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by: George Parsons & Helen Taylor NOCC – January 26th, 2010 by: George Parsons & Helen Taylor
Following the pledge of allegiance and opening prayer, the tone was quickly set for an intense, yet friendly business meeting, with new Mayor Harris and Council Members. Smith’s Food received approval for their beer sale license renewal. Apparently there is a challenge with the secondary water pressure for the Valley View subdivision and only two lots are able to hook on, until some major improvements are done by the developer and Pine View Water. The Council approved the proposed Valley View Agreement to maintain the escrow account, until the improvements are completed and the City can assume liability for the system. Discussed and approved was the one year extension granted to Farr West Bank, on the foreclosed subdivision “Cove at Willow Springs,” since the bank is actively looking for a new buyer to assume development. Council Member Taylor expressed concern on what the course of action would be in one year, if the bank had not found a new buyer. Council Member Harris commented on what beautiful lots they were, and what a great opportunity it was for any new buyer. It was decided that the Council would deal with whatever the situation was in one year time. Clear Wireless was approved to build a new cell tower in close proximity to existing towers, and mentioned they would widen the road and enhance the surrounding security fence. Discussed and approved was the City Manger, Ed Dickie’s, request for $26,000 to meet a Federal Mandate on increased pool safety, called the VGB Pool and Spa Safety Act, enacted after former Senator James Baker’s granddaughter, Virginia G. Baker, drowned in a spa in 2002. (While grant funds are available for educational and administrative purposes, none of the grant money is available to off-set the horrific impact on mandated improvement costs by all public pools and spas in the Nation. Dave Nordquist, Community Services Director, when contacted after the meeting stated “We don’t want to do this” and he is pursuing every avenue to reduce the cost of this Federal Mandate to North Ogden City.)
Planning Commission interviews were held for 5 of the 6 applicants (one being out of town) that included Dave Hume, Taylor Spendlove, David Spencer, Scott Garner and Lawrence Resadori, who had provided detailed responses on their formal City applications. The Council asked each applicant the same questions to get a feel for the differences between them, as their experiences were wide and varied with ages ranging from 21 years to fully retired professionals. The Council agreed to interview the final candidate at the next meeting and then put the selection to a collective vote shortly thereafter.
Discussed and approved for Annette Spendlove, HR Director, was a request to pay the contributory portion for a City Employee, who has a unique retirement plan due to prior long-standing City commitments. City Manager, Ed Dickie, presented and had approved the request to amend the City purchasing policy, to allow greater flexibility on disposal of old City equipment. In the past, the City was required to use an “auction-style” process that often did not yield the greatest results for the City. Recent efforts to sell used vehicles had a much greater yield, and so the Council was excited to make the change to afford greater flexibility for increased revenue to the City.
Public concern was voiced for the large ice balls that City snow removal equipment was depositing on some of the higher elevation driveways. Mayor Harris stated this was an ongoing challenge faced in his 27 years of City residence. Finance Director, Debbie Cardenas, reported the City revenues, including sales tax, were on track and close to 50% of projections half way into the fiscal year. Expenses were also in line, with a few expected anomalies, due to accelerated and necessary payments of dues and insurances. Mayor Harris told the Planning Committee Applicants there were 2 vacancies on the Board of Adjustments and welcomed any interest from those still available, after the final selection was made for the 2 Planning Commission vacancies. The Council meeting was then adjourned. |