Results of Francis City Council Meeting
Although we didnt get the commitment or answer we wanted from the Mayor, we WILL get much press of last nights meeting, in particular the sewer issue.
Feeling pressured to allow law-required public input on the sewer issue, Mayor Bergen did acknowledge Mr. Kit Burton, who had previously sent a letter to request an explanation as to why public input has not happened. There were some tense exchanges between the two and although we believe Mr Burton got their attention, the issue of public input was side-stepped altogether and a commitment to include the public at any time soon did not happen. Greg Averett (running for re-election) was the only council member who commented saying he agreed with some of Mr Burtons comments in his letter and that the public should be included. A round of applause ensued. (A campaigning stunt perhaps?) He also said there was a 'packet' of information on the sewer plant in question at a previous meeting to which resident Tal Adair spoke up to say: "YOU may have that info at your council table, but WE [the public] dont get to see it". Then Town Clerk Lynette Hallam, who's husband is a council member, said: "If you want to see anything, all you have to do is come into my office and request it." That brought an uproar from the public, collectively claiming that we shouldn't HAVE to REQUEST it...it should be MADE AVAILABLE at the meetings. She rebutted: "We cant make copies for everyone" to which we all replied: "WHY NOT?"
The Mayor then turned the discussion to the lawyer asking for confirmation that their efforts so far have been legal...(which is STILL debatable). Mayor Bergen cleverly asked the town attorney (in front of public and press) "Have we done anything illegal?" putting the town attorney in the hot seat. What was he suppose to say? YES - and face disbarment? After his [safe] reply, the Mayor IMMEDIATELY moved onto the next Agenda item without closing the public input session...if it truly even was one. No one else got a chance to voice their opinion or comments, OR re-address the Mayors lack of commitment to law-required public input.
They also SKIPPED over 2 Agenda items; one curiously listed as "Rezoning Francis" which gives us much concern. So we all left scratching our heads with lots of follow-up work to be done including writing the Mayor and council members to ask - again - when he intends to include the public in the selection process of a new sewer system.
Orchestrated in advance, there were 3 reporters and a photographer at the meeting and were all given a copy of Mr Burtons letter to the Mayor and council. They recorded the meeting and took many notes and photos. Those stories/reports will begin airing on KPCW Wednesday and in this Saturday's Park Record, and next Friday's Summit County Bee. For more details on the sewer issue , Mr Burton can be reached at (435) 783-4029
We will most likely have to wait 2 months for the minutes as that has been the average time frame for turn-around for the Town Clerk to produce them. It was 3-4 months this summer!
Respectfully Yours,
Kristi Major
Francis Utah
Feeling pressured to allow law-required public input on the sewer issue, Mayor Bergen did acknowledge Mr. Kit Burton, who had previously sent a letter to request an explanation as to why public input has not happened. There were some tense exchanges between the two and although we believe Mr Burton got their attention, the issue of public input was side-stepped altogether and a commitment to include the public at any time soon did not happen. Greg Averett (running for re-election) was the only council member who commented saying he agreed with some of Mr Burtons comments in his letter and that the public should be included. A round of applause ensued. (A campaigning stunt perhaps?) He also said there was a 'packet' of information on the sewer plant in question at a previous meeting to which resident Tal Adair spoke up to say: "YOU may have that info at your council table, but WE [the public] dont get to see it". Then Town Clerk Lynette Hallam, who's husband is a council member, said: "If you want to see anything, all you have to do is come into my office and request it." That brought an uproar from the public, collectively claiming that we shouldn't HAVE to REQUEST it...it should be MADE AVAILABLE at the meetings. She rebutted: "We cant make copies for everyone" to which we all replied: "WHY NOT?"
The Mayor then turned the discussion to the lawyer asking for confirmation that their efforts so far have been legal...(which is STILL debatable). Mayor Bergen cleverly asked the town attorney (in front of public and press) "Have we done anything illegal?" putting the town attorney in the hot seat. What was he suppose to say? YES - and face disbarment? After his [safe] reply, the Mayor IMMEDIATELY moved onto the next Agenda item without closing the public input session...if it truly even was one. No one else got a chance to voice their opinion or comments, OR re-address the Mayors lack of commitment to law-required public input.
They also SKIPPED over 2 Agenda items; one curiously listed as "Rezoning Francis" which gives us much concern. So we all left scratching our heads with lots of follow-up work to be done including writing the Mayor and council members to ask - again - when he intends to include the public in the selection process of a new sewer system.
Orchestrated in advance, there were 3 reporters and a photographer at the meeting and were all given a copy of Mr Burtons letter to the Mayor and council. They recorded the meeting and took many notes and photos. Those stories/reports will begin airing on KPCW Wednesday and in this Saturday's Park Record, and next Friday's Summit County Bee. For more details on the sewer issue , Mr Burton can be reached at (435) 783-4029
We will most likely have to wait 2 months for the minutes as that has been the average time frame for turn-around for the Town Clerk to produce them. It was 3-4 months this summer!
