Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  August 14, 2014. Devin and Evan Skinner requested a license to sell Old Hickory Sheds from Bennion’s lot along Logan Road.  The request was granted if Skinners will use Bennion’s building to handle all their paperwork and place cement foundations under the two model sheds that were to be set up for people to look at and exam.  An agreement with Bennion will be required to show that he has agreed for this use of his property. 

Jared Mecham of 874 Balsamoriza Road has requested that his home be given a short term rental license.  Bear Lake Cabin Rentals will be in charge of handling this rental.  Permission was granted. 

A motion was made to award the bids to Watterson Construction Company for parking lots to be created at 75 North and 350 South on the east side of Bear Lake Blvd.  The motion passed. 

Marc King of Utility Billing Solutions made a presentation before the Council showing the monies that had been saved by the City by using his services.  His company monitors all electrical usage by the City.  The company also checks out all the various plans available from the Electric Company.  Changes in service are made when there are opportunities to save money.  The savings is then split between the City and Utility Billing Solutions.  Marc noted that all electricity rates will be going up this fall because a rate increased that was granted last fall to Rocky Mountain Electrical Company.  The amount of savings will probably decrease somewhat at that time. 

The Capital Improvement Plan needed to updated.  Bess Huefner, council member, requested that some changes be made in the order in which the improvements were to be made as well as the amount to be allotted to the various projects.  She noted that a new boardwalk needs to be created along with repair on the existing one.  She estimated that it would cost approximately $250,000 to do that.  Several Council members felt that estimate high and suggested the number be lowered to $150,000.  
 

If the Tiger Grant is funded, most of that money will go to beautification projects as well as 300 West.  The Shundahai water tank needs to be funded at $480,000, and Elk’s Ridge water tank will require about $60,000.   A pressure system needs to be added to the list for Cheramoya.  The list continued on and included several additional large and small projects.  

Gary Cox noted that water rates for businesses that operate year around needs to be discussed and perhaps some changes made in that area.  Bess Huefner noted that the encumbrance ordinance needed to be updated to make it less cumbersome to handle.

The TRT grant application is due on October 10.  It will be asking for funding for Heritage Park playground equipment.  Huefner and Cox will prepare the grant.

Garden City Council Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  August 14, 2014. Mayor Spuhler reported that he had done quite a bit of research on how other cities handle their business licenses.  He noted that Garden City is doing a pretty good job with their current procedures.  He noted that the transient license perhaps should be changed slightly and that there might be some improved efficiency in the licensing process.  He felt, however, that it is important for business owners to appear before the Council so that everyone is aware of new companies coming into the City and just what their business entails. 

Mayor Spuhler also noted that he had attended a Rural Utah Summit Conference and met as many legislators as he could.  He visited with several encouraging them to enlarge the marina.  He also suggested that a boat ramp be placed on the south side of Bear Lake. 

Chuck Stocking noted that the library seems to be doing well.  The pool chemicals need to be stored outside, and he needs to get with Riley to see if they could be stored near the propane tank.  The pool roof needs repair.  He will get information for that soon. 

Bess Huefner informed that Council that the lakeside parking plan will be ready in a couple of weeks.  She reported that the Heritage Park bid for a three rail fence will go out to bid next week.   

Bess noted that Raspberry Days went well.  The biggest complaint was that the entertainment was not as good as expected and rather costly. It was suggested that a change be made there for next year.  Very few vendors have been coming to the Farmer’s Market.   

A horse shoe game has been built in the City Park.  Equipment purchased last spring hasn’t disappeared and has been used extensively this summer.  Huefner had a rough draft of the children’s area in Heritage Park that she showed to the Council Members. 

Darrin Pugmire suggested that it would be good to have the 24^th of July and Raspberry Days separated by a regular weekend in between.  He said it had been very difficult to handle two large weekends in a row.   

Darrin asked that the flags that hang from the light poles be made larger so that they are easier to read when driving down the road. 

He requested that a check list be created that makes sure that everything is completed and done prior to allowing the rodeo to begin their activities.  

It is also important that all short term rentals be tied into a management company and not handled by individual owners.  It adds consistency and greater control.  He also noted that short term rentals are not homes but businesses and should have to comply with business requirements.  It was noted that special requirements for short term rental management companies also be established.  He suggested that zoning be done for areas where short term rentals could be built instead of allowing them to pop up anywhere and everywhere. 

Beach Use Discussed

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  August 14, 2014. Danny White, City Planner, noted that the CIB grant won’t be determined until February of next year. 

Currently there are no funds for beach improvement.  The grant covers mainly writing of management programs and plans. 

Permission from the Army Corps of Engineers should be forthcoming this next week dealing with 300 West and 150 South.  White has written up the mitigation plan that has been accepted by them. 

White conducted a survey on how people are using the beach.  He noted that at least half of the people coming to the beach stay in Garden City for their lodging.  However, half of the people visiting the beach go outside Garden City.   The majority of the people using the beach in Garden City use the City Park access.  Mayor Spuhler noted that he would like to see this change—that more people stay within the City for beach access as well as lodging.  He noted that the beaches need to be improved. 

