minutes OF A VINEYARD
CITY COUNCIL meeting
City Council Chambers
125 South Main Street, Vineyard, Utah
April 27, 2022, at 5:00 PM
_______________
Mayor Julie Fullmer
Councilmember Tyce Flake
Councilmember Amber Rasmussen
Councilmember Mardi Sifuentes
Councilmember Cristy Welsh (via Zoom)
Staff Present: City Manager Ezra Nair, City Attorney Jayme Blakesley, Public Works Director Chris Wilson, Finance Director David Mortensen, City Engineer Naseem Ghandour, Community Development Director Morgan Brim, Building Official George Reid, Planning Technician Cache Hancey, Development Services Technician Anna Nelson, Water Manager Sullivan Love, City Arborist George Schramm, Parks Director Preston Jensen, City Recorder Pamela Spencer
Others speaking: Residents David Lauret and Daria Evans; Mike Lamont, owner of University Parking Enforcement; and Jake Oaks, Director of Liberty Defenders
AMENDED AGENDA
1. 5:00 PM Tree Tour – the meeting started with a tree tour held at Gammon Park.
2. 6:05 PM – CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT/Pledge of Allegiance
Play >> Mayor Fullmer opened the City Council meeting at 6:05 PM. Councilmember Flake gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Fullmer remarked that the tree tour was a success.
3. work session
3.1 Play >> Budget Discussion
Finance Director David Mortensen will present the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Tentative Budget for discussion.
Play >> Mr. Mortensen reviewed the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Tentative Budget. There was a discussion about the overpass expenses. Mayor Fullmer suggested that council meet individually with Mr. Mortensen for further review of the budget. There was a discussion about the budget process.
3.2 Play >> Center Street Trailhead Parking
Community Development Director Morgan Brim will lead a discussion about parking for the trailhead on Center Street and 300 West.
Play >> Mr. Brim presented a recommendation for adding a parking lot on 300 West just south of Center Street. There was a discussion about using goats to remove the phragmites. There was also a discussion about the recommended parking lot. Councilmember Flake explained that Home Center Construction was developing that area and was willing to give the funds they would use for curb and gutter to the city to help offset the cost of the parking lot, but it needed to be done soon. The parking lot discussion continued.
3.3 Play >> Westbrook and Willows Trail Landscape Modifications
Public Works Director Chris Wilson will lead a discussion about landscape modifications for the Westbrook and Willows trails.
Play >> Mr. Wilson Chris reviewed suggested landscaping modifications for the trail behind the Westbrook and Willows subdivisions. Councilmember Rasmussen felt that this might be a good place to include pollinator plants. Councilmember Flake suggested that staff divide up the trail into thirds and start with one section and determine its success before modifying the other sections.
4. Play >> Public Comments
Play >> Resident David Lauret, living on Holdaway Road, expressed concern with the time it was taking to make requested changes to Holdaway Road. Mayor Fullmer asked staff to review where they were in the Holdaway Road plan. Mr. Brim replied that they needed to plan the entire area with 400 South and Main Street before they could change Holdaway Road. Mr. Ghandour mentioned that they had done traffic studies and were going through the proper process. There was a discussion about the timeline for the redesign. Councilmember Flake explained that, seven (7) years ago, the residents on Holdaway Road had said no to improvements on their street. The discussion continued.
Play >> Resident Daria Evans, living in The Villas subdivision, thanked the city for approving alternative landscaping for the pocket park discussed in the previous City Council meeting. She also thanked Law Enforcement for their work. She expressed concern about the intersection on Vineyard Loop Road (600 North) and Main Street. Mr. Ghandour explained that the signal lights at 800 North and 400 South on Main Street would be coordinated and allow for a gap to ease the left turn burden on Vineyard Loop Road. He thought that the 400 North signal light should be ready for the next school year.
5. Mayor and COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS/DISCLOSURES/RECUSALS
No reports were given.
