MINUTES OF THE HELPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, January 17, 2008
6:00 p.m.
Helper Auditorium
Council Chambers
19 South Main
Helper, Utah 84526
ATTENDANCE: City Staff
Mayor Mike R. Dalpiaz
Council Members: City Recorder Jona Skerl
Dean Armstrong Attorney Gene Strate
Larry Ganser Public Works Orlando Ochoa
Phillip “PJ” Jensen Acting Chief Trent Anderson
John Jones
Kirk Mascaro
Citizens: Jodi Mascaro, Frank Martinez, Lydia Zamantakis, Lois Giordano, Neida Garcia, Becky Curtis, Richard Curtis, Mark Montoya, Jason Llewellyn, Kristina Anderson, Richard Passman, Tom Kosmack, Any Marshall, Jason Marshall, Walter Borla, Gayleen and Pat Kokal, Gina Tomsic, Joe Ori, John Stephen, Grant Howell Melanie Steele, Marilou Kundmueller, Frank Pugliese, Chris Pugliese, Gene Carlson, Marie Davidson, John Hrienson, Brandon Sicilia, Stephen Boyer, Lynn Archuleta, Juan Archuleta.
The regular meeting of the Helper City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Dalpiaz at 6:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 3, 2008
Council Member Jones moved to approve the corrected
minutes of January 3, 2008. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.
Motion Carried. Ganser, Jensen,
Mascaro, Armstrong and Jones all voting yes.
BEST DECORATED HOME.
Mayor Dalpiaz presented the awards for Best Decorated Home.
Mayor Choice Maria Van Soelen, Council Choice Raymond Savala and Committee Choice Debbie Truscott.
Mayor Dalpiaz also mentioned the house on the highway (Ron and Bernie Jones 4945 North Highway 6) that always does a great job for the entrance to Helper.
NEIDA GARCIA AND LOIS
GIORDANO ON HELPER BEAUTIFICATION.
Ms. Garcia gave the council an update on the beautification projects.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON BUSINESS LICENSE FOR MISSING SOCK WASHETERIA AT 155 SOUTH MAIN.
Council Member Jones moved to approve the business
license for Missing Sock Washeteria at 155 South Main. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Armstrong and Jones all voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON DEPARTMENT APPOINTMENTS.
Mayor Dalpiaz read the list of departmental appointments which included Council Member Mascaro as Mayor Pro-Tempore.
Council Member Armstrong moved to approve all
appointments. Council Member Mascaro
seconded the motion. Motion
Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro,
Armstrong and Jones all voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON ORDINANCE 2008-1 AMENDING PERSONNEL POLICIES PERTAINING TO VACATION
TIME.
Ordinance 2008-1 had been discussed in the January 3, 2008 meeting.
Council Member Jones moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2008-1 amending
personnel policies pertaining to vacation time. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. The Council roll call vote is as follows:
Council Members Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Armstrong and Jones in favor with no
one in opposition Ordinance 2008-1 passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON SNOW REMOVAL.
Mayor Dalpiaz opened the discussion by reading Ordinance 88-1 prohibiting the depositing of snow, ice or mud more than 3 feet into the public street with a fine of $299. The city plows are plowing the streets and residents are plowing their driveways with four wheelers right behind them. This is causing a problem with wind-rows that freeze and are breaking the city plows. Mayor Dalpiaz stated that years ago we all shoveled the snow into our yard and this was not a problem. Mayor Dalpiaz showed the council pictures that Orlando Ochoa, had taken of some of the problems. Mayor Dalpiaz told the public that they did not want to give anyone a ticket. Council Member Mascaro stated that there is no where to put the snow at this point and if the residents make an effort of cleaning up the wind-rows from their plows there should not be a problem. Residents do not have backhoes or dump trucks to remove the snow with. Joe Bonacci asked if there was an ordinance on snow removal for the sidewalks, some sidewalks are not being cleared and children are walking in the road. Grant Howell wanted the council to consider property owners that do not have a sidewalk must shovel a path for people to walk on. Ron Mutz asked if he could leave snow in the street 3 feet even though he does not have a sidewalk. Council Member Armstrong stated that if everyone started putting 3 feet into the streets that would narrow streets in some cases to 24 feet. Council Armstrong proposed that allowing the deposit of snow into the street should only be done when the Mayor or Public Works declares an emergency. Richard Curtis stated that four wheelers should clean up their wind -row. Jason Marshall suggested getting the word out to the residents; education may bring voluneetery compliance. Richard Pasmann suggested having everyone put their snow in one place and have the city take it away. Neida Garcia suggested that people receive a first time warning and a chance to clean up before a ticket is issued. Walter Borla suggested that the ordinance be put on the back of the bills, then site people that do not comply.
