Minutes of the Tropic Town Board Meeting

TROPIC TOWN

PO BOX 130

TROPIC UT 84776

Minutes of the Tropic Town Board Meeting

Held October 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Tropic Town Heritage Center

PRESENT: Mayor WaLon Brinkerhoff BOARD MEMBERS: Gaia Greenhalgh, Max Stewart, Jim England and Doug Ahlstrom. Marie Niemann - Tropic Town Clerk & Sydney Syrett – Tropic Town Treasurer.

OTHERS: Brett Chynoweth, Raymond Brinkerhoff, Kevin N. Shakespeare, Lowell Mecham, Reed LeFevre, and Slate Stewart.

CALL TO ORDER: Mayor WaLon Brinkerhoff

PLEDGE: Reed LeFevre

APPROVAL OF MINTUES: A motion was made by Doug Ahlstrom to approve the following minutes of the Tropic Town: Public Hearing Commercial Sewer Rates and Town Board meeting held August 17, 2011; Sewer Extension Public Hearing Grant and Town Board Meeting held September 8, 2011; Second by Jim England - Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: A motion was made by Jim England to approve the agenda with the addition of Carla Wilcock. Second by Doug Ahlstrom - Motion carried.

______

THE COMMUNITY

Business License: A business license application was received from Tyson and Carla Wilcock for a DJ Services * TC Mobile Sounds. They are available for weddings, dances, karaoke, and other events and tourist enjoy this as well. A motion was made by Gaia Greenhalgh to approve a business license for Tyson and Carla Wilcock – second by Jim England. Motion carried.

Scout House: Bryce Canyon Superintendent Bradybaugh is among a number of people who are collectively working on a course of action to restore the scout house; it is one of the last remaining historical structures left in town.

Gerald Talbot: Located on his property is one of the first cabins used in Town for visitors to stay. Mr. Talbot would like to know if the town would be interested in its preservation; would donate the structure to the Town. Mayor felt it would be a good addition to the Town’s heritage project, as did the Council. The structure will be moved to the heritage center to be included as part of the town’s history.

Garfield County Sheriff’s Inter-Local Agreement: Mayor Brinkerhoff proposed that the Town participate in the County Law Enforcement program, which provides extra patrol coverage. The average shift is 5 hours, more or less depending on what the town wants; the town picks the days, times, number of shifts, etc., the cost is $33 an hour; the vehicle and expenses are covered by the County. Max expressed disappointment; Tropic shouldn’t be subsidizing the County Sheriff’s office with Town funds for services Tropic should already be receiving; shouldn’t need a contract stating so. Doug and Gaia both expressed budgeting concerns; what funds are to be used? A motion was made by Doug Ahlstrom to participate for 1(one) month, after which an evaluation will be made as to its success; making a difference or improvement. Second by Jim – Motion carried.

Community Clean Up: Tropic Town has been working with Main Street property owners namely Travis Holm and Richard Parry, as well as Loretta Purdy’s property on 200 North in clear weeds, debris and other clutter from these properties.

In regards to Parry’s property, Joe Thompson is in the process of contacting Richard Parry’s grandson Brad Burningham to contract with them to clean the property; a letter sent to Mr. Burningham expressed the Town’s willingness to assist them in the cleanup; possibly paying half of the cost. Jim cautioned that when the Town volunteers to help with one they need to be willing to help everyone, asking why is the Town cleaning other people’s messes? Mayor Brinkerhoff express the need for the Town’s involvement because they sent notices out requesting it to be done and the Town should help out everyone because they are concerned with the appearance of the community. Max agreed with Mayor Brinkerhoff that beautification, cleaning, etc., is needed, but also agreed with Jim expressing discontent with property owners not being held responsible for their unkempt property. Council discussed much regarding compensation for the Town’s cost; lean, taxes, etc. Mayor Brinkerhoff expressed the need to keep good relationships within the community; doesn’t feel good about requesting residents to clean up without assisting them. Max again re-emphasized not being able to justify paying someone to clean properties, Tropic doesn’t have the funds. A motion was made by Max to table is issue and contacting those having valid interest in the property namely, Joe Thompson and Brad Burnigham, asking them to take responsibility; if they do not, Town will bill them; also place a lean on the property making provisions if they sell the property – motion second by Jim England. Motion carried.

