Good Stuff

Taggart’s 

By John Brown, The Man

Most of the time when you go to hole-in-the-wall restaurant, it’s a hole-in-the-wall.

But sometimes you strike gold.

And my youngest daughter and I struck big-time gold last week two miles east of Morgan, Utah, in the canyon between Morgan and Henefer off of exit 108. I’ve driven that stretch many times and never knew anything was off that exit. Literally, if you blink, you’ll think nothing is there.

But if you do, you will miss out on Taggart’s Grill.

It’s nestled in some trees up against the northern slope. The first thing that strikes you when you get out of the car is the delicious aroma. Then you notice the peacocks running about. And then you enter the diner and see a display case of tantalizing, large desserts such as cheesecake, carrot cake, and huge pink-frosted cookies.

The diner itself has a wonderful airy feeling with a high ceiling and lots of windows that offer views of the grove and garden surrounding the diner. There are seats outside in an area with a small waterfall. But we sat inside with the walls of log-cabin wood and the stained glass panels hanging in the windows.

They serve a variety of dishes from sandwiches and soups to pizza, burgers, and fancy plates of salmon or tenderloin. And while the views and setting is awesome, the food is where they really shine.

The beef stew was thick and amazing. The battered fries perfect. The sandwiches were wrapped in thick and soft flat bread that was delicious. And speaking of bread, they asked if I wanted a roll with the stew. I said yes. They didn’t bring out a roll--they brought out a small loaf of what appeared to be freshly baked bread. We of course had to try one of the desserts and opted for the carrot cake. It was lovely with a hint of almond in the cream cheese frosting.

The portions were huge and so we took enough home for another meal for three.

We’re going back.

I want to try one of their burgers, the halibut, and the BLT.

If you like great food at a great price and are anywhere near Morgan, don’t blink at exit 108. Just pull off and enjoy an awesome meal.

Mountain Views

Photos by Kristin Kaufman Buys

Rich Middle School Honors

Students of the Month, September

8th - Hayden Meek McKina Stacey

7th - Brittney Lamborn Riley Carrillo

6th - Corbin Moldenhauer Brynlee Pugmire


Citizens of the Month, September

8th - Kara Carver Kanyon Pace

7th - Tanner Nelson Sadie Wadsworth

6th -  Justus Allred Ariah Ostler

Getting Ready For Halloween At The KOA

This is a community event! Everyone is welcome! Anyone can come and pass out candy and join in activities. There are a handful of cabins that need decorating. If someone would like to decorate a cabin please contact Tonya Petersen @ 435-757-8008.

Thank you, 

Natalie Ottley

TAG, Co Inc.

P:801-864-0551

F:888-829-2339

Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  September 8, 2016.  Jason Watterson of the Utah Local Governments Trust came to the City Council meeting and presented to Garden City the TAP Award.  He noted that there about 550 local cities and towns in Utah.   Utah Government Trust emphasizes risk management and trainer safety.  The program encourages keeping employees safe and staying away from litigation.

Jason said that the most common cause of liability is automobile accidents and suggested that the City make sure all employees are qualified drivers.  The second most common cause of liability is sewer backup. 

He presented a check to the City for $459.90 which is a percent of the liability principle the city pays for their coverage.  Mr. Watterson also encouraged the city to always include a liability release statement whenever the city enters into a contract.  Have the contractors provide the required insurance.  The release statement notes that the city is not at fault; that they are relying on contractors to be licensed, certified, and to do things properly.

A short term rental license was given to Xiankan Zhang who owns property at 929 North Harbor Village East Drive, #214.  Bear Lake Condo Rentals will be the manager of this property.

The transient business license ordinance was discussed.  The Council felt that $500 for 10 days would be fair for those seeking such a license.  These individuals will have to make arrangements at least five business days prior to the license going into effect.  If the five-day period is not met, a fine will be imposed.  It was also noted that perhaps a $1500 deposit should be required.  Then, if the structure or tent or whatever is used for the business isn’t moved within three days, or if the area used in not left clean and tidy, the individual will lose the deposit.  No action was taken on this item; however, it will probably be brought back to the Council in the near future.

The parking ordinance has been updated.  The Council approved the changes that have been made to this ordinance.

There will be a public hearing on September 27, 2016 concerning the recreation center.  Hopefully, all individuals interested should attend the meeting and voice their ideas, suggestions and concerns. 

