Logan Municipal Council Logan, Utah June 16, 2015
Minutes of the meeting of the Logan Municipal Council convened in regular session on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the Logan City Municipal Council Chamber, 290 North 100 West, Logan, Utah. Vice Chairman Herm Olsen conducting.
Councilmembers present at the beginning of the meeting: Vice Chairman Herm Olsen, Councilmember Karl B. Ward, Councilmember Holly H. Daines and Councilmember S. Eugene Needham. Administration present: Mayor H. Craig Petersen, Finance Director Richard Anderson, City Attorney Kymber Housley and City Recorder Teresa Harris. Excused: Chairman Jeannie F. Simmonds.
Chairman Simmonds welcomed those present. There were approximately 12 citizens in the audience at the beginning of the meeting.
OPENING CEREMONY:
Bishop Jason Lambert from the Adams Neighborhood gave the opening thought/prayer and Vice Chairman Olsen led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
Meeting Minutes. Minutes of the Council meeting from June 2, 2015 were reviewed and approved with minor changes.
ACTION. Motion by Councilmember Ward seconded by Councilmember Daines to approve the June 2, 2015 minutes and approve tonight’s agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Agenda. Vice Chairman Olsen announced there would be six public hearings at tonight’s Council meeting.
Meeting Schedule. Vice Chairman Olsen announced that regular Council meetings would be held the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. The next regular Council meeting is Tuesday, July 7, 2015.
The Regular Council Meeting scheduled for July 21, 2015 has been cancelled.
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR MAYOR AND COUNCIL:
Logan resident Jason Lambert addressed the Council regarding plans to improve walk ability in Logan especially in the area of 200 East with crosswalks and flashing lights.
Councilmember Daines responded she and Chairman Simmonds serve on the Bike/Pedestrian Committee and they are in the process of finalizing a masterplan that will give recommendations for bike lanes and pedestrian crossings. She offered to email the draft masterplan to Mr. Lambert.
Public Works Director Mark Nielsen also responded there are no immediate plans for 200 East but if there are immediate concerns he asked that citizens email those concerns to him so they can be addressed.
There were no further questions or comments for the Mayor or Council.
MAYOR/STAFF REPORTS:
Updates on Projects/Issues – Mayor Petersen
Mayor Petersen introduced Katie Peikes who is the new Government Reporter for the Herald Journal.
Mayor Petersen gave an update on the following projects.
1. Construction Projects:
a. The Logan Cemetery entrance fundraising was successful. Construction will start in approximately one month.
b. The Logan Gateway sign is essentially complete. Lights will be installed by next week.
c. There have been many positive comments about the new 600 East 1000 North intersection.
d. The area of 1800 North from Main to 200 West will be closed for reconstruction for approximately four months.
e. Chip and seal will take place from June 29 to July 31.
f. Work on the Canyon Road Park has begun. Crews will start bringing in topsoil next week.
g. Work continues on filling in the canal East of the Breach on Canyon Road.
2. Mayor Petersen asked the Council what is their preference for the July 24 parade either walking or riding on the parade route.
The Council responded they would prefer riding in golf carts during the parade.
3. The City is working on more effectively using social media – Twitter and Facebook.
4. A meeting will be held with the downtown business owners on Wednesday, June 24 at noon in the City Hall Conference Room.
5. Freedom Fire will be held on Friday, July 3 at Maverick Stadium. The private donation goal has been exceeded.
6. The City website has been outsourced to Revize, a firm located in Troy, Michigan.
7. Interviews will be held this week for the new Assistant City Attorney position.
Board Appointment (Hillcrest Neighborhood Council Representative-Kent Field) – Mayor Petersen
Mayor Craig Petersen asked the Council for ratification of Kent Field to serve as a representative on the Hillcrest Neighborhood City Council which is a three year term.
ACTION. Motion by Councilmember Daines seconded by Councilmember Ward to approve ratification of Kent Field as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Review of ordinances regarding animals on residential property in Logan City – Kymber Housley
City Attorney Kymber Housley stated that currently we regulate animals under Chapter 6 of the Logan Municipal Code and we do regulate all animals in the sense that we do not allow them to leave the property and any animal running at large is a violation. They can leave the property but they have to be on a leash or under control of the owner. However, the real question is to we limit types of animals or the number of animals. The only restriction we have on the number of animals is with dogs and cats. A resident is allowed three of each dogs or cats or a total combination of four. As far as other animals there are federal and state regulations that allow or don’t allow certain types of animals such as exotic animals. Logan City does not limit any other types of animals. The type of regulations we would have are nuisance or noise violations.
