As the year winds down, the Price officials conducted the final regular city council meeting of 2002 last Wednesday with a number of routine items on the agenda.
The unfinished business the council tackled included addressing the continuing saga of the pigeon problem in downtown Price.
Councilman Don Reaveley reported that a letter is being drafted and will be sent to all landlord or building owners in the three block area the birds call home.
The letter addresses the problem the infestation of pigeons has caused in the downtown area.
The letter points out that the city has been working with Southeastern Utah Health District and has determined that the pigeons are a health risk to the citizens of the community.
The city will advertise for proposals from professional contractors engaged in remedying this type of problem.
The city is asking businesses for assistance in allowing the professionals to access the roof tops of the infested buildings.
However, in the meantime, it was reported that a private citizen has been granted permission by some building owners to capture the pigeons and use the birds in his falconry business.
Introducing an unrelated matter, Mayor Joe Piccolo reported on meetings in Salt Lake recently where he participated in the National League of Cities Congress.
The delegates attending the sessions discussed homeland security, the economy and key federal policies that can help local governments build strong, safe communities.
Juanita Richard, Patti Pierce and Virginia Jordan were issued visionary service leader awards by the Price council.
In addition, Gary Perea was awarded the Good Idea Award from the city for ingenuity in designing and construction of specialized equipment to lift concrete Jersey barricades.
Perea works in the street department and has been a city employee for more than 20 years.
Wilma Barnett reported to the council her idea of reducing the work week to four 10 hour days for some city departments.
Barnett researched several cities and agencies in Utah. She highlighted the efficiencies the cities and agencies have experienced by changing the hours.
The council decided to start the plan in February on a trial basis for selected departments and evaluate the effects the change has on the citizens and city.
Councilman Richard Tatton reported on progress of the city improvement near the Creek-view Mall area in west Price.
Recently, city work crews landscaped the area and added boulders along with decorative rocks in an effort to beautiful the entrance into Price.
Robert Finn appeared before Price city officials with a request to trim or cut down a tree that is blocking his business sign.
Formerly the Century Cafe and Cork’s Club, the business is currently being remodeled.
Finn plans on opening the business as a restaurant and sports bar. However, he explained to the council that the tree is growing too close to the sign and marquee at the site.
Following a discussion regarding the matter, Finn agreed to cover the expense of removing the tree.
Finn also agreed to pay the municipality, through the Price Shade Tree Commission, to plant six trees in another part of the city.
Staker Paving and Construction has completed the com-pany’s contract with the city by finishing the required paint striping on streets in Price.
The council members approved the payment of $10,650 to the construction company. The payment included a change order made necessary to adjust the contract reflecting as-built quantities.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Kourianos reported on the Cultural Connection’s work with the city’s youth council.
Kourianos also summarized the recent Prescott College performance at the Price Civic Auditorium.
Addressing an unrelated Price city matter, the council members revisted the storage unit situation and asked several questions in determining the direction that should be taken.
Basically, the council is looking at the units some businesses are utilizing for additional storage.
Originally, a draft was prepared to change the city’s ordinance and give businesses either 30 or 60 days to get rid of the units, which could be construed as eye sores.
In the discussion at last week’s public meeting, the council looked at the units as necessary buildings or community eye sores. They also discussed what other alternatives businesses would have and are these units permanent or temporary.
The council decided to invite specific businesses to meet with city officials before any action is taken.
During the last couple of months, Lt. Ed Shook of the police department and Jeff Richens of the Price River Water Improvment District have been working out the details in an agreement between the city and PRWID.
Under the agreement, Price city would be able to use the communications tower located on PRWID’s property.
Price needed space on the tower to enable a new communications system to work properly and PRWID was willing to allow the city to use the tower.
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