Garden City Council Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich  Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 9, 2017.  Chuck Stocking, Council Member, started to give his report concerning the library when he was interrupted by Riley Argyle, Public Works.  Argyle told him that the book drop box had been smashed late this afternoon.  He noted that he would look at the book drop box and see if he could fix it in any way.  Otherwise, the library may have to come up with some other way of getting book back easily. Other than that, Chuck noted that both the library and swimming pool are doing well.

Jennifer Huefner, Council Member, reported that the City Park is rented out a lot in the summer.  She also reported that non-motor vehicles cannot go on the bike path.  However, an individual came the other day asking if they could use a battery operated bike on the Path.  The individual having the bike is handicapped and needs help pumping his bicycle.  Jennifer said she didn’t know how to answer that question.  If one uses it, will other follow suit and will those wanting to rent bicycles get battery operated bikes as well for rent?

Huefner also wanted to know of the TRT (Transient Room Tax) money could be used for infrastructure and trails.  It was noted that a small amount of TRT money could legally be used for trails.  Jennifer also wanted to know what the budget was for trails and was told that currently, there isn’t a specific line item for trails.

Councilman Darrin Pugmire, said that roads were high on his list because of Third West being designed and readied for next spring when it should be asphalted.

Mayor Spuhler reported that some legislation was passed concerning short term rentals.  However, the laws were so general that it wouldn’t interfere at all with the City’s ordinance dealing with short term rentals.

Apparently the legislature also discussed RDA monies and how they could be changed in the future.  This item will probably be discussed again in next year’s legislative session.

Marketing of Garden City needs to be changed.  Currently, most of the advertising about Garden City is Bear Lake in the summer.  Garden City is actually almost at full capacity in the summer.  However, there are real opportunities for winter activities.  The short term rentals have about 5 percent occupancy in the winter.  Garden City is close to Beaver Mountain and the sinks for snowmobiling and snowshoeing.  There is ice fishing and other activities available that should be made known to the public.  Beaver Mountain Ski Resort gave $6,000 to Garden City to advertise their business in hopes that more people can be made aware of the opportunities and fun that can be had during the winter months in this area.

Garden City is currently gathering data of why people come to this area, where they come from, what they are really looking for and so forth.  This information will then be used to target certain groups of people to encourage them to come here in the winter.