For Sale!

FOR SALE: 6-ft. La-Z-Boy sofa sleeper queen (overall 84(l)x36(w)x34(h)) in very good condition. $100. Maureen 801-209-7162 Garden City.

We will now do free ads for local products, services or goods...No ads for real estate as we have great realtors here!

More History Of Our Garden City Library

By Doug Alder, Historian

In the early 1970s, Bess Huefner served as LDS magazine representative for the ward in Garden City. She found that most people couldn’t afford to buy the subscriptions so she suggested that members trade them with each other. That led to a suggestion that they needed a library. They received CDBG grants for a library and park equipment.

Mildred Phelps joined the group and gave generous financial backing. The library continued to struggle, however, then Donna Hansen suggested that her grandmother-in-law, Beatrice Hansen, could help in getting the library going. Another government agency, called Green Thumb, paid a small wage to the person working in the library. Marie Weston and Afton Floyd worked hard to continue the legacy and volunteers kept it going until the new one was built and a librarian hired to oversee the new library.

 

Editor's Note: When the new library was built it was found that these early library pioneers had collected over 10,000 books and saved several historical records.  They worked in a 12x10 foot space in the then city offices and fire department.  They had children's reading hours and faithfully worked to keep the library tradition in Garden City.  Now we have a new library with computers, wifi, and even more books as well as a computer program to track lending library books.  With a $30 library card you can download audio and Kindle books from your computer at home.  Check it out and support this 42 year effort. 

 

 

Rich County Jr. Livestock News

USU Rich County Extension  would like to give thanks to Pfizer Animal Health and Bear River Vet Clinic for their donation. Each year a percentage of Pfizer sales in Rich County is donated to the Rich County Jr. Livestock program.

4-H members pictured from left to right, back row, Alec Silva, Austin Groll, Dr. Glen Hallows of Bear River Vet, Ellen Peart, Reganne Lloyd, Front row left to right, Flynt Siva and Kyler Wilson

Darrell Rothlisberger

USU Rich County Extension

PO Box 8

20 South Main

Randolph, Utah 84064

435-793-2440 ph

435-793-2410 fx

Kiosk, Lights and Banners

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah – January 10 2013.  Danny White, Garden City Planner, reported that he has been working with Riley Argyle in several of the projects that he reported on previously.  He also reported that he has been working with UDOT.  He thinks that it may be possible to lower the speed limit through Garden City and will continue to work on that item. 

White has also been working with JUB Engineering for the update of the City’s Master Plan.  He has the design ready for the kiosk that will be placed between Jake’s Place and the LDS Church south along Bear lake Blvd.  The Kiosk should be especially helpful to summer visitors.  He noted that the new solar lights now meet all of UDOT’s specifications and will be put in place when weather permits.  He indicated a couple more lights had been purchased because the cost was less than had been budgeted.  Banners can be placed on these lights to advertise items and activities.  They aren’t very expensive and should add to the look of Garden City. 

White reported that he has been working with the business community as well as Planning and Zoning on the sign ordinance.  Some discussion was held at the last Planning and Zoning Meeting.  The ordinance still needs a bit of work but should be ready for adoption at the next City Council Meeting.

Garden City Clinic Grant

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich County Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah - January 10, 2013.  A Public Hearing was held prior to the Garden City Council Meeting.  It was held on behalf of the Bear Lake Community Health Clinic.  This hearing was to obtain information from citizens to assist the Clinic in obtaining funds ($32,000) for equipment (dental chairs) that are needed. The Public Hearing input is part of the grant requirement paperwork.  All regulations required as to how the Hearing was conducted were followed, and the information will be submitted as part of the grant application.

Public Works List

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

 

GARDEN City, January 10 2013 - Riley Argyle, public works director, reported to the Council that he had prepared a list of about twenty items for the Public Service Department that he hopes to work on and complete during the coming New Year.

 

There are five larger water users that need new meters put in place.   Argyle plans on taking care of these meters early in the spring which will bring all of the major water users current.  There are also about 35 residential meters that also need to be installed.

 

Continuing education for the workers is a goal so that they are all certified to legally work on the different jobs that require specialization.

 

There was a cut through a road in Buttercup Subdivision.  It will need some work to make the road smooth in that area.  There are several other patches needed.  Perhaps they can be bid out this spring and have them completed all at one time.

