Council Meeting (01-09-2025)

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE VERNON TOWN COUCIL Public Regular Meeting on January 9,2025 at 7:00 PM at the Vernon Fire Station 325 South Main Street Vernon UT 84080.

Public Meeting

  1. Pledge of allegiance- Lead by Mike Cheatham
  2. Approval of Meeting Minutes December 5, 2024- Motion made by Scott Livingston, Seconded by Tai Lauti All in favor non opposed.
  3. Mayor Award Ceremony- Ted Sadoval and Lily Cheatham were awarded Mayor award 1st
  4. Public Comments- No Public Comments
  5. Sheriff Report – 3 details 2 arrested with Felony ( 1 sex offence and 1 Gun purchase by a felon).

John added a section to our agenda. John received a call about a program that is happening in Tooele County that will help the elderly people in out community. Tammy Howard from Tooele County Transportation explained the Out and About Voucher Program. This program is for seniors who are over the age of 60 that are unable to drive to Tooele county or Salt Lake county for medial appointments. What this grant will do is reimburse the person who is taken that person to and from the appointments as long as qualify. Tammy left flyers for the community. Tammy stated this program only goes until March 31st. This program is for Rush Valley and Vernon. John asked it ends in march/ Tammy stated yes the end of march. They didn’t give very much time. Scott asked so if anyone is interested in this they contact you before march? Tammy stated they contact me right away because it stops in March. John asked a senior is considered 60 or older? Tammy stated yes. John this is for people who can not drive or can not afford to drive. John stated that there could be a few in our community that would be eligible for this. Tammy stated that all they have to do is contact her. She can come out and get them signed up. Scott asked do they have to sign up in person or can they do it over the phone? Tammy stated they can do it over the phone or I can come out or if they are on their way to Tooele they can stop by. Scott asked are you at the county office? Tammy stated her office is at the county building. John thanked her for her time. John asked if all of the money isn’t used by march will they extend the program? Tammy stated it will not be extended. Scott asked does this apply if they go to American fork or is it just Tooele and Salt Lake County? Tammy stated its just Tooele County and Salt Lake County. John stated that we do have some people who go to Utah County.