The Mayor felt the beaches could be improved by bringing in sand and making berms near the water.  He also suggested that the City get a permit to disk and blade the beaches.  Doing this would also get rid of the deer flies habitat thus reducing the number of these pesky insects.  

It was noted that ditches used in the past to help drain beach areas should be reopened and maintained.  This would help tremendously in draining excess water from the sandy areas. 

The Mayor requested that the budget be checked to see if there were enough funds to begin working on some of these suggestions.

Sunrise In Rain Clouds

Photo from Pugstones Ripples and Waves

Garden City Engineer's Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  August 14, 2014.  Zan Murray, Engineer from JUB, reported that the bids for work on 75 North and 350 South were opened.  The low bidder was Watterson Excavation and Grading.  Murray is preparing the executed documents at the present time.  Also a rough draft for the finalization of a construction easement agreement between the City and the Sprouse Family to place some fill material on the north side of the right-of-way is ready for review.

The design for the 300 West Road is complete.  However, costs for the project are much higher than planned so the City has decided not to gravel that road at the present time.  The City does expect to have the environmental clearance in the next few weeks for that road.  A new head gate, new ditch, and culverts should be put in place this fall in this area.

The City parking lot plans are complete.  The City is waiting on the environmental clearance from UDOT and the Army Corps of Engineers.  This project could be bid in the next month or so.

Murray is working toward the finalization of the design for 150 South.  Also, the Army Corp. of Engineers have done a wetlands review and should get their report to the City soon.  There may also be a construction easement needed on the south side of the right-of-way for this project.  A building along this road will have to be pulled back from the road.  The City needs to determine the amount of space that will be required in order to maintain 150 South next to this building. 

The water master plan has been completed and plans are being made to move forward on the projects that are needed in order to follow the plan.   The cost of the water impact fee has been revisited because of the costs involved with the Shundahai Tank.  The expected impact fee will be approximately $5,200.  An access agreement to the Shundahai Tank needs to be drawn up and signed.

It was noted that easements and access to Elk Ridge and to the water tank there also needs to be drawn up and signed.

Tom Anderson has seven lots that he wants to develop.  He has shares in Swan Canal Company.  He wants to exchange these shares for hookups to the City’s culinary water.  The City, however, doesn’t have enough information to be able to determine the value of these shares.  Additional information is needed in order to deal with this situation.

Gun Range Sound Tests Continue

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY. Utah.  August 14, 2014.  Riley Argyle, Public Works Department said that slurry seal will be placed on several of the city streets within the next few weeks.  Slurry adds life to asphalt roads and, of course, cuts down on the City’s road repair budget.  Striping will be needed after the slurry has been applied.  Councilman Darrin Pugmire requested that striping also be done at the parking lot north of the LDS Church and on Third West north as well.  The paint needs to be renewed so people will know where to park and drive.  Argyle said he would add that to his list.

The gun range is still being considered.  The sound test went really well.  Argyle wants to do a test at the Logan gun range to see how much noise is created there compared with the test that was done at the proposed site here in the Valley.  He will also be able to determine how much adding berms to the range would help in mitigating gun noise.

Argyle has been busy maintaining the water system in the City.  He noted that he has repaired numerous leaks and installed two hydrants.  Some of the water meters also needed to be replaced.

Fire District Requests Funds For EMT Training

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  August 14, 2014.  Mike Wahlberg requested that the City donate $3,350 for EMT training.  He felt this amount of money would pay the tuition for three individuals to car pool and travel to Bridgerland for this training.  Students are required to attend 36 classes in order to complete the training.  He currently has five people that are interested in taking advantage of becoming EMTs.  He noted that the Ambulance Association will reimburse the City for this training when it is complete and the trained individuals assist for at least one year after certification.

 

The City requested that  Wahlberg obtain a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) from the Ambulance Association making sure that the money will be reimbursed after the one year.  The City said they had only budgeted $3,000 for such training, and that Wahlberg would have to get the additional funds from another source.  The City said they would hold the $3,000 reimbursement in a fund that could be used each year in a similar way.

Chief Wahlberg also asked the City if it would be possible for the Fire District to sponsor a 24th of July party next summer.  He noted that in the past the Fire District has held a community picnic during June where a picnic dinner was served to the community.  Fire information and fun had been provided and been very successful in the past.  He felt this activity could be moved to the 24th of July and add fireworks to this activity. Wahlberg felt he could solicit donations for the fireworks to be shot off at the Park and make this an all-day festival.  The City told him to go ahead and keep them informed of his plans.

John Hansen Turns 90

 

Long time member of this community, John Hansen turned 90 this week.  There was a family celebration, but everyone who sees this dear man should wish him a Happy Birthday.

