Garden City Council Meeting Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, October 10, 2013. Travis Hobbs wants to start a business called Bear Lake Fishing Charters, LLC, which would allow him to operate a fishing charter company on Bear Lake.  The business would be housed at 6 Bear Lake Blvd. (Darin Pugmire’s business location).  Travis will have to get a captain’s license before he could operate this business with a motorized boat.  He is currently working on getting this license.  The Council approved this request with the stipulation that Travis get the necessary captain’s license. 

The conceptual and preliminary plat discussion/approval for phases 1-3C of the Water’s Edge Development, located at 50 South Bear Lake Blvd. was held.  It was noted that this project is a PUD (Planned Unit Development) which has different ordinances than a subdivision.  The Planning and Zoning Committee had used the subdivision ordinances in working with this project.  The P & Z required Norm Mecham request the variance committee hold a meeting.  He was told he would have to have permission from that board in order to build structures higher than the ordinance allowed as well as ask for fewer parking spaces than are currently required by the ordinances. 

Norm told the City Council that this subdivision is a PUD.  A PUD allows the developer to negotiate differences.  He had already discussed this when he presented the plans a couple of years ago and had agreed to buy the Fire District a truck that would allow fire protection for taller buildings.  He also felt that the parking lots could be arranged more attractively and safer if the City would consider that there would be shared use with the City in several areas of the PUD.  In other words, fewer parking spaces than currently required by a regular subdivision could be allowed. 

The area in question needs to be re-zoned prior to permission being granted.  It must be zoned as a PUD.  That means the adjacent land owners and the public need to be notified of a public hearing to consider re-zoning this property.  A 30-day notice is required for any re-zoning activities. 

Mayor Spuhler noted that there will be an impact on the City water system.  The PUD may be asked to pay for a loop water system for the Shundahi tank to help the City mitigate the amount of water this project will require.  This loop water system has been estimated to cost approximately $100,000.  Impact fees will not cover all of the impact this PUD will create. 

Norm was asked if he had checked with the County concerning sewer treatment and garbage disposal impacts that will result from this project.  Norm said the sewer people had already said they could handle the bigger load.  Apparently garbage has also agreed to this project. 

After a lengthy discussion dealing with the possibility of a water impact study, negotiation of building heights, the number of parking spaces required, re-zoning making this area a PUD, a sidewalk, swale, and turnaround on 150 West, a fire truck for the fire district, and easement agreements; it was decided that Norm should go back to P&Z next month to iron out these various items.  He then was asked to return to City Council after going to the P&Z meeting. 

A discussion was had concerning the newly adopted language for Ordinance #8-600 dealing with short term rentals.  It was noted that the word “random inspections during checkout and/or unoccupied times” was approved by the Council. 

A copy of the Garden City General Plan 2013 draft was handed out to the City Council members asking that they read the plan and make any suggestions that they feel will add to the document. 

A discussion concerning the Rich County Tourism Grant was held.  It was decided that any monies that were received would be put into parking lots allowing people to park and walk to the lake.  If the funds won’t stretch to asphalt parking, then gravel lots will be made and black-topped as money becomes available.  Mayor Spuhler reported that he has been working with the State and hopes to be able to get some funds from them to help with this project as well. 

The counting judges for the November 5 election are Susan House, Joan Acre, and Tammy Calder.  Anita Weston was asked to be an alternate if one is needed. 

Mike Knol, Emergency Services Specialist, from Bear River Health noted that he needs more volunteers from the Rich County area.  Currently there are only four in the County, and with Dan Kurek moving will leave only three.  He explained the purpose of having volunteers available so that if and when an emergency occurs, there are people who are available, trained, credentialed, and willing to assist.  Since Rich County has so few volunteers, he noted that volunteers from here can do almost everything required by using the computer and are asked to attend only one meeting a year.  He encouraged the City to get more volunteers available. 

The Council approved the Cultural Assessment for the 3^rd west EDA grant.  Cost will be about $3,000.  Approval was also given to purchase a new sweeper for the bike path, roads, and trails.  It will cost about $7,000.  The old sweeper is 13 years old and uses the backhoe.  The suggested new one will be used by the skidster making it much easier to use.  The Council asked that this new equipment be stored inside out of the weather. 

The date for this year’s Employee Christmas Party will be Friday January 10, 2014.  The annual public City Christmas Party will be on the first Saturday in December which is December 7. 

The City Council approved a new loan from Zions.  This should save the City approximately $324,000 in interest over the life of the loan.

Pat Argyle, Council Member, reported that the pool and library are doing well.  Darin Pugmire noted that a lady wanted to sell pumpkins.  He told her that she would need to have a business location.  Darin said that apparently he wasn’t very clear in explaining to her because she went and got some tables, painted a sign, and set them up in front of Lakeside Pizza without their permission.  He noted that he will follow up on this matter.  Brian House said that selling snowmobiles in front of the Texaco didn’t seem to fit with the license they have and asked that this matter be checked out.  It was noted that Bennion has applied to a business license.