Rich County Leader Afton Floyd Dies

Laketown, Utah - Afton Floyd died March 11, 2015, at the Logan Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Logan, Utah. She was just short of her 87th birthday. Elda Afton entered this world April 11, 1928. She was the last child born to Albert R. and Elda D. Weston. 

Being from original pioneer stock from the Bear Lake valley in Laketown, she was raised on a small subsistence farm and cattle ranch. This brought her both a strong work ethic and love for her Bear Lake home. Afton attended school in Laketown and graduated from North Rich High School in 1946. After high school she attended Beauty College in Salt Lake City and then became a licensed beautician. She used those skills to supplement the family income throughout her life. Dec. 14, 1948, Afton married Presley C. Floyd in the Logan Temple after which the couple settled in Laketown to raise a family. 

Three children were born to this union: Ramona Ann, Craig W. and Mary Ellen. In February of 1976, Presley suffered a fatal heart attack. After losing the love of her life, Afton worked to support herself. She devoted her life to her family, protecting and serving those whom she loved. Her family extended to all. This desire to watch over her family was stronger than even the loneliness of her aching heart to be with her sweetheart. She fought to ensure that everyone was always fed, warm, happy and hugged. Her persona was bigger than her ability and her heart stronger than its rhythm. Her service was extended to all family, friends, and community. Her love for community and reading led her to donate time and energy to the Garden City library. That love for others is the legacy she leaves behind. She is survived by her three children: Ramona Harris (Russ) Garden City, Utah, Craig Floyd (Jane) Laketown, Utah, Mary Ellen Anderson (Roy) Baker City, Oregon, eleven grandchildren, twenty six great grandchildren, sisters Marie Humphrey 97, Wanda Panhorst 95, and Emma Rose Grimmitt 92.All funeral services were held at the chapel in Laketown, Utah. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Garden City Library, Box 348, Garden City, Utah 84028 with a memo that it is in behalf of Afton Floyd.

Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY,  Utah.  March 12, 2015. It was noted that new monitors are being purchased for the City office workers.  They are also being given new chairs that will be more comfortable than what they currently are using.

Short term rental licenses were approved for three new short-term rentals.  The first is located at 815 North Harbor Drive, #206.  The owner is Kyle Kofoed, and he has hired Bear Lake Project Management to handle this rental for him.  The second rental is located at 1020 South Snowmeadows Drive.  Jeff Bedard is the owner, and he has hired Bear Lake Cabin Rentals to take care of this property.  The third rental is located at 41 East Spinnaker Point Drive.  Denis Despres is the owner, and he also will be using Bear Lake Cabin Rentals to handle this rental for him.

The Council approved a request to encumber three parcels of land into one for Leonard and Carol Arave.  The parcels to be encumbered are 41-21-40-232, 41-21-40-168, and 41-21-40-082.  This property is located at 200 North 94 East.  Arave desires to build a garage on one of the parcels and place a home that will overlap on the other two parcels.

Public comments were allowed at this point in the meeting.  It was noted that Garden City is currently seeking a permit that will allow them to improve the beaches.  They will be able to harrow to get rid of the weeds and vegetation and bring the sand to the surface. 

There will be three ways for people to get to the beach.  They can pay to drive down and park in an assigned area.  They can drive down, leave their items, and return to the free parking lots along Bear Lake Blvd. and walk back to the beach. There will also be a free shuttle that can be ridden.  Individuals riding the shuttle can get off at any one of the access points along the shuttle route.  They can then catch the shuttle to take them back to their car when they are ready to leave the beach.

Gaye Johnson has built a new memorial for veterans from Garden City who fought in World War II.   She wrote a letter to the City asking that a water connection at the new memorial and monument grounds be put in and water be provided to keep the lawns and flowers growing.  It was noted that a letter must be obtained from her stating that the memorial was built for public use.  The Council decided that the connection fee could perhaps be waived, but that the water must be metered and paid for by the owner of the property.  This is necessary because of the scarcity of water in Garden City.

Cindy Winter is in charge of the East Egg Hunt.  It will be held the Friday before Easter at the City Park.

