INTEROFFICE 
MEMORANDUM 
__________________________________ 

To:    Mayor Russell
          City Council
          Department Heads
           Planning Commission
From:  Steve Thacker, City Manager
Subject: City Manager’s Summary of November 18, 2008 Council Meeting
Date:  November 14, 2008

Please remember we have cancelled the work session to allow Council members and a few staff to attend the Iggy’s pre-opening celebration at 5:15 Tuesday evening (a complimentary dinner for each invited official and guest).  I have been assured that we will be able to return to City Hall by 7:00 for the regular Council meeting.

Regular Council Meeting

E.1. Minutes – The minutes to be approved are enclosed.

E.2. Summary Action Calendar
a. Storm drain easement – This easement pertains to a storm drain that was installed on the Cedar Springs property during the recent CDBG project.
b. Public utility easement – The Dunns are required to provide this easement in order to get a building permit for their property and as a condition of the lot split that was approved by the Planning Commission earlier this year.
c. Warranty period for Florentine Villas – Florentine Villas is ready for termination of its warranty period.
d. Retirement plan – Police Chief Neal Worsley would like to exercise the option under State law that allows him to retire from the Public Safety Retirement System but continue working as the City’s Police Chief.  The City Council, however, needs to decide what contribution they are willing to make into an alternative pension account in this situation.   

E.3. Zoning Code Amendment - Fences and Walls – This is the continuation of a matter  discussed by the City Council several months ago and remanded back to the Planning Commission.  The issue is whether an exception should be allowed to the normal fence height limit of six feet along the south side of Porter Lane.  The Planning Commission has heard this matter again and now recommends approval of the exception.

E.4. CDBG Application – The Council should be aware of this matter from earlier meetings.  The Pheasantbrook Homeowners Association has asked for the City’s help with funding street and drainage improvements within their project area, in the form of a CDBG application.  The residents in this housing complex meet the low to moderate income threshold required to be eligible for this potential grant funding. 

E.5. Analysis of City’s Website – The City Council hired The Summit Group to review the City’s website to determine the appropriateness of its content.  This public relations firm is now ready to present their findings and recommendations. 

E.6. Review of City Finances – This more extensive review of the City’s finances was requested by a Council member as a foundation for making several future decisions.  In particular, this review was requested before the City Council makes a final decision whether to proceed with the expansion of City Hall in 2009.  The review should also help the Council agree on a strategy for replenishing its UTOPIA pledge account to the extent it may be called upon beginning in 2010. 

E.7. Davis County Agreement – This agreement between the City and the County provides for a cost sharing of engineering design services pertaining to several future flood control projects.  The agreement does not commit the City to any degree of participation in funding the actual construction projects, but only the design services.  The City’s cost share would be about $10,000. 

E.8. Jennings Lane Subdrain Project – Staff have met with property owners along Jennings Lane and discussed the options for dealing with the subdrain issue.  The property owners were told that staff would meet again with them when the City is ready to make specific offers of compensation for the removal of trees and limitations in the easement area.  Before meeting with property owners again, staff would like to explain their recommendations and get the Council’s direction in a closed session.

E.9. Mayor’s Report – The Mayor may have some recommendations for appointments to boards and committees.

E.10. City Manager’s Report – We need to reschedule the work session that was set for November 18.  I may also report on a few other matters.

E.11. Miscellaneous Business – At this time I do not know of any topics under this heading. 

E.12. Closed meeting – I am recommending a closed meeting relating to item No. 8 on the agenda.  I suggest the Council go into closed meeting to discuss the compensation that will be offered to property owners along Jennings Lane for the loss of trees in the proposed subdrain easement area.

9:30 RDA Meeting – The RDA meeting should not be a long one.  Staff would like to update the RDA Board on the creation of the Shorelands Economic Development Area and also the South Davis Cultural Arts Center. As part of the latter subject, staff may  recommend the Board’s approval of some additional funding for the feasibility study update that is now underway for the theater project.