  1. Joe Mannino (Fire)- Jackson finished his EMT class and passed now he has to take the national registry. He started fire school a couple of days ago. He is attending fire in Tooele City. The department made a purchase of $12,000 for the extracting equipment. Joe stated that he attended a hazard meeting for the county. This was a hazard assessment for all our areas one of the assessments that I had for Vernon was that if we have a train derailment wither it be between Rush Valley and here that we may not have a way out to Tooele County as well as the water would be affected at that point as well depending on if it was a chemical release. Also, Dynomobil is coming out here by rush valley on 36. Joe also stated that Dugway transfers a lot of stuff on 36 and we never know what they are transporting. Hazmat is a real thing and we can’t get an idea of some of the really bad stuff that is being transported then we have no idea if it becomes a hazard. Joe stated that currently only Joe, Shane and Tai are Hazmat certified for the town of Vernon. We are limited on the man power out here anyway but to only have 3 hazmat guys that is going to be a struggle. Another assessment that we made was wildland. Where that road got cut off and they were not letting anyone in. Joe stated that roads are a big deal because there is only one way in and one way out unless you go up over look out and circle around and come through rush valley. Joe stated that it was an issue when we had the semi that rolled and cut off 36 everyone was being rerouted and being sent down through town on main street. Joe stated that they just touch on several different hazards that they need to be prepared for. Joe mentioned that if you have seen the news you have seen the huge fires in LA and half the things he is hearing is that they didn’t think that it could happen to us. We are really one lighting strike away from a field and it would take all of Vernon. Joe stated he knows that is stretching it but he wants to be ready for stuff like this and have a plan for different emergencies. Joe stated this is what they are starting to do in the county and getting these assessments done. They have a company that is coming in to take all of the information and they are going to talk about the capabilities as departments on the response. Joe stated there will be a hazmat response team for all of Tooele County. But it is very new it has not been set up yet. Joe stated that he will be one of techs that will be on that team. Vernon will have some say in how that is established. John asked so what do you have to do to get your other firefighter hazmat trained. John stated that in his opinion that concerns him a lot more then wildland fire. Joe stated that it is a long process. You go to fire academy. You have to finish all of your certs and then you get your hazmat certs after that. John asked so they already have their fire certs they just need to continue on and get their hazmat certs? Joe stated only 3 of them have all of their certs. Joe mentioned that there is a grant program going on in the county that they will give them $600.00 plus as a department we can send him to Alabama for free through a funding process. John asked is that where the school is? Joe stated one of them yes. Tai is already a hazmat operation but it would be good to get him at a tech level which I am. It would be good to have some guys that are at the top to take care of stuff. Alabama pays for his flights, food hotel and transportation. Tooele has a $600.00 incentive as well. Joe stated that we have been trying to get something set up and get dates for when he can go but he is the only one other than Shane who would be eligible. Shane works at Hill Air Force base now as a fireman he will get it through there. Joe stated that is where we are with that. Joe that wildland concerns him way more then hazmat. There is a lot of potential out here for a lot of stuff to happen. Joe stated that other then that he believes that the department is doing well on money Joe stated that they were able to save money from last budget and carry it over and buy a big ticket item and we took it to the department and took a vote and they wanted the combo unit it has a cutter and the jaws of life in one tool. Joe stated that they had that one fatality that they could have really used the spreader and the department didn’t have one. That is not the reason why he passed but it would have been helpful. As well the department is starting a ropes team where all of the guys this year are going to winter fire school and they are going to take a ropes tech class on how to set up different rigs and how to rescue off the mountain. We have had to air lift someone because we didn’t have the proper ropes to get them off the riven. John asked some of the people that we have put through fire school have gone on their way like Holden. Joe stated that he just bought a place in eagle mountain so he is not going to be with us. Corbin Atherly has given us a commitment. He is going to go to fire school and wildland. Joe is trying to push the younger guys to see the Opertunity there. John asked do you feel that Holden Fulfilled his requirements to the community? Joe stated yes absolutely. Joe stated that he is working for Dugway as a fireman. Right now we are working towards getting all of his tuff turned back in because we have a gear list for everyone and we will get all of that done. We still are going to somehow incorporate him because he is going to still be out here a lot because of his parents. He can respond as a good cimetidine for EMS as an EMT and that was his idea. Joe stated his las thing is he met with Bucky and he is really happy with what they have done with the rescue truck. He is also pushing for us to do a tracking system on all of our equipment/gear to include expiration dates for the entire department. We just purchased a digital tracking app and what it will do is once the guys check out the equipment on their phone the guys will go out there once a month and check it all off to make sure their PPE is up to date and accounted for. I have been working on Excel spreadsheets with all of that information. If something goes out or if we need something it will alert me or mike on the app and it will inform us that it is out of specs or whatever it is. John asked so they will check it out and then when they turn it in they will have a report as to the condition of the equipment. Joe stated that on the check out list it will have a place that says battery charged and if its not they will hit a button so it will alert us and we can take care of it right way. Joe stated that bucky was extremely happy about that since it was part of our contract and we had not done that yet. John asked did we get a resolution on that report that we were suppose to have done? Joe stated that it is still suppose to be done It is a CWPP thing. It somehow got pushed to John and he doesn’t know how. Joe stated that it has to do with the CWPP where we fill it out every year. Its so we are covered if we get a super big disaster so we do not need to pay for it. Joe stated that we are working towards that. They have a meeting with the guy. Joe stated that he is letting Shar kind of do that so she said she is taking care of it. Joe stated that he has never done it in the past. Scott asked did we get the insulation put back up in the celling. Joe stated nope its still down and its extremely cold in there. Joe stated that he did take everything that had fallen out of the ceiling and re did those holes that were in that space because above the meeting area there is tin and no insulation to the outside so it is freezing upstairs in the area that flooded and it was because they never insulated all of the holes that go between the bays and there that is why the bays are so cold because there is just free flowing cold air in there. It is costing us