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MINUTES OF THE
VINEYARD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Vineyard Town Hall, 240 East Gammon Road, Vineyard, Utah
June 24, 2009, 7:04 PM
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Mayor Randy Farnworth
Councilmember Grant Holdaway
Councilmember Nathan Riley
Councilmember Sean Fernandez
Councilmember Norman Holdaway
Staff Present: Planning Administrator & Development Coordinator Melinda Manley, Engineer Don Overson and Town Clerk/Recorder Dan Wright
Others Attending: Developer Joe Brown, Jerry Grover of Anderson Geneva and Wes Parish of Parish Chemical
The Vineyard Town Council held a public hearing and a regular meeting on June 24, 2009, starting at 7:04 PM in the Vineyard Town hall. The prayer was offered by Mayor Randy Farnworth.
Regular Session; 7:04 PM
Minutes
COUNCILMEMBER GRANT HOLDAWAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 13, 2009, AS WRITTEN. COUNCILMEMBER NATHAN RILEY SECONDED THE MOTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. NONE WERE OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIED.
Planning Commission Update: Liaison Norman Holdaway
None.
Staff Reports
Engineer Don Overson stated that he met with representatives of the FrontRunner and 400 North had finally been corrected on their plans. He reported that the unapproved drainage elements that had been installed would be removed.
VINEYARD TOWN OZNING ORDINANCE (TA-09-03)
MAYOR RANDY FARNWORTH MOVED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE VINEYARD TOWN ZONING ORDINANCE AT 7:17 P.M. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. NONE WERE OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIED.
MAYOR RANDY FARNWORTH MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE VINEYARD TOWN ZONING ORDINANCE AT 7:20 P.M. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. NONE WERE OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIED.
There was discussion among the council and staff regarding the details of the proposed zoning ordinance text amendment (TA-09-03). Councilmember Nathan Riley asked Developer Jerry Grover if Anderson Geneva had concerns from the commercial aspect of the text amendment. Mr. Grover said there had been some question regarding the parking lots which would need to be screened from public or private streets by a 3-foot screen wall or landscaped berm. He didn’t believe the requirement would deter Anderson Geneva from the sale of lots.
COUNCILMEMBER NATHAN RILEY MOVED TO ACCEPT THE FINDINGS AND APPROVE CASE TA-09-03; AN AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 19 OF THE VINEYARD TOWN ZONING ORDINANCE TO CREATE PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL USES. COUNCILMEMBER SEAN FERNANDEZ SECONDED THE MOTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. NONE WERE OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIED.
UTAH DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (UDOT) GENEVA ROAD/400 SOUTH PROJECT
Engineer Don Overson gave a presentation of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Geneva Road/400 South Project, as found in the minutes. He said the town would not be responsible for the cost of any of the four (4) street lights that would be installed, but the town would be responsible for any damage to the poles. He said the cost would increase by about $5.00 per pole if the town chose to have UDOT repair damaged poles. He described the aesthetic element of the project. He said three options were being considered for landscaping: turf sod, rock mulch and water wise landscaping. He showed pictures of the landscaping options. He felt fine rock mulch was dangerous for motor vehicles. He said UDOT preferred to install large rock mulch at least 6 inches in diameter. He believed rock mulch was very sterile. Councilmember Norm Holdaway felt Pleasant Grove City had done good water wise landscaping. He believed cleaning would be the largest burden to the town if they chose water wise landscaping. He presented a cost analysis including water use, landscaping maintenance and betterment. He compared the cost of the different types of landscaping. He said there was very little difference in cost between turf sod and rock mulch; water wise was approximately $12,000.00 more expensive than the other two options. He said the number of trees and the irrigation system would be exactly the same for all three options. He said he would argue the cost of the culinary water project, as presented by UDOT. He felt his previous calculations were more accurate. He summarized by saying that there would be no project cost for street lighting for the town. He said the annual power cost would be approximately $1,920.00. He stated additional street lights would be installed as the area was developed. He said landscaping would be the decision of the council. He said the projected cost of the culinary water project would be approximately $360,210.00. He believed annual maintenance costs would be offset by user