Scouts Denied Bike Race Permit

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. May 1, 2013.  Jason Eborn, a representative of the Trapper Tails Scout Council, asked the Rich County Commissioners to approve the Scouts “Bike the Bear” event.  It is scheduled for August 16-17 and would begin at the LDS Church Building in Garden City.  The scouts would ride their bicycles around the lake on the Utah side to a 25 mile marker, then turn and come back to Garden City.   

The Commissioners informed  Eborn that there was a safety issue when  bikers are going both directions at once, especially on the east side of the lake where the road is so narrow.  They noted that the dates were during the busy season which meant there is a great deal more traffic that normal and makes it an even greater danger for the individuals on bicycles.  They would be glad to approve the activity if it was moved to May or September, but they could not approve the activity in August.

Eborn noted that he had 100 volunteers to help, that at least 1/3 of the riders were serious about bicycling, he would have trained and certified flaggers, and so forth.  They would make the event as safe as possible.  The Commissioners said it still couldn’t be approved for that date.

Eborn said he would go back to the Scout committee and report that the activity could not be held in August.  He said he would ask that it be pushed into September and would let the commission know of their decision.

Mountain Men Rendezvous

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah. May 1, 3013.  Lee Johnson of the Bear Lake Rendezvous met with the County Commission.  He wants to begin a tradition of holding a Mountain Man Rendezvous in the Meadowville area.  Plans are underway for the activity to be held this coming August 22-25.  The public is invited, and those putting on the activity will set up their booths and so forth prior to the 22^nd.   There will be activities every day all day long.   

Johnson noted that he has had 30 years of experience working with the Ft. Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous.  Ft. Bridger holds their activity for four days and has about 10,000 people there each day.  However, this activity has grown almost too much.  The county there no longer feels it can handle the needed sanitation issues, and the city feels there are too many people everywhere.  He feels that event is on the decline and would like to start a new tradition here in Rich County just west of where the original Rendezvous was held in 1827. 

The Rendezvous Committee sponsors this event as non profit .  Because it is non profit and the costs of the activity are escalating, Mr. Johnson asked that the County wave the $500 fee for this year to help in getting this event started.   

Mr. Johnson reported that the event is really pretty self-contained.  They have their own security, it is a family oriented event, and it will be held on the north side of Big Creek with plenty of parking.  They have estimated that this first year will draw about 500 - 1,000 people.  Arrangements have been made for a shooting range on the hillside close by which will be carefully controlled and safe.

Forest Service Road Contract and Work

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah. May 1, 2013. Jennifer Parker of the Forest Service, Ron Lance, a landscape architect, and Kim Martin, a Forest Engineer, met with the  Rich County Commission.  They reported on the meeting that had been held the day before dealing with the Overlook above Garden City.  The original plans for that facility had been changed, and these individuals felt that the original plan needed to be revisited and some changes made to accommodate more visitors, to try and use less water,  and plant vegetation that will grow easily in that area. 

A road contract between the county and the Forest Service had been drawn up.  The contract was for a ten-year period and would include three roads each year.  There would be a schedule that would be reviewed annually listing the roads that would be worked on and maintained for that year.  Roads would be deleted and added as needed with signatures and dates put on the schedule.  That way those areas needing the most attention could be brought to the front each year and allow for flexibility in keeping and maintaining those areas that need work done on them. 

UDOT is going to put up a snow fence by the snowmobile tunnel at the top of Logan Canyon.  The tunnel has been filling with snow and not usable.  The snow fence should help until natural trees and plants are placed in the right location and grown big enough to provide for a long-term fix for this problem.   

There is an International Forestry Convention scheduled for October 2014.  The convention usually includes several field trips to see various areas.  Northern Utah is on the calendar for some of the tours for this upcoming convention.

County Building Remodel

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah. May 1, 2013. Jon Nichol reported to the Commission on the remodeling that is being done on the County Building.  The window wells were opened.  One in the front is deep and could be a place where someone could hide.  It could compromise the jail.  In addition, there needs to be an egress from the sheriff’s office through one of the windows.  That window could have a grate placed on it that could only be opened from the inside if escape through there were ever necessary.  Currently, none of the windows meet code.  

