MINUTES OF THE HELPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 

Thursday, February 20, 2003

 6:00 p.m.

Council Chambers

Helper Auditorium

19 South Main

Helper, Utah  84526

 

 

ATTENDANCE                                                       City Staff

       Mayor Joseph S. Bonacci

                                                                               City Recorder Jona Skerl         Council Members:                                                  City Attorney Gene Strate

           Kirk Mascaro                                               Chief George Zamantakis

           Jim Robinson                                             

           Kim Spradlin                                                       

          Tony Gonzales

           Robert Welch

 

Citizen: Karen Basso, Jeff Cisneros, Jeff Jewkes, Doug Rasmussen, Sherrie Vlamakis, Mark Stuckenschneider, Marilyn Robinson, Patti Pierce.

 

The regular meeting of the Helper City Council was called to order by Mayor Bonacci at 6:00 p.m.

 

 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Bonacci.

 

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS: As there was no one present who wished to discuss any non-agenda items with the council, the meeting proceeded as outlined.

 

 

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January  16, 2003.

 

Council Member Mascaro moved to approve the minutes of December 26, 2002 and January 16, 2003 Council Member Welch seconded the motion. Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

COMMUNITY THEATER GROUP PRESENTATION.

 

Community Theater Group presented a donation of $350 to the Rio Theater.  During the Light Parade the group had some performances at the Rio Theater and had a donation jar.   The group had matched that donation jar and presented a very large check to Mayor Bonacci.

 

COUNCIL MEMBER SPRADLIN PRESENTATION FOR ART FESTIVAL.

 

Council Member Spradlin presented Mark Stuckeneider a plaque for all his work at the 2002 Helper Arts Festival.

 

 

DOUG RASMUSSEN REPORT ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

 

Doug Rasmussen, of Smuin, Rich and Marsing, addressed some of the points made in the annual financial report.  Mr. Rasmussen pointed out some issues that needed to be changed.

 

 

EMERY TELECOM DISCUSSION ON EASEMENT.

 

Emery Telecom canceled this item.  They had no need for an easement from Helper City.

 

JEFF JEWKES PRESENTATION OF TROPHY AND ACCOUNT CONCERNS.

 

 Jeff Jewkes and Jeff Cisneros presented the council with a trophy that the Helper Legion Team won for second place in the Utah State Baseball Tournament.  Both men had worked on the American Legion Field doing many improvements to the field.  

 

RAY BENNETT ON SALE OF PROPERTY TO U.D.O.T.

 

Mr. Bennett was not in attendance for the meeting.  Mayor Bonacci informed the council that a small piece of property was needed for the new over pass.  It is unusable and the state will buy this from the city.  Mayor Bonacci had signed an agreement to allow the State to purchase the parcel of land for fair market value.

 

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR CARBON COUNTY CHAMBER.

 

Council Member Mascaro moved to approve membership dues in the amount of $265 for Carbon County Chamber.  Council Member Robinson seconded the motion. Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

ATTORNEY STRATE ON EASEMENTS FOR WALKWAY.

 

Attorney Strate informed council that Wally Gore’s Attorney would like to deed the property to Helper City for the walkway connecting with Carbon County’s Spring Canyon Trial.  Mr. Gore’s concern is a liability issue if someone was injured on his property he does not want be liable. Mr. Gore also needs access to his property and would like to dedicate this section to a friend of his.  Attorney Strate will write up, with council’s permission, an agreement to all land owners, Wally Gore, Utah Railway, and Molinar Estate with a liability cause which would leave the land owners harmless to personal and property damage.

 

Council Member Robinson moved to approve the easement and agreements with the property owners as stated by Attorney Strate.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  Unanimous decision by council present.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON AUTHORIZING PURCHASE ORDERS.

Mayor Bonacci proposed to the council that he would sign all purchase orders being the budget officer and the council members will sign only their department’s purchase orders.   Mayor Bonacci told council that all council members need to be aware of items bought through their budgets. 

 

Council Member Welch moved to approve the authorizing of the purchase orders as proposed by Mayor Bonacci.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  Unanimous decision by council present.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON ADVERTISING FOR BIDS ON BACKHOE AND FORD TRUCK.

