Richmond City Council October 2024 Summary
APPROVAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 26, 2024.
Approved.
RECOGNITION OF ROBERT BAIR FOR OVER 34 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
Rob, a dedicated city employee for over 34 years, played a crucial role in maintaining equipment and contributing to significant infrastructure upgrades from the 1990s to the present. Both Holly and the Mayor praised his unmatched knowledge, work ethic, and impact on the community, describing him as a "gentle giant" and an irreplaceable asset. Though his retirement is a great loss for the city, there is hope he may assist on a part-time basis in the future. Residents are encouraged to thank him for his service and wish him well in his well-deserved retirement.
AUDIT PRESENTATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, WHICH IS THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2023 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024, BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ALLRED JACKSON.
Diana Cannell praised the city for having zero audit findings this year compared to two last year, highlighting the excellent work of its staff. She reviewed key financial details, noting that assets increased by approximately $2 million (10%) due to higher cash balances, and revenue was up by $500,000, with net income increasing by $360,000. A significant transfer from the General Fund to the Capital Projects Fund helped maintain compliance with fund balance requirements.
Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Solid Waste) saw significant growth, particularly in impact fees collected, which rose from $286,000 to $1.2 million. Impact fees must be spent within seven years on growth-related projects like line capacity increases or new wells. Contributed Capital, representing assets acquired at no expense to the city, decreased compared to the prior year. Diana emphasized the importance of not co-mingling Enterprise Fund monies and accounting for depreciation expenses in the budget, even though it is non-cash.
The city's internal controls were deemed strong, with Diana encouraging council oversight and active questioning as essential safeguards. She explained that cities in Utah operate on a fiscal year ending June 30 to stagger reporting deadlines across entities, as opposed to counties, which follow a calendar year.
Key Highlights:
- Zero audit findings.
- Assets increased by $2 million; revenue up $500,000.
- $1.2 million in impact fees collected compared to $286,000 last year.
- Strong internal controls; council involvement is critical.
- Utah cities operate on a fiscal year ending June 30.
Alyna Ohling highlighted October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and shared updates from CAPSA's Fiscal Year 2024 Impact Report. CAPSA’s shelter has 36 beds and aims to avoid turning anyone away. Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness, and CAPSA works closely with law enforcement while maintaining confidentiality, allowing clients to decide their course of action. The organization helps empower survivors, providing a range of services depending on individual needs, from short-term help to cases lasting years.
In the past year, CAPSA served 2,429 individuals and handled 8,612 crisis calls. In Richmond specifically, 29 people were served, 185 crisis calls were made, and there were 60 therapy sessions and eight emergency shelter requests. CAPSA’s two hospital response teams handle strangulation and sexual assault exams, with strangulation becoming an alarming trend.
Alyna emphasized the importance of community support, urging leaders to sign a pledge of commitment and share it on social media to show solidarity with survivors. She noted that many cases remain unreported (around 2/3), but more people are seeking help now than before. Amber and Joel commended CAPSA’s efforts, noting consistency in Richmond’s crisis call numbers year to year. Alyna acknowledged the emotional toll of the work but highlighted CAPSA’s internal support systems for staff. The mayor appreciated CAPSA's work and the generosity of donors.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE ON ORDINANCE 2024-13, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RICHMOND CITY MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE 12-000 “LAND USE, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT (LUDMO)”, CHAPTER 12-2000 “SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS”, PART 12-2003-4 “FINAL PLAT PREPARATION AND REQUIRED INFORMATION”.
Justin explained that due to legislative changes earlier this year, Richmond City had to revamp its subdivision approval process, which now involves the Administrative Land-Use Authority. However, a paragraph regarding the "financial guarantee" was mistakenly removed from the municipal code during this update. The proposed Ordinance 2024-13 reinstates the removed paragraph. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended its approval.
The council unanimously approved the motion to adopt Ordinance 2024-13, amending the Richmond City Municipal Code, Title 12-000 “Land Use, Development and Management (LUDMO),” Chapter 12-2000 “Subdivision Regulations,” Part 12-2003-4 “Final Plat Preparation and Required Information.”
