Garden City Engineer Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

  

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 12, 2016.  Zan Murray; City Engineer, reported that Waters Edge Phase 3 was passed by Planning and Zoning.  He has signed the preliminary plat.  There are some additional signatures that are needed.

The parking lot at 150 South needs to be repaired.  The asphalt needs to be replaced in some areas.

An agreement for Shundahi  water tank still needs some additional details and the agreement of some property owners.

 The Beach Access Trail at 350 South was put out to bid.  The lowest bid was accepted from Rock and Dirt, a local company.  The bid was for either cement or asphalt.  It was decided that asphalt would be the best way to go.  Asphalt can be made to look new about every five or so years by adding slurry.  This will give the trail a longer life.

A contract will be signed.  The project should be completed in 30 days from start to finish.  It should be done about July 1.  There will be a $500 penalty for each day over the end date.  There will be fencing along the frontage.  The right-of-way is 66 feet wide.  A privacy fence six feet high will be put up along the west side of the trail.  The fence will cost approximately $7,000.

Planning and zoning denied the Cotton Wood Subdivision to proceed.  The City’s ordinances were not met.

Elk Ridge agreement with Raspberry Patch for the entrance/exit will be a crash gate.  A MOU will be written to summarize all of the items agreed upon by the two parties.  The document will be completed and will be presented before the Council. The easements have been a stumbling block for the USDA funding possibility. 

Public Works Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 12, 2016.  Riley Argyle, Public Works Supervisor, noted that progress has been made with the GPS project to map all of the meters and valves in the water system.

Argyle also asked that the City buy from the state some of the materials that they are using in redoing the roads here.  They will probably have some left and will give us a good buy.  When it is put on gravel, it is almost like asphalting the road.  It is impressive stuff.  The Council gave him permission to order what he felt would be good.

The flag project will be set up on the 25^th of the May.  That is only three days before the memorial service.  Argyle said, “Hopefully, there won’t be any more hitches in getting the flag in place.”

Wildlife In The Spring Mountains Here

Photo by Reed Eborn

Ordinance Officer Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 12, 2016.  Robert Peterson, Garden City Ordinance Officer, reported that short term rentals have become an interesting issue within the State of Utah.  The state conducted a survey of the top 50 cities and received the response that they did not have any short term rentals.  Thus, the legislature decided to create a law that Utah doesn’t allow short term rentals.  However, as soon as this information became public, the State was accused of being anti-business.

As further research was done, it was discovered that 92 percent of all cities do allow short term rentals.  The default has to be no restrictions in most of these cases. Most cities do not have any regulations or controls.  There is a large effect on land use.  The issue is really very complicated.  After the State become more aware of short term rentals, they backed off.  Eleven of twenty-four cities were asked to be part of a task force.  The League of Cities noted that the ordinances written and enforced in Garden City are the strongest found in the State of Utah.

When Garden City is compared with the other cities in Utah who have short term rentals, Garden City manages them and controls them well.  Garden City uses a three prong approach—they have good enforcement, they have a strong ordinance that is in writing, and they use software to keep track of what is happening.  Garden City also uses a warning on a first infraction, and sharper warning on a second infraction, and the license is pulled on the third infraction.  As a result of Garden City’s efforts in this area, Bob Peterson has been asked to serve on the state advisory board.

The League of Cities has copied Garden City’s ordinance and shared it with most of the cities that do have short-term rentals.

Peterson noted that he is now carrying his ordinance enforcement telephone as we get closer to summer.  He announced that there are 50 people who work in the computer software area.  They will be in town and would like to do a service to the community while they are here.  They will be taken to the beach to pick up trash.  They will spend about two hours on this project.

This summer Garden City is going to attempt to follow the sign ordinance and clean up many of the lots that have trash and don’t look very good.  Letters will be sent to retailers asking them to please comply with the sign ordinance.  We are starting to see lots of banners, more than two signs, and other infractions.

With the trash project Peterson will be taking photographs of yards and will be sending letters to the owners asking them to clean up their property.  There are fines already in place for both of the above infractions—signs and litter.

Building Inspector Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 12, 2016. George Peart, residential building inspector, gave a list to the Council members of the current permits issued so far this year.  Most of the permits are for remodels—expensive remodels.  There are still 15 permits open from last year and one more permit for a home on the lake has just been signed.

