Castle Dale City passes a water leak policy for residents

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The Castle Dale City Council met in their December meeting. Mayor Dan Van Wagoner welcomed everyone to the meeting. Jennifer Donaldson from Castle Dale Elementary said they are raising funds to purchase a signboard to put in front of the school for announcements. “We are asking for sponsors, and will have a plaque with sponsors names on it,” said Donaldson.
Councilmember Brad Giles wondered if she had approached the school district for funds. She replied she had not.
Giles recommended she ask the School District for funds, then come back if you need to after you talk to them.
Concerning the Water Leak and City Policy Giles said, “I made some mistakes last month. I was wrong about turning down a previous request, and realized it would cost us more to read meters every month than to give relief for a water leak.”
Councilmember Dixie Thompson said, “I contacted the other cities in Emery County. Some cities forgave all of the leak overage, and some forgave half of the overage. Some required that there was proof of a repair.”
Giles remarked, “If the citizen takes action immediately, we could do something. This must be on a case by case basis.”
Councilmember Julie Johansen said, “I suggest to forgive half of the overage, if the leak is taken care of, and if their bill is current.”
The council agreed to forgive half of the overage, if the citizen immediately responds to remedy the situation, and the water bill is current.
The office staff will inform the two homeowners, and give them a credit on their utility bill.
Giles: said a short, medium and long range list of wants the City has for projects using CIB funding is needed by April 1.
The CIB is no longer pursuing a railroad from Duchesne to Helper. They are looking at a pipeline, upgrading the Indian Canyon Highway, or building a new highway.
The council would like on the list for the short term: relocation of Castle Dale sewer lagoons and a new City Hall.
Councilmember Joel Dorsch wondered, “How can we justify a payment on a new City Hall with our revenue. Will it show that we are receiving lease payments from the other entities?”
Giles said, “Yes, it will show the payments, and we will have lawyers draw up agreements with the tenants.” For the medium term list is another pavilion at the Fairgrounds. Long term is covered salt storage at the city shop.
Jackie Collard and Lael White reported the on-line utility bill payment is going well. We have had about six new payments each week, and have had 12 or so sign up for automatic withdrawals.
The council voted for a Christmas Bonus for employees. Dorsch said, “We have given $300 for full time and $150 for part time in the past. I suggest $340 and $170 to account for payroll taxes.”
Johansen suggested the city have a dinner for the volunteers. “We have one for the Fire Dept, but not the other such as beautification committee, historic preservation etc. The council will discuss the idea in the January meeting.
The council discussed the donation the city gives to the Emery County Aquatics Center each year. Since the pool was built in 2008 the city has donated $10,000 each year to help with the pool.
Mayor Van Wagoner said, “The previous Mayor made a non-written agreement to pay the County $100,000 for the swimming pool to keep it in Castle Dale. He went to the County last year and said the City couldn’t afford to pay this any more. As far as I can tell, we paid from 2008 to 2013. We are having a fallout from the County about this. I think we are obligated to pay that figure. I will go to the new commissioners in January and work out a new payment schedule. Our word should be good as a City.”
Nosh Arrien fire chief reported they will be doing Fire Hydrant testing to retain our insurance rating for the Fire Dept. We can borrow the equipment from the Special Service District. This year we will test all 102 hydrants, and then 25 per year after that. If any are in need of repair, the Special Service District will
do the repairs.
The council discussed the Review Snow Removal Policy. Mayor Van Wagoner said, “During the last snow storm, I received calls asking why the city is plowing one inch of snow. I want to have a written policy to be able to answer these questions.”
Arrien said It is hard to predict when we need to plow. The forecast is not always right. We do have priorities in a small snow storm. They are Center Street, the hill on 200 North, Bott Lane and Valley View Drive; the School Bus routes. We sand on Center Street, the hills and the main intersections.
Johansen said, “The Sheriff’s Office can do reverse 911 calls to Castle Dale residents telling them to remove their vehicles from the streets so we can plow.”
Mayor Van Wagoner said, “The office staff will give Nosh a map of the City so he can designate the routes in color. I want the policy, and priorities written down so I can tell callers: this is our policy.”
Dorsch reported the city served 300 people at the Christmas party. “Thanks for your help,” said Dorsch.
Collard will write a letter to the Santa Claus, Randall Stilson, thanking him for coming to the Castle Dale party.
Thompson reported the Youth City Council wrote 123 letters to help Santa out this year.