City Makes Plans For Summer

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. March 13, 2014.  Zan Murray, Garden City engineer, reported that the water plan presented by Fred Philpot, water consultant, needs to be approved by the Council.  It then needs to be filed with the State and get their approval.  He noted that Cindy Gooch was still working on the Tiger Grant.  He asked if Council Member Bess Huefner had all of the needed support letters.  They will be needed when the grant is again submitted.

The City will be getting about $500,000 from the state for parking and lake access.  The number was originally $750,000 but $250,000 is to go to sovereign lands and the County.  The funds have been targeted specifically for development of 150 South and lake access through the City Park.  Design for 150 South is about ready so that decisions can be made about impacts on neighbors, natural springs, and so forth.  If possible, development on the east side of 75 North also needs to be improved.  Murray noted that he and Council Member Darrin Pugmire will work on what Danny White has put together for 75 North.  It was also mentioned that the problem of getting people to and from the beach needs to be considered.

Gary Cox then reported on work he has been doing.  He has been working on the city budget.  He congratulated the City on the refinancing that was done this winter.  It will save the City a tremendous amount of money in interest expense.  He has also been looking into the water system, and the problems and costs involved there. 

He noted that the kiosk needs to be completed.  Some electronic devices will probably be placed there that will assist people in finding addresses and advertising businesses within the City.  A possible shuttle service is being considered, and he has been working on several possibilities there.

He is reading the ordinances to become more familiar with them.  He is the ordinance enforcement officer for the City and wants to understand and know where enforcement may be needed.  He had been to the Chamber of Commerce meeting.  They are working on the City’s signage ordinance.  Mayor Spuhler noted that he hoped they will continue to do that and make it easier to enforce and understand.

Apparently the Planning and Zoning Committee are working on a nuisance ordinance and other ordinances that will help beautify the City.  He is willing to work with them in attempting to make certain areas of the City more in line with the City’s name.

The City will be getting ride of the cattle guards that have been in place and remove some of the gates to give greater lake access.  He is interested in the quagga mussel problem and is willing to help there.  A new ad campaign to make people more aware of this issue might help in getting people to be more careful with their water craft as they go from one body of water to another.

Cox is very interested in the shuttle idea.  He thinks it will encourage people to stop and stay longer in the community if they could park and ride to the lakeshore.  He feels the parking additions will really help the city.

He noted that Planning and Zoning are working on a height ordinance that would allow buildings over 35’.  Right now they are looking at some areas west on Paradise Parkway north of the city offices.

He has been working on more ads and advertising to get people better acquainted with the Garden City area. 

George Peart, building inspector, reported that there have been three building permits already issued this month—two are on Cherimoya.  He noted that two more homes are going into Eagle Feather.  Planning and Zoning are working on ordinances and seem to be moving forward. 

Council Member Chuck Stocking asked George how the County determined primary and secondary residences.  He noted that he has lived in the Garden City for about six years and has been paying taxes on his home that was listed as a secondary home.  He didn’t realize there was a difference.  Just because someone builds a home in Garden City doesn’t mean it is secondary.  When you are new in the area, you don’t understand the differences between these two items and assume the County does their homework.  It appears, however, that everything in Garden City is secondary unless they can prove otherwise.  He asked if Peart could help the County be more accurate in their decisions and tax collection policy.