Ferron City council welcomes two new members

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Ferron City met in their first meeting of the year.
Mayor JoAnn Behling called the meeting to order and noted that Council Members Joe Trenery, TrentJackson, McCall Fuller and Abby Jensen were present with Council Member Ronny Bloomer excused. Councilmember Jackson led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Mayor welcomed the new council members and members of the community. The Recorder, Adele Justice, then administered the Oath of Office to Jensen and Fuller and congratulated them. Mayor Behling also congratulated the new members of the council and asked that everyone join her in welcoming them. She then called for a brief recess to the meeting so that refreshments could be served and the new council could be congratulated by family members and others in attendance at the meeting.
Mayor Behling reviewed the following council assignments; Mayor Behling, city administrator, deputy treasurer, golf course, CVSSD board member, cemeteries, employee Christmas Party, economic development, Peach Day assignment- golf tournament.
Council Member Jensen: fire department, beautification, buildings – maintenance and repair, Peach Day assignment – dinner and breakfast.
Councilmember Trenery: deputy recorder, animal control, emergency preparedness, road department, Peach Day assignment- soapbox derby, field of flags.
Councilmember Fuller: water department (utilities, water sewer and garbage) public lands council, youth city council, Peach Day assignment -chairman.
Councilmember Jackson: recreation, Mayor’s Park and development of new parks, appeal authority council representative, Peach Day assignment – fun day and parade.
Councilmember Bloomer: planning commission member, fair ground facilities, equipment – maintenance and repair, Peach Day assignment -fairground events, queen pageants.
Mayor Behling reported that the CIB priority list for 2012 had been sent in. Castle Dale City is asking for our support in building a new city hall. They are burdened by the high costs of heating the old building that they are currently in. If they are able to build a new building it would be shared with the Water Conservancy District. Cleveland is also asking for support in building a new city hall and community center however, the project would be about five years out. Mayor Behling informed the council that she was willing to pledge support of the new city halls and has asked the mayors if they will in turn support Ferron in building a new grandstand or obtaining bleachers for the fairground. She continued her report stating that the automated meters are in place in Clawson and in Emery and about 50 meters have been installed so far in Ferron. She then gave council copies of a map for a project on Canyon Road. Because of last years flooding, the bridge on Canyon Road will need to be replaced. They would also like to redesign the entrance onto Canyon Road from 800 West so that it is easier to access and safer. She stated that although the project may not be funded for a few years, she has signed a letter of support addressed to UDOT, that should help get the project underway. The cost of the projected is estimated at around $577,000.
Mayor Behling reported on the COG meeting. Together they reviewed the realignment of school district precincts. She informed the council on how the precincts were aligned and stated that there would not be changes now but that there may be changes in the future. She reminded the council that Jan. 25 is the local official’s day at the legislature. Registration information is in the council mailbox. She told the council of the yearly calendar that Castle Dale gives to its citizens. The calendar is made up of old pictures of the city. She would like to see Ferron do something similar. In conclusion of her report, she noted that the other cities in the county only hold one meeting a month. She asked the council to think about changing the meeting schedule to once a month.
Councilmember Trenery reported that next week, he and Sid Swasey would be attending emergency preparedness training in Richfield. Mayor Behling then made a plea for the public to participate in local CERT training when it is available. Councilmember Trenery concluded his report by informing the council that most of the street lights have been fixed.
Councilmember Jackson reported that he had delivered all of the prizes from the scarecrow contest. He concluded his report by requesting the new council members to begin thinking about their Peach Days assignments.
Colleen Murdock introduced herself as the librarian of the Ferron Library. She has been asked to attend four council meetings per year. She thanked the city for including the library notices in the city newsletter and thanked the maintenance department for snow removal service. She mentioned other cities library events that had been supported by their local cities and invited the council to consider a partnership between the library and city for future events. The Mayor and council thanked Murdock for her service to the community.
The recorder reported that two business license applications had been approved and that the commission was reviewing the water share requirement in the annexation policy.
Councilmember Jackson moved to reappoint Adele Justice as the City Recorder and Tami Bennett as the City Treasurer. The motion passed.
Mayor Behling welcomed the American Legion Auxiliary. She explained the community covenant program, noting that the purpose of the covenant is to offer support to soldiers and their families. The Legion has been supportive of the soldiers in the past by preparing packages for them and sending them letters. The committee will help make the community aware of the program, of those who are serving and how the community can offer assistance and support. Mayor Behling asked the Auxiliary if they would like to participate by forming the committee. Jo Sansevero spoke on behalf of the Auxiliary and stated that they are very excited and would love to be involved. She stated that many soldiers will be coming home soon and will need to assimilate into the community again. They briefly discussed dates on which the signing could take place. Sansevero will take the position of chairperson and the mayor will appoint a member of the council to sit on the committee.
Mayor Behling asked the City Recorder, Adele Justice to read aloud the resolution she drafted for the Community Covenant Program.
The council approved the adoption and support of the Community Covenant Program.
OPENING AND AWARDING OF BIDS RECEIVED ON SURPLUS SALE The mayor opened and read the bids. The tally was as follows: Suzanne Larsen bid $200 for the water slide and $10 for fax machine. Allison Jackson bid $30 for the water slide. Charlene Barney bid $50 for the computer tower. Ross Wilberg bid $2.55 for the tables and $11.21 for the pump station. Ken Gilbert bid $6.76 for the water slide and $11.21 for the Jacobsen mower. Del Hulse bid $45 for the water slide. Ron Barney bid $175 for the water slide, $25 for the dog kennel, $40 for the computer, $35 for the Jacobsen mower and $275 for the pump station.
Lee McElprang bid $1,300.30 for the pump station. Sterling Miller bid $20 for the computer. Kevin Gilbert bid $.50 for the file cabinets, $2 for the water slide, $1 for the dog kennel, $1 for the mower and $36 for the pump station. Randall Stilson bid $25 for the filing safe, $10 for the tables and $22 for the dog kennel. The Mayor asked the Recorder to read the highest bid on each item. The high bids were as follows: Suzanne Larsen – water slide and fax machine. Charlene Barney – computer. Ron Barney – dog kennel and Jacobsen mower. Lee McElprang – pump station. Kevin Gilbert – filing cabinets. Randall Stilson – filing safe and tables.
The council agreed to award the bids to the highest bidders.
The Mayor asked the council to review the budget and report any concerns to the Recorder. She encouraged the new council members to take their budgets home and become familiar with what is allotted in their departments.