Town Council

MINUTES BUDGET COMMITTEE VIRTUAL MEETING ALTA TOWN COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING Wednesday, March 8, 2023, 2:00 PM Alta Community Center (virtual), 10351 E. Highway 210, Alta, Utah PRESENT: Mayor Roger Bourke Councilmember John Byrne Councilmember Carolyn Anctil STAFF PRESENT: John Guldner, Town Administrator Mike Morey, Town Marshal Chris Cawley, Assistant Town Administrator Jen Clancy, Town Clerk Molly Austin, Deputy Clerk ALSO PRESENT: Cameron Platt, Legal Counsel Craig Heimark, Treasurer NOT PRESENT: Councilmember Sheridan Davis Councilmember Elise Morgan TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 1. CALL THE REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TO ORDER AND DECLARATION 00:00:00 Mayor Bourke called the regular meeting of the Alta Town Council to order for March 8, 2023. Pursuant to his February 15, 2023 determination Mayor Bourke said that it is in the community’s best interest to hold this meeting virtually without an anchor location. He announced that both Sheridan Davis and Elise Morgan were unable to attend the meeting. 2. CITIZEN INPUT 00:00:50 Jen Clancy reported written comment had been received from Rhandir Jhamb, Pat Shea, Craig Heimark, Eddie Claridge, Kim and Paul Hooper, and Harris Sondak. These comments all expressed kind words on behalf of John Guldner in light of his retirement from the Town. These comments have been shared with the town councilmembers and John Guldner and will be a part of this meeting’s minute as Exhibit A. Upon request from former Mayor Harris Sondak, Jen read his comment which is included in Exhibit A. Margaret Bourke asked what is in a name? She said she started with a name, H is for honorable, honest, humble, humanistic, hardworking, helpful, healthy, happy, hopeful, heuristic or hands on, harmonious relationships, historic encyclopedia, humane, high-minded, humanitarian, highly regarded, high quality Alta Town Council Meeting March 8, 2023 1 humorous, heart to heart, and H is for hortative. Margaret said he was John H. Guldner and attributed these attributes to him. She said she has personally observed and experience John with these attributes, and that Alta is blessed to have had his preservationist presence. She shared personal experiences where John guided her and Roger while they built their home. Margaret thanked John and said he would be missed. Tom Pollard said during his time in Alta and on the town council that there has been one constant and that’s been John. He stated the role John fills goes unnoticed by most. During his time there have been many challenges and challengers and John has handled them all with grace. His passion for the preservation of Alta is unmatched and there is no one who knows more about Alta then John. Tom said that he cant thank John enough for his guidance and being there as a friend while Tom was Mayor. He said John had worked with so many of the iconic and civic leaders in the state of Utah and SLC. He said thank you from himself and the Alta community and wished John the best. John Guldner reflected that it hasn’t been easy but it’s been a real honor to serve for this magic place and wonderful people for 40 years. He stated that for everyone still here that you must promise to fight like the devil to keep Alta, Alta. 3. ALTA SKI AREA UPDATE – MIKE MAUGHAN 00:11:00 Mike Maughan was not present to provide an update. 4. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: FEBRUARY 8, 2023 MEETING MINUTES, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES, STAFF AND FINANCE REPORTS 00:11:40 MOTION: John Byrne motioned to approve the consent agenda including the February 8, 2023 meeting minutes, the February 23, 2023 meeting minutes, and the staff and financial reports. Carolyn Anctil seconded. VOTE: All in favor. The consent agenda including the February 8, 2023 meeting minutes, the February 23, 2023 meeting minutes, and the staff and financial reports were unanimously approved. 5. QUESTIONS REGARDING DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS 00:12:50 There were no questions or comments. 