 

There will be some grant money available in February for the water plan.  The needed GIS work will start as soon as these funds become available, and a new GIS unit will be purchased.

 

Checking on the Bear Lake Water Company well is on the list.  It will cost about $1,000 to put a camera into the well and see if it is a possible water source for the City.

 

The City needs full access to the Buttercup water tank.  Steps need to be taken so this matter is resolved as soon as possible.  All of the tanks and pump houses at the various locations around the city do not contain any technology.  If certain devices were put in place, these areas could be controlled remotely making for greater control and efficiency for the City.  The City could activate pumping into the various storage tanks during non peak hours.  The areas could be checked quickly and often without having to actually travel to these various locations.  If something goes wrong at any of the different sites, the problem could be checked remotely and solved without ever having to go to that particular site.

 

The new decorative lights will be put up in this spring when the ground thaws.  Shundahai water system needs a bit of work and time set aside for workers to become familiar with the layout there.  It should also be plotted on the GIS system.

 

The design for Heritage Park will soon be completed. All digging at Heritage Park needs to be completed prior to adding sod and completing the park. The overflow for the fish pond will require working with the Army Corp of Engineers.  A committee has been chosen to work with them to make sure everything meets their requirements.  Completion of First West to Heritage Park also needs to be completed.  There is also a wet lands issue in completing this road into the Park, so the City will be working with the Army Corp of Engineers to get this matter resolved as well.  The City will also need to obtain a right-of-way over a small piece of ground next to the park.  There have been some problems determining the ownership of that small area.  The City will work on this item.

The City roads and trails need improvement.  In addition, it might be possible to create a trail head in Garden City Canyon.

The City Master Plan has been updated.  It needs to be tested to make sure that everything included is achievable.

The boardwalk that connects the City Park on Bear Lake Blvd. to the lake needs to be reworked.

Interest has been expressed in building a shooting range.  A couple of sites have been chosen.  The County is interested in helping with this project.

Argyle noted that are other items on the list.  He volunteered to answer any questions about any projects to the list.  He was pleased to report that the Scenic bathrooms have been completed. 

Currently the City is working with the Department of Drinking Water to see if it would be possible to only clean the filters at the water treatment plant quarterly during the off summer time.  If the request is accepted, this will save the City about $4,000 a quarter.  This proposal looks very possible since the water is actually very clean and the amount of usage is very lower during the winter months.

 

 

Pool and Pond Discussion

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah - January 10 2013.  Darrin Pugmire, Council Member, noted that nothing has been done about the top soil that has been left at the pond at Heritage Park.  He requested that some type of agreement or action be taken to make sure that the top soil is moved so that work on the park can continue.

Pugmire also noted that he had been working on the City budgets and felt that it would be good to get those involved together to make sure everything was going smoothly.  He noted that it would be better to take care of any inconsistencies now than wait until the end of the fiscal year.

Pat Argyle reported that swimming lessons will begin in February.  There must be a life guard on duty when lessons are being given.  This is an additional cost that will be incurred and will need to be handled by higher lessons costs.  Currently, the public does not stay at the pool as long as the pool stays open.  Argyle felt the City needs to adjust the hours when the pool is open.

 Argyle also noted that Cisco Disco and the Polar Plunge will be held January 26.

 

Editor's Note: Would you be more likely to use the pool if the 24 hours currently open were rearranged to 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then 5 p.m. to 8 p.m, or 6 p.m to 9 p.m.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays?  Please respond to rctonline@gmail.com.

 

Report From Garden City Council Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah - January 10, 2013.  Zan Murray from JUB Engineering informed the Council that the grant money to be used on the water system will become available on after February 7.   He also noted that some additional forms will need to be signed and sent to the Division of Drinking Water so work can begin on the overall City water plan. 

The Building Inspector has been working with 14 projects within the City.  He also has helped in determining the placement of the new decorative lights.  He is currently working with the Planning on Zoning Committee.  The Committee needs to contact the canal companies and make sure they have the proper contact person.  They also need to set up some kind of system that will involved the canal companies any time a subdivision is going to be built near any of the ditches owned by the canal companies.  Mr. Peart also informed the P&Z that they need to work with the canal companies to have the irrigation easements registered with the County so that anyone will be able to know the locations and widths of these easements.  Currently the easements are not registered with the County. 

