Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. September 12, 2013. Statewide Paving & Elite Paving requested a permit to conduct an asphalt paving and seal coat paving business company in Garden City.  The main location is in Logan, Utah.  Don Stanley and Jerry Litzrovich are the owners making this request.  The Council approved this request. 

The Special Event Permit is currently very cumbersome.  Garden City needs to be able to control its permitting process.  Turning everything over to the Bear Lake Regional Commission should not be done.  However, communication among the various agencies concerning events that go across state, county and city limits is needed.  Kathy Hislop was asked to meet with Mitch Poulsen to see if the permit form could be streamlined.

The tourism grant request needs to be submitted soon.  It was suggested that perhaps the money could be used to pipe water down third West or create a sidewalk to Third West or perhaps even create a bike path along that street. It was noted that the city owns nine tenths of an acre of property along the current trail.  The property is not buildable, but could be graded into a trail head for snowmobiles.  It is located just below Walentine’s property.  Of course, these are just ideas and if they are turned down, the City could ask for money for more lights. 

The City needs three judges for the election November 5.  A notice has been posted.  Hopefully enough people will apply that the decision can be made at next month’s meeting on who will be chosen to serve in this position. 

Council member Pat Argyle reported on Heritage Days.  She suggested that the dates be changed to earlier in the summer or get more people involved to help with the activities.  She especially encouraged the Council to consider the time.  

Andy Stokes noted that if the City discontinues Heritage Days, they will loose the connection they currently have with the Browning Family.  They have been generous in providing guns for Heritage Days and would perhaps be willing to donate to other things needed by the City.  He felt this connection needs to be maintained. 

Pat also noted that the swimming pool could be more actively used.  She suggested that there be a game night or some other activities that would bring more people out.  Because of the uniqueness of our Community, as the City grows, more and more volunteers will be needed to just maintain the current level of service provided.  Hopefully more and more citizens will step up to the plate and volunteer to assist in the various activities that are held by the City.

 

Council member Bess Huefner reported on Raspberry Days.  She noted that expenses were about $30,000 and revenue was $43,700.  That leaves $13,700 to go back into the General Fund.  Advertising the fireworks was not well done this year.  The brochure was printed early enough that they used the location from the past.  This year, the lake had not gone down far enough by that date and had to be moved to Ideal Beach.  It was suggested that the advertising of the fireworks note that the location will be given out closer to the actual event.  The Sheriff’s report was not yet available.  Also, it was suggested that the entertainment costs be less in future years.  It seemed to be rather expensive. 

There is a meeting concerning sovereign lands during this next week.  Mayor John Spuhler will be in attendance at that meeting.  There are several issues that need to be resolved.  The lease of these lands within the City limits needs to be renewed.  Also, new laws went into effect this past summer without enough time and communication for everyone to be on the same page.

The City Center is going to be used for Zumba lessons and will be sponsored by the City.  They will be held twice a week at $20 per family per month.  Hopefully, lots of people will come and participate.  The lessons will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.  

Council member Darrin Pugmire reported that he had contact Jim Stone.  Side by side vehicles were being rented from his location.  However, Jim was not the owner.  He was allowing someone else to use this location.  This does not fit with the current ordinances.  Also, there has been a problem at the Pickleville Playhouse with the bikes and paddle board rentals.  The City needs to follow up on these issues. 

There is the possibility of getting a trolley to carry people down to the beaches.  This would make it possible especially for handicapped people to enjoy the beach as well as everyone else.  Several Council members noted that having the trolley go from the Idaho line to Rendezvous Beach would be a super transportation option that would perhaps help people to go from the beach to the restaurants and back to the beach easily thus, helping the local businesses.