Respectfully Yours,
Kristi Major
Francis Utah
posted by OakleyWeather.com at
8:33 PM
4 Comments:
Attention: Francis Residents!
You will NOT want to miss the next Town Council Meeting; Tues Oct 16th!
Unbeknown to most, $4million was allocated for a new sewer plan in last June's town Budget WITHOUT MENTION or REQUIRED PUBLIC DISCUSSION! No copies of the proposed budget were provided for the public at that meeting in order to review or comment on...yet the budget was adopted WITHOUT informed public comment or input.
Mr. Kit Burton has asked the Town Council/Mayor to put this item on the upcoming meeting's Agenda, requesting a full discussion and explanation of the selection process, building time-line and payment of the intended new sewer system.
As the Town's Temporary Land Use Ordinance (moratorium) expires this month, it is critical that the town be apprised of what has transpired in the past 6 months. Also, after the Novembers election, the "new" Town Council with will have to deal with this issue to its conclusion. This is a great opportunity to get up-to-speed on all the details. Mr. Burton has extensive history, records and knowledge on this subject.
It is up to the Mayor to put this issue on the Agenda, and is possible he will refuse. In any case, Mr. Burton is bringing copies of his letter to the Town Council for everyone to have.
Please come! This is a town-wide issue that will affect us for years to come!
Some of the issues at hand:
- No copies [of the budget] were available to those in attendance at the Budget meeting.
- No [verbal] mention of a $4million allocation for a new sewer system
- Copies were made available THE DAY AFTER the meeting (after the budget had been approved and passed to the State).
- Will financing be public or private? What sources have been considered?
- Has the Utah Department of Water Quality approved the technology of the chosen system?
- Where is the Information on the manufacturer?
- Is there any engineering reports describing the plant?
- How long would it take to bring the sewer on line? (time line of completion)
- What permits are required? What are those costs?
- Has this system been used elsewhere in the US? In Utah?
- What are those town's comments about the system? Good? Bad?
- What are the preliminary costs?
- Who are the vendors who will provide this technology and What is the bidding process?
- What financial impact will there be on the users?
- What long-term financial impact will there be on the town?
- Why hasn't the Mayor opened this up to the public for our input before moving so far along in the process?
Why do we have to ASK to be a part of our future???
RE: Lawyer
The Mayor was VERY clever in asking the lawyer (in front of public and press) "Are we doing anything illegal" wasnt he? He put the lawyer in a real spot because he COULDNT say YES YOU ARE...because he could be disbared (as leagl council to Francis, it would be his fault). So, because the lawyer had NO CHOICE, it went on record that NO, the council wasnt doing anything illegal. But that is STILL debateable and we are still pursuing it. (trying to find out the exact law that governs sewer selection. Could be State, Could be Federal)
But as you caught on...his answer was most definitely "legal-ese". He said "to the best of my ability" several times...I can just imagine someone using that line as an excuse after they were caught robbing a store: "Yes officer, I tried to the best of my ability not to rob that store" !!!!!
Kristi Major
Francis Utah
Kristi -
I do not know Greg Averett and know nothing about him. However, I was the one who lead the applause because I thought that he needed to know that a lot of people feel the way he does. It was simply a show of support, not a campaign stunt.
Now - if the city can afford to give $800.00 to support someone's 4-H pig (or lamb or whatever it was) why can't they afford to keep everyone in the community informed with printed material. According to Lynette Hallum, there are NO written guidelines for donations. The city can do what they want in that regard (as on most other issues).
The mayor seems to be very practiced in cutting off discussions in progress and totally going on to another subject without finishing the one he was on and also skipping over things on the agenda and then saying at a later date that it was on the agenda, even though there was never anything said about the subject.
We certainly cannot request anything from Ms. Hallum if we don't know what is going on and what we need to ask about. The sewer system is literally in the dark, as far as the public is concerned.
I do love the lawyer who states "To the best of my knowledge nothing illegal has been done'". His knowledge may be very limited.
Pat Hartsock
Good Comments Pat!
Oooops! When I was speaking of a campaigning stunt, I meant Greg playing to the crowd...not the crowd applauding. Remember he is running for election and knows he has competition. He seemed to be playing to the audience more than he usually does. That's why I made that comment. But I have LIKED HIM since the first time I went to a meeting. And still do. He really seems to be paying attention to issues and trying his darndest to contribute...which is more than I can say for the rest of the group!
Everyone agrees that the Mayor has bad manners. He is combative, short and rough allthe way around. Guess that's just his nature but sure doesnt make for warm-and-fuzzies does it?
I found out that items #4 and #5 were directly about Runaway Estates so since that issue was tabeled, the Mayor skipped over those. I guess we just didnt hear him say that.
Kristi
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