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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Garden City P&Z


Randall Knight and Anita Weston, Reporters
Rich Civic Times


GARDEN CITY, Utah. April 7, 2014. It looked like it was going to be another long-drawn-out Planning and Zoning Commission meeting by the number of agenda topics. The 4:00 PM public hearing meeting consisting of a road trip to potential areas conducive to hotels and motels was canceled due to less than half of the board showing up.

The regular P&Z meeting started at 5:00 PM with Lance Bourne chairing.  Only three other board members were attendance to make a quorum and they were: Susan House, Jim Stone, and Mike Schiess.  Pat Argyle and Dewayne Gifford were absent.  Gary Cox was also seated at the table and Jim Hanzelka was on the phone.
 
Don Webb discussed his future plans for Western Skies Lodging Hotel, which was formally Pickleville Commons and located at 2085 S. Bear Lake Blvd.  He asked for clarification on what he needs to do to get approval from UDOT for egress/ingress.  It turns out that after thinking he had all of the required permits and authorizations UDOT is not going to allow new businesses to have parking along Hwy 30.  So he needs to provide more parking spaces than originally planned and also enlarge the entrance and exit lanes onto Hwy 30 or get access from surrounding property.  He also asked for clarification on when the one year time clock began; plan accepted/recorded or permit received.  His original plan proposed 16 log cabins consisting of a bedroom and bathroom, but since the cabins are smaller than planned some of the cabins will be a little large and may have two bedrooms.  That would reduce the number from 16 to 13 units.  Phase 1 of the original plan allowed 4 units so he can still build one more and then he needs to submit plans for the subsequent phases for 3-4 units each. He still needs to design and submit the sign design to the city for acceptance.

Scott Huskinson discussed the sign requirement for his business located at 32 W. 75 N. that is located next to the Texaco.  The name of his business will be Zips and the menu will consist of hot dogs, premade salads, soft drinks, and shakes.  The sign would be a 1962 Hydro-swift boat mounted to two poles and suspended several feet above the ground.  The current boats located at the site will have seats in them for the patrons in addition to other bench seating areas. The drive thru window will be for those who don’t have time or desire to walk-in and use the seating facilities.  Since the boat sign doesn’t meet the current ordinance requirements the design will need to be submitted to the P&Z. 

This completed the easy part of the meeting before they started to recheck several ordinances discussed for the last several months.  Some were accepted during last month’s meeting but sent back for clarification by the Town Counsel.  14-01, an ordinance updating the bonding of infrastructure in11E-505 was first.  Recommendation was made to include egress/ingress in the definition.  Other wording changes and additions were also recommended. Motion was made and approved to table the ordinance until the next version is released for review.

14-03 Parking Ordinance update to 11C-303-E was discussed.  Request was made to change restaurant to food establishment was made to make it more generic.  A long discussion focused on how to determine parking spaces for fast food businesses since the current requirement, as written, wouldn’t require any spaces.  There was a concern about the original design having only inside seating but would eventually evolve into outside seating areas, so the parking space requirement increases. Darin Pugmire had submitted wording to separate the requirements for the different types of businesses, but it had been removed by Schiess.  Pugmires’ version separated the food businesses into different categories and required fast food businesses to have a minimum of 10 spaces for buildings with less than 1000 sq ft with an additional space for every 200 sq ft.  The restaurants spaces would be based on occupancy divided by 3.  It was pointed out the city is planning on providing approximately 277 parking spaces between the park and 75 North.  Motion was made and accepted to table the ordinance and to reword the ordinance to cover fast food versus restaurant requirement. 

Ordinance 14-04 updating height and phasing in PUD/PRUD 11F-100 was discussed.  This was tabled by the Town Counsel and sent back to the P&Z commission.  This was tabled until the hotel height recommendation is drafted, reviewed and accepted.

Ordinance 14-05 updating the height and phasing in subdivisions in 11E-303-A and 11E526-F was discussed.  The Town Counsel sent this back for clarification on infrastructure for each phase so each phase will stand alone.  The Commission agreed to add subdivision to the definition and each phase has to be operational throughout the development of subsequent phases.  Motion was made and approved for 11E526-F.  Motion to accept 14-05 with wording change was made and approved.
Ordinance 14-06 making changes to all zones in 11C was discussed.  It was pointed out that the city needs to have zones to accommodate virtually all types of business, otherwise they can go anywhere within the city except near schools, or churches if they are an adult oriented business.  Motion was made to table the ordinance.
Ordinance 14-07 an ordinance adding definitions for infrastructure, phasing and stand alone to 11A-200 was discussed.  Motion was made and approved to table until wording is updated.
Ordinance 14-10 an ordinance discussing sign requirements was discussed.  Motion was made and approved to table the ordinance until the commission has reviewed the updated version.
The Zoning Map was reviewed.  Motion was made to review the map at home on their computers so they could see the boundaries better than what was available on the 8X10 print provided.
Commercial setback was discussed.  Recommendation was made to leave them as they are because a person can go to the Variance Board.