The Muddled Male

The Trap

By Bob Stevens, The Muddled Male

        There was a time early in our life on Sweetwater Hill when we were bothered by mice.  Or, as a scientist would say, small rodents that are part of the Muridae or Cricetidae families.  Non-scientists just call them a house mouse, because it is easier to pronounce.  Ann, my wife, called me a mouse once, but I prefer to be called a rat.  That may seem strange to you, but where a mouse is described as a small rodent with a name that is often used to describe a cowardly or timid person, a rat is described as resembling mice but larger with a name that is sometimes used to describe a despicable person, especially one who betrays or informs upon associates.  You may think that being called a rat is a step down from being called a mouse since a rat is big and ugly while a mouse is little and cute, but if you had been called, “One of the little guys” by a tall statuesque friend, as I have, you start to think that being called anything that makes you feel manlier, a step up.

        I tell you about our earlier battle with mice to help you better understand the source of some pain and anguish I recently suffered.  When we first started thinking that we might have a rodent problem, there were two places where we occasionally saw a mouse.  One was behind a free-standing, propane fired stove in our downstairs family room where the point at which the propane pipe penetrates the wall there is a slight gap big enough to serve as a mouse entrance.  Knowing that Ann is partial to cute little fur-persons, and not wanting to excite her wrath by causing a part of the Muridae family to exit mortality in a less than humane way, I chose a sticky trap.  A poor choice, as it turned out, because the first time I came up the stairs carrying a sticky trap with a cute little fur-person stuck prostrate in the trap from chin to tail, Ann saw that the mouse was still alive and moving his cute, soulful eyes around in an obvious plea for help.  So to get out of trouble I changed from a sticky trap to the Jaws of Death.

        Now the sticky trap is subtle in its approach and ensnares the mouse gradually as the mouse struggles to get free, but the Jaws of Death does it all in one resounding WHACK with no questions asked, no quarter given.  The Jaws of Death trap looks like a set of spring loaded dentures with the false teeth shaped into points.  Located in the middle, where the tongue would be, is a yellow paddle attached to a trigger mechanism which, when the paddle is depressed slightly, releases the teeth to snap angrily together.  In the middle of the trap is a small cup into which one can place irresistible bait, such as miniature chocolate chips, and which is surrounded by the paddle.  As soon as the unsuspecting mouse extends his head between the jaws and places his tiny little feet on the paddle to get closer to the chocolate, WHACK.  All that is left is for Bob, the Rat, to sneak out of the house with the now expired mouse and deposit it in the trash without Ann spotting him along the way.

        All of that is a prelude to my tale of pain and anguish.  We haven’t seen a mouse for some time now, but my engineering instincts caused me to keep a trap or two in place just in case a mouse happens to slip past my defensive perimeter.  Because someone was coming to look at our house and I didn’t want them to think that a paranoid engineer lived here, I went downstairs to move the traps out of sight so as to prevent a mistaken impression.  Because I was in a hurry I just reached down to pick up a still set trap, being careful not to spill the chocolate chips on the floor, when WHACK.  In the place where there normally would have been an expired mouse, my thumb lay clamped between two rows of clenched and pointed false teeth.  I admit that it slowed me down a little since I couldn’t go back upstairs until I stopped crying.  I also had to pick up the chocolate chips that were now flung all over the floor.

        The troubling thing was that Ann, my wife, began reciting that old saying from our childhood, “cry baby whiny mouse, laid an egg in grandma’s house.”  I’m afraid she may never look at me as a manly rat again.  On top of that, she accused me of getting caught because I was trying to sneak a chocolate chip.

Short Term Rentals Defeated In Sweetwater Hillside Vote

Bobbie Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  August 16, 2014. In an highly anticipated meeting attended by twice as many home and lot owners than previous Sweetwater Hillside HOA meetings, a motion was proposed to allow rentals of dwellings in the HOA.  The motion had been sent earlier to HOA members and had been on the SWHOA website.  Proponents had sent e-mails and postcards describing the benefits of short term rentals.  Others had responded with comments about the negative aspects.  Over 120 people packed into the conference room and 85 absentee ballots had been mailed out.

After three people spoke for the motion and three spoke against the motion, a vote on the question was moved which required a 2/3 majority to close discussion and go to the vote.  That motion passed and  the vote to end debate won.  Then the vote on the motion to allow short term rentals was taken.  Counting the absentee votes, the totals were: Against allowing rentals---331, For allowing rentals---69.  In percentages that breaks down to 83% opposed, 17% in favor.

Even if that vote had been in the affirmative, the CC&Rs disallow business and commercial use of any lot in the Sweetwater Hillside HOA, so it would still be contrary to the CC&Rs to have short term rentals, which are viewed as a business.  Such short term rental units currently require business licenses in Garden City and the county has indicated that this year they will pass a very similar ordinance,  requring that this kind of enterprise pay special fees and taxes and obtain a business license.  By definition, they would be considered businesses and therefore would not be allowed under the CC&R's, recorded in the years 1971-1975.