Water issues and mold have all been taken care of.  The rain gutter system works quite well and is adequate.  There are some repairs that need to be made on it in two separate places.  All of the down spouts need to be replaced and either a heat coil system with a separate switch or heat tape will be used to keep gutters and down spouts open.    

The foundation looks good.  The window wells need to be filled and planted over.  Any soil next to the building needs to slope away from the building for better drainage. 

Nichol estimated that about $1,500 would be needed for plants and shrubs.  He suggested some plants that hold their form and do not require a great deal of maintenance. Those for under the windows only grow to about three feet in height.  The others between the windows grow much taller. 

A new sprinkler system needs to be installed.  Separate bids will be obtained for that.  The county can either use local companies or go to Home Depot or Lowes for what they need.  Some top soil will need to be brought in and will cost about $240 a load. 

Mr. Nichol was asked to write up his comments and plans and get them to the commission so they can look them over and make some decisions.

First Sails

First Sails
Photo by Laurieann Wakefield

Plans For The Overlook

Reported by Bess Huefner

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  April 30, 2013.  Garden City council members, Brian House and Bess Huefner met with officials from USFS, UDOT, Rich County Tourism (Melinda Hislop, & Don Hunt), the management of rest areas, and Wayne Earley from the State Parks, at the Overlook for a discussion about the use and future of the Overlook.

 

The group learned that there had been questions on how the use of the overlook had strayed from the original design. Originally, the use was just to be in the summer and fall.   However, there are enough people stopping in the winter that perhaps the facility should be open and manned year round.  Also, vegetation had changed from the original design of xeriscaping for high mountain deserts. 

During the discussion the group was informed that in order to keep the Overlook safe for future use, the original agreements may need to change. 

Jennefer Parker, from the USFS, suggested that the group meet again, review the original plans, and see what is now needed at the Overlook. 

Suggestions were made to change the urinals to flushless ones, to encourage bus companies to just stop for the view and then go on to Garden City to use facilities there and perhaps shop. The group was told that the mountain vegetation just did not take root and grow and had been replaced with plants that are now surviving.

 

New Businesses Approved In P & Z Meeting

Randall Knight, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 1, 2013. The Planning and Zoning meeting was held as scheduled at 5:00 PM on the first Wednesday of the month.  The board members in attendance were: Lance Bourne (chair), Mike Schiess, Dallas Solom, Nate Gracey, Chuck Stockings and Jim Wood.  The following member was absent: Dwayne Gifford 

The first topic discussed was the Parking and Architectural Standards for Epic Recreation for a business to rent watercraft and off-road vehicles located at 201 N. Bear Lake Blvd.  The business will be located in the Berry Bowl building.  Lance stated he did not have any concerns with their business plan.  Lance pointed out that there is a parking ordinance requiring 1 in every 10 parking stalls to be for oversized vehicles but that shouldn’t be a problem at that location.  The other board members agreed.

The next topic discussed was the plan proposed by Epic Recreation for a business at 200 N. 160 W for the rental/repair of watercraft, UTV’s, etc.  This business will be located in one of the buildings West of Vic’s Hardware.  The board had no concerns with this proposal as well.  The Epic representative stated the business would be open year round and they will work with the Beaver Creek Lodge snowmobile rental during the winter months.

The next topic addressed oversized parking for restaurants.  Lance stated he thinks it would be an over burden to require the restaurants to have oversized parking.  The board agreed this requirement should be limited to only businesses with overnight parking because the impact to the traffic would be for a longer period of time.  Mike shared his concern with the city making concessions for the current businesses and new proposed businesses instead of trying to move the oversized parking locations and eventually new businesses off Hwy 89/30 and onto 300 W.  The Mayor pointed out the city has invested a lot of money and effort to provide more parking at 75 North hoping people will start parking there and walk to the shopping and eating establishments.  Dallas stated his concern with the state not working with the city to help rectify the parking problem along the highway before somebody is injured or killed while trying to cross the road; especially near the Bear Trapper, and City Park.  This sparked a long discussion on how the city has been trying to get the state to reduce the speed limit and work with the city on the parking issue along Hwy 89/30 during the busy season. The board decided to table the discussion to the August meeting.

