TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING

January 3, 2017

Members Present:
Diana Doutre
Lyle Holmgren
Jeff Reese – excused
Bret Rohde
Lyle Vance
Roger Fridal, Mayor
Shawn Warnke, City Manager
Linsey Nessen, City Recorder
CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Mayor Fridal called the January 3, 2017 City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Tremonton City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Mayor Fridal, Councilmembers Doutre, Holmgren, Rohde, and Vance, City Manager Shawn Warnke, and City Recorder Linsey Nessen. The following Department Heads were also present: Public Works Director Paul Fulgham, and Police Chief David Nance. Also in attendance was City Attorney Dustin Ericson. Councilmember Reese was excused.

1. Opening Ceremony:

Mayor Fridal informed the audience that he had received no written or oral request to participate in the Opening Ceremony. He asked anyone who may be offended by listening to a prayer to step out into the lobby for this portion of the meeting. The prayer was offered by Councilmember Doutre and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Fridal.

2. Introduction of guests:

Mayor Fridal welcomed the scouts in attendance and Roger Timmerman from UTOPIA.

3. Approval of Agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Doutre to approve the agenda for this evening. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vance. Vote: Councilmember Doutre – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, and Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

4. Approval of minutes – December 6, 2016 and December 12, 2016

Motion by Councilmember Vance to approve the minutes of December 6, 2017. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Councilmember Doutre – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, and Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved. Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the December 12, 2016 minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Rohde. Vote: Councilmember Doutre – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, and Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

5. Public comments: Comments limited to three minutes:

There were no public comments.

6. Presentations & Discussions

a. Training on the Municipal Ethics Act – Dustin Ericson, City Attorney

Attorney Ericson reviewed the Utah Municipal Employees and Officers Ethics Act. It was noted it is required to have an annual disclosure statement but the Council can update it as often as needed when things change.

b. UTOPIA Network – Roger Timmerman, UTOPIA Executive Director

Mr. Timmerman noted he started with UTOPIA 8 (eight) years ago. UTOPIA was created in 2002 with the first bond in 2004. Some cities had a partial build before funds were exhausted. They consider Tremonton to be substantially complete. UTOPIA refinanced in 2009 and replaced management. In 2010, Brigham City did a city-specific bond above and beyond the UTOPIA bond to build their city.

UIA (Utah Infrastructure Agency) was created in 2011 by 9 (nine) cities. UIA has bonded for 3 (three) phases. The revenue from customers of the 3 (three) phases pay for all debt service on the bonds. UIA has since exceeded all operational expenses of the system. Tremonton City has not had to pay for operational shortfall lately as UTOPIA receives funds from UIA for use of the system.

The connections have grown from 1 GB to 100 GB with plenty available for future capacity. UIA is paying for the upgrades. UTOPIA has helped increase the value of homes; it helps businesses, and is good for economic development. There are several different providers for customers to use with an open access so anyone can utilize the fiber. UTOPIA has dedicated connections to every home so it is not congested and they are not impacted by neighbors.

Wireless is quick to deploy and is cheaper; however, it is more expensive long term. It must be replaced every 3-5 (three to five) years. Wireless is more expensive to maintain and is vulnerable to rain and snow. UTOPIA conducted a third-party survey of their customers asking how likely they were to recommend UTOPIA to friends. UTOPIA received a Net Promoter Score of 57 which is very good. The industry considers a 10 to be a pretty good score. People that have UTOPIA really like it because of price, service, and support.

UTOPIA is covering all operational expenses. That was not the case until recently. The UTOPIA cities are still paying the obligation of the original UTOPIA bond. The goal is to get rid of that. They believe they can substantially alleviate a portion and keep making progress in the future. They are building out non UTOPIA cities to help subsidize. UIA is separate and covers their operation expenses and debt services. UIA net revenue grows about $15K a month with a rapid growth of 1,000-2,000 homes per month. This is the fastest growth ever. The network is currently upgraded to the latest standards.

