MINUTES OF A REgular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
City Council Chambers
125 South Main Street, Vineyard, Utah
October 25, 2023, at 6:00 PM
_______________
Present Absent
Mayor Julie Fullmer Councilmember Amber Rasmussen
Councilmember Tyce Flake
Councilmember Mardi Sifuentes
Councilmember Cristy Welsh
Staff Present: City Manager Ezra Nair, City Attorney Jayme Blakesley, Lieutenant Holden Rockwell with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Finance Director David Mortensen, Community Development Director Morgan Brim, Public Works Director Naseem Ghandour, Environmental Utilities Manager Sullivan Love, Human Resource Manager Corrie Steeves, Social Media Coordinator Bethany Bee, City Recorder Pamela Spencer, and Eric Ellis
Others speaking: Residents Daria, Daivd and Claudia Lauret, Tyler Haroldson, Kim Cornelius, Sara Cameron, Jacob Holdaway, Timo Christensen, Tim Heaton, Brad Hakes, Keith Vincent; Chandler Hoopes and Nathan Newman with Qualtrics;
1. CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT/Pledge of AllegiancED
Play >> Mayor Fullmer opened the meeting at 6:00 PM. Councilmember Welsh gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Work Session
No items were submitted.
3. Public Comments
Play >> Daria Evans, living in the Villas subdivision, expressed her appreciation for Rojas Farms allowing the community to have the pumpkins. She liked the mural on the water tank and thanked Public Work for fixing the depression on the lake trail and the drains near the marina. She thanked for the city for the fall cleanup dumpsters. She expressed concern about the pedestrian refuge on 600 North and asked about the school speed limit zones. Mr. Ghandour replied that the speed zone amendment would allow the flashers to remain where they were currently placed, accommodating the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) policies. There would be no change otherwise.
Play >> David Lauret, living on Holdaway Road, expressed objections to the appointment of Eric Ellis as the City Manager. Mayor Fullmer asked for clarification. There was a discussion about Mr. Lauret’s concerns.
Play >> Resident Tyler Haroldsen, living in the Edgewater subdivision, expressed concern about the accident that happened on 400 South last week, pedestrian safety and lower speed limits. He recommended that the city do something immediately to help pedestrian safety before Halloween. Mr. Ghandour reiterated that the reduced speed school zones ordinance was to bridge a gap with UDOT’s code for elementary school zones that were already in place. He also mentioned that the pedestrian crossing on 600 North was to help with pedestrian safety. Mayor Fullmer expressed her concerns about the accident that happened last week. She said that the city’s goal was to be preventative.
Play >> Resident Kim Cornelias, living in the Villas subdivision, commented on a Tribune Article that came out today about Eric Ellis and about his appointment as the city manager. Mayor Fullmer replied that the council would be discussing this before they approve the appointment.
Play >> Mr. Cornelias mentioned that the developer for Utah City had promised to release the number of renters that there would be in the downtown area. He read a statement from Governor Cox at a press conference about rentals and density around transit hubs. He expressed concern with density, rentals, and potential crime in Utah City. There was a brief discussion about the housing in the downtown area.
Play >> Sara Cameron living in the Parkside subdivision, asked the mayor to clarify her position with Eric Ellis. There was a brief discussion about positions with the Utah Lake Authority.
Play >> Jacob Holdaway living on Holdaway Road, read a statement about claims that were made about Walkara Way and lake restoration.
Play >> Resident Cole Kelly, living in the Lakefront subdivision, expressed concerns about interactions with the mayor. He also expressed concern with the council appointing Eric Ellis as the new city manager.
Play >> Resident Timo Christensen expressed concerns with pedestrian safety and other areas that the city needed to address.
Play >> Resident Claudia Lauret, living on Holdaway Road, asked for clarification about where the city was in having a fire department and a fire station. Mr. Nair replied that the city was undergoing a study that would result with design options for a fire station. A discussion ensued.
Play >> Resident Tim Heaton, living in the Sleepy Ridge subdivision, expressed concern with the appointment of Eric Ellis as the city manager.
Play >> Brad Hakes, an Orem resident, expressed excitement about Utah City and his opinion on developments.
Play >> Resident Keith Vincent, living in The Villas subdivision, expressed his disappointment with the appointment of Eric Ellis as city manager. He also commented on Utah City.
4. Mayor and COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS/DISCLOSURES/RECUSALS
Play >> Councilmember Flake reported on the Utah State Legislature’s mid-term meetings and the Utah Committee for Development meetings. He suggested that residents reach out to their state legislatures about their plans for cities and what goes on at the state level.
Play >> Councilmember Rasmussen reported that there would be a Growth and Prosperity Summit held on November 2, 2023 at Utah Valley University (UVU).
Play >> Councilmember Welsh reported on the Economic Development Steering Committee meetings. She mentioned that the pumpkin patch on the 11-acre parcel would be open tomorrow for residents to pick a pumpkin. She also reported on fall cleanup in the city. She mentioned that there was an opportunity to visit the new Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Temple in Orem for a limited time.
5. STAFF, COMMISSION, and committee REPORTS
5.1 Play >> City Manager Ezra Nair showed a time-lapse video of the mural on the water tank
at 1600 North. He reported that there would be construction at 600 North and Main to install a pedestrian refuge, which will include LED flashers for night-time visibility. He reported that the Meet the Candidates Night would be held tomorrow night, and that the Election would be held on November 21, 2023, so watch for ballots to come in the mail. He reported that the city had received a $7,500 grant from Rocky Mountain Power for the design of the Gammon Park fields.
6. CONSENT ITEMS
6.1 Approval of the October 11, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes
6.2 Approval of the October 23, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes
6.3 Approval of Reduced Speed School Zone Ordinance (2023-29)
6.4 Approval of The Maples Phase 3 Final Plat
6.5 Approval of The Sycamores Phase 4 Final Plat
6.6 Approval of Edgewater @ Geneva Phase 19 Final Plat Amendment
6.7 Approval of Holdaway Fields Phase 1B Final Plat
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER WELSH MOVED TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE CONSENT ITEMS AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. ROLL CALL WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
7. Appointments
7.1 Planning Commission
Mayor Fullmer, with the advice and consent of the council, may appoint new members to the Planning Commission.
No appointments were made.
8. Presentations/recognitions/awards/PROCLAMATIONS
8.1 Proclamation
Play >> Mayor Fullmer read the Kindness Week Proclamation.
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.1 PUBLIC HEARING – Adoption of the Vineyard City Fiscal Year 2023 – 2024 Budget Amendment #1 (Resolution 2023-41)
Finance Director David Mortensen will present proposed amendments to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget. The mayor and city council will act to adopt (or deny) this request by resolution.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE MOVED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:59 PM. COUNCILMEMBER WELSH SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
Play >> Finance Director David Mortensen gave an overview of the amendments.
Play >> Mr. Vincent asked which company did the financial audit for the city. Mr. Mortensen replied that it was Gilbert and Stewart. There was a brief discussion about the audit and the budget amendments.
Mayor Fullmer called for further public comments. Hearing none, she called for a motion to close the public hearing.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER WELSH MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:07 PM. COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
Play >> Motion: MAYOR FULLMER MOVED TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM TO NOVEMBER 8, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
9.2 DISCUSSION AND ACTION – Qualtrics Service Agreement (Resolution 2023-42)
City Manager Ezra Nair will present a service agreement with Qualtrics for customer service management. The mayor and City Council will act to adopt this request by resolution.
Play >> City Manager Ezra Nair introduced the Qualtrics team. He explained that they were working to simplify the city’s website and that part of that was to help get more insights for the website and understand how residents were using it.
Play >> Chandler Hoopes with Qualtrics reviewed the services that they would provide to the city and it residents. Mr. Nair felt that Vineyard had a responsibility to make the city staff available through the internet.
Play >> Mr. Heaton asked if the council could delay this vote until the procurement director had time to vet the state contract. A discussion ensued.
Play >> Mr. Holdaway felt that a state contract was not necessarily a competitive bid. He recommended Qualtrics but felt that the cost was too high. Mr. Nair explained that the city already had a contract with Qualtrics but was adding the XM package.
Play >> Nathan Newman with Qualtrics expressed concerns with false claims by Mr. Holdaway.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-42 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A SERVICE CONTRACT WITH QUALTRICS FOR THEIR GOVXM SERVICE PLATFORM. COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. ROLL CALL WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
10. CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Fullmer called for a motion to go into a closed session.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN MOVED TO GO INTO A CLOSED SESSION at 7:22 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, TO DISCUSS THE CHARACTER, PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE, OR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL. COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE SECONDED THE MOTION. ROLL CALL WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
The City Council meeting was paused at 7:22 PM. The meeting resumed at 8:02 PM.
9.3 DISCUSSION AND ACTION – City Manager Appointment (Resolution 2023-43)
In accordance with the Vineyard Municipal Code 2.08.010(C) the mayor and City Council will appoint a new city manager, “who shall be appointed on the basis of experience, and administrative and executive abilities and qualifications.” This appointment will be done by resolution.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer read a statement about the hiring process that the city and council had gone through and then called for a motion.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER WELSH MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2023-43 APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT OF ERIC ELLIS AS THE CITY MANAGER AND ALLOW THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE SECONDED THE MOTION. ROLL CALL WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Fullmer called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER FLAKE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:05 PM. COUNCILMEMBER WELSH SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS FLAKE, RASMUSSEN, AND WELSH VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES WAS ABSENT. THE MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE ABSENT.
MINUTES APPROVED ON: November 8, 2023
CERTIFIED CORRECT BY: /s/Pamela Spencer
pamela spencer, city Recorder