fees from the six new users. He expressed that there would be maintenance costs for rock mulch and turf sod. He said Orem City chose turf sod and trees, and had a 5-foot park strip and a ten (10) foot sidewalk. Councilmember Nathan Riley wondered if turf sod could be used in some areas, and rock mulch in others. Engineer Don Overson hadn’t asked UDOT about that, but felt they would be cooperative. He believed that UDOT was more concerned with the betterment aspect of the project. He said he would review the plans to inform the council of what would happen along 400 South. He said the monument on Councilmember Grant Holdaway’s property would need to be moved across the street from Mayor Randy Farnworth. He said $360,210.00 needed to be paid before they let the contract. Mayor Randy Farnworth met with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG). He said they would petition the town for an emergency water grant survey. Town Clerk/Recorder Dan Wright said citizens needed to take a survey and 80% of the residents would need to fall under the median income in order to qualify. Mayor Randy Farnworth said there would be approximately $600,000.00 available through the funds from that grant. He said there would be complications with the Orem water agreement if the town chose to postpone their participation. His understanding was that the grant would cover 100% of the cost of the water system. He publicly thanked Engineer Don Overson for the work he did behind the scenes to help save the town money. He requested that the discussion to be moved to July 8, 2009.
PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE 2009 - 2010 FISCAL YEAR
Mayor Randy Farnworth informed the council that $66,328 would be added to the budget due to the proposed tax increase. Town Clerk/Recorder Dan Wright stated that the proposed tax rate was being discussed at this meeting because the town reported and forwarded the information only recently. Councilmember Nathan Riley said he remembered that approx $52,000 would need to be pulled from savings in order to balance the budget, and he thought this revenue would allow the town to prevent drawing money from savings.
Councilmember Grant Holdaway wondered if any road resurfacing could be done along Holdaway Road with the increased revenue. The council agreed that the additional revenue would not be sufficient to resurface Holdaway Road. Engineer Don Overson had a proposal from Heckett to bring in three feet of road base material that would be compacted for $5,000.00 to $6,000.00. He said that would only be road base, and a new road surface would double that amount. Councilmember Sean Fernandez brought up the proposed cross sections for Holdaway Road. He thought the town may want to consider the installation of sidewalks with the approved thirty foot easement. Engineer Don Overson said the council chose a thirty foot right of way with a twenty foot asphalt roadway and concrete edging on the sides of the road.
COUNCILMEMBER NATHAN RILEY MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION # 2009 – 05 TO SET THE TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR AT .001695. COUNCILMEMBER NORM HOLDAWAY SECONDED THE MOTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR. NONE WERE OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRIED.
Open Session
Developer Joe Brown informed the council of some of the activity in the Lakes at Sleepy Ridge development. He recognized the need for new residents and development in Vineyard. He said he had recently been meeting and having discussions with town staff and builders. He said their original plan was to build, improve and sell lots, but that plan would no longer work in the current economic market. His group proposed construction of a few homes in their subdivision to invite growth. He needed the help of the city to stimulate that growth. He felt the structure of the current impact fees may prohibit progress. He felt he needed to offer the best product at the best price, and felt a review of current fees would help to allow that best price/best product concept. Councilmember Nathan Riley hoped Mr. Brown would make fair comparisons for fees. Mr. Brown hoped for a temporary solution to the issue with development and impact fees. The council and developer agreed that large amounts of money had been spent to make life in the Town of Vineyard possible. Mr. Brown hoped to prevent a delay of the discussion in order to act quickly to build homes. He said that homes were beginning to sell if they were in the right price range. Mayor Randy Farnworth said the town recently had discussions regarding impact fees. He stated that he had a contract to abate weeds three times during the summer. He stated the reduction of fees would have to be applied to all builders in Vineyard.
Wes Parish of Parish Chemical asked Engineer Don Overson if the road would be widened to seven (7) lanes instead of five (5). Engineer Don Overson confirmed that would be true from 800 North to University Parkway.