Hotel and Motel Zone was discussed.  Recommendation was made to keep these businesses off the beach.  Because it was getting late, members said they were "brain dead" and one of the board members had to leave, the discussion was tabled and the meeting was finally adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Bear Lake Classic Race

 
For all you cycling fans - looking at the 10-day forecast and the weather will be beautiful next weekend May 16 & 17 for the Bear Lake Classic - 70 degree temperatures are perfect for racing or a ride around Bear Lake. Make sure to register www.race2raceevents.com

Ambulance Rate To Raise & "Consult A Doctor Program"

Bobbie Bicknell Coray
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 7, 2014.  Kim Wilson, County Assessor, said that in other areas an ambulance can cost as much as $865, but Rich County charges only $300 for basic fee.   Then they are billed separately for equipment used and supplies.  It is the recommendation of the  Rich County EMT Board that the charge should be $500 with $25 per mile with supplies being included in that rate which will make is more standard for insurance payment since some insurance companies will not pay for supplies used.  Standby rates at events like rodeos and races should be raised from $100 to $200 an hour.  County and school functions will be continue to be served for free .  This will be effective June 1.
There are 25 EMT volunteers and they are being stretched with all of the activities at which they are required to support.
In other medical matters, Jeff Kelsey and Jed Cowan  of Intermountain Health, “Consult a Doctor Program,” explained a unique solution which will keep in clinic doctor visits down and save county employees the co-pay.  This program, for $6 a month per person or family, allows people to call and speak to a board certified doctors about routine sicknesses such as colds and sore throats.  The doctor will ask questions and can even do the visit by video link.  These doctors are allowed then to call in a prescription excepting narcotics.  There is no co-pay so the people don’t have to pay out of pocket.  It saves the insurance company because people don’t go to the doctor’s office or the ER.  Right now the county deductible is $500 per family.  With this plan employees and their families get the medical attention they need without going to the ER.  Ninety-two percent of people who call are  able to get care.  It is available 24/7 and can be used as many times as needed.  Iron County School district is using it, as is  Emery county.  It is good for rural areas.   It could also be offered to part time people who are not on medical plans. 

 

New Business On County Land In Garden City

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 7, 2014.  Travis Hobbs of Garden City approached the Rich County Commission about starting a landscaping, gravel and rental agency in Garden City. He would like to get a business permit in the county to put the business site in the county in an "island" owned by the county in Garden City near the Johnson cement plant.  His business will not meet Garden City design regulations unless he locates in the industrially zoned area. There will be some gravel bins and smaller sheds.  There will also be roadway for semi- trailers which will be dust controlled.  They will be open daily during the summer and have one to two employees.  Even though it will be a seasonal business, Tom Weston, Commissioner said that if they have employees they will need restrooms on the facility.  Tom Weston  made a motion to accept the concept.

Spring Among The Aspen

Photo by Jennifer Cassilas

Southwest Lake Bike Path

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 7, 2014.  Mitch Poulsen, Bear Lake Regional Commission, discussed bike paths on the southwest side of lake near Rendezvous Beach and the east side of the lake.  The southwest side is getting more traffic and is becoming more dangerous.  Poulsen  has looked at several ways to develop a bike path from Sweetwater Parkway using existing road to Rendezvous. One suggestion was to use the sewer right of way which would go into the vback valleys of the Meadowville area.   Many property owners don’t want a bike path, but others think it will add to property values.  On the East side of the lake there needs to be more parking and if built it could be a combined use as a bike path.  Public entities own most of the property in the area being discussed and might like the accessibility and parking.  
Bill Cox, Commissioner, thought that a proposal to State Lands and UDOT for funding might be successful if beach parking were tied to it because beach accessibility is important to the state.

Historic Scout House Saved For One Year

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. May 7, 2014.  The historic log “Scout House” was built in the early 1930’s by local scouts in Randolph. It was scheduled to be demolished on June 1, as the walls are leaning out and the roof is unsafe. The area around it has to be shored up and a fence put around it because it is dangerous.  The county is looking at the land as a place to expand for more office space.
The commissioners believed that the best thing would be to move it, but it is not stable enough to move.  “Let’s do something positive” Steve Thomson offered to chair a committee to save it, and will start looking for public donations of building time and funding.  Norm Weston made a motion that Thomson will have a year to try to save it and during that time the county will build a fence around it to protect the public from the building.

