Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  July 10, 2014. Robert and Deborah Chandler appeared before the Council asking to be given a business license to run a small equipment rental business.  It will be located at 200 North and 220 West.  The name of the business is Bear Bottom Equipment Rental.  They indicated they had paint sprayers, pressure washers, and so forth.  They will erect a 6’ privacy fence and do quite a bit of landscaping.  They are community minded and have supported the polar plunge for the last two or three years.  They have similar businesses in two other states.  They have applied for a sales tax number.  The business license was granted upon receipt of their sales tax number.

A short term rental was given a license.  The home is owned by Scott Gordon, 970 Harbor Village #3 and will be managed by Bear Lake Lodging.

Fire Chief Wahlberg reported that the 4^th of July Celebration was great.  There were lots of fireworks, and everyone seemed to really enjoy the evening.  He noted that people had been directed toward the City Park or the City’s parking lot just north of the Church. Council Member Bess Huefner noted that there was a lot of trash and garbage that was left at both of those locations.  It took quite a bit of time and effort to clean up after the celebration and asked if in the future people could be asked to clean up after themselves.

Chief Wahlberg noted that there may be some fire restrictions put in place in the near future.  Many parts of the State are getting very dry and the State may impose some restrictions.

Bruce Warner reported that there is enough water at Shundahi.  He noted that impact fees don’t have to be paid all at once, but as the homes are completed.  The City will need to provide service in that area and money to take care of the tank will be required.  He noted that 750,000 gallon capacity will be needed for that subdivision.

Warner noted that the most important thing that needs to be considered in making sure the beaches are in good shape.  The lake is the City’s greatest asset and needs to be taken care of. 

Warner has been looking into the various licenses that most Cities have.  He felt there could be various licenses available according to a list of categories.  Specific requirements and regulations could be available to business owners so that they could take care of all the requirements, and be able to apply and obtain a license at any time instead of having to come before the City Council.  Currently business owners only have the option of applying prior to a Council Meeting in order to obtain the required license.  Mayor Spuhler told Warner to continue to look into this possibility, especially if it would expedite paperwork and be more efficient over the internet.

Currently owners of several lots can encumber these lots putting them together thereby doing away with water fees for each individual plot and pay a much smaller water fee.  It costs $250 to encumber a number of adjacent lots.  If the owner has the opportunity to sell a lot, all of the lots have to be unencumbered at the same cost of $250.  There is also a $40 recording fee.   Then, after the sale, if the owner wants to take advantage of the lower water bill in the future, he must again pay the $250 fee to encumber the remaining lots again. 

Some property owners would like to do away with some of these costs.  However, over time, many individuals who have bought properties as an investment have actually saved thousands of dollars over the last two or three years with the lower water fees.  Mayor Spuhler noted that perhaps the City’s attorney could come up with a better idea.  He suggested that the attorney be given an opportunity to make some suggestions to handle this situation.  Meanwhile the City will proceed as they have in the past.

Chuck Stocking reported that the pool and spa required a new pump and are now back up and running.  Chuck noted that he had done some research for the purchase and storage of chlorine and hydrochloric acid.  Currently they are stored inside the building; and, as a result, the walls and area where they are stored are actually deteriorating.  The suggestion was made to store the drums of these chemicals outside by the propane tank.  A fence could be built around that area.  The fumes would be outside which would do away with the problems within the building.  Also, there is a company that will deliver the 55 gallon drums on a regular basis at a cost less than what the City is currently paying.  This would save money and be much safer.  He was told by the Council to move forward with these changes.

Darrin Pugmire reported that the 3^rd West road needs to be graveled and made travelable this fall.  There is no reason to let things continue to drag on.  He noted that there has been some complaint about dust down 150 South.  Bess Huefner said that it would be possible to use mag water in that area which would probably help.

Several people have noted that the beach at 150 South is gooey and covered with deer flies.  People are also getting stuck in the soft wet areas.  Mayor Spuhler noted that people had been complaining that they couldn’t go down this street and requested that the lane be opened up.  Now that it is opened, they are complaining that it is not a perfect spot to swim.  Mayor Spuhler said that the water subs from the canal.  That adds to the problems and doesn’t allow the beach to dry up as most people desire.  He noted that the canal would be shut off soon so that the beaches could dry out and be more inviting to the visitors.

Mayor Spuhler reported on the lawsuit that was presented in Court on July 9 in the Rich County Court House.  He felt the information presented to the judge was clear and concise.  He felt the City is in a good situation.  The judge will make a ruling on the facts presented in the next 60 days.

Mayor Spuhler noted that the results of the sound tests for the gun range were better than expected.  He was pleased with the findings there.

Spuhler also noted that he has set up a meeting with sovereign lands concerning the jetty concept.  He wants to explain to them the problems that arise when all the boats head back to the harbor when the wind comes up or there is a problem on the lake.  He feels something needs to be done and that the proposed jetty would solve some of the launching problems that currently exist.

Kathy Hislop noted that the budget will need to be opened in one of the upcoming Council meetings to transfer funds into the park budget.  She noted that bids have been requested and the amount of money to be transferred will depend on the bid prices that come in.