MINUTES OF THE HELPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday, September 18, 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 (Absent Excused)    

          Tony Gonzales

          Robert Welch

          Chuck Buchanan

                                                                   

Citizen: Melanie Steele, Jeff Adams, Sherill Shaw, Paul Kosec,Tommy Hribar, Millie Fox, Darin Telpy, Sue Ann Martell, Willie Drawn.

 

 

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 – August 21, 2003.

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve the minutes of August 21, 2003. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

 

PAUL KOSEC ON SUBDIVISION.

 

Mr. Kosec addressed the council on curb and gutter on the subdivision for Wally Gore. The council referred Mr. Kosec to update his plans and send them to the Planning and Zoning Board and if they approve them the council may vote on a variance for the curb and gutter issue.  The council concerns are the drainage problems that may occur without curb and gutter.  Council Member Buchanan pointed out that the ordinances do state the any subdivision must have curb and gutter.   Mayor Bonacci recommend that Mr. Kosec get an updated plan being that the currant plan is twenty years old and return to planning and zoning if they do not approve the plan then Mr. Kosec may meet with the Board of Adjustments. 

 

 

JEFF ADAMS, ASSOCIATES OF GOVERNMENT, 21ST CENTURY AWARD PRESENTATION.

 

Jeff Adams presented two plaques for completing the Governor’s program on the 21st. Century grant.  Mr. Adams and Mayor Bonacci commended Darin Teply, and Sue Ann Martell, for all of their hard work on filling out the questionnaire to complete the grant.

 

 

SHERILL SHAW ON ARTS FESTIVAL.

 

Sherill Shaw, Chairman of the Helper Arts Festival, presented a summary on the out come of the Arts Festival.  Ms. Shaw informed the council that the festival budget was right in line and there will be more events next year.   Mayor Bonacci congratulated Ms. Shaw and her committee for an excellent job on the festival.

Ms. Shaw asked if the city could go to the restaurant tax for a grant to build a roof on the existing stage.

 

 

 

TEPLY GRAPHICS ON WEB PAGE.

 

Darin Telpy asked council want they would like to see on the web page for the city.   Council Buchanan told Mr. Telpy that he would like to see items on the web page that will attract tourist to Helper.  Mayor Bonacci would like to have a bid on what this will cost. Mr. Telpy will bring the information and a sample to the next meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL RESOLUTION NO. 2003-11 RECERTIFICATION OF JUSTICE COURT.  

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to adopt Resolution No. 2003 -11 on the recertification of the Justice Court. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  The Council roll call vote was as follows: Council Members Mascaro, Gonzales, Buchanan and Welch in favor with no one in opposition Resolution No.2003-11 passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON DISPOSAL OF OLD PELICAN TRUCK AND OLD WATER DEPARTMENT TRUCK.

 

Mayor Bonacci asked the council if they felt that the old pelican truck and old water department truck is worth more than $300.  Our surplus policy states that if the Mayor and council feel that the property is worth less than $300 the bid ad will be posted in three public places and not in the paper. 

 

Council Member Welch moved that the property is worth less than $300 and just to post an ad for bids.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

 

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL TO SIGN C.I.B. GRANT FOR WATER PROJECT.

 

Mayor Bonacci told the council that the Community Impact Board granted us  $250,000 to repair the Fish Creek Springs.  However, the recommendation to the board was for a loan. The board stated that Helper is not charging enough for its water.  Mayor Bonacci stated in the future we may have to raise the rate of water to maintain the lines.  

 

Council Member Gonzales moved that the city accept the grant from the Community Impact Board in the amount of $250,000.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER TO PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD.

 

Mayor Bonacci asked council to approve Jean Boyack’s appointment to the Planning and Zoning Board.  Jean will be taking Chuck Buchanan’s place on the board.

 

 

Council Member Welch moved to approve Jean Boyack’s appointment to the planning and zoning board.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON HIRING NEW POLICE OFFICER FOR GRANT.

 

Chief Zamantakis recommend to the council that Kevin Saccomano be hired to replace Kent Allred who has resigned as of October 15, 2003. Officer Saccomano will start his full time position on October 1, 2003.

 

Council Member Welch moved to approve the hiring of Officer Kevin Saccomano.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

Chief Zamantakis explained to the council about a grant that Home Land Security granted to Helper to pay 90% wages and benefits for a full time officer.  This grant will be for 3 years, then the City must pay for the officer on the fourth year, after that the city is allowed to lay-off the officer if it can not afford the officer.  Willie Drawn a detective for Carbon County suggested to the council that they make one of the officers a detective.  Detective Drawn told the council that more and more cases our officers bring in needs to be investigated. There has been some very serious in Helper, a detective investigate deeper into a case.

 

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to accept the grant and the hiring of new officer.  Council Member Welch seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON RAISE FOR CHRISTY WESTON NEW HEAD COURT CLERK.

 

Council Member Gonzales moved to approve the raise from $6 to $7 for the new head clerk Christy Weston.  Council Member Welch seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON PURCHASING A NEW CEMETERY PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,500 FROM CASELLE.

 

Mayor Bonacci explained to the council that this program will print out the locations for the new bulletin board at the cemetery and help get the cemetery on the Historical Burial website.

 

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve on purchasing the new cemetery program.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

 

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON SALE OF CEMETERY LOTS.

 

Mayor Bonacci told the council that Eda Romano would like to purchase some cemetery lots that were sold over sixty years ago and all the family members are gone.   Attorney Strate told the council he would look into this matter.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON RENTAL OF TRACK HOE FOR FISH CREEK REPAIRS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000.

 

Council Member Welch explained to the council that the track hoe was the only way they could get into the springs. 

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve the rental of track hoe.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON SICK LEAVE FOR EARL CULLUM.

 

Mayor Bonacci explained that Mr. Cullum had been injured on the job and is on Worker’s Compensation.   According to our policy manual the council may agree to allow Mr. Cullum sick leave accrual while he is on Worker’s Compensation.

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to not give accrual sick leave to Earl Cullum.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion.  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, September 18, 2003.

 

 

________________________________        ___________________________

Joseph S. Bonacci                                           Jona M. Skerl

Mayor                                                               City Recorder

Approved on October 16, 2003