City Council Meeting 8/17/2010

Hi All:

There were two huge things discussed tonight:

First, approving a contract for the Murdock Connector Highway. It was approved. See my notes. Basically, if the highway costs more than $4 million, Highland City carries ALL costs.

Second, approving expenditures to make the former City Building ADA compliant. $66K approved. I think this is ridiculous.


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Highland City Council Meeting

August 17th, 2010, 7:00pm

Open Petitions:

1. A woman petitioned for the city to consider reducing building permit fees. She is building a windmill on her property, and has a $260 building permit fee and a $480 conditional use fee (I think because the pole is 45 feet high?)

2. A man showing his support, and also those of his neighbors, for agenda item #7 regarding remodeling the former city hall per ADA requirements. They would like to see it as a building for use of dance recitals and other community events.

Motion: Perpetual Easement on Property to the rear of the former Highland Water Company.

Global Signal Acquisitions has requested to perpetually lease the property. They would essentially purchase it for $223,000. Currently, the income is $16,512/annually. The city would not ever need access to the land. It was recommended by the City Commissioner to table it until they get further information because he feels they have incomplete information. Motion made to continue this item when all information is gathered.

Motion: Approve or Deny the request from Alpine School District for a water requirement reduction for the 9600 N, 6900 W subdivision.

Alpine School District currently owns the subdivision, which consists of 3 lots. One lot is owned by the LDS church, which has already had the requirement waved. The School District asked for the requirement to be waved on the other 2 lots (which are asphalt roadway).

This would set a precedent for excluding waving the water reduction requirements on roads.

My comment: this seems a bit ridiculous. Of course roads should not have a watering requirement.

Moved: to deny the request. Seconded.

Motion: Approving the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with Utah County for the Highway project known as “Murdock Connector”.

Utah County will reimburse $186,605 of design work purchased by Highland City. Utah County will not reimburse Highland City until they sign the contract.

Utah County obligates Highland City over $4 million dollars for the highway. The city will own the highway and be responsible for maintenance.

A debate ensued for a long time concerning assuming the cost over $4 million on the road. One council member believes the road will cost about $8 million. Another city council member believes this is a great way to get a very good road that we need anyway, and at least we get part of it, if not all, paid for.

Motion to accept the contract, seconded. Ammendment proposed to have $4 million dollars clarified—how exactly will that be spent. Seconded. All in favor.

Motion: Authorizing expenditures as a capital priority to remodel the former City Hall per ADA requirements.

Cities exist to better the residents. We need a gathering place. We need a way to encourage kids to get off the couch and participate, to interact. Two grand pianos have gone unused and been ruined. There is no place to gather for senior citizens. If we have recitals/family events, grandparents will attend. It must be ADA compliant. Arts Council promises to do fundraising for any other costs above making the building ADA complaint. They would not come back to the city for additional funding.

Utilities, paid for by the city, would be about $4000/year. The possibility was raised of recouping that money through rental costs of the rooms in the building.

Is the cash flow good enough for us to do that? $33,000 would come from capital building fund. The rest would come from the general fund.

One Council Member expressed concern that the Highland City has been in crisis mode for the past year and agreed not to discuss this for six months, yet it’s only been two. He believes would should be conservative and wait. He is concerned that this building will simply be a place for the Arts Council and not a community center. He mentioned that the Pointe Academy could work with the Arts Council to use their rooms. Let’s look at the options.

Motion made by Larry Mendenhall to approve the expenditure.

Discussion: City Managers says they feel comfortable with cash flow in approving this request.

Approved.