PLANNING COMMISSION

WaLon & Kami Brinkerhoff: Building permit application was reviewed by the Planning Commission for three cabins to be built adjacent to Mr. & Mrs. Brinkerhoff’s home; of which they rent out during the tourist season and gives their recommendation to approval their project.

The cabins are the same size as those at Bryce Country Cabins, 768 ft. Their property is zoned commercial. WaLon and Kami have talked with neighbors Arthur and Vickie Syrett; their only concern is privacy. A buffer of trees/shrubs will be placed to protect the Syrett’s privacy; which will also in the beautification of the project. It was recommended and agree that the buffer to be 15ft from the cinderblock wall currently in place.

Regarding access, WaLon reported that Steve Kunzler will be in Tropic and will discuss a business access from Main Street with him; if the existing access is not adequate, 200 North will be used. Setbacks of the cabins were incompliance, access to utilities are also available. Max thanked WaLon and Kami for the extra mile for taking the time to talk with neighbors, and being considerate of them. It is a good addition to the town and would improve this area of Main Street.

A motion was made by Doug Ahlstrom to approve a building permit for WaLon and Kami Brinkerhoff. Second by Jim England – Motion carried.

Mayor Brinkerhoff reported Slate Stewart asked to be released from the planning commission; Slate doesn’t have the time needed to perform the duties of a commission member effectively. Slate has agreed to be a “standby” if needed to have a quorum. Mayor Brinkerhoff has asked the planning commission for their recommendations for a replacement, the offer was extended to the Town Council for their input as well; would like to have a person contacted by November’s meeting.

WATER/SEWER

Kevin N. Shakespeare: Has questions regarding his sewer bill; why it went from $13 to $18 and feels that he should have to pay during the winter month. In reply Mayor Brinkerhoff reported that the businesses are placed on a dormant sewer rate for three months during the winter.

It was reported that if the Council doesn’t charge businesses, as Kevin suggested, those residents who live here part-time should also be given the same benefit. Kevin stated that it is businesses that brings revenue into town and feels that the town should cut them some slack. Mayor Brinkerhoff replied that it is a joint effort, without water/sewer services Kevin wouldn’t have a business; he also agreed with Kevin that the businesses do bring in revenue, but they should pay for it and do pay for it. Max felt the businesses are treated fairly; it is a slow time for everyone; but whether summer or winter the Town has the same bills and the same amount of money needed pay them, noting there are additional expenses the Town has during winter, such as snow removal. Continuing, Kevin stated that the Council’s effort in cleaning up the Town is one of the best things done to assist him in his business.

Reed LeFevre asked permission to express a few things; Mayor Brinkerhoff approved. Reed expressed his frustration with the Town’s position on businesses; needing more support, not placing more rules and regulations and other burdens on them. Mayor Brinkerhoff didn’t feel that the Town had placed more burdens on the businesses. Max summarized Reed’s annoyance by saying that burdens are placed against the producer; Continuing, Reed asked to focus on bringing other sources of revenue in during the off seasons, lightening their burdens by generating revenue from another source.

ROADS/STREETS

Slate Stewart: Earlier in the year, the Council contacted residents owning property on “T” Hill asking for a road easement to access the water tank, as one of those property owners Slate agreed to grant a 50-year lease agreement, with the stipulation that access is gated and locked. It was the Mayor understands that this road access issue has been taken care of. Doug reported that not all easements were given; property once owned by Harold Shakespeare, Kevin N. Shakespeare father is now Presley Jo Shakespeare, Kevin’s five-year old granddaughter.