Andy Stokes was unable to be at the meeting.  He was in Boise working on law enforcement issues and will then go on to St. George to attend another school pertaining to water issues. 

Mayor Spuhler noted that some type of plan needs to be put in place so that there are individuals available to handle the city work when an emergency call goes out.  Currently, most of the individuals who work for the city are also the paramedics and volunteer fire fighters.  When there is an emergency, all of these individuals respond leaving the city without anyone to carry out their duties and responsibilities.  He asked that Council members think about this problem and see if some type of plan can be worked out to allow certain individuals to respond to emergencies while the others remain at their jobs. 

Whitney Transtrum appeared before the Council to request that she be given a business license. She has rented space at 585 North Bear Lake Blvd.  She will be running a salon and tanning service.  She noted that some renovation will need to be done in order to have the necessary electricity and water for her business.  Her business will be called Beach Waves.  Mrs. Transtrum will need to get her tax number to the City as soon as she gets it.  She was also told she would need to check with the commercial building inspector to make sure everything is done according to code.  The license was granted. 

Dean and Mary Landon at 941 North Newberg Place #2 are requesting a short term rental license.  Their property will be managed by Bear Lake Lodging.  The license was given. 

A discussion ensued concerning the new sign ordinance.  The Council went over the information a page at a time.  Mr. White indicated that he will make any changes that were suggested and will continue to work with Planning and Zoning as well as the businesses within the City. 

The Bear Lake Community Clinic qualifies for Community Development Block Grant money.  That is why the hearing was held prior to Council Meeting to make sure that all requirements for the application for such monies has been taken care of. 

The motion was made to combine the parks, pool, arts, and library tax PTIF accounts.  The motion passed.

 

 

 

 

Get on Track for the New Year

by Beth Holbrook, Director of the Zions Business Resource Center

Utah Policy

 

Beth Holbrook, Zion's Bank
 

slideshow

As you think about fresh starts and your aspirations for the New Year, it’s not too late to make business resolutions along with your personal ones. What are your hopes and ambitions for 2013? What resolutions in the form of projections and measurable goals will help advance your overall vision for your business? How can you involve employees in setting and working toward these objectives? If you haven’t already, take stock of 2012 to see where your company succeeded and in what areas you could improve. Whether specific goals focus on financial figures or employee performance, make sure they have quantifiable measurements and chart your progress throughout the year. Here is a list to help you get started:

• Fine-tune your business plan. Dig out your business plan and read it. This is your roadmap to success and a great starting off point for goal-setting. See that your business plan continues to reflect your current company vision and values, and make adjustments if necessary.

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• Strengthen customer relationships. As small businesses face increasing competition and vie for cash-strapped customers, how you interact with your customers will make or break the deal. This might be a great time to take things to a new level and install a new company culture of true customer service.

• Implement a sales calling program. It’s time to get back in touch with those who keep you in business. The end of the year shouldn’t be the only time you contact them to say thank you.

• Track monthly business expenses. Engage your employees in controlling everyday expenses. Help them understand why it’s important and how they can make a difference.

• Appreciate your employees. Your employees are likely your business’s most valuable asset. In addition to providing fair compensation, verbally acknowledge their contributions and reward extra efforts. When monetary rewards are not possible, recognize employee dedication with paid time off, hand-written notes, or other tokens of gratitude.

• Get involved in your community. Working with local nonprofit organizations not only shows a true commitment to your community, it is also a fun and altruistic way to get your business’s name out and help those in need.

The Zions Bank Business Resource Center is here to support you in reaching your goals. Call us for a free appointment at (801) 594-8245. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beth Holbrook can be reached at beth.holbrook@zionsbank.com.

 

Snow Warning on Fire Hydrants

A public service anouncement from the Garden City Fire District.

Keep our fire hydrants accessable even when the snow gets deeper. If  residents notice that a fire hydrant does not have a metal flag on it  please notify their water supplier to put one on the hydrant. 

Watch the propane regulators located in line with where the  propane line enters your home. These regulators must be kept free from ice and snow build up and if they are located in the fall zone of ice or heavy snow,  a guard should be placed over them as to prevent damage from falling ice.

