City Council

ROY CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 6, 2021 – 5:30 P.M. ROY CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5051 S 1900 W ROY , UTAH 84067 This meeting will be streamed live on the Roy City YouTube channel. Minutes of the Roy City Council Meeting held in person in the Roy City Council Chambers and streamed on YouTube on July 6, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Notice of the meeting was provided to the Utah Public Notice Website at least 24 hours in advance. A copy of the agenda was posted. The following members were in attendance: Mayor Robert Dandoy City Manager, Matt Andrews Councilmember Paul City Attorney, Andy Blackburn Councilmember Saxton Councilmember Wilson Councilmember Jackson Also present were: Management Services Director, Camille Cook; Public Works Director, Ross Oliver, Morgan Langholf, Steve Parkinson, Glenda Moore, Kevin Homer, Byron Built, Thomas Lee Banking, Leon Wilson A. Welcome & Roll Call Mayor Robert Dandoy welcomed those in attendance and noted Councilmembers Jackson, Paul, Saxton, and Wilson were present. He excused Councilmember Burrell B. Moment of Silence Councilmember Ann Jackson invited the audience to observe a moment of silence. C. Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Ann Jackson led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. D. Consent Items (These items are considered by the City Council to be routine and will be enacted by a single motion. If discussion is desired on any particular consent item, that item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.) 1. Approval of the April 28, 2021 Roy City Work Session Minutes and the June 1, 2021 Roy City Council Meeting and Work Session Meeting Minutes 2. Re-appointment of the Planning Commissioners Councilmember Paul motioned to approve the Consent Items. Councilmember Jackson seconded the motion. All Councilmembers voted “aye.” The motion carried. City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 2 E. Public Comments Kevin Homer, 5398 South 4000 West, explained that as far as the elevation of the building was concerned, he wanted to suggest taking the height of the building based on finished grade. He mentioned that this would include an original baseline from the USGS survey. He explained that a large building intended for the LDS Church was presently being built in Syracuse. In order to meet the requirements for this building, he went on, the surface had been placed 25 to 30 feet up in the air. He explained that it was important to make it clear that the land could not be raised and recommended that the USGS be used as a reference, so the water table did not require to be placed higher. Mr. Homer addressed the choice between specifying height versus the number of floors. He explained that he believed the height should be referenced. Mr. Homer discussed the American rescue plan, which totaled $1.9 trillion from the federal budget which already had a $29 trillion deficit. He added that he did not want to see the City participate in increasing the federal debt. F. Action Items 1. Resolution 21-17 Approving Ambulance Transportation Rates and Charges Fire Chief Craig Golden introduced this proposed Resolution to the Council. Fire Chief Golden pointed that this was his first resolution in the Chambers. He explained that the resolution had been updated and added he had provided a handout with the changes. He read through the Resolution: the resolution would increase prices as of July 1st. He added that any licensed ground MDI EMT would be allowed to charge the higher rate. Councilmember Jackson clarified that rates were mandated by the state. Councilmember Paul made sure that Fire Chief Golden was feeling well overall. Councilmember Wilson motioned to approve Resolution 21-17. Councilmember Jackson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. All Councilmembers voted “aye.” The motion carried. H. Discussion Items 1. Ogden Technology College Scholarship Mayor Dandoy invited the Council to give input regarding how they would like to set up the application process. The Council was supposed to select someone and submit it to the College. He explained that the worksheet he had shared with the Council talked about the different types of scholarship. He pointed that there was an SA scholarship, a writing scholarship, academic scholarship, etc. and that this needed to be clarified so City Staff could put things into motion. He pointed that once the decision was made, the information needed to be shared in the community so those who could quality had time to submit their application. Councilmember Paul asked whether, once the individual was chosen, they could select the category of scholarship and college they wished to apply for. Mayor Dandoy stated that once completed with their course, the recipient could come work to Roy City. Councilmember Jackson asked whether this would be available to mothers wishing to go back to college. She was told it was available to anyone over the age of 18. She added she would like to allow the City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 3 opportunity for a wider range of Roy’s citizens to apply while still being based on merit. Councilmember Paul agreed and pointed that he would not be able to write a