City Council

Thursday, February 11,2016
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2016, 4:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM

PRESENT:
Mayor Jon Pike
Councilmember Jimmie Hughes
Councilmember Michele Randall
Councilmember Joe Bowcutt
Councilmember Bette Arial
Councilmember Ed Baca
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
City Recorder Christina Fernandez

OPENING:
Mayor Pike called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Monty Thurber and the invocation was offered by Rabbi Helene Ainbinder with the Beit Chaverim congregation.

APPEAL HEARING:
Hearing of an appeal regarding the termination of an employee.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised the employee requesting the appeal called to say she was sick and could not make tonight’s meeting. He suggested rescheduling the hearing on February 25th at 4:00p.m.

City Attorney Shawn Guzman stated that rescheduling the hearing was at the employee’s request.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Hughes to reschedule the hearing on February 25th at 4:00 p.m.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Arial.
VOTE: Mayor Pike called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Hughes – aye
Councilmember Randall - aye
Councilmember Bowcutt – aye
Councilmember Arial – aye
Councilmember Baca – aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT:
Consider approval of a lot line adjustment for the old Sunroc building located west of the old Flood Street Theaters.

City Manager Gary Esplin showed the property on a map and explained that the buildings were constructed many years ago with a zero setback line. The developer went to the County and recorded a lot line adjustment; however, it was approved by the City Council first. He recommended approving what the County has recorded.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Randall to approve the lot line adjustment for the old Sunroc building.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Baca.
VOTE: Mayor Pike called for a vote, as follows:
St. George City Council Minutes
February 11, 2016
Page Two

Councilmember Hughes – aye
Councilmember Randall - aye
Councilmember Bowcutt – aye
Councilmember Arial – aye
Councilmember Baca – aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.


MATCHING GRANT:
Consider approval of accepting the Utah State Recreational Trails matching grant.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised staff has applied for and received a grant. This grant would be used to purchase wayfinding signs.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT:
Consider approval of a professional services agreement with Bowen, Collins & Associates for the Wastewater Treatment Plant roof.

City Manager Gary Esplin explained that staff has hired Bowen, Collins & Associates to design the new roof; however, the cost was over the approved amount therefore the contract needs to be ratified. Because it was an emergency he approved to move forward before getting approved.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Arial to approve the professional services agreement for $41,000.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowcutt.
VOTE: Mayor Pike called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Hughes – aye
Councilmember Randall - aye
Councilmember Bowcutt – aye
Councilmember Arial – aye
Councilmember Baca – aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

PRESENTATION ON AN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN:
Support Services Director Marc Mortensen introduced members of the Active Transportation Coalition who were present.

Mayor Pike thanked the committee for their work on the Transportation Expo.

Kye Nordfelt mentioned that he works for the Health Department. He presented a PowerPoint presentation covering the following topics: Building an Active Community; Southwest Utah Specific Data; How do you influence people to get active?; Bicycling and Walking Survey; Goal of Survey; Methodology; Demographic Summary; How frequently do you bicycle/walk?; How important to you is improving walking and biking conditions?; More on the survey population; How do you rate present bicycling/walking conditions?; Biking; Which term best describes your current level of bicycling activity?; Why do you not bike more often?; Which of the following changes would encourage you to bike more often?; What bicycling destination would you most like to get to?; Bike: Take Homes; Thoughts on Walking; Thoughts on Biking; Why do you walk?; What factors discourage you from walking?; and Walk: Take Homes.
St. George City Council Minutes
February 11, 2016
Page Three

Craig Shanklin presented a PowerPoint covering the following topics: Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance; Introduction to SUBA; Who are “Cyclists”?; How we got our start?; Always advocating!; Activities of SUBA; Recent SUBA Activities; Other recent projects; More improvements; Bicycle friendly radar traffic controls; 2016 SUBA initiatives; Other initiatives; Bike solve problems; Transportation problems; Make mass transit work even better; Helps solve parking issues; Improves health; Saves money; Keep our air quality healthy; Bike are good for business; Bikes are good for the local economy; and Cycling is good for St. George. Mr. Shanklin mentioned that they are advocating for riders to wear helmets and use mirrors.

Support Services Director Marc Mortensen presented a PowerPoint presentation covering the following topics: Vision; Benefits of active transportation; STG active transportation committee; What are we up to?; Bike racks; and Trail and street signs. He showed samples of signs that will be purchased with the grant discussed earlier. The goal is to have neighboring cities use the same signs. Approximately 200 signs will be installed with this grant. He continued with the PowerPoint presentation covering the following topics: What’s on the horizon for STG ATC?; Take the survey!; 2016 campaigns; At the core; and Vision.

