Garden City Council

By Kathie Anderson, Reporter

Rich County Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.   August 8, 2013.  Garden City Town Council Public Hearing.  A public discussion was held regarding Ordinance #13-10, allowing for random annual short term rental inspections and the enforcement of remedies, including suspending the short term rental license for immediate health hazards.  Joey Stocking, expressed concerns about the word “random”.  He contended that short term rental owners should have a specific date and time for a rental inspection so renters will not be disturbed or in any way feel threatened by having a “random” check of the premises.

He felt that unannounced inspections constitute an invasion of privacy.

However, Jim Kemp countered that letting the rental owners know of an impending investigation would defeat the entire purpose of the “random” ordinance.  People would prepare for the inspection, thereby hindering any misuse of the facility and searching for any safety hazards would become irrelevant.  Kemp suggested that once word would gets out about the random inspections, within a very short time, short term rental owners and renters will make every effort to stay in compliance with the safety and health ordinances required by Garden City.   Andy Stokes, the Garden City Code Officer, said he will be conscious of the renters and try not to invade their privacy.  

CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT 

Danny White, Garden City Administrator, has been working tirelessly on many projects for Garden City.  Working with Zan Murray and, Garden City Engineer, Riley Argyle, with Public Works, Andy Stokes, the Code Enforcement Officer, and the Town Council, White is working to make Bear Lake an even better place to live.  At present, White is concentrating on the Beach Access signs and the Bear Lake Gun Range projects.  An article by White relating to these two projects will be posted in an upcoming issue of the Rich County Times.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT 

               

 JUB Engineers, Inc. ran flow tests, pulled data logs from the big meters, and checked out the use of the Garden City GIS data.  New data logs have been pulled covering July 9^th to the present.  This project helps Garden City identify the needs of the City and water system master plan, especially during the summer months at the height of tourist season. 

 Fire Chief Dan Kurek used his airplane for an aerial view of Garden City during Raspberry Days which will enable UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) to better evaluate the impact and congestion of the streets during the summer months. 

 

Beach access signs:“Walk in only”- have been installed on 150 South, 200 North, 75^th North, and at The Cottages.   More signs will be installed. 

Bear Lake Gun Range: The project to build a public gun range is in the conceptual phase.  Some PR money from the Division of Natural Resources for possibly including an archery range may be available to cover expenses.  The issues that are being discussed include the adequacy of bathroom facilities, noise minimization, topography issues, and the need to provide more information to area homeowners. 

The kiosk project bid has been awarded to Mike Madsen (MJM Construction).  The foundation is in, and the wood beams are on order. 

The Bear Lake Water Company well was investigated by Glen’s Electric camera.  The 34 foot deep well must be cleaned.  Negotiations for the work are underway.  Bear Lake Water Company is looking into possibly trading the well to Garden City.  Sweetwater needs water shares and Garden City needs water.  Both parties want a win win situation. 

Heritage Park & Pond:  New trees have been planted, working is progressing on the last of the ditch work, Steve Watterson has completed the work on the parking lot, windmill aeration has been completed, the bentonite clay has been installed, and the ramp has been completed.   

GIS Mapping of Garden City’s infrastructure is ongoing.  One hundred new points have been placed on the map.