 

Council Member Gonzales asked for council’s permission to advertise for bids on the street departments backhoe and the old ford truck know as Luther.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE. NO. 2003-1, PERTAINING TO THE LICENSING OF DOGS AND CATS.

 

Chief Zamantakis and Patti Preice, Carbon County Animal Control, explained to council the reason for licensing cats.  Ms. Preice told council that House Bill 128 may pass this year which will have all animal shelters euthanaized all animals that are not identifiable by license, rabies tag or have a chip implant.

Chief Zamantakis and Ms. Preice both felt that licensing cats may help control feral cats.

Council member Welch moved to approve Ordinance No. 2003-1 pertaining to the licensing of dogs and cats.  Council member Mascaro seconded the motion.  The Council roll call vote was as follows:  Council Members Gonzales,  Robinson and Spraldin against Welch and Mascaro in favor Ordinance No. 2003-1 failed to pass by a unanimous roll call vote.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON RESOLUTION NO.

2003-1 ESTABLISHING FEES FOR DOG AND CAT LICENSES.

 

  Resolution No. 2003-1 would change the licensing fees to $5 for neutered animals and $25 for non-neutered and a $5 late fee will be imposed.  These fees will be initiated on January 1, 2004.  License fees for cats will be removed from the resolution.

Council member Robinson moved to approve Resolution No. 2003-1 establishing fees of licensing of dogs only.  Council member Spradlin seconded the motion.  The Council roll call vote was as follows:  Council Members Gonzales, Robinson and Spraldin, Welch, Mascaro in favor with no one in opposition Resolution No. 2003-1 pass by a unanimous roll call vote.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON ORDINANCE NO. 2003-2 PERTAINING TO BURN PERMITS.

 

Ordinance No. 2003-2 explains the regulations pertaining to open burning within the boundaries that are covered by Helper City Fire Department.  The ordinance also gives the closed fire season period from June 1st to October 1st.

 

Council member Welch moved to approve Ordinance No. 2003-2 pertaining to burn permits.  Council member Mascaro seconded the motion.  The Council roll call vote was as follows:  Council Members Gonzales, Robinson and Spraldin, Welch, Mascaro in favor with no one in opposition Ordinance No. 2003- 2 pass by a unanimous roll call vote.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON RESOLUTION NO. 2003-2 ESTABLISHING FEES FOR BURNING PERMITS.

 

Resolution No. 2003-2 establishes a $5 fee for burning permits.

 

Council member Welch moved to approve Resolution No. 2003-2 establishing fees for burn permits.  Council member Spradlin seconded the motion.  The Council roll call vote was as follows:  Council Members Gonzales, Robinson and Spraldin, Welch, Mascaro in favor with no one in opposition Resolution No. 2003- 2 pass by a unanimous roll call vote.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF WATER AND SEWER RATES.

Council Member Welch gave each council member a list of fees for new water rates.  Council Member Welch asked council to look them over and if anyone had a better plan to let him know.  Mr. Welch told council that the rates at the City have not been changed for many years and the cost of repairs keep going up. The new rate would benefit those who use very little water.  Mayor Bonacci suggested that this issue be rolled over to next council so that public would have a chance to be present.  Karen Basso, Sun Advocate, agreed to run an article in the newspaper so residents would be advised.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL OF POSSIBLE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH CARBON EMERY INVESTMENT.

 

Council Member Gonzales explained to council that he had approached Mr. Jim Diamanti about using his lot in Martin for parking for the fish pond.  Mr. Diamanti agreed to the agreement if the City would clean up the wood pile that is on the lot now.  Council Member Gonzales will also contact Division of Wildlife to see if they have any monies available for a fence on the property.

 

Council Member Welch moved to approve the lease agreement with Carbon Emery Investment Co.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  Motion carried.  Unanimous decision by council present.

 

PLANNING AND ZONING ISSUES.

 

Nothing to report.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

There being no further business Council Member Mascaro moved to adjourn the meeting.  Council Member Welch seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

 

I here by certify that the foregoing represents a true, accurate and complete record of the Helper City Council meeting held on Thursday, February 20, 2003.

 

 

 

________________________________        ___________________________

Joseph S. Bonacci                                           Jona M. Skerl

Mayor                                                               City Recorder

 

Approved on March 20, 2003