Rocky Mountain Power Rate Increases & Energy Savings

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 7, 2014.  George Humbert of Rocky Mountain Power, told the county commissioners the company has been bought by Berkshsire Hathaway.  The company has also acquired other energy companies so they are growing. Over 25% of the energy is renewable, water, wind or solar.
In Utah there are 822,000 customers and there are 2000 employees. They have 21,000 miles of line of which 89% is residential. The upgrades increased the capacity of the Rich County area which also uses some of the wind energy produced nearby.   There is a rate case pending for a 4% rate increase effective in September because they have had millions in power plant improvements this year.   They have been able to bring down some of the costs by refinancing at better interest rates.  Reliability is as good as possible, the usual wind and lightning but sometimes odd things happen like a bear climbing a pole or a raccoon. They state that frequency of outages is less than in 2007.  On average, in the west, Rocky Mountain West is the least expensive due to coal and water usage.  Alternative energy is more expensive.  If the plant in Kemmer, Wyoming goes to natural gas it will be more expensive to run, but they are looking at solving the environmental problems of coal fueled plants even though Utah coal is cleaner than the coal used on the east coast.
Surveys are showing high customer satisfaction.  Rocky Mountain Power gets a small budget, $8900, to contribute to our area.  They have funded such things as the Raspberry day Rodeo, Senior Center, and Christmas Lighting.  In 2014 they donated another $10,000 for ball park lights in Randolph and the fishing pond in Garden City.  They also have a grant foundation, which gives grants to health, welfare,and education.
An energy efficiency program helps with community buildings with financial incentives for the county to reduce electrical usage.
They have been reducing carbon emmissions.  The real culprit is not industrial but cars and wood burning stoves in Utah. They have hydro plants, geothermal plants, wind power and the Blue Sky program which customers can donate funding for alternative energies.   A program for solar panels in Wellsville is being built.  They are going to spend $165 million in plant emission improvements.
Customer generated power that goes back into the system is reimbursed.  However since the solar power does not come at peak usage times it is sometimes not used but they have costs.  They would like a customer service charge of $4.25 a month for those customers who do use the network. 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Mystery Of The Marsh


A Mud Lake Symposium
    Illuminating The Mystery of the Marsh
May 22 & 23

Claudia Cottle
Bear Lake Watch 

blue@bearlakewatch.com 

801 243 8980 

$35 for the conference and $15 for dinner
  • Find out Whodunit
    • Were the Gods at play here?
    • What happened to the canal builders and who are these mound builders?
    Unlock the gates and journey down forbidden paths
    • What lays beyond the locked gates?
    • is it really water or just and illusion?
    Unravel tail of Political Intrigue
    • How did this tract of land move from Utah and end up in Idaho?
    • Where was the Law in all this?
    Help decode the cryptic drawings
    • Do they show hidden treasure?
    • Who drew them?
    • How did they know? Did they view from a spaceship?
    Penetrate it's inner workings
    • How does brown water turn blue?
    • When one gate closes does another one open?
    Discover the inhabits this strange land?
    • What are these invaders from the sky that return every spring?
    • What do they want from us?
    Translate the strange languages spoken there
    • What does it all mean -puzzling?  hemi marsh, submergent, emergent
    Learn the Fate of Sediment
    • Where did Sediment come from anyway?
    • Is it trapped, Will it ever escape?

We will be meeting in a hanger at the Airport in order to facilitate getting out into the refuge via driving tours and lunch walk-abouts. In the end, our goal is to consider how the marsh has functioned over the last 100 years and evaluate if there are things we can or need to improve upon.

This is a rare opportunity to see areas that are normally closed to the public. Don't miss it.

Lorna's Broccoli Salad


At the Empty Nester's Party everyone was raving about Lorna Knights broccoli salad so we all asked her to share it with us.   

1 bunch broccoli (2 stems)
½ lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ medium red onion, chopped
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese (some may like coarse)

Mix together and set aside

½ cup mayo
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Mix together and blend with the above mixture
Refrigerate for 3 – 6 hours
Serve cold

Sunday, May 4, 2014

The Unmuddled Mathematician


Close Eyes On It
By Chris Coray, The Unmuddled Mathematician

The following is a transcript of an interview with a prominent cable TV anchor.  For simplicity’s sake the anchor will be denoted by “A” and the interviewer will be identified as “TO”, for thoughtful observer.  While the interview was scheduled ahead of time, we enter the interview as the anchor is broadcasting live to an audience of millions. 

A:  We have important breaking news to bring to you.  We have learned that on day 49 of the search for Malaysian Airlines flight 370 we have not found any trace of the missing plane.  This is important breaking news and we are keeping a close eye on the situation for developments.

