St. George


City Council

Thursday, January 13,2011
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK MEETING
JANUARY 13, 2011, 4:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM

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

OPENING:
Mayor McArthur called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. The pledge of allegiance was led by Gay Cragun and the invocation was offered by Reverend Alex Wilkie.

PRESENTATION ON THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY CUSTOMER CHARGE:
Energy Services Director Phil Solomon and Conservation Coordinator René Fleming presented a power point presentation entitled “Energy Efficiency and Reliability Program” covering the following topics: Why Energy Efficiency?, Energy Efficiency Programs, Energy Efficiency Improvement Rebates, Other Programs Considered, Reliability, How to Pay For Mandates, What Other Utilities Do, and Possible Customer Charge. Mr. Solomon recommended a separate customer charge.

DISCUSSION REGARDING COMBINING THE PUBLIC ARTS COMMITTEE AND ARTS COMMISSION:
City Councilmember Gail Bunker explained that the Arts Commission receives $34,000 a year to reallocate to arts organizations who apply for grants. The Public Arts Committee makes recommendations to the City Council about purchases for the City’s permanent art collection, in the downtown area specifically. Both boards could be combined to perform all functions.

A discussion was held on whether or not members of this new board should be residents of the City of St. George in order to spend City funds. City Manager Gary Esplin suggested that this new board could make recommendations to the City Council about expenditure of funds, leaving the City with control of the purse strings.

It was the consensus of the City Council that the two boards should be combined.

City Manager Gary Esplin suggested that both boards be dissolved and a new one created.

After discussion, it was decided that the new board should consist of nine members and that one third of the members do not have to be residents of St. George.

City Attorney Shawn Guzman advised that he would draft a resolution creating the new board.


St. George City Council Minutes
January 13, 2011
Page Two

IDENTITY THEFT PRESENTATION:
St. George Police Public Information Office Johnny Heppler presented a power point presentation entitled “Identity Fraud” covering the following topics: Objectives, Criminal Activity Checklist, Target Criminal Activity, A Review of Codes Pertaining to Forgery and Identify Fraud, Identity Theft, Discourage Illegal Business Practices, Commitment, Officer Initiated Process, and Next Steps.

MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION:
Mayor McArthur explained that participants in the Dixie Scout Expo would like to close the new street behind the Dixie Center that day and use the dirt area behind the street for an overnight camp-out, building a temporary BMX course, and would like to advertise the event on the City’s electronic sign at the corner of St. George Blvd. and Bluff Street. The Scouts will restore the dirt area to its original condition after the Expo.

City Attorney Shawn Guzman advised that liability insurance coverage would be required.

SECURITY VIDEO:
Police Chief Marlon Stratton presented a video on security.

ADJOURN:
MOTION: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Almquist.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Pike.
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.


________________________________
Gay Cragun, City Recorder