Council Members Informal Remarks

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 12, 2015. City Councilman, Chuck Stocking, reported that the boiler for the spa at the town pool broke.  It is currently being replaced.  There was no extra charge because it was still under warranty.  It should be working by next week.  The library seems to be doing well.  The board members are working on getting a sign that can be placed in the large sign next to Logan Road.  The Board is still planning on the City paying half of the costs of getting this sign in place.

Bruce Warner noted that he had been contacted by an individual who wanted to be the DJ at Raspberry Days, but said he had been excluded from the process. 

Apparently that individual had the same opportunity as all of the others who wanted to participate in this activity.  However, he didn’t complete the paper work and didn’t have the required equipment to be able to handle the crowds that are expected.  He was given notice as well as an e-mail as a reminder.  He didn’t win the bid.

Elk Ridge business is still on hold.  Bess Huefner was asked to visit with the Webbers to see if something can be worked out with them.

The suggestion was made that the City obtain more property along the lakeshore.  There are individuals who would probably be willing to donate property to the City for a tax credit.  There are currently laws that make this a positive direction to take for some individuals.  Mayor Spuhler said they would look into this matter further.

Mayor Spuhler and Darrin Pugmire both attended some of the legislative sessions.  It gave some visibility to Garden City.  They both felt this was a good thing.  They both said that the City needs to be involved in the legislative process.  We need to know what is happening in the State.

It was noted that some investigation should be made concerning water impact fees for short term rentals. 

There will be free beach access to all registered voters who live in Garden City.  They will be given a free pass to go to the beach anytime they desire.

It was suggested that a link be placed on the City’s web site that takes people to the state’s rules for boat owners.  Boats need an inspection for quagga mussels as well as a $25 sticker.

The suggestion was made that subcontractors receive their invoices within 30 to 60 days.  Perhaps an ordinance or resolution could be made to require that this be done.  It would be easy to place this type of information at the bottom of their contract so that they have that information available to them.

City To Purchase Shundahi Water Tank

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 12, 2015.  During the public comment portion of the city council meeting, one member of the audience asked what agenda item number 11 meant.  It reads:  “Discussion of acquiring/constructing storage and building mobilization facilities for the water system and obtaining associated easements, Norm Mecham proposal.”  It was noted that moblilization facilities was referring to additional water storage.  It could be obtained by buying existing facilities or building new ones.   It had been discussed during the staff meeting.  It was noted that Norm Mecham had made a new proposal to the city to sell them his tank that is already in place or the City could build their own additional water storage facilities.

Norm Mecham noted that he had lowered his price by $100,000, and he is currently working on the required easements to go along with the tank.  In addition, the property where the tank is located is included in the sale price.

Zan Murray, the City Engineer, has gone over the numbers.  Currently the difference between buying the Shundahi Tank from Norm Mecham or building a new tank is about the same price.  The Council determined that the Shundahi Tank would probably be the best deal.  The City Engineer will check to see where the City can tie into the system and determine what will work to the City’s greatest advantage.

The Council asked Bruce Warner to get the financing in place.  The deed for the tank will need to be transferred to the City.  The easement will need to be finished and signed to make the transaction complete.

Rich High Wizard of Oz A Great Success

 

 

Photos by Laura Stocking Cluff

Glamping Project Update

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 12, 2015.  The agenda order was changed so that Zan Murray and George Peart would be able to leave the meeting for some other appointments.

Agenda item number 6 reads:  Final Approval for a RV Park located at 300 west and approximately 450 North, Parcel #41-17-00-075 and 41-17-00-083.  The name of the RV Park is Conestoga.  Applicant is Glampco, L.L.C., Mike Knapp and Rich Smart.

Planning and Zoning did given Conestoga a conditional use permit with the conditions that all roads would be 24 feet wide, the emergency turnaround would be 50 feet in diameter, and a second bridge—a foot bridge would be added to the plans.

In looking through the documents, Zan Murray noted that there were no final construction plans showing how everything was to be built and whether they met the City’s standards.  Construction plans are a requirement before final approval can be given on any project.  It was also reported that it is the City’s responsibility to contact both canal companies concerning any construction that is being considered within 100 feet on either side of the canals.  Apparently an application for a canal crossing had been requested by the contractors, but the City had not made any contact with the Swan Creek Canal Company or Hodges Irrigation Canal Company.

