MINUTES OF THE HELPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, April 3, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Helper Auditorium
Council Chambers
19 South Main
Helper, Utah 84526
ATTENDANCE: City Staff
Mayor Mike R. Dalpiaz
Council Members: Deputy Recorder Joan Burgess
Kirk Mascaro Attorney Gene Strate
PJ Jensen Acting Chief of Police Trent Anderson
Larry Ganser Public Works Orlando Ochoa
John Jones
Dean Armstrong
Citizens: Lois Giordano, Neida Garcia, Shauna Jensen, Ron Mutz, Joni Westbrook, Leslie Tallerico, Iona Giacoletto, Stephanie Giacoletto, Marie Davidson, Claudette Langley, Ben & Melanie Steele, Mark & Sonia Stuckenschneider, Dave Dornan,
Deb Dall, Pam Juliano, Pete Via, Lloyd Pendleton, Shelli Goble, Ben LaPorte, Kate Alleman, Bob Sampson
The regular meeting of the Helper City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Dalpiaz at 6:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 20, 2008
Council Member Jensen moved to approve the corrected minutes
of March 20, 2008. Council Member
Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion
Carried. Ganser, Jones, Armstrong,
Jensen and Mascaro all voting yes.
NEIDA GARCIA AND LOIS
GIORDANO BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE UPDATE
Neida Garcia and Lois Giordano updated the council on projects they are working. Ms. Garcia said they have permission from the Railroad to trim the tree behind the city parking lot at 7 South Main and do some beautification around the area. A railroad crossing sign has been purchased and they would like to place it at the end of town across from 408 South Main. Council Member Jones agreed to contact the state road to see what is allowed on Main Street and get permission from the State Road to place the sign on Main Street. Neida asked the council if the city is going to provide the man power and equipment to water the plants they will have in town. Large pots and hanging pots will be placed on Main Street. Council Member Armstrong suggested to the committee that they try limiting high maintenance projects that require year to year maintenance. The council had concerns for the man hours this maintenance would require and a watering system would need to be purchased. Mayor Dalpiaz said that there are so many areas in the city that have been neglected maintenance wise. The city needs to put another employee on maintainence and also assist in the beautification project. Council Member Jones had pictures of a pavilion that WW Clyde would like to build and donate to the city in the turn around at the end of the parkway. The council had no problem with WW Clyde building the pavilion and stated that was a very nice for them to do this for the city. Mayor Dalpiaz said a letter will be drafted and sent to WW Clyde approving the pavilion donation.
Council Member Jones moved to approve the purchase of a
watering system and hire part time person for the beautification project and
the parks department. Council Member Jensen seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Armstrong, Jensen, Mascaro, Ganser and Jones all voting yes.
DISCUSSION ON GOLDEN
RULE MISSION, LAPORTE GROUP AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Mayor Dalpiaz informed council of the meeting held earlier that day with the State, LaPorte and local business owners at the Golden Rule Mission. Ben LaPorte explained his role in the new management of the business he is currently trying to purchase. He will call his business the Avalon House and it will be for transitional housing, housing will include 32 rooms with 32 individual bathrooms in the building. Mr. LaPorte said he can manage the current problems that are going on with the residents, but can not manage other problem areas the city is having. Joni Westbrook director of the Golden Rule mission said that currently there are 33 people at the mission occupied in the 24 rooms, some rooms have bunks and some will be family rooms, Joni supports what the LaPorte group is doing. Lloyd Pendlelton from State Department told council that Ben LaPorte and his staff have already started to manage the mission because of the issues they are currently having. Shelli Goble from the state told council and citizens that residents will have case manager that will work with them to transition out before the Federal Law required 2 year period. Council Member Armstrong was concerned on where the line would be drawn on back ground checks. Who would be allowed in the Avalon House and who would not. Bob Sampson area manager with LaPorte said he would put together a criteria list of forceable felony charges that would deny a resident from being able to stay at the Avalon House. Council Member Jones had concerns that if a person was intoxicated stopped at Avalon