Residents question $29.5 million water bond at hearing; council requires burying overhead power lines in new developments
July 28, 2020, 7:00 p.m. · Held electronically (COVID-19 emergency); anchor location for hearing at City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
At a required public hearing on American Fork's plan to issue up to $29.5 million in water revenue bonds, resident SuEllen Denison and 16 others submitted comments, many asking why older neighborhoods with roads damaged by earlier pressurized irrigation work are not being fixed first; staff said the bonds would be repaid with impact and development fees. The council also required developers to bury overhead utility lines next to their projects and approved the Savage Apartments/Parc on 5th Phase 2 site plan.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Public hearing on up to $29.5 million Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2020 | Discussed |
| Vacation of excess 200 South right-of-way, 1100 West to 1150 West | Approved · 5-0 |
| Savage Apartments/Parc on 5th Phase 2 site plan, 620 S. 600 East | Approved with conditions · 5-0 |
| Kirkham Place Plat A, 329 W. Main St. | Approved with conditions · 5-0 |
| Personnel policies manual amendments | Approved · 5-0 |
| Abandonment of pressurized service lines (Section 13.08.296) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Underground utilities requirement (Section 17.8.409) | Approved · 5-0 |
| Rocky Mountain Power easement at 275 E. 200 North | Approved · 5-0 |
| Closed session | No action · 5-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item Hearing · Budget
Public hearing on up to $29.5 million Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2020
Discussed
Hearing on issuing up to $29,500,000 in water revenue bonds and their economic impact. City Administrator David Bunker said the projects, discussed at the July 21 work session, are expected to be repaid through impact and development fees. Comments go to the state Division of Water Resources. No action was required.
- Bond$29.5 million
- Maximum principal: $29,500,000
- Water Revenue Bonds, Series 2020
Item 1 · Roads and utilities
Vacation of excess 200 South right-of-way, 1100 West to 1150 West
Approved · 5-0
Ordinance 2020-07-36 vacated city right-of-way on 200 South beyond the final road cross section and deeded it to the adjacent developer. Carroll asked why it was done before the cross section was final; staff said the layout would not change.
Item 2a · Development
Savage Apartments/Parc on 5th Phase 2 site plan, 620 S. 600 East
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Ordinance 2020-07-37 approved the site plan in the Planned Community zone; Barnes noted it provides 2.35 parking spaces per unit versus 2.25 required.
Item 2b · Subdivision
Kirkham Place Plat A, 329 W. Main St.
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Approved a one-lot plat at 329 W. Main St.
Item 3 · Other
Personnel policies manual amendments
Approved · 5-0
Ordinance 2020-07-38 adopted annual minor changes to the personnel policies and procedures manual.
Item 4 · City code
Abandonment of pressurized service lines (Section 13.08.296)
Approved · 5-0
Ordinance 2020-07-39 sets how property owners must abandon pressurized utility service lines, with "pressurized" added for clarity. Shelton asked that roads be properly repaired after such work.
Item 5 · City code
Underground utilities requirement (Section 17.8.409)
Approved · 5-0
Ordinance 2020-07-40 requires new developments to bury overhead power and telecommunications lines within or adjacent to their property, property line to property line, not just new lines. Public Works Director Scott Sensanbaugher said it will likely cost developers more.
Item 6 · Roads and utilities
Rocky Mountain Power easement at 275 E. 200 North
Approved · 5-0
Granted an easement for an existing power line (re-approved with revised language Aug. 25).
Item 7 · Other
Closed session
No action · 5-0
Closed session from 8:15 to 10:20 p.m. on litigation, real property and the professional competence of individuals; consultants Randy Sant, Todd Brightwell and Nick Dahl attended part of it.
What residents said
$29.5 million water bondRoads damaged by pressurized irrigation work in older neighborhoodsHigher water billsGrowth paid for by existing residents
SuEllen Denison, speaking for neighbors, asked how the city could justify spending on new growth areas while longtime residents' roads remain damaged from pressurized irrigation installation and their water bills rose; she asked council members to drive her neighborhood. Written comments on the bond were submitted by Alex Ellwood, Bern Houston, D. Kent Michie, David Garbe, Don and Diana Jensen, Donald Przybyla (Seven Cs), Fred Babbel, Jack Boden, Kathy Ann Smith, Kaye Houston, Marilyn Christensen, P. Lynette Anderson, Reed Miller, Reese Johnson, SuEllen Denison and two anonymous residents, and will go to the state Division of Water Resources. No comment on the 200 South right-of-way vacation.