Zoning Hearing 

The council opened a hearing on the zoning issue related to Bryce Goodin’s proposed subdivision south of town on Highway 38.  The rezone request is from its current status as Industrial to Residential.  Brad Coleman reported on the PZ meeting of June 22, in which the zoning change was discussed.  The effects of the zoning change on any future boundary adjustments were discussed.  PZ unanimously recommended approval of the zoning change for the property.  Bryce Goodin was present to explain the purpose for the zoning change.  

The change is preparatory to developing the area from industrial to residential in order to provide housing within proximity to town.  Bryce mentioned that the development of the area into residential land would avoid the problems of industrial noise and traffic from affecting the neighbors currently in the area.  He also mentioned that the area falls within the city’s comprehensive plan for development.  

Scott McMurtry, who lives adjacent to the property, spoke to the council about the need to assure that the development was approached “right,” especially with regard to traffic.  Scott was not opposed to the development in general, but wanted to be certain that it was handled well.  Scott asked about the future of the old sewer plant, which is no longer in use as a result of the city’s new sewage system.  Bryce explained that approximately 60-65 homes will eventually be built on the property, although that was not a part of the night’s hearing, which was specifically focused on rezoning.  Councilmember Tyrell Neal expressed a concern about monitoring the size and type of growth within the city.  The hearing was closed after comments were taken.  A motion to approve the rezone of the property to Residential R was approved.    

Bryce Goodin

Goodin also presented a development pre-application notice for the development.  The mayor stressed that the city needed to make sure to require development agreements from developers.  Bryce was asked for a timeframe for completion of the subdivision.  He stated that tentatively a plan to complete the development sometime within 5-10 years was in effect.  He mentioned that the pace of growth/sales had slowed down recently.  

The lots average around a third of an acre.  Bryce stated that his plans were primarily to sell the lots, rather than necessarily houses, although he would also take contracts for homebuilding.  The city’s contracted engineers have been contacted with the plans, but have not responded to the council yet.  The application will be submitted after the pre-application is approved within 15 days of the July 12 meeting.  The preliminary plat for the mountain valley subdivision was approved.  Brad Coleman raised the issue of the subdivision’s outlet roads.  He suggested that a collector road, rather than three separate exit roads, would potentially be safer.  A motion was made in the PZ meeting to have a hearing on the application when it moves forward.    

Mike Hess, Jr.

Mike Hess, Jr. spoke to the council about an incident in May when the water was shut off to the industrial park, causing a loss of production to the Hess Pumice plant.  He requested that the council think about potentially lifting the moratorium on well drilling to allow for a production well on site in the event of future such incidents.  The mayor suggested that she would try to set up a meeting with the regional director of water resources to discuss the issue.  Hess also mentioned that there was a water leak in the industrial park that was potentially leaking a gallon a minute and in need of repair.  Hess also mentioned the condition of the road going into the industrial park, which was stated to be in disrepair.  

Audit

The auditor contracted by the city reported on the city’s audit.  The city’s finances, and budget outlay were all considered to be within normal parameters, though the auditor did call attention specifically to the sprinkler budget, which was a money loss for the city.  Otherwise, there were no areas of concern or causes for alarm in the audit.  The audit for 2022 was approved by the council.  

Tory Richardson

A representative of the software company Cloupermit spoke with the council remotely through Zoom about the potential for software to aid in development in the city.  He specifically mentioned the utility of having a website for the collection and submission of required development documents, such as applications, plans, etc.  Cloudpermit is the software he recommended.  The software would allow the city and county to coordinate the activities of the building inspector and track the various elements of the application processes in both jurisdictions.

Building Inspector Tory Richardson spoke to the city by way of clarifying the sequence of the building permit process.  Most of the buildings he inspects are sheds, garages, and houses, which follow a typical pattern.  Sometimes the inspected buildings fall outside the normal parameters, however, and don’t easily fit into situations described by the city’s ordinances.  The building that was formerly occupied by the Burger Shack is attempting to convert into a storage unit facility.  Richardson expressed some concern about the fact there isn’t a process in place for the approval of applications for buildings or improvements.  As the building inspector, Richardson would like assurance that the issues that come to him for inspection have been somehow vetted for legality and compliance.  The council suggested that in the past, those activities have been part of the inspector’s job, but they would be willing to work through planning and zoning to clarify some of the less common potential issues.  

