Beach Access, Rec Center, Other Issues At Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  November 10, 2016. Jason and Jill Johnson own a home at 640 Cambry Drive.  They have requested a short term rental license.  Their property will be managed by Bear Lake Project Management.  The motion was made and approved to grant their request.

Time is always set aside during the Council Meeting to allow anyone present to ask questions or request information.  There were several individuals at the meeting who live in the Shore Lodge Home Owner’s Association.  The City had opened up six beach accesses through this subdivision.  The Home Owners Association sued the City and were allowed by the court to close these beach accesses.  They had heard that the City was going to again attempt to open those accesses to the lake.  They were concerned and wanted to know what was going to happen in the future concerning these walkways to the beach. 

A couple of the individuals stated that they will fight to keep the City from taking their property.  They said they would do everything they can to stop the City before it gets started again.  One individual asked why the City didn’t buy property along the lake.  This individual thought it would actually be cheaper to do that than to try and take their property from them.

Mayor Spuhler noted that people coming to this area should be allowed to get to the lake.  He also stated that the City did not agree with the judge.  No one owns the lake, and there are so many people coming into Garden City that more accesses are needed.  He noted that eminent domain allows property to be taken legally in order to allow individuals to gain access to public areas.  This is the action the City is going to take in the future to assure that people can get to the public areas—which is the lakeshore.  There will be a meeting in December—a public hearing—which is standard procedure in using eminent domain. 

There was a discussion held concerning ordinance 16-07.  This ordinance is updating requirements to obtain a transient merchant license, which includes the transient vendor license, the beach vendor license, and the special event vendor license.  It was decided that instead of giving three warnings to vendors who do no comply with the ordinance, only one warning would be given.  It was decided that upon a second warning, the license would be revoked and forfeited.  It was determined that the ordinance officer will be the person monitoring these kinds of activities.  The ordinance was approved with the above changes.

Two individuals’ names were presented to the City Council to be appointed to the Planning Commission.  Jordan McKee and Jared Hislop were approved by the Council.  The motion was made and passed to have these two individuals serve on this Commission.  They will be sworn into office at the next Council Meeting.

Harper Johnson wanted to speak to the City Council regarding the recreation center.  He said he knew that the bond issue did not pass.  He noted that he is a second home owner.  He had been very concerned when the issue was on the ballot, and second home owners had no say or vote concerning financial items that would really affect them.  He said that he and his family really enjoy coming to Bear Lake.  They come for the lake and would probably never use a recreation center.  He asked that the City give families in his situation an opportunity to have some say in financial issues that would have such a big impact on them.

Mayor Spuhler noted that the City has to follow state law.  Primary home owners are the only ones allowed to vote on such issues.  If secondary home owners would like the law changed, they would need to work through the State.  Garden City has to follow the laws concerning these types of items.

Mayor Spuhler noted that it was good to let people vote on such issues.  He said that it was good to let the people make the decision.  The voting certainly made their desire known.  Almost ninety percent of the citizens voted that they did not want the recreation center.  He felt putting the issue up to vote was a good exercise and certainly let everyone know how the people felt about this issue.

Mayor Spuhler said that he had talked with Commissioner Cox concerning TRT (transient room tax) revenues.  He reported that the City took in $170,000 in 2014.  The amount was $229,000 in 2015.  The amount so far this year is $300,000.  The money is sent to the state and comes back to the County.  It is a state law that a third of the amount goes to police, ambulance, and search and rescue.  A certain amount goes to infrastructure and twice that amount must go to advertising. 

It was noted that Garden City generates 98 percent of the money that comes back to the County.  The Mayor felt that Garden City should receive perhaps a larger amount of the money than the City currently gets.  Commissioner Cox said he would look into this matter.  Commissioner Cox did note that the grants that the cities apply for from the County (TRT money) has always required that the city match the amount they are given.  He noted that a change has been made.  Instead of requiring a money match, a match in kind could be used.

