Garden City Council Meeting

Bobbie Bicknell  Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah. April 9, 2020.  Garden City Mayor Mike Leonhart told the Council that the Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce has been working with local businesses during this difficult time. Many local businesses are applying for CARES grants and job creation grants.  Businesses are doing virtual work if possible and restaurants are offering curbside service  and deliveries. 

 “We have 45 days before Memorial Days and are telling guests to be respectful of public health and community resources.” He said.  “The vacation rentals have been flexible about cancellation to encourage people not to cancel right away.”

Moab, another tourist area, is trying to educate its visitors about how limited the health care is there. We share many of the same concerns in Rich County.

Mark Hislop was just elected as president of the Chamber.  Rosalie Noorda is the new Chamber Director. She said that the  Chamber is designing a new website and rewriting bylaws. They have visited many of the businesses and helped to coordinate with other businesses in the  area.

Hislop and Noorda  think that this summer will be packed because people will not be traveling out of the area as much.  They are working with other chambers in the region as well as with elected officials and The Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tami Leonhart, Director of the Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, said they are getting half of the leads for summer now, but there are a lot of phone calls about campgrounds. KOA and Adventure Park are filling up.  She said that camp trailers are selling like hot cakes and feels that by June we will have more reservations, currently the KOA will not rent out cabins, just trailer spots. 

Vacasa Property Management for short term rentals has shut down until May offering no short term rentals.

Ads in the Deseret News got a lot of clicks, Leonhart said.  Idaho does no advertising. “We need to advertise what is open, promoting “plan now play later when it is safe.”  

Mayor Leonhart said that “it is important we all work together, because this is going to be a hard summer.  Raspberry Days planning is still moving forward and soon an activities brochure will be out with concerts and activities for visitors.”

Leos Bear Lake Water Adventures renting paddle boards and kayaks at Lakeside Park Beach was given a license. Waterdance PUD phase two was approved.

Council members were given a proposed budget to review.  Mayor Leonhart said that they needed to be very conservative because  no one knows what our tax revenues will be.

The City received a $100,000 to build  a baseball field at the park which must be used by October.   

  

The City sponsored a virtual Bingo game with prizes from local restaurants.  The City purchased gift certificates. “We want to liven up things and buying gift  cards from local restaurants help them during this time. Quick and Tasty opens this weekend.  

State Parks are closed to anyone who is not from the county.