If anybody has any questions or concerns feel free to contact Fire Chief Dan Kurek at (435) 764-1206.

Thank you from the Garden City Fire District.  

Cisco Sonar

By Bryce Nielson

Bear Laker's

Bryce Nielson
 

It is cold outside.  Somehow all the snow that fell in the past five days missed us.  As a weather freak, I have observed over the years that winter storms that come across Nevada frequently miss Bear Lake.  It is the weather that comes from the Pacific Northwest that pound us.  The lake and what it is doing also has a lot of impact on the weather.

Bear Lake Beginning to Freeze 
Photo by Bryce Nielson

As I sit here on Sunday morning it is well below zero but there is not much fog.  That tells me that the lake is now in the process of serious freezing.  I can see the huge shards of ice forming on the lake.  The north end will be the first to freeze.  It is much colder there.  Just look at the temperatures in Dingle and Bern as the cold air follows the Bear River into the Valley.   The lake is much shallower in the north end so there is no deeper, warmer water to mix with the surface.  Ice then forms down the west.  The accompanying  picture was taken this morning showing the ice formation off Fish Haven and Swan Creek.   It freezes clear but the condensing snow/ice makes it white.  It then shoots out in front of Garden City and freezes out off Ideal Beach and Gus Rich Point.  There is a natural back eddy current there that keeps the water colder.

 At this point people down by the lake can only see ice and think the lake is frozen.  Not so.  The east side with its deepwater and  current upwellings keep the water warmer and discourage the ice.  Eventually it will freeze and the last area to become solid will be right off North Eden.  Two major current cells collide there and as the cold winds pour down North Eden Canyon it keeps the water stirred up..

The lake has not totally frozen in the past four  years.  Will it freeze totally this year?  I think there is a good chance of it which will make a lot of fishermen happy.  We will have a nice clear winter but spring will be delayed by three weeks and the water will still be chilly on the Fourth of July.

Bryce

Editor's  note:  I know my friends all over the world would be totally amazed  that I'm eagerly checking the lake five times a day to see if it is frozen yet!  Yet everyone I'm talking to is.  Are you?

Karasema Events at Inn at Snow Meadows

Karasema Restaurant at Snow Meadows Inn is featured in the 2013 Utah Bride Issue and will be spotlighted on Channel Two  Road Trippin' on Thursday the 17th from 6-8am. That segment will run for 12 weeks and hopefully bring more business to Garden City.The Restaurant and Inn are also highlighted in the new 2013 Issue of Utah Bride and Groom for the big wedding they did in July here in Garden City.

 

On Saturday February 9th there will be a special Mardi Gras event with interesting food from New Orleans for a Valentines date. 

Rich Reading and Libraries

Silence
Doug Alder, Historian

Elaine and Doug Alder

From our nest high on Sweetwater Hill, we can take in Bear Lake’s greatest resource-- silence.  Occasionally we hear an airliner way up in the sky, seeing it before hearing it.  Sometimes a semi-trailer shifts down and we can hear it on the highway beside the lake. Usually it is silence that dominates.  That makes it possible to watch flocks of birds overhead and notice the morning ritual of deer visits.  About four times a year elk come by to see if our water is spraying and available to them.  Every day we see sage hens and occasionally wild turkeys.  Squirrels are always nearby, occasionally a badger.  A pair of finches make a nest each spring under our roof overhang and we experience the birth and eventual departure of their next generation.  The silence makes all this possible. 

Almost every day silence leads to reading. Like most residences, our home is the depository of many books, but the silence is better than elsewhere.  Of course, I have to recommend some reading about Bear Lake.  The first is Robert Parson’s “A History of Rich County.”  It was published as part of a 29-volume set to celebrate Utah’s Centennial in 1996.  The State Legislature sponsored the effort and made a full set available to all high schools, community libraries and academic libraries.  This book has been the basis of this series of articles about Bear Lake.  Parson is a Special Collections Librarian at the Merrill-Cazier Library at Utah State University in Logan.  When I was a faculty member at USU, my office was in the old Merrill Library.  Drs. Merrill and Cazier were my valued colleagues then.  I am very proud of the new library and it’s honoring of those two scholars.  