6. MAYOR’S REPORT 00:13:40 Alta Town Council Meeting March 8, 2023 2 Mayor Bourke commented that we could rerun last month’s report regarding weather and snowfall because that is what has dominated our scene for essentially the whole winter. He is very impressed with how the community is handling this, especially our Marshal’s department and dispatchers, UDOT, UPD, UFA, and the ski lifts. Individually and collectively, they have done an extraordinary job this winter. Once we get by all this, he proposed some type of recognition. Mayor Bourke reported they would continue to address and make improvements to the parking situation. He said a letter of support to Mike Maughan’s parking proposal to exchange some roadside parking for spaces in the wildcat lot had been submitted to the Forest Service. He said it would be a safety benefit. He commented the roadside parking at Snowbird is a real problem at the end of the day halting Alta’s ability to empty its lots. Mayor Bourke also reported on the struggle with the solution for the bus service. He said the legislature had enacted 150 million to the Wasatch Front Regional Council exclusively for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons for bus service, transit facilities, bus shelters, and no further details. He is looking forward to that being an assistance in improving our public bus service next year. Mayor Bourke said a lot of good work has gone into creating the ordinance for the Town Manager and chief of staff. He called out the efforts of John Byrne and Cameron Platt. He reported the Town had received 14 applications for the job posting and a rigorous evaluation process is under way. Mayor Bourke reported there was a Council of Mayor’s meeting on February 16th and that those meetings are dominated by the problems of homelessness in the greater community. He said that we are going to host the Council of Mayor’s meeting outside in July during the wildflower peak. He said the Capital Projects Committee met on February 21 for future project planning. Mayor Bourke reported we are exhausting our staff this winter with all the snow, the jobs are not getting small, and so he wanted to prepare the council for proposals to add staff and expect that to be reflected in future budgets. He said the legislative session is over and we came out pretty unscathed although there were several water and land use bills that could have adversely affected us. He said he and Chris are signed up for the League of Cities and Towns mid-year conference in St. George next month. The next council meeting is April 12, 2023 at 2pm, and there may be a work session in advance. 7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RESOLUTION 2023-R-2 REAPPOINTING THE FOLLOWING PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS: JON NEPSTAD FOR 4 YEARS, JEFF NIERMEYER FOR 5 YEARS, AND ROB VOYE FOR 2 YEARS 00:22:00 Mayor Bourke announced we tend to have long-term serving planning commission members and their familiarity is great. He said three terms are expiring at once, so he would like to stagger future terms. Mayor Bourke nominated Jon Nepstad for a four year term, Jeff Niermeyer for a five year term, and Rob Voye for a two year term. He said this requires concurrence from the council and opened it for discussion. Carolyn Anctil asked if there were bios for these folks and where they came from, if these were nominations from the Mayor. Mayor Bourke offered that all three individuals are existing members of the planning commission and have been for many years and there was a brief discussion about postponing the resolution to next month. John Byrne offered that the Town’s website was confusing and out of date regarding the planning commission terms. Cameron clarified that members of the planning commission would continue to serve until a replacement was appointed and so the Alta Town Council Meeting March 8, 2023 3 members would continue to serve and there wouldn’t be any vacancies. Mayor Bourke said the appointments would be delayed until the next council meeting in April. 8. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ORDINANCE 2023-O-1 TO AMEND THE DOG LICENSE ORDINANCE TO REMOVE THE WATERSHED TAG REQUIREMENT 00:32:50 Mayor Bourke announced this as a clean-up item. Molly Austin said that historically dogs licensed in the Town of Alta have been provided with a Town tag and a one-time watershed tag. Salt Lake County has gone to a different system and is no longer issuing tags, so we are also removing that requirement. This is an effort to remove the watershed tag language from our ordinance to avoid any confusion. MOTION: Mayor Bourke motioned to adopt Ordinance 2023-O-1, and John Byrne seconded. VOTE: All in favor. Ordinance 2023-O-1 was adopted. 9. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RESOLUTION 2023-R-3 REPEALING AND REPLACING DOG LICENSE CLASS NUMBERS 00:34:40 Molly Austin reported that annual renewals for dog tags had wrapped up last month and that a Class A and Class B license had been forfeited. This resolution would open those tags up in a drawing so that the total dog licenses would stay the same as last year. Jen Clancy clarified that if a dog in the Class C group passed away that that owner had 6 months to replace the dog, and that their license was not automatically forfeited. If a Class C license holder forfeits the license then the council could reallocate that license to another Class via a drawing. MOTION: John Byrne motioned to adopt Resolution 2023-R-3, and Carolyn Anctil seconded. VOTE: All in favor. Resolution 2023-R-3 was adopted. 10. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RESOLUTION 2023-R-4 UPDATING THE FEE SCHEDULE TO REMOVE MENTION OF WATERSHED TAGS 00:39:50 Molly Austin stated this related back to the Ordinance 2023-O-1 that was just passed. We removed reference to the watershed tags in the ordinance and now want to cleanup the fee schedule. MOTION: John Byrne motioned to approve Resolution 2023-R-4, and Mayor Bourke seconded. VOTE: All in favor. Resolution 2023-R-4 was adopted. Alta Town Council Meeting March 8, 2023 4  11. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ORDINANCE 2023-O-2 CREATING THE POSITION OF TOWN MANAGER AND DELEGATING ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 00:40:50 Mayor Bourke said that in his opinion, our town needs a person that can effectively be a chief of staff for our town government. He feels it’s unrealistic that a part-time mayor can function effectively as such. To clarify what this person will do Mayor Bourke shared his screen showing a rather crude organizational chart. The chart showed the Mayor and Town Council as co-equals with the Mayor appointing the Marshal and Town Manager, and the Town Manger overseeing everyone else. Mayor Bourke reflected that he and Cameron hadn’t communicated very well on this concept and so there was some confusion in turning the Mayor’s concept into legalese. John Byrne said he was comfortable with basic ordinance, and changing the name from Town Administrator to Town Manager. He said he wasn’t comfortable passing the ordinance since he’d just received a new version that hadn’t been shared with the rest of the council. There was some conversation about what could and couldn’t be passed with those present today and it was decided to not proceed but take more time to dial in the language and make sure the full council has received an updated draft of the ordinance. There was additional conversation about if delaying this ordinance would have an effect on the hiring of the Town Manager position currently underway especially as it relates to various appointments being made. Mayor Bourke offered that he felt the advice consent of the council was only needed for all officers at the Town (Town Manager, Marshal, Clerk, Treasurer, and other positions created at this level), and below that the Town Manager could make decisions autonomously. Further action on the ordinance was differed until next month. 12. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO AUTHORIZE AN INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT (ILA) WITH SALT LAKE COUNTY FOR A MUNICIPAL ELECTION 01:07:00 Jen Clancy stated that this was a standard contract to work with Salt Lake County to administer an election for two, four year town council terms that are expire on January 2024. She pointed out that we would need at least five candidates to run in order to qualify for a primary. Jen said that if the council wished to offer rank choice voting that that decision would need to be made soon, but based on previous town council conversations she didn’t believe there was any interest in offering rank choice voting so she didn’t prepare much background on the subject. Jen added that the reason this was being brought to the council was because a fiscal year 2024 budget has not been passed yet and the council needs to be approve of the expense before adding it to the books. She expects this election to cost the Town $2,500 (County’s minimum) with or without a primary. MOTION: Mayor Bourke motioned to authorize the ILA with SL County for the municipal election, and John Byrne seconded. VOTE: All in favor. The ILA was authorized. Alta Town Council Meeting March 8, 2023 5  13. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE TOWN SHUTTLE PROGRAM 01:11:00 Chris Cawley said he had written a staff report on this matter to prepare the council for discussion today. He highlighted key points in the report as: there are three distinct shuttle programs currently operating, the program has been very popular with almost 12,000 riders in January alone, Alta Chalets have been organizing the shuttle program since about 2010 and don’t retain any of the program contributions collected. Alta Chalets has stated they don’t have the capacity to organize the program anymore and would like someone else to take over that role, if no one steps forward the program could go away. As a result the Mayor and staff have been discussing if it is feasible for the Town to take over the role of organizing