Chuck Stocking reported that the library is doing fine.  However, there is a new member on the board—Natalie Ottley.  She will serve in Chuck’s place.  The library asked if they could use the property on the west of the City Offices for youth gardens this next summer.  The Council asked that the library board make some plans that can be presented to the Council to see exactly what they will be doing.  It was noted that the youth gardens will be used as a part of the summer reading program.

Darrin Pugmire noted that he had wanted to do something with the young kids to use the fish pond this past summer.  He couldn’t find anyone interested in helping.  He is going to try again this next summer.

Ongoing Public Works Projects

Anita Weston, reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  November 10, 2016. Riley Argyle, Garden City Public Works, reported that the third west project will start next summer.  Currently the plan shows the road width is 24’ wide.  A 28 ‘width would be much better, and he feels this road width would be the smallest that the city should consider.  Just a few inches would make driving the road much easier and safer. 

The water line needs to be placed along the side of the road this coming summer.  The sewer has already been laid on the east side of the road along the fence line.  Some of the sewer manholes may need to be adjusted, but that won’t be a problem.

It was suggested that conduit should probably be placed down the east side of the road as well.  Also water connections need to be installed at the various owner’s of property who were willing to donate land to the City. 

A section of the bike path from Gwenda Hansen’s home to the ACE Hardware store needs to be replaced.  It might be even better to replace the bike path from Faye’s Trailer Park.  There are also a low spots at 200 North, 350 South from the corner to Ned’s property, and a low area just before the turn into Buttercup.  The City will begin to work on them as weather permits.

Ken Hansen volunteered to run the sweeper to keep the bike path clean.  The Council noted that he needs to be added to the City’s insurance.  His willingness to help would really be appreciated.  It is late in the year, but there are still a lot of people using the path.  It would be good to clean the path until snow comes.  Thanks Ken.

There are a few sections of sidewalk that needs to be replaced. Depending on the weather, this work will be done this fall if possible; otherwise it will be completed next spring.

A door has been ordered for the red shed.  It won’t arrive for a couple of weeks.  The power box did not pass inspection and needs to be update at the red shed.  The workers will be housing the snow equipment in the red shed and do need electric power in the shed.

There is a meter that is leaking.  Argyle will work on that as soon as possible.  There is a culvert that needs to be put in place and the snow fence on First West needs to be put up before late next week.  The sander and snow plow are ready, but there is still one of the trucks that needs some work.

The water treatment plant is getting new software and a new computer.  The new computer is in transit, and the new software is here and will be loaded as soon as the computer arrives.   When there is a brown-out or black-out, the compressors have to be manually reset at the water treatment plant.  This problem is not easy to fix and will probably always have to be manually reset.  One of the flow sensors at the plant needs to be changed out.

There are about 1300 water meters connected to the City water system.  Reading the meters used to take a couple of days.  With the new software, it will only take about four hours.  Riley is making a list of places that are receiving water, but no meter has been installed.  The lines to these homes haven’t been found.  They have used a metal detector, looked for any maps that may show where the lines were laid etc.  He said he will keep trying to find where the lines are so that those homes will be able to pay for the water they use, not just be billed a standard rate.

Zan Murray, City Engineer, noted that the contract with Elk’s Ridge still lacks two signatures.  However, they agreement is getting closer to completion.  The field survey work was done on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.  Murray will follow-up on the funding for this project and will let the City know next week where things stand.

The overall project is large and has a lot of parts included in it and will cost about 3.5 million dollars.  It deals with the water for Elk’s Ridge that includes buying the Shundahi tank.  The project also includes Raspberry Patch Subdivision water pressure, Foothill Estates water pressure, upgrading the booster station, three phase power and larger pipes to the Shundahi Tank, and a water line from the lower pump station to the top of Cherimoya to increase the water pressure there.  In addition the water line along 300 West is included. 

When the water rate analysis study was done, the projects were supposed to be started and completed.  Since that didn’t happen, the money that was included in the water rate should be adding up in the water enterprise fund so that the money will be there to pay for the various parts of the project when each is completed.

