CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, August 1, 2006 7:00 p.m.
Public Safety Building
3925 W Cedar Hills Drive, Cedar Hills, Utah
Present: Darin Lowder, Mayor Pro Tempore, Presiding
Council Members: Charelle Bowman, Eric Richardson, Joel Wright
Konrad Hildebrandt, City Manager
David Bunker, City Engineer
David Taylor, Assistant to the City Manager
Courtney Hammond, City Meeting Transcriber
Others: Gerald Faerber, Cecil Read, Ryan Lilliard, Brad Orton, Brendon Dayton, Karissa Neeley - New Utah, Jared Page, Gordy Jones, Brent Uibel, Shawn Richins, Zonda Perry, H.R. Brown, Derek Warnock
COUNCIL MEETING
1. This meeting of the City Council of the City of Cedar Hills, having been posted throughout the City and the press notified, was called to order at 7:16 p.m.
Invocation given by C. Bowman
Pledge of Allegiance
2. Public Comment (7:17 p.m.)
• Gerald Faerber: Mr. Faerber stated that he voted for the bond increase but didn’t realize it would be a blanket check. He saw a $600 increase in his property taxes. He said his property valuation showed a 30 percent increase when home value numbers show a 19 percent increase. He also stated that he feels it is unjust that a clerical error has bound the hands of the City to determine the reconfiguration of the golf course. He does not want a minority of the City to have a louder voice than the majority.
• Brendon Dayton: Mr. Dayton believes that living in a community with a golf course has helped increase property values. He stated that he is willing to pay a little for the golf course. He asked the Council if imminent domain can play a role in the golf course and The Cedars HOA.
• Dan Wilson: Mr. Wilson stated that some honey locust trees in front of his house were cut by a City employee. He has talked to some members of the City Council and City Staff about remedies. He recommended that residents be notified that a 12-foot paver may need to come down the sidewalk. He also requested that if it is necessary for the City to prune trees, that they get a professional to do it and not use a 17-year-old.
• Brent Uibel: Mr. Uibel asked how much time was left to remove the mound of dirt at the Public Works Building site. Staff said that they have until October. Mr. Uibel was pleased to hear about the level of coverage from the resident who the City hired to monitor water usage. He feels that there should be better coverage from the three police officers that are assigned to Cedar Hills as far as speed monitoring and other safety issues. C. Richardson said that this year’s budget was increased to add another officer.
CONSENT AGENDA
3. Minutes from the July 11, 2006, Regular City Council Meeting (7:31 p.m.)
MOTION: C. Richardson - To approve the consent agenda. Seconded by C. Bowman.
Aye-C. Bowman
C. Lowder
C. Richardson
C. Wright Motion passes.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
4. Review/Action on Golf Course Alternatives (7:32 p.m.)
Staff Report:
See handouts. Konrad Hildebrandt stated that the City has been working to get to a point where the Council can compile some real options to take to the community for input. These options were gleaned from discussions that have taken place over the last year. The initial golf course goals were (1) to create beautified open space that would increase property values and tax revenue; (2) create reservoirs for a City-wide pressurized irrigation system to conserve culinary water supply and reduce long-term, overall water costs; (3) provide additional recreation opportunities through golf course play; and (4) provide economic development/additional revenue base for overall City services.
Originally, the City was going to enter into a long-term lease with a golf management company. By year 11 (2014), the City would share in the profits. When that didn’t come to fruition, it was estimated that the City would see revenue income in year 8 (2011). The first three goals are being accomplished. The Council now needs to look at the fourth goal. The current reconfiguration requirements that the City has set are: (1) maintain a vibrant, viable 18-hole 71–72 par golf course, and (2) build a compatible clubhouse and restaurant within 24 months. The options are: (1) Status quo; (2) Alternate A - City ownership; (3) Alternate B - Private ownership. Any reconfiguration west of Canyon Road is part of The Cedars HOA and requires their approval.
Status Quo:
• Current debt service is $385,000 per year. With current households, that is approximately $15.60 per household per month.
• The City maintains ownership and operation with continued efforts to increase net income and no additional efforts for reconfiguration or development.
Alternative A—City Ownership:
• The remaining debt service would be zero and the City would build a clubhouse.
