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Show By Jeanne Thayne Orem City Council members were so anxious to delve more deeply into the tentative $27,8 million city budget outlined at Tuesdays council meeting, they met early the following morning prior to a full day already scheduled for a "charge" (a retreat) to be held at Brigham Young University. They also met for another hour of budget study following the six hour session where they discussed Orems growth, potential, and priorities. More budget sessions were scheduled the rest of the week. Deadline for budget approval is June 9. The proposed budget is almost $1.5 million more than last year and calls for a major increase in personnel. "But not nearly what was asked for," commented City Manager Daryl Berlin. The policy in the past has been to keep staff as small as possible. "However," said Berlin, "we have now reached a point that if we are to maintain effectiveness as well as efficiency, it is necessary to add additional staff in a number of areas." The following issues are under council study: 1. The proposed budget includes $368,634 for three additional fire fighters and one fire prevention officer along with two additional public safety patrol officers. Public Works requests one secretary, one parks technician, and one inspector. The Library Dept, has asked for another clerk. One part-tim- e clerk is requested to assist the e Recorder and another cjerk is requested in Personnel. nt part-tim- 2. Approximately $5,800,000 is requested to make full improvements on State Street as the State Street Project progresses. At present, only Phase 1 sewer and water expenditures are included in this budget. The State has planned improvements from the top of the hill to approximately 1000 South to be underway in the spring of 1993. The State anticipates requesting additional funds over the next three years to fully com- on State Elete thetoimprovements approximately 1600 North. The Council earlier discussed the idea of funding the replacement of Sewer, Water, Storm Drains and Sidewalks in conjunction with the States improve- ments. George Bailey, former council member, termed this a "golden opportunity to coordinate efforts between business, legislative entities and citizens. It will be a dead issue if it is not budgeted," he said. Bailey praised Orems Strategic Plan. "It is unique that it is working," he said. 3. Should the City begin funding the Storm Water System? Recommendation is a fee of $ 1 per month as part of the Waste Water Service Fee. Fiscal Impact is $180,000 per year. This $1 per month charge has been included in the budget. The City is facing problems of handling storm water run-of- f in a much more aggressive way than in the past. In particular, the Citys use of existing irrigation canals to handle storm run-of- f is being questioned by the owners of these canals. Negotiations have begun. Additionally, the City has problem areas with storm water that need to be fixed in the next several months. The Fee also is needed to meet expected EPA mandates in the future. 4. Should the City Council establish a specific Conference Attendance policy in terms of expense for City Council members? Funding of $30,000 is included in the budget. Traditionally the Council has limited attendance to two members, generally at $14,000 per year. Due to increased costs for tend a number of events mendation is to determine the ap- updating. Several council members are active participants in the National League of Cities Policy Committees as well as the Utah League of Cities and Towns committees and are required to at Water Waste Treatment is handled privately in many communities. Also vehicle main- throughout the year. 5. Should the City Franchise Tax be maintained at its current 5.36 level? The money propriate program. 1 1. Should the Citys Fees and Charges continue to support certain operations? There are a number of fees being proposed for in- spent and where revenues come from. According travel, accommodations and services? Recommendation is to meals, as well as increased interapprove a study. Previous counest on the part of all council mem-- , cils have said they were not inter- able for review in the City to bers improve their knowledge ested in the idea of solid waste Library, the City Managers ofand skills at these conferences, collection sector. fice, or in the City Recorder's ofthe by private this tradition may need to Phil Goodrich, Director of Administrative Services, the Citys policy is still to do more with less. "We give the people their moneys worth...and then some!!" is the motto. A comparison of what it costs a citizen to live in the various communities shows the average citizen in Orem pays $37.42 per month in utilities and $39.11 in taxes for a total impact of $76.53 per month. Only two cities average less, West Valley at $68.87 and Springville at $66.29. Goodrich said its important to remember that some cities have special service districts and some have water treatment plants built years ago. Orems plant is of recent vintage, paid for, and should be sufficient until the population reaches approximately $120,000. Orems population increased by about 700 new families last