City Council

Thursday, August 11,2016
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 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 Gregg McArthur and the invocation was offered by Tim Martin with the Interfaith Council.

 

PRESENTATION FROM SKYWEST AIRLINES REGARDING AIR SERVICES IN ST. GEORGE:

Mayor Pike introduced Chip Child, CEO of SkyWest Airlines and Marissa Snow, Director of Corporate Communications.  SkyWest is the largest regional airline in the world and is based in St. George.  He mentioned that connections are operated through Delta and United Airlines and noted that the decision of the previous Mayor and Council to move the airport from the ridge top to the current location was a critical decision.  If jet commercial service was going to continue in St. George, the airport had to relocate.   

 

Mr. Child advised they have 20,000 employees across the country and fly approximately 3,800 daily departures.  They have partnerships with Delta, United, Alaskan and American airlines.  He then announced they will begin service from St. George to Phoenix.  This connection now taps St. George into American Airlines. Flights will begin November 4th - tickets will go on sale at aa.com Saturday morning.

 

Mayor Pike recognized the County Commissioners who were present and mentioned that the City budgeted some funds through economic development to provide a guarantee to assist SkyWest if operations take a bit to catch up if needed.  The County agreed to assist as well. 

 

County Commissioner Alan Gardner commented how exciting it has been to watch SkyWest grow. 

 

PRESENTATION REGARDING THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROGRAM:

Water Services Director Scott Taylor presented a PowerPoint presentation covering the following topics: Water Services Department – 2013 Revisions to the Wastewater Pretreatment Ordinance Title 8, Chapter 4; What is Wastewater pretreatment?; Required Changes; State Audit of Pretreatment Ordinance; Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG)?; Grease Trap; Grease Interceptor; When FOGs are not controlled; Problem…;

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SVSD Solution…; Problem…; and SVSD Solution.  Staff wants to be accommodating as they can, but not to a detriment of the neighbors.  The proposed ordinance states that staff will evaluate and decide if the business will be required to install an interceptor or if a grease trap will suffice; however, they will monitor the lines and may require an interceptor in the future.  He proposes to amend the ordinance at an upcoming City Council meeting.   

 

PRESENTATION FROM LEISURE SERVICES REGARDING THE ALL ABILITIES PARK AND NAMING OF THE PARK:

City Manager Gary Esplin introduced Parks Planner Van Phetsomphou who showed a video simulation of the Ridgetop Technology Park. 

 

Leisure Services Director Kent Perkins stated that Van is one of the major sources of creativity at the All Abilities Park.  He explained the reasoning behind the proposed name for the park and recommended the name Thunder Junction with the tagline of “Creating Miles of Smiles”.  He feels this sends the message that this is a happy place. 

 

The Council thinks the name is great!

 

Mr. Perkins advised Van will be working on logos.  He then provided an update on the park which is proposed to be completed by September 12th.  Additionally, he mentioned the job fair for the All Abilities Park taking place on Tuesday in the City Council Chambers. 

 

City Manager Gary Esplin explained that staff has made sure that every type of disability is covered and that they have received suggestions from disabled citizens.

 

DISCUSSION REGARDING AN AGREEMENT WITH ST. GEORGE MUSICAL THEATER FOR THE USE OF THE OPERA HOUSE/SOCIAL HALL:

City Attorney Shawn Guzman explained the St. George Musical Theater (SGMT) currently has a lease for the use of the Opera House; but have also been using the Social Hall therefore, they would like to include the use of the Social Hall in the lease.  The current lease still has two years remaining.  The proposal is to amend the current lease to include the Social Hall, excluding the kitchen area as the City still plans on leasing it out.  The agreement requires the City to schedule events at least 14 days in advance; however, if an event request comes in sooner than the 14 days, SGMT has agreed to allow events if they are not using it for rehearsal.

 

Bruce Bennett with the SGMT stated that they try to stay away from Friday and Saturday evening rehearsals.  They will do everything they can to accommodate the City.

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman mentioned the original lease was for a $1 per ticket; the proposal does not add any more to the terms.  Additionally, the original lease contemplated the City paying the utilities until last June and SGMT would take over at that time, but that was extended.  The proposed lease memorializes that and gives

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SGMT until June 1, 2017.

 

Mr. Bennett added that they would be paying for the natural gas now.

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman commented that he and Assistant City Attorney Victoria Hales understood differently; however, the cost for the natural gas is minimal. 

 

A discussion took place on when the year extension started. 

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman added that he does not have an estimate on the cost of the utilities but it would make sense to look at the per ticket fee rather than the metered utilities. 

 

Mayor Pike suggested waiting until June for SGMT to pay utilities including the cost of natural gas. 

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman explained that SGMT has always been prohibited from creating sets on the premises which will continue in the new agreement.  The City will continue to clean and stock the Social Hall.  SGMT will be allowed to use a limited number of tables and chairs. 