good essay. He continued that defining what the outcome was would be challenging. Councilmember Wilson stated that this could be a combination of academic and community service. She pointed that the scholarship was meant to increase the connection and service to Roy and added that the type of service would need to be specified and that it should be Roy community service. Councilmember Wilson asked how the information would be distributed. Mayor Dandoy explained that once the approach was decided, Morgan Langholf would use the different media to disseminate the information. Councilmember Paul added that the information could also be spread through the business advisory. Mayor Dandoy explained that all these ideas were great as they would allow applicants to hear the information, understand what was expected, and have the time to prepare their application materials. Councilmember Paul explained that using businesses would allow to create something that could come back and be used in Roy. Mayor Dandoy stated that once the Council decided how to build the scholarship, Matt Andrews and the Mayor would work together to create a plan to present to the Council. Councilmember Wilson stated she liked the combination of academic, merit, and community service. Councilmember Paul and Saxton stated they approved. Mayor Dandoy asked what the Council wished to see in terms of application form. Councilmember Jackson stated that at the bottom of the application, there should be a space to describe service and what the scholarship would be used for. Councilmember Saxton and Paul agreed though Councilmember Saxton stated that if the Council wanted to select the most deserving applicant, they should veer away from essays as some people were not able to write essays easily. Councilmember Paul explained that this was why this was a blend of application and merit. Councilmember Saxton asked whether the Council should look at the final 3 or 5 applicants. Councilmember Wilson stated that this should be decided once the Council knew how many applications they had received. 2. Potential use of American Rescue Plan Funding (ARPA) Mayor Dandoy stated he had sent the Council some information. He pointed that the treasury Department had earmarked $4.6 million for Roy. He added this would come in two segments of $2.3 million with the first segment arriving shortly. The second segment, he went on, would arrive a year later. Councilmember Paul asked what would happen if Roy chose not to take the money. Mayor Dandoy stated that it would be reallocated. Councilmember Paul clarified that the money would not go back into the federal coffers. He was told he was correct. He added that according to the Treasury Department, the City owned the money: it did not have to be spent and be redirected. The only caveat was that the City would be held accountable and show how they had disbursed the funds. Councilmember Paul stated that sewer, drinking water, and broadband could be potential expenses. He added that the expenses could be limited to these three items. He also mentioned that public safety had been an issue. Mr. Parkinson added that the funds could be used for Covid Response and employee wages. He continued that he would be wiser to use the funds for one-time funding. Councilmember Paul stated that an ambulance could be bought thus freeing some of the City’s money. Mr. Parkinson explained that Roy City would be a recipient of the state and pointed that the State could come up with new requirements that the City would need to abide by. He continued that he had gone to a conference the Monday prior and mentioned that some of the requirements were vague. He added that a water tank might be a possibility. He pointed that while the federal requirements were stipulated, those of the State were not. Councilmember Paul stated that he believed that UCLT was on board with the funding and was willing to help the city. He added that broadband had been a big topic of conversation for some time and that some things that had been recently approved in the budget could be funded with these funds. Councilmember Jackson stated that a fire truck could be bought with these funds. Mr. Parkinson City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 4 mentioned that it could be possible to free up some funds to buy other things. He mentioned that, as Mayor Dandoy had explained, there was a potential for matching funds from the State. Councilmember Jackson also mentioned that parks could be as solution for these funds. Councilmember Paul asked if the City could use the funds for water. Mr. Parkinson mentioned that the guidelines would become clearer and that he was expecting to know them by Fall. He added that the City would have until 2024 to spend the money. Mayor Dandoy stated that he too felt the guidelines were vague. He continued that the intent was for the funds to be directed to a specific area but added that the Council had already accounted for their maintenance and repairs into their current budget. He explained that these funds could be supplemental. He read the rules for infrastructure. He continued by stating that there were specific areas that the State had under federal allocations and received federal funding for under the CWSRF and the DWFRF (one dealing with