Richmond City Council July 2023 Summary
Approved.
Recognition of Sherik Peck and approval of Cindy Allen and Brock Meacham as Commissioners on this Richmond City Planning Commission
Recognition was given to Sharik Peck for his service on the Richmond City Planning Commission. Amber Ervin commended him for his hard work, dedication, and valuable contributions to the community. Sharik Peck expressed his love for the city and thanked everyone for their support.
The council discussed and unanimously approved Cindy Allen and Brock Meacham as commissioners on the Richmond City Planning Commission. They were chosen after interviews, and Cindy would fill the vacancy left by Sharik, while Brock would serve as an alternate and eventually fill the next open seat.
Donation from Rocky Mountain Power to the Park Bench
Steve Liechty from the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation attended the meeting and presented a donation check for $2,500.00 to support the Park Bench building renovation project. He expressed appreciation for being there and explained that the foundation aims to give back to the communities they serve. Liechty oversees areas in Northern Utah, Southern Idaho, and Western Wyoming, and they provided approximately $2,500,000 in grants from the foundation last year. The donation will be used to install air conditioning units in the north end of the building for The Park Bench rooms.
Electric Utility Franchise and General Utility Easement Agreement
During the Richmond City Council meeting, there was a discussion and vote on the Electric Utility Franchise and General Utility Easement Agreement between Rocky Mountain Power and Richmond City. Council member Terrie raised a question in Section 8.6 regarding the city's ability to utilize Rocky Mountain Power's transmission poles, particularly in the context of providing internet services to the community.
Steve Liechty from Rocky Mountain Power clarified that, generally, this provision would not apply to the city offering internet services since they already allow CenturyLink and Comcast to use the poles. The poles have limited space and are already utilized for various purposes.
City Administrator Justin took a moment to express appreciation to Steve, Cameron Johnson, and the Smithfield office staff for their cooperation and support in working with the city. He highlighted the positive working relationship and assistance received from Rocky Mountain Power.
The proposed agreement had been reviewed by legal counsel, and the only concern was regarding the contract's duration. Legal counsel recommended a five-year contract due to increasing development and the potential need for future reviews. The previous agreement had been for twenty years.
Steve explained that while they recommend 15 to 20 years, each city's situation is different. He cited an example where Lewiston City had renewed their agreement for twenty years. He agreed with the idea of a shorter term to allow for periodic reviews.
The mayor emphasized that Section 1, Grant of Franchise and General Utility Easement, was the central section of the agreement.
A motion to approve the agreement was made by Amber, seconded by Kelly, and the vote was unanimous, with all council members in favor of the motion.
Discussion and Possible vote on Ordinance 2023-08
During the Richmond City Council meeting, City Administrator Justin provided an update regarding a rezone request made by Brady and Holly Christensen for their property located at 72 West Main.
Last year, the Christensens had applied for a rezone to CBD (Central Business District) for this parcel. However, it was discovered that the setback requirements in the CBD zone could not be met with the existing home on the property. As a result, the council had to deny the initial request, as they could not violate the setback code.
Subsequently, both the planning commission and city council reviewed the CBD zone's requirements and concluded that the side yard setbacks were too wide. To address this issue, an ordinance was drafted and adopted by the city council, which reduced the side yard setback requirement.
Now, the Christensens have reapplied for the rezone request under the revised requirements, where the setback requirement can be met. After reviewing the request, both the staff and planning commission have recommended granting the rezone request.
A motion to adopt Ordinance 2023-08, rezoning Cache County Parcel Number 09-053-0003 from RMD (Residential Medium Density) to CBD (Central Business District), was made by Terrie, seconded by Lyle, and the vote was unanimous, with all council members in favor of the motion.
Vote for Sandal Blue Fountation to host Back To School Carnival Fundraiser
During the Richmond City Council meeting, there was a discussion and vote on a special event application request made by the Sandal Blue Foundation to host a back-to-school carnival fundraiser at the City Park on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Seantae Jackson, representing the Sandal Blue Foundation, explained that they had organized a similar event the previous year without realizing it was considered a special event. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that assists individuals affected by vehicle accidents.
The council inquired about the event's details, such as the expected attendance and logistics. They also discussed potential concerns about the availability of the park and liability insurance. The foundation's representatives noted that they did not have a large budget and were planning to rent only the two pavilions in the park.
Ultimately, the council decided to approve the special event application, with a cost of $40.00, under the condition that liability insurance must be provided by the applicant. The motion passed unanimously.
Seantae Jackson asked whom to contact for further questions, and City Administrator Jeremy Kimpton provided his and Holly's contact information for any inquiries related to the event.
Public Hearing for The Purpose of Discussing A COG (Council Of Governments) Application For Funding For A Road Project In The Area of 400 West from Main Street to Approximately 150 North.