 

Mr. Bennett mentioned that ticket sales are up compared to last season. 

 

City Manager Gary Esplin added that the agreement requires SMGT to inform the City if they make any additions to the Opera House, even if they are attaching anything to the floors or walls.  He mentioned that there have been issues with this recently.

 

PRESENTATION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT:

Captain Scott Staley introduced Sergeant Jared Parry.

 

Sgt. Parry presented a PowerPoint presentation covering the following topics: Washington County Drug Task Force; Objectives; Heroin; Effects of Heroin; Heroin Paraphernalia; Heroin Prices; Marijuana; Effects of Marijuana; Marijuana Paraphernalia; BHO (Butane Hash Oil); Spice – What is Spice?; Spice Labs; Methamphetamine; Effects of Meth; Faces of Methamphetamine; Meth Paraphernalia; Meth Packaging; Methamphetamine Prices; Boxed Meth Lab; Prescription Pills; Ingestion; Prescription Pills Continued; Cocaine; Effects of Cocaine; and Why Drugs?

 

APPOINTMENT:

Mayor Pike recommended re-appointing Brent Heaton to the Board of Adjustments for a four-year term.

 

MOTION:      A motion was made by Councilmember Baca to re-appoint Brent Heaton to the Board of Adjustments.

            SECOND:        The motion was seconded by Councilmember Arial.

            VOTE:             Mayor Pike called for a vote, as follows:

 

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                             Councilmember Hughes – aye

Councilmember Randall - aye

Councilmember Bowcutt – aye

Councilmember Arial – aye

Councilmember Baca – aye

         

 

                   The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

 

REPORT FROM MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER:

Councilmember Hughes had no reports.

 

Councilmember Bowcutt mentioned the Airport Board meeting and stated that the new chutes and corrals have been installed at the SunBowl.  The recent Planning Commission was a long meeting due to some very controversial items. 

 

Councilmember Baca reported that the dinosaur group will be meeting with Smith’s tomorrow. 

 

Councilmember Randall reported that the Doctors Volunteer Clinic Board met Tuesday.  In three months, they have seen 536 mental health patients.  They have recently started two group therapy classes one for those with personality disorders and one for kids with divorced parents. 

 

Councilmember Arial had no reports. 

 

Mayor Pike stated that he and Councilmember Arial are meeting with Art Around the Corner representatives next week.  He then mentioned that he and others from the City, County and the Chamber of Commerce met with Abbey Albrecht who works with the transportation coalition to help educate residents on the transportation tax. The County Commission will be considering the option on Tuesday.

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman mentioned that he forwarded all ordinances to Jody Hoffman who will give him a proposal on assisting with updating them.

 

City Manager Gary Esplin reported that he met with a hotel chain representative that is interested in building a hotel on the corner of the downtown development. 

 

Councilmember Baca noted that he received a comment on the downtown project, the individual inquired about the scar on the Ridgetop and the Red Hills Golf Course clubhouse.

 

City Manager Gary Esplin noted that the City is not putting any money into the downtown project.  He explained that the City does not own the scarred property on the hill.  He then provided an update on the Dixie Red Hills Golf Course clubhouse. 

 

ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION:

MOTION:      A motion was made by Councilmember Bowcutt to discuss property sale/purchase.

            SECOND:        The motion was seconded by Councilmember Baca.

            VOTE:             Mayor Pike called for a roll call vote, as follows:

 

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                             Councilmember Hughes – aye

Councilmember Randall - aye

Councilmember Bowcutt – aye

Councilmember Arial – aye

Councilmember Baca – aye

         

 

                   The vote was unanimous and the motion carried.

 

The meeting reconvened following the closed session.

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman updated the Council on the ordinances and enforcement on the used car dealerships.  Notices have been sent to the dealerships, now they will be charged criminally as there is no longer an administrative court.  It is difficult for to go after them for parking unlicensed cars on the roadway unless they remain on the street longer than 24 hours.  Enforcing this will take more intensive action on the part of the police officers because they would be the ones to issue a citation. 

 

Mayor Pike noted that the business owners can be booked and charged.    

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman updated the Council on a home being used for a short term rental.

 

Councilmember Baca asked about an ordinance that applies to homes with swimming pools.  The City has an ordinance that keeps with the national requirements of requiring a gate or a cover for the pool. 

 

City Attorney Shawn Guzman explained that the gate would have to be a self closing gate and a fence is required or the resident can have a pool cover. 

 

A discussion took place regarding the fact that pool covers do not last long as they become damaged.  The Council discussed if they would like to make changes to the ordinance.

 

ADJOURN:

MOTION:      A motion was made by Councilmember Randall to adjourn.

            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.

 

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__________________________________  

 

Christina Fernandez, City Recorder