Logan council approves Steel Solar price and Spanish library grant; winter parking and power rates discussed

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Appointment

   Historic Preservation Commission appointment

   Approved · 5-0

   The council ratified Andrea McCulloch to the Historic Preservation Commission.

   Moved by Council Member Tom Jensen, seconded by Council Member Amy Anderson. Vote: 5-0; the minutes say the motion carried unanimously, counted here as the 5 council members present

2. Other

   Winter parking rules

   Discussed

   Planner Russ Holley reviewed the overnight on-street parking ban from November 15 to March 15, with permits for certain pre-1968 residences: 222 permits are issued, 197 in the Adams neighborhood, and about 400 properties are eligible. Members discussed permits tied to addresses, the 2007 approach of banning parking only before snowfall, shortening the season and the demands on plow crews; Council Member Mark Anderson urged reviewing snowfall statistics and Tom Jensen said ice ruts are dangerous. Residents were asked to send feedback. No action.

3. Item A · Roads and utilities

   Three Cache County Council of Governments transportation projects (public hearing)

   No action · 700 South 100 East; 1000 North 600 West; 200 East, 1350 to 1800 North

   Public Works Program Manager Sam Odd presented three projects for about $7 million in county sales tax funding: a new traffic signal at 700 South 100 East, design of the 1000 North 600 West intersection, and design and right-of-way for widening 200 East from 1350 to 1800 North, sponsored by North Logan. Joshua Molitor asked about a roundabout instead of a signal at 1000 North 600 West; Odd said one was considered but a recent fatality prompted faster action. No vote was required.

   • Grant$7.00 million to Cache County Council of Governments Expected county sales tax funding available for 2022 transportation projects. Paid from County sales tax

4. Item B · Budget

   Library Spanish-language materials grant, Resolution 22-28 (public hearing)

   Approved · 5-0

   The council appropriated a $1,500 state grant for Spanish-language library materials. Council Member Ernesto López thanked the council on behalf of the Hispanic community.

   • Grant$1,500 to State of Utah Spanish-language library materials. Paid from State grant

   Moved by Council Member Tom Jensen, seconded by Council Member Ernesto López. Vote: 5-0; the minutes say the motion carried unanimously, counted here as the 5 council members present

5. Item C · Annexation

   Property disconnection for MPI Group, Ordinance 22-15 (public hearing)

   Approved · 5-0 · 1525 West 2960 South

   The council approved disconnecting about 11.62 acres at 1525 West 2960 South from the city. No one spoke.

   • Applicant: MPI Group
   • Acres: about 11.62

   Moved by Council Member Amy Anderson, seconded by Council Member Mark Anderson. Vote: 5-0; the minutes say the motion carried unanimously, counted here as the 5 council members present

6. Item D · Contract

   Steel Solar 1B transaction schedule, Resolution 22-30

   Approved · 5-0

   Light and Power Director Mark Montgomery said the project price rose from about $23 to $34.66 per megawatt-hour on a 25-year flat price with no battery surcharge, with commercial operation in September 2023 and no later than June 2024. The council approved the schedule.

   • ContractAmount not given to Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems Steel Solar 1B power at $34.66 per MWh, 25-year flat price. Paid from Light and Power

   Moved by Council Member Ernesto López, seconded by Council Member Amy Anderson. Vote: 5-0; the minutes say the motion carried unanimously, counted here as the 5 council members present

   Follow UAMPS solar power purchases (Steel Solar 1B and Red Mesa) in the development tracker →

7. Taxes and fees

   Light and Power rates and connection fees, Resolution 22-32 (workshop)

   Discussed

   Montgomery proposed higher connection fees because material costs rose an average of 62 percent and a 30 percent across-the-board increase reflecting wages and equipment. Action was set for August 2.

8. Other

   Energy incentive program, Resolution 22-34 (workshop)

   Discussed

   Resource coordinator Emily Malik described residential rebates for beneficial electrification, including a smart thermostat raised from $25 to $50, $200 for a heat pump dryer, $100 for an induction cooktop, $550 for a heat pump water heater and $600 to $1,300 for a ductless mini-split, limited to existing homes, replacements and four per customer per year. Action was set for August 2.

9. Taxes and fees

   Annexation fee, Resolution 22-29 (workshop)

   Discussed

   DeSimone proposed a $350 base annexation fee plus $25 an acre for the first 50 acres and $10 an acre after. Legal notices cost about $450 to $500 and mailings $200 to $300. Action was set for August 2.

10. City code

    Mobile food vendors, Ordinance 22-17 (workshop)

    Discussed

    DeSimone said state rules now let one business license cover multiple jurisdictions and the amendment clarifies where vendors may operate; residential operation requires a special event permit. Action was set for August 2.

11. Zoning

    Ville 364 rezone, Ordinance 22-16 (workshop)

    Discussed · 364 South Main (also given as 354 South Main)

    Planner Russ Holley presented a request to rezone two parcels totaling 1.32 acres on South Main (the minutes give both 364 and 354 South Main) from Commercial to Town Center 1 to convert a 1980s motel into 64 residential units, with no new construction. The Planning Commission voted 6-0 on June 23 to recommend approval and no neighbor comments were received. Chair Simmonds worried about spot zoning, citing Herm's Inn and Island Market as similar cases; Amy Anderson supported it because of affordable housing needs. Action was set for August 2.

    • Current zone to proposed: Commercial to Town Center 1
    • Acres: 1.32; units: 64
    • Planning Commission: recommended approval 6-0, June 23, 2022

    Follow Ville 364 rezone (364 South Main) in the development tracker →

12. Budget

    Budget adjustments, Resolution 22-33 (workshop)

    Discussed

    Finance Director Richard Anderson listed donations and grants including $128,021 in RAPZ funds for fireworks and park work, RAPZ grants of $140,000 for the Willow Park Sports Complex, $209,000 for a Woodruff neighborhood park on 200 South and $50,000 for the Logan River bridge and trail link, an $85,000 state drug task force grant and $40,000 in wellness funds. Action was set for August 2.

    • Grant$140,000 Willow Park Sports Complex. Paid from RAPZ grant
    • Grant$209,000 Woodruff neighborhood park, 200 South. Paid from RAPZ grant
    • Grant$50,000 Logan River bridge and trail link. Paid from RAPZ grant
    • Grant$85,000 to State of Utah Police drug task force. Paid from State grant

13. Roads and utilities

    American Rescue Plan funds for East-West sewer line, Resolution 22-31 (workshop)

    Discussed

    Anderson proposed shifting $3,806,781 in American Rescue Plan funds, previously appropriated to a water storage project that ran into grant timing issues, to the East-West sewer line, estimated at over $4 million. The existing trunk segments were built in 1915 and 1918. Action was set for August 2.

    • Budget$3.81 million East-West sewer line replacement. Paid from American Rescue Plan Act

What residents said

Winter parking restrictionsRoundabout versus signal at 1000 North 600 WestPower rate increase

No non-agenda public comment recorded.