TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 19, 2021

Members Present:
Connie Archibald
Lyle Holmgren
Bret Rohde
Rick Seamons
Lyle Vance
Roger Fridal, Mayor
Shawn Warnke, City Manager
Linsey Nessen, City Recorder

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP

Mayor Fridal called the January 19, 2021 City Council Workshop to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Mayor Fridal, Councilmembers Archibald, Holmgren, Rohde, Seamons, and Vance, City Manager Warnke, and City Recorder Nessen. The following Department Heads were also present: Fire Chief Robert LaCroix (arrived at 6:03 p.m.), Community Services Director Marc Christensen, Public Works Director Paul Fulgham, and Police Chief Kurt Fertig.

The following items were discussed out of order.

1. Review of items listed on the 7:00 p.m. agenda

The Council discussed the application and approval process for special events. Director Christensen said this change clears it up and splits it. Instead of having every special event application come to the City Council, I will review them to consider if they are a minor event or one that has an impact on the City and would require your approval. This gives the Community Services Director the ability to decide. Manager Warnke explained that there are some exemptions in the ordinance, including any event at the fairgrounds. Councilmember Archibald recommended the City exempt the Bear River Health Department from getting a special event permit from the City since they are a governmental entity that also has responsibilities for health, safety, and welfare. Director Christensen said the Council would be made aware of anything that has a big impact.

The Council then discussed the City’s project list submittal for the Transportation Corridor Preservation Fund. Manager Warnke said this is a resolution we do annually and there are two opportunities to apply for these funds (March and September). The County Commission makes the decisions on who gets the grants. In the past we have gained funds to acquire right-of-way, including the BR Mountain Road and 1650 West. In order to be eligible for the funds we need to put together a list, which is submitted and approved annually by the County. Here is our list with all the projects we conceive. If one does not work out we move onto the next. He then explained a few of the main projects they would like to do. There is one on SR-13, which will be the Rivers Edge development. There is a collector road that stubs into Highway 13 and we are having a problem with this alignment. It is on the short list, but we might apply for the funds next year instead. We want that to be at least 66 feet wide and wider at the intersection to accommodate the turn. The second one is for an outlet at the 1650 West corridor that ties into Main Street and parallels the Interstate. It would be an outlet on Iowa String and 850 South. We would talk to all the owners there to see if they had an interest so we could obtain the right-of-way. The more significant project we would try for first is extending BR Mountain Road through the Taylor’s property out to 2000 West. It proposes an 80-foot minor arterial road with a free flowing right hand turn lane. We want to make this corridor the major thoroughfare for traffic from 1000 North to 2000 West. There would be a traffic light at this intersection so we can deemphasize 2300 West, which is in close proximity to the interstate on and off ramps. These projects are all about looking forward and acquiring property we know we will need in the future. This will help us mitigate both the expense to the City and the inconvenience to a property owner. This fund also allows for maintenance of roads, which we have not typically done. There is one project we are proposing being added as a possibility for maintenance, which is repaving the south leg of Iowa String from Main Street to the underpass. That project would replace that road with five inches of asphalt and be built to better handle truck traffic. As a staff we prioritized the three main projects where there are development opportunities. If you have additional thoughts, let us know.

Councilmember Holmgren said there is a lot of pressure on Main Street and asked if there are ways to alleviate that. Manager Warnke said we have limited corridors, but Rocket Road is being proposed as a minor arterial road (80 feet). We need to work with Elwood to make sure they have the same vision as we do so as development occurs through their section they will also preserve that right-of-way. We have already started our efforts to acquire it. Some portions are already built with houses so if and when we decide we need the 80 feet through those sections we would need to work with the property owners. We are also working on our Transportation Impact Fee and will bring those preliminary findings to the Council. Rocket Road is one of those bypasses for truck traffic and potentially the road along 1000 North when we have it fully improved. Tremont Street could get people up that portion and have good access through. I have looked at important roads and what the staff can reasonably do.

2. Presentation on a pending bill proposed by Senator Derrin Owens titled “Utah Business Support Amendments” that includes reestablishing the Main Street Program – David Amott, Preservation Utah and Roger Roper, Utah State Historic Preservation Office

Mr. Roper said we work with communities like Tremonton and help them with their buildings and Main Street through this program. There is a bill being prepared in the legislature that would reestablish this. There are local programs that focus on revitalizing historic downtown areas and encouraging business expansion, as well as economic development in that area. We help to get groups and organizations to work together. Next there is promotion and having activities that bring people downtown. The third component is economic mentality. Downtown will never be the way it was in the early 20th century, but it can be reshaped. The fourth component is design. How do you enhance the appearance of downtown so it attracts people and helps business owners restore their building? A local group is working on those four components on a continuous basis. The City is restoring buildings and my job is historic preservation.

Manager Warnke said Preservation in Utah is also partnering on education and outreach of the communities. They have requested that the City reach out to our legislatures and let them know how important the bill is for Tremonton and how it lines up with our objectives. Councilmember Archibald said we already have a committee that has worked somewhat in that manner. Manger Warnke said we have accomplished some of the planning aspects of Main Street with the streetscape. Now we are trying to accumulate funds to implement those improvements. We have talked about façade grants in the past, but prioritized the streetscape ahead of that. There are opportunities to do façade grants on a limited basis. We need to work on activating Midland Square with programs and amenities that draw people in.