• Sell 15 acres, which includes Hole #15 (requires a subdivision). Four acres would be sold to the LDS Church and 11 acres for paper development. All suggested lots would be at least 1/3 acre. The tee boxes on Hole #13 would need to be moved slightly.
• Sell 3 lots on Hole #16.
• Sell three lots in the “grove” (west of driving range).
• Sell 13 lots on driving range.
• New Hole #15 and cart path.
• Clubhouse construction.
• Net gain toward debt service.
Alternate A2 (If there is limited or no HOA cooperation)
• Sell 31.76 acres on Holes #13, #14 and #15. The City Engineer has expressed concern over the topography and geological activity on the higher holes. Four acres sold to the LDS Church and 27.76 to paper development. Lots would not be smaller than 1/3 acre with a max slope of 20%.
• Three new holes would need to be developed in the grove area and over Pond #10.
• Clubhouse construction for $2.2 million. The net gain towards debt service would be about $3.95 million with a remaining debt service or $2.3 million.
Alternate B1-Private Ownership
• Identical to Alternate A2 with the exception of selling the golf course at appraised value.
• The minimum bid would likely be about $9.95 million.
• The City would not build a clubhouse.
The Council instructed staff to schedule two town meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, August 9 and 10 at either Cedar Ridge Elementary or the Sunset Room. It will be advertised in a separate insert in the newsletter, printed on the utility bill and advertised on the website. Derek Warnock of The Cedars HOA suggested that a concrete proposal based on citizen input be presented to the HOA for their vote. The HOA meeting will take place the second week of September.
5. Engineering Report and Discussion (8:32 p.m.)
• Public Works did a great job behind-the-scenes before and at the Family Festival.
• There are a few water leaks on Ironwood/Eucalyptus and Aztec Drive. They are being monitored.
• Working on management for construction on Doral Drive park.
• One irrigation pump went down. That has been fixed and is now working.
• Paving in the southern part of the City will begin soon. As a result, some trees were pruned. That was mishandled and staff is working on remedying the problem.
• No word back from Utah Power &Light about some street light repairs.
6. City Manager Report and Discussion (8:42 p.m.)
• Monthly Management Report will be out by the August 10.
• Working on a citizen’s budget and guide to the budget. There is a letter from the Council. Konrad Hildebrandt needs signatures from all of the City Council members. The full budget will also be placed on the web.
MAYOR’S REPORT/ITEMS REFERRED BY CITY COUNCIL
7. Board and Committee Reports (8:44 p.m.)
• C. Bowman: A proposal for a frisbee golf course at Heritage Park as an Eagle Scout project has been submitted. The Parks & Trails Committee will review the proposal on the August 10. Ciara Decker is scheduled to come to the next City Council Work Session to recap the Family Festival.
• C. Richardson: The Planning Commission has been working on landscaping and fencing ordinances. They will be ready for Council review soon.
• C. Wright: He has started a new job with Holland and Hart in Salt Lake City. He will continue to represent Dynamic City and UTOPIA. He may have a conflict on issues dealing with Dynamic City, UTOPIA, or dealing with other clients of Holland and Hart.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
8. Motion to go into Executive Session, Pursuant to Utah State Code 52-4-5 (9:00 p.m.)
Utah State Code 52-4-5 designates specific parameters for which a Closed Meeting/Executive Session may be held. This Executive Session was held to discuss the following: Strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation.
MOTION: C. Richardson - To go into Executive Session, Pursuant to Utah State Code 52-4-5. Seconded by C. Bowman.
Aye-C. Bowman
C. Lowder
C. Richardson
C. Wright Motion passes.
*** EXECUTIVE SESSION ***
9. Motion to Adjourn Executive Session and Reconvene City Council Meeting (9:24 p.m.)
MOTION: C. Wright - To Adjourn Executive Session and Reconvene City Council Meeting. Seconded by C. Richardson.
Aye-C. Bowman
C. Lowder
C. Richardson
C. Wright Motion passes.
ADJOURNMENT
10. This meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. on a motion by C. Richardson, seconded by C. Wright and unanimously approved.
/s/ Kim E. Holindrake
Approved by Council: Kim E. Holindrake, City Recorder
August 15, 2006