Daniel Town Council Meeting
Monday October 5, 2020 @ 6 PM
Wasatch County Service Complex,
55 S 500 E, Conference Room B
Heber City, UT 84032
Town Council Quorum: Mayor Chip Turner, Council members: Eric Bunker, John Glodowski, Merry Duggin and Stefanie Grady. Clerk Mary Snyder online for minutes; Treasurer Sherri Price present. Mayor Turner via electronic.
Member of public: Ryan Taylor, Chief Ernie Giles, Battalion Chief Clair Provost, Pam Skinner, Kim Norris
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Council member Bunker.
1) PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ryan Taylor has been appointed to the Heber Valley GIS by-pass committee, he has and if asked anyone has any comments that would like to address to please let him know. Council member Bunker made the comment that the website is terrible.
Council member Grady stated that the stop sign at 3000 South and Ranch Rd has been damaged. Also, she stated that as of this evening she no longer wishes to receive a stipend from the town for the remaining of her term in Council, as she would like to keep taxes low.
Council member Duggin reminded that election ballots will be going out on October 13, 2020.
Commission Pam Skinner stated that she was on the website looking for some codes and feels that it is very difficult to use. If the town has some extra money, she feels that it needs a more interactive website to make it more user-friendly. Council member Grady has had requests from the community inquire about posting information on a Facebook page and feels that could be an informative place to look for information.
2) DISCUSSION OF CARES FUNDS & POSSIBLE APPROVAL:
Wasatch County Fire Chief Ernie Giles thanked Council for the opportunity to be present and for the entertaining the idea of helping the district with needed funds. The district has purchased a Ford Sprinter transport van with CARES Funds that were donated from Midway City. He provided an equipment list of necessary items the district is looking to purchase for the van that fall under the CARES Act. This means of transportation will take some burden off the ambulances as the majority of their calls consist of transfers from one facility to another facility and are not full emergency calls. These transfers are wearing the ambulances out, and the van will provide savings to the county as it will be cheaper for fuel, tires, repairs, etc. Currently the district has two ambulances that are out of services.
Council member Duggin stated that the first initial installment is $32,518.00 and is currently in the PTIF account. She has applied for the second installment of $32,518.00 and could be received as early as next week. The third installment the Town may not be eligible due to missing the first deadline. Because of the timeline, it is critical to determine disbursement of funds and the Town would need documentation of the transfer of funds to the district if approved by council. Chief Giles stated that the district would provide a bill to the Town for recordkeeping for the amount that will be donated. She also recused herself but made mention that she is in favor of a donation to help the district and feels that the numbers within the county are on the rise. The funds do have to be spent by the end of December or returned to the State. Mayor Turner stated that he is in full favor of supporting the Fire District.
Council member Duggin further stated that per the CARES guidelines, the Town could potentially use some funds to update the website, purchase e-payment system and look at a couple other options as well.
Battalion Chief Clair Provost also thanked Council for the opportunity to entertain the idea and thanked Merry Duggin for taking the initiative to help. He stated that this is a great opportunity for the town to help in gaining much needed equipment without burdening the taxpayers of the community. This is money that has been allocated by the State to use for things that will benefit communities with the crisis and feels this is a very worthy cause. Over the past week alone, the district has transported two COVID patients to other facilities. This is a concern and a risk for the district employees and this van as well as equipment needed will be a great asset in increasing the assistance to the public.
Council member Glodowski made a suggestion to donate 90% to the Fire District and remaining 10% look at updating the website
Council member Grady made a motion to commit $25,000 of the first CARES Funds to Wasatch County Fire District for Transport Van supplies; Seconded by Council member Glodowski. FOR: Mayor Turner, Council member Grady, Bunker and Glodowski. Abstain: Council member Duggin
Council member Grady made a motion to hold a special meeting to include Planning and Council upon receiving the second installment of the CARES Funds for possible approval of an additional $25,000 to Wasatch County Fire District. This was seconded by Council member Glodowski. For: Mayor Turner, Council members Grady, Duggin, Bunker and Glodowski.
Council member Duggin made a motion to open the Public Hearing for Employee Compensation at 6:31 PM, seconded by Council member Glodowski. FOR: Mayor Turner, Council members Duggin, Grady, Bunker and Glodowski.
3) PUBLIC HEARING: EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION POSSIBLE APPROVAL DO 2020-10-05 A
Pam Skinner stated that she disagrees on any increase of wages at this time. She stated that there have been wages increases in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. She respectfully asked that Council vote no at this time.
No other comments where made.
Council member Duggin made a motion to close the public hearing at 6:34 PM, seconded by Council Member Grady. For: Mayor Turner, Council members: Duggin, Grady, Bunker and Glodowski.
Council member Bunker provided documentation of the revenue stream that the Town has and demonstrated that the COVID-19 has not affected the revenues. Mayor Turner stated that his position stands and feels that if the system is worth a 3% increase in water billing, then the employees should also be worth a 3% increase. Council member Glodowski stated that they would like to see a wage comparison of other towns similar to Daniel and potential look at raises next year based on findings. He also wondered how easy it would be to replace people based on pay, but data is needed to justify increase. Council member Duggin stated that this is a very difficult topic and has not talked to anyone that is in favor of raises. She also indicated that a review of other towns wages for comparison would be good to see if we are within reasonable wages. She stands at no increase and hopes there are no ill feelings. Council member Grady stated that the COVID-19 is not over and that this is an election year in which we could see some changes. She stated that most work full-time jobs and is unsure how many hours individuals are working for the town. Mayor Turner agreed that doing a comparison would be wise to create a baseline of wages on the findings of the data.
Council member Glodowski made a motion to halt a decision until data could be gathered for comparison. There was no second on the motion.