Kevin Harris—Bannock Street

Kevin Harris spoke to the council about the Bannock Street project.  In 2018, the city first put in for funding to redo Bannock Street.  The original beginning date for the start was 2023, though it has been pushed back.  An opportunity for alternative funding through a program called TAPS was recently obtained to cover curb and gutter to 3rd West.  Another recent grant is a possibility, but won’t be available until potentially 2027.  The project is likely to get underway by 2024.  Governor Little approved a project SIGP for rural communities with a total of $50 million for 25 projects.  The state would like the money spent in 2024.  The grant is competitive, and geared toward projects that can be completed quickly.  Applications are due on September 1, and essentially require a plan in order to remain competitive.  The number of various grants may have the potential to be combined and streamlined, which would prevent a gap during the construction/project cycle.  A motion to let Forsgren apply for the Strategic Initiative Grant Program was approved.   

Sheriff Report

Sheriff Arne Jones provided his report to the council.  The issue of traffic on 400 West on to 700 North was raised.  The sheriff suggested signs on 400 West and 700 North to alert drivers to the fact that semis are not permitted on residential streets.  

The sheriff next raised the issue of animal control, especially the management of dogs.  The call volume has increased from about 25 calls a week to about 65 a week over the last few years.  Due to the volume, the sheriff reports that the department is struggling to keep up with the ordinance and animal control tasks.  The contract under which the sheriff’s office has been tasked with animal control and ordinance enforcement has technically expired, though it has verbally been extended through informal agreement.  According to the sheriff, 65% of the calls are from the city.  In the early 70s, the city council dissolved the city police department and contracted the county sheriff’s office to police the city.  

Dustin Smith asked the sheriff whether he would prefer to take on animal control and ordinance responsibilities. The sheriff stated that he thought the situation worked smoothly with a dedicated animal control/ordinance officer.

The mayor and council took the issue under advisement, and planned to discuss a way forward on the issue.  The council discussed putting together a job posting for a code enforcement officer.  The position would free up resources for the sheriff’s office, and allow for a number of nuisance complaints and other violations to be managed.  Code enforcement deals with the various nuisance and other ordinances in the city’s limits, such as fencing regulations, parking issues, animal calls, noise complaints, etc.  The sheriff explained that often other issues, such as domestic disputes and other potential criminal concerns, take priority over the ordinance and animal issues.  A dedicated enforcement officer would allow both parallel sets of issues to be managed at once. 

The council thanked the sheriff for his department’s help during the Fourth of July.

The sheriff also mentioned a number of dangerous driving reports about ebikes and other motorized vehicles.  Regulations regarding non-licensed motorized vehicles are fairly new in the state, and the sheriff expects to see further legislation covering them sometime in the future, given their prevalence and some of the issues that they have created with regard to traffic and safety.  

PZ Report

Shelly Williams reiterated several of the points made earlier in the meeting regarding the zoning hearings.  

JustService 

Committee

A representative from the JustService group would like someone from the city council to sit on the committee to help organize service projects in the area.  The group works to help organize volunteers and volunteer-run projects in local communities, and plans to be involved in the Day of Service that takes place in conjunction with 9/11 Patriot Day.  

Striping on South Main

The lanes on South Main are in need of re-striping.  The council determined that the road needs to be repainted sometime before school starts.  

Co-op Painting

The city has been approached by an individual who asked about painting the co-op.  Due to the building’s historic nature, there is some question about whether painting the building is in the best interest of its preservation.  The state historical preservation society advised against painting the building, but to work toward restoring the wood and metal elements.  The council decided to meet with the representative from the historical society sometime within the next few months before making any major decisions on the exterior of the building.

Museum

Jean Thomas from the Museum provided an info sheet to the city showing the museum’s activities over the last year.

Business License

Malad Ace Hardware applied for a business license.  The business license was approved.

Reports:

One issue brought up to at least one of the council members was that of people being sprayed with water guns during the recent parade.  The individuals who had commented on the situation understood the harmless intent of the floats with water guns, but asked that they be advised not to spray elderly individuals, or infants in strollers.

Work will start on North Main on July 17.  The City Superintendent and his crew will fix two hydrants and a flower box on Main while the street is being repaved.  The hydrants are reportedly not working correctly, and leaking into adjacent properties.  This was recently an issue as a result of the filling of the swimming pool from one of the hydrants, which affected nearby basements.

The issue of water running all day at outside the dog pound was raised.  The property is also used for cattle, and the watering trough is constantly in use.  The City has a contract for leasing the space.