6. STAFF, COMMISSION, and committee REPORTS – No reports were given.
6.1 City Manager Ezra Nair
6.2 Planning Commission Chair Jeff Knighton
6.3 Code Enforcement – Planning Assistant Cache Hancey – Quarterly Report
6.4 Finance – Finance Director David Mortensen – Quarterly Report
7. Play >> CONSENT ITEMS
7.1 Approval of the April 13, 2022, City Council Minutes
7.2 Bid Award for 1600 North Water Tank Supply Pipeline (Resolution 2022-10)
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE MOVED TO APPROVE CONSENT ITEMS 7.1 AND 7.2 AS NOTED. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES SECONDED THE MOTION. ROLL CALL WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, SIFUENTES, AND WELSH VOTED AYE. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Appointments
No names were submitted.
9. Presentations/recognitions/awards
9.1 Proclamation for Building Safety Month 2022-01
Play >> Mayor Fullmer read the Building Safety Month Proclamation 2022-01
9.2 Tree City USA 2021 Award and Arbor Day Proclamation 2022-02
Play >> Mayor Fullmer read the Arbor Day Proclamation 2022-02.
Play >> City Arborist George Schramm gave a report on work accomplished this past year by the city tree board and presented the Tree City USA 2021 Award.
10. BUSINESS ITEMS
10.1 Play >> DISCUSSION AND ACTION – Municipal Code Towing Regulations
Amendment (Ordinance 2022-05)
Sergeant Holden Rockwell with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office will present an amendment to the Municipal Code Section 10.04.060 Towing Regulations. The mayor and City Council will act to adopt (or deny) this request by ordinance.
Play >> Sergeant Rockwell reviewed the recommended amendments to the ordinance.
Play >> Mike Lamont, owner of University Parking Enforcement, felt that there was a huge need for parking enforcement in the city and with the higher gas prices and rates not being revised by the state in at least ten (10) years, it was getting hard to provide a good level of service. Sergeant Rockwell felt that from a staff perspective, contracted towing companies were able to tow more vehicles in a shorter period of time than towing companies on a rotation who were getting called in. He added that he was also responding to residents who complained about the costs. Mr. Lamont said that the companies the city had contracted with were charging the full state fees and his company was being held the city’s fees. Sergeant Rockwell explained that they were working with those companies to come into compliance with the city’s fees. Mr. Lamont explained the different types of towing and did not understand what the city was trying to accomplish with the code amendments. He felt that they should refer to the state fees because he regulated his fees to the market. He suggested that the city stay out of regulating the towing fees. He said that his company was the only one in Utah County willing to boot vehicles. He felt that changing towing fees without changing booting fees would eliminate booting. There was a discussion about following the state fees for booting cars. It was suggested that they follow the state’s fees.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 2022-05 MUNICIPAL CODE TOWING REGULATIONS AMENDMENT AS PRESENTED WITH THE ADJUSTMENT OF 100% OF THE POSTED RATE SCHEDULE FORTHE BOOTING FEE. COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, SIFUENTES, AND WELSH VOTED AYE. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10.2 Play >> DISCUSSION AND ACTION – UDOT Betterments for the Vineyard
Connector
City Engineer Naseem Ghandour will present desired betterments for the Vineyard Connector expansion being constructed by the Department of Transportation. The mayor and city council will take appropriate action. (This item was continued from the April 13, 2022 City Council Meeting.)
Play >> Mayor Fullmer explained that the council needed to approve the 100-foot or 60-foot overpass.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE 100-FOOT-WIDE OVERPASS OPTION AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, SIFUENTES, AND WELSH VOTED AYE. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10.3 Play >> DISCUSSION AND ACTION – Liberty United Festival Special Event Permit
Development Services Technician Anna Nelson will present a special event permit for Liberty United Festival on May 28, 2022. The mayor and city council will take appropriate action.
