Minutes of the Centerville City Council Special Work Session held Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in the Centerville City Council Chambers, 250 North Main, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mayor:                              Ronald G. Russell (was excused from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.)

Council Members:        Justin Y. Allen
                                         Paul A. Cutler
                                         Jack Dellastatious 
                                         Sherri Lyn Lindstrom

Members Absent:         David R. Gutke

STAFF PRESENT:         Steve Thacker, City Manager
                                         Blaine Lutz, Finance Director/Assistant City Manager
                                         Randy Randall, Public Works Director
                                         Fred Campbell, City Engineer
                                         Kevin Campbell, ESI Engineering
                                         Kathy Streadbeck, Recording Secretary

VISITORS 
Ken Averett, Council Candidate
Lawrence Wright, Council Candidate
Sean Moran, Standard Examiner

LONG-RANGE PLANS FOR DRAINAGE, WATER, AND STREETS

Steve Thacker, City Manager, reported that updating the Storm Drain Master Plan, the Culinary Water Master Plan, and the Streets Master Plan has been a long process. Each plan includes important information, recommended projects, and projected costs.  Mr. Thacker explained that these plans have been very helpful in the past in guiding maintenance and improvements throughout the city. The new plans will continue to direct these efforts. At this time it is also necessary to discuss ways of funding these projects. He said Blaine Lutz, Finance Director, has prepared a preliminary financial summary regarding the projects proposed in these plans.

Storm Drain Master Plan

Kevin Campbell, ESI Engineering, reviewed portions of the newly updated Storm Drain Master Plan. He reviewed several of the projects that have been completed based on earlier plans. He reviewed and explained several of the recommended projects as proposed in the new plan. Priority “A” projects are proposed to be completed in five (5) years, priority “B” in 5-10 years, and priority “C” in 10+ years. Many of the projects will be completed in partnership with UDOT, the County, or developers. Mr. Campbell explained these types of projects are generally funded by impact fees and drainage utility fees.

Staff and the Council discussed the time frame for many of these projects and how realistic these projections may be. Staff explained this plan is a guide for improvements. Many of the projects could be pushed up or back depending on several factors (i.e., emergency projects, new information, funding, developers, etc.).

Councilman Cutler pointed out that in the past ten (10) years expenditures on drainage projects were around $1.5 million; the projection for the next ten (10) years is around $3.5 million. He questioned this significant increase. Mr. Campbell said staff listed every project they could think of to ensure the plan was as complete as possible, but realistically, not all projects will be accomplished. Staff reviewed the projects that need to be completed in a timely manner (mostly due to possible flooding complications) and those that may not be as necessary. Mr. Thacker also pointed out that subdrain projects are not listed in this report, but are listed on the financial summary. Some of these subdrain projects were identified initially in a study completed a few years ago.

Councilman Dellastatious questioned the time frame listed for Jennings Lane. He said this road is in dire need of replacement. He feels waiting any longer is not acceptable. Staff explained that the subdrain for this street is located behind the homes. The subdrain needs to be moved into the street, but there is no funding for the subdrain re-location at this time. Staff explained that the street could be repaved, but it would then have to be torn up again for the subdrain relocation. It is more cost and time effective to do both together instead of piecemeal. Once funding becomes available for the subdrain the road will be completed. Staff also explained that current maintenance for Jennings Lane is not costly at this time.

Mr. Thacker said that in his opinion, Centerville’s storm drain system is in better condition than most cities. He explained that the Drainage Utility Fund and the Storm Drain Master Plan have allowed the City to accomplish a lot over the past several years. Staff is confident that this newly updated plan will continue to help in these efforts. 

Culinary Water Master Plan

Fred Campbell, City Engineer, reviewed the newly updated Culinary Water Master Plan. He said Centerville follows State standards and procedures and discussed improvements that Centerville has made over the past several years to keep up with these standards. He reviewed the projected population growth and discussed how the culinary system will need to be improved to keep up with these projections. The newly updated plan identifies some projects staff recommends to keep up with the projected growth. Staff recommends the Porter Lane Well be brought on line in the next few years and the Rolling Hills and the Holbrook Wells be replaced. As shown in the Culinary Water Master Plan, staff recommends an average of $344,000 per year will be needed for the next ten (10) years for water system improvement projects.

Staff and the City Council reviewed the proposed projects (Priority “A” and “B”) as listed in the Culinary Water Master Plan. They discussed several reasons for improvements and/or pipe replacement (i.e., cracking, tuberculation, corrosion, water pressure, etc.). Staff explained that Centerville’s water rates are above average but Centerville’s system is also very good. Davis County rated Centerville’s water system as the best in the county a couple of years ago.

The Council discussed the Weber Basin and the Deuel Creek irrigation systems. They also discussed the frustrations of getting utility companies to replace their lines in conjunction with Centerville’s improvements. The Council expressed a desire to have the Weber Basin and Deuel Creek professionals come speak with them about their improvement plans and processes. Mr. Thacker said he would follow-up on this request.

Street Master Plan

Randy Randall, Public Works Director, reviewed the newly updated Street Master Plan. He said the quality of Centerville’s roads has improved significantly over the past several years. He explained how staff is being proactive in getting utility companies to make their improvements in conjunction with Centerville’s street resurfacing projects. This is very difficult. Staff would like to limit the amount of streets that are torn up once they are resurfaced or reconstructed. Staff’s goal is to make improvements in an orderly fashion, saving both time and money. Mr. Randall said staff recommends the annual budget for street improvements be increased and that additional funds be found for building new roads, such as the extension of 1250 West.

Mr. Randall explained Centerville’s street rating system. He said the minimum acceptable standard should be #6 (few potholes and minimal cracking). Collector roads, which serve the entire community, should be maintained at a higher rate and take more priority. He also explained that the City parking lots are incorporated into this plan. In conclusion, the implementation of the Streets Master Plan has proven that “proper planning buys time and saves money.”

Financial Summary

Blaine Lutz, Finance Director, reviewed the financial summary with regard to the proposed projects in the master plans discussed. Some projects are already funded. The culinary water system is in the most need of funding. Steve Thacker, City Manager, said staff recommends a water rate increase be considered for this purpose.

Larry Wright expressed concern with the financial summary. He said the projected costs reflect today’s costs. It does not show possible inflation for projects listed in the distant future. Fred Campbell, City Engineer, said staff always calculates a 20% contingency fund, which has proved adequate in the past. Mr. Lutz said this financial summary is a thumbnail sketch. He said once more information is provided regarding priorities and the Council has been able to provide further direction, a more comprehensive summary can be completed.

The Council discussed different ways of funding various projects, including: using the General Fund, bonding, increasing water rates, and increasing impact fees. Several Council members agreed the General Fund should be used for some of these projects. Mr. Thacker agreed the General Fund could be used for some drainage projects, but staff still recommends a water rate increase.  

Councilman Cutler said Centerville provides a quality service. He said he is comfortable increasing water rates in order to continue providing this high standard. Mayor Russell said, with these newly updated plans, the Council can now look more closely at the proposed projects and then make a decision as to which courses of action may be best.  

Mr. Thacker explained the water rate should be raised 15-20% in order to offset the impact of inflation the past five years and the next few years. This could be done as a one-time increase or with smaller increases over several years. He said staff can bring the Council some possible courses of action (General Fund support and possible increases) to their next regularly scheduled meeting for discussion. The Council agreed.

At 9:05 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.

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Marilyn Holje, City Recorder                                                       Date Approved

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Kathleen Streadbeck, Recording Secretary