A second book is “Sons of Bear Lake” that I wrote and was published in 2003.   It is about the coming of age of young boys who grew up in the villages of Bear Lake Valley.  Some of them became my students at USU.  It has been available in stores around the lake and is in the local libraries. 

Speaking of libraries, it is important to know that Montpelier, Garden City and Randolph each have a library.  There is also one in the school in Laketown.  Each of them is a great value to their community. 

 

My wife, Elaine, and I and our children and grandchildren have been patrons of the Garden City Library since it’s founding by a group of community women.  Marie Weston and her friends, including one from Laketown, initiated an effort to have a library in Garden City.  The town leaders made a small room next to the council room available in the old town office.  The ladies solicited donations of books, videos and tapes.  They volunteered to be the circulation workers each afternoon.  They pressed the council to build a permanent library.  The elected leaders considered doing so and considered a site near the town park.  When the town was able to purchase a motel complex on Highway 89 near the town entrance, they included the library in their plans.  Today the facility includes a medical clinic, a swimming pool, a community room, a council chamber and the old entrance is the town library.  Citizens rallied and remodeled the facility, obtained equipment and coordinated with the State Division of Libraries.  The city hired a professional librarian and Garden City is now up to the standard of Montpelier and Randolph.  So silence is there for you to read and books are available.

                                                                       

Business Sign Ordinance Review

Randall Knight, Reporter
Rich County Times 

GARDEN CITY, Utah- January 9, 2013. The Public Hearing of the Garden City Planning Commission was held as scheduled to discuss Ordinance 12-18 Sign Ordinance #11C600 and 12-19 Definitions #11A-200-132.  No one was in attendance to discuss the two ordinances so the meeting was adjourned with no comments.  This reporter is always amazed to attend these meetings that affect not only the business owners (current and future) but indirectly the local residents and no one attends them except the board members and RCT reporters.

The Garden City Planning Commission held their regularly scheduled meeting  directly after the public hearing to discuss the sign Ordinance #11C-600 and 12-19 sign definitions #11A-200-A-132.

The purpose of the ordinance is necessary to reduce potential risk to health, safety and welfare of the citizens and to ensure conformity with the surrounding environment according to the board members.  Several issues were discussed but a main concern was voiced about the costs that will be required to get proposed signs approved.  A recommendation was made to require signs costing $1000 or more to be professionally designed and installed.  Bill England voiced  his concern that the ordnance bans banner signs and recommended that certain banner signs should be exempt from the requirement as written for short periods of time because the local season is limited to basically 90 days.   The current ordinance states an owner is allowed to display temporary signs for a total of 90 days.  Another recommendation was mentioned in regard to the document being hard to understand and should be written in clearer language and with not so much legalese.  

Board members said there have been several previous sign meetings with little support from the local companies and residents.  England pointed out that the number of people attending the previous sign meetings diminished because of various conflicts in schedules and changes in meeting times.  Most of the board members stated they had received the ordinances just a few days ago and hadn’t had time to review them completely so a motion was made to review the documents so that they would be prepared to review them page-by-page at next month’s meeting.

Copies of the two proposed Ordinances are available at the city office building for review and comments will be heard at the next Public Hearing meeting scheduled for 6 Feb.  Because this ordinance will impact not only the businesses, but also the local citizens and tourists, this reporter recommends everybody review the ordinances and provide their comments to ensure the attractiveness of Garden City is maintained.

There is a concern about the canal easement changing from 15 to 30 feet as it transverses through the city.   George Peart, Rich County Building Inspector, stated that state bill HB298, Land Use Authority Notification of Canal Development, was passed and requires municipalities and counties to notify canal companies of proposed development within 100 feet of the center line of a canal and also requires the canal companies to provide the municipalities and counties with the company's contact information and a general description of the location of their canal(s) by July 1, 2010. Nobody in attendance knew if the local canal companies were in compliance.  The city feels they need to write an ordinance to address this issue.  Danny said he will write a draft for review and comment within the next 2-3 months.

County funding has been approved to aid in building a kiosk that will identify the local businesses and locations.  The kiosk will be located on Bear Lake Boulevard between the LDS chapel and Jake’s.  

Local Artist's Computer Art

By Garden City Computer Artist, Savannah Lamping