Castle Dale City discusses water issues

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Castle Dale City held their November meeting. Mayor Van Wagoner and the recorder Lael White were out of town and Brad Giles conducted the meeting.
Craig Johansen used maps to show where a new pond will be located, near the Bureau Canal (C and H). The pond will provide water to the bench area of Castle Dale city. This will deliver water at about 40 psi, so we wouldn’t have to pump so high to deliver at 55 psi. This will help with the problem with moss. Johansen said it should be in use by 2017 at the latest.
He also went over the other part of the project that will provide water for the downtown areas in the city. Giles asked about some properties that are now using water from the secondary that could use from the pipe before it goes into the system. Johansen said those changes could be up to the city when the system is active and the equipment on line.
Giles asked Johansen if they had made an agreement with Mill Ditch. Johansen answered that they have not. Mill Ditch Water Shares can not be transferred to Cottonwood Creek and used for culinary hook ups.
Rhonda Leroy explained that as soon as she received her water bill asking if she had a leak they checked everything on the property and could find no evidence of a leak. The Leroys called the sheriff’s office and they called out a member of the Special Service District. They had a leak between the meter and their house. They quickly turned the water off and began making arrangements to have the pipe dug up. She paid $150 toward the bill. She asked if the City could possibly adjust some of the remaining balance. Giles replied that in the past year there have been three people who have had leaks and Mayor Van Wagoner has not waived any portion of any of them. Giles said his recommendation is that the City look into the possibility of billing monthly and asked the council’s opinion on that.
Jackie Collard asked if the council had received the figure for now much it would cost to bill monthly. The cost would be $1,090. Dixie Thompson, board member wants to know who has the responsibility to do this? Kerry Lake, zoning administrator asked if there is a way the meters could be read monthly. Collard said once the data from the meter reader goes back to the system it changes everything.
Nosh Arrien, city worker, said that it takes him three days to read all the meters.
Arrien said not every large water usage signals a leak. Many are just over usage for watering horses etc. Julie Johansen, board member, thinks that Rhonda has done everything she can, in good faith and that the council should be lenient. At one time, Julie had a leak and the City did give her an appropriate reduction, perhaps forgave half of it.
Doug Weaver, council member said this will set precedence. The city still has to pay for that water. Do we take money from other citizens to pay for this?
LeRoy asked if other cities did things differently because she knows that some do waive leaks and documented them for audit purposes. She said she had contacted the Mayor and he asked her not to pay any more on the bill until he got back.
Weaver pointed out the need for consistency. Johansen made a motion to waive half of the bill, Dixie seconded it. Weaver and Joel Dorsch voted no; Giles broke the tie with no and the motion did not pass.
Giles said it appeared the City would be changing some procedures concerning leaks. This will be tabled until the next council meeting.
Gwen Peacock asked why the water pressure was down. The Special Service district was taking care of it. He said that he would investigate it. Arrien has finished Richard Herring’s term as fire chief and the Council needs to vote to get Arrien back on the Board. The motion to make Ignacio Arrien fire chief for the next four years passed by acclamation.
The Auditors report was looked at and Giles read the opinions and findings. The Auditors report was accepted. The Purchasing Policy was discussed. Thompson has brought purchasing policies from Huntington and Orangeville. Huntington’s policy lets them award a bid locally up to seven percent above other contractors. Orangeville’s gives them the option to accept up to five percent difference if the local contractor will match the bid within 24 hours of being notified. Giles asked if either of them have a definition of “local.” Neither of them do. Thompson would like to amend the purchase policy. She classifies Emery Sanitation as a local business because two of the owners live in Castle Dale.
Dorsch pointed out if our purchasing policy gives a local preference, out of town businesses will stop bidding. Then local businesses might raise prices. Thompson wants local businesses to have the ability to bid on the possible new building, so the business doesn’t leave Castle Dale and go to wherever the contractor wants to get their supply.
Weaver said, “Amended does not mean that we have to award the bid that way.” Dorsch said, “Do you suppose the County had anything in the bidding on local contractors for the pool?”
Thompson said, “I feel there are people here who could have supplied some.”
Dorsch said, “Maybe a small project that would work, but a big contractor would jack the price up if told they had to buy locally.”
Weaver said, “The option to buy locally is open to them.”
Thompson wants to put in there that we suggest local businesses are part of the process.
Giles said, “Through the architect there will be a bid package go out. Contractors will bid on contracting the building, they will find subs and Randy has every right in the world to contact the contractors and say, “here’s what I can do for you on materials” At the pre-bid meeting we will tell them about local contractors and suppliers.
Weaver said, “The City would have to make up the seven percent.”
Johansen said, “But we would get it back in sales tax.” Thompson said, “I suggest that we amend the ordinance so that we have that option.
Thompson will write up an amendment to the ordinance and it will be discussed in the next council meeting.
Lake reported the planning council does an excellent job with discussion. We had a meeting and started the process for a committee for input on the roads. We
discussed storage containers. Both matters will continue next month.
Doug Moreno spoke about enforcement. The problem boat was moved. One vehicle is parked too close to a fire hydrant.
Johansen reminded everyone that people need to park off the streets for snow removal. A reminder will be included with the next utility bill.
Arrien, fire chief reported they could test meters as a city maintenance crew, or have CVSSD do it. Every meter needs to be tested once every four years for flow pressure, peak pressure, etc.
The Christmas social will be Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the recreation center.
Youth city council elections: Mayor: Alex Curtis. Vice Mayor: Madelyn Carter. Treasurer: Lizzy Sprague.
“We are going to do our Letters to Santa. Dec. 13 we will answer letters,” said Thompson.
All Castle Dale City employees will receive turkey certificates from Stewart’s. The city will also give certificates for turkey or ham for the winners of Christmas Decoration Lights.