Play >> Ms. Nelson explained that this would be the third year for this event being held in Vineyard. She reviewed the event permit request and stated that staff was recommending a date change, a parking plan, and a pavilion rental.
Play >> Jake Oaks, Director of Liberty Defenders, stated that his children were the reason he did the festival. He said that they choose Memorial Day weekend because they felt that Vineyard would be a special place to honor the military. He explained that they were going to contract with Trailside Elementary to help with parking. He felt his event would not interfere with the opening of the splash pad because their event would be on the southeast end of the park.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer stated that she was in support of holding the event on the requested date. She suggested that they use Franklin Discovery Preparatory Academy for their parking.
Play >> Mr. Reid asked if they were requesting a fee waiver. Mr. Oaks asked about the pavilion rental rates. Ms. Nelson replied that the pavilion rental rate was $75 for residents and double for non-residents.
Play >> Councilmember Sifuentes said that a resident had expressed concerns to her about a sniper on the hill at Grove Park during the event last year. Mr. Oaks explained that it was not a sniper; it was scope and that they had removed it after he asked them to. He mentioned that some of the attendees were trying to keep the community safe and that it would not happen again.
Play >> Councilmember Rasmussen asked Ms. Nelson if there was anything they could do to make the event easier for staff. Ms. Nelson replied that her concerns were resident based.
Play >> Councilmember Sifuentes asked about blackout dates that had been discussed during the previous council meeting. There was a discussion about events and dates. Councilmember Flake expressed concern with the event being held on that weekend. He preferred that they black out those dates in the future.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer asked if the city was doing anything to celebrate Memorial Day. Councilmember Flake replied that the city had never done anything.
Play >> Councilmember Rasmussen stated that she was in support of moving the date of the event or moving it to Gammon Park. There was a discussion about the event and parking. Ms. Nelson expressed concern with there being big events two weekends in a row. There was a discussion about restricting firearms in the park.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOVED TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT FOR SATURDAY MAY 28 AS REQUESTED BY THE APPLICANT. COUNCILMEMBER WELSH SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES AND WELSH VOTED AYE. COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE AND RASMUSSEN VOTED NAY. THE MOTION CARRIED THREE TO TWO.
10.4 Play >> DISCUSSION AND ACTION – Water Tank Design Material Proposal
City Manager Ezra Nair will lead a discussion regarding the Planning Commission’s recommendation for the water tank design material proposal. The mayor and city council will take appropriate action.
Play >> Mr. Nair explained that the Planning Commission had reviewed the site plan for the water tank and had made a recommendation to remove the fence design to lower costs. He said that all site plans on public property would come to council for final approval. There was a discussion about the process.
Play >> Councilmember Welsh felt that people would see the tank from the FrontRunner, and it needed to look nice. There was a discussion about the aesthetics of the tank and the form liner.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER WELSH MOVED TO APPROVAL OF A FORM LINER ON THE WATER TANK WITH APPROVAL ON THE EAST SIDE BASED OFF STAFF’S OPINION. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, SIFUENTES, AND WELSH VOTED AYE. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
11. Play >> DIRECTION – Public Works Location
City Manager Ezra Nair is requesting direction on the location of the Public Works staff. (This item was continued from the April 13, 2022 City Council Meeting.)
Play >> Mr. Nair presented additional floor plans for the Public Works building.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE MOVED TO ACCEPT THE LAYOUT AS PROPOSED BY OUR CITY MANAGER FOR THE UPSTAIRS PORTION OF THE NEW PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES SECONDED THE MOTION. COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, SIFUENTES, AND WELSH VOTED AYE. MAYOR FULLMER AND COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN VOTED NAY. THE MOTION CARRIED THREE TO TWO.
12. CLOSED SESSION
No closed session was held.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:45 PM. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, SIFUENTES, AND WELSH VOTED AYE. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MINUTES APPROVED ON: May 11, 2022
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CERTIFIED CORRECT BY: /s/ Pamela Spencer
Pamela spencer, city recorder