There will be a home show starting on May 26.  Hopefully, all of the homes listed will be completed.  Sometimes it is a good thing to have deadlines.

There is a May deadline for business licenses.  There is only one HOA which has written a letter to the City noting that they are against short term rentals.  No one else has responded to the request for this information from the various subdivisions within Garden City.

Elk's Ridge Subdivision

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. May 12, 2016. Elk’s Ridge water system easement and the property agreement where the water tank is located were discussed.  It was noted that an agreement had been reached concerning these two items.  However, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) needs to be written and signed concerning this matter.  The MOU will need to be brought to the Council Members for their approval. 

Before the application to USDA can be submitted, an agreement with Elk’s Ridge and Raspberry Patch concerning the second entry/exit to Elk’s Ridge will also need to be signed. 

The water tank property on Elk’s ridge will be used to increase water pressure to both Raspberry Patch and Foothill Estates. Easements from both of these subdivisions must be signed showing their approval.  It was noted that in the original Elk’s Ridge development, enough water was to be stored in the water tank for 220 water connections.  One hundred of the lots brought water rights with them.  However, the additional 120 lots do not have water rights and will have to purchase the needed water rights as development proceeds. 

The City has noted that they will pay $10,000 toward the improvement of Elk’s Ridge’s roads.  The individuals who have purchased lots in that subdivision will be responsible for the remaining monies needed to get the roads in the shape required by the City’s ordinances.  The City will be responsible for a telemetry system concerning water usage.

There are some lots on the plat that are smaller than the current rezone.  However, because they were approved originally, they will be allowed.  There are several other items that must be negotiated. Agreements need to be signed acknowledging the negotiated items so that building and development can move forward in the various subdivisions involved in this area.

Hopefully all of these matters can be taken care of in the next few days so that the City can proceed with their application for a grant to assist with City culinary water issues.

Musings Of A Muddled Male

And the Dog Barked

By Bob Stevens, The Muddled Male

       I must admit that I am confused.  I have learned to accept the fact that Ann, my wife, constantly monitors my carbohydrate intake, but not too long ago, as I mentioned in a previous article, she hollered that my lunch was on the counter and then left in the car.  When I got to the counter there lay eight sugar-snap peas and a handful of Fiddle Faddle™.   I admit that sugar-snap peas sound like her.  But Fiddle Faddle sounds like me and I began to wonder if she had set a trap before she left to test my honesty and will power.  I scrubbed the entire eating area for cameras, but as far as I could tell I was alone and unmonitored.  The unmonitored thing really made me suspicious because she never leaves me unmonitored when I am around things that fall into my two favorite food groups, delicious and sweet.  Take my recent purchase of See’s^TM peanut brittle, for example.  We were in the mall in Riverdale near Ogden and I happened to walk by the See’s store, an action that resulted in a serious attack of peanut brittle withdrawal (or pbw as it is known in medical circles).  After a short moment of panic, I recalled that the treatment for pbw, and my only hope for survival, was to purchase a large box of peanut brittle, eat two large pieces immediately, and then eat two large pieces every hour until the candy, I mean medicine, was all gone.  Oh, and repeat as necessary if Ann isn’t watching.

       Ann wasn’t convinced that my proposed treatment was doctor prescribed, or medically approved, and so I didn’t tell her that I had already started the treatment by eating the first two pieces along with a sample offered by the clerk at the time of purchase.  But when we got home, and while I was putting the car in the garage, Ann audited the box and found that it had been opened and two pieces were missing.  When I returned from the garage I found that my lifesaving box of pbw medicine was nowhere to be found.  After a rather loud verbal exchange, during which I admit that I raised my voice loud enough to scare our neighbors, Ann admitted that she had hidden the box.  But she claimed that she had hidden it for me because she noticed that I had been watching the package closely as though I was concerned that a thief might steal it.  Fair enough, said I, but when I asked her where it was hidden she refused to tell me.  In an elevated voice I explained that to hide the box for me implied that it was hidden from others, but not from me, at which time she admitted that she had hidden it from me because she noticed that I had already had two pieces, and she felt that hiding it from me was justified by the fact that she was only trying to save my life.