During a city council meeting, the Mayor and City Administrator discussed a road project in the area around Lee's Marketplace, specifically 150 North from Lee’s Marketplace property line to 400 West and on 400 West from Main Street to 150 North. They mentioned that they are working with J-U-B Engineers for engineering and plan to seek Council of Governments (COG) funds for the project. The application for funding requires the engineering to be 90% complete before submission. They stated that there is now enough land for a 66-foot right-of-way, which would allow for a road, swell, and sidewalk.
A public hearing was held to discuss the project, with some questions raised about its impact, timelines, and requirements for future developments in the area. The Mayor emphasized that the project is a priority for the city, especially after the opening of Lee's Marketplace. They mentioned that sewer and water infrastructure would be funded by ARPA funds, while transportation-related costs would be covered by the COG application.
The Mayor also explained that this project is part of the county's master plan for the next decade and highlighted its importance for pedestrian access to Lee's Marketplace. However, there were questions about the need for a traffic study, with explanations that a study had been required by UDOT for Lee's Marketplace but not by the city for its adjacent roadwork. Further discussions touched on the need for studies for future developments and the potential for upsizing pipes for growth areas.
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| The roads in question. |
Initial Discussion on the “AGREEMENT FOR STAFFING FIREFIGHTERS IN THE RICHMOND FIRE STATION”.
The Cache County Fire Chief, Rod Hammer, discussed an agreement regarding the deployment of two full-time firefighters in the Richmond Fire Station. The agreement would have the county personnel staffing the city fire station, responding to fire calls throughout the city and county as needed, and acting as First Responders to EMS calls in the city under the direction of the Smithfield Fire and EMS. The city would be required to allow county personnel to operate city-owned fire apparatus, provide and pay for all utilities needed to operate the fire station, and handle minor upgrades and maintenance costs associated with normal building operations.
Chief Hammer explained that the county would pay for the staffing, wages, and benefits of these firefighters, covering Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. These employees would respond to fire and EMS calls in Richmond City and the north end of the valley, working closely with the Smithfield Fire Department when needed. On EMS calls, they would serve as first responders, performing basic EMT-level care until the ambulance arrives.
The Mayor mentioned that the county council had approved funding for the two employees, and the agreement had been reviewed by Smithfield City representatives without major concerns. However, the contract had not yet been sent to the city's legal counsel for review.
Council members expressed support for the agreement, emphasizing the benefits of having full-time personnel in the town. Some questions were raised about the level of certification for these personnel, with the Chief clarifying that they would have at least basic certification, depending on the candidates hired.
The Mayor suggested that the contract be reviewed by legal counsel, and that representatives from the city, Smithfield, and the county meet to ensure that the agreement works for all parties involved. Once the contract is reviewed and adjusted if needed, it will be presented to the council for approval.
There was also discussion about weekend coverage, with Chief Hammer explaining that the funding would only cover Monday through Friday, with volunteers available during other times, and that Smithfield handles weekends as part of its existing fire contract with the city.
Discussion and Possible Vote on Ordinance 2023-10
The proposed ordinance involves amending the Richmond City Manual of Design & Construction Standards, specifically Chapter 8.0, which pertains to Storm Drainage Design, Section 8.08 concerning Detention/Retention Facilities.
The amendment aims to add a new line item in the construction and design standards related to retention ponds. This addition states that all detention basins should be landscaped with a permeable material or xeriscaped. It also refers to RMC (Richmond Municipal Code) Part 12-1010-7 "Open Space," Item "D" for the definition of xeriscaping.
The planning commission has reviewed this ordinance and recommended its approval. They made a slight adjustment by including verbiage to clarify the definition of xeriscaping in the code and specify where it can be located.
The staff also recommends the approval of this ordinance. The council discussed the clarification of the definition of xeriscaping in the code and its appropriate application.
Ultimately, the council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2023-10, thereby amending the city's design and construction standards related to detention/retention facilities in the context of landscaping and xeriscaping requirements.
Public Hearing and Vote for the Purpose of Discussing Ordinance 2023-11
This discussion revolved around the introduction of an ordinance related to noise control within the city. It primarily targeted construction-related noise but also included provisions for other types of noise.
Key Points:
1. Noise Complaints: The city received numerous complaints about a construction project in the north end of town where work began as early as 5:30 AM. After discovering that the city's current code did not address noise control for construction activities (except for Airbnb-related noise), research was conducted to create a new ordinance.
2. Ordinance Overview: The proposed ordinance aimed to control noise generated by construction sites, with a specific provision prohibiting construction work between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM daily.
3. Comprehensive Ordinance: The new ordinance covered various types of noise, how noise is measured, what is allowed or prohibited, appeals, and the potential for variances under specific circumstances.
