Richmond City Council February 2024 Summary

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS ZONING, LAND-USE AND MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING IN SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE CITY.

"The following presented their ideas regarding growth, zoning and building in the city in the upcoming years: Jay Bair, Dave Cavanaugh, Brent Wallis, Cindy Allen, Mike Harris, Terrie Wierenga, Mayor Erickson, Lyle Bair, Amber Ervin, Joel Draxler, Bryce Wood and Daryl Black."

End of FEBRUARY 1, 2024

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

WORKSHOP TO DISCUSS THE 2024 BLACK & WHITE DAYS CELEBRATION

Topics discussed and decisions made:

1. Approaching Pepperidge Farms about being the Grand Marshal for the celebration, as it is their 50th anniversary this year.

2. Moving the Highland Games to the west side of the Park Community Center.

3. Lack of funds available for a Friday night concert, exploring the possibility of hosting a cheaper dance instead.

4. Requesting bids to determine the cost of hosting a dance.

5. Considering alternatives to a movie in the park on Friday night due to previous lack of success.

6. Changing the menu at the Hamburger Stand to grilled cheese sandwiches and patty melts as per the request of the cattle committee, excluding hot dogs.

7. Involving the youth council in traffic control for the parade.

8. Assigning a deputy from the sheriff’s department specifically to city events.

9. Planning family activities in the park, with assistance from the youth council and royalty.

10. Utilizing new judges for the food show.

11. Rhonda Davis overseeing the royalty program and Lil’ Miss pageant.

12. Coordinating with AllTech to oversee the sound system and manage its movement.

13. Hosting an art show at The Park Bench on Saturday.

14. Forming a race cycling committee and posting the results of foot and bicycle races online.

End of FEBRUARY 5, 2024

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM JANUARY 18, FEBRUARY 1 AND 5, 2024. 

Approved. 

RECOGNITION OF JUDGE MATTHEW FUNK FOR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS THE RICHMOND CITY JUSTICE COURT JUDGE.

Matt Funk served the city for 15 years, focusing on addressing community needs such as counseling and mental health issues. Mayor Erickson expressed gratitude for Funk's service and noted the dissolution of the court, with plans to transition cases to the local First District Court. Despite recognizing Funk's expertise, the decision was made due to limitations in accessing state funding. Funk was presented with a clock of appreciation for his dedicated service.

RECOGNITION OF SHERRIE DAVIS AND NADINE BAIR FOR YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE OVERSEEING THE YOUTH COUNCIL.

Over the past five years, Sherrie Davis has been involved with the youth council, initially building on the program created by Tamara Hardy. Despite challenges like COVID-19, the program has grown, with highlights including involvement in the annual conference at Utah State University and city-oriented projects like working with The Park Bench. The council has helped socially awkward kids grow and gain confidence through service, including removing graffiti. Mayor Erickson commended their dedication, noting the youth council's significant contribution of around 1,800 hours of service per year. Amber expressed gratitude for their impactful leadership and hopes the program continues to thrive. The mayor mentioned a forthcoming gift of appreciation for their dedication.

DISCUSSION ON THE POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THE MAINTENANCE SHOP. 

The discussion at the Richmond City Council meeting focused on the proposed expansion plan for the maintenance shop, presented by Weston. The plan involves building an 80 feet wide and 50 feet long prefabricated building to accommodate equipment currently stored outside. The building would include amenities like a wash bay, although the specific design of the wash bay is yet to be determined.

Council members, particularly Daryl, expressed concerns about the potential mess and condensation issues that could arise from having the wash bay inside the building. Daryl suggested considering a separate structure for the wash bay instead of integrating it into the main building.

The cost of the proposed expansion, estimated at $275,000, raised questions about the necessity of the project and whether other, more cost-effective options could address the storage needs adequately. Mayor Erickson emphasized the importance of addressing the corrosion on equipment, especially snowplow trucks, caused by salt exposure, suggesting that a wash bay might be more critical than expanding the building.

Ultimately, the council agreed on the need for further assessment and discussion with staff to determine the best course of action. The mayor emphasized the importance of council involvement in the decision-making process and expressed a desire to reach a decision within the next couple of months, although no specific timeframe was set for the project.

STAFF REPORTS AND MONTHLY FINANCIAL REVIEW.

Weston presented the bids for the 400 West road project, with the low bid coming in significantly under the engineering estimate. The council discussed the bid review process and ultimately decided to award the project to Staker Parson Company. 

In addition, the council discussed a proposed ordinance regarding the collection of a Sewer Impact Fee for properties newly eligible to connect to the sewer system. The ordinance would allow property owners facing financial difficulty to pay the fee over time through an interest-free loan billed on their monthly utility bill. Some council members expressed concerns about the city becoming involved in lending, while others saw it as a way to assist residents impacted by city projects.

There was also discussion about the need to compensate property owners impacted by the sewer project, either by waiving the impact fee or using a different city fund to cover the cost. The council debated the fairness of requiring property owners to pay the fee upfront versus allowing them to pay over time, with considerations about the impact on utility bills and the possibility of shutting off water service for non-payment.

Ultimately, the council recognized the importance of working with property owners facing financial hardship and ensuring fairness in the process. They discussed the timeline for property owners to connect to the sewer system and emphasized the need for proactive communication and assistance during the transition period.

COUNCIL MEMBER AND MAYOR REPORTS

During the Richmond City Council meeting, several topics were discussed:

1. Sidewalk Expansion: Daryl raised concerns about the lack of sidewalks on the west side of the highway from Maverik to Lee’s Marketplace. He suggested adding a crosswalk at Lee’s and extending the sidewalk on the south side of 150 North to the highway to improve pedestrian safety.

2. Black & White Days Preparations: Plans for the upcoming Black & White Days celebration were discussed, including contacting Pepperidge Farms to be the grand marshal, organizing a dance event, and updating the event schedule and flyer designs.

3. Youth Council Involvement: Bryce mentioned working with the youth council to organize a dance event during Black & White Days and involve them in concessions. He also discussed efforts to engage the youth in city-oriented activities.

4. Infrastructure Projects: Weston provided updates on road projects, including the bid opening for the 400 West road project and discussions about installing flashing pedestrian signs and sidewalks along the highway.

5. Senior Program and City Cleanup: Discussions were held regarding the city's senior program, potential financial contributions from neighboring communities, and the citywide cleanup event scheduled for the first Saturday in May.

6. City Code and Job Descriptions: The council discussed modifications to city code related to the City Administrator position and the creation of job descriptions for various city positions, including City Recorder, City Treasurer, and departmental roles.

7. Council Assignments and Meeting Rescheduling: The mayor assigned specific responsibilities to each council member for the year and discussed the need to reschedule the April council meeting due to conflicts with other events.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to adjourn.