the program. Chris explained that there are three components to what managing a program would look like including funding or fundraising, selecting a vendor and managing a contract, and then designing a service program. Chris said we think it’s feasible for the Town to take on a version of this program but before taking additional steps the staff would like to know if the council supports the idea of staff developing a proposal for next year. John Byrne suggested the program could entail the Town managing a contract and that contract should protect the Town from potential slip and falls as well as operating liabilities of the contractor. John suggested this could be the answer, but that he liked the idea of ACVB taking on this role. Mayor Bourke said the shuttle service has been a really big help for the community and however we need to go about it that we need to keep it going. He sees it helping with parking, traffic, and safety. Chris explained that today was not about a pitch for more funding to fill the gap for this year’s program. He also reminded the council that Tom Schneider, who owns and operates Alta Shuttle whish currently operates the shuttle program has informed the Town that if he is the recipient of a contract to run next year’s program, that he will need a new van and in order to purchase that van and receive it on time, that he needs some confirmation by April. Chris added that there are other vendors however and this past year they submitted informal bids to Alta Chalets that were on par with the rates Alta Shuttle is charging. Chris said the town council hasn’t discussed the option of this becoming a town program. He wanted to provide that opportunity and get feedback on if the town council supports this idea, with the feasibility of raising the funds aside. Carolyn Anctil said she was in support of the Town taking over the program and she thought it was previously a profitable endeavor and could continue to be for the Town. Chris explained he was thinking it would continue to be a free service and the only entity possible profiting would be Alta Shuttle but Chris had his doubts if it was much. Carolyn said she supported the Town taking on this role even if it wasn’t a profitable for the Town. Mayor Bourke added he looked at it as a public service, not as a profit center for the Town. Mayor Bourke summarized that the council was in favor of continuing the shuttle as a community service and the we should work on the financials for the program. John Byrne suggested we consider isolating the economics of this as opposed to folding it into the general fund. (Carolyn Anctil was briefly disconnected) 14. NEW BUSINESS Alta Town Council Meeting March 8, 2023 6 01:34:00 None. 15. MOTION TO ADJOURN 01:35:30 MOTION: John Byrne motioned to adjourn, and Mayor Bourke seconded. VOTE: John Byrne and Mayor Bourke voted in favor. Carolyn Anctil rejoined the meeting and voted in favor of adjourning. The meeting was adjourned. Passed this 12th day of April, 2023 _____________________ Jen Clancy, Town Clerk Alta Town Council Meeting March 8, 2023 7  MAYOR TOWN OF ALTA ROGER BOURKE P.O. BOX 8016 ALTA, UTAH 84092 TOWN COUNCIL CAROLYN ANCTIL TEL (801) 363-5105 JOHN BYRNE (801) 742-3522 SHERIDAN DAVIS FAX (801)742-1006 ELISE MORGAN TTY 711 Exhibit A The following written public comments were received are to be included in the March 8, 2023 Town council meeting minutes. Pages Document Date Received 2 Randhir Jhamb February 13, 2023 3 Eddie Clardige March 6, 2023 4 Patrick Shea March 6, 2023 5 Harris Sondak March 7, 2023 6 Craig Heimark March 7, 2023 7 Paul and Kim Hooper March 8, 2023 From: noreply@townofalta.com To: Molly Austin; Jen Clancy Subject: New submission from Submit a Public Comment Date: Monday, February 13, 2023 12:21:53 PM Name Randhir Jhamb Phone Address 9880 East Peruvian Acre Creekside Chalet Alta, Utah 84092 Map It Email Town Affiliation Resident Property Owner Comment Subject Thank you for your Service! Comment John, Thank you so much for educating me, as a new property owner in 1996, to the ways of Alta. What’s allowed, and what will never be allowed, as far as codes and restrictions. Helping to facilitate the resolution of problems for the Town, and the Peruvian Acres neighborhood. Everything worked out, and Bodhi and I look forward to seeing you on the road, or at Alta, in the future. Ride safe. Let us know where you will be on your own travels, and you are always welcome at the Creekside Chalet… Regards, Randhir Is this comment to be included in the minutes for the next Town Council meeting? Yes 2 Molly Austin From: noreply@townofalta.com <info@townofalta.com> Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 3:43 PM To: Molly Austin; Jen Clancy Subject: New submission from Submit a Public Comment Name Eddie Claridge Phone Address PO Box 8088 Alta UT Map It Email Town Affiliation  Property Owner Comment Subject John Guldner Comment Thanks John for all your hard work through the years! Is this comment to be included in the minutes for the next Town Council meeting?  