a lot to heat. Joe took everything that had fallen out of there and refilled in all of those holes with the insulation but the whole bay ceilings are falling apart. Joe stated that he has given every option he can think of. John stated that we mentioned that we would go half on the repair but we just need to get it done. Joe asked maybe this a question for the lawyer? Why can’t mike do the work? Rob asked is he licensed and bonded? Joe stated no but it a self-help project on a government piece of property. Joe stated that up at hill they do that all of the time. Rob stated that if you can have your in-house council tell me how that works, we can figure that out. Rob stated that he reluctant to give the nod he isn’t saying that its impossible but he is not willing to give the nod of approval for that. Joe mentioned also the water in the sink in the bathroom doesn’t work. Mike mentioned that it trickles out. Mike stated that the toilet and everything fills up fine but the sink doesn’t work. John mentioned that his sister has a plumber that is coming out tomorrow maybe he can try and get him to come over and take a look at it. He is the one who installed everything here. Joe asked did they pass on to you that the hot water heater system that was installed here needs to have something done to it every few months for it to continue to work. John mentioned no they didn’t. Joe mentioned that it needs to be flushed with pellets or something so that it doesn’t clog. John stated he will ask about that tomorrow too. Scot thanked them for bring that up. Joe asked what do we want to do about the roof? John stated that we will have to get a contractor to do it. Joe stated that we have tried that and no one will come out here. John mentioned we can get them to come out here its just very expensive.
  2. Consideration of VERNON TOWN ORDINANCE NUMBER 2025-01 AN ORDINANCE ENACTING A PROPERTY DISPOSAL POLICY FOR SURPLUS ASSETS OWNED BY VERNON TOWN.- Rob explained that it lays out of the town disposing of property that is no longer needed or used by the town. It lays out the protocol for real property and personal property. John asked what is the procedure for the filing cabinets and a mini fridge. Rob stated what would happen would be you have to declare it surplus property. Then you make a estimate of the fair market value of the property. At that point you consider the item for any other uses for the town. Once there has been a determination that nobody wants it then it can be destroyed or donated free of charge. The Purchaser of the property needs to tender the entire purchase amount of the property. If the surplus property is owned by the town and worth less than $100.00 then it can just be disposed of. John asked then you can give it away to whoever wants it? Rob stated yes that is correct. Joe asked with that he assumes there is an inventory list that has the values of all these items correct? Because no one knows that is the towns filing cabinet. Rob stated once its deemed surplus property is when the fair market value comes into play. Joe stated what he is saying is how do we know we own these chairs if they are towns. Rob stated like when it comes to electronics the entities will have record of serial numbers and things like that. But when it comes to desks and chairs it’s not necessary. John asked does it have to be declared surplus at a public meeting? Rob stated correct. No other Questions or comments. Motion made to adopt ordnance by Mike Seconded by Tai All in favor non opposed. John asked Nicole if she can get a list of all the items that will need to be sur plus, we can put that on the agenda for the next meeting. If it is under $100.00, we can put a list out of first come first serve and if they don’t come and get it then we can haul it away. Joe asked is that something that needs to be in the newsletter? Nicole stated that there are 4 filing cabinets and the mini fridge. The old council table. Joe mentioned that the old meeting table is already gone. Joe is saying he doesn’t know where it is. Joe mentioned that there is stuff in the Conex that is going to be going in the trash.
  3. Consideration of Notice of Vacancy for Town Council. – Stephaine sent a letter of resignation and John accepted the letter. Nicole will advertise this vacancy and we will open letters of interest at the next town council meeting.
  4. Discussion of Town Council 2025 Goals – Because of the vacancy on the council we will move this item once vacancy is filled. John asked each council member to take a moment and look at the items you are in charge of and make a list of things that you would like to see happen.
  5. Clerk Report- Nicole stated that she feels like the front door needs to be replaced. The door is hollow the insulation is falling out of the door the wood that holds the screws in for the deadbolt is rotted and the screws are falling out. Joe mentioned that he does not use the front door anymore because he can not access his office through the meeting area because his lock doesn’t work again. John stated you should be going through the bay anyway to access your office anyway that is why we put a door there. Nicole suggested that we bring out a lock smith that can put a key pad on the door and each person has their own code for the building. Mike stated that he knows a lock smith that will come to Vernon so once we get to that point, we can get his contact info. John asked Nicole do you have numbers on what a door like that would cost? Nicole stated that she has not looked into. Mike stated that he doesn’t think you can just go and pick up one of those kinds of doors from Home Depot. It has to be a special door. John stated because of that we may want to put that on the agenda for next month. Rob asked how pressing of a need is it? John asked is it an emergency? Nicole stated not a dire emergency but the sooner the better. Scott stated that he is going to call it an emergency because if you grab that door and pull hard enough it will come apart. Rob stated then he wouldn’t wait you can not have your building unsecure. John asked do we need someone to come and hang the door or can we do that ourself? Mike mentioned that we are not licensed and bonded. Rob stated that the thing with being licensed and bonded is that if anything were to go wrong they are liable. John mentioned that he will call Charlie and see if they are willing to buy a big door and hang it and then we will get a locksmith to come. John asked for someone to make a motion to approve this item. Motion made by Mike in the mount up to $2500.00. Seconded by Scott All in favor non opposed. Joe asked that who ever does the cemetery can we ask them to do the weeds on the other side? John that we will have to put that in the job description. That has always been a fire thing. Joe stated no that has always been a JOE thing. Mike stated that the contract is up this year so we can add that. Nicole Mentioned that we need the state flag back. Mike stated we might have to buy a new one. John mentioned that he heard that someone is going to be moving into the house where we believe the state flag is at since his grand daughter carried it in our parade. Rob stated all you can do is ask for it back. If they do not produce it there is nothing that you can do other then buy a new one. Nicole mentioned that there needs to be storage cabinets in the meeting area. John mentioned that they spoke about hanging cabinets along that back wall. John stated we will put that on the agenda for next month since that is not an emergency. Nicole asked about the art work that has been mentioned for the wall behind the town council and the front of the council bench. She asked if they would have to put that out for bid to get something made out of metal. John stated that would depend on the price. That item will also be placed on the agenda.
  6. Department Reports/Commissions/Committees