water, the other with sewer). Mayor Dandoy added that the policy in those allowed certain things, this money could be used for those same things. He continued that the question was whether the Council wished to move forward with these funds and pointed that the funds could not simply be rejected as a provision had been created in the law. The City had to be accountable for the funds, and then transfer them to another institution. Councilmember Wilson reiterated that Mr. Homer’s worry was that the deficit was increasing exponentially. She asked whether the funds could be redirected to something that could be purchased or deficit fulfillment. Mayor Dandoy stated that there were restrictions such as not using the funds for direct deposit on pensions, rainy day accounts, debt services, settlement payments, or federal grant matching. Councilmember Paul asked whether redirecting the funds would allow to dictate the use of funds. Mayor Dandoy added that if Roy City chose not to take the funds, there would be other cities that would. Councilmember Paul stated that at the entrance of what was hoped to become the cemetery, there was a retention basin. He asked whether this money could be used to better said retention basin. Mayor Dandoy stated that the improvement would have to fall under the storm water criteria and added that it might be possible. He reiterated that the Council first wanted to decide whether they would take the funds. The discussion could then take place as to what the funds would be used for. He added that the funds could be used for public safety officers who had played a role during the pandemic. Secondly, he went on, infrastructure could be funded with these funds. He read the eligibility for public health, which was supposed to be tied to a response to Covid. Councilmember Jackson asked whether the cemetery would work and whether it would be considered to be part of the Covid response. Mayor Dandoy stated that the president had passed a bill stating that anyone who had a child pass would be compensated for burials. Mayor Dandoy pointed that the Council could look at compensation for employee who had been directly impacted by Covid, namely public health services employees. He continued that the Council could look at infrastructure or could give it away. Councilmember Wilson and Paul opposed this idea. Councilmember Jackson asked about public health service employees and whether this would consist of a one-time bonus. Mayor Dandoy stated that it could be. He mentioned that these employees’ salaries were directly proportional to providing these services during the covid pandemic. Councilmember Jackson asked whether the funds could be used retro-actively. Mayor Dandoy stated he believed so. Mayor Dandoy stated that anything that had happened after the cutoff date should qualify. He continued that the beginning of the pandemic might not be the proper date as some of these expenses had been covered by the CARES act. Anything after that, he added, should qualify. Councilmember Jackson asked how this would be defined since it was not a bonus. Mayor Dandoy stated City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 5 that it would be considered a salary compensation. The salaries of the individuals responding to Covid had been paid using the general fund. The rescue funds could be used instead, thus freeing that money in the general funds and use it for something else that did not have to be affiliated to the rules of the rescue funds. Councilmember Paul explained that this could also be used for a one-time wage increase. He continued that an ongoing increase would be problematic. Matt Andrews stated that the Council needed to check with the State whether this was possible. Councilmember Paul stated that the Council needed to balance between public safety, infrastructure, and broadband. Mayor Dandoy summarized what the Council had discussed: they wanted to keep the money, focus on how they could look at the compensation for salaries that were involved directly with the pandemic, and infrastructure which would have three components: water, sewer, and broadband. He added that he and Mr. Andrews would come back to the Council with some strategies. Councilmember Jackson stated she felt her hands were being twisted as she did not think accepting the money was the right thing to do. Mayor Dandoy stated that if every city and County in the US refused the money, the president would be upset but this would be an incredible event. Councilmember Jackson stated that this would be an incredible statement: it would let the president know that the debt created for posterity was appalling. Mayor Dandoy stated that the City had been designated and the money could not be returned directly back into the treasury. He also added that the City had an $80 million infrastructure bill that was coming. He continued when it came to a budget of $29 million to $37 million this was a lot. Councilmember Paul stated that this was 2.5 times the City’s budget. Mayor Dandoy mentioned that this was what the City Planner and his team had to face when they were trying to make sure that Roy’s infrastructure was adequate to meet the needs of the residents. He continued that Staff was trying to stagger the expenses over years. Councilmember Paul stated