Garden City Council Meeting Notes

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, September 11, 2014.  Dr. Mary Adams requested that she be given a business license to sell small handcrafted items at online craft fair sales.  She lives at 848 South Lakeview Drive and noted that this is a home business.  Approval was given. 

The Capital Improvement Plan was discussed and updated.  This plan is needed to help the City determine priorities and costs of projects that are currently needed within the town.  It can also be used as a support document for grant applications.  Each of the items on the list was discussed, a determination of its priority, and an estimate of the cost to the City were decided upon.  The plan was approved as corrected. 

Bess Huefner, Council member, requested that a concrete pad be put down on the west side of the city’s garage and a roof put over this area.  This could be used for storage of the ice skating rink plastic bottom cover.  It was estimated that the project would cost about $5,000.  This amount was approved by the Council. 

The lawsuit against the City by a subdivision where there are new beach access roads has been dismissed.  The Judge noted that the individuals along these lake access roads do not own those roads.   They are for the public to be able to gain access to the lakeshore. 

The issues involved with Elk’s Ridge were mentioned.  There is pressure to attempt to get a second ingress/egress to this subdivision.  Also, currently there is not enough water in the storage tank to take care of homes as well as hold enough water to meet state requirements in case of an emergency.  

An agreement is being drafted between the City and Dr. Williams who owns the property where the water tank is located.  This is being done to try and clear the way for Phase 1 Elk Ridge Subdivision to be able to obtain building permits.  There are, however, still several issues that need to be resolved.  Dr. Williams is asking for the City to handle several items that generally are done by a developer.  The City, of course, is not a developer and cannot take over on many of the problems that have been encountered by this subdivision. 

A discussion ensued among the Council members dealing with the funding for permitting of 75 North and 200 North.  All necessary papers have been delivered to the Army Corp of Engineers for 75 North and an additional $400 will be needed to complete and finalize the permit for 200 North.  As permits are received, culverts and gravel will be put in place below the high water mark.  This will make it possible for people to more easily get to the lake at these two access points.  Funds needed for permitting was approved by the Council.  There is a two-year time period to make the changes that are desired. 

Steve Arnold was appointed by the Council to serve on the Planning and Zoning Committee.  He will be replacing Nate Gracey.

Bruce Warner asked that a time limit for billing and billing adjustments be set in dealing with water leaks and overages on water usage.  There is also problems in trying to be fair on retroactive problems that have occurred.  It was determined that one month was a reasonable approach and accepted by the Council. 

Chuck Stocking reported that the room where the broken furnace has been housed would be a good location for the storage of pool chemicals.  He suggested that a bid be let to repair walls by removing the current covering and replace with tiles.  A repair where there is leakage also needs to be included in the bid. 

Bess Huefner reported that a gross amount of $330 was received from the summer Farmers’ Market, and the expenses were $385. 

Riley Argyle noted that the bids for the Heritage Park project were opened.  The lowest bid was Willow Valley Construction at $246,045.  The Council moved to accept Willow Valley Construction’s bid. 

Bruce Warner noted that he has set up a meeting with Sweetwater HOA for October1 at 4 p.m.  He felt discussions with this county subdivision should be included in what is going on in the City.   He also reported that he had contacted Questar about bringing natural gas into the area.  He has not heard back from them.  Bruce also questioned why the City was willing to fund EMT training that is a County activity.  The Council noted that the City needs more EMTs and had created what they called an emergency fund grant to help in getting more certified individuals available in the area to help when emergencies arise. 

Steve Arnold asked the City to check water usage at Ideal Beach.  He thought that there was a discrepancy between the facilities that exist there and the amount of water used.  It was noted that a new meter had been installed last year and that it registered the usage at twice what the old meter was registering.  Riley said he would look into this matter. 

Mayor Spuhler reported that Lyle Hillyard has been very supportive concerning the marina and possible enhancements.  He would like the City to come up with a plan to enhance the marina on the south side.  He would like the plans to include all possibilities that would add to the area.  The legislators can then look at the plan and delete what they think is too elaborate.  Also, he is also willing to look at plans for an additional boat launch area that has been suggested.  Both of these projects will take some money for the basic designs and engineering.  The boat launch area from the winter will be designated as 150 South. 

Bess Huefner mentioned that a transportation tax will need to be passed if the shuttles are going to be used in the coming years.  She also suggested that an increase in property taxes be investigated and/or a water tax be passed to help pay for water projects needed in the future..