City Council Regular Meeting

Star City Council Meeting Minutes September 21, 2010 The Pre-Council Meeting began at 6:05 pm to discuss sidewalks on Main Street. The Mayor stated that we were here to discuss the proposed sidewalk on the east side of Main Street. The discussion tonight is do we move forward with the planning of the sidewalk which includes curb, gutter and sidewalk attached to the existing asphalt on the east side of the road. Currently the highway district would only be planning the sidewalk; there is no money in the budget at the current time to actually construct it. The earliest timeframe for money to build the sidewalk would be 2012. The east side of the road was chosen because of an existing sidewalk that is in front of the LDS Church and there are also less affected property owners. It will not cost the taxpayers any dollars to build this sidewalk above the existing taxes that they are paying today or the design process won’t happen. The Mayor explained how the workshop would go and asked anyone wanting to talk to come up to the podium and sign their name and address and then express their views to the Council. Marque Ross, 428 S. Main Street, stated that he opposes the sidewalks, but believes putting it on the east side of the road is the less of two evils. Teresa Tinsley, 10459 W. Achillia, asked if sidewalks improve the value of property. The Mayor explained that it depended on the way you looked at it, but in the end yes it does add value. Pam Leverett, 946 S. Main Street, stated that there is no way a sidewalk can improve your property above the trees that are there now. Leverett stated that there is a little curb over on Ustick that does not have a concrete sidewalk. She wants whatever is cheaper in the design of the sidewalk. Pat Freitag, 624 S. Main Street, stated that she helped collect signatures and she talked with fourteen people who are opposed to the sidewalk; two were lukewarm due to safety reasons. Freitag stated that there were other options to get to the river and most people are driving to the river. People want another option. Brad Carlson, 960 S. Main Street, stated that he agrees with Leverett that there is an ambiance seeing the cottonwood trees. The trees are on Mary Kolsky’s property and there has never been an accident there. Carlson is there to talk about money and the costs; he is not against progress and everyone knows sidewalks are coming. He is okay with moving ahead with the design process, but wants to know what it will cost taxpayers. He does believe that it would be worthwhile to postpone it for awhile. 1 Pam Leverett, 946 S. Main Street, asked if the money could be used somewhere else. The Mayor stated that it would be used somewhere else, not necessarily in Star. Bell stated that to explain the process further, the highway district asks cities every year for road projects they would like to have done. We prioritize the projects and submit them to the highway district and then as funding becomes available the projects are done. Ronald Freitag, 624 S. Main Street, stated that he has no objections to planning the walkway. He would like to know what is being asked for. The Mayor stated that the request is for design of curb, gutter and sidewalk attached to the existing road. Mrs. Cluff, 265 S. Main Street, asked if anyone has talked about parking. The Mayor stated that currently there is no off street parking and there will be none with the sidewalks. Bill Daniels, 52 S. Main Street, stated that she owns a business on Main Street and wants to know how it will affect her parking. The Mayor stated that he can’t tell how it will affect you until a design is drawn. The Mayor said until they design the plan, we don’t have any idea of the impact. Ray Stokes, 10166 Arrowleaf Court, stated that he is on the Economic Development Committee and no one can pinpoint the cost until we have a plan in place. There was a survey done by EDC asking the citizens of Star what they would like to see in their City and it was overwhelming support for a walkable city and one of those was a sidewalk down Main Street and Star Road. John Tomkinson, 2393 N. Sunny Lane, stated that he was also on the Economic Development Committee and he appreciates Councilman Bell’s and the Mayor’s knowledge of the ACHD budget process – it is correct. Tomkinson explained that it might be a very long time before we have the opportunity to use our tax dollars in Star and to pass up the opportunity to have the design done for this project would be a detriment to Star. Our community is growing and this is an opportunity to better our community. With regard to the irrigation, power lines and people’s fences, yes, it is part of the cost of the design process. Gloria Salinas, 437 S. Main Street, asked if a fence is in the way, will they move it or is it up to the homeowner. The Mayor stated that they will find out where the right of way is and they will move it. Walter Cluff, 268 S. Main Street, stated that he believes we need the sidewalks and that the City should go ahead with the plans. He approves this sidewalk plan. The Mayor closed the workshop. The regular meeting of the Star City Council began at 7:30 pm. Mayor Nathan Mitchell called the meeting to order and all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. 2 Roll Call: Council person Tammy McDaniel, Gary Smith, Tom Erlebach and Chad Bell were all present. Approval of the Agenda: Bell moved to approve the agenda, Erlebach seconded the motion. All aye; motion carried. Approval of Minutes: Bell moved to approve the minutes of September 7, 2010, McDaniel seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Old/New Business: Main Street Sidewalk Decision – Bell stated that he believes we would be foolish not to get the design work done. He would like to see the letter drafted and ask ACHD to move forward with the design. Smith stated he would like to see the bicycle path added. Bell would like a five foot sidewalk. Erlebach would like the bike path considered. He said that riding a bike on the sidewalk can be dangerous when people put their mail boxes to close – especially after dark. The Mayor stated that maybe we should ask ACHD to design the sidewalk with curb, gutter, sidewalk and bicycle path that has the least amount of impact. McDaniel stated that after hearing from concerned citizens, we’ve all had a vision and goal to make the city a walkable city - to walk, not drive. She believes it would be foolish not to get the design underway. Bell moved to draft a letter to ACHD and have the Mayor sign it stating that we would like to have the sidewalk design on Main Street to begin; with a five foot sidewalk on the east side of S. Main Street with curb and gutter and if feasible, a bike lane as well, adding that ACHD would meet with the Council prior to any building is done, Erlebach seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Reports: Bell thanked the City for help with the service project on September 11. Bell had a meeting with Karla Carnes and she has a people project that she would like to implement and people in Star will be hearing more about. Smith stated that he and the Mayor met with the new BVEP Director. The new Chamber had their kick off meeting and it went well. 3 Erlebach thanked the LDS Church for the service day. Star Road looks great and they got part of the fence up at the river. The River Sweep happened on the 18th and thanked everyone for helping. The Mayor stated that we have a verbal agreement on Hunter’s Creek, we are working on the irrigation agreement. Erlebach stated that the landowner to the east contacted him and would like to offer the property next door for lease or rent to the City. We could make the improvements and then lease it from him. The Mayor stated that he too had talked with him and the Mayor told him the City was a cash buyer and if he wanted to sell the property we would be interested, but would not be paying the 1.8 million that he was asking. The Mayor also reminded Council that his direction from Council the last time this was discussed was we were not interested in paying to improve someone else’s property, that we could buy our own property and develop it. Discussion was held on renting or purchasing and getting an appraisal. Adjournment: Bell moved to adjourn the meeting, McDaniel seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm. Respectfully submitted: Approved: _______________________ ________________________ Cathy Ward, City Clerk Nathan Mitchell, Mayor 4