Solar Power Without Rooftop Panels

Here comes the sun 

Residents can now reserve Rocky Mountain Power’s solar power without rooftop panels.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (June 23, 2016) – Rocky Mountain Power’s residential customers now have a new option to use power from the sun. Residential customers can now reserve solar blocks from the Subscriber Solar program and they will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Construction has begun on a 20-megawatt solar plant near Holden, Utah. Subscriber Solar allows commercial and residential customers to purchase solar power if they rent their property, cannot afford to install solar or have roofs that are not suitable for solar panels.

Participants will be able to subscribe in 200-kilowatt-hour blocks up to their total average monthly usage. The benefits and costs of the program will vary depending on how much electricity a customer uses and how many blocks they support. The blocks will be divided so commercial and residential customers will be able to subscribe but the blocks will be available on a first come, first served basis.

“Our customers have told us they want more options to use renewable energy and to reduce their carbon footprint.” said Keven Hoopiiaina, Subscriber Solar Program Manager. “The Subscriber Solar program is a new, affordable option to use solar power and we will show customers how much they could save or if it might cost slightly more to participate.” 

High-energy users in the summer may actually pay less for their energy because electricity costs can be higher during that season. Customers can subscribe for up to 20 years so the ‘locked-in’ generation rate could also save customers money if electricity prices go up in the future. The solar plant for the program will be built this year and be on-line for customers on January 1, 2017.

Several thousand blocks have been reserved for our residential customers. Commercial and industrial customers began reserving Subscriber Solar blocks on May 9. Those blocks are nearly sold out thanks to more than 40 early adopters including: Salt Lake City Corporation, Park City Municipal, Summit County, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deer Valley Resort, Amsco Windows, Este Pizzeria, Over the Counter Café, Weber State University, Kiito’s Brewery, Anodizing & Metal Coatings and Mountain Yoga.

Residential customers can sign up for the program using an online calculator and watch a short video about how the program works, and commercial customers can request an analysis to see how the program would impact their bills at www.rockymountainpower.net/subscriber or by calling 1-844-813-3971.

Rocky Mountain Power is working to bring its customers more and more renewable energy choices. Its Blundell geothermal power plant near Milford, Utah, was the nation’s first geothermal plant built outside of California when it came online in 1984. It also has 13 utility-scale wind projects generating electricity for customers; and as part of its parent company – Berkshire Hathaway Energy – it ranks as the nation’s leading utility owner of wind capacity. Customers can also support renewable energy through the company’s Blue Sky program, which supports renewable projects in the West and helped create more than 100 community-based renewable projects in the states it serves.

Margaret Oler
External Communications & Media Relations
1407 W. North Temple, Suite 330
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
801-220-2592
margaret.oler@rockymountainpower.net

Bear Lake From Air: Flying Home

Photo by Scott Livingston

June 2016 Fire Board Report

Chris Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. June 16, 2016.  The Garden City Fire District Governing Board held its regular monthly meeting. All board members were present. Business conducted included:

1) The governor has preemptively signed a proclamation about fire restrictions so that if and when it needs to be implemented it can happen without delay,

2) Open burning in the fire district has been banned since 6/15/16 (except in some approved fire pits (but not all)),

3) The rescue boat is completely functional and is on duty at the state marina,

4) Work continues on the Standard Operating Procedures manual, section by section,

5) Fire truck Brush 43 is repaired. The cost to repair the transmission was about $2,000 less than anticipated,

6) There was a residential brush fire in Bridgerland that was quickly suppressed,

7) There have been joint training exercises with personnel from Idaho concerning rescue operations on the lake and more are scheduled. The new radio on the rescue boat provided by Idaho has made joint communications much better.

Woodruff 4th of July Homecoming

July 01, 2016 1:00 pm - July 04, 2016 6:00 pm

Rich Middle School Honor Roll

Third Trimester 2016

6th Grade

Brooklyn Anderson, Riley Carrillo, Hattie Cornia, Riley Dean, Joshua England, Kassidee Groll,
Kayley Hatch, Hannah Hiller, Ellie Johnson, Brittney Lamborn*, Ambria Lutz*, Tayla McKee*, James McKinnon, Chloe Negus*, Tanner Nelson, Amasay Nielsen, Natalee Parry*, Annie Peart*, Hanna Rex, Chancie Shafer, Makynzee Smith*, Danny Staheli, Kylie Thomson, Sadie Wadsworth, Katelyn Wahlberg*,Jayden Ward.

*4.0 gpa

7th Grade

Teanna Chandler, Aaron Cook, Alysia Cook, Amber Cook, Jaycee Cornia, Zoe Dean*, Kennedy Eastman*, Hannah Gracey, Jaidyn Groll, Brooke Handley, Sydney Hopkin, Kysa Johnson, Abril Maldonado*, Corbin Malm, Hayden Meek*, Kaitlynn Moldenhauer, Haylie Nye, Amanda Schulthess*, Keller Siddoway, McKina Stacey, Riley Taylor, Amiya Trenery, Samuel Wahlberg,  Rebecca Wamsley, Madyson Weston*, Ian Winter.