Vote Results:
- Yes Votes: Bair, Ervin, Draxler, Black
- No Votes: None
- Absent: Wood
Brent Wallis, Chairman of the Planning Commission, presented a draft ordinance for a new zoning code aimed at addressing affordable housing while balancing the community's rural feel. The ordinance is a proactive effort to comply with state expectations for affordable housing and avoid potential state-imposed zoning changes. The draft includes various guidelines for frontage, setbacks, building height, open space, parking, and density, among other topics. It also considers requirements for amenities and homeowner association (HOA) responsibilities.
- Purpose: To address affordable housing needs, maintain local zoning control, and balance economic feasibility for developers with the community's preferences.
- Frontage & Setbacks: Frontage set at 80 feet; setbacks include 30 feet front, 20 feet side, and 20 feet rear.
- Building Height: Proposed maximum of 45 feet (higher than the 40-foot recommendation in the General Plan) to reduce sprawl while accommodating square footage requirements.
- Open Space: 40% of gross area must be open space, with at least 50% as common areas.
- Parking: Minimum three parking spaces per unit (e.g., two-car garage and a driveway).
- Density: Maximum of 10 units per acre, with a cap of six units per building.
- Fencing: Required between multi-family and single-family housing.
- Development Phases: Allows phased construction while preserving unused land for farming temporarily.
- Bonus Density: Still under discussion as a way to incentivize more amenities from developers.
- Zoning Restrictions: Proposes reducing the current 2,000 linear foot separation between multi-family projects to 1,500 feet, with exemptions for parcels abutting commercial or industrial zones.
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General Feedback:
- The council commended the planning commission for their extensive work on the draft.
- Acknowledged the ordinance is still in draft form and will undergo further revisions.
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Height Concerns:
- Amber: Expressed concerns about allowing 45 feet and suggested limiting heights or tying greater heights to mixed-use buildings.
- Joel: Felt 45 feet was adequate to accommodate three-story mixed-use development and could help transition from larger residential lots to townhomes.
- Brent: Clarified that 45 feet was chosen to avoid sprawl and maximize density within a smaller footprint.
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Density:
- Daryl: Concerned about the potential for high-density developments consuming large tracts of land (e.g., 100 acres = 1,000 units).
- Joel: Suggested limiting this zone to areas within a certain distance from main roads.
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Parking & Amenities:
- Holly & Daryl: Emphasized the importance of early installation of amenities, referencing complaints from residents in existing developments.
- Amber: Suggested increasing parking to four spaces per unit to avoid issues in commuter-heavy areas.
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HOA and Maintenance:
- Consensus that an HOA would be mandatory to handle common areas, including stormwater retention ponds and landscaping.
- The ordinance should clearly outline the HOA’s responsibilities.
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Ownership vs. Rentals:
- Joel: Advocated for deed restrictions to prioritize ownership over rentals, ensuring long-term stability and fewer rental properties.
- Amber: Supported creating a balance between owners and renters but acknowledged the challenge.
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Community Input:
- Amber & Mayor: Stressed the importance of public engagement and suggested involving residents in discussions before the final ordinance is adopted.
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Additional Suggestions:
- Consider separate zones for varying densities and heights.
- Define limits on the extent of multi-family zones in proximity to commercial or industrial areas.
- Explore bonus density options for developers providing additional amenities.
- The planning commission will continue refining the ordinance, incorporating feedback from the council.
- A public hearing will be held to gather resident input before the commission votes on the final draft.
- The city council will review and vote on the ordinance after the planning commission’s approval.
Key Takeaway: The council and planning commission are working to strike a balance between meeting state requirements for affordable housing, maintaining Richmond’s rural character, and ensuring developments are beneficial to the community while being economically viable for developers.
STAFF REPORTS AND MONTHLY FINANCIAL REVIEW.
Holly reported that the Traveller Lane Retention Pond Project is now complete, with two new culverts and approaches installed on the east side of Traveller Lane. The south entrance will soon be covered with a weed barrier and rock, followed by similar work on the north entrance. Additionally, the culvert at Stuart Smith’s home on 250 East has been installed, and the one at Robert Heywood’s home will be completed on Monday by Brent Webb Excavation. On 400 West, the asphalt work is complete, and preparations for sidewalk installation are underway, with consultations occurring with homeowners regarding driveway adjustments.
Subdivision projects are also advancing, with two zoning clearances approved for the City Creek and Knolls subdivisions, allowing winter construction to begin. At Johnson View, one permit has been issued, and three more are in progress to enable construction of four homes during the winter months. Meanwhile, the water meter and vault project near the park restroom on 100 South is complete, with asphalt patches finalized. Temporary road patching on 500 North is being done to last through the winter, ahead of a full road replacement scheduled for next year.
