St. George


City Council

Thursday, March 4,2010
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 4, 2010, 4:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Councilmember Gail Bunker
Councilmember Gloria Shakespeare
Councilmember Ben Nickle
Councilmember Jon Pike
Councilmember Gil Almquist
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
City Recorder Gay Cragun

EXCUSED:
City Manager Gary Esplin


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

Mayor McArthur invited several Scouts in the audience to introduce themselves.

Art Museum Curator Deborah Reeder presented a power point presentation on the Art Museum and its current exhibit.

Sgt. First Class Joe Bowcutt of the National Guard, on behalf of the Triple Deuce, presented a Minuteman statue to the Mayor and City Council in recognition of their support of the National Guard.

Wayne Hoffel, Lions Club Dixie Round-Up Rodeo Chairman, presented the Mayor and City Council with a plaque which was presented to the Lions Club for 75 years of rodeo. He advised there are only six rodeos in the United States which have been operating for 75 years.

Mayor McArthur invited several more Scouts in the audience to introduce themselves.

TABLE ITEM:
Mayor McArthur advised that Item 2B to consider approval of a contract with Alpha Engineering for the airport off-site water system construction management is tabled from the agenda.

APPROVAL OF BLANKET CONTRACT: Consider approval of a blanket contract with Structural Review Contractors.

Purchasing Manager Connie Hood recommended that an annual blanket contract be awarded to Caldwell Richards, Kimball Engineering, and Mesa Engineering, a local vendor, for use on a rotational basis in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the year, for review of commercial plans.

Development Services Director Matt Loo explained the contract is for structural engineering review of commercial plans, which the City cannot do in-house.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich explained the engineering fee is paid for by building permit fees.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Bunker to award the blanket contract as recommended.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Shakespeare.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.
St. George City Council Minutes
March 4, 2010
Page Two

APPROVAL OF CONTRACT:
Consider approval of a contract with Alpha Engineering for airport off-site water system construction management.

This item was tabled.

AWARD OF BID:
Consider award of bid for the airport pump station.

Purchasing Manager Connie Hood advised there were seven bidders. She recommended award of the bid to the low bidder, All-Star Construction, a local company, in the amount of $219,255.15. Since All-Star Construction is a new vendor, they have been made aware of the City’s e-verify requirement and release forms.

Councilmember Pike inquired about the engineer’s estimate.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich advised this is part of the Replacement Airport project and is within the original budget.

Scott Taylor advised the engineer’s estimate was $250,000.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Pike to award the bid to All-Star Construction.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Almquist.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

ADDENDUM TO AGREEMENT:
Consider approval of an addendum to agreement with Creamer & Noble for additional project engineering at the Replacement Airport.

Purchasing Manager Connie Hood advised the addendum is in an amount not to exceed $129,490.82.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich advised this addendum is for the design and construction management of roads and utilities in the newly expanded FBO and GA areas. She recommended approval subject to legal review.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Pike to approve the addendum subject to legal review.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bunker.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

Councilmember Almquist inquired if the City was saving money by dividing the Replacement Airport contracts into smaller increments rather than one large contract.

Ms. Hood replied this is saving the City money.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich advised that some of the smaller projects are added as funds are available and when the City has a better idea of what construction management will entail as well as construction costs.

St. George City Council Minutes
March 4, 2010
Page Three

Councilmember Bunker commented that last week when a tour of the airport was taken, the City Council suggested that the windows on the north side of the terminal be made larger. She inquired about the status of this project.

Public Works Director Larry Bulloch replied that the windows will be made as tall as possible up to the ceiling. He advised that the first full ribbon of asphalt has been laid the entire length of the runway. This is a 17 day paving project for just the runway, and crews will work every day until it is finished. He advised the runway must be completed so that FAA NAVAID schedules can be met. The FAA has to survey the runway once it is complete and certify it.

Mayor McArthur advised that the runway will be 150' wide plus the aprons, and this is 50' wider than the existing airport runway and half a mile longer.

Councilmember Shakespeare inquired if change orders were being approved in a timely manner.

Mr. Bulloch replied that they were. They are being approved simultaneously by both the City Council and Legal Department.

SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT:
Consider approval of a special event permit for a charity bike ride. Margaret Gibson, applicant.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich explained the charity ride is called Spokes for Hope and the beneficiary will be the Dove Center. The applicant is requesting a waiver of the special event permit fee, closure of Main Street between Tabernacle and 100 South on April 10 from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The applicant is also requesting City sponsorship in order to use its water coolers and tables.

Margaret Gibson, applicant, explained the ride will be for women only, for all age and fitness levels.

Ms. Brklacich advised the applicant has had the security and road plans approved and submitted a certificate of insurance.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Shakespeare to approve the special event permit and City sponsorship of the event.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Almquist.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

ACCEPT DONATION:
Consider acceptance of a donation of 15 acres in the Sand Hollow Wash.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich explained the property is located adjacent to the Cliffs of Snow Canyon Subdivision at Entrada.

Bill Swensen presented a power point presentation of the subject site. The site consists of 15.24 acres.