8th Grade

Ellianna Brown, Shelby Burton, Kya Cluff*, Corgin Conk, Hailey Davis, Sydney Hatch, Colton Hislop, Taylor Jacobson, Allison Jarman*, Maddi Staheli, Kendall Stapel, Alaine Thomson,
Alyzabeth Wallentine, Bridger Weston, Kyler Wilson.

Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  June 9, 2016.  Paul and Dottie Nance asked that the City terminate the Covenant to run with the land, Lot 2, and Lot 19 of Buttercup Farms, Plat 1, 41-21-39-002 and 41-21-39-019.  The encumbrance was removed.

A request was made to encumber lots 63 and 98 of Buttercup Mobile Home Estates by James and Cathrine Blaisdell.  These two lots are adjacent to each other.  The request was approved.

Elk’s Ridge water system easement and property agreement agenda item was addressed in the newspaper article about Garden City/Elk’s Ridge Agreement presented by Zan Murray, the City’s Engineer.

There was a discussion by the council concerning rental fees for fund raisers.  Because it is difficult to determine what a valid fund raiser is, no change in rental fees was made.

Several individuals have suggested that perhaps short-term rentals have a major impact on the City’s water system.  Currently, the council is looking into this by comparing water usage by short term rentals compared to water usage by year-around residents.  The data being used is from last July and August. This information will be available soon.

The Library Rummage Sale was scheduled for June 10 and 11.  

Rich Monk is in charge of the swimming pool and will follow-up on any problems there.

The Marina enlargement may still be considered in the next legislature.  Senator Hillyard was able to get $25 million pledge to this project.  That means he was only $10 to $15 million short.  One more year will allow him time to be able to find the required additional monies to allow the project to move forward.

Summer Waves

Photo by Lauriann Wakefield

Garden City Engineer Report On Elk's Ridge

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  June 9, 2016.  Zan Murray, Garden City Engineer, noted that he had just received the anticipated  MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the water tank from Elk’s Ridge on his telephone.  He noted that the MOU looks good.  It will need to be put into a good format.  The main problem areas are covered in the MOU.

Garden City will be given the land where the water tank was placed.  The others involved in this transaction are TRC Construction, a few Elk’s Ridge land owners, Raspberry Patch Home Owners Association and Foothill Estates will need to be added.

The City will install water for Raspberry Patch and Foothill Estates that will boost their water pressure.  Because of some of the items left incomplete by the previous owner, Frank Smith; Elk’s Ridge Phase 1 will be approved, Phase 2 has some problems that will be resolved shortly, and Phase 3 is on the west of the area to be handled separately.

The previous agreements that have been made will need to be clarified.    The boundary between Foothill Estates and Phase 2 on Elk’s Ridge requires a narrow strip of land to be put in place to allow the installation of pipes for water to the various lots.

A list of responsibilities for each of the parties involved in this MOU is included. The tank will be given to the City and the City will accept Elk’s Ridge subdivision.  The subdivision will have both an entry and exit as required by the City.

For future development, 220 water connections are available to Elk’s Ridge.  One hundred twenty of these connections are dedicated to Elk’s Ridge—90 for Phase one and 30 for Jeff.  The other 100 connections require that any individual using them will be required to bring water shares to the City for their water usage.  The City will collect the impact fees.

Future development of the area will be allowed to use the tank for all fire protection.

There was a  discussion of the crash gate installation including items such as who is responsible, where it will be located, and so forth.

Garden City will contribute $10,000 to help with the roads on Elk’s Ridge.

The responsibilities of other parties require a dedication of the land where the tank is located.

The City Council Members approved the MOU with the changes that Zan feels need to be added and/or changed.

There really is motivation to approve this agreement since there are financial benefits to everybody.  There are really eight to ten different groups that are involved with this MOU.  Some groups will need to make some payments on the water tank.

New Businesses In Garden City

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. June 9 2016. Wendy Cronin requested a license from the City to conduct a cleaning business.  The business will be called All Season’s Cleaners.  The motion was made and approved to allow the license to be given.

Vickie Mercer has a business called Blind Coyote Trading Post located at 62 West Logan Road.  She requested that she be given a business license.  The request was approved.

Escape at Bear Lake is fun event site where people attempt to follow clues to escape from a room.  The owner, Shelly Walker, asked that she be given a license for this business located at 65 West Logan Road #7.  Approval was given.

Ottley Enterprise, L.L.C., requested that a license be given to conduct a brokering freight and small craft business at 357 North Sunrise Drive.  The request was made by Natalie Ottley.  It was determined that the brokering freight business could be granted a license.  Since the small craft business is so different from the other, it was determined that a second license for the second business would need a separate business license..