House what the procedure would be on who gets to be housed there. Mr. LaPorte explained that the housing was under strict rules, they evaluate each case on who stays there. Mayor Dalpiaz asked how many people the LaPorte group would employee. Joni Westbrook explained the current employment and staff at the mission along with the programs available to help fund the costs at the mission. Mr. LaPorte said the new management would have volunteers but the staff would be paid and would employee local residents. Mayor Dalpiaz asked what happens to a homeless person that comes in if facility is full. Lloyd Pendleton explained that there are other options such as vouchers for motels and busing that are available from the police department, no one in need will be turned out into the street. Council Member Ganser asked the citizens exactly what they expected from Mr. LaPorte, he feels that the community keeps going over the same issues all the time. Dave Dornan said he would expect the council to question any business coming into Helper and he was more comfortable with the LaPorte Group after being at the meeting held at the Golden Rule Mission. Dave Dornan is still concerned about new business that come into town if it would affect them when they find out we have a shelter such as this. Council Member Armstrong stated that a lot of the questions directed at the LaPorte Group have been previously addressed in meetings that some have not attended. It is a net benefit that the state would be involved in Mr. LaPort’s program and would have constant pressure on him. Melanie Steele questioned the capacity at the mission now and the available capacity at homeless shelters all around. Ben LaPorte explained that there is a constant turnover and that is why transitional housing works better than homeless shelters. Ron Mutz told Ben LaPorte that he read in 2 newspapers that his business would house residents with substance abuse problems. It was explained to Mr. Mutz they would help people who have had substance abuse problems, it would not be a substance abuse program. Mr. LaPorte assured Mr. Mutz that he will not be a rehab center. Ms. Westbrook said that the facility never refuses requests to have support things such as church services or AA meetings that would help the residents.
Council Member Armstrong moved to reaffirm the support of
LaPorte Group doing business as Avalon House. Council Member Ganser seconded
the motion. Motion Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Jones and Armstrong all
voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON ORDINANCE 2008-2 PROHIBITING DOGS IN CITY PARKS, CEMETERY AND
PARKWAY.
Council Member Mascaro said he has walked the parkway along with Council members Armstrong and Jones and he did not see much of a dog nuisance problem. He has concerns that the Beautification Committee is going to be putting a lot of work into improvements on the parkway and hates to see damage to the replanting that is going to be done. Council Member Armstrong said there are citizen concerns with the dog problems throughout the city. Pete Via told the council he was a Police Officer in Fruita and they had temporary animal control and it paid for itself with the citations issued to dog owners resulting to no cost to the city. Lois Giordano stated that pet owners should take care of their own animals, but she would like to see no dogs allowed on parkway.
Council Member Mascaro moved to approve Ordinance 2008-2 prohibiting dogs in city parks, cemetery and parkway. Council member Jensen seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Roll call vote is as follows: Jones voting no, Armstrong, Mascaro, Jensen and Ganser voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON RESOLUTION NO. 2008-1 SEWER RATE FEE.
Mayor Dalpiaz stated that PRWID had a sewer rate increase pass thru fee of $3.00 on water connections and $4.00 on sewer.
Council Member Jones moved to adopt Resolution No. 2008-1 sewer rate fee. Council member Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Roll call vote is as follows: Jones, Armstrong, Mascaro, Jensen and Ganser all voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON RESOLUTION 2008-2 CEMETERY FEES.
Attorney Strate presented a rough draft of revised Resolution No. 2008-2 without infant burials. Council Member Jones had concerns with the fee’s for weekend burials being too low to cover the cost to the Public Works department. Helper City burial fees are much lower than other cities and it is costing the city money in some cases because of man hours it takes to do a burial. Council discussed who is considered resident and who is non-resident. Attorney Strate will draft up a new resolution with the proposed fee changes and define resident/non resident.
