January 17, 2012

Minutes of the Centerville City Council meeting held Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7:02 p.m. in the Centerville City Hall Council Chambers, 250 North Main Street, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT
 
 Mayor                        Ronald G. Russell

Council Members   Justin Y. Allen
                                    Ken S. Averett
                                   John T. Higginson
                                    Sherri Lyn Lindstrom
                                    Lawrence Wright

STAFF PRESENT  Steve Thacker, City Manager
                                 Blaine Lutz, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director
                                 Marilyn Holje, City Recorder (left at 7:13 p.m.)
                                 Marsha L. Morrow, Deputy City Recorder (left at 7:13 p.m.)
                                 Jolene Jackson, City Treasurer (left at 7:30 p.m.)
                                 Lisa Romney, City Attorney
                                 Katie Rust, Recording Secretary

VISITORS   Jason Burningham, Lewis Young Robertson & Burningham, Inc. (arrived at 8:55 p.m.)
                      Interested citizens (see attached sign-in sheet)
     
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

PRAYER OR THOUGHT Councilman Ken Averett

COMMENDATION

Mayor Russell recognized Marilyn Holje for her nearly 23 years of exemplary service as Centerville City Recorder, and presented her with a plaque.  He commended her professionalism in representing the City and the helpful attitude and integrity which she brought to every aspect of her work.  Steve Thacker, City Manager, added his appreciation for her work ethic and her conscientiousness as a City Recorder.  A retirement reception will be held on January 31st between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.  Marilyn Holje stated that working for Centerville City has been a great opportunity, and she is grateful for all those she has worked with over the years.

OPEN SESSION

Keith Johnson – Mr. Johnson expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of his neighborhood for the amazing work accomplished by the City after the recent windstorm.

MINUTES REVIEW AND APPROVAL

The minutes of the January 3, 2012 Swearing-in-Ceremony and the January 3, 2012 City Council meeting were reviewed.  Councilwoman Lindstrom made a motion to approve both sets of minutes.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Allen and passed by unanimous vote (5-0).
 
SUMMARY ACTION CALENDAR

a. Approve revision to Centerville City Pay Grade Schedule with the addition of Management Assistant position, Pay Grade 15.
b. Reappointment of City Treasurer and appointment of new City Recorder effective February 1, 2012 – Consider Resolution No. 2012-02.
c. Accept public utility easement and 50’ wide storm drain/flood control easement from Abraham and Emily L. Millet.
d. Terminate warranty period for Kohl’s site plan.

City Manager Thacker requested that the motion for item (a) include deletion of the Deputy City Recorder position, and recognized in relation to item (b) that Jolene Jackson is a Certified Public Finance Administrator.  Mr. Thacker also indicated minor amendments to item (c).  Councilman Wright indicated that he does not feel the pay grade of the City Recorder position should be changed considering Marsha Morrow’s qualifications for the position.  The grading will be considered in conjunction with the next budget cycle.

Councilman Allen made a motion to adopt the Summary Action Calendar approving item (a), including deletion of the Deputy City Recorder position effective February 1, 2012; item (b) enacting Resolution No. 2012-02; item (c), including amendments provided by staff; and item (d).  Councilwoman Lindstrom seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote (5-0).

PRESENTATION OF COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

Ed Erickson, City Auditor, presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of the City.  He reported that the audit has been submitted to the State Auditor’s Office as well as the GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) to be considered for the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.  The City’s income slightly increased and debt decreased in 2011 compared to 2010.  Mr. Erickson commended staff and administration for keeping expenses in check and wisely using the resources of the City.  He noted that the City received a “clean audit opinion.”  He also responded to questions, including a question about where UTOPIA is addressed in the Report.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CENTERVILLE MUNICIPAL CODE

Lisa Romney, City Attorney, explained the proposed amendments to the Municipal Code regarding campaign finance disclosure statements and filing requirements.  The Council discussed the proposed amendments, which will clarify the reporting deadlines.  The City Council agreed to keep in place the requirement for a report prior to the Primary Election and to keep the contribution reporting threshold at $25, even though these differ from requirements in State law. 