Yes 3 Molly Austin From: noreply@townofalta.com <info@townofalta.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 7:46 AM To: Molly Austin; Jen Clancy Subject: New submission from Submit a Public Comment Name Harris Sondak Phone Email Town Affiliation  Other If other, please specify: Former mayor and town council member Comment Subject John Guldner Comment It is unique to have had the opportunity to work with someone with the depth of knowledge and passion possessed by John Guldner. The town and I frequently benefited by John's ability to understand the most arcane information and nuance about surprisingly complicated issues. Many people in Alta’s community – from homeowners, to business managers, to guests, to elected officials – do not fully grasp the overlapping jurisdictions that affect the welfare of our community, but John clearly did. For many decades now, John dedicated himself to helping Alta and its community members thrive. John, Alta will not be the same without you; I wish you all the best. Is this comment to be included in the minutes for the next Town Council meeting?  Yes 4 Molly Austin From: noreply@townofalta.com <info@townofalta.com> Sent: Monday, March 6, 2023 5:46 PM To: Molly Austin; Jen Clancy Subject: New submission from Submit a Public Comment Name patrick shea Phone Address 2568 S Elizabeth St 4 Salt Lake City, ut 84106 Map It Email Town Affiliation  Other If other, please specify: One of three founders of Friends of Alta Comment Subject Complimenting John Guldner's service to Alta Comment Through the Alta grape vine I heard that the invaluable John Guldner is leaving. I have skidded Alta since 1956, was married there in 1980 and my ashes will be sprinkled in Albion Basin upon my pasting. I have said on several occasions that Alta is "a state of mind". John has been a intrathecal part of preserving the environs of Alta. His dedication to public service is extraordinary. I wish many of the towns and cities I work with had as competent person is John. He will be missed, but I should warn you John, I still have your cell number. Best wishes and stay healthy. Pat Shea Is this comment to be included in the minutes for the next Town Council meeting?  Yes 5 Molly Austin From: noreply@townofalta.com <info@townofalta.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 6:44 PM To: Molly Austin; Jen Clancy Subject: New submission from Submit a Public Comment Name Craig Heimark Phone Address 10645 E. Little Cottonwood Canyon Rd Alta, Utah 84092 Map It Town Affiliation  Property Owner Comment Subject John Guldner Comment To me John Guldner is a living embodiment of the values and qualities that make Alta special. From a young age, John was active (and accomplished) in outdoor sports and for many years I have seen him hiking at full speed, usually with weights, on our local trails. John is a person who utilizes, embraces, and helps preserve Alta as a destination for the aficionados of outdoor recreation. John has brought that perspective to bear in his position of Alta Town Administrator. Whenever I wanted to do something that required conversations with the Forest Service or Town of Alta, John was my first call, as he had all the relationships needed to guide me through the steps. John’s knowledge of Town of Alta history is encyclopedic. Often, when I am puzzled about certain policies, John narrates the convoluted path which brought us to the current state, and it all makes sense. John is truly irreplaceable. His human database of Alta history, his nuanced balancing of business and environmental considerations, his understanding of Utah’s legal constraints and ToA building code cannot be replaced by a single person. Alta will go on to its future, but John’s attitude, presence and capabilities will be sorely missed. Is this comment to be included in the minutes for the next Town Council meeting?  Yes 6 Molly Austin From: Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 11:00 AM To: Molly Austin Subject: John Sitting on a plane heading home and trying to link into say how much the Hooper’s are going to miss John’s way and his effectiveness with taking care of us up in the canyon. He’s made our experience painless and will sorely missed. Town will have its work cut out finding a replacement. Will him all the best! Thanks again John for all your help. Best, Kim & Paul Hooper Grizzly Gulch Get Outlook for iOS 7