Councilmember Reports
Councilmember Nathan Riley said there would be a meeting with the Economic Development Corporation on Thursday, June 25, 2009. He said the Utah Lake Master Plan would be signed at the boat harbor on Friday, June 26, 2009. He reincorporated his comments regarding the wall in The Shores. He wondered if the town had received word on plans for weed abatement from any land owners in Vineyard. He felt pressure needed to be maintained for the weed abatement obligation and the destruction of the Old Gammon Home.
Councilmember Grant Holdaway reported that the wires staking the sign by Vineyard Elementary School had been broken. Mayor Randy Farnworth suspected the wind was the culprit. Councilmember Grant Holdaway confirmed that the kosher weeds would be sprayed by the town. Mayor Randy Farnworth said they would be sprayed when the weather cleared.
Councilmember Grant Holdaway was excused from the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
Councilmember Sean Fernandez reported that he had an upcoming board meeting with UTOPIA.
Mayors Report
Mayor Randy Farnworth reported that he had a meeting with Orem City regarding the sewer. He said there was discussion of payment as the town developed. He said there was also discussion regarding expansion with the same concept. He said the commitment for sewer was approximately $2,000,000.00. Engineer Don Overson explained how the fee would be broken down over a twenty period. Mayor Randy Farnworth said other options had been discussed, the town chose the option they felt was most practical. He stated that the discussion was in the preliminary stages, and more solid fees would be established by the town engineer and planner as they approached the final stage. Councilmember Nathan Riley said a new impact fee would need to be established for sewer connections. Mayor Randy Farnworth said the fee from Timpanogos Special Service District would be compared with the new fee. He reported that the lines would need to be upgraded to the sewer outfall station. He reported that 12% interest would need to be paid if the Town did not pay the fee for the water line from Orem City. Regarding sanitation, he stated that the fees to Vineyard Town would not be increased. Town Clerk/Recorder Dan Wright said part of the cost was being recovered for sanitation, and the portion that was not being covered was minimal. Councilmember Nathan Riley hoped there could be an option to pay the sanitation fee online. Town Clerk/Recorder Dan Wright said he and Councilmember Sean Fernandez had reviewed the practicality of that option about three (3) years ago and at that time, it was not practical. Councilmember Sean Fernandez said the application to accept payments online would cost approximately $15,000.00. He said he would research a more inexpensive option for online payment acceptance. Councilmember Nathan Riley wondered if there could be a link to a payment service.
Mayor Randy Farnworth said Anderson Geneva had not provided a budget and plan to the Utah County Commissioners. He was frustrated that Andersons continued to defame Vineyard’s staff at meetings with county commissioners. He felt staff was competent to handle the redevelopment of the former Geneva Steel site. He said the county was waiting for Anderson Geneva to provide a budget and plan on July 8, 2009. He felt the commissioners of Utah County were now at the same point that the Town of Vineyard was when Andersons sought the support of Utah County. He said the redevelopment was not out of Vineyard’s hands and was forced upon the county through the recent legislation. He hoped a conclusion could be reached at the coming meeting with Anderson Geneva and Utah County.
He asked Engineer Don Overson if Attorney David Church further considered impact fees. Engineer Don Overson said Attorney David Church was reviewing what would be legal regarding fees. Mayor Randy Farnworth felt public safety, roadways and parks were the only fees that the town had any authority over. Engineer Don Overson suggested to Attorney David Church the removal of the overpass and the inclusion of a Special Assessment Area (SAA) to split Old and New Vineyard. He felt the amount of impact fees would be reduced in Old Vineyard, and the fee for the SAA and the overpass would need to be paid. Mayor Randy Farnworth knew Planner Nathan Crane was working hard on bringing development into the town. Engineer Don Overson said the intersection at 400 South would be compromised during the construction of Geneva Road during the UDOT Geneva Road/400 South Project. Councilmember Nathan Riley felt the biggest impact would be from the Vineyard Park in Orem City on 400 South. The council agreed that there also several residents in the Eastlake subdivision in Orem City.
ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM. The next Council meeting will be a regular Town Council meeting held on July 8, 2009.
MINUTES APPROVED ON JULY 22, 2009
CERTIFIED CORRECT BY M. MANLEY, PLANNING ADMINISTRATOR & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR | 