Councilmember Ward said he feels that one thing that makes Logan a unique place is there are areas in the City where people have a horse and chickens in their yard. He feels there are ordinances in place if there were a problem.
Councilmember Daines said the issue that came up regarding animals is being dealt with through the existing nuisance ordinance. If this issue were to become a problem maybe it can be dealt with by reviewing our current ordinances. At this time she is fine with leaving the ordinance as status quo and see if the new current ordinance will take care of the issue being addressed.
Light & Power Residential Rebate Program – Emily Malik, RECAB Coordinator
Emily Malik, Renewable Energy Conservation Advisory Board Coordinator addressed the Council regarding the Residential Rebate Program. All equipment must be new and installed on, or prior to, the date of the application. Applications must be filed no more than 6 months after purchase of appliance/thermostat. Thermostats must be purchased on or after July 1, 2015. Completed applications can be mailed/dropped off, along with a legible copy of the sales receipt to the Logan Environmental Department, Attn: Energy Wise Program 153 North 1400 West Logan, UT 84321.
Any Logan City Light & Power customer is eligible for a residential rebate. If applying for a thermostat rebate, the customer must have central air condition. Property owners in Logan are also eligible for a rebate and can call 716-9792 for more information.
Qualifying appliances are current model year appliances that carry the ENERGY STAR label are eligible for rebates.
COUNCIL BUSINESS:
Cancelled: Regular Council Meeting July 21, 2015 – Vice Chairman Olsen
Vice Chairman Olsen announced that the July 21, 2015 Council meeting has been cancelled.
ACTION ITEMS:
PUBLIC HEARING – Consideration of a proposed resolution to adjust Rate Schedule #8 (USU) to a Partial Requirements Schedule more suitable for a customer with internal generation – Resolution 15-28
At the June 2, 2015 Council meeting. Mark Montgomery reported there are two electric rate components, namely: 1) consumption; and 2) facilities rate (otherwise known as peak demand rate). Currently USU is billed under a simple peak demand rate on 15 minute slices. They have a cogeneration plant behind the meter. This does two things. First, it shaves their peak usage and moves everything down on the facilities rate, saving them around $63,000 per month with the cogeneration plant. The problem with this rate is the city still needs to have power in place to supply that higher peak and USU never pays for that. Second, if their system kicks off, it leaves the city scrambling to find enough power to cover USU’s needs.
The plan is to have USU set their Supplement Power Rate for which they will pay an ongoing monthly rate. There will also be a monthly Backup Facility Rate of $3.97/kW. This will be the facilities charge. There will also be an Excess Demand Rate of $27.86/kW per day. If their cogeneration plant goes down, we will charge them an additional Daily Backup Power Rate of $0.38/kW per day.
If USU schedules maintenance of their cogeneration plant and lets the city know reasonably in advance, they will pay only $0.19/kW during the time of maintenance
Vice Chairman Olsen opened the meeting to a public hearing.
There were no comments and Vice Chairman Olsen closed the public hearing.
ACTION. Motion by Councilmember Ward seconded by Councilmember Daines to approve Resolution 15-28 as presented. Motion carried unanimously
PUBLIC HEARING – Consideration or a proposed resolution approving Elected Official’s Wages FY 2015-2015 – Resolution 15-25
At the June 2, 2015 Council meeting, Mr. Anderson reported the proposal is to keep elected officials’ wages the same as they have been for the past several years. This is something that may need to be periodically reviewed. He suggested coming up with a strategy to determine a time frame to do so. It should be done so the wage change would take effect for the forthcoming council members and mayor.
Vice Chairman Olsen opened the meeting to a public hearing.
There were no comments and Vice Chairman Olsen closed the public hearing.
ACTION. Motion by Councilmember Daines seconded by Councilmember Ward to approve Resolution 15-25 as presented. Motion carried unanimously
PUBLIC HEARING – Consideration of a proposed resolution approving Member Contributions to the Utah Retirement Systems Contributory Retirement Plan FY 2015-2016 – Resolution 15-26
At the June 2, 2015 Council meeting, Mr. Anderson reported this is a pick-up resolution. There are a few employees on the Contributory Retirement System. It has been the practice of the city to pick up the city portion of the contribution on behalf of those employees. Since that time, the city has moved primarily toward a non-contributory system. By picking up this portion of the contribution on behalf of those few employees, it will keep them in parody with the non-contributory employees.