Councilman Allen made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2012-01 amending Section 2-03-110 of the Centerville Municipal Code regarding campaign finance disclosure statements and filing requirements.  The motion was seconded by Councilman Wright and passed by unanimous vote (5-0).

PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS

Ms. Romney explained procedures that will be followed for conducting background checks for recreation program employees and volunteers.  Blaine Lutz and Jolene Jackson have been approved as authorized personnel to file and administer the criminal history requests.  The criminal history background checks will be performed by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for a fee of $15 per application.  This cost will be recovered through the recreation fees.

REVIEW SIX-MONTH CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT

The Council and staff reviewed the six-month Code Enforcement Report.  Councilman Wright asked about an incident reported relating to the auto dealership on Main Street.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Finance Director Blaine Lutz presented a financial report for the six-month period ending December 31, 2011.  City Manager Thacker commented on the decrease in fines collected through the Municipal Court.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

a. Steve Thacker, City Manager, reported on the status of the Main/Parrish intersection project.
b. Mr. Thacker presented the concept report for a pedestrian bridge over the freeway including estimated construction costs.
c. The D&RGW trail project in Centerville and Farmington is the subject of a grant application being submitted by UTA, which owns the
    corridor.
d. The City Manager reported that the cumulative fiscal amount spent by Centerville and surrounding communities on windstorm recovery 
     exceeds the threshold for FEMA reimbursement of disaster clean-up costs.  The next step is for the Governor to request Federal
     assistance.
e. Renovation work on the Whitaker Museum is proceeding.  The Council discussed renovations that the Museum Board would like to
     make that would not be covered by the funds that have already been appropriated.  The Museum Board is encouraged to complete the
     work that has been started, and to raise outside funds for additional improvements.
f. Mr. Thacker gave an update of the 400 South culvert project (under I-15).

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

a. A work session will be held with the Planning Commission on January 31st to set priorities for updating the General Plan.
b. Steve Thacker distributed documents for the Council to reference as part of the 2012 goal-setting process.

At 9:00 p.m. the Mayor called a short recess.  The meeting reconvened at 9:12 p.m.

FINANCING OF WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Jason Burningham, City Financial Advisor, explained the options that have been considered for financing water system improvements.  He recommended the City proceed with a bond issue in the public market, but still apply for a credit enhancement grant from the Utah Board of Water Resources in the amount of $80,000.  This grant would cover the cost of credit ratings and possibly bond insurance related to the public bond issue.  It was also recommended that the City refund at least a portion of the current water system debt, if not the entire current debt.  The Council and staff discussed the need for the improvements, the timing of the projects, the expected lifetime of the improvements, as well as the proposed Resolution.  Mr. Burningham also recommended that the Council use a “super-parameters” approach to secure the lowest possible interest rate, by authorizing “Designated Officers” to make decisions relating to the marketing of the bonds.  (The Resolution identifies the Designated Officers.)  Councilman Wright expressed concern about the City entering into debt with the bond issue.  Councilwoman Lindstrom feels the bond issue is preferable to a significant user rate increase.  Mayor Russell stated that the proposed plan is a good compromise of the options available.

Councilman Averett made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2012-03 financing water system improvements, changing the number in Section 12 from “$2.2 million” to “$2.7 million”.  The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Lindstrom and passed by unanimous vote (5-0).  It was explained that the Resolution expresses the City’s intent to issue bonds and sets a public hearing on this matter for February 7.  A notice of the public hearing will be in the next utility bill.

ADJOURNMENT

At 10:10 p.m. Councilman Wright made a motion to adjourn the City Council meeting.  Councilwoman Lindstrom seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote (5-0).

____________________________  _____02-07-2012________
Marsha L. Morrow, City Recorder                 Date Approved

________________________________
Katie Rust, Recording Secretary