that when he had last gone to Washington DC, this had been the big topic discussed: how to help cities and municipalities with infrastructure. While the rescue funds might not have been what the government had in mind, he continued, this might give Roy an opportunity to take advantage of a bettered infrastructure. Mayor Dandoy stated that the next option would be to create bonds or raise taxes: the funds had to be generated and the infrastructure maintained. Public Works Director, Ross Oliver, explained that in the next few years, several water projects needed to happen: 5600, 3500, 1900. These had to be done and the City owned the water infrastructure. He pointed that these were realities and though many on the Council were not big advocate of tax increases, the question became how to generate funds for these repairs. He pointed that these rescue funds could help: these issues had to be dealt with. Councilmember Wilson asked whether there was a time limit on how soon the funds needed to be spent. Mayor Dandoy reminded her that the funds had to be spent by 2024. Councilmember Jackson asked whether these projects would be completed by then. Mayor Dandoy stated that 5600 and some of 1900 would. He added that he would come back with some answers. Councilmember Jackson stated that she would like to know about the different costs involved with each project. Councilmember Paul stated that cities had reversed course on the issue of police funding: some cities had backed out of police funding and were not proposing increases. He added that larger cities were increasing the wages of the public safety employees which would create issues for smaller cities. Mayor Dandoy echoed this possibility and added that the Chiefs and Mr. Andrews were aware of this. Councilmember Paul stated that the officers would gravitate towards Ogden and SLC. Mayor Dandoy stated that SLC had increased their police funding by 30%. Councilmember Paul stated that the wage salary service had been approved. He added that construction was rampant and that this benefitted the construction companies as City employees were going to work for construction companies. Mayor Dandoy agreed with Councilmember Paul. Mayor Dandoy restated that he would come to the Council with a plan. He mentioned the matching funds provided by the state. Councilmember Jackson asked whether the $50 million matching funds would be City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 6 divided amongst the different cities in the State. Mayor Dandoy confirmed that this would be the case, and he added that the larger cities had already put plans in motions on how to access the matching funds. He added that collaborations between cities were very powerful to get projects approved and that this might be something the City looks into. He added that the person in charge of these funds was still developing the format. Councilmember Paul stated that Roy needed to get ahead of these matching funds. Mayor Dandoy stated that there was a website for applications and that Roy had until the end of the month to apply. Mr. Andrews explained that the City had applied and needed the Mayor’s electronic signature. Councilmember Paul asked whether the application was the original funding or the match funding. Mayor Dandoy explained that the match funding had not been decided, but that the application for the American Rescue Plan funding had to be done before the end of the month. I. Reports 1. City Manager Report City Manager Matt Andrews:  Railroad Property behind the public works building has been vacated. Mr. Andrews stated that a letter would be sent to the railroad to do away with their lease. Mayor Dandoy asked Public Works Director, Ross Oliver, how long this situation had been ongoing. He answered that this been ongoing since the Mayor came on board. Mayor Dandoy congratulated Staff on this accomplishment.  Fireworks over the weekend caused no fires in Roy Mr. Andrews stated that there had been five fire calls, three of which had been about fireworks while two were early complaints. One of the fire calls had shown no ongoing fire and the department was called off. The two complaints had been made against legal fireworks and the weekend had been slow. Councilmember Paul congratulated police and fire for keeping everyone safe. Mr. Andrews stated that public safety officers had gone in prohibited zones and talked to residents who were trying to light fireworks in those zones.  I-15 express should have all lanes of traffic open in November Mr. Andrews explained that despite the ongoing construction, the lanes should be open in November, 2021.  