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Show -NEWS- A10 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008 Spanish Fork Curb and gutter: Street Dance From SALEM • A l Kirsten Reimschiissel / Spanish Fork News The second annual street dance was held Saturday, July 19 from 8:30-11 p.m. This year there was a bigger turn-out and people of all ages came to enjoy the music of Jursey Street Band. said, he never had the opportunity to serve this nation in the military. "Because of that, my heart will always be touched by these men and women," Beattie said. "I will never again pass by without saying thank you." Tarbet spoke of all those who reverence the flag. He mentioned local soldiers who serve in the military, including Scott Lundell of Benjamin, who gave his life in Afghanistan two years ago. "Thank you, Spanish Fork, for doing what you're doing tonight — for reverencing the flag," Tarbet said. Following Tarbet's remarks members of the 145th retired the flag which has flown over the fairgrounds for the past year. Local scouts also brought flags, collected from the community, to be retired. Following closing remarks by Jensen, the 145th posted new colors, which will wave over the fairgrounds throughout the coming year. I needs of the people in the old section of town," said Jenkins. "I would plead my case on an economic basis because things are tough out there." Jenkins proposed the money be paid in the future by someone who buys a house, and not on those who can't afford it at this time. City Attorney Junior Baker advised the council against this idea, and presented the adjustments that the council passed which requires sidewalks now, and an installation of curb and gutter in this section if a remodel above a certain price is done on a home, or if the remodel occurs immediately between two places where curb and gutter exists. Council member Terry Ficklin asked whether they should require a pay for improvements to be done to the road way while under construction. Council member Brent Hanks cited natural drainage through gravel and dirt on the road sides, and said, "I just can't see putting in curb and gutter until we can put in a drainage system to take care of the water." The council is still concerned about the curb and gutter in historic Salem, and the ordinance that will help out old Salem was approved. Mayor Lane Henderson said, "I do think it's the right call." Another prepared citizen , Karen Anderson, wrote a letter to the council objecting to the council's change of the Community Center rates on Thursday nights. Anderson has used the Center for piano recitals for her students with Thursday being the best night due to students' busy schedules. She asked the council if the intent of raising the night time block on Thursday to $400 to dissuade misuse of schedulers on Friday was intended to raise money for the city through a citizen-donated building. "I feel like a $400 fee for a recital is way out of reach," said Anderson, who explained the low impact of a typical recital with no food. "I don't think we have to charge as much as we're doing." The council apologized for the negative effect and expressed their concern for the building's upkeep. Rates and contracts will be reconsidered during the August 20 work session. An R-5 (or town-home zone) text amendment that will effect the coming development near the annexed land by the highway interchange was called "the first baby step toward the completion of this project" by Baker. Baker explained that the document now states a minimum of five acres and a maximum of 25 acres that the change would make 50 acres with up to nine units per acre. Square feet minimums will also have to be met, required design themes used, and sidewalk, curb and gutter installed. The amendment is intended to "protect other areas of the city". He said, "This will be our first forray into this type of arena....We don't want to be too restrictive in our decision because we do want our contractors to think outside the box." Flag retirement: From FUG • A l Covering what matters most Namon Bills / Spanish Fork News TRIBUTE: Lane Beattie speaks at the flag retirement. The council was concerned over requests for private vs. public streets and the issues Spanish Fork has had with that, and voted to table the proposal to "talk about this a little more". Skyview Estates was granted a six month extension to a development near Salem Canal Road and Elk Ridge Drive in February that will run out on September 8, 2008. The 25 acre, 71 lot plan includes off-site improvements totalling an estimated $500,000. Dalaco, the developer when the extension was granted, has now abandoned the project due to economic difficulty. Travis Taylor of West States has taken the project and worked with City Engineer Bruce Ward on the issues. Taylor proposed "re-thinking" utilities and the phases of the plan to minimize the project and get the momentum moving, but asked for another six month extension from the end date of the previous one in September. "It will take some time for the market to recover," said Taylor, "That's a pretty big bite to swallow all at once.... Right now, there's just crippling economic problems." The council was reluctant to grant another extension after a Dalaco representative has called the previous one the last one. When the project had been approved, PUD requirements were different, and now require 10 percent open space. If the extension is granted, the project will not have to follow that. Taylor proposed a compromise, that he will look at the plans and add 5 percent open space and come back before September for an extension rather than have time run out and have to start from square one. Council member Lynn Durrant said, "I hate to see that land just sit there." A new personnel policy regarding on-call and compensation time for city workers was approved. The policy is budget neutral and adds flexibility to employees. It allows them to collect up to 80 hours comp time that they can use or be paid for. The on-call employees will be paid one hour per day and one and a half hours on weekends or $150, whichever is greater, for seven consecutive on-call days. Henderson liked the idea and hoped that it would boost moral. Ward said, "I feel like most people are appreciative" of the city's interest. A few unique waivers were granted on late fees. The water rates, although a citizen expressed objections to the city forcing conservation by increasing culinary water costs, were approved. An SUVMA Master Lease was renewed due to legal procedures on schedule. Audio and visual equipment including televisions for presentations for the soon to be completed council room and police conference room were approved for about $50,000. Phones including voice mail, caller I.D., and connected but separate directories for the city offices and police station were also approved for $15,236.31. A fifth Dixie Chopper lawn mower was approved for purchase at $10,879.50. Asphalt was approved for the parking lot at the lower ball fields to be ready for use during Salem Days. Promised recycle bins are being made now, and at least one should be ready for Salem Days. |