(A) Mayor John Olson:

Council of Government- They meet next week. The meeting will include filling seats for the Wasatch Community Council Committee. Third quarter sales tax was talked about at our last meeting there is still more meeting to happen on that. They are trying to make it so COG can pass the new score sheet and application so that towns will get them by the 1st of march. That way they can apply by the end of May.

Cemetery- Nothing to report other then Mike did mention that the contract is up for bid this year we will have to keep that in mind and will have to have that listed for our march meeting.

(B) Scott Livingston:

Water- Water meeting last night Denis Clark is no longer the treasurer for them anymore. Mandy Erickson will be taking his place. For some reason their by laws says we have to Vote them in. We will need to get a Vote for Mandy Erickson. John Moved that we put Mandy Erickson in as the treasurer for the Vernon Waterworks Company. Seconded by Mike. All in favor non opposed.

Treasurer- CPA is doing a good job and has us up to par. We are pleased that everything is moving smoothly.

(C) Stephanie Loder:

Planning and Zoning- The minor subdivisions application, chapter 16 and Definitions will all be ready on the 14th for the public hearing that needs to be done for planning and zoning and then the town Council will have to have one as well. We will do ours on the 28th and yours will be the 6th. Stephaine has had 2 people contact her about ADU’s. Stephaine mentioned with the minor subdivision application there is nothing on there for the water, sewer and road maintenance so that is something that we need to look into. To make sure we can avoid those issues. John asked is this the Mike Hansen thing? Stephaine stated yes. Stephaine stated that it is in the actual ordinance but not in the application. Stephaine feels that if we have to check those things off, we need to have them in the application so that they can come with a plan for those things. Rob stated that the application can be changed at any time just not the ordinance.

Grants- Had a meeting scheduled with her today but she never responded. John stated that with the CDBG he believes its $500,000 the first year and $200,000 the next year. Stephaine stated that she didn’t do it last year Melinda did it and so I have no idea what to do. John stated that he talked to her a little bit about it. Stephaine stated that she does not have the log in for the grants she filled out the information to have the log in sent to Nicole but Nicole is not receiving the information. John stated that as far as roads are concerned we may want to get Jake out here and get engineering involved so the can do their core samples. That way if we do get this grant they announce it in the spring and we can be ready to get bids out. Stephaine stated that when she talked to her on the phone last month, she stated that if they do the engineering estimate they can not do the engineering work. John mentioned that we got $60,000 from COG to seal sharp but we are not going to get anyone out here for $60,000 but if we can put Larson hill $200,000 for that and $500,000 for main now we have $570,000. He thinks that they can get Kilgore to come out here for that. We may even want to throw out there if they have do the same thing on main street like they did before then we can haul all of that and grind it up like Olson and fix Yates RD and maybe the tail end of Harker. If it shows we have to haul all of that way maybe that can be put on the bid as well.

(D) Tai Lauti:

Ambulance/Emergency Management- Nothing to report.

Fire Report- Winter Fire School is this month.

Animal Control- Received the Kennel and Snare. We are set for the dog clinic on the 18th. The vet has confirmed. John stated that it is either Cash or Checks. John stated that you may want to get some change for that. Nicole stated that she is already on that.

(E) Mike Cheatham:

Roads- Mike mentioned that he has not heard anything from the mayor of Rush Valley on how they worked the financing of the snow plow. Since he could not get a hold of them, I reached out to Mountain America to see if they had any answers. They said that we can go in for a meeting and they can explain how the process would work. John stated that right now we are through the heavy part of winter already so maybe that is something we look at for next year so we are not rushing.

Community Relations- Christmas light contest. Judges were Amy with communities that care and her daughter and jerry Richerson out of Lofgren were Judges. The Livingstons were the winners. Mike is hoping that it grows every year.

  1. Other Business- Scott asked about the Conex. Mike stated that he didn’t reach out to anyone over the month of December. John stated there has to be a Conex dealer somewhere. Mike stated that he has not been able to find anywhere that you can go in and look at them and know what you are getting.
  2. Review and Pay Town Bills – Motion made by Scott Seconded By Mike. All in Favor non opposed.
  3. Adjourn- Motion made by Tai Seconded by Scott. All in Favor Non-Opposed.

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