Mr. Timmerman stated UTOPIA would like to have further conversation with the City about funds to install generators. Manager Warnke remarked that Tremonton City did not participate in operational shortfall for several months. The amount that would have been paid is around $60K. Mr. Timmerman noted there are battery back-ups for cabinets but they do not last long enough for them to bring up portable generators. There are three locations in Tremonton that are vulnerable to a power outage, 2 (two) cabinets and a hut at South Park. The cost is about $13K per site. The $60K referenced above could be used to put in generators and extend the reach to places on the outskirt that do not have coverage.

Utah regularly ranks at the top of the Country for broadband speeds and pricing. The demand for UTOPIA is greater than ever. The take rate is below average but is growing. There was a RUS (Rural Utility Service) settlement used to build out Perry City and growth in other cities. UTOPIA does not plan on bonding. Once the RUS funds are depleted, UIA will cover the costs for new service with the revenue going back to them.

Once completion is reached, any upside will go back to member cities for additional debt relief. It is estimated that completion with be reached in 7-10 (seven to ten) years. Some cities do not want to wait and have done a city-specific bond to fund their own completion.

7. New Council Business:

a. Discussion and consideration of directing City staff to implement a video recording system to broadcast City Council meetings

Director Fulgham said he spoke with Ryan Judd from Kaysville. Mr. Judd is willing to meet with City staff and help with implementation. There will need to be a digitized sound system if the Council would like to move forward. The video will be broadcast on YouTube. The cameras that would be used are high quality and can pan around the Council Chambers. They are controlled wirelessly.

Councilmember Rohde noted it would show how many people are watching externally. It allows the Council to be transparent. People would have the ability to watch the video at a later time.

Motion by Councilmember Rohde to allow the City to move forward with the purchase of this equipment and the installation. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Director Fulgham stated the estimate for the system is $4,000. There is not a fee to put it on YouTube. Vote: Councilmember Doutre – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, and Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

8. Reports & Comments:

a. City Manager Reports and Comments

No comments.

b. City Department Head Reports and Comments

Director Fulgham reminded the Council of the open house this Thursday to discuss the new water rates. It will go from 5 – 8 p.m. He will start the presentation by stating how the rate came about and why it was needed. He handled about 100 (one hundred) requests for graphs showing water usage last year and what it will cost with the new rates. The open house will be held in the City Council Chambers. The average increase per year will be $70-100.

c. Council Reports and Comments

Councilmember Rohde noted he came and saw the light display at the City offices several times. It was really neat. He thanked those involved with putting it together.

Councilmember Holmgren said there is a private dumpster by South Park that needs to be emptied more. The information can be forwarded to Code Enforcement Officer Greg Horspool as it is a nuisance to people living nearby.

Councilmember Doutre noted the light display was really beautiful. She thanked the road crews for clearing the roads on Christmas Day. The roads were cleaned very early in the morning.

Mayor Fridal thanked everyone for their work.

Motion by Councilmember Doutre to move into Closed Session. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vance. Vote: Councilmember Doutre – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, and Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

The Council moved into closed session at 8:16 p.m.

9. CLOSED SESSION:
a. Strategy session to discuss the purchase of real property when public discussion of the transaction would disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration or prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms
b. Strategy session to discuss the character, professional competence or physical or mental health of an individual
c. Strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation
d. Purpose of discussing information provided to the public body during the procurement process under

Motion by Councilmember Rohde to return to Open Session. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vance. Motion approved by consensus of the Council.

The Council returned to open session at 8:36 p.m.

10. Adjournment.

Motion by Councilmember Doutre to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Council. Motion approved.

The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

The undersigned duly acting and appointed Recorder for Tremonton City Corporation hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes for the City Council Meeting held on the above referenced date. Minutes were prepared by Deputy Recorder Cynthia Nelson.

Dated this day of , 2017.
Linsey Nessen, City Recorder