4. Flexibility: The ordinance was recognized as a starting point and might need future adjustments.
During the public hearing, there were questions about whether the ordinance would apply to other activities, such as agricultural noise (exempted) and roosters (not initially included but subject to potential future consideration).
The public hearing concluded with the passage of the ordinance, with the council members unanimously supporting it. The ordinance aimed to address noise control concerns within the city, especially in the context of construction activities, while allowing for some flexibility and potential future adjustments.
City Administrator Report
During this discussion, various updates related to road maintenance, permitting, and staffing were addressed:
1. Road Maintenance: The annual chip seal work was completed, including flaring the corners and covering cul-de-sacs. This year, the city undertook an extended effort to complete these tasks, which had not been done in the past. Additionally, sweeping loose rocks to the side of the road was part of the process. Skin patching on 300 North before the chip seal was commended as a successful project.
2. Striping: HollyJo mentioned that striping work was scheduled for August 7th, including crosswalks and other areas within the city.
3. Permitting Software: Jeremy discussed the implementation of new permitting software from iWorQ. This software is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of the permitting process. The city had been facing challenges with the checklist process in recent years, and the new software is expected to address these issues. The software will make the office more efficient and streamline various tasks.
4. Building Permits: Jeremy reported that seven building permits were issued in the last 30 days. Additionally, more than a dozen new home permits had been approved in the current year, with several more new home constructions expected to start during the summer.
5. Staffing and Responsibilities: The Mayor acknowledged the staff's hard work, especially given the hot weather conditions. There was praise for HollyJo, who has taken on new responsibilities, and it was suggested that her job description might need to be amended in the future. The Mayor expressed gratitude for her contributions and the improvements made to the inspection process.
The new permitting software was highlighted as a significant step toward streamlining processes and making them more efficient, especially for tracking the entire process from the start of a subdivision to issuing Certificates of Occupancy for new homes.
Monthly Financial Review With Discussion and Decision As Necessary.
In this update:
1. Budget and Audit Preparation: The city is transitioning into the new budget year and is preparing for the upcoming audit scheduled for September.
2. New Growth and Impact Fees: Justin addressed a common resident question regarding paying for new growth. He explained that new growth essentially pays for itself. Developers cover infrastructure and road work costs in new subdivisions. Those building new homes pay impact fees for culinary water and sanitary sewer. Over the past few fiscal years (2020-2023), the city collected $502,434 in water impact fee revenue and $263,040 in sewer impact fee revenue. These funds are allocated to specific projects such as the two-million-gallon water tank and infrastructure project for water impact fees and the MBR Plant bonds for sewer impact fees.
3. Treatment of Townhomes: Justin clarified that townhomes, such as a five-plex, are treated as multiple units in terms of impact fees and utility billing. For instance, a five-plex incurs five water and sewer impact fees and establishes five separate utility accounts when occupied.
4. City Staffing: The city operates efficiently with a small staff. Over the years, the population has grown significantly, but the staff size remains relatively small. Justin mentioned that while they are not currently seeking additional staff, it's important for residents to understand that certain projects or tasks may require more employees, which comes at an increased cost.
5. Property Tax Public Hearing: The property tax public hearing is scheduled for August 17th. The average home is expected to see an increase of less than ten dollars per year, which amounts to roughly a three percent increase.
6. Annual City Party: The annual city party is set for Friday, September 15th. Details will be finalized and advertised as the date approaches.
This update provides insight into how the city manages its finances, addresses growth-related costs, and maintains efficient operations with its current staff.
Council Member and Mayor Reports
Certainly, here's a summarized version of the meeting:
The meeting commenced with various council members providing their reports. Tucker, Lyle, and Kelly didn't have additional updates to share at this time. Terrie reported on the recent irrigation board meeting, noting the positive news that, thanks to ample winter rains, the need for irrigation restrictions this year might be avoided. She also touched upon legislative changes affecting the Cache Valley Transit District (CVTD) board and mentioned that construction of the new CVTD building should commence soon.
Amber expressed her excitement about welcoming new planning commission members and detailed the success of the food pantry. In the past month, the pantry assisted 115 people and distributed 799 food items. She also acknowledged Lee's Marketplace for its significant contributions to the city and the popularity of the walking program. Amber highlighted how community engagement has increased, with residents volunteering for various activities.
The Mayor praised the Park Bench program, emphasizing its positive impact on the lives of senior citizens. He also mentioned that the upcoming council meeting would include discussions on property tax rates. There's a proposal to increase the average home's annual property tax by around ten dollars, equivalent to a three percent increase. Additionally, the Mayor expressed concerns regarding proposed changes to sales tax on food, clarifying that any impact would primarily affect the state portion of the tax.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn at 8:03 P.M., marking the end of the proceedings. This summary provides an overview of the key discussions and points covered during the meeting.
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