As the discussion progressed, Brett stated the gate accessing “T” Hill is locked at the chlorinator building, but there is no way to keep out the ATV’s. Comments made from Lowell Mecham and Kevin N. Shakespeare questioned the locking, due to that many enjoy riding along “T” Hill. Slate replied that owners have the right to dictate the use of their property. Mayor Brinkerhoff asked Doug to follow up on securing the needed easements/agreements accessing the Town’s water tank.

Bryce Way Sidewalk: Doug reported he talked with Joe Thompson regarding the cost to do another block, roughly $15,000. Jim asked if the Town received all the money that was raised. Doug replied no, the Town has a credit of $1,739.15 and the sidewalk $3,300 funds gathered by Nanette Chynoweth can be put toward it. Jim expressed frustration, stating that fuel and labor was not included in the cost. It started out $5,500 a block it has increased to $15,000 plus. Mayor Brinkerhoff asked if the Council wanted to proceed with the sidewalk project or not? Jim and Gaia expressed much caution due to it isn’t in the budget. It was brought to the Council attention by Clerk Marie Niemann, the feelings of Rosenberg and Associates during the discussion for funding on the Master Drainage Plan to wait, the data and information gather will give a better layout; it would cause more harm than good. Sydney stated that B&C road funds could be used toward the sidewalk; replying Gaia questioned the use of these funds for sidewalks and reminded that funds are also used for other road maintenance projects. Max Stewart also remembered the conversation with Rosenberg and Associates and their recommendation to wait; moving forward without the plan in place will inhibit what Rosenberg has planned for the Town. Max suggested that the Council wait until the drainage plan is done before proceeding; once in place the Council can then determine how to proceed.

Lowell expressed disagreement on the location of the sidewalk; placed over the water lines, which produces a maintenance problem if there happens to be a leak, and the Town needs to preserve the space for the road improvements. Doug responded, for flooding purposes, protecting manholes, pressure reducing stations, etc.

those involved – water resources, UDOT and contractors – felt that it made more sense to place it where it is than the other options; there were problem with right of-ways, fence lines, etc.

Entrance Signs/Speed Limit Signs: Town entrance signs are greatly needed. Mayor Brinkerhoff and the Council discussed the possibility of a contest for the best design using the high school students. Max expressed much support to the idea of the community’s input and the involvement of high school students; giving them something to do, affording them the opportunity to give back to their community. Contact will be made with Principal Jeff Brinkerhoff and Shop Teacher/Principal Layne LeFevre to receive their approval for the student involvement.

The electronic speed limit sign has greatly slowed the speeding through town; Mayor Brinkerhoff would like to have a sign permanently placed at each end of town. Council Member Doug Ahlstrom was directed to research the cost and types of digital speed limit signs.

PARKS

Summer use of the Town Park has come to a close. Mayor Brinkerhoff acknowledged the Bryce Valley High School baseball team and their successful season; they went to state for the 1st time. All felt the baseball field contributed greatly to this achievement. Council member Max Stewart recognized LaMar Feltner, along with Brett and Raymond for their hard work and care of the facilities. Continuing, Max also expressed his appreciation to Kevin N. Shakespeare for volunteering his time and equipment in reducing the growth of weeds and brush near the baseball complex, as well as throughout other areas of town.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Doug reported the Fire Chief Ron Harris is researching the costs for a storage container; the container previously approved to purchase from Henrieville is not available.

DEVELOPMENT

Grants: Five Counties approved the application for funding the extension of sewer services throughout town; if the CIB approves the funds, there will be no need for a rate increase. Following through on his promise, Mayor Brinkerhoff stated that public hearings will be held to receive input on the Town accepting the grant. Council Member Gaia Greenhalgh continuing with additional information stated that the Town is paying off a water debt of $25,000 in December. She is in hopes that all agree to move forward with this project because of the availability of funds; felt the Town would regret not taking this opportunity to fund the project.

Heritage Center Cleaning: Much has been discussed on hiring someone to clean the heritage center building; employees are stretched thin at times and not able keep up. The building’s use has increased greatly: Zumba, weddings, dinners, dance, etc. Gaia has researched other communities in the county; they have a flat fee of $300 a month. An ad will be prepared advertising the needed services.