3. CLOSED SESSIONS: No closed session was held at this time

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; and/or
b. Strategy session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; and/or
c. Strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation; and/or
d. Discussions regarding security personnel, devices, or systems

The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. by consensus of the Council.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Mayor Fridal called the January 19, 2021 City Council Meeting to order at 7:01 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 Archibald Holmgren, Rohde, Seamons, and Vance, City Manager Warnke, and City Recorder Nessen. The following Department Heads were also present: Fire Chief Robert LaCroix, Community Services Director Marc Christensen, Public Works Director Paul Fulgham, and Police Chief Kurt Fertig.

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 Holmgren and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief LaCroix.

2. Introduction of guests:

Mayor Fridal welcomed those in attendance.

3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest: None.

4. Approval of Agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the agenda of January 19, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilmember Archibald. Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

5. Approval of minutes – December 17, 2020, December 29, 2020, and January 5, 2021

Motion by Councilmember Vance to approve the minutes of December 17, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

Motion by Councilmember Archibald to approve the minutes of December 29, 2020. Motion seconded by Councilmember Seamons. Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

Motion by Councilmember Seamons to approve the minutes of January 5, 2021. Motion seconded by Councilmember Archibald. Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

6. Public comments:

Jereniss Alcantar, owner of the Happy Bubble and a resident of Tremonton, said I have recently been singled out to close my drive thru for my shop and I do not understand why. I cleaned up the alley, which was neglected and had not been used in years. With COVID it would be a better and easier access for us to continue to have our drive up. We have been broken into twice and the drive up would help us make up for lost time and sales. The drive up I had was shut down. Administrator Steve Bench told me someone from the lawyer’s office complained and it was an issue. It is a City alleyway. It was already up and running and it is hard to tell customers it is gone. People do not want to get out of their car and go in. The drive up is easier. I plead with you for the drive up to continue to be open. I was originally told I was okay to use that alley through the landlord. Manager Warnke said this is the not the first time we have talked about a drive thru on alleyways. The last time we talked about it we clarified it in our ordinance and Administrator Bench is enforcing that. Alleyways are there to provide access not necessarily to create a restriction. That is what we discussed when the ordinance was adopted a year or two ago. Some existing drive thrus have been grandfathered in or are on private property. Mrs. Alcantar said there are multiple exits on that alleyway, which is why I do not understand why I was singled out. Manager Warnke said there is nothing we can do unless the Council revisits the ordinance. We can put it on a future agenda.

7. Employee Service Award

a. Lyle Vance, Councilmember – 5 Years

Mayor Fridal thanked him for his service.

8. City Council Business

a. Discussion and consideration of the appointment of one Library Board Member

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to appoint Becca Ashby to the Library Board. Motion seconded by Councilmember Archibald. Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

b. Discussion and consideration of adopting Ordinance No. 21-01 amending Title 10. Fire, Health, Safety and Welfare, Chapter 10-500 Application and Approval Process for Special Events in the Revised Ordinances of Tremonton City

Motion by Councilmember Archibald to accept the ordinance with the clause added that the Bear River Health Department be an exemption in getting a special events permit. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vance. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

c. Discussion and consideration of adopting Resolution No. 21-03 approving Tremonton City’s project list submittal for the Box Elder County Local Transportation Corridor Preservation Fund

Motion by Councilmember Vance to adopt the resolution with the addition to the 1000 North corridor. Motion seconded by Councilmember Rohde. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

9. Calendar Items and Previous Assignment

a. Review of calendar: None.
b. Review of past assignment: None.

10. Reports & Comments:

a. City Manager Reports and Comments: None.
b. Development Review Committee Report and Comments

Manager Warnke said during the next DRC meeting we will discuss the Rivers Edge development, which is the large property they hope to annex into Tremonton. There is also the Hansen annexation to the south by Sierra Homes. They have submitted a concept plan and are working toward developing that piece. They are also developing River Valley, which is to the right of the BR Mountain Road. The City desires to acquire the basin and park space from them and will work on that issue. Visionary Homes is working on their next phase. There is a continued interest in Tremonton for development.

c. City Department Head Reports and Comments:

Director Fulgham said I invited the Council to the district meeting where they will discuss drought mitigation and what is going on in the Bothwell pocket and how that will impact us. I visited with Mr. King and put a transducer on his well, which is a device used to measure water levels. When he starts pumping we can see what that well is doing.

d. Council Reports and Comments

Councilmember Holmgren said a concern I have is that people are parking on the curb during snowstorms, which requires the plows to go around them. Can we encourage them to get off the road? Chief Fertig said the way the ordinance was updated we almost have to wait until the plow goes by to have evidence that they have violated the statute. We can talk to them, issue a citation, or impound their car. We try our best to get a hold of them first. Director Fulgham said two years ago the ordinance was changed to say no parking during snow removal and that is subjective. The only way they move them is when they are cited.

Councilmember Vance asked how much longer the Impact Fee Study will take. Manager Warnke said we told City Engineer Chris Breinholt that is the highest priority, but that is a close second in keeping up with the amount of applications we get for growth. We will encourage him to continue that.

Mayor Fridal said the fire department was approved to receive a grant for $300. We also have a note from the Estep family, who praised the fire department for their support and generosity over the years that their father, Nick Estep, served.

11. CLOSED SESSIONS: No closed session held at this time.

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; and/or
b. Strategy session to discuss the character, professional competence or physical or mental health of an individual; and/or
c. Strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation; and/or
d. Discussions regarding security personnel, devices, or systems

12. Adjournment.

Motion by Councilmember Rohde to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Councilmember Holmgren. Vote: Councilmember Archibald – aye, Councilmember Holmgren – aye, Councilmember Rohde – aye, Councilmember Seamons – aye, Councilmember Vance – aye. Motion approved.

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 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 Jessica Tanner.

Dated this 2nd day of February, 2021.

 

Linsey Nessen, City Recorder