Garden City Council Reports

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  September 8, 2016.  Most of the council members indicated that they were working on their assignments but didn’t have much new information

Pat Argyle noted that she is working on Heritage Park.  She asked if she thought the idea of a fall Garden City Clean Up Day would be successful.  She noted that she had contacted Johnsons to see if they would be willing to donate a truck for a day, but indicated that they “didn’t do dirty work.”  She thought she might be able to contact someone else who would be willing to help.

She would like everyone in the town to work outside trimming their trees, weeding, picking up garbage, cleaning the bike path and so forth.  She told the Mayor that Ken Hansen had volunteered to clean the bike path at least once a week, if the City was interested in getting that job done.

Argyle noted that she thought it would be nice to get a few flower pots at Heritage Park just to see if they would work out.  She also noted that she thought a water fountain on the west side of the culvert would be important.

Darrin Pugmire reported that there is a road that has no name in Snow Meadows.  There is a house located on this road.  Debra Eames, Rich County Recorder, keeps track of all addresses and streets in the County.  She needs the street name.  She would then be able to assign and house number to the home that is located there.

Getting Third West to continue on through Garden City out to the south entrance road to Sweetwater Hill is going to be a challenge.  He noted that there are some places that are too steep or too close to Bear Lake Blvd.  He suggested that some additional work needs to be put into the City’s master plan.

Pugmire will now be working with the City’s water system.  Jennifer  Huefner will be over trails and business licenses.

Huefner noted that Planning and Zoning members were well prepared at their last meeting.  She was there and was impressed with the current P&Z Board members.

Mayor Spuhler has been nominated to be on the Utah Cities and Towns Board.  He doesn’t know if he will be placed on that board but noted that he would like to work on it and become more familiar with the legislature and other state activities,  Mayor Spuhler also noted that the City will received about $55,000 in sales tax revenue for the months of July and August.

Garden City Public Works

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. September 8, 2016.  Riley Argyle reported that Heritage Park needs to be completed within the next couple of years.  "It will take quite a bit of money to get everything done.  The sprinkler system will cost about $50,000.  Three-phase power would be good, but the City can probably get by with some 200 AMP connections at the east end of the park.  Conduit and boxes will be needed." He said.

Low spots or dips in the park need to be smoothed out.  That will take a bit of time but make walking in the park much easier.  Also, field grass has been more hardy and greener than the other grasses that have been planted.  Riley would recommend the City to go with all field grass.

UDOT will advance some money for Third West so the City can begin their design.  It should be available in the fall of 2017.  The road will be built in the spring of 2018.

The Little Switzerland subdivision needs some replacement of water lines.  It needs to be done before winter because the line always freezes in the winter where it crosses Swan Creek.  That should be done as soon this fall as possible.

Fall Beginning At The Lake

Photo by Gary McKee

Garden City Engineer's Report

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  September 8, 2016.  Zan Murray, the City Engineer, reported on the progress being made on Elk’s Ridge.  The agreement is moving forward.  One individual owner lives in North Carolina.  This individual’s signature is needed and will take a bit of time to obtain.  Most of the others involved have already signed.  Dale Brower has been most helpful in moving this agreement forward.  It is hoped that all signatures will be in place within the next couple of weeks.

Water rights will be on the final plat.  Hickman Title Company has started work on getting the documents ready.  USDA funding won’t be available until around December of this year.  Hopefully, all of the documents will be ready by then so that the City can apply for a grant to assist in getting this subdivision underway.  Most of the required reports will be written between now and December.  

Swan Creek Village had called a water meeting   Garden City will be meeting with this subdivision to discuss water rights. 

The City needs to get the water project completed next summer along 300 West.  Currently, the road on 300 West is on the schedule to be paved the following spring.  The City needs to work through the standards and specifications and submit the information to the state and the engineers.  Then, the City can do the work and inform the state when it is completed.

Water’s Edge has water rights.  They need to convert the rights into shares and/or acre feet.  Phase 1 and 5 were discussed at Planning and Zoning last night.  The P&Z members requested that Water’s Edge workers review Zan’s list of items and take care of them before permission could be given for Water’s Edge to move forward.

One of the items that may be difficult for Water’s Edge to overcome will be the traffic study.  The entrance at 50 South might have to become a one-way street since it is so close to the Logan/Bear Lake Blvd. intersection.  Traffic often backs up there.  The other intersections at 150 South, 250 South, and North of Logan Road are also problem areas.