As the discussion ensued, it was determined that final approval at this time was not appropriate.  The construction plans will need to be submitted to the City.  Also, the various other entities such as the sewer district, the sanitation department, and so forth need to be consulted.  The canal companies will need to be informed and allowed to sign off on the project.  The Council members liked the concept.  They decided they would approve the preliminary plan.  A motion was made and seconded to do that.  The other information needed can be submitted prior to next month’s Council Meeting.

Agenda item number seven dealt with the bid awards.  The Council awarded the bid for the150 South parking lot to Circle C Construction Company.  Their bid was the lowest.  The motion was made, seconded, and approved to award the bid to Circle C.

The 300 West water line replacement/crossing project was awarded to MGM Construction Company (Mike Madsen).  His bid was the lowest.  The motion was made, seconded, and approved to award the bid to MGM. 

The Council member signed the required documents and presented them to Zan Murray to finish out the necessary paperwork and requirements to get the projects going.

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Building Inspector Report

GARDEN CITY BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 12, 2015. George Peart reported that there are four new permits for building homes in Garden City.  He noted that one home will require the combining of three lots so that a garage can be placed on the property, and the home built on the other two lots.  The location is at 200 North 94 East.

The "glamping" (glamorous camping) project by Knapp and Smart seems to look good, Peart noted.  The Planning and Zoning gave a conditional use permit to them at the last meeting with some conditions. The roadways must meet the City’s requirements, an additional walking bridge should be added, and the emergency turnaround needs to be 50 feet in diameter.

Garden City Engineer's Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY.  March 12, 2015. Zan Murray, the City Engineer, reported that the bids for the parking lot east on 150 South and road work on the water line project were in; and the Council needed to let the bids to the desired contractors.  He noted that the lowest bid by a contractor didn’t necessarily mean that the project had to be given to that company.  The Council could select from the bids submitted who should do the work.

There were six bidders for each of the projects.  Three of the companies on each of the projects had figures really close to each other.  Murray indicated that was a good thing.  Apparently, each of these three companies had determined the amount of work and the needed materials in a very similar manner.

The lowest bidder on the 150 South project was Circle Construction with a bid in the  amount of $218,600.  The lowest bid on the water line project was MGM Construction Company (Mike Madsen) in the amount of $42,500.

Murray requested that the Notice of Awards should be selected, signed by the Council, and given back to him.  He will execute the contracts, make sure insurance is in place and let the companies know of the required bonding figures.  A tentative date for completion is about May 1.  The 150 South project will probably take a little longer—perhaps until the 21^st of May.  That is the Thursday before Memorial Day.  Murray reported that the 3^rd West Intersection and the City Park Projects should be completed by June 1. 

Mayor Spuhler asked Murray to get the needed figures to build a boardwalk extension from 350 South to intersect with the park boardwalk.

Beach access, Water’s Edge, and an easement to the Shundahi water tank are moving forward.  Norm Mecham noted that the easement is almost ready for signatures.  It just needs to be finalized with Murray.  Also, the proposal to the City from Norm for the sale of the Shundahi tank is in the works.  The proposal for this sale has been sent to Bruce Warner for his opinion.

Norm Mecham reduced the price on the tank by $100,000.  This makes his price equal with the cost to the City of building a new tank.  The City will probably finance this project through the State and pay Norm Mecham out.  The tank actually has a bigger capacity than the one being considered by the City; and because it is situated higher on the hill, the City would be gaining some redundancy in the water system. Water from this tank could be taken either direction from one end of the City to the other.

Murray reported that he and Riley Argyle are working on standards and specifications.  They seem to be moving forward with updates to the standards book.  One culvert on Third West has been put in place and is working well.  Apparently the Sewer District was unaware of the standards required by the Army Corp. of Engineers in covering sewer lines when wetland areas are involved.  Crushed rock is required to meet their standards.  The City redid a portion of the line that needed to be taken care of and will be billing the Sewer District for the costs involved.

Drainage on the north side of 150 South will be encroaching on Water’s Edge property.  A drainage easement is being worked on and should be completed in the near future.