2004.

St. George City Council Minutes
April 22, 2004
Page Two

Public Works Director Bulloch recommended accepting the contractors counter offer.

Council Member Orton made a motion, seconded by Council Member Allen to accept the contractor?s proposal to get the entire project done by Sept. 22, 2004 or penalties? will be assessed. Mayor McArthur called for a voted, all voted aye, motion passed.

Public Works Director Bulloch indicated there have been circumstances such as right of way issues beyond the departments control that have slowed some projects. He asked for direction on whether to meet deadlines even if it means increased costs or to try to contain costs resulting in a delay in project completion.

Council Member Orton indicated the Public Works Department set the deadlines.

Public Works Director Bulloch explained some of the problems involved with right of way issues and traffic control on the 200 East Connection project at the intersection at Main/Hope Street. He indicated meetings have been held with the residents in the neighborhood and a round about is the favored option. Building a round about will take more time and money than closing the intersection.

Council Member Orton asked why the intersection isn?t being closed as that was the decision made earlier.

There was discussion regarding closing the intersection. The Main/Hope Street connection is one of the main circulation patterns in town. If it is closed, it will adversely affect the flow of traffic through the City. There was discussion regarding the deadlines and that Public Works has for project completion and if those deadlines are to be met regardless of the cost.

Mayor McArthur commented that the council?s objective is to accomplish certain tasks at a reasonable cost. The time frame can be moved if needed.

City Manager Esplin indicated with regard to closing the intersection due to concern of neighborhoods, how would the council address a request from the neighborhoods to close an intersection on 700 South, a major traffic flow area.

Aaron Baker indicated staff would like to maintain traffic flow on Skyline Drive going up the hill by widening it to two lanes. 200 East from Red Hills Parkway is a through street from James Waldo to City Hall. Skyline will come to a stop sign at the sharp curve.

City Manager Esplin explained he was not aware the issue of deadlines versus project costs was going to be brought up at this meeting. He has not communicated to the Public Works Department any concern from the council regarding deadlines on projects. He indicated it isn?t appropriate to ask the council for a decision on procedures and policies without providing information on the issue in advance.

Mayor McArthur commented it?s a matter of being informed on the projects so that he and the council can provide accurate information to the public.

City Manager Esplin suggested keeping the council better informed on the project deadlines if they change from the original estimate.

Aaron Baker displayed a model of projected traffic flow in 10 years on Hope Street, 400 North, Main Street and Red Hills Parkway. The neighborhood wants a round about to keep traffic moving slowly. Currently trucks are a major concern; they travel down the road quickly and make a lot of noise.

Public Works Director Bulloch asked if there will be any change in direction with regard to meeting deadlines versus increased project costs.

Mayor McArthur indicated there will be further discussion in this issue at other meetings.


St. George City Council Minutes
April 22, 2004
Page Three

Executive session

Council Member Allen made a motion, seconded by Council Member Whatcott to go into executive session to discuss litigation issues. Mayor McArthur called for a vote; all voted aye, motion passed.

Reconvene
Council Member Orton made a motion, seconded by Council Member Whatcott to reconvene the regular session. Mayor McArthur called for a vote; all voted aye, motion passed.

Consider approval of Condemnation Resolution for a right of way on Highland Drive.
Council Member Orton made a motion, seconded by Council Member Whatcott to approve a Condemnation Resolution for a right of way on Highland Drive. Mayor McArthur called for a roll call vote.

Council Member Whatcott, aye
Council Member Bunker, aye
Council Member Allen, aye
Council Member Orton, aye
Motion carried.

Adjourn

Council Member Allen made a motion seconded by Council Member Whatcott to adjourn the meeting. Mayor McArthur called for a vote; all voted aye, motion passed.

Minutes recorded by:

___________________________________ _________________
Ren? Fleming Deputy City Recorder Date