The following is a list of short term rentals need short term rental licenses:  The request for the needed licenses was submitted to the City:

1019 Snowmeadows, owned by Lucas Buckland.

Ideal Beach, Suite #11, owned by Ideal Beach.  Vanessa Robinson is about 15 minutes  away and will be the contact person if problems arise.

758 Cambry Drive, owned by Wonderr Holdings.  Penny Stevens will be their contact    person.

Ideal Beach, Unit #337, owned by Mountainwest RV, L.L.C.

98 West Lake Circle, owned by David Mills, and will be handled by Bear Lake project    Management Company.

110 West Season’s Lane, Unit A, owned by MMFH, L.L.C., property management   company is Let’s Get Away Properties, L.L.C.

110 West Season’s Lane, Unit B, owned by MMFH, L.L.C., property management   company is Let’s Get Away Properties, L.L.C.

110 West Season’s Lane, Unit C, owned by MMFH, L.L.C., property management   company is Let’s Get Away Properties, L.L.C.

110 West Season’s Lane, Unit D, owned by MMFH, L.L.C., property management   company is Let’s Get Away Properties, L.L.C.

110 West Season’s Lane, Unit E, owned by MMFH, L.L.C., property management   company is Let’s Get Away Properties, L.L.C.

All of the above were approved.

City Ordinances And Parking

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. June 9, 2015.  A Public Hearing was held concerning the City’s ordinance about quiet hours and parking requirements. After the hearing, the Council members determined that quiet hours should remain the same without any changes.  Parking stalls for oversize vehicles and those pulling boats, trailers, and so forth should be 20’ x 40’.  This requirement is being added to clarify any questions about parking.  The number of oversize stalls will be included on the chart currently being update.

There was a question concerning how to determine the number of parking spaces required by a business.  It was noted that gross square footage of the building plus the footage of any outdoor seating should be included in the calculation.  Also, short-term rentals have their own requirements.  There should be one parking space for every five individuals staying in the rental.  Reference for short-term rentals should be noted in the parking ordinance since it is handled differently than a regular business.

Some businesses are unable to provide the necessary parking at their current location.  As a result, they should buy extra parking from the City.  The amount suggested was $250 per year per spot which is actually what it costs to maintain each of the parking stalls in the City’s parking areas.  Updates on parking will be checked for both Water’s Edge and the new Legacy PUD.

The City currently has a table that shows the required parking stalls for various businesses that is included in the parking ordinance.  This table will be updated before next month’s council meeting so that everyone will be able look at the table to make sure they are meeting the City’s requirements.

Resolution #R 16-02 is a resolution of the Town of Garden City to adopt the 2015 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan   After a short discussion, the Resolution was approved.

A Public Hearing was held to get input concerning next year’s budget.  After the hearing ended, a discussion was held by the Council.  A motion was made and approved to open the budget and make any fund transfers needed to take care of any over expenditures. The Council decided to set aside money for the software update that is required by the water treatment plant.  Also, the Council requested that $75,000 be put into the capital projects account for improvements at Heritage Park.  It was requested that a 4 percent increase in the salaries for all of the City workers be placed in the budget as well. With those three changes, a motion was made to approve the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017.  The budget funds include the General Fund, Buttercup Special Improvement District Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Beach Access Fund, and the Enterprise (water) Fund.

Heritage Park Flag Is Flying

Photo by Carol and Robert Dyer

Raspberry Days Discussion

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. June 9, 2016 The Raspberry Days Committee told the City Council that they did not want to charge a $1 entrance fee for entry into the vendor area at Raspberry Days.  Mayor Spuhler wanted to know why they were adverse to this suggestion.

The Committee felt that deciding to charge at this point in the process wouldn’t be fair to those participating in the vendor area.  They felt everyone needed to know before committing themselves to participation.  Now is too late to withdraw if the vendors disapprove.

Mayor Spuhler reported that Raspberry Days only makes about $6,000 to $8,000 which is not enough to enhance and improve this City sponsored activity.  A new stage, additional tents, more expensive entertainment, and so forth could improve and make this activity more attractive.  Making changes and improving this venue is not possible at the present time because there is not enough money to add to and enhance this festival. 

The City would like to be able to move this activity to Heritage Park and get the vendors onto the grass instead of asphalt.  However, it will cost a lot of money to get the needed 3-phase electricity, parking lots, amphitheater, and so forth.  The activity needs to make enough money before this change of location can occur. 

The Raspberry Days Committee noted that they would not be against asking individuals to donate for the enhancement of this activity.  They asked that the city provide some plans showing how the Park would look when changes and additions were made.  They are willing to have this poster in the information booth and promised they would draw individuals’ attention to this request.

If it appears that people would be willing to donate to this activity, perhaps a $1 admission could be charged in future years.

It was also noted, that many vendors are not sending in the sales tax.  The vendor’s failure to pay this tax reduces the amount of money the City receives for this activity.  Hopefully, in the future, the vendors will comply with state law concerning sales tax.

A survey could be conducted after Raspberry Days to gather more information from vendors and others who participate in this activity.