Garden City Council Reports

Anita Weston, Reporter 

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  March 14, 2019.  Council-member Pat Argyle reported that Heritage Park should be ready by Memorial Day.  She is currently working on a fee schedule for that park. 

She said that she had been contacted from a company in Cherry Peak located in Richmond.  They requested that they be allowed to rent the city park and put on musical concerts every Saturday night during this coming summer.  They have some super entertainers and have been able to get good crowds to their concerts. 

Several council members asked if the park would have to be locked so that this company could sell their tickets and allow people to enter the park.  They asked about where the cars would be parked.  They asked how other individuals could get to the lake without interfering with the Concert.  The water board business stays open on the weekends on Friday and Saturday night until 9 p.m.  The council asked how would people be able to go there if the park was locked?  

Argyle was asked if she told the people in charge of the concerts if they knew that the parks in Garden City don’t allow smoking, liquor, and that people would need to be dressed properly for a concert.  Argyle said she would contact this company and get answers to the above questions.

She also reported that Dan McClain owns a piece of land made up of 1 and ½ acres.  He would like to make pads of 700 sq. feet on this land for rental.   He noted that he would supply solar power to individuals renting these pads.  Apparently, he had no plans that those individuals renting here could hook up to water and sewer.  It sounded like he was attempting to set up a trailer court.  It was determined that more information was needed. 

Ken Hansen reported that the library is going well.  He noted that the Library is partnering with several organizations that have programs on how to hold family events, free diaper bags for new parents that are struggling, and so forth. 

Kathy Rasmussen, City Librarian,  has set up a satellite office for the food bank above the library.  There will be an open house on April 3 for the community to come and see what is happening at the library.  There is a children’s area in the library.  Donations have been made to allow them to have projects and other on-hands items they can work on.  

She noted that she is running out of shelving in the children’s area.  They are going to put more shelves up behind the tree in that area.  She also has lots of bins that hold books.  She noted that she needs more picture books for the younger children.

The library is getting the equipment needed for video conferencing.  There will be a large screen put up in the collections room of the library.

Rasmussen reported that the computer system is current but not all machines are working.  A few computers are no good, a couple are useable, and the Cannon printer and fax machine is in good shape, but the power supply on it is going out.  There are no replacement parts and toner is expensive.  Mayor Leonhard noted that on the first week in April, the library computers will be part of the City’s equipment list, and better service will be made available to the library.

She noted that a new book return where patrons can push the books directly into the building is being discussed. 

There are individuals who are coming to the library to give service hours.  That has been particularly helpful.  Rasmussen reported that it has helped tremendously in keeping the building in good shape.

Howard Pope reported that Richard Monk, Pool Director, has had a few problems the last few days.  There are not enough life guards.  On Saturday the pool had to be closed because only one life guard showed up.  The other life guard was unable to be there.  Hopefully, more individuals will want to become life guards this summer.

Pat Argyle reported that the T shirts for Raspberry Days are finished and available.  Jordon Lee is working on the Raspberry Days web site.  He will need to coordinate it with the City’s web site.

Twelve food vendors have asked for booths at Raspberry Days.  That number is greater than in past years so there will be a larger variety this year.

Cherry Peak has requested that they be allowed to provide some music during Raspberry Days.

There needs to be more porta potties at the park this year.  The restrooms will be completed, but there will need to be many more toilets than the rest rooms can handle.

There will be a children’s parade.  Children up to 12 years of age can participate in this parade.  Those children in the parade will be given participation medals.  There will be a $15 award for one of the participants.

Tammy Leonhardt, Bear Lake Vallley Conference and Tourism Bureau, reported that next month she will be able to give a run down about tourism in Garden City.  Items about trails and back country areas will be discussed.  There is going to be a movie, or a commercial video will be available in September/November.  Articles about Garden City will be released in the next 3½ weeks.

John Lee is currently redoing the City’s web site and will be working on the office computers.

One of the council members asked when the City is going to have some of their own poles on Main Street for banners and advertising for the City.  It would be nice to be able to go back and forth across the road with some advertising banners.

The comment was made that more signs needs to be placed along the roadside coming into Garden City.  People need information as they drive into this area.

Riley  Argyle, Public Works Director, is currently working into some new lights for the small poles we have.  He is also checking for LED better battery packed lights.

The suggestion was made to hold a contest on “Welcome to Garden City” signs.  It was suggested that the City would need to get permission from UDOT to do more signage in this area.

The big logs in front of Raspberry Square Sign will be coming down.  The logs were decaying.  They need to be taken down before there is a problem.