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Show expires 013098 - 340 WESTERN MICROGRAPH ICS 3?i 4C.5& COMMERCE DRIVE SUITE UT 84107 SALT LAKE CITY Vol. 19, No. 16 Wednesday, April 23, 1997 50 To cents a single copy subscribe call 756-766- 9 Budget process draws little interest Turnout but give council high marks low, for fiscal foresight By RUSS DALY City Editor Only a handful of citizens turned out to provide input to the Lehi City Council on next year's budget, but if their opinions reflect the majority, the government is on the right track. "The people who were there think we have prioritized right," said city administrator Ed Collins. "Either citizens think that their participation is not part of the solution or they are relatively satisfied. We hope it is the latter." Collins presented tentative budget figures to the citizens who did attend any of the three meetings held last week to receive input; he also presented the following list of priorities established by the council for the FY 1998 budget: Increased reconstruction and repair of streets and sidewalks. Improvements in parks and recreational facilities. Expansion of the library's services to better meet the needs of patrons. Expansion of the cemetery. Improvements to the power system to reduce line loss. Storm water drainage improvements. Collins further said that all other city departments had been asked to simply "maintain" their current level of service. According to information presented at the meeting, "the parks department has been and will continue to be a focus of the mayor and council. The intent. ..is to increase the number of improved parks and make improvements to ORDINANCE DISCUSSION Citizens and councilmembers discussed Cedar Fort's growth ordinance and nuisance ordinances at the recent council meeting. Mayor Howard Anderson said that he made a revision that people who requested building permits would be put in a queue rather than in a lottery fashion, unless several people made a request on the same day. Citizen Marie Cook asked about a hypothetical builder who might make applications each week for a subdivision, thus tying up the approval process for several years. Mayor Anderson said they might consider changing the waiting period to one per month to lessen such a possibility. APPOINTMENTS Mayor Howard Anderson, with unanimous support from the town council, appointed Harry Draper to be chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission. In related action, Bernard Cook was appointed to be a member of the commission and Falcon Commichaux was reappointed to the Board of Adjustments. the existing parks." "I think that most citizens want parks," said Councilmember Dee Ray Russon in a telephone interview after the meetings. "The people in the established parts of the city need parks; the people who live on the outskirts of the city have larger lots and have no need for parks. But as the city grows, those areas will be taken up. That's the turmoil we are in right now." In the Thursday night session, Collins explained that the Planned Residential Development (PRD) provides a way for the city to develop parks without having to purchase the land by allowing the developer to use up to 20 percent of the property in question for a city park while constructing the same number of homes on the remaining land. "We can't afford to develop parks if we have to buy the property," said Collins, who added that there is no benefit to the developer, but there is a definite benefit to the city through the cost savings. According to figures presented by Collins, participation in the has recreation department increased at about 15 percent more than the growth rate. Although most of the programs are supported by user fees, the council is in support of a move to provide a new recreation facility in Lehi. When polled by the recreation department, the council unanimously supported the concept of putting the issue of funding on an Aug. 5 general obligation bond election to fund a center that could accommodate the recreation department, as well as the senior citizens and arts council organizations. Although formal plans have not been finalized on the center, organizers are contemplating an $8 to $10 million facility that will have three gymnasiums, a thousand-sea- t theater and a senior citizens center on the property north and west of the Memorial Building. As additional information becomes available, including site plans and formal design specifications, the council will officially approve or deny the action to authorize the election, the date of which is established by state statute according to the fiscal year. Improvements to the library through the proposed budget include additional books and Internet services, and the budget includes a lease agreement to provided a new van for the senior citizens organization. Cemetery expansion is another priority for the council and the administration is looking ahead to purchase additional acreage as well as equipment needed to improve maintenance; a new fence is also likely to be installed next to the new sidewalk that is currently being installed on 300 East. If passed according to the preliminary budget figures, the new budget will also include funds to convert the power system what Collins called the "older part of town" in order to reduce line loss. The council is considering expending about $500,000 in that conversion process. "Even with the line loss, however," Collins said, "our rates are still lower than Utah Power." The preliminary budget will be presented to Mayor Gibbs, members of the Lehi City Council and department supervisors for final inspection and adjustments. Another public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 13, with final adoption to be given on June 10 for submission to the Utah State Auditor's Office. 3 P T Photo by Russ Daly Youngsters play at the new Centennial Park in Lehi, which also serves as a detention basin. Parks are a priority of the Lehi City administration for the upcoming fiscal budget. Centennial Park earns its name Centennial Park has earned its name because of the foresight of some modern day pioneers. Located at approximately 2350 N. 600 West, the area that is now a city park was originally designed to be a retention basin for water, should the city experience peak water levels. Water can collect in the area, then drain out in the Fox Ditch. Lehi City According to Councilmember Dee Ray Russon, once the property was deeded over to the city, officials decided to develop it into a park. In a cooperative effort between the administration and individual departments, using park funds, Centennial now boasts an asphalt walking path, colorful playground equipment, a cement base for a future pavilion, a basketball court with two standards, a parking area and a sprinkling system. The cost of improvements made at the park are between $120,000 and $180,000. Additional funding in next year's budget may provide a pavilion for the facility. According to city administrator Ed Collins, parks like Centennial are advantageous to the community because of the cost savings from not having to purchase the land. (See budget story.) "That's a great park," said Collins. "The citizens have used it well." to Fort build Cedar Mill Youth drowns in Pond new fire station Matthew Wayman, 14, did everything right Thursday night but still couldn't save his cousin from drowning. William Nathan Williams, 11, was pro- nounced dead at the American Fork Hospital shortly after 7 fa N it. City Editor The residents of Cedar Fort are in the process of building