The state is getting ready to begin work on the Third West road in 2018.  They would like to meet with the mayor and those from the public works department in the next week or two to begin getting the plans to start the project.

Rocky Mountain Power - Assistance For Energy Costs

            Rocky Mountain Power partners with The Salvation Army to provide assistance through the Lend a Hand program to help low-income customers who are finding it difficult to cover the costs of monthly necessities such as energy.

            “Rocky Mountain Power customers will find donation envelopes in their November statements and are encouraged to participate in helping neighbors in need. Customers can simply place a check in the enclosed envelope, made out to the Lend a Hand Program, in the amount they choose. Donated funds go directly towards providing energy assistance to Utah households in need,” said Alene Bentley, Rocky Mountain Power regional business manager.

            Bentley also explained Rocky Mountain Power will match donations with $2 for every $1 customers contribute. For added convenience, customers can donate a fixed dollar amount each month through their bill by contacting Rocky Mountain Power customer service at 1-888-221-7070. All donations are tax deductible.

            “It is our privilege to help veterans, elderly and disabled individuals in our communities who, for one reason or another, are in need of assistance with their utility bills,” said Troy Neal Trimmer, The Salvation Army Salt Lake Basin envoy in charge. “At The Salvation Army, we receive the hugs and tears of appreciation from those who are helped, yet we know that it is only through the generosity of donors that this help is available to our neighbors.”

Good Stuff

By John Brown, The Man

What have the Dutch got that we ain’t got?

I’ll tell you what they have—easy access to sambal oelek (SAHM-bal OO-lek). Sambal oelek is Indonesian for “dang good chili paste.”

You  are now sitting down to a delicious meal. And it’s been made even more delicious because you used sambal oelek. “Sambal” means something like “condiment” or “sauce.” There are a lot of different sambals, of course.  Oelek refers to a type of Indonesian stone mortar and pestle used to grind things. So a rough translation is ground sauce.

And this sauce/paste is awesome. Now, I’m not a spicy foods guy. In fact, whenever we eat out, and I’m asked how spicy I want my food, I always choose mild. I hate super spicy food. But sometimes a little spice can transform a dish.

You want to perk up your stir fry? Sambal oelek.

You want to refresh your scrambled eggs? Sambal oelek.

You want to try a new kind of PBJ? Sambal oelek.

A spicy PBJ? Oh, baby.

I was introduced to this BPJ when I was on my mission in the Netherlands. BTW, it’s not by accident I became of fan of Indonesian food while on my mission. Indonesia used to be a Dutch colony, and so there are tons of Indonesians there. For almost a year, I lived in rooms rented out of the houses of Indonesian landladies who cooked our lunches or dinners for us.

So one day I watched one of my fellow missionaries spread sambal onto a piece of bread, then follow with peanut butter and a touch of jelly. At the time, I was grossed out. Then I tried it.

Have you ever had satay? It’s the Thai and Indonesian version of BBQ. It usually comes with this marvelous spicy-sweet peanut butter sauce. If you have, you know you love it. And this, well, this is what you call the sambal PBJ variation of satay.

If you like Thai, you’ll love this stuff.

So where did I find it?

World Market.

And if you don’t have one close, you can get it on Amazon. Yeah.

But, wait. There’s another mild hot sauce that you don’t want to miss.

My two daughters just returned from their missions. One went to Kentucky. At the end of her mission, she was teamed up with one Sister Barajas from Mexico and assigned to work Spanish-speaking folks. And Sister Barajas introduced her to Cholula.

Heavenly Cholula. Not too spicy. No weird taste like Tobasco.

You want to perk up your stir fry? Cholula.

You want to refresh your scrambled eggs? More Cholula.

You want to try a new kind of PBJ? I don’t know. I haven’t tried that yet. But it’s good on steamed veggies. Good just about anywhere you want a fine little zing.

Where can you find it?

Walmart.

How easy is that.

If you like mild spice, the little bottle with a wooden top is going to become your friend.

Life is good.