Council Member Armstrong moved to authorize the Mayor to notify
the public with whatever method he chooses. Council Member Jones seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Ganser, Jensen, Mascaro, Armstrong and Jones all voting yes.
DISCUSSION AND/OR
APPROVAL ON PLACING HELPER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDER CARBON COUNTY SHERIFF’S
DEPARTMENT.
Mayor Dalpiaz stated the he adamantly apposed to having the County run the police department and this is the worse thing he had ever seen on the agenda. Council Member Armstrong started with the comment asking a question should not be a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with having a discussion to explore the possibility of a better way to manage the police department. Council Member Armstrong would like to see if we can combine some services that will save the city money. We have great officers and there should be no reason that they would not be absolved into the Carbon County Sheriff Department. Mayor Dalpiaz stated that the Carbon County Sheriff is not in anyway soliciting to acquire our police department. Mayor Dalpiaz pointed out that many cities in Utah that had county patrol is now creating their own police department because they are not getting the protection they need. Council Member Ganser told the council that he talked to Sheriff Cordova and found that it would not be cheaper for Helper to be combined with the county. County Sheriffs make more per hour than our officers do. Council Member Jones felt that if we do not investigate into other options it would be a dereliction of my duties to the city. Council Member Armstrong explained he just wanted to have an open dialog with the County to see if it would be beneficial to the City and our police officers. Attorney Strate told the council that our Justice Court would probability be gone. Melanie Steele, Marilou Kundmueller and Walter Borla commented that it is always a good idea to investigate and get more facts and then assess the situation then bring it back to the council. Mark Montoya gave a speech on behalf of the Helper Police Department and how helpful they have been to him and other residents. Brandon Sicilica (reserve officer for Helper) told the council that each officer lives here and has a personal stake and personal relationship with the citizens. All of the Helper Officers are required to be first responders no other agency has that. Gaylene Kokal felt that the issue was all about money. Jason Marshall (Utah Highway Patrol) pointed out that having Helper Officers as First Responders is important to our community. Richard Curtis felt that the Helper Officers take more pride in there jobs because they are here where the County Officers are not. Lois Giordano and Frank Pugliese both commented on the saving lives factor. Marie Davidson felt that it would be good to have an open dialog because there have been some issues with the Police Department. Pat Kokal asked if there has been any city that has gone to a county and been successful. Frank Pugliese was ashamed that the council would hire new officers and then talk about going to the County with no guarantee that the officer’s jobs would be safe. Council Member Jensen stated that this is only a fact finding mission it is not to get rid of the current officers.
Council Member Armstrong moved to open formal discussion
with Carbon County Commission to explore combining the Public Safety resources
under the Carbon County Sheriff Department. Council Member Jones seconded the
motion. Motion Carried. Jensen, Armstrong and Jones all voting yes
Ganser and Mascaro voting no.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
(A) SOLAR LIGHT FOR
BILLBOARD:
Council Member Mascaro is stilling looking into the solar lighting.
(B) CARPET FOR 69
SOUTH MAIN.
Waiting for the property issue to be completed.
(C) BOYACK
RIGHT-A-WAY.
Mayor and Attorney Strate are still working on an agreement.
(D) KEY BANK LEASE.
Attorney Strate is still working on this.
(E) LIBRARY BOARD.
Was taken care of in the Department Appointments
(F) POWER FOR NORTH MAIN INTERCHANGE.
Council Member Jones and Ganser will be working on this.
EXECUTIVE SESSION ON
PERSONNEL ISSUE.
There was no executive session called.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Council Member Mascaro moved to adjourn. Council Member Armstrong seconded the motion. Ganser, Jensen, Armstrong and Jones 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, January 17, 2008.
________________________________ ___________________________
Mike R. Dalpiaz Jona M. Skerl
Mayor City Recorder
Approved on February 7, 2008