       Well, I tried sweet talk, bribery, threats, tears, and holding my breath until my face turned red, but three weeks have gone by and she still won’t reveal the hiding place.  I tried a substitute treatment of M&M peanuts, but a case of pbw as serious as mine needs peanut brittle with equal or better quality than the See’s peanut brittle that started the withdrawal in the first place.  M&M peanuts helped a little, but a complete recovery would require pbw medicine of much higher quality than M&M peanuts.  Each time Ann left the house I scoured every nook and cranny I could think of, but my medicine just seems to have disappeared.  After several fruitless searches I began to research various methods used by police and CIA operatives to find contraband hidden by clever belligerents trying to avoid being caught in an illegal act.

       The obvious technique would be to find a dog that had been trained to sniff out peanut brittle.  The problem is that I haven’t been able to find a dog that trusts me any more than Ann does, and I am guessing that as soon as I command “Find,” the dog will take Ann’s side and begin barking at me.  When I read this to Ann to give her a chance to respond, she said that after three weeks she can’t remember where she hid my precious peanut brittle anyway, so HA!!  For payback I have decided to switch my allegiance to M&M Almonds and hide them in a stainless steel can in our little garden patch under a planting label that declares “BEWARE, POISON IVY.”

Garden City Planning Commission Report

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  May 4, 2016. Mayor John Spuhler spoke to the Planning Commission.  He wanted to let the Commission know that the City has an excellent attorney.  “Tony Martenell does a very good job for the City,” he said. “ He also is very reasonable in his billing.  Most of the time when the City needs advice, they contact the League of Cities because they do not charge any fee at all.”

When members of the Planning Commission have questions, they should contact the mayor first.  If the mayor decides additional legal information is needed, he will contact either the League of Cities or Tony for the needed information.

Mayor Spuhler thanked the individuals on the Commission for their time and work.  He noted that he feels they are doing a super job.  He asked them to continue.

Rulon Crosby presented his preliminary plat to the Planning Commission.  This is the third or fourth time that he has come to the Planning Commission.  The Commission noted that perhaps the ordinance wasn’t written as clearly as it should have been.  However, everyone on the Commission noted that with the road going down between the two homes, it does turn the lots into corner lots.  As a result, the 20’ set backs are required and necessary.  It was noted that all cities require that much of a set back on corner lots to allow drivers entering the highway have a clear view and able to enter other road safely.

All members of the committee said they would pass on their opinion to the City Council to deny the subdivision.

Crosby was not pleased but noted that he would go to City Council and asked for an exception.

There needed to be a clarification of a fence between Don Huefner’s and Water’s Edge, at approximately 50 South Bear Lake Blvd. and 138 South Bear Lake Blvd.  Don Huefner requested that Water’s Edge put up a 7’ privacy fence.  Water’s Edge felt a 6’ fence would be adequate.

The Commission asked Huefner why he wanted such a high fence.  He noted that he is tall enough that he can see over a 6’ fence and would prefer the 7’ one.  A higher fence would also help reduce noise.

Water’s Edge  developers are planning on moving one of the existing buildings that is on the property over near Huefners and use it to store equipment and supplies.  It would be nice to have a building close to the construction site that would keep equipment and supplies safe, clean, and dry.  The Commission discussed this matter for quite some time before deciding that a 7’fence was approved.

Bob Peterson talked with the Commission asking if they had divided duties among the various members of the Commission to make their work easier.  It was noted that if each individual became very familiar with certain ordinances, not everyone would need to be well versed in all of the ordinances.  Bob felt that the Commission would become more technical and able to answer questions more quickly and accurately.

After some discussion by the members of the Commission, they decided that they would all begin working on the various definitions that go along with the ordinances.  They would then decide if they wanted to specialize.

The Commission was asked if they would like to change the meeting time from 5 p.m. to 5:30.  Most members wanted to keep the meeting at 5.  They said if there was a public hearing scheduled, it could be set for 5 and then the meeting could start at 5:30.  Then, no one would need to take off work early or be confused on whether they needed to be there at 4:30 or 5 as in the past.

It was noted that work at Jake’s Place did not conform or follow the information that was presented to the Commission prior to the renovations that are currently being made.  They had requested engineering plans in order for the remodel to take place.  Apparently, no engineering had been done nor submitted as requested.