Fall Leaves

Photo by Jennifer Cassillas

Short Term Rental Ordinance And Bike Trail

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. November 2, 2016. Mitch Poulsen, Bear Lake Regional Commission director, said the Short Term Rental draft ordinance has been reviewed by the attorney.  If the ordinance is passed, Poulsen believes there may be an increase of rental properties since it will eliminate uncertainty for investors.

Garden City has developed an excellent software package to manage the short term rentals in the county.  It shows that there are 21 homes that are short term rentals in the county.  These rentals are found by “sweeping” the internet for advertisements on the internet.  The software will be purchased by the BLRC at a cost of $5,000.

Poulsen wants to get additional grant  funding for the bike path. They would like to complete the  section from Ideal Beach to past Gus Rich Point or from Rendezvous Park to state park rest area.  Poulsen  thinks they could get $150,000 and find a match. Commissioners told him to go after any funding he could find. They were fine with the concept. Money for the path could come from Transportation Alternatives Grant, Restaurant Tax and donations.

“Now that the high water mark has been established around the lake perhaps the trail could be elevated and separated from the road,” said Bill Cox.  

Sunrise

Photo by Elvira Luzack

Emergency Management

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. November 2, 2016. Emergency management in the state and in Rich County is mostly designed to deal with hazmat issues and earthquakes.  They are well prepared for those emergencies.  But extreme weather events are becoming more prevalent and causing unexpected damage.  Utah held  a weather summit in April to discuss the changing weather patterns.

“We always train for earthquake, but  we could have an extreme weather event such as 5” of rain in Logan Canyon above Garden City,” said Bryce Nielson, Rich County Emergency Manager.

Nielson reported to commissioners that he was working on the Local Emergency Planning Committee. (LEPC).  He said the fire departments are participating as are EMS, public works managers, health department and law enforcement.  They want more participation of elected officials and private citizens.

Kimberly Giles, State of Utah Emergency Management  Coordinator said that all emergency managers are required to be members of the Utah Association of Emergency Managers to keep up on training. 

Neilson wrote a grant for emergency planning  which pays half the his salary.  He said it has become more complicated that the past.

“This county is required to do everything a big county would, even if it is not needed by the county.  Training, conferences, plans.  There needs to be documentation of how the money is spent and expenditures must be carefully logged and itemized.  We used to get money, but now the money has to be spent on a region wide effort rather than city or county projects.” 

The Debris Management plan must be updated, one of the first responses to emergency is getting roadways cleared.

Tom Weston said that power outages plague the county more than anything.  Many new homes are not equipped with real fireplaces for heat and cooking. 

Neilson talked about the Urban Wildland Interface for fire protection.  He is worried about Sweetwater Hillside.  The hillside probably needs a firebreak like the firebreak above Garden City. 

Neilson said the lost boat exercise that they did with Utah State Parks was very helpful.   One of the tasks they accomplished was to designate view sites for checking for an emergency on the lake.

There are EMPG grants for a mass casualty vehicle, Neilson said there is a need for transporting six or more people in a mass event.  The county only has three ambulances. 

State Park Report

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, reporter
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. November 2, 2016.  Richard Droesbeke, Bear Lake State Park Manager,  told county commissioners  there  were  about 345,000 marina and  state parks visitors this year which creating more than  $1 million in revenues  with a profit of $601,000.  That represents an increase of $82,000 over last year.  In the last ten years there has been an increase every year

. 

Bear Lake Enterprises, which holds the license to merchandise the State Parks made $1,170,000, which was the best year ever for a concessionaire, they pay royalties on that earning.   BLE has added more amenities.  Any other business that uses the marina must have a sub contract to the concessionaire. 

Bill Cox and Tom Weston said that there has been some discord from people who have a commercial fishing trip business and feel like they are only using the marina for launch and don’t want to pay Brian Hirschi for that launch.  Droesbeke said that according to the law, Bear Lake Enterprise was entitled to charge any commercial entity. 