The Mayor shared the discussion held during a Fire Board public meeting pertaining to short term rentals and inspections.  He recommended the P&Z board start working with the city to identify the various residential areas that favor short term rental and those that don’t, so authorized zones can be setup.  That way when a person applies for a short term rental business license the City Administrator’s will be able to determine if the requesting party lives in an authorized zone or not.  The board thought it was a great idea and asked for a list of the HOA’s and private owners who are interested in short term rental, so they can discuss the topic in more detail at the next meeting.  The Mayor pointed out that currently the city is obligated to issue a license to whoever requests one and then that party has to work within their HOA with any issues that arise.

Lance stated that Sunrise Resort has decided to put their business on hold at Harbor Village.

Mike shared a discussion he had with the city of Richfield in regard to their ATV jamboree and how they handle the OHV traffic.  He was told they use directional signs to help control the areas where the ATV’s can and cannot go.  The signs have proved to be great help in organizing the various rides offered and how to access the various trail heads from within the city.  He was asked to put together a plan and identify the number of signs that would be required to provide directional signs to the various authorized ATV trails accessible from the city.

Dallas pointed out there are parking spaces painted along a road in Snow Meadows that restricts the width of the road to emergency vehicles.  The Mayor said this had already been brought to his attention and the Fire Chief is going to measure the width of the by-pass to determine if the 21 foot requirement is met and notify the city of his findings.

Subway Sandwich was given approval by the Variance Committee to proceed with their effort to get a business license if a couple of minor things are rectified in the Texaco service station.  The Mayor stated he was pleased with the processes and the way the affected groups followed them.

Chuck pointed out that SB153 Local Government Amendments were changed and signed into law by the Governor last March.  So the city needs to review the changes to see how they will impact their current ordinances for new developers.

New County Treasurer

Lou Jean Argyle

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich County Times

 

RANDOLPH, Utah. May 1, 2013. Lou Jean M. Argyle was sworn into office as the new County Treasurer by County Clerk, Becky Peart.  Argyle has worked in that office and is looking forward to new opportunities and challenges with this job change.  Everyone wishes her the best in her new position. 

A Retirement Party was held for Ruth Smith at the County Building during the County Commissioners’ Meeting.  Many members from the community as well as those co-workers who work for the County were present to wish Ruth Smith well in her future endeavors.  She and her husband have received an LDS mission call to serve in Budapest, Hungary.  They will be leaving for that area in July. 

UDOT Update To County Commission

Reported by Bess Huefner

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. April 30, 2013.  UDOT held their annual local government visit at the Rich County Courthouse.

Their presentation included “Zero Fatalities”, a UDOT program to reach out to people throughout Utah to be more aware of their driving distractions. They will present the program to the Rich County High School.

They reviewed the New Federal Transportation Bill (MAP 21) and how it impacts funding and programs in Utah. The “Buy America” program was reviewed, and despite the extra cost to us, Garden City will be able to use the book prepared by Sunrise Engineering to prove that our restroom was built  following the correct procedures.

There was information about Flexible Match Programs, Transportation Alternative Programs (may be used for trails), Highway Safety Improvement Programs (the county would need data of accidents to use this one), and the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) which is road, school and other programs.

Updates on various UDOT Local Government Programs were presented. B&C Road Funds, State Infrastructure Bank (the City could get a loan for several million for .05 interest to use as a match for anything to do with roads), and Funds Exchange Programs (an interesting way to get around “Buy America”). Garden City will need to conform to “Buy America” when 3^rd West monies come through.

Kris Petersen (Region 1 Director) answered questions about signs, road shouldering, and chip seal partnering. The State will be chip sealing from the Logan Road Bear Lake Blvd. intersection to the Idaho line this summer. The question was asked if that would be during Raspberry Days. They said perhaps……(They were teasing). If Garden City needed any place chip sealed, the City could partner with them.  Riley Argyle and Bess Huefner are thinking that slurry is the best way to go for now.  The question was posed if the City should ask for curb and gutter while the State is chip sealing.  The City representative was told the city would have to pay for it.