The members of the Commission need to make sure that when conditions are given to individuals and their requests, follow-up is necessary.  Members of the Commission are responsible to make sure conditions are met.  They noted that someone would go and talk with those working at Jake’s Place.

The Beach Is Ready!

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield

Rich Middle School Citizens And Students Of The Month - May

Citizens of the Month Rich Middle School

Sage Rothlisberger, Amber Cook  Kylie Thomson, Aly Wallentine,  Owen Teuscher,  Maddy Compton, Yrene Mungia

Students of the Month Rich Middle School

Kyler Wilson, Peyton Allred,  Kassidee Groll,  Alli Jarman, Matt Jessen, Catelyn Nye, Hannah Hillier

May Lake

Photo by Darin Pugmire

April Sheriff's Report

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT BY LOCATION
Location	Total Incidents
Garden City	46
Laketown	13
Randolph	31
Woodruff	10
Total	100

  

NATURE OF INCIDENTS IN GARDEN CITY
Nature of Incident	Total Incidents
Abandoned Vehicle	1
Alarm	3
Animal Problem	1
Citizen Assist	5
DUI Alcohol or Drugs	1
Fire	1
Found Property	2
Fraud	3
Harassment	1
Juvenile Problem	1
Lost Property	1
Medical Emergency	5
Traffic Accident with Damage	1
Rape	1
Suspicious Person, Circumstance	6
Theft	1
Threatening	1
Traffic Hazard	1
Traffic Violation	1
Trespassing	1
VIN Serial Number Inspection	5
Welfare Check	3
Total	46

  

NATURE OF INCIDENTS IN LAKETOWN
Nature of Incident	Total Incidents
Alarm	2
Citizen Assist	4
Civil Process	1
Criminal Mischief	1
DUI Alcohol or Drugs	2
Medical Emergency	1
Threatening	1
VIN Serial Number Inspection	1
Total	13

NATURE OF INCIDENTS IN RANDOLPH
Nature of Incident	Total Incidents
Animal Problem	1
Citizen Assist	2
Civil Process	2
Criminal History	5
DUI Alcohol or Drugs	1
Finger Prints	1
Fire	3
Information Reports	2
Medical Emergency	4
Traffic Accident with Damage	3
Traffic Accident with Injuries	1
Traffic Hazard	1
Transportation of Person/ Property	5
Total Incidents	31

NAATURE OF INCIDENTS IN WOODRUFF
Nature of Incident		Total Incidents
Alarm		1
Citizen Assist		1
Lockout		1
Medical Emergency		1
Miscellaneous CAD Call Record		1
Traffic Accident with Damage		2
Trespassing		1
VIN Serial Number Inspection		1
Welfare Check		1
Total		10
TOTAL TRAFFIC CITATION REPORT BY AREA
Area	Citations	Violations
Garden City	3	3
Randolph	6	6
Total	9	9

TOTAL TRAFFIC CITATIONS BY VIOLATION
Description	Total
Leaving Scene Accident	1
Speeding	8
Total	9

TOTAL TRAFFIC WARNING REPORT BY AREA
Area	Warnings	Violations
Laketown	1	1
Randolph	1	1
Woodruff	1	1
Total	3	3

TOTAL TRAFFIC WARNINGS BY VIOLATION
Description	Total
Speeding	3
Total	3

Lake Management Plan Amendments Proposed

Bear Lake Comprehensive Management Plan Amendment

The Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) is beginning a process to amend the 2009 Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) for the Utah portion of Bear Lake.

Amendments are proposed to address two issues:
Formulate policies for the authorization of private boat ramps at Bear Lake.
Make technical revisions to the 2014 Bear Lake CMP Amendment

The plan amendment process will include a 30 day scoping period, beginning 4/29/2016 and ending 5/31/2016.

A public meeting will be held during the Bear Lake Annual Conference:

Saturday, May 14th 2016
Garden City Town Offices
69 N. Paradise Parkway, Bldg B.

Presentations will begin at 10 am.

Written public comments will be accepted at the meeting or can be mailed to:

DNR FFSL
Attn: Laura Vernon
PO Box 145703
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5703.

You can also submit comments through on online form.