MINUTES OF THE HELPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING

 

Thursday, February 19, 2004

 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                                             Sgt. Ralph Vose      

           Robert Farrell     

          Tony Gonzales

          Robert Welch (Absent Excused)

          Chuck Buchanan

                                                                   

Citizen: Richard Shaw, Ron & Bridgette Dalton, Marilyn & Jim Robinson, Delynn Fielding, Steve Christenson, Greg Payne, James Callor, Betty Wheeler, Char & Jerry Hammker, Mark Stuekenschneider, Cliff Coppersmith, Nick Tatton, Ronald Mutz,  Sherill Shaw, Walter Borla, Larry and Erna Ganser Orlando Ochoa, Scott Grundy,Gerald Mills, Charlie Hamilton.

 

 

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 said in Redevelopment meeting

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  Jim Robinson told council that he hoped the council would not allow any sexually oriented businesses in Helper.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES –  January 15, 2004.

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve the minutes of January 15, 2004. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

CHARLOTTE HAMMAKER ON SNOW REMOVAL.

 

Jerry Hamaker addressed the council on a snow removal ticket he had received.  Mr. Hamaker asked that the council to vacate the snow removal ordinance.  Mr. Hamaker claimed that the Helper Police warned some people and others he gave tickets. Mr. Hamaker would like to see a warning before police issue tickets as they do for parking on streets. Council Member Gonzales explained that the council had amended the over night parking ordinance and that is why the warnings were issued.  Mr. Hamaker also complained about how the street department would plow the snow on to the sidewalks. Council Member Gonzales stated that if the street crew had created the problem on the sidewalk anyone can call him and he will send the crew to clean up the snow.    Council Member Buchanan told Mr. Hamaker that the only thing the council can do is change the ordinance, this is a court matter now and the council would have to refer this matter to the City Attorney. 

 

 

MARK STUCKENSCHNEIDER ON HISTORICAL PRESERVATION.

 

Mark Stuckenschneider explained to the council that the historical preservation committee would like to get more historical buildings on the historical register.  The committee would also like to purchase some historical plaques for the buildings on the register.   Mr. Stuckenschneider stated that funding would be needed and there are some grants available for the plaques.  The committee would like to see a budget for them for copies, mailings etc.  Mayor Bonacci explained that the council had not planned for expenses for the committee but would look at that for next budget year.

 

 

 

LARRY GANSER SEWER ON 2ND EAST.

 

Mr. Ganser complained to the council about the smell in his home from the sewer line every winter for three years.  Mr. Ganser stated that this has been an on going problem that the city has been trying to solve but with no success.  Mayor Bonacci told Mr. Ganser that the water department is looking at the problem and is trying to come up with a solution.  The replacement of the line has been looked at but there has not been any other problems reported.  Mr. Ganser stated that there was a hump in the road that may be causing the problem.  Mayor Bonacci assured Mr. Ganser the water department will be taking care of the problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELYNN FEILDING ON PENDING JOINT PROJECTS.

 

Mr. Feilding told the council about a new community center that has been discussed by several city and county officals. This would be a several multi use building with a library, recreation, and fine arts center. If the funding can be found through a Zap Tax or various grants this may become a realtiy.  The building would be located on the C.E.U. campus and some of the old buildings would be replaced with this new center.    Mr. Feilding asked the council what Helper would like to see in this facility.  Once we have an idea what everyone would like in the facility then we can determine how much funding will be needed.   Walter Borla felt that this was not a good idea that every city has recreational facilities and libraries what we need is some industry in the county.   

 

WALTER BORLA ON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL.

 

Mr. Borla told the council that Helper has a chance to host a state 2-A baseball tournament.  Mr. Borla stated that all the teams involved are from all around Utah.  Mayor Bonacci and the council would like to see the tournament in Helper and gave their support and permission to use the American Legion Field.

 

 

SHERILL SHAW ON ARTS FESTIVAL.  

 

Sherill Shaw, Chairman of the Arts Festival, asked the council to try and encourage the businesses and residents in Helper to show support of the Arts Festival.  Ms. Shaw told the council that there had been a few complaints about the street closing.  Ms. Shaw told the council the festival would be on August 20,21 and 22.  Ms. Shaw explained some of the new events that the committee has come up with. Ms. Shaw also asked the council if we could get a roof on the stage in the park.  Ms. Shaw has been writing a request to the Restaurant Tax for a grant for the stage.   The council and the Mayor gave their full support for the Arts Festival.

 

MIKE JAMES ON CAR SHOW.

 

Betty Wheeler addressed the council on behalf of Mr. James. Ms. Wheeler told the council that the Butch Cassidy Car Show would like to return to Helper in June.  Mayor Bonacci and the council would like to see the car show in Helper again. Mayor Bonacci asked that the Car Show committee get a Non -Profit number from the state.  Council Member Farrell asked if the car show could be incorporated into the Arts Festival.  Richard Shaw stated that Mike James did not feel that this was a good time for a car show due to other car shows in the area.   Betty Wheeler told the council that Mr. James has applied for the Non-Profit number and it is on its way.  Ms. Wheeler told the council that is was a big draw to the area.  Mayor Bonacci and the council told Ms. Wheeler that they would give their support to the car show.

ZONE CHANGE ON STRIP OF LAND AT THE END OF BRYNER STREET.

 

Helper Planning and Zoning has recommended to the council to advertise for a zone change from R-1 5,000 to GC-1.  Tom Boyack has asked for the change to install storage units on the property. 

 

 

Council Member Farrell moved to advertise for a public hearing for the zone change. Council Member Buchanan seconded the motion. Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON ORDINANCE 2004-2 AMENDING BURN PERMITS.

 

Attorney Gene Strate in formed the council of the changes to Ordinance 2004-2. Burning permits will only be issued for Helper and there is no permit needed for agriculture burning they just need to alert dispatch.  Council Member Gonzales wanted to add to 6-4-1.5 is prohibited anytime for trash, garbage burning.

 

Council Member Gonzales moved to approve Ordinance No. 2004-2 amending burn permits with changes.  Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. The Council roll call vote was as follows:  Council Members Mascaro, Gonzales, Buchanan and Farrell in favor with no one in opposition Ordinance No. 2004-2 passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

 

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON RECREATIONAL BEER LICENSE FOR SCAVO WEDDING AND DAVIS WEDDING.

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve both licenses. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON RAISE FOR COURT CLERK OF .25.

 

 

Council Member Farrell can not see raising wages with the money problems the city has at this time. Mr. Farrell stated that the city should be tightening our belts, the clerk is making better than minimum wage. Council Member Buchanan wanted an evaluation on all employees for raises and would like to see one on the court clerk.  This item was tabled until an evaluation was done on the employee and the council could review it.  

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to table this until next meeting and have an evaluation done on the employee. Council Member Farrell seconded the motion. Motion carried. Buchanan, Farrell and Mascaro voted Yes and Gonzales No.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON HIRING OF NEW POLICE OFFICER.

 

Mayor Bonacci explained that the city had a police officer resign and the city must replace the officer.  Trevor Wood would be the new officer for the Homeland Security Grant.   The grant has been in place since November of 2003 and the city had been committed to have a sixth officer in place for four years.

 

 

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve the hiring of the new police officer. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion. Motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

 

 

 

 

PLANNING AND ZONING ISSUES.

 

No issues to report.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:             

 

There being no further business Council Member Buchanan moved to adjourn the meeting.  Council Member Mascaro 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 19, 2004.

 

 

 

________________________________        ___________________________

Joseph S. Bonacci                                           Jona M. Skerl

Mayor                                                               City Recorder

 

Approved on March 18, 2004