Peterson also talked about the “Flexible soft match” of donated land, reminding Garden City to always write up a MOU (memorandum of understanding) about the land being priced at fair market dollars. Garden City has been doing this.

Those in attendance learned that there are several ways to say “use of money for roads”. One is called “Betterment” but Bess Huefner, Garden City Council, noted that she really don’t know how it works.

Peterson asked that the City send a letter to Darin Fristrup asking for the brown fishing signs. The state will put them up in about six weeks. He also asked that the City request permission through a letter to use the orange flags that were put up last year.  The City needs to write a letter showing that the City completed “Buy America” when completing the bathrooms.  The State will then put up the bathroom information signs.

Peterson also thought that UDOT had sprayed US 89 & SR 30 roadsides with broadleaf, but Council Member Huefner  will double check that item.

It looks like crosswalks are out until the City has accident data. The City may replace the sidewalks without UDOT’s ROW permission. The City may blade the ditch that runs along US 89 from the cemetery to 1^st West.

Council Member Huefner will work on a drainage plan for the bike path to present to UDOT for approval and next fall perhaps Danny and Council Member Huefner could work on a Safety Corridor Plan for Transportation.

Needles and Leaves

By Jennifer Huefner

THREE WAYS TO WIN A 6' COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE TREE:

This spring the Garden Center at Bear Lake Landscape has expanded it's store space. Why haul from the city what you can get right here locally in the Bear Lake Valley? If you expect to find something at a garden center, we have it right here! No need to tuck the chemicals and plants in around your groceries from the city. We also pride ourselves in having as good or better prices than the big city stores offer. Come in and check us out for yourself.

 

 1. Just for coming in you can enter a drawing to win a 6' spruce tree.

Spring flowers are in with a 6-pack of pansies only $2.45. You really need to check out the new WAVE pansy, which is great for containers and hanging baskets. These pansies have thrived even in the cold weather we've been having.

If you'd like to PREVENT weeds this season in your driveway, vegetable garden, raspberry patch, or lawn, you'll find the right pre-emergent in our garden center.

Having problems with mice or other rodents? Our Motomco bait stations and poisons offer a safe way to eliminate rodents. My favorite way to trap spiders is with a sticky trap we sell. It quietly collects spiders so they can't find their way into your shoe or bed! EEWWWW! The spider that scares me the most is the Hobo. We've seen them inside our house now for the past five years, and the only way I sleep well at night is knowing I have sticky traps under my bed! I do suffer from arachnophobia, and if you do too, you won't want to go through another summer without our spider traps. They're only $5.32 for a 5-pack.

This is a great time of year to treat your trees and shrubs for iron deficiency. If the leaves or needles on your trees are yellow, they have an iron deficiency problem. We have plenty of iron in our soil, but some plants have a difficult time metabolizing iron in alkali soils. We have several products to reverse that problem so your plants can be green again. Ferriplus, Fertile Earth Humate, and Sulfur can help to balance the ph in your soil around your tree.

Vegetable and flower seeds, tools, bulk products, fire pit kits, yard decorations, and more are to be found inside our doors. For friendly service, knowledgeable staff, and great prices, why not give us a try? We hope to see you soon at the Bear Lake Landscape Garden Center! You can find us at 60 S. 300 W. in Garden City, just south from the Bear Lake Community Health Clinic. We are open Monday-Friday from 8am to 5pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm. Our number is 435-946-8244

2. For another chance to win the drawing for the spruce tree, sign up for our newsletter by clicking on this link. We share valuable information and interesting stories about yard care in the Bear Lake Valley about twice a month.

http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=cr4vl4lab&p=oi&m=1112375229986

3. For another chance to enter the drawing for the spruce tree, follow or like our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bear-Lake-Landscape/572955169383275

This year's shipments of trees and shrubs will be here for Memorial Day weekend. If you'd like to pre-order any specific kinds or sizes of trees or shrubs, give us a call.