Ongoing maintenance includes the purchase of 900 additional cassettes for the MBR Plant, as well as winterization efforts. Park sprinklers have been blown out, bathrooms have been closed for the season, and one remaining park strip project at 100 West Main is set to be completed next week. Richmond City is also preparing for its first annual holiday festival, with Toys for Tots potentially utilizing city building space for holiday activities. Furthermore, the generator for the Cherry Creek well has been installed, and TEC Electric is expected to complete the electrical work by next week.
Justin provided updates on administrative and financial matters. The annual audit has been completed, requiring significant time and effort. The Ron Anderson West State Street Subdivision has finally been recorded after more than a year of work, with title deeds now being prepared. The city collected $53,513 in sales tax revenue last month and $282,468 in water impact fees along with $164,314 in sewer impact fees in the first quarter of this fiscal year. The Park Community Center insulation project was completed under budget at $49,350, and the city paid $95,150 to the county for chip and fog sealing, staying under the $100,000 goal. Additionally, $97,320 was paid to Kubota for the first order of cassettes for the MBR Plant, which had been planned and saved for over several years.
The city council also addressed an ongoing nuisance case. By consensus, Justin Lewis was confirmed as the city’s Nuisance Inspector, as outlined in Municipal Code Section 10-340, "Dangerous Buildings." This role ensures proper due process for both the city and affected property owners when dealing with issues. The mayor emphasized the importance of following legal counsel’s guidance to resolve the case fairly.
COUNCIL MEMBER AND MAYOR REPORTS
Council Member Updates:
Lyle did not have any additional items to address at the meeting.
Amber filled in for Bryce Wood, who was out of town. She introduced Jack Patton, the Richmond City Youth Council Mayor, and acknowledged the importance of having generational support at city events, ranging from youth to seniors. She praised the collaborative effort of the Youth Council, Park Bench, Lions Club, and others for making the Halloween Carnival a success. Feedback from residents regarding the event has been positive, and plans are already underway for next year’s carnival. Amber shared updates on the Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP), who met with a state representative to discuss preserving artifacts and are actively seeking funding for a new roof on the Relief Society building. She highlighted the community impact of The Park Bench, which served over 102 lunches last month, and the food pantry, which provided over 1,000 items to 142 visitors. Additionally, 45.5 volunteer hours were recorded last month. She announced the upcoming stakeholder meeting next Thursday and encouraged more seniors to attend. The second anniversary of The Park Bench will be celebrated with a senior prom on November 2nd.
Joel expressed his gratitude for the Halloween Carnival and admitted he is not typically a fan of Halloween but found the event impressive. He emphasized the importance of voting and encouraged residents to participate in elections, reminding them that voting is the minimum responsibility of citizenship. Joel shared that he often hears feedback from residents who read the council meeting minutes, underlining the community's interest in council proceedings.
Daryl attended the irrigation board meeting and noted that the system, installed in the 1960s and 1970s, faces long-term sustainability challenges. Currently, the system services over 600 people, but it will not be able to sustain this demand indefinitely. He expressed satisfaction with the completion of the 150 North road project and suggested holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The mayor and Holly echoed his sentiments, acknowledging the patience and cooperation of the residents in the area during the construction.
Mayor’s Updates:
The mayor encouraged residents to stay informed and involved as upcoming meetings will feature reports on the sewer system, an area requiring significant time and effort. Richmond’s new meeting software, CivicClerk, is now operational. Residents can access council documents via the city’s website at www.richmondutah.org under the "Agendas & Minutes" section.
The mayor provided updates on the streetlight improvement project, where Dell Keck’s company, Mentally Awake LLC, is painting and improving the bases of streetlights along the highway. Each new base ring costs $400, and the goal is to complete the project before next year’s Black & White Days celebration.
The mayor noted the ongoing remodel of the Black & White Days building, a project that is seeing significant improvements for the first time in about 25 years.
Closing Notes:
Amber highlighted her appreciation for the Black & White Days building renovations after taking a tour to view the progress.
The meeting concluded with Amber making a motion to adjourn, seconded by Joel. The motion passed unanimously, with votes in favor from Bair, Ervin, Draxler, and Black. Wood was absent from the meeting.
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