Water usage at the splashpad Mr. Andrews stated that the splash pad water consumption had been calculated. He explained that at the low end, the splash pad used 100 gallons per minute and 220 gallons per minute at the high end. He added that the engineer had calculated that 30,000 gallons of water per day were used if the splash pad was in operation all day long. Councilmember Paul asked what the average household in Roy used in a month. Mr. Andrews answered that it was about 9,000 gallons. Councilmember Wilson asked if it was possible to limit the hours. Mr. Andrews stated that the hours had not been limited but that this was a possibility. Mayor Dandoy asked whether the Council wanted to proceed with limited hours. Councilmember Jackson stated that it should be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Councilmember Paul agreed. Councilmember Wilson asked for the current hours, which were 9-8. Councilmember Paul stated that 11- 7 would cut three hours a day. Mr. Andrews stated that cutting morning hours would not save as much water as the splash pad was less popular during these hours. Councilmember Paul stated that the bonus of City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 7 reducing the hours would be to send the message that the Council was cognizant of the drought and was working toward reducing its usage. Councilmember Wilson asked about the number of people who went through the splash pad or whether there was an average time of day when the pad was most used. Mr. Andrews was asked whether there was a water meter for the pad and answered he was not sure whether the usage was incorporated into the totals. Councilmember Wilson stated that if a lot of residents were using the pad during certain times of the day, it might be worth being aware of this. Mr. Andrews stated that a button had to be pushed for the splash pad to function and pointed that not all features came on at the same time. Councilmember Jackson asked if the features could be adjusted so only a few of them came on. Mr. Andrews answered that this was possible. Mayor Dandoy asked whether the Council wished Staff to come back with options and an idea of popular times of day to consider. Councilmember Jackson stated that she would like to know when options came on, etc. Mr. Andrews confirmed that Staff would do so.  The employee friends and family swim night scheduled July 15 starting at 5 p.m. Mr. Andrews stated that this was a yearly event but added that it was being altered, this year. He explained that the party was a night owl party at the Aquatic Center which would allow the employees and their friends to attend. No meal would be provided this year, he continued, though drinks would be. He mentioned that the employees had received a breakfast a couple of months prior and would receive another breakfast in the Summer and the Fall.  Cameras at Emma Russell Park Mr. Andrews explained that park benches had been installed and that the employees would start pouring the next bench. He added that one camera had been installed at Emma Russel Park but mentioned that there had been some difficulties with the vendor due to Covid. He continued that progress was being made regardless.  Waste Management Mr. Andrews stated that he had received feedback from residents. He pointed that one of the concerns was letting residents pick their own vendor. He mentioned that when picking their own vendors, residents saw a price increase of 40% because the vendor was not able to service every single house. He added that, on occasion, citizens would experience missing cans as they sometimes slid through the truck claws. He continued that this was a safety concern though the cans belonged to Waste management and that when disposed of Waste Management was paying the bill. With the missing cans, he went on, there were sometimes delays about getting trash taken out. The city would help with the situation, he added. He further stated that another concern was the missing days: with employee issues, some days were missed. Councilmember Paul stated that WM had been a good vendor. They provided a good service but also helped and sponsored activities such as easter egg hunts and engagement in Roy Days. Mayor Dandoy asked Morgan Langholf to share on social media a phone number for residents to call about waste issues. Mr. Andrews stated that he preferred for residents to call Public Works. Mayor Dandoy stated that this was the City’s contract, and they would have more influence than when the resident made the call. Mr. Andrews echoed what Councilmember Paul had shared: West Management had been a good vendor who addressed concerns and tried to resolve them.  Miss Roy Days City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 8 Mr. Andrews stated that in the calendar of events as well as the Connection Magazine, the Miss Roy date been incorrect. He explained that Miss Roy was on July 17 at 7 p.m. at the High School. Councilmember Saxton asked his fellow Council members to attend. 2. Mayor and Council Report Councilmember Saxton asked if it would be possible to ask UDOT to get a sign for Roy on I-84. Mr. Andrews stated that it currently only said “Riverdale.” He added that he could talk about the sign with UDOT during his and the Mayor’s quarterly meeting. Councilmember Jackson followed up on parking at West Park. Mr. Andrews stated that he had investigated the policy regarding striping. He explained that he had the numbers concerning lengths. He mentioned that his issue with the policy was that when driving around the City, stripes were inconsistent and that there would be inconsistencies between parks. Consequently, he was struggling to formulate a policy with so many variants. Mayor Dandoy stated that inconsistency was part of the problem and that this should be resolved through a policy. He continued that this did not need to go through the Planning Commission. Mr. Andrews stated that defining a policy would create a lot of