Council member Duggin made a motion to not approve the 2020-2021 wage increase of the 3%, seconded by Council member Grady. FOR: Council members: Grady, Duggin and Glodowski. Against: Mayor Turner and Council member Bunker. Motion passes.
4) DISCUSSION/ POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF SUPPORTING POLICE OFFICERS/FIRST REPONDERS RESOLUTION:
Council member Grady made a motion to continue to work through email for the final draft and continue to November, seconded by Council member Glodowski.
Council member Duggin suggested to move the 3rd paragraph to the 1st paragraph and that she would be willing to draft the document and circulate to Council to make additional changes for the final.
Motion and second stands and Council member Bunker called for the vote. FOR: Mayor Turner, Council members: Glodowski, Bunker, Grady and Duggin.
5) DISCUSSION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL/ROAD ISSUES: traffic, speed bumps:
Mayor Turner opened the discussion stating that he has had another complaint of speeding traffic in the town. Based upon prior conversation with the Sheriff in regard to dedicated hours, the Sheriff’s Office would patrol the town based on a cost set for those hours. Council would need to determine how much money they would be willing to pay for those dedicated hours and work through contracting an agreement based on those funds. Council member Grady would like to see what it would cost.
Council member made a motion to continue the discussion of traffic control to next meeting, seconded by Council member Grady.
Upon further discussion, Council member Duggin inquired about a traffic study as she has received calls and it is a major issue in the town. There is no way to stop traffic within the town as it is a public street. Ryan Taylor stated that in his experience it would potentially cost a few thousand dollars to complete a study or an alternative to purchase a few devices to put in locations to monitor. These device collects the data and can be moved to different locations and would be able to retain the for future uses, rather than paying a one-time study fee. This would be a great resource for the town. Several of the complaints are coming from Little Sweden and 3000 South. Another complaint is the noise that is generated.
The big obstacle is to evaluate where the town would acquire funding to complete a study, purchase equipment, or work with the Sheriff’s Office for dedicated hours. Council member Duggin stated to target the speed areas that are the main issues and approach Law Enforcement. Also, need to look at pricing and evaluate to see if there are affordable options. Also, who is going to be monitoring. Council member Glodowski stated that he would make an appointment to discuss options with the Sheriff’s Office, to include the portable speed sign for temporary use. Ryan Taylor will investigate pricing for device to present at the next meeting.
No further discussion. Council member Bunker called for the vote. FOR: Mayor Turner, Council member Duggin, Glodowski, and Grady. Against: Council member Bunker.
6) DISCUSSION OF SRTS (SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL) GRANT 2023:
The Safe Route to School is 100% grant with no town match required. A few ideas would be to complete a few sidewalks or look at completing the road from the school to Highway 40, as part belongs to Heber City and the town. The Town would have until November to decide if they would like to put an application in for the grant. Council member Duggin suggested a bike path but does not think the town will favor sidewalks. Mayor Turner suggested adding this time to the possible work meeting that could be coming up.
Council member Grady made a motion to continue SRTS discussion for the next meeting, seconded by Council member Glodowski. For: Mayor Turner, Council members Bunker, Glodowski and Grady. Against: Council member Duggin.
7) DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEE POSITION:
Approximately 6 months ago, Gary Walton, Water Manager gave 90 day-notice. It is time that the Town needs to move forward with getting a job description out to get him a replacement. It will need to be determined the salary amount, hours to work, benefits package, as well as full job description. There is a couple description that have been offered but we need to narrow it down and put it out for publication. Mayor Turner feels that this needs to be included on the work meeting and next Council meeting to get the details worked out and move forward on finding a replacement.
Council member Duggin made a motion to continue with a work meeting, seconded by Council member Glodowski. FOR: Mayor Turner, Council members Bunker, Grady, Glodowski and Duggin.
8) DISCUSSION OF INTERLOCAL MEETING ITEMS UPDATE:
9) BUSINESS LICENSES:
NEW:
RENEWALS: NONE
Council member Glodowski made a motion to approve the business license for Mira Media, seconded by Council member Duggin. For: Mayor Turner, Council members Grady, Bunker, Glodowski, and Duggin.
10) DANIEL MUNICIPAL WATER:
Ryan Taylor stated that the road project has started.
11) STORM HAVEN WATER:
Council member Bunker stated that the sanitary survey is coming up and feels that it would be good to hire TO-Engineers to complete this for the town.
Council member Glodowski made a motion to moved forward with the sanitary survey and hire To-Engineers to complete the survey, seconded by Council member Duggin. FOR: Mayor Turner, Council members: Duggin, Grady, Bunker and Glodowski.
12) APPROVAL of COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES: September 14, 2020
Council member Glodowski made a motion to approve the September 14, 2020 meeting minutes, seconded by Council member Duggin. For: Mayor Turner, Council members Bunker, Duggin, Glodowski, and Grady.
13) RECORDER’S OFFICE: Warrants approval, announcements, etc.:
Council member Duggin made a motion to approve the warrants for October 2020 to include Fabian Van Cott for $25.50 and TO-Engineer for Storm Haven Sampling for $140.00, seconded by Council member Grady. For: Mayor Turner, Council members Bunker, Glodowski, Duggin and Grady.
1st quarter of the 2020 budget was presented by Clerk/Recorder Mary Snyder.
Treasurer Sherri Price stated that there is a DEQ checking account that has been open for a long time and is being charged banking fees every month. Council has requested to transfer the remaining funds to the general fund and close the DEQ account.
14) POSSIBLE CLOSED SESSION: Legal issues, Property acquisition
No closed session was held
15) ADJOURN:
Council member Glodowski made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council member Grady. For: Mayor Turner, Council members Bunker, Grady, Duggin and Glodowski.
Meeting adjourned at 8:29 PM
Mary Snyder
Clerk/Recorder