year, said Goodrich. Best estimates put Orem at 70,000 population. Other facts included in the budget proposal 6how Orem city employees at 5.34 per thousand. In 1980, that number was at a a breakdown of all departments, projects and programs as well as the tentative budget for the new year. Charts and graphs give the viewer a good idea how taxes are thousand. Council members expect to complete their studies by early June and will approve or modify the budget to meet the June 9 deadline. generated from the Franchise creases. Fiscal Impact is $370,000. These funds have been included in the budget Tax is currently split with 2 going to the Capital Fund and 3.36 going to the General Fund. 6. Should the City decide on the financing package for the proposed Library expansion at this time? 7. Should the City pay for the installation of additional Street Lighting? 8. Should the City begin to set aside funds for the eventual expansion of Sandhill Road south of 1300 South? Recommendation is to establish a two-yefunding program that will allow widening and improvements. Fiscal impact is $392,000 and an additional $200,000 next year. The $392,000 ar is included in the proposed budget 9. Should the City investigate the privatization of certain City T 12. Should the City continue to support the goals and strategies developed in the Community Strategic Plan? The plan took eight months to complete and cost about $100,000 to develop. Several goals and strategies have been completed. There are others that will take a long period of time and additional funds if they are to be implemented in their entirety. Over the past several years, the City Council has appropriated $100,000 for the Strategic Plan and a number of operation programs have been modified to place more emphasis the completion of various items included within the on Strategic Plan. This fund is included in the budget. AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW The proposed budget is avail- fice. The proposal details budget costs for the past three years with tenance. 10. Should the City expand its efforts in public education and community promotion? Recom high of 7.16 employees per Mystery solved, park approved at Skyline Estates By Jeanne Thayne The answer to a mystery was revealed last Tuesday allowing City Council members the freedom to approve a park that will be built by the developer, paid for by neighbors and maintained by Orem City at Cherapple Farms Subdivision in northeast Orem. The park will be open to the public. Because the lot was deeded to the City for a specific purpose and the City quit using the purpose, the City could be required to return the lot to the developer. However, part of Lot 19 no longer exists, part of it is now a street, and if the original developer did come forth, the City would have a good argument in saving that the City has had to deal with storm The park will be constructed water runoff from Skyline on Lot 1, traded to the City for Lot Meadows Subdivision whether or Recently the council failed pre-seaso- "The Hobbit" adventure staged for SCERA Shell Theater Orems SCERA Shell outdoor theater will open its gates May 15 and 16 for a production of J.RR. Tolkeins "The Hobbit" Presented by the Spanish two-nig- ht Fork Childrens theater, this musical is the opener pre-seaso- n for a summer of musicals, con- certs, dance festivals, pageants and specialty nights. The play will begin at 8:15 p.m. Tickets for the general public at $5 for adults and a$3 for children willb e available at the gate beginning at 7:30 p.m., but those who purchase SCERA season passes before May 15 will get "The Hobbit" plus a May 22 and 23 potpourri of favorite classical opera excepts by Opera West as free added attractions. Tolkeins story about hobbits, fictional characters with furry hands and feet has charmed and generations of children who adults, including Ruth Perry adapted it into a play and the collaborative musiclyrics team of Allan Jay Friedman and David Rogers. It is brought to Orem through the efforts of Anna Murdock, who has directed an educational theater program in Spanish Fork for 20 years. For more information contact the SCERA at "The Hobbit" opens with the wizard Gandalf asking hobbit Bilbo Baggins to join dwarves in an adventure to rescue their treasure from Smaug, a dragon. They encounter trolls, goblins and a creature called Gollum, from whom Bilbo gets a ring of invisibility. During the search, Bilbo proves his courage through myriad challenges including mischievous elves, spiders and a with the dragon. Murdock directs about 120 children each year and teaches them singing, dancingand drama skills. The efforts, supported by the Utah Fine Arts Council, culminate each year with a spring musical. "The Hobbit" is the first production Murdock has brought to the Orem amphitheater. "We like encourage artistic efforts throughout the valley," explains Norm Nielsen, president of SCERA. "Thats why we welcome a place on our stage for groups 225-256- 9. face-to-fa- such as the Spanish Fork Childrens Theatre." The play is part of the year Water canal reminder issued Dick Burr, president of the Big Bench and West Union Canal Companies, has issued a warning that the