outliers and have repercussions. Mayor Dandoy stated that the existing City Council could plan on the situation which would then create a new policy. He continued that if a new City Council came in and did not like the previous decision, they could change it. He went on to say this could be an action item to allow for consistency and pointed that he had heard a lot of complaints on both sides of the decision. Councilmember Wilson stated she wanted to discuss the Roy Water Conservancy. She encouraged friendly communication regarding drought and added she had met with several people who had been fined. She explained that it was important to be able to discuss amongst people and neighbors and that it was better than the concept of trying to report people. She added that new policies changed rules which sometimes made people non-compliant. Rather than turning this into and offense/defense, it could be done as an education opportunity rather than an opportunity to report. She added that this usually was unhelpful and pointed that it was important for Council and neighbors to educate others on what had changed: all needed to emphasize education over punitive measures. Mayor Dandoy added that the State also had a website where people could denounce their neighbors at the State level and pointed this was the stick rather than the benefit. He echoed what Councilmember Wilson had shared. Councilmember Wilson stated that there were different types of grass and that some stayed greener. She encouraged everyone not to assume that someone with green grass was overwatering. Councilmember Jackson stated that people sometimes watered less but for longer duration. Councilmember Wilson mentioned that the focus should be placed on trees: it was okay for the grass to die, but not the trees as they provided shade and cooled the area. Councilmember Paul stated that he had replaced the nozzles on his sprinklers as most of them were throwing water in the air and wind would blow it away. He mentioned he had made sure his nozzles were at a low angle so as to not be blown away. As a result, he had kept his grass greener. Councilmember Wilson pointed that she had seen many trees die in the parks and pointed that it worried her. Mayor Dandoy thanked everyone for their comments and added that there might come a time when an ordinance was passed regarding the use of culinary water. Councilmember Paul stated that the aquafers were about a year behind. Councilmember Wilson added that West Haven had begun digging well. Councilmember Jackson reminded the Council of Roy Days. She explained that there would be a movie and a fish fry at the Emma Russell Park. Mayor Dandoy asked about the parade. Councilmember Jackson stated that she had run into the mayor of Clearfield, where the council was doing a Men in Black float for their city’s parade. She described some of the details. She added that the Council might want to consider doing a group float. She stated that each Roy City councilmember had to bring their personal cars to the City’s parade. Councilmember Paul asked whether they would be provided a driver and was told it would be his choice. Mayor Dandoy reiterated that the Council would have to attend the parade. City Council Minutes July 6, 2021 Page 9 Mayor Dandoy inquired about the art show. Matt Andrews let him know it would be at the library. He added that he had not heard about any changes and thus assumed the Council would be judging. Mayor Dandoy asked to have clarifications about the Art Show. He went on to ask about the car show. Councilmember Jackson stated she would bring more information on that topic. Mayor Dandoy stated that Larry H. Miller would help the City with the car show this year, as well. Councilmember Jackson asked for some clarifications on the number of tickets for each council members. Councilmember Paul thanked public safety for keeping the city safe over the holiday weekend. He pointed that though the City had not banned fireworks, they had made the right decision with the help of the Fire Chief. He went on to say there was one more big holiday to get though on July 24. The Fire Chief stated that he would inform the community of times when it was appropriate to use fireworks. Mayor Dandoy stated he was hoping for some clarifications about what the City Council could and could not do with regulating fireworks. He argued that he did not believe any mayor in Utah should have the authority to regulate fireworks. He added that he hoped clarifications would be addressed during the next legislative session. Councilmember Wilson asked whether there would be street sweeps. Mr. Andrews stated that the plan was to have a contract with a company. Councilmember Wilson stated that Roy was not the only City with vandalized bathrooms: it was a general issue. Councilmember Paul encouraged everyone to report when they saw something suspicious. Mayor Dandoy stated that the City was taking the right steps to end vandalism in the bathrooms. I. Adjournment Councilmember Paul motioned to adjourn the City Council meeting at 6:43 p.m. Councilmember Jackson seconded the motion. All Councilmembers voted “Aye.” The motion carried. ______________________________ Robert Dandoy Mayor Attest: __________________________________ Morgan Langholf City Recorder dc: