MINUTES OF THE HELPER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGThursday, August 4, 2016

6:00 p.m.Helper Auditorium Council Chambers

19 South MainHelper, Utah 84526

ATTENDANCE: City Staff Mayor Edward Chavez Council Members: City Recorder Jona Skerl David Dornan Chief Trent Anderson Gary Harwood Attorney Angela Sampinos Chris Pugliese (Absent Excused) Amanda Wheeler Tom Williams Citizens: Kate Kilpatrick-Miller, Lenise Peterman, Kathleen Royster, Jean Boyack, Jean Ann Dimick, Michelle Goldsmith, Tom Paluso, Ann and Roy Jesperson, Amy Jesperson, Tom Lund, Jim Boyd, John Axelsen, Melissa Rogers, Karl Kraync, David Johnsen, Ben and Melanie Steele, Marilou Kundmueller, Jason Alderson, Don Marrelli, Lynna Topolovec, Ruth Metzger, Charles Hamilton, Cliff Pessetto, Phil and Jamie Howa, Michelle Fidell, Bob Olson,Traci Bishop and John Serfustini.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Chavez directed the Pledge of Allegiance.

The regular meeting of the Helper City Council was called to order by Mayor Chavez at 6:00.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES July 7, 2016.

Council Member Williams moved to approve the minutes of July 7, 2016. Council Member Dornan seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Dornan, Wheeler, Williams, and Harwood all voting yes.

DENNIS ARDOHAIN ON MINERS MEMORIAL.

Mr. Ardohain did not attend the meeting.

COMMENDATIONS FOR HELPER POLICE OFFICERS.

Chief Anderson presented the lifesaving award to Officer Archuleta and Officer Sandoval for saving the life of two different citizens. Mayor Chavez and council presented Chief Anderson and Officer Sandoval with a Citation of Distinguished Service for their role in assisting the CMDTF in arresting a major drug dealer. DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON ORDINANCE 2016-4 ZONE CHANGE FOR MOUNTAIN STATES PROPERTY FROM R1-5000 TO GC1.

Zoning Administrator Tom Paluso explained the Planning Commission listened to all the public comments and recommends the zone change from R-1 5000 to GC1. Mr. Paluso told council the public comments will be taken under advisement during the Conditional Use Permit process. Mr. Lund will need to apply for a Conditional Use Permit before a Building Permit can be issued for the RV Park.

Council Member Williams moved to approve Ordinance 2016-4 changing the Mountain States Property from R1-5000 to GC1. Council Member Dornan seconded the motion. The Council roll call vote is as follows: Council Members Dornan, Williams, Wheeler, and Harwood in favor. Ordinance 2016-4 passed by unanimous vote.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL FOR CERTIFICATION OF ANNEXATION FOR MOUNTAIN STATES PROPERTY.

Council Member Dornan moved to approve the certification of the Annexation of the Mountain States Property. Council Member Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Dornan, Wheeler, Williams, and Harwood all voting yes.

KATE KILPATRICK-MILLER DISCUSSION ON ARTS FESTIVAL.

Kate Kilpatrick-Miller reported on updates for the Arts Festival. Ms. Miller informed council of the dance concert scheduled for August 5th and 6th have been only 17 tickets sold and to break even 300 tickets need to be sold at $15 each, please get the word out Ms. Miller explained the Gallery Stroll will start at 6:30 pm on August 18th and Main Street will be closed at 3:00 pm until August 21st at 3:00 pm. The famous Lyn Wells desserts will be in each gallery including the museum, hopefully this will get more participants to the downtown business. Mountain America will be bring up an ATM for Main Street in front of the police station. Lenise Peterman reported on the Arts and Museum grant, which provided funds for the refurbishment of the building at 69 South Main and restored 3 WPA paintings. The Utah Arts Group will be down on Thursday night and will attend the festival on Friday. Mayor Chavez reminded everyone the Miners Memorial will be dedicated on August 18th at 2:00 pm at the Mining Museum Park.

2

ANN JESPERSON PRESENTATION ON THE REVITALIZATION OF THE HELPER TRAIN STATION AND GROUNDS.

Ms. Jesperson announced the creation of a Helper Projects 501-3C, giving opportunities for citizens to be involved in all activities in Helper. The Helper Projects will offer assistance in writing and processing grants for anyone who wants to apply. Amy Jesperson is a grant writer and will be looking for grants to help this area. Ms. Jesperson presented a proposal to the council for the revitalization of the Helper Train Station and grounds. There will be a power point presentation in early September for the Utah Chapter of Architectural Institute a nonprofit organization that can assist with presentations and a master plan for this project.

ANN JESPERSON PRESENTATION ON THE HELPER PLACE.

Ms. Jesperson presented council with a budget and drawings for the wedge on Main Street. Ms. Jesperson suggested a name for the wedge would be helpful in writing grants, there have been several suggestions Helper Place, Helper Commons, Helper Hub, Helper Gardens. The budget of $90,000 contains landscaping, furniture, planters, and fire boxes. The budget numbers could change with Helper City doing part of the work and items can be added as money is available like furniture and planters, etc. Helper Projects will be writing grants and processing donations for the wedge project. Amy Jesperson is working with Tami Ursenbach to research grants for this project. Council Member Williams stated his concern on funding for the project, perhaps all the artist on that block of Main Street could donate a painting and have a fund raiser auction. Ms. Jesperson agreed that could be a great possibility along with other events.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON PURCHASING A POLICE VEHICLE IN THE AMOUNT OF $21,000.

Chief Anderson explained this would be the match for the USDA grant of $24,700 to pay for the new police vehicle.

Council Member Williams moved to approve the amount of $21,000 for a new police car. Council Member Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Dornan, Wheeler, Williams, and Harwood all voting yes.

3

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON WEED CONTROL POLICY.

Council Member Dornan requested the weed control policy be enforced. Price City has an enforcement officer is this something Helper City would like to entertain. Council Member Dornan suggested hiring an enforcement officer or checking to see if the enforcement officer at Price City would be available. Attorney Sampinos reading from the ordinance, any person who shall create a nuisance or maintain a nuisance, or who shall fail to immediately abate any nuisance under this chapter, upon notice thereof, shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day that a nuisance is maintained or continues to exist. The court may issue either a fine or imprisonment (for a term not to exceed six months) or both. The penalty shall be enhanced if the person who is guilty is determined to be a habitual offender. One notice to abate shall be deemed sufficient on any lot or parcel of property for the entire season of weed and vegetation growth during that year. The amount of the monetary fine shall be as follows: One hundred dollars per day for each day during the first week that the nuisance remains uncorrected or unabated after expiration of the timeframe to correct; Two hundred dollars per day for each day thereafter until the nuisance is corrected or abated. Mayor Chavez explained there is no budget for hiring an enforcement officer give the extra hours to our officers if they want the extra time. Attorney Sampinos will check to see if Helper could hire or contract with someone outside of the city.

DISCUSSION AND/OR APPROVAL ON PURCHASING BLINDS FOR THE AUDITORIUM IN THE AMOUNT OF $696.

Council Member Williams moved to approve purchasing blinds in the amount of $696. Member Dornan seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Dornan, Wheeler, Williams, and Harwood all voting yes.

4

REPORT ON WATER, SEWER, AND STORM DRAIN PROJECTS.

Council Member Harwood reported Main Street is opened, there were problems with the sidewalk. Some of the sidewalks on Main Street where raised to drain properly which affected some of the resident’s property causing some repairs. Knife River has the sewer installed on Janet, Stack, Ridgeway Welby and Dodge, they will now start on the water lines on those streets. Knife River would like to continue tearing out the roads on the project, but without a guarantee they will be done by November 1, 2016 and the roads will remain paved. Road Base will be on Railroad, Palmer and part of E Street, no pavement date has been set. The sewer line at 51 Palmer Street is now lower than the new line and Waste Logistics will hook the sewer line up for $1100. The home on 294 Railroad Ave at one point there may have had two sewer lines and only one was hooked up by Knife River. Waste Logistics will hook the drain into the single sewer line for $1100. John Axelsen stated that at one time the sewer line was hooked up and it flooded the basement of the home twice. Council Member Harwood replied he was not sure which drain flooded the basement. Melissa Rogers, homeowner, informed council of attorney records from 2004-2005- 2006, stating there were two sewer lines when her home flooded. Melissa Rogers explained when her washer broke the water did not drain so she poured drain cleaner in the drain and now it is eating the cement. Council Member Williams asked if hooking up the drain to the other line would be ok to do. Ms. Rogers was concerned about her foundation and floor cracking in the future because the connection runs through her home. Mr. Axelsen and Ms. Rogers asked for a letter guaranteeing her foundation and floor will not crack for five years. Mayor Chavez and council stated there would be no way of knowing what could happen in the future. Mayor Chavez and council agreed to repair the sewer line by hooking it to the single sewer line. Mr. Axelsen told the council to get them the plan and they would check with their attorney and let us know. Mayor Chavez referred Mr. Axelsen and Ms. Rogers to the City Attorney, there will be no further discussion on the matter.

MOTION FOR CLOSED SESSION.

Council Member Harwood moved to go into a closed session on legal issue with Silver Spur. Council Member Williams seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Dornan, Wheeler, Williams, and Harwood all voting yes.

Council Member Wheeler moved to reopen the meeting. Council Member Harwood seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Dornan, Wheeler, Williams, and Harwood all voting yes.

5

REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENT.

Council Member Williams reported on purchasing new chairs for the Auditorium.

Council Member Wheeler reported the sprinklers at the parks and cemetery are fixed and the water restrictions are discontinued.

Council Member Dornan reported on UAMPS annual meeting it was very interesting and will be a good information tool. Looking into creating a fund for repairs and maintenance on the power lines.

Jona Skerl reported a filming crew for H & M Clothing would like to do a commercial on Main Street. Ellis Pierce offered the back of his small sign located next to the Pick and Rail if the city would like to use it. Mayor Chavez reported the poem Coal Miners Hands will be on the back of the Miner’s Memorial.

There being no further business Council Member Williams moved to adjourn. Council Member Dornan seconded the motion. Motion Carried: Dornan, Wheeler, Williams, and Harwood voting yes. Meeting adjourned.

I hereby certify that the fore going represents a true, accurate, and complete record of the Helper City Council meeting held on Thursday, August 4, 2016

___________________________ ___________________________Edward Chavez Jona SkerlMayor City Recorder Approved on September 1, 2016

6

7