TO:  So you are announcing, as you have for the last 49 days, that for the 49th consecutive day nothing has been found or learned?

A: That’s correct, but we are keeping a close eye on the situation for you.

TO:  May I ask why that announcement is “Important Breaking News”?

A:  What?  Well, everything we say is “Important Breaking News”.  All of it is vitally important.  This is in fact the 12th time today that we have made this vitally important announcement and you would probably die without it.  It also makes a great visual on your TV screen.

TO:  What do you mean when you say you are keeping “A close eye on the situation”?

A:  Our news operation keeps a close eye on lots of situations, for example, storms, political polls, unusual events, the Easter Bunny, what celebrities are wearing, and countless others.

TO:  Do you mean that you have countless eyes?  Like the NSA? 

A:  I don’t know, but we are watching closely with all of them.  And we don’t like hand gestures from those we are watching.

TO:  With all your closely watching eyes that you use to help us, has any one of those eyes ever made the slightest change in any of the events being watched?

A:  No, but we are closely watching and I’m becoming a little suspicious about you, so from now on you can expect that we will be keeping a close eye on you. 

TO:  Can I actually see the eye you are using to watch me?  Is it a blue eye?  I would like a blue eye.

A:  I don’t know, that’s for our tech guys to figure out.  Just be sure that we are now watching you and in fact have not yet detected any trace of Malaysian Flight 370 on your body. 

TO:  Do you have more eyes than the average fly?

A:  Well, I’m not sure.  Hey, are you making fun of me?  Is my makeup OK?

TO:  What does the eye you have “Closely watching me” tell you about the answer to my fly question?

A:  Actually, that information is contained in a written report but since we have so many eyes watching I have lost my ability to read.  So I now work in a “Visual Optic Only” zone, hence I can’t answer your question.  

TO:  What are the qualifications needed for your job?

A:  The ability to say the phrase “We are keeping a close eye on the situation” at least 500 times in a hour.  I just barely passed the test.  Can I tell you a secret?

TO:  Sure.

A:  You see that big box with the glass thing in it and the red light lit up on the top?

TO:  Yes.

A:  I think that is an eye that is closely watching me.   Its name is HAL.

Rich County Primary Election Information



The Rich County primary election will be June 24, 2014. For the county commissioner race, this will be the only election as this race is only contested in the Republican primary.  

Elections for which there will be a primary are County Commissioner (countywide) and 3 local school district elections.  The school board elections are for positions in Garden City, Laketown, and Randolph north.  The school board elections are non-partisan and all registered voters in a school district are eligible to vote in that district.  The final runoff election between the top two primary school board contestants will occur in November.

The county commissioner primary is for registered Republicans only.   There are two Republican candidates, Pat Argyle and Tom Weston.  The winner of the primary will face no opposition in November, hence this primary will decide the county commissioner race.  If someone wishes to change their registration to Republican so that they may vote, it will be possible, in person at the Rich County Offices, up to May 27 (there is some chance of a later opportunity but that is not yet certain).  Registered Independents and Democrats will not be allowed to vote in the Republican primary county commissioner race.

The last day to register to vote in person is June 9.  Early voting will start June 10.  Voter registration is also possible on-line.  Check the Rich County web site.

Mother's Day Special At Bear Trapper

The Bear Trapper Steak House in Garden City will be having a special for mothers on Mother's Day weekend May 9 and 10.  Dinner will be half price for all mothers.  Since this is such a big weekend, reservations are recommended. (435 946 8484)

Rich County Tax Sales

On May 21st at 10 a.m.  a number of properties will be sold for unpaid taxes at auction at the front door of the Rich County courthouse.  A list of these properties can be found at the Rich County web site, www.richcountyut.org,with a link on the home page.  Payment must be made in cash (or cashier’s check) at the time of purchase.  The list changes as delinquent taxes for some properties are paid before the 21st.

Upcoming May Events

May 2014

 
  • Monthly: Zumba!  Every Tuesday & Thursday 8am-9am and Saturdays 7:30am-8:30am.  $3 per class or punch passes are available.  Located at the Garden City Offices, 69 N. Paradise Parkway. Call 435-764-0863 for more info. 
 
  • 1st - 3rd: Quilt trunk show Thurday 7PM.  Quilting class Friday and Saturday taught by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilts. Reservations required for quilt class.  Event located at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, ID. 208-847-3800 
 
 
 
 
  • 31st: Bear Lake Shake! Located at the State Park marina.  Activities include: Sailboat races, motor boat poker run, dutch-oven cook off, and more!  For more information or to register for an event contact Bear Lake State Park at 435-946-3343. 

Needles and Leaves


End Of Winter

April
Photo by Tammy Calder