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Aurora City Council Minutes
City of Aurora City Council Meeting February 18, 2019 Page 1 CITY OF AURORA CITY COUNCIL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING FEBRUARY 18, 2019 FINAL
City Council Meeting-
Mayor Daven Quarnberg welcomed everyone to the city council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Quarnberg informed the public that the time place and agenda of the meeting had been placed on the state notice website and provided to the Salina Sun newspaper via the state website notification system. Each member of the city council also received notice of the meeting and agenda at least two days prior to the meeting. The notice and agenda were also posted at the Aurora City Office Building, the US Post Office lobby and on the auroracity.org website. Jim Harrison offered an opening expression of choice.
PRESENT: Mayor: Daven Quarnberg Council Member: Denton Mason Council Member: Nancy Kennedy Council Member: Jim Harrison Council Member: Andy Rasmussen Council Member: Kelly Mason Maintenance Supervisor: Dan Rasmussen
STAFF PRESENT: Clint Johnson, City Recorder EXCUSED: VISITORS: Ronda Huntsman, Deb Dull representing Rocky Mountain Power, Jeff Albrecht, Tyler Foote, Aaron Alton
1- APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
The Aurora City Council reviewed the minutes of the January 21, 20198 meeting where a few minor changes were made.
Council Member Denton Mason moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Council Member Andy Rasmussen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by Council Rasmussen, Kennedy, D. Mason, K. Mason and Harrison.
2- OPEN SESSION- No one came to address the city council during open session.
3- EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT REQUEST-
Scout Tyler Foote presented an eagle project to the City Council. Tyler would like to pour cement in the batting cage at the Aurora City Park and place turf in the batting cage to upgrade the facility and make it more user friendly. Tyler had prepared cost estimates for each phase of the project with cement roughly costing $2300.00 and turf around $1300.00. Tyler had prepared drawings for the city council and was well prepared with names of individuals who had committed to help him with his project.
Council Member Denton Mason moved to approve the Eagle Scout Project for Tyler Foote with Aurora City paying for the cement and approaching North Sevier Recreation to see if they would consider paying for the artificial turf. Council Member Kelly Mason seconded the motion. The motion was approved by members: D. Mason, Rasmussen, Kennedy, K. Mason and Harrison.
4- DONATION TO THE SALINA CITY LIBRARY-
Ronda Huntsman came before the Aurora City Council to request the annual donation for the Salina City Library. Mrs. Huntsman reported on what was going on at the library and usage of the facility. Mrs. Huntsman expressed her gratitude for the donations in the past and explained how the money helps them offer programs.
Council Member Nancy Kennedy moved that Aurora City make their annual donation of $1300.00 to the Salina City Library. Council Member Jim Harrison seconded the motion. The motion was approved by members Kennedy, Harrison, K. Mason, D. Mason and Rasmussen.
5- FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER-
Debra Dull representing Rocky Mountain Power attended the City Council meeting to renew the franchise agreement Aurora City has with Rocky Mountain Power. Ms. Dull expressed her gratitude to Aurora City for the congenial working relationship the city has with Rocky Mountain Power and the company’s desire to continue with a franchise agreement. The Council discussed the term of the franchise agreement and decided that a five year term would not limit future City Councils ability to make any changes if needed.
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Council Member Andy Rasmussen moved to accept the Rocky Mountain Power franchise agreement for a term of five years. Council Member Denton Mason seconded the motion. The motion was approved by members Rasmussen, D. Mason, K. Mason, Kennedy and Harrison.