Vice Chairman Olsen opened the meeting to a public hearing.
There were no comments and Vice Chairman Olsen closed the public hearing.
ACTION. Motion by Councilmember Ward seconded by Councilmember Daines to approve Resolution 15-26 as presented. Motion carried unanimously
PUBLIC HEARING – Consideration of a proposed resolution adopting the Final Revenues and Expenditures Budget for FY 2015-2016 in the amount of $147,938,153 - Resolution 15-30
Finance Director Richard Anderson addressed the Council and stated the budget is presented as a balanced budget with revenues and requested expenditures in the amount of $147,938,153.
Vice Chairman Olsen opened the meeting to a public hearing.
There were no comments and Vice Chairman Olsen closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Olsen commented that he applauds those who are in the audience tonight. It surprises him there isn’t more in attendance to hear the adoption of the City budget each year.
ACTION. Motion by Councilmember Ward seconded by Councilmember Daines to approve Resolution 15-30 as presented. Motion carried unanimously
PUBLIC HEARING – Consideration of a proposed resolution approving the Certified Tax Rate for FY 2015-2016 – Resolution 15-32
Finance Director Richard Anderson stated the City of Logan is required to adopt a final tax rate and said the City will not increase the tax rate above the Certified Tax Rate. The 2015 adopted tax rate is 0.002194.
Vice Chairman Olsen opened the meeting to a public hearing.
There were no comments and Vice Chairman Olsen closed the public hearing.
ACTION. Motion by Councilmember Daines seconded by Councilmember Ward to approve Resolution 15-32 as presented. Motion carried unanimously
WORKSHOP ITEM:
Consideration of a proposed increase in Animal Control Fees to offset fee increases by the Cache Humane Society – Resolution 15-29 – Chief Gary Jensen
Chief Gary Jensen addressed the Council regarding the proposed increase to Animal Control fees. He said the Logan City Police Department provides animal control services to Logan City residents, and as part of these services, it is necessary at times to impound animals, and euthanize animals. The Cache Humane Society is the contract group for impound, boarding and euthanizing of said animals. It is projected that the Cache Humane Society will increase its fees beginning July 1, 2015. In keeping with the additional fees charged to the Logan City Police Department by the Cache Humane Society, the Logan City Police Department seeks to increase fees equal to that of the Cache Humane Society.
Animal Control Fee Increase StructureCurrent Fee Structure / Proposed Fee Structure 7/1/15 / Increase
Impound Fee (Dog) / N/A / Impound Fee (Dog)
Boarding Fee / 11.50/Day / Boarding Fee / 14.00/Day / (+2.50)
Euthanasia Fee (Dog) / 20.00 / Euthanasia Fee (Dog) / 20.00 / No change
Impound Fee (Cat) / N/A / Impound Fee (Cat)
Boarding Fee (Cat) / 8.00/Day / Boarding Fee (Cat) / 10.00/Day / (+2.00)
Euthanasia Fee (Cat) / 8.00 / Euthanasia Fee (Cat) / 10.00 / (+2.00)
Logan City PD
Current Fee Structure / Proposed Fee Structure 7/1/15 / Increase
Impound Fee (Dog) / 15.00 / Impound Fee (Dog) / 16.00 / (+1.00)
Boarding Fee / 11.50/Day / Boarding Fee / 14.00/Day / (+2.50)
Euthanasia Fee (Dog) / N/A / Euthanasia Fee (Dog) / N/A
Impound Fee (Cat) / 10.00 / Impound Fee (Cat) / 11.00 / (+1.00)
Boarding Fee (Cat) / 9.50/Day / Boarding Fee (Cat) / 11.00/Day / (+2.00)
Euthanasia Fee (Cat) / N/A / Euthanasia Fee (Cat) / N/A
Councilmember Daines recommended that the fees should be much higher than what Chief Jensen is proposing. She asked if there was any data on how many people are repeat offenders when it comes to impounding.
Chief Jensen responded yes, he will provide this data and does not feel there is a high number of repeat offenders. It takes well over an hour for animal control to pick up an animal and handle the process of impound.
Vice Chairman Olsen agreed and asked is there a justification for charging less for a cat than dogs and are they easier to catch.
Chief Jensen responded it depends on the nature of the animal and cats are easier to manage once they have been caught.