Councilmember Bowcutt stated that he has noticed that bike lanes have been painted. He mentioned that there is a bike lane on 300 West; however, people don’t know what that is. He wonders if it would help to have them painted a different color.

Support Services Director Marc Mortensen pointed out that from a maintenance standpoint, it would be incredibly costly.

Monty Thurber noted that some cities used green paint but only in certain areas because of cost and safety issues as it can be slick. Additionally, MUTCD standards have to be followed.

Councilmember Bowcutt stated that he is a bit nervous that there will be so many signs that drivers will not be watching the roads.

City Manager Gary Esplin commented that St. George is a different demographic from other cities because of its senior population. The workforce and those the City is trying to attract are changing their views on transportation. He explained that neighborhoods do not embrace commercial zoning and offices. There are significant challenges because of the beautiful community. Corridors will be maxed out based upon the projected growth. Planning now and encouraging the proper zoning in neighborhoods makes a big difference.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Hughes to accept the Recreational Trails matching grant in the amount of $4,360.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Bowcutt.
VOTE: Mayor Pike called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Hughes – aye
Councilmember Randall - aye
Councilmember Bowcutt – aye
Councilmember Arial – aye
Councilmember Baca – aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.



St. George City Council Minutes
February 11, 2016
Page Four

APPOINTMENTS:
Mayor Pike recommended appointing Ben Rogers to the Sign Review Board. Two more board members are needed.

MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Baca to appoint the members as outlined.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Randall.
VOTE: Mayor Pike called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Hughes – aye
Councilmember Randall - aye
Councilmember Bowcutt – aye
Councilmember Arial – aye
Councilmember Baca – aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS, MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER:
Councilmember Bowcutt reported that the Planning Commission heard many preliminary plats at its meeting on Tuesday.

City Manager Gary Esplin mentioned that he met with Mr. Thompson regarding the build out plan.

Mayor Pike mentioned that he will soon hear a plan for the pipeline.

Councilmember Hughes reported that the St. George Housing Authority heard a presentation from Matt Loo and Carol Hollowell. Some of the board members were a bit concerned about losing control of the vouchers. Ms. Hollowell mentioned that there are unused vouchers throughout the State; they are needed here. An additional board member is needed for this Board as well as the Animal Shelter Board.

Councilmember Bowcutt mentioned that the Council will see a 450 North subdivision at a meeting in the near future; the Planning Commission passed the item unanimously.

City Attorney Shawn Guzman advised that the Council will have to consider if it is a significant enough change from the previous request.

Councilmember Baca mentioned that Sean Amodt with Mosquito Abatement will contact Mayor Pike to have someone permanently assigned to that board.

Councilmember Randall reported that the Veteran’s Board met and discussed utility discounts; they were opposed to offering them. She mentioned the Love a Veteran event that will be taking place on Saturday at the Veteran’s Home in Ivins. Additionally, on Friday the 19th they will have doctor speak on PTSD. Dan Greathouse mentioned to the Board that people are going around selling items with different Veteran’s logos. She then asked City Attorney Shawn Guzman about Shade Tree Board.

City Attorney Shawn Guzman advised that staff has some proposed changes to the ordinance.

Mayor Pike clarified that he would like Councilmember Baca to be assigned to the Hillside Review Board.


St. George City Council Minutes
February 11, 2016
Page Five

Councilmember Arial asked for clarification regarding the budget for the Arts Commission; she asked if it was $40,000. She provided an update on which pieces the Commission recommends to purchase.

Mayor Pike asked Councilmember Arial if there was discussion regarding the process for RAP tax.

Councilmember Arial states that Gary Sanders has not discussed the process; however, there has been interest on how the process will work.

City Manager Gary Esplin added that the Council will have to set the standards. A similar process for the arts grants may apply.

Councilmember Randall mentioned that the flags at Tonaquint Cemetery are awful. They need to be replaced and need to look great at all times.

ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION:
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Randall to discuss character of and individual and property sale and current litigation.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hughes.
VOTE: Mayor Pike called for a roll call vote, as follows:

Councilmember Hughes – aye
Councilmember Randall - aye
Councilmember Bowcutt – aye
Councilmember Arial – aye
Councilmember Baca – aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

RECONVENE AND ADJOURN:
MOTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Arial to reconvene and adjourn.
SECOND: The motion was seconded by Councilmember Randall.
VOTE: Mayor Pike called for a vote, as follows:

Councilmember Hughes – aye
Councilmember Randall - aye
Councilmember Bowcutt – aye
Councilmember Arial – aye
Councilmember Baca – aye

The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.






________________________________
Christina Fernandez, City Recorder