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Show 6 Thursday, March THE GREEN SHEET Mayor Embley 26, 1987 - 'Fruits Of Being A City' Realized Over Past Year deficit, detracts the possibility of economic development. And the deficit has a direct effect on state and local governments attempts to do anything positive with economic development. The economy of Utah cities and the state have been hurt in the last few years by the federal governments substantial tax decreases, Embley said. Almost 100 percent of the those tax decreases have been passed onto state and local governments in the form of program reductions, he said. b Paula Huff (ti er n Sheet St.i(f H riter WEST VALLEY This city is finally starting to see some of the fruits of being a city, said Mayor Michael Embley about the past year Economic development is on the upbeat, the project to upgrade some roads is complete and the city park is nearly finished, while construction of district No 2 park is starting, he said. Other achievements in the past year include completion of water and sewer projects by the Granger-Hunte- r Improvement District and maturation of the master plan, said Embley end while deficits continue to be brought in on the federal level. Parks Last yearss biggest disappointment to Embley was Triad Americas default on the West Valley City park contract. Triad America was contracted to contour the park and plant the grass, 'Building a new city hall is our number one need Economic I)celopinent and our number one priority New businesses locating in the area which have helped economic development include Sterling Medical, a company that builds medical equipment, and the Mer-vyn- s distribution center, Embley said A number of trucking firms and the Rocky Mountain Laboratory have also helped the economy. Renovation of Valley Fair Mall in the past year gave a big boost, to retail sales, said Embley But retail conditions still aren't good, he added From the city's stand point, all levels of government play a major role in economic development. The federal government, with its large - - but the work done wasnt satisfactory to city officials and, eventually, the contract was terminated. Another contract has been awarded for seeding the park. By the end of the summer the lawn should be mature enough to be used, said Embley. Over the next year the fencing and grandstand will be worked on. Restrooms and the snack bar will also be improved. And in the next few weeks, 235 trees will be planted in the park. District No. 2 park near 2200 West and 3700 South was designed and approved over the last year. Although many citizens complained the park was too small and located inconveniently, City Council approved the design. Construction will begin in the next year. Woodledge park was also completed in the past year. Since West Valley City incorporated nearly seven years ago, the condition of the roads has been a big concern. Most of the streets in the city were not built to accommodate the amount of traffic we have today, Embley said. After the floods of 1983, many of the roads had large potholes and other major problems, he said. The city thert bonded $3 million to upgrade some of the roads. That project was completed in the last year, Utahns are now realizing the reduction of federal taxes, so the state is picking up more local taxes its What really come down to is we (at the local level) get to be the bad guys, which bugs the heck out of me. Local government is the most efficient, yet we end up on the tail Mayor Mike Embley citizens will continue to participate in local government, he said. We are very sensitive to what citizens want if they will just let us know. With another year as mayor behind him, Embley is anxiously looking forward to this year. In his mind, the number one priority of the - a new city is already determined city hall must be built. Master Plan Building a new city hall is our number one need and our number one priority, he said. If we dont get one built, we will have to rent space. We just cant continue good employee morale and conduct under these cramped conditions, he said. The staff and council are working diligently to make plans for a new city hall. One issue the mayor is not looking forward to addressing is a tax increase for West Valley. Without the increase, district No. 2 park cannot be completed, plans for any city sidewalks are dead and some programs will be eliminated. The Fire Department is already understaffed, but there are no funds for more personnel. Personally, I am opposed to raising taxes, but when it gets right down to choosing between raising taxes and discontinuing some programs, its a hard choice, he said. Some programs are really going to be hurt without a tax increase, he said, but we are going to have a lot of protesting if we raise taxes. Over the past year, some ordinances were adopted which have led to maturation of the masterplan, said Embley. The rewritten commercial zone ordinance and the sign ordinance will give the city a different look in years ahead, he said. The citys master plan is going to allow for some orderly development, Embley said. And one of the reasons we incorporated was so West Valley could have orderly development. Roads Mike Embley which has improved traffic flow. Finishing the 5600 West interchange off 2100 South in the last year has also improved transportation in the city. Part of West Valley Highway, which will eventually connect Davis County with southwest Salt Lake County, was also finished last summer. Two traffic lanes were added from 2100 South to 2700 South. Citizen Participation Embley found the amount of citizen participation in government to be significant over the last year. He said the public influenced the decision on merging the police and fire department and prevented a new city hall from being built in Granger park. I hope its a sign of the times and County Checks W. V. Growth west and south of West Valley City. Our plans are for continued growth of those areas, he says, mostly residential with commercial areas to serve them. A preliminary master plan for the Magna area has been one of the big projects of the past year. A revolving