City Council

Thursday, February 12,2009
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK MEETING
FEBRUARY 12, 2009, 4:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Gloria Shakespeare
Council Member Gail Bunker
Council Member Jon Pike
Council Member Gil Almquist
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
Deputy City Recorder Judith Mayfield

OPENING:
Mayor McArthur called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. The Mayor led the meeting in the pledge of allegience and the invocation was offered by Pastor Jimi Kestin.

PRESENTATION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT: Police Chief Marlon Stratton thanked the Mayor and Council Members for allowing him the opportunity to talk to them about his department and its activities. Chief Stratton stated that gang activities continue to increase in the community. He provided statistics about the staffing numbers of the patrol division and how that has had a positive impact on reducing gang incidents, drug problems and accidents. He also talked about the School Resource Officers and their effectiveness in the schools. Chief Stratton described the organizational structure of the Drug and Gang Task Force Unit and how the Unit works hand in hand with the local ICE agents and other community law enforcement agencies. He introduced Officers Aaron Bergquist and Johnnie Heppler as members of the Unit.

Officers Aaron Bergquist and Johnnie Heppler presented a power point presentation on the Washington County Gang Task Force. The officers discussed various strategies that they use to track gang members. They reviewed the different partnerships that have been established in the community and with other law enforcement agencies. The officers ended the presentation by describing the 2009 Goals of the Drug Task Force Unit.

Mayor McArthur thanked Chief Stratton and Officers Aaron Bergquist and Johnnie Heppler for their presentation and for their commitment to their roles in the Police Department.

DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED CONSERVATION GARDEN AND HCP INTERPRETIVE CENTER ADJACENT TO THE NEW WASHINGTON COUNTY WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT BUILDING:
City Manager Gary Esplin introduced Laura Taylor, Parks Planning Manager, and stated that she would be discussing the progress that has been made on the proposed Conservation Garden and an HCP Interpretive Center.

Ms. Taylor presented a power point presentation entitled Red Hills Desert Garden. Ms. Taylor stated that a project team had been established and talked about the meetings that had been held. She explained that the project team had identified a number of site

St. George City Council Minutes
February 12, 2009
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constraints and reviewed a draft concept that had been developed with recommendations from the Habitat Conservation Advisory Committee and a technical committee.

Mr. Ron Thompson of the Washington County Water Conservancy District stated that he believed they could obtain grant money from the Fish and Wildlife Agency and other agencies to help with the project. He said that he believed that if different agencies would work together they could get the funding and be able to create a unique community feature.

Mr. Bob Sandberg, Acting Administrator and Biologist for the HCP, explained that the HCP had been looking for a place for an Education Center.

City Manager Gary Esplin asked Mr. Sandberg if the HCP had funding for an Education Center.

Mr. Sandberg stated that the county isn?t in a position to start building immediately because of the economy. He said they have some money that could be put toward the plan. He said they would want to have a building for both the education component and the interpretative center along with office space for HCP.

A brief discussion was held about the proposed uses and how the land could be used without a negative impact to any of the protected species in the area.

Mayor McArthur said they should continue to investigate funding and other partnerships.
City Manager Gary Esplin said they should plan a field trip and go to the site and discuss the possibilities.

Mayor McArthur called for a brief break. Upon conclusion of the break, the meeting continued.

City Manager Gary Esplin stated that SITLA is expecting the City to maintain Southern Corridor medians and landscaping at a cost of $3,600 per acre per year. He said his concern is that he wants the medians maintained but there?s no money. Mr. Esplin said that SITLA should create something to pay for the maintenance.

A brief discussion was held about SITLA expectations and the impact to the City?s budget.

City Manager Gary Esplin stated that two sites need to be designated for parks in Sun River. He explained that the City has been collecting impact fees for that purpose and that the City has an obligation to build the parks. In the past, representatives from Sun River have not been cooperative with the City with regard to designating land for a fire station. Mr. Esplin suggested that the City take a firm stand with Sun River in order to get the land designated for the two parks.

Mayor McArthur directed City Manager Esplin not to issue any additional permits for Sun River until they designate the land for the parks.


St. George City Council Minutes
February 12, 2009
Page Three

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.



Judith Mayfield, Deputy City Recorder