• Home
• Government
  • Mayor
  • City Council
  • Youth City Council
  • Boards & Commissions
  • Redevelopment Agency
  • Agendas & Minutes
  • History
  • 
• Departments
  • Administration
  • Cemetery
  • Community Development
  • Court
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Employee List
  • GIS/Maps
  • 
  • Parks, Recreation, & Trails
  • Police
  • Public Works
• Online Services
  • A-Z Services
  • Employment
  • E-Mail Lists
  • Pay Utility Bills
  • Recreation Signups
  • Twitter
  • 
• Calendar

January 6, 2009

Minutes of the Centerville City Council meeting work session held Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in the Centerville City Council Chambers, 250 North Main, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT
  Mayor                              Ronald G. Russell
 
Council Members          Paul A. Cutler (arrived at 6:05 p.m.)
                                          Justin Y. Allen
                                          Ken Averett
                                          Sherri Lyn Lindstrom
                                          Lawrence Wright

LOCAL LEGISLATORS  Rep. Roger Barrus
                                           Senator Greg Bell
                                           Senator Dan Liljenquist

STAFF OR OTHER CITY   Steve Thacker, City Manager
 OFFICIALS PRESENT      Blaine Lutz, Finance Director/Assistant City Manager
                                             Karrie Carlson, Recording Secretary          

DISCUSSION WITH LOCAL LEGISLATORS

Traditionally the Council has met with local legislators prior to the start of the State Legislative Session each year to promote a working relationship during the session and to express in advance any concerns about pending legislation with municipal impact.

Representative Barrus believes that because of the current economic conditions, the upcoming legislative session will focus on how to fund State programs in the most effective and economical way. He is currently assigned to committees dealing with energy matters and public utilities issues. Representative Barrus informed the Council of a new product in the healthcare industry that will be introduced.  It will be a web-based service that will allow consumers to compare costs of various medical procedures from different providers.

Senator Bell expressed the same concern regarding adhering to a very tight budget. The beginning base budget for this year is 85 percent of what last year’s budget was and will pose some real challenges to determine how to continue to fund certain programs. Senator Bell is currently working with land use matters and is sponsoring some bills related to land use. He added that several bills regarding rights for same sex couples are being introduced by a few legislators.

Senator Dan Liljenqust introduced himself to the group and identified the various committees and assignments he currently has. He is sponsoring a couple of bills--one that will focus on tightening up DUI laws and the other will set up a restitution account fund to help repay victims of lending fraud.
 
 The Legislators responded to questions from the Council regarding removing sales tax from food. The response from Senator Bell was that this is not something that will be discussed during the session and will likely not change. Steve Thacker, City Manager, explained that the Utah League of Cities and Towns is urging cities to oppose a provision in the latest edition of the Uniform Fire Code that would require all new private homes to be built with fire sprinklers. There are many groups in support of providing and preserving affordable housing who also oppose this. Adding sprinklers to private homes can increase building costs significantly, therefore, increasing housing costs.

Mayor Russell asked the Legislators if they think transportation funding will be supplemented by an increase in gas tax. Senator Bell is unsure how the additional funding will be done without an increase in the gas tax. Blaine Lutz, Finance Director, stated that last year Centerville City spent approximately $1.6 million in road improvement and maintenance but only approximately $500,000 was received from Class C gasoline taxes. He added that this is only a fraction of the $1.6 million that is spent to maintain streets and roadways in Centerville, and therefore, in fairness cities should receive a portion of any increase in gasoline taxes.

Blaine Lutz, Finance Director, responded to questions from the Legislators regarding new commercial development and generated sales taxes from the new business. He also expressed concern for any new legislation that would require cities to put extensive and detailed financial information on the web. He added that the amount of work and costs to small cities to fulfill this requirement could be very significant. Mr. Lutz supports having the information made available to the public, but is concerned about a new requirement.
 
Councilman Wright asked if any of the Legislators expected there would be more attempts to further restrict UTOPIA in some way. None of the three Legislators anticipate any bills of that nature.

Steve Thacker, City Manager, inquired about the best way to communicate with them during the Legislative session. He also asked for information about the caucus meetings that will be held in the mornings prior to the Legislative session. Mr. Thacker invited Senators Liljenquist and Bell and Representative Barrus to join staff and other City representatives at the Local Officials Day at the Legislature luncheon on January 28th.

At 6:50 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.

                                                            1-20-09             
Marilyn Holje, City Recorder    Date Approved

    
Karrie Carlson, City Recorder