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Show Fire SpriiiiHer Ordinal p . j The word 'fire in Park City generally conjures up images of the 1898 holocause that devastated both buildings and livlihoods. And while most people would agree no price can be set on life and safety, equipping the city against future disasters could be a hard hit to the pocketbook. Under consideration for the past several months has been" an ordinance requiring certain i buildings to install sprinkler systems. The idea for such an ordinance or-dinance originated from a concerned Park City citizen, and while the idea has had many supporters, implementing im-plementing it has caused confusion and debate. Most of the confusion has arisen out of a misunderstanding as to who exactly would be required to install sprinklers, while the debate has been raised by those who would be economically affected. af-fected. Tom Shellenberger, a City Councilman and former fire commissioner, has been working on the draft of the Police Keprl A plate glass window at Mawhinney's Chevrolet and Oldsmobile dealership, 1220 Park Ave., was smashed by a rock either late May 7 or early May 8, according to Park City police. The window, win-dow, measuring four feet by six feet, was on the west side of the building. It was valued at $322. A thief with a taste for steak and eggs broke into the Carbide Lamp Restaurant on Main Street between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday. Owner Rich Martinez told police that a tray of steaks and two bowls of eggs with a total value of $300 were taken from the restaurant. The front door apparently had been pried open. Someone with the right combination walked away with $352.50 from the safe at the Moana Building, 1515 Two Way Street Do you have a question relating to life in Park City? The Newspaper can help you find the answer. Drop us a signed note to Box 738, or give us a call at 649-9014. Last week, out of (own law enforcement officers were parked on Main Street all day, many days in a row without citations. Whv were they given this privilege? Shirley O'Kelly, Park City-Park City-Park City Police Chief Mike Crowley explained officers from surrounding cities such as Murray and Logan were in Park City last week for a three-day seminar on conducting breathalizer tests to nab those folks who like drinking and driving. With a twinge of 'okay, you got me,' in his voice, Crowley responded, "Theoretically, they should've been given citations. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. gan-der. But we extended a courtesy to them. No one is above the law, and neither are these officers. But 1 have to admit, it would have been tough to go out there and give those officers here to learn something for the good of everyone a ticket. It was just a courtesy." While Crowley admitted that courtesy would not be extended extend-ed to the average Main Street parker who overstayed his two-hour welcome, he agreed if a similar situation arises in the future, he will ask visiting officials to park in Swede Alley. A tip of the hat, Ms. Kelly, for keeping your eyes open for those little incongruities that rankle everyone. And Chief Crowley was the first to admit it was a fair question that will receive a fair response in the future. I live on lower Woodside Avenue, and in the past few weeks I have had muddy water flowing from my- laps. Is there any danger In drinking this water? B B.J. Mueller, Park City Public Works Supervisor Leon Uriarte gave a resounding "no" to that question. He said the water is tested every Monday Mon-day in the city, and as always it recently tested out to be absolutely ab-solutely safe. Uriarte said the water probably is a bit muddy because about two weeks ago a chunk of ice knocked out the telemetry system at the Woodside Reservoir. The water in the reservoir got a little low before the problem was discovered a day later, causing the high turbidity. The water should be running clear now. If not, you don't need to boil it before drinking, although bathing may leave you feeling not quite clean as a whistle. ordinance. He noted that it is not just a sprinkler ordin ance, but also specifies adopting adop-ting a building, housing, abatement of dangerous building, plumbing and electrical elec-trical code. Attention has been focused on the fire code, however, and numerous meetings have been held to discuss sprinklers. As the draft ordinance or-dinance now reads, all buildings constructed for human occupancy having more than 6,000 square feet on any floor, or having two or more stories, or having four or more family units (including rental and lease units) will be required to install automatic sprinkling systems. Some property owners objected ob-jected to the proposed ordinance or-dinance believing it would require residences to have sprinkler systems. Shellenberger Shellen-berger emphasized Tuesday that was never the intention of the ordinance, and is not included in the draft. He commented the ordinance originally was aimed at new construction, particularly hotels and condominiums. Park Ave., about 10:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a report filed with Park City police. The thief apparently entered the building by walking through the main door, which had been left unlocked by the night shift. The empty cash drawer was found on the floor near the safe. Police were told that about 25-30 people have access ac-cess to the safe combination. Ralph Emery, the manager of the pro shop at the Park City Golf Course, reported the theft of $436 in cash and about $900 in equipment and clothing from the shop Sunday. Access was gained through a glass door which had been smashed. Among the items stolen were six putters, two dozen golf balls, three jackets, two caps and a dozen pair of gloves. where there would be a higher occupancy. Shellenberger Shellen-berger is in favor, however, of requiring existing commercial com-mercial and retail buildings to install the system within a certain time period. Opposed to that particular line of thinking is City Councilman Coun-cilman Richard Martinez, who owns the Carbide Lamp restaurant on Main Street. Martinez pointed out that installing in-stalling the system in an existing structure would cost a considerable amount of money, and would require extensive reconstruction. And while Shellenberger said he can sympathize with the economic burden suf-fered suf-fered by existing building owners, he sees the problem a little differently. "Look at it from my point of view-," Shellenberger said. "That as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), I might have to go in there sometime and takeout 10 charred bodies." When the ordinance first was proposed in early February, it was noted sprinkler systems in the Talk to four of