Council Member Armstrong made a motion to table item for
new Resolution 2008-2 to be drafted by Attorney Strate. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Jones and Armstrong all voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON HOME BUSINESS LICENSE FOR ANNE L. BLAKEY, PILATES BODY AT 619
CANYON STREET
Mayor Dalpiaz had questions about the location of the proposed business. The address states 619 Canyon Street and parking was a concern. Ms. Blakey was not present at meeting to ask what the exact location of the business was. It was the understanding of Deputy Recorder Joan Burgess that the pilates classes would be in the garage/dance studio of resident Rick and Shelli Olsen. Mayor Dalpiaz requested for Joan Burgess to contact Ms. Blakey to ask specific questions about her business. Restrictions needed to be added to applications stating no parking on street if address is correct.
Council Member Jensen made a motion to table item for
more information on Pilates Body. Council
Member Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion
Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Jones
and Armstrong all voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON HIRING HELP FOR
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
Mayor Dalpiaz informed the council that Larry Marinoni/Public Works will be leaving for other employment and his position will need to be filled. Council had discussion on wages for Public Works employees and salaries for the new budget year.
Council Member Jones made a motion to advertise to hire
Public Works employee starting at $11.00/hr. Council Member Jensen seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Jones and Armstrong all voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON PLANNING AND ZONING APPOINTMENT.
Mayor Dalpiaz said Council Member Jensen made a recommendation to him for new member to Planning and Zoning. Mayor Dalpiaz will evaluate who he will appoint to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Council Member Armstrong made a motion to table item until
Mayor Dalpiaz evaluates who will be appointed to Planning and Zoning. Council Member Jensen seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Jones and Armstrong all voting yes.
UNFININSHED BUSINESS:
PROPERTY ISSUE AT 69
SOUTH MAIN
Mayor Dalpiaz and council directed Attorney Strate to pursue litigation.
BOYACK RIGHT-A-WAY
Mayor Dalpiaz met with Tom Boyack last week suggesting property exchange and Mr. Boyack was not interested. Mayor Dalpiaz told him we needed a price of what he wanted for the property. Council Member Jones suggested getting an appraisal on the property to see approximately what the value of the property is, so the city will know what it is worth. Mayor Dalpiaz asked Attorney Strate to get with Tom Boyack to see what we can do to get this property issue solved. Attorney Strate will order an appraisal will be done on property to see what property is worth.
DISABILITY ACT
Attorney Strate told council he made up a schedule for the cost for the 2008-2009 Disability Act and had copies for Council Members Armstrong and Jensen and Public Works Director Orlando Ochoa to review.
POWER FOR NORTH MAIN
INTERCHANGE
Council Member Ganser told council that a work order was completed where WW Clyde wants to set transformers that should arrive on April 17. Council Member Ganser will be in a meeting on Monday with Dale Robertson and Cecil Garcia from Rocky Mountain Power to finalize power on Dalpiaz Ave/Garden Street for the new interchange.
COLTON WATER PROJECT
AND NORTH MAIN WATER PROJECT
Council Member Jones was notified by Hansen Allen & Luce that their sub contractor for compaction testing will be CMT Engineering. Council Member Jones asked Mayor Dalpiaz what he wanted done on the North Main Project as far as Vancon asphalting. Mayor Dalpiaz said he would like Vancon to bow out of contract and have WW Clyde complete all of the asphalting. Council member Jones said he would talk to Fred Jenkins, UDOT project manager, and see if they would be willing to do this.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Council Member Mascaro moved to adjourn. Council Member Armstrong seconded the motion. Motion Carried Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Jones and Armstrong voting yes. Meeting adjourned.
I here by certify that the foregoing represents a true, accurate and complete record of the Helper City Council meeting held on Thursday, April 3, 2008.
________________________________ ___________________________
Mike R. Dalpiaz Joan Burgess
Mayor Deputy Recorder
Approved on April 17, 2008