There is a brick pillar on the south end of Legacy Resort.  This pillar will need to be removed.  There is some grant money that can be used to do that.  The wet lands on the north of the walkway might need a bridge span of 100 feet or so.  That would cost up to $115,000.  If the span can be smaller, (70 feet), it would only cost about $90,000.  Danny White suggested that perhaps a board walk could be permitted.

It was suggested that trail rock be used on the shoulders of the bike path.

Summer Incidents In Garden City And Other Projects

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. September 8, 2016.  Robert Peterson, City Manager, reported on all of the calls he has received this past summer dealing with City problems.  He grouped the items into categories and included the numbers of the items as follows:

CALL LOG
Beach and Parks	Incident	Number
	ATV On the Beach/Speeding	8
	Cars on the Beach	3
	Parking/Waters Edge	3
	Issues at the Park	3
	General Beach Questions	4
	Shore Lodge Beach Access	11
	Kids on the beach after 10 PM	1
	Dogs on beach	2
	Camping	2
	Camp fire on the beach	1
Sub Total		38
Short Term Rentals (STR)	STR Call Noise	0
	STR Parking	3
	General Info Call	1
Sub Total		4
Non-Short Term Rentals	Non STR Noise	1
	Non STR Parking	1
Sub Total		2
Parking	General parking	1
	50 South Parking Lot	2
	150 Parking Lot	3
	350 Gate	9
	350 South Beach Access	3
	Shuttle Info	1
	Fireworks	1
Sub Total		20
Miscellaneous	Sign Calls	4
	TOD’s Signs  (Tourism Signs)	2
	Transient Business	1
	Unlicensed Business	3
Sub Total		10
TOTAL		74

ISSUES FOUND
Incidents		Number
	Check Boat Launch Permit	10
	Parking Water’s Edge	39
	ATV Speeding	6
	50 S. Overnight Parking	2
	Too Many Vs	4
	Overnight City Offices	2
Total		63

CODE ENFORCEMENT
Item	Hours
Signs Ordinance/Removal of signs	28.5
Beach Patrol	129
Park/City Patrol	101
STRs/Software	34
Service Projects (Beach)	12
TOTAL HOURS	304.5
16 Weeks Average Hours	19

CITY ADMINISTRATION/SPECIAL PROJECTS
Item	Hours
Development Projects	58
STR – State Legislature	57.5
Recreation Center	75
Beatification Project	6
City Meetings (Staff and Boards)	141.5
Ordinance Review/Rewrite	28
Grant Projects (Wayfinding)	20
CWPP	42.5
HOA Review Project	9
Water/STR Project	29
TODS (Tourism Signs)	10.5
Corridor Study	9
TRT Grants	4
TRT Tax Project	7
Vacation Time	52
TOTAL HOURS	548
16 weeks Average Hours	34.25

Peterson went on to explain that he has been working with the company in charge of making sure that the recreational center bond is being handled properly.  There will be another public hearing this evening dealing with this issue.

Another project concerns water usage at short term rentals compared with full-time residents.  This should be completed in the next few weeks.

A tax project dealing with sales tax and transportation tax is being discussed.  Currently Rich County collects 3.0% and the city gets 1.5% from sales and transportation.  Apparently most cities in Utah collect 4.5%.  Peterson is going to write a grant and ask that 1% this TRT (transient room tax) money be given back to the city to take care of tourist related items.

It was noted that a meeting will be held sometime this fall to talk with individuals who work with short-term rentals to see if they would be in favor of increasing the collection of MTRT (municipal tax resort town) tax to 4.0% in the future.  If they are in favor, the steps will be taken to obtain a larger sum of money from STRs. 

The fall advertising campaign is underway.  A TRT grant has been used to partner with the Aggie Sports Package.  This will draw attention to Garden City concerning winter activities and opportunities.

The effort is going to be made to obtain a grant for beach access help. 

Rich Middle School Meeting - October 12

Parents of Rich Middle School students, what if I told you that researchers have uncovered a secret activity that teens enjoy that has the side benefit of actually raising their grades in all of their classes?
But that’s not all. This one secret thing will help them get better jobs years in the future.

It will help them make more money.

And they won’t even know that it’s doing this for them. They won’t care. Because they won’t be doing it for the grades or money. They’ll be doing it for the enjoyment it brings. They’ll be doing it just because they like to do it. One little surprising thing. And it’s backed up by lots and lots of research.

Do you want to know what this activity is?

Do you want to open up opportunities for your child?

If you do, come to the meeting Mrs. Brown is having at 7:00 p.m. on October 12 at the Rich Middle School.





We will reveal all there.