t li bsst insimraiic call: STATE FARM () INSURANCE Like a good neighbor. State Farm ia then. Sidle Fam Insurance Companies Home Ollices Bloommgton Illinois Main Street area would be ineffective unless' every building on the street was required to install them. As the draft now reads, many buildings would be exempt, apparently rendering the entire en-tire system useless. Shellenberger Shellen-berger pointed out Tuesday that is not at all the case. "It's a matter of getting something rather than nothing," Shellenberger said. "It would be nice if all the buildings on Main Street had sprinklers, but if they don't, it doesn't mean the whole system fails," ' The councilman noted that those buildings that would be required to have sprinklers would be protected even if a fire broke out in an adjoining building without the system. And furthermore, the building that does have the system would provide a fire break that possibly could prevent a major disaster. Asked if a fire of the proportions of the historic 1898 blaze could occur again in Park City, Shellenberger responded, "The probability of that is practically zero." He noted the city has substantially sub-stantially upgraded its firefighting equipment, personnel per-sonnel and water system, reducing the fire department's depart-ment's response time to about three to four minutes. "Everything we do, from purchasing a new aerial truck to increasing the number num-ber of firefighters, substantially substan-tially reduces the fire hazard," Shellenberger commented. "The point is, a sprinkler system is hot the only answer, but the more things we do to decrease the hazard, the better. A sprinkler system might jusi give us that little extra time that might mean the difference dif-ference between life and death. Everything helps." In response to the economics of installing the system, Shellenberger conceded con-ceded it would be a burden, but upgrading the lire protection system might help the entire town realize insurance breaks. He com mented that cities are given a fire rating from one to in by the Insurance Service )l Your State Farm agent is trained to be your car, home, life, AND health insurance agent. See or Max Vierig Mt. Air Mall 649-9161 fice, a national organization with state branches. With a 10 rating indicating no protection and a one assessed to say, a home built next to a fire station. Park City currently holds a seven. "With the improvements we've made since the last audit, our rating should come down to about a five." Shellenberger remarked. "And that's pretty good for a relatively remote mountain town. "And that means that individual insurance rates could go down." Shellenberger pointed out that not every insurance company uses the ISO rating system as a criteron for assessing rates, but the possibility for reductions are very real. The councilman noted that the last time an ISO audit was conducted was about 1973, and while the audits generally are conducted conduc-ted every 10 years. Park City intends to ask for a re-evaluation re-evaluation within the year. City Councilman Bob Wells said Tuesday he agrees additional fire safety methods are a step in the r z PARAdAH NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH TUESDAY-SATURDAY, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. the finest lunch in town Assorted Sandwiches plus Swiss Veal Bratwurst A special imported bratwurst grilled. Served with sauerkraut or homemade potatoes with sauteed onions, fruit garnish. Raclette Swiss Style Lunch Includes soup du jour, lunch salad with Adolph's special dressing, bread and butter. Now Serving a variety of Crepes Crepes Ratatoille Crepes a la Seafood Maritime Crepes Beef Bourginguon Desert Crepes Apple Sizzle Crepes Fresh Strawberry Crepes right direction, but sees Hie approach differently. He noted that at a Master Plan update meeting held Moil day, the idea of imposing more stringent building material requirements was discussed. "The Master Plan committee com-mittee probably will recommend that the Main Street commercial area and the Recreation Commercial zone be required to use Type I i non-combustible materials) construction," Wells commented. "We recognized at the meeting that sprinklers in themselves them-selves are not magic. And fire protection can be achieved through other ways." Wells noted that Park City already has adopted the Uniform Building Code, which establishes rules and regulations for design, construction, con-struction, quality of materials, use and occupancy, occupan-cy, location and maintenance mainten-ance of buildings and structures. struc-tures. The promised code or dinance would impose tougher restriction on at the Golf Course l'hNopdA'f I niirsdav. May 15, 1980 Page 5 proper! v owners and developers. "It's really not a question ol whether it (a sprinkler requirement! is fair or not. but whether the government is going loo far," Wells said. "If we were voting on whether we wanted the town to burn down tomorrow or whether we wanted a sprinkler ordinance, that would be one thing. But you con't look at it that way." Wells, who also was under the misconception that the ordinance would include residences, said he would prefer to see that homes be excluded from the draft, with a reasonable time limit extended to existing com mercial property owners to install the system. "But I would prefer seeing it approached from the type of construction used, which gives people alternatives and provides better protection." protec-tion." Wells said. "There are propably a lot of things that are the basic cause of fires that il we're going to start a heavy police action, it should start with prevention rather DO A TAKEOUT our complete menu is available for takeout Lunch 11:30 to 2:30 Dinner 5:00 to 10:00 Sunday Lunch 12:00 to 4:00 430 .lain Street 649-6900 'C l:Blazuis than putting a fire out." The councilman pointed out that perhaps the building code could be strengthened to specify Type I construction, construc-tion, in addition to upgrading such things as electrical wiring and cooking vents. Shellenberger, who also is a member of the Master Plan revision committee, said he agrees the building material code could be strengthened and would be an additional fire protection measure. But he isn't going to give up the fight to have a sprinkler requirement. "I know there are some City Council members who don't want a sprinkler ordinance or-dinance at all, and there are some who do," Shellenberger Shellen-berger said. "And I don't want to keep revising the draft. I hope to get a feel for how the council feels at Thursday's meeting (May 15 . It might come down to a political thing where I have to get together with council members individually to explain ex-plain more clearly what I have in mind. But I'm not going to give up." |