Gary Banks, President of The Cliffs HOA, introduced board members. He explained that one year ago the developer of The Cliffs decided to turn the Association over to the HOA. One of the first things they did was hire an engineering company who advised them they inherited undevelopable ground in the Sand Hollow Wash which was a liability and a risk because of potential flooding. The engineer suggested the HOA find a governmental entity to donate the property to and who would be in a better position to manage the risk. The board decided it would be best to gift the property to the City, who may at some point in time put a trail up the wash which connects to the Red Desert Preserve.
The HOA is pleased to donate the land to the City.

St. George City Council Minutes
March 4, 2010
Page Four

Mayor McArthur advised the City tries to acquire all river bottom and hillsides in order to protect them. He stated this donation was a great gesture and he thanked the board for the donation.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Almquist to accept the donation.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Pike.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

SEPTIC TANK:
Consider approval of a septic tank for a home in the fields area. Randy Freston, applicant.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich explained the City has approved septic tanks for other properties in the fields area.

Mayor McArthur advised that the applicant will sign a letter agreeing to hook to the sewer when it is extended in front of his property.

Ms. Brklacich advised that the applicant will sign a development agreement stating he will not oppose and will participate in hooking to the sewer when the facilities are extended in front of his property.

City Attorney Shawn Guzman advised that the agreement is recorded so that all subsequent owners of the property are made aware of the obligation to hook to the sewer.

Councilmember Bunker inquired if there was a time frame for hooking to the sewer.

Mr. Guzman replied that it must be done immediately after facilities are extended in front of the property.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Shakespeare to approve the use of the septic tank.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Nickle.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

NET METERING POLICY REVISION:
Consider approval of a net metering policy revision.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich explained that staff has made revisions to the Net Metering Policy to make it clear who receives the green credits generated by solar energy.

Energy Services Director Phil Solomon explained the City’s Net Metering Policy has been in place for two years. There have been several commercial facilities who put solar on their facilities and have challenged other utilities over who gets the green credits. The City’s current policy states that the City will retain the renewable energy credits. After much research, it is recommended that the City’s policy be amended to read that if a customer accepts a rebate, then any renewable energy credits associated with that rebate shall be retained by the City. If the customer does not take the rebate, the customer will retain the renewable energy credits.
St. George City Council Minutes
March 4, 2010
Page Five

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Almquist to approve the policy revision.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bunker.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

APPROVAL OF GRANT:
Consider approval of a grant from the FAA for the Replacement Airport.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich explained this is an AIP grant. Each year the City receives this money and will continue to receive it through 2016. Each year the grant amount is between $10 and $11 million dollars. The City has a 5% match.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Pike to approve the grant.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Almquist.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

APPROVAL OF GRANT:
Consider approval of a Small Community Air Service Development Grant for marketing of the Replacement Airport.

Budget and Financial Planning Manager Deanna Brklacich explained that this was the first time Marc Mortensen applied for the grant.

Marc Mortensen advised that St. George is one of only 19 communities who received the grant. There is a $20,000 local match and the City will receive $100,000. The money will be used to develop a business plan and marketing plan for the new airport and pay for expenses related to presentations to airlines in order to recruit them to the area. This will leave $40,000 for extra marketing for airlines who choose to provide air service here. The City was the only one in Utah to receive the grant. $6.45 million was the total amount of available grant this year, and next year $39 million will be available. The City’s match will come from the Economic Development Fund as the City has to use non-airport related funds for the local match.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Nickle to approve the grant.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Almquist.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

APPOINTMENTS:
Appointments to various boards and commissions of the City.

Mayor McArthur recommended the following appointments and reappointments be made:

St. George City Council Minutes
March 4, 2010
Page Six

Craig Fetzer to the Public Arts Committee.

Kim Campbell, Karl Brooks and Ramona Larsen to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Les Stoker, Ron Larson, Jim Wilber, Val Langston and Tom Kuhlmann to the Building Code Appeals Board. Scott Christensen and Kim Campbell as alternates to the Building Code Appeals Board.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Pike to make the appointments as recommended.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bunker.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

ACCEPT DONATION:
City Attorney Shawn Guzman advised that some years ago there was a multiple year donation agreement with Gary and Betty Carter for hillside around the Whisper Ridge Subdivision above Indian Hills Drive. The Carters have given the City the next installment of property, Tax ID SG 6-2-35-11002, for a total of approximately 10 acres. This property is located just below Whisper Ridge north beyond the subdivision to the end of the Carter’s property. There is one more installment to come to the City. He recommended that the City Council accept this donation of property as of January 1.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Bunker to accept the property donation.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Almquist.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Consider approval of the minutes of the February 11, 2010 City Council meeting.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Shakespeare to approve the minutes as presented.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bunker.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

Consider approval of the minutes of the February 18, 2010 City Council meeting.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Pike to approve the minutes as presented.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Shakespeare.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:


St. George City Council Minutes
March 4, 2010
Page Seven

Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

Consider approval of the minutes of the February 25, 2010 City Council meeting.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Nickle to approve the minutes as presented.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bunker.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Nickle - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

ADJOURN:
MOTION: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Pike.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bunker.
VOTE: Mayor McArthur called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Pike - aye
Councilmember Bunker - aye
Councilmember Shakespeare -aye
Councilmember Almquist - aye
Councilmember Nickle - aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.




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Gay Cragun, City Recorder