Park use is growing.  This was the busiest summer they have had.  They had ten nights when every campsite was filled and there was overflow. The Cisco Disco is growing every year; there were 800 ice water jumpers in the Cisco Disco.     

Droesbeke is hoping to get a maintenance position filled.   They are at capacity for parking at the Marina and at Rendezvous Beach and need more.  They also hope to get new restrooms at the Rendezvous Park.   They are opening a new OHV trail to Meadowville.   And they are working on approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers to do beach grooming and to provide access below State Park areas.  Idaho has that approval.   Senator Lyle Hillyard is working on the marina, he thinks he can get $25 million but a gap of $13 million has to be met. 

Phase 1 of the Long term rental dock replacement has been completed and Phase 2 is going out to bid.  In the spring they will build a fish cleaning station.  On the Eastside the parking area will be enlarged and paved at First Point. Marina parking will also have improvements. 

They also organized and conducted an “on the water” search and rescue training. The quagga mussel testing was done. 

Norm Weston wants the infected lakes to have cleaning stations rather than trying to protect Bear Lake from quagga mussels. “That is where your efforts should be.” He said.

Rendezvous Beach improvements included two new replacement restrooms, expanded two existing pavilions as new group campsites.  A new day use pavilion was built with funds donated by ICON Health and Fitness.   

Tourist Room Tax Disbursments

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, reporter
Rich  Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. November 2, 2016.  Deanna Rothlisburger, Bear Lake Tourist and Convention Bureau, announced that Tourist Room Tax (TRT) is significantly higher this year.  She expects it to be over $300,000 this year.  A third of that can be used for emergency services and law enforcement or convention centers.  

Rothlisburger is asking for $118,000 to be used for advertising.  The bulk of the advertising will go to “Aggie Sports Ads”, which is a coordinated advertising program at USU football, basketball and other sports.  The games go thru fall to spring and it is a good targeted audience in the Wasatch front.  The campaign will focus on winter and fall.  Increasing tourism in the winter will give Garden City a longer season.  It seems to be working; the Conestoga Ranch has been booked at 80% in the shoulder seasons. 

Other projects to be funded by TRT tax are the Laketown bleachers at the arena and bleachers for Woodruff.

Samuel M. Weston 1950 - 2016

July 31, 1950 - October 26, 2016

Samuel M. Weston was born July 31, 1950, in Logan, Utah, to George Wesley Weston and Theda Mattson. He grew up on the family ranch chasing cows, getting into trouble with his brothers George and Tom, and teasing his sisters Christine, Alice and Shelly.

Sam had a soft heart and a generous spirit. He served in the National Guard until his honorable release in 1976. He also served as a deputy sheriff and sheriff for Rich County. Sam had an entrepreneurial spirit, owning several businesses, including a packing plant and construction company, before he rediscovered the joy of his childhood and became a rancher and part owner of Yellowstone Ranch near Lander, WY. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, swimming, fishing and snowmobiling.

He and Rose Cox had two beautiful children, Megan and Benjamin. They enjoyed playing cards and chess as well as hunting, fishing, and just hanging out as a family. Sam had a boisterous, contagious laugh, and there isn't a child in his life that doesn't have fond memories of his playful spirit and good-natured teasing.

Sam passed away Oct. 26, 2016, in Coolidge, AZ, at the age of 66. He will be dearly missed by his daughter, Megan (Frank) Hernandez; his grandsons, Frank T. (Maria) Hernandez, Eddie (Chandi) Hernandez, and Colten Hernandez; and his great-granddaughters, Cynthia, Kamiryn and Benzleigh. He was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin Samuel; father, George Wesley Weston; and sister, Christine Webb. He is survived by his mother, Theda Weston; siblings George (Cathy) Weston, Tom (Vickie) Weston, Alice (Kent) Argyle, Shelly (El) Mettman; and brother-in-law, Chuck Webb. He will also be missed by the many nieces and nephews that he made laugh, and sometimes cry, with his teasing.

Viewing was Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with funeral services to follow directly at noon. All services held at the Laketown LDS Church. Interment followed at the Laketown Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com.