Minutes of the Centerville City Council Work Session held Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 5:45 p.m. in the Centerville City Council Chambers, 250 North Main, Centerville, Utah.

MEMBERS PRESENT
  Mayor                       Ronald G. Russell
 
Council Members   Justin Y. Allen
                                    Ken Averett
                                    Paul A. Cutler
                                    Sherri Lyn Lindstrom (arrived at 6:20 p.m.)
                                     Lawrence Wright

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

VISITORS   Representative Roger Barrus
                     Senator Dan Lillenquist
                     Senator Stuart Adams

DISCUSSION WITH LOCAL LEGISLATORS

The Council held a work session with local area State Legislators to hear their views and input on matters related to the upcoming State Legislative Session. Senator Lillenquist he has been assigned the responsibility of recommending changes to the Utah Retirement System to re-stabilize its financial foundation. Senator Adams explained that the State has experienced a more dramatic decrease in sales tax revenue, when compared with cities, because the State sales tax on food tax was reduced. Senator Adams has reviewed the Governor's proposed budget and is optimistic there will not be any significant tax increases proposed for this year. He added Hill Air Force Base is undergoing some redevelopment activity which could bring more jobs and economic stimulation to the State.

Representative Barrus has been working with the Department of Environmental Quality to reduce emissions and meet new air quality criteria. There is also a debate regarding who will control pore space which can affect aquifers. There is also some discussion regarding implementing residential fire regulations requiring sprinkling systems in new home construction. Representative Barrus also expects some canal safety legislation due to the canal break that happened in Cache County. A focus group has been formed to study the issues regarding the canal break and will be making recommendations. He also anticipates an ethics reform bill as well as healthcare reform. Renewable energy continues to be an important topic. This session will also consider implementing a quarterly income tax collection program. Representative Barrus provided the Council with a list of potential issues that the Legislature will address during the upcoming session.

Mayor Russell asked the Legislators to support the restaurant/tourism tax. He believes this tax is good and has helped local cities build projects that benefit the local residents. A bill initiated by the Utah Restaurant Association would eliminate the restaurant tax and replace it with an increase in the general sales tax rate. Centerville City officials are opposed to that bill.
 Representative Barrus and the Senators responded to questions from the Council. Councilman Wright and other members of the Council urged the Legislators to do what they can to loosen the restrictions placed on UTOPIA and to prevent any further restrictions.  Senator Adams stated he has not heard of any potential legislation regarding further restrictions, but he will be mindful of the matter. Senators Lillenquist and Adams and Representative Barrus asked the Council and staff to forward specific recommendations about UTOPIA for their consideration.

The Council and staff wanted to know if there will be any increase to the gas tax. There is no increase planned for this budget year and no word that anything is being proposed to change or increase the gas tax. The Council expressed their desire to see any additional funds generated by a gasoline tax increase, if any, to be shared by the State with the cities.

The Council asked what penalties would be imposed on the cities if the EPA finds that Davis County exceeds the new air quality standards after the deadline date. Representative Barrus stated our federal highway funds would be affected. Davis County must find a way to meet the new EPA criteria by the deadline. Representative Barrus believes it will come down to conservation and energy efficiency and possibly auto emission controls to meet the new criteria.

At 6:57 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.

                                                           2-2-2010             
Marilyn Holje, City Recorder    Date Approved

 
Karrie Carlson, Recording Secretary