MINUTES OF THE HELPER CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday, May 18, 2006

6:00 p.m.

Council Chambers

Helper Auditorium

19 South Main

Helper, Utah 84526

ATTENDANCE City Staff

Mayor Mike R. Dalpiaz

City Recorder Jona Skerl

Council Members: Attorney Gene Strate

Kirk Mascaro Officer Stephen Boyer

Robert Farrell Public Works Orlando Ochoa

Chuck Buchanan

John Jones

Dean Armstrong

Citizen: Grant Howell, Debbie Jones, Robert and Gemma Grundy, Janet Barney, Alfred Montez, Cathy and Randy Lamph, Jeremy Lamph, Glena Vose, Ronald Mutz, Bernal Martinez, Leslie Tallerico, Marie Davidson, Earl James. Grant Babcock, Dave Levanger, Rex Sacco, Brian Barton, Charles Hamilton, Jodi Mascaro, Kevin Saccomano.

The regular meeting of the Helper City Council was called to order by Mayor

Dalpaiz at 6:00 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 4, 2006.

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve the minutes of May 4, 2006. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion, motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

DAVE LEVANGER AND BRIAN BARTON ON TRAIL PROJECT.

Dave Levanger, Carbon County Building Inspector, Rex Sacco, Carbon County Planner, and Brian Barton, Jones & Demille Engineering described the new ATV trail the county has been working on. The trail will go from East Carbon to Scofield. The Council had some concerns on some of the trail on the eastside of town, Mr. Laevanger told the council that they will look at all the problems and hopefully work them out.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL SWIMMING POOL PROJECT.

Council Member Armstrong told the council that the cost of the pool as it has been bid is 1.4 million dollars. With the funding for the project the special service district money and the two lease revenue bonds we can precede with the pool. Council Member Armstrong recommended that we proceed with the contract so that the current prices will be locked in. The building has been cut as much as possible and will still meet state code.

Council Member Buchanan moved to assess the $3 to all utility bills starting the first of July, 2006. Council Member Jones seconded the motion, motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

Council Member Armstrong moved to have Mayor Dalpiaz sign the amended general contract for the pool to secure the pricing. Council Member Farrell seconded the motion, motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

Council Member Armstrong moved to accept the supplement grant of $100,000 and loan of $200,000 and extend the payments to 30 years at no interest. Council Member Farrell seconded the motion, motion carried. Buchanan, Farrell, Jones and Armstrong voting yes and Mascaro voting no.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON RESOLUTION 2006-5 WATER RATES.

Mayor Dalpiaz had a problem with the increases that were not part of the agenda. Council Member Buchanan explained that the current resolution states that all fees shall be subject to a 5% increase per year. Mayor Dalpiaz stated that any increase will be on the agenda before it will be discussed.

Council Member Jones explained the lack of repairs to the water infrastructure has put the water system on a crash course. Council Member Jones proposed a $21.50 for 8,000 gallons this will give back some water and will generate $264,000 per year this will help with some revenue for repairs. Mayor Dalpiaz had a problem with the water running down the river instead of using all the water the springs are producing. There are several people that can not afford this water rate. Mayor Dalpiaz suggested that we charge the residents what we charged last year and calculate the charge by square yards of the home and give them unlimited water to use. Marie Davidson felt that the rate was unfair to residents that don’t use 8,000 gallons. Grant Howell had a problem with the rate with water running down stream and the residents paying for the water. Most of the residents at the meeting all wanted to fix the infrastructure and stop the water from running down stream. Mayor Dalpiaz told the council he is working on a plan to sell the excess water to Price City and Wellington.

Council Member Buchanan moved to table Resolution 2006-5 in its current form with the increases until next meeting so all rates can be reviewed. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion, motion carried. Unanimous decision by council present.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON CEMETERY RATES FOR RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS.

Council Member Farrell told council that a family was insulted by calling one of their family member’s non-resident when she had lived here for 60 years. She had to move to Price to the nursing home and had turned her home over to her daughter. Council Member Farrell asked for the council’s opinion on this matter.

Mayor Dalpiaz felt that when residents physically move then they become no-residents. The rates are set up this way at that’s the way it has always been. The council felt that this matter should be looked at and Council Member Farrell was told to get with the City Attorney to change the resolution.

GRANT HOWELL DISCUSSION ON WATER RATES.

Mr. Howell comments where heard during the discussion on Resolution 2006-5.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON HIRING OF VOLUNTEER FIREMAN ERIC ALLRED AND LARRY MARINONI.

Council Member Buchanan moved to approve the hiring of Eric Allred and Larry Marinoni. Council Member Mascaro seconded the motion, motion carried. Unanimous decision by council

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, May 18, 2006.

________________________________ ___________________________

Mike R. Dalpiaz Jona M. Skerl

Mayor City Recorder

Approved on June 1, 2006