Tuesday, October 7, 2014

October 7, 2014 City Council Meeting

Work Session

Discussion on Transfer of Canyon Road
Terry Newell from UDOT, Andrew Jackson from MAG, Commissioner Ellertson, and Rich Nelson from Utah County were all in attendance to answer questions. Last meeting when these entities met, UDOT proposed that Utah County takes on Canyon Road and UDOT will take over North County Blvd. They felt having the cities take over the road would allow them more flexibility with what the cities wanted, but after several discussions they are proposing transferring it to the County. Part of the original agreement with the State with regards to North County Blvd was that some of the funds that were used to create that road could only be used if it eventually would become a State road. UDOT agreed to this if the County would take Canyon Road. The funding available for Canyon Road through the County is in part coming from MAG, which will be $4.5 million. That isn’t enough to fix all of the issues that have been raised. Also, this money will be given to the County and they will make the decision on how to use those funds and what improvements will be made. Commissioner Ellertson stated that the original discussions took place six or so years ago, and the agreement with UDOT was that the County would take ownership of Canyon road and would maintain it as a County road, which would not include improvements. Commissioner Ellertson stated that if the County takes it over they will turn down the MAG money and maintain the road as is, with no improvements at all. They are not interested in maintaining it to a higher standard than what currently exists as they feel that the road functions just fine as is.

Discussion on PI Rates for Residents Who Don’t Have Access to PI
Tabled until the next meeting as the discussion on Canyon Road took the entire hour.

Council Meeting

Public Comment
Marisa Wright – Daniel Zappala called her and asked if she would help with Amsource design as she’s been through this process. Doesn’t think this Council will be as fussy as her Council. Feels color is a great way to be easy on the developers. Brick should be a deep red. The brick on her house is a true colonial red and feels red being presented by Amsource isn’t red enough. Would like more of a true colonial feel. She is pleased with how Chase and McDonald’s looks. Wants us to hold Amsource to the same standards.

Ken Cromar – Filed a GRAMA request for a month of emails and received an incomplete request. There was no letter and there were missing emails that were discussed in Council meetings so he feels they should be part of the request. He read an email that he had previously sent to the Mayor and Council. Feels city report has not come clean on 10 years of golf course financials.

Stephanie Martinez – Cedar Hills has small commercial district. With AFCU coming it is minimizing it more. Encourages Council to approve a mixed use for Blu Line instead of assisted living in order to bring in more sales tax revenue.

Consent Agenda
Minutes from the September 16, 2014 City Council meeting were tabled as CM Crawley has changes to send to Colleen.

City Reports
CM Rees – Pumpkin Walk occurring in October and Cedar Hill Billy Days in November. State of the City is almost complete and an updating copy should be to the Council tomorrow or Thursday. Goal is to send it to printer early next week.

David Bunker – Questar Gas is proposing to reconstruct main high pressure gas main, which goes through portions of the golf course, Bayhill, Canyon Road, Cedar Hills Drive, and 4000 West. They will give us more information soon. October 15th at AF citizens center there is a regional transportation meeting from 4:30pm-6:30pm with UDOT and MAG and this is good opportunity to give feedback on regional transportation issues. LPPSD has let us know EPA will potentially allow for open burn permits during month of October. We need to give feedback to Chief Freeman on whether or not we want to allow it. A permit would need to be obtained from the city. We have had a few residents express an interest in obtaining one. Fire Marshall Bailey stated past burns have gone fairly well with no issues. Problems occur with people who make big pile and it sends smoke over the neighborhood and is a nuisance for neighbors. Would like us to recommend that people be considerate of their neighbors. Alpine has decided to not issue any permits due to nuisance and still have concerns about out of control fires. Highland has stated they will allow permits in October. Chief Freeman says we are still considered at high fire risk. He also stated that EPA will be outlawing this practice soon. CM Geddes expressed concerns with the nuisance issue. I also have concerns as we hear a lot about air quality issues in Utah. Fire Marshall Bailey stated some issues are with people who are burning things that aren’t approved. Final decision was to not allow burn permits.

CM Geddes – Planning Commission meeting last week went well. We will hear from Blu Line tonight. Wilson-Geddes conceptual plan was approved by Planning Commission. They will continue to talk about accessory apartments.

CM Crawley – Beautification Committee is planning on improving on Christmas lights in the roundabout near Walmart. Also discussing upgrading landscaping at that roundabout. Working on plans for Bayhill Park. There are some obstacles due to slope and large power lines going through it.

CM Augustus – Will update on North Pointe meeting when he gets his notes. Wants to clarify that Planning Commission is only a recommending body and doesn’t approve plans.

Review/Action on Resolution Authorizing Refinance of Utility Revenue Bonds
Following City Council direction, Marc Edminster with Lewis Young Robertson & Burningham approached the bond market in multiple ways including direct placement and competitive sale, to receive offers to refund and refinance the Series 2006 Utility Revenue Bonds. An offer has been received from JP Morgan Chase Bank that our financial advisor Marc Edminster feels is a very competitive offer. Based on that submission, the team that was prepared to travel to San Francisco to present our bond offer to a ratings group and insurance group cancelled the travel plans and appointments. Mr. Edminster outlined the cost savings due to the refunding and refinancing of the series 2006 Bonds. The total net present value savings is $402,203 at interest rate of 2.68%. This is a higher savings than we expected. Chase has locked the rate but can’t hold it much longer so needs approval tonight if we want to move forward. This was approved.