a new facility they hope to never have to use. Town Councilmember Jeanine Cook presented the status of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to the council at p.m. Jo Murphy, a spokesperson with the Utah County Sheriffs Office, said the boys had gone to the Mill Pond, located between Lehi and American Fork, to catch crawdads and guppies from streams leading into the pond. They had been told by their mothers not to go into the pond, but William decided to go swimming and couldn't be talked out of it by Matthew, who declined. Once William was in the described by officers at water the scene as "very, very" cold, he got into trouble, slipped and went under. "Matthew tried to pull his cousin out but said William was too heavy and fought him, so he got out of the water and ran for help," Murphy said. The youth flagged down a car, then came back "but by then, he couldn't locate William." Police officers from American By RUSS DALY Photo by Marc Haddock Police officers and members of the County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team rush William Nathan Williams from the Mill Pond to a waiting ambulance. their recent meeting and indicated y that two waiting periods were about to begin before the funds could officially be released for the construction of a new fire station for the town. of The Utah Department Economic and Commerce Development has already allocated $150,000 for the project under the CDBG program for low- - and moderate-income Fork, Lehi, and Utah County responded to the scene. Steve Cornia, American Fork Police, located the victim in about 12 foot of water. "It was wonderful the way not only officers but also citizens stopped to help," Murphy said. She said doctors at American Fork Hospital raised Williams' to about 97 degrees but there was no response. "They said he had been in the water about 20 minutes." "Matthew is a hero in all this. He did everything he should have in trying to save his cousin," Murphy praised. He was kept in the hospital overnight for observation. body temperature towns. If no new studies have to be completed as a result of the two waiting periods, where the public is invited to inspect documents for the project, the council hopes to receive authorization to start construction near the end of May; construction is expected to take about 60 days. The new fire station, made out of fabricated metal, will feature at least two bays; CDBG funds not used for the building itself may be used for new vehicles and equipment. "Citizens are enthused that we're going to get some equipment," said Cook, who said that while the response in the past from the Lehi Fire Department has "always been fantastic, it will be nice to have something in town." Cedar Fort currently has two fire vehicles, with a water tanker to be given from the state in the near future; town officials have also been discussing the possibility of housing a truck for nearby Eagle Mountain and eventually offering fire services to the new community. Four members of the Cedar Fort fire department are Firefighter I and wildland certified, one additional member has had the specialized training in wildland fires, and 10 additional firefighters also serve as other volunteers. The grant process started in November of 1995 with the first of two public hearings to receive comments from citizens who presented concerns, such as costs of the improvements. Green Thumb program gave Beth Jones a chance to stay active By RUSS DALY City Editor Elizabeth "Beth" Jones doesn't garden but she has an outstanding Green Thumb. Attending a function for singles after her husband, Albert, passed away nearly two years previous to that time, the friend that was with her asked Beth if she would like to return to the workforce. Beth knew that she had to get involved in something, but the thoughts of learning new skills were a little intimidating, although she was comfortable with working with the public from her previous employment. The Green Thumb program, one of 10 national organizations that provide training to older Americans under the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which has been called one of the most effective training programs ever funded since its inception in 1965. Last year, Green Thumb provided opportunities to more than 26,000 older Americans in 44 states. Beth was first assigned to the Office of Family Support on the campus of the Developmental Center in American Fork. Using classroom and hands-otraining, she learned to operate the computers and how to issue Horizon Cards, the electronic food stamp method. She also did other office work during her two years there. "The scary part came when I had to take the training classes on the computer," she said. "I wondered how I would ever learn it at n my age." Her success in the Green Thumb program, and particularly in her service to her office was noted by Melissa Finch and other at the Office of Family Support in the nomination that led to Beth being one of four workers statewide to receive the Older Worker Achievement Award this year. "Beth started employment in our office as a receptionist," wrote Finch in the nomination letter. "Originally, Beth was hired to answer phones, direct calls and respond to general questions from our customers. Little did we know that Beth would take on many more responsibilities and become an integral part of our office operation." 6. She received similar awards within her own office in both 1996 and 1997. In March, Beth was transferred to Utah Legal Services in Provo, which provides legal services such as divorce and custody matters, landlordtenant disputes and senior citizen concerns to and older citizens. At her new office, she works at the counter helping the public and also as a receptionist. The program allows her to work 22 hours per low-inco- Finch went on to say that, because of Beth's efficiency, they increased her job responsibilities to include all of the tasks that were being performed by a 'human service technician.' The nomination cited her proficiency on the computer, the customer service to the more than 1,200 clients, her dependability in the office and the extra touches for her colleagues, such as bringing homemade bread low-inco- to work. Beth, a fan of the Utah Jazz, was presented with the award at a Jazz game in the Delta Center on March week. Beth, a native of Castle Gate, moved to American Fork when she was in seventh grade. After her four-da- y marriage, she and her husband lived in Lompoc, California, where he was a heavy equipment operator for about 12 years. When they returned to Lehi, she worked at Durfey Cleaners for about five years and at Pyke Manufacturing in Lehi for 23 years, where she also won awards for her years of service. She said she enjoys working with the public and the association she shares with her Beth has two daughters, Mrs. Powell of Darrel (Claudia) Orangeville, Calif, and Mrs. Thad (Linda) Beal of Lehi; she also has seven living grandchildren and two In her spare time, she enjoys embroidery, crochet and other crafts and watching her grandsons play Little League baseball. She also participates at the Lehi Senior Center on Fridays, where she does crafts then joins friends for lunch. "I'm enjoying this right now," she said about the program, which she would recommend to others. "If I wasn't working, I don't know what I'd do. You've got to keep active and keep doing." Beth Jones received the Older Worker Achievement Award for 1997 from Green Thumb and the Utah Jazz. A Jazz fan, Jpnes was presented the award at a game at the Delta Center. |