Daniel Town Council Meeting
Monday, September 12, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Wasatch County Services Building, Room 126
55 South 500 East, Heber City, UT
Quorum present: Mayor Michael Duggin, Council members Eric Bunker, and Chip Turner were present at 5:33 PM when Mayor Duggin called the regularly scheduled meeting to order. Council member Kasey Bateman and Council member Jon Blotter arrived late at 5:40 and 6:20 PM respectively. Recorder Merry Duggin was present to record the minutes. Treasurer Sherri Price was also present.
Members of the public in attendance: Ryan Taylor, Gary Weight, and Kim Norris.
1) PUBLIC COMMENT CONCERNING ANY ISSUE NOT ON THE AGENDA
There were no comments.
2) BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICANTS
No applicants for new business licenses were present.
3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR AUGUST 1, 2011 MEETING.
The Council had not been provided the minutes prior to the meeting. Council member Turner moved to table the approval of the minutes until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Council member Bunker seconded the motion. Mayor Duggin and Council members Turner and Bunker voted to approve this motion.
Council member Kasey Bateman arrived at 5:40 PM.
4) STORM HAVEN FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT UPDATE. REPORT ON MEETING WITH FEMA OFFICIALS.
Mayor Duggin reported that the second meeting with FEMA officials concerning the flooding in Storm Haven had occurred earlier on September 12. According to Mayor Duggin, we have 2 options: repair the damage or replace the current culvert situation with an upgrade that will mitigate damages in the future. Town of Daniel prefers to mitigate, but the standard we hope to meet is a cost for both projects of under $63,900. According to FEMA rules, a project estimated to cost under this amount would be funded up front and work would proceed through the bid process. If the project actually costs less than the estimate, the Town would be able to keep the cost difference. If the project’s actual cost exceeds the estimate, the Town could apply for additional funding. If the project costs are projected to exceed $63,900, the funds would be paid to the Town as a reimbursement of expenses after they are incurred rather than an up front payment amount. In either case, the Town will have to bear 25% of the cost, but the volunteer efforts of the residents and expenses already paid by the Town will be counted toward the 25%.
FEMA officials will complete the paperwork for us based on information provided by Wasatch County and the Town of Daniel, and they will submit the paperwork for approval to FEMA. In anticipation of approval, Mr. Ryan Taylor, town engineer asked if it would be prudent for the Town to proceed with the hydrology report and engineering that will be required by FEMA, so that once the approval has been made for the project, Town of Daniel would be ready to advertise the project for bid. After discussion, Council member Turner moved to proceed to perform the hydrology report for the project. Council member Bateman seconded the motion, and the motion was passed by 4 “aye” votes: Duggin, Bunker, Bateman, and Turner. Council member Blotter was not present to vote.
Mayor Duggin then asked Council member Bunker to assume the chair of the meeting as the mayor was required to take a phone call.
Mr. Taylor then asked if he could also prepare the bid documents as well as the hydrology report. Council member Turner amended his motion to include the bid documents and the hydrology report. Council member Bateman allowed his second to stand. The Council passed the motion by the same vote.
Mayor Duggin returned to the meeting and resumed the chair.
5) PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT
Council member Bunker had nothing to report to the Council.
Council member Blotter arrived at 6:20 PM.
6) DANIEL MUNICIPAL WATER ISSUES
WOOLSTENHULME CONNECTION DISCUSSION
Mayor Duggin reported on a situation with Jim and Stephanie Woolstenhulme concerning their culinary connection on the new replacement water line being installed on Mill Rd. Mr. Ryan Taylor provided a board drawing to make it easier for the Council to visualize. The Woolstenhulme connection currently has approximately 300 ft of metal pipe from the main line to the home. Mayor Duggin and others have discussed with the Woolstenhulmes several options for the connection to the new line, and apparently none of the options presented have been acceptable to them. Council member Bunker noted that the mayor had been very lenient with these customers. During discussion, Council member Bateman felt that it would be a good idea to dig their line in deeper down their driveway to help avoid winter freezing but preferred placing their meter at the curb. Council member Turner stated that Daniel Municipal Water should put in the line up to the new meter and be done with it. It was stated that DMW should be consistent with the treatment of all customers. Council member Bunker then moved to set the can for this connection on the public utility easement at the road. Council member Bateman seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 4 to 1 vote: aye: Duggin, Bunker, Bateman, and Turner. Blotter opposed.
Mayor Duggin also informed the Council that some customers have filed for bankruptcy which might affect the payment of their accounts.
Mr. Kim Norris reported that some residents on 3000 S have complained about low water pressure. Mr. Taylor suggested pressure checks at each house would show the residents that they have adequate pressure. The problem might be within the private home plumbing and not with the Daniel Municipal Water system.
7) RECORDER’S OFFICE; WARRANT APPROVAL, AUDITING FIRM APPROVAL, REVISION OF CERTAIN SECTIONS OF DANIEL MUNICIPAL CODE DISCUSSION, ETC.
Recorder Merry Duggin presented the August warrants for approval noting that some items on the invoices from Wasatch County had been questioned by the FEMA officials. Council member Blotter moved to approve the warrants except for the Wasatch County invoices. Council member Bunker seconded the motion, and the warrants were approved by a unanimous vote.
Ms. Duggin then presented an engagement letter from accounting firm Gilbert & Stewart to perform the auditing services the Town will require for the 2011 audit and single audit. Ms. Duggin and Ms. Sherri Price both commented that they were satisfied with the services this firm provided for the 2010 audit and recommended accepting this engagement letter. Mayor Duggin read Daniel Resolution DR 2011-09-12 which would allow the mayor to sign the letter to engage Gilbert & Stewart. Council member Bateman moved to accept this resolution. Council member Turner seconded the motion. The Council then voted: aye, Duggin, Turner, Bateman, and Bunker. Council member Blotter abstained. The motion passed.
Ms. Duggin suggested that after more than 5 years, it might be time to look at the current Daniel Municipal Code and consider revising certain sections of the code.
8) ADJOURN
There being no further business, Council member Turner moved to adjourn. The motion, seconded by Council member Bateman, passed with a unanimous vote. Mayor Duggin adjourned the meeting at 6:52 PM.
Merry Duggin,
Recorder