6- WATER PROJECT UPDATE-
Jeff Albrecht from Savage/Albrecht Engineering firm was in attendance at the city council meeting to discuss the refurbishing of the existing Aurora City well. Mr. Albrecht stated that things had not gone too smoothly with the water pumping test that the city recently completed. Mr. Albrecht stated that the test had concluded with a 260 gallon per minute flow which was up only slightly from what the city had been currently pumping. Mr. Albrecht suggested several options for the city. The first would be some discussion with Mr. Forbush from the division of water rights to see what options Aurora City would have if they went forward with a new well project. Mayor Quarnberg and Mr. Albrecht will schedule a meeting with Mr. Forbush and explain the situation that Aurora City is facing. Mr. Albrecht also stated that if Aurora City wanted to drill a new culinary water well to help with future growth, the process could begin by selecting a site and property owner who would be willing to work with Aurora City and drill a test well at a cost of around $80,000.00. Finding adequate water rights and sourcing would be a priority as well. Mr. Albrecht suggested working with funding agencies such as CIB and Division of Water Quality and explain that Aurora has invested substantial money already into the project and see what kind of funding package Aurora City could procure. The discussion also turned to culinary water rates and how to recoup some of the funding that the city had already spent on the project. Raising culinary utility rates was discussed and it was determined that funding agencies may require the city to raise rates to receive a funding package. Mr. Albrecht stated that sometimes state agencies grant small leeway’s for communities who are in need of water resources. Mr. Albrecht will discuss the matter with the funding agencies. Mr. Albrecht also stated that before a test well could be planned and started, water rights would need to be moved to any new well. (Aaron Altman arrived at the meeting around 9:00 pm but I will include his contribution in this portion of the minutes.) Mr. Altman from Grimshaw Drilling arrived at the meeting and explained exactly what the drilling company had found with the current city well. Mr. Altman discussed how the city should return the well to working condition and explained that there were three options for the city. The first option was a submersible pump which uses water for lubrication rather than oil. The advantage would be not to have oil products get into the culinary water and the pump is at the bottom of the shaft in the aquifer rather that at the top. The second City of Aurora City Council Meeting February 18, 2019 Page 4
would be an oil based lubricating pump that requires oil to lubricate any bearings and the pump is place on the top of the well. Having the pump at the top is an advantage to allow any repairs to be done without having to pull the entire well. The third option was to install a submersible pump. The cost difference between the three options was discussed but Mr. Altman was going to check prices and get back with the Mayor concerning any cost differences. Mr. Altman felt that the oil based pump was probably going to be slightly cheaper in the long run. The council also discussed keeping some spare parts from the old system to have on hand in case of an emergency would also be a smart practice. The city council then took all of the information under advisement.
7- UPGRADES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT-
Aurora City Police Chief Matt McLean was unable to attend the city council meeting. Chief McLean was wanting to discuss with the council the purchase of a new police car and some upgrades such as a dash cam, etc. The council determined to put the item on next month’s agenda.
8- LOST CREEK INTERSECTION DISCUSSION-
Mayor Quarnberg informed the council that Aurora City would need to sign a quick claim deed for some of the property location in the Lost Creek Intersection Project. The property would need to be deeded to Sevier County but that the city would retain an easement through the property in order to service any needs to culinary or sewer systems.
City Council Member Nancy Kennedy moved to deed the needed property to Sevier County while retaining an easement on the property to service any utility systems that Aurora City would need to service. Council Member Andy Rasmussen seconded the motion. The motion was approved by members Kennedy, Rasmussen, K. Mason, D. Mason and Harrison.
9- CHANGES TO ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE-
Mayor Quarnberg stated that Animal Control Officer Mickey McKenzie was requesting some changes to the Aurora City animal control ordinance. Costs of having an animal in the Aurora City Dog Pound would need to be changed as well as including a section for dealing with dogs who are vicious and bite citizens. It was explained that the current ordinance does a poor job
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handling such issues. The city council was notified that the planning commission was currently working on updating the animal control section of the ordinance and that those items would definitely be updated and included in the new ordinance. The planning commission should be completed with the animal ordinance section after their April 2019 meeting and then they will send the document to the city council for their approval.
10- DEPARTMENT REVIEWS-
Buildings- Council Member Jim Harrison stated that there needed to be a few changes made to the rental agreements for the city buildings. No one under 18 should be allowed to use or rent the building. Such changes to the agreement were made. Council Member Harrison also wanted the agreement to have in bold letters- NO SMOKING, DRUG USE OR ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES. Planning Commission- Council Member Nancy Kennedy discussed that the planning commission had discussed the nuisance ordinance with Chief McLean and received his input into the abandoned vehicle/non-working car section of the ordinance. The planning commission incorporated Chief McLean’s suggestions into the nuisance ordinance and they would review those changes at their next planning commission meeting.
11- REQUEST FROM MISS NORTH SEVIER PAGEANT FOR A DONATION-
Mr. Johnson informed the City Council that they had received a request from the Miss North Sevier Pageant for a donation to the scholarship fund. Aurora City has donated $200.00 the past years.
Council Member Denton Mason moved that Aurora City donate $200.00 to the Miss North Sevier Scholarship Pageant. Council Member Nancy Kennedy seconded the motion. The motion was approved by members Kennedy, D. Mason, K. Mason, Harrison and Rasmussen.
12- REVIEW OF CULINARY WATER USE REPORT AND PAST DUE ACCOUNTS-
The city council reviewed each report.
13- REVIEW OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION, BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES
The city council reviewed each report.
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14- EXECUTIVE/CLOSED SESSION
The city council had no need to go into a closed meeting
15- ADJOURNMENT
The council concluded their meeting at 10:22 pm and a closing expression of choice was given by Denton Mason.
Approved: ________________________________________
Mayor: ___________________________________________
Recorder: _________________________________________
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