Discussion on Proposed Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Lone Peak Public Safety District
Lone Peak Public Safety District has proposed an amendment to contract item #8, Term of Agreement” as part of the Interlocal Agreement. The proposed amendment would include a provision that members of the Safety District provide a 48 month notice prior to withdrawal from the District. The previous notice requirements included a 12 month notice. It is anticipated that the additional period for notice of withdrawal will add stability to the District and aide the Fire Chief with proper management of District resources and personnel knowing that one city doesn’t have the power to completely dissolve the District in a year’s time. This affects morale amongst staff as they feel no job security. We end up working as a training base for other cities as firefighters feel there is no stability here and leave for other cities. This will go back to the LPPSD board for further discussion and clarification.  

Discussion on Participation with Utah Valley Dispatch
A discussion was held at the most recent Lone Peak Public Safety District meeting centered around continued participation with the Utah Valley Dispatch Special Service District (UVDSSD). As a member of LPPSD, we have a voice in the direction the District takes with regards to dispatch services. UVSSD is considering constructing a new facility to improve service to members of their organization (see previous notes on this blog for more info). The new facility is proposed to be financed with existing funds of approximately $1.5M and additional charges to member cities. The City of Cedar Hills would have an associated expected cash contribution of $62,279.00. This amount may be paid in two equal parts: first half in FY 2015, and the second half in FY 2016. We could go with another dispatch company, but that is a huge risk as AFPD will continue with UVDSSD and we would have a different dispatch company for fire/paramedic and police. Staff will come back with proposal on how this will be financed.

Review/Action on Final Approval for AFCU Located on Amsource Property
Amsource has submitted their designs for the property located at 4800 W and Cedar Hills Drive for final approval. This project consists of an American First Credit Union located on the corner with two additional buildings that will be available for retail shops. Planning Commission has given their final recommendation for the site, subject to changes that have been made in the Development Agreement and final engineering to meet City Design standards. CM Zappala had a list of suggestions to maintain colonial style:

·      Would like to see the windows in AFCU building broken up so not one big wall of windows, with some white trim and brick in between. Amsource felt this could work.
·      Would like to see more colonial design to the roof instead of just dark slate. Likes idea that Marisa gave of having eagles like what is done on the east coast or dormers. AFCU has had maintenance issues with dormers and asked they not be included.
·      Would like decorative dental floss in the triangle archways.
·      Would like deeper red brick.

CM Geddes worries about everything looking the same and doesn’t want to push builders into a box, likes for them to have some creativity. CM Augustus feels the drawings are kind of colonial but not quite enough to match the rest of the area. Would like to get closer on the coloring and feels rooflines can be adjusted to be a little more colonial. Would rather have peaked roof for retail buildings. CM Geddes feels flat roof fits in fine with Walmart and McDonald’s. The picture in our design guidelines shows flat roofs for retail buildings.

Amsource doesn’t want AFCU to look just like Chase Bank. Went through our design guidelines and felt they met those guidelines. Felt they met 75% of the items that our design guidelines listed as suggestions.

Development agreement includes tenants being responsible for snow removal on sidewalks, water rights, utility extensions, similar to development agreements we have with other commercial entities. Some differences include Amsource being responsible to pay Harts for their portion of utility improvements made on 10040 North and no overnight parking allowed.

Item was tabled until Amsource can come back with suggested updates.

Discussion on Blu Line Development on Smart Property
Doug Young (Blu Line) has requested to have a discussion with the City Council regarding the latest proposal, and the possibility of converting the project from a congregate care facility to an assisted living facility. Where a congregate care facility is not specifically mentioned in the Design Guidelines as a possible conditional use, an assisted living facility is listed as a conditional use. Cory has discussed this new proposal with the Planning Commission on two separate occasions. Have discussed options with Smart family and also what resident hesitation was. Felt there was a miscommunication on what a congregate care facility truly is and how it would function. Has investors who want to invest in a congregate care or assisted living center in our area based on numbers of 55+ adults in the area looking to live in this type of facility. There will be no burden to local schools. Planning Commission expressed that they are more interested in congregate care than assisted living as adults in congregate care are more active participants in the community. Currently working with architect on new designs. Working with our guidelines and ordinances as a strict guide to meet all of our regulations. They would like to have a joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting to discuss designs. Will be within 50 feet height and three stories, as allowed in design guidelines. Still working on commercial aspects. Feels building will be around 270 units. Reached out to commercial entities and nobody was interested in building in our area.


CM Zappala wanted to know if they had any interest in doing a land swap with the City for nine acres owned as residents in Decisions survey expressed desire to keep some of that land for recreational purposes and that would be better suited to the Smart property, not land on 4800 West. 

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