Minutes of the Special DVLA Board Meeting January 15, 2008
Board Members attending: Cyndy Johnson, Mike Barker, Crystal Phillips, Alan Strebeck
Twenty six landowners were in attendance.
President Cyndy Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Cyndy explained that the first part of the meeting would be a report from the Incorporation Feasibility Study Committee. The second half of the meeting would start the 2008-2009 budget discussion.
Sally Musemeche, Chair, introduced the Committee members: Alan Strebeck, Cyndy Johnson, Robert Mitchell, Richard Downer and Brooks Pace, who was away on travel.
Sally explained that the charge of the committee had been to 1) determine boundaries for a proposed incorporation plan and 2) prepare wording for an incorporation feasibility study petition. This effort had been started because Diamond Valley has started a feasibility petition and placed its proposed boundaries right up to Dammeron Valley. Though representatives from Diamond had said they would push the boundaries back and this has not been done yet - possibly because it cannot be done since their study has started. The impact of a bordering city would mean that Diamond Valley City would have an impact on the future development of Dammeron Valley.
Richard Downer reviewed the boundaries that are being proposed for Dammeron Valley incorporation. The boundaries included all of the DVLA properties and moved out to include adjacent BLM land, Rocky Mountain power land and land owned by developer Brooks Pace. The determination of the boundaries determines the number of landowners who need to sign a petition in order to start the feasibility study. Sally explained that signatures must represent 10% of the property owners who own 7% of the property within the boundaries.
Following is a summary of landowner questions and responses:
1. Does the developer, Brooks Pace, stand to make out with incorporation? Answer: Richard Downer said no, the developer's property was included within the boundaries as it made sense to include them due to the configuration.
2. Can forest service lands be included? Answer: Yes, as well as BLM and State Trust Lands. This allows the incorporated entity to have some say over the use of the lands, such as establishing trail systems through State and federal lands.
3. What will be the monetary impacts of police, sewer and other costs of a municipality? Answer: That is what the feasibility study will determine - the costs of incorporation.
4. Will the County requirements for curb & gutter in new developments stay in effect? Answer: No, the municipal entity would determine the zoning rules. This would help to preserve the rural nature of Dammeron Valley.
5. What will be the process once the feasibility study is done? Answer: Once the study is done there will be public meetings. Within 18 months, if a decision is made to move forward, there needs to be another petition requesting a vote on the issue. There are additional public meetings and then a general vote is held.
6. If Dammeron were to incorporate would the Valley residents need to pay for the feasibility study? Answer: The Valley entity would only be responsible for a small portion of the cost - such as filing fees.
7. Can an individual opt out of the incorporation? Answer: Yes, if that individual owns 1% of the property within the boundaries. Groups of landowners are not able to band together to represent the 1%. It has to be a single landowner.
Richard Downer said that the County and St. George is expanding its infrastructure in order to gain additional tax paying areas. That is why Diamond Valley has requested a feasibility study. They feel threatened by possible St. George expansion.
Sally requested that the current committee be dissolved by a vote of the Board as the committee had met its charge. The next step would be to put together a committee to determine the properties within the boundaries in order to determine signature requirements. She said that the County would provide this information in data downloads.
MOTION was made by Alan Strebeck to dissolve the incorporation feasibility study committee. The motion was seconded by Crystal Phillips. The motion was passed.
Cyndy Johnson expressed appreciation for Sally's efforts and hoped that she might consider helping with the next phase.
MOTION was made by Crystal Phillips to adjourn this part of the special meeting. Mike Barker seconded the motion. The motion was passed.
President Cyndy Johnson called the special budget discussion meeting to order shortly after 7:00pm.
Stella Callagee outlined a number of factors that need to be taken into account as the Board considers establishing a 2008-2009 budget:
1. The fire truck will be paid off in 9/2009 - that is a $2400/mo payment
2. The firehouse will be paid off in 12/2014 - that is a $2100/mo payment
3. Pessimistic economic forecasts may mean that it is more difficult to collect dues - there needs to be planning for uncollected money
4. An unknown is always the fire season. The past year was not as active as prior years. In prior years reserves were used between fiscal years to cover costs until dues collection had been completed. The DVLA fiscal year is 7/1- 6/30.
Stella reviewed estimated costs and a projected budget keeping the dues at $270. This would mean the use of almost all of a projected $25,000 unencumbered reserve to help offset costs.
Chief Talbot reported he was preparing a budget estimate. At this point in time there are new issues that will impact the fire department budget. One of the items will be a $10,000 contribution requested from each fire department to help fix the repeater repair problem that he has discussed in prior meetings. The repeater at the top of Utah hill sends out the pages to emergency personnel and the cost of maintaining the system is $150K per year. Though the County Commissioners recognize the problem the County does not have funds to fix the repeater, at least for now. The fire chiefs are being asked to come up with the required repair funds.
Chief Talbot also has some communication needs and talked about a sandbagging machine that might be purchased and shared between departments.
Chief Talbot also cautioned the Board that officers might not be willing to remain unpaid over the long term. The Board needs to be planning now for possible reimbursement to those who run the department. The officers lose salary when they attend meetings and trainings which are all important to running the department.
The Board discussed the need to start establishing a reserve. When the pumper truck engine blew the DVLA was able to pay for the repairs with $20,000 of reserves, but this money has not been replaced.
Additional issues need to be discussed and needs determined. The Chief said he would have his budget ready within the next few weeks.
Alan Strebeck brought up looking into renegotiation of the firehouse loan. The loan matures and becomes due and payable on 12/4/09. Ken Mandell, who had been on the Board when the loan was obtained, explained that US Bank had been the only local lender who was willing to give the DVLA a loan. The loan was written this way so that the rate will be reviewed in 2009 and continued at the same or adjusted rate. It is a 10 year loan. Alan pointed out that this is not spelled out in the language of the loan document. Ken explained that the DVLA had to accept the loan as it is currently written. He agreed that it would be prudent of the Board to be proactive and look at possible refinancing now.
The Board decided to continue the budget discussions at a special meeting on February 19th, at 7:00pm in the firehouse. This meeting will be open to all landowners.
MOTION was made by Crystal Phillips to adjourn the meeting. Jerry Yurek seconded the motion. The motion was passed.
Stella Callagee
Recording Secretary
