Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. January 10, 2019.  Gary Teusher, Auditor, gave the report and approval of the Garden City Financial Report for the fiscal year of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, to include a single audit for Federal Funding.

Teuscher stated that the audit evidence was in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United State of America.

Financial highlights are as follows:  Total net position for the town increased by $1,139,489.  The total unrestricted net position for the town is increased by $284,975.  Total net position for governmental activities increased by $765,217.  Total net position for business-type activities increased by $376,271. 

The general fund budgetary highlights are as follows:  Revenues for the current year, exclusive of transfer and fund balance appropriations, were originally budgeted in the amount of $1,001,250.  Budgeted revenues were not amended during the year.  Actual revenues amounted to $1,843,100, which was $841,850 more than budgeted.  Expenditures for the current year, excluding transfers, were originally budgeted in the amount of $1,575,850.  This amount was amended in the final budget to $1,555,850.  Actual expenditures amounted to $1,243,762, which was $312,088 under the budgeted amount.

Economic factors and next year’s budgets and rates:  No significant economic changes that

would affect the town are expected for the next year.  Budgets have been set on essentially the same factors as the current year being reported.

Teuscher was asked about the 501C money account set up for the Friends of the Library.  This account receives donations to the library as well as rummage sales and a few other activities held by the library to raise money.  The Council wanted to know if this account needed to be audited or how it should be handled.  Teuscher said that as long as the amount of money in this fund is less than $50,000, the Library should be able to use these funds as they see fit.

A motion was made and approved to accept the financial report and single audit that was  reported in the meeting.

Ordinance #19-01 is an ordinance updating the sign requirements.  The decision was made to exempt directional signs.  Non-profit events must obtain a permit.  The sign for non-profit events can be put up two days prior to the activity.  The motion was made to accept these changes and passed.

Ordinance #19-02 is an ordinance updating the parking standards.   All regular parking spaces should be 9’ x 20’.  Short-term rental parking is 8’ x 18’.  A motion was made and passed to accept this ordinance.

Ordinance #19-03 is an ordinance updating architectural standards.  Rock should be placed on he font of any business building.  A minimum of 25 percent of the rock materials should be used on the front and/or to go up to the bottom of the windows was accepted.  The motion was made to accept this ordinance.

Ordinance #19-04 is an ordinance updating the tent definition.  A tent could stay up for ten consecutive days with the exception allowed by a Conditional Use Permit.  The motion was made and passed to accept these changes.

Ordinance #19-05 is an ordinance updating the restriction’s for parking on a street from November through April.  There have been some real problems so far this year.  People need to move the snow and park in the driveways or next to their home and not on the street.  A motion was made and passed to accept this ordinance.

Mayor Mike Leonhardt, Garden City, noted that the work meeting held the previous night went well.  Good things can come out of such an activity by getting ideas and discussing problems that may exist.  The city is going to research a suggestion about a “pillow tax”.  That particular tax may be fairer in dealing with numbers of individuals staying in a short-term rental than how the city is currently handling this issue.  Mayor Leonhardt also felt that proactive action needs to be taken in order to stay ahead of problems and issues that may occur in the town.  The Mayor would like to have another work meeting on Wednesday, February 13, at 5:30 p.m.

Pat Argyle, Councilwoman, reported on work being done concerning Raspberry Days.  Five hundred T-Shirts have a logo and will be ready soon.  John Lee is creating a web site for information about Raspberry Days.  Argyle is going to meet with Scott Grange to get help in getting Western activities ready that will be held during the activity.  Scott Tolentino,  Fisheries Biologist, will be getting fish for the fish pond.  Argyle reported that a bid will be up soon for a fence to be put up at the park.

Darrin Pugmire, Councilman, said he had nothing new to report concerning the extension of third west road going further south. 

Ken Hansen, Councilman, reported that he had been concerned about the Library Account.  However, since getting the information from the auditor, he feels everything will work out well.  There are new officers for the Library Board.  Rhonda Menlove is the President, Barbara Turnbull is the Vice President, and Natalie Ottley is the Secretary. 

Mayor Leonhardt reported that he will be talking to KUTV News about jumping in the lake and other things that will be of interest at Winterfest.  He will have an hour on KSL radio from 8 to 9 a.m. Monday morning 

The Mayor noted that there are several things going on in the City.  The City water project is moving forward.  Heritage Park rest rooms will be put out to bid next month.  The architect work for the stage at Heritage Park will be reviewed in the next couple of weeks. The City is also writing some draft agreements for protecting water rights.