loan fund and redevelopment for existing businesses are others. According to Ricks, three applicants for the position of director for the revolving loan fund will soon be interviewed. The fund will be used by businesses that want to upgrade or grow in other ways. With residential development, parks and schools the main parts of the plan for the areas surrounding West Valley, there has been little conflict between the two entities so far. Ricks concedes the potential for conflict is there, however. Our development plans cant have integrity if the area becomes by Ray Friess Green Sheet Stall Writer SALT LAKE. Being one of the newest and largest cities in the state, West Valley is, naturally, looking at future growth. Such growth could be characterized by the old saying, Go West... and maybe even south. Going west or south, though, will have to be done very carefully, for West Valley is surrounded by the Salt Lake County jurisdiction, the unincorporated areas. It is a jurisdiction not taken lightly by the county, but so far, county and West Valley planning officials have avoided, mostly through some silent agreements, clashing over the issue of growth. Clayne Ricks, as Salt Lake County planning director, is responsible for doing just that: planning and directing development of the areas to the fragmented by annexations into West Valley, Ricks advises. So far though, West Valley has gone along with our desires and have not crossed the 7200 West and 4700 South boundaries. Theyve been very responsible in this regard and have rejected some annexation petitions. He adds though that the agreement between the two bodies has been a silent agreement and not a formal one. One of the recent refusals by West Valley City was a request by owners of a mobile home park on 4700 South to be annexed into West Valley. The problem facing both the county and West Valley, however, is a state law that requires developers with a project of more than 15 units or of a million dollars ask for annexation if they are within a half mile of West Valley. The silent agreement has kept things settled so Continued on page 11 three-quarte- rs Easter Fashion Show Sat. March 28 at 11:30 A.M. In West Valley Our Clothing Will Fit Your Budget. - Economic Base Enhanced By Specialist, Mall Project b Paula Hulf (teen sheet suit 11 riter WEST VALLEY. Naming Kathy Kaumans the citys economic development specialist and a multimillion dollar remodeling of Valley Fair Mall top the list of economic development here activity during the past year. Less federal funding and low tax revenue necessitated West Valley to pursue developing its own economic base, according to Kaumans. While still working as city recorder. Kaumans began working with economic develoment. She was officially named to the position on Feb 26. As the specialist, Kaumans is working on development of an economic plan. It will be presented to the City Council and eventually incorporated into the master plan, she said. One program she hopes to initiate soon is visiting with each business owner in the city. at city hall want to let them know that we can help solve their problems and give them financial direction if they need it, die said. She also hopes to push foi completion of West Valley Highway and improve the quality of life for citizens. Im also thinking about an overall city pride and cleanup campaign, she said This might not seem like a part of economic development, but it is. If West Valley doesnt have an identity the citizens can be proud of, big business wont loca.e here. Businesses want to know their employees will have a nice place to live." n The dollar exterior and interior upgrading of Valley Fair Mall was a big part of last We multi-millio- NOW PECJ SU)AV$ Store Your Stuff For Less! Is RENTAL SPACES WESTGATE 1829 it 3500 South W. Redwood 973-438- 5 KEARNS WEST VALLEY 2935 So. 3600 West Road 4065 (5795 973-841- Sams W. So Across from 964-660- 0 won li Blvd. High School years economic development, said Kaumans. Saturday Specials Ladies Blouses 2 FOR large food court with a number of different kinds of restaurants was added to the center and movie complex is nearing completion, she said. $3)00 A nine-theat- Over the year, there were more than 300 new businesses that located in the city, according to Joame Perry, business license ad- ministrator. One-thir- d were home maining i Mens Suits of those new businesses occupations. The re- two-third- s were 00 mostly food computer stores, insurance com- establishments, panies, loan institutions, clothiers and new manufacturing businesses. Mervyns distribution center, which employs 400 people and serves seven states, opened a massived new facility in West Valley during the past year. Also joining the ranks were BFI, a garbage collection agency, and Yellow Freight, a trucking firm. In February, an informal committee of West Valley citizens, ranging from city officials to developers, attended an economic development seminar sponsored by Utah Power and Light. City economic development priorities were ranked for the next 10 years at the conference. The informal committee suggested that in the next six to eight months an economic development plan be written, road signs be placed on major entrances to the city and more emphasis be given to Redevelopment Agency projects. Two-yea- r goals include changing interstate signs to designate the location of West Valley; a beautification program and annual events be initiated; and development of an effective marketing and retention plan. Long range goals, which should be accomplished in 10 years, include completion of West Valley Highway; Imhaving the Granger-Hunte- r provement District assume part of Magnas district; and upgrading 3500 South. These goals will be included in the citys economic development plan. 00 Boys Shirts $3)00 Girls Dresses All ltmt heve been processed by the elderly, handicapped and those In need. West ValleyMagna Store Our Best Work is Your Best Buy Deseret Industries Thrift Store 3600 So. 7200 West Magna, Utah Deseret Industries is a Its clients - those y ho are elderly, federally-approve- d handicapped, or sheltered workshop. - reclaim donated goods. in need |