water canals are now full and dangerous. He said children are playing in the canals and this is a dangerous practice. Also, it is against the law to block or divert water. "Children like to block the canals, and also people are dumping their trash, shrub trimmings, and lawn clippings in the canals and ditches. It is a misdemeanor to divert or block a canal or ditch, or to cause it to overflow," he said. Burr said parents are responsible for their children and liable for any damage caused by flooding. He said trash and clippings thrown in the ditches and canals works it way down to the grat- ings, where it builds up and causes the water to overflow the banks. "It is a serious problem at this time of year," he said. not it used the detention basin, and that it is therefore entitled to approve the park requesting fur- retain the lot. However, the ther study because a sort of developer's potential claim exists mystery surrounded Lot 19. How and places a cloud (although a did the city acquire the lot and minor title to one) on the why did the city not have fee Lot 1, says AttorneyCitys Johnson. simple title? Not even the city To complicate matters, the attorney seemed to know. of Skyline Meadows developer The mystery was cleared up Lot 19 before he mortgaged when last Tuesday City Attorney deeded it to the City. Zions Bank Paul Johnson said he learned foreclosed on the that years ago the City required subsequently mortgage, but ended up deeding the developer of Skyline the property back to the City. Meadows to dedicate Lot 19 to the Neither the foreclosure nor the City to be used as a detention trade weakens the Citys title to basin. The City used the deten- Lot 1, assures Johnson. tion basin for two or three years, The City Council voted a hearbut quit because the basin kept ty and unanimous approval to filling up with sand and letting allow the developer, Skyline Eswater go down the gutter. tates, Inc., to construct the park. 19. Bilbo Baggins, aliasTbe Hobbit, is being warned by the dwarves that the forest is dangerous. Bilbo is played by David Thomas. "The Hobbit" is being performed by Spanish Fork Childrens n Theatre as a opener at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre in Ore at 8:15 p.m. round Family City USA calendar, a celebration of family values sponsored by The Daily Herald, Orem City, Utah Valley Community College and the SCERA. The Spanish Fork company has received several awards through the Utah Valley Theatre Guild including best sets, costumes, best child actors and performance honors. to It is generally agreed, though not formally, that neighbors will finance development. It will cost the City approximately $1,500 a vear to maintain. A detailed plan for the park will be prepared by the neighborhood committee and developer and will be brought back to the Council for approval. Arson suspected Orem police said there is reason to believe a fire early Monday morning was deliberately set. The fire destroyed twobusines-.e- s at 960 N. Geneva Road. According to Detective Gerald Nielsen, there were indications the fire was set with liquid accelerant. The building housing Stone ResMaintenance and toration was gutted. Damage is estimated at $275,000. Nielsen said the building w as fully engulfed when fire fighters arrived about 3 a.m. A false ceiling hindered firemen in controlling the fire. Nielsen said the department is running tests and are interviewing at least one suspect. No injuries were reported. Pro-Tec- h Major performers include David Thomas as Bilbo and Christopher murdock as Gandalf. Also in the cast are Michael Taylor, Paul Frandsen, Seth Hansen, Matthew Moody, Emily Evensen, Tansy Christopher, Sara Herbert, Kathryn Lundell, Laura Vogt, Kenneth Murdock, Samuel Evensen, Russell Moody, Nicholas Christensen, Mike Taylor, Chris Coray, Greg Thorpe, Eric Allen, Tim Flinders, Amy Spotten, Melissa Wright, Kathy Hull, Traci Spotten, Julie Carter, Christina Butler, Jennie Olson, Eliza Evensen, Tiffany Prince, Daniel Melander, Vanessa Vogt, Lindsey Daniels, Cindy Jarvis, Braydon Nielson, Angela Peck, Betsy Heaton and Christopher. Jesse-Davi- ft d Orem is cleaner Public Works reported Orem residents put out 4 1 percent more garbage in the annual spring clean up this year. Steve Weber of Public Works said city trucks hauled 3300 tons to the city dump. Despite the extra tonnage, city crews hustled to rid the streets of debris put out during the spring cleaning frenzy. Work was completed in the scheduled four weeks. Street sweepers came right behind the garbage trucks so streets were left cleaner than before. WOMENS CLUB INSTALLS OFFICERS - Newly elected officers of the Orem Womens Club will be installed at the clubs May Breakfast May 20 at Waldon Cove. The candidates for office were presented at the April 15 club meeting and accepted by unanimous acclamation. Officers for the 1992-9- 3 club season are, back row, left to right: Dortha Cordner, Parliamentarian; Marie Liston, Treasurer; LuJean Sundberg, Corresponding Secretary. Front row: Verda Anderson, and Colleen Judd, (Retiring President) Director. President; Winifred Jones, President-Elect- ; Millie Ashby, Recording Secretary was absent when picture was taken. |
