Orangeville City Meeting

By SHARREE JENSEN Staff writer

Orangeville City Council held its monthly meeting on March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Orangeville City Hall. Councilmembers present were Mayor Thayne Cox, Carol Ware, Jeffrey Tuttle and Randall Stilson. Also in attendance were Cindy Nielson, treasurer and Murleen Bean, recorder. After the prayer and pledge of allegiance, the council reviewed the minutes of previous meetings and approved them. Then the council reviewed the bills and warrants to be approved for payment.
The Youth Council then reported on the contest for gathering pop cans at the elementary school. City workers took three dump truck loads of pop cans to Price. The class that collected the most will be treated to a pizza party by the youth council. They plan to use the rest of the money to purchase prizes for the Easter egg hunt. The Easter egg hunt has been scheduled for April 16, which is the last day of school before spring break. They council has made arrangements to clean up Highway 29 from Food Ranch east to the city limits. They are also planning to volunteer as candy stripers at the hospital in Price. Mayor Cox asked the youth council to participate in the annual Cancer Relay For Life which will be held on July 11-12 this year.
The council then reviewed and discussed the changes to the OHV Ordinance. It was noted that before any improvements can be realized the trail heads need to be developed. Tuttle suggested the council write a letter to the county commissioners urging them to develop the connection trails from the city to existing trails located to the west and south of the city limits. The county road going west from North Mill Dam Road and past Texaco’s property to connect with the ATV trail under Horn Mountain and then back south to connect with the road at Blue Ridge would be an excellent route. Cox asked Stilson to check into the possibility of using this route and present it to the commissioners. The council will discuss this again next month.
Next on the agenda were the staff reports. Nielson reported that there will be a treasurer’s convention in St. George and that she would like to attend. It was then discussed how many hours of education and experience were necessary for her to have to certify and maintain certification. The council approved her request. She then handed the council letters requiring signatures, to go out to dog owners who had not renewed their dog licenses. She also informed the council of new forms that she would like to incorporate for utility owners. There has been a problem of citizens not paying their utility bills and moving out of the area. She noted that if the city had more information on the people requesting services, it may be easier for the city to find those who do not pay. She also mentioned that they would now require that utilities be applied for in person, rather than over the phone. The council approved the forms and gave Nielson the go ahead to start using them immediately.
Bean was next to give her report. She mentioned the problems with the tree trimming throughout the city. The council has had numerous complaints from residents about the way the trees are being trimmed around the power lines, instead of being trimmed completely underneath the lines. The city however has a franchise with the business that is doing the trimming and must use them. Through Utah Power there is a “right of refusal” form that residents can fill out, refusing the trimmers access to their property, but Utah Power retains the right to override the refusal, and should Utah Power have to come back again, it would be at the owner’s expense. The comments made by the company doing the trimming is that it is not good for the trees, nor is it cost effective to cut the trees even under the power lines, as has been done in the past. Bean then noted that because of the warm weather we have had lately, the snow totals are down 11 percent and are now in the low 50s. Orangeville city has received a bronze and a silver hockey puck. The pucks signify the 21st Century Community Awards. The city is now entitled to funding, they will receive $500 for the bronze puck and $800 for the silver puck. The city only needs three assessments to receive their gold puck. It was noted that there are not many communities in the state that have achieved this recognition, and most of those that have are along the Wasatch Front. Bean mentioned a need to find out who has copies of the assessments, and also the need to get done with the three assessments, as the money is only available until June 30. Next Bean mentioned the spring training for state auditors. She requested that Nielson and herself be allowed to attend the training in Richfield as there is a training class for recorders there at that same time. The council approved her request. She reminded the council to work on their budgets. There is only one building inspector in the county now, and Bean reported that the previous building permit fees ordinance for Orangeville City will no longer be effective. Since they will be using the county inspector, the county will collect the fees and then send the city 35 percent quarterly. This is less than the city was receiving before.
Council business was next on the agenda. Mayor Cox excused Patrick Jones and Howard Shorthill from the meeting and then turned the time over to Ware who reported on parks department and beautification. She reported that they will be working on a ball complex. Plans for Orangeville Day are being made. It has not been determined whether or not there will be a parade this year due to many complaints by residents about having an “all-day” event. The fireworks have been ordered. It was suggested to have the parade on Friday night. Ware asked the council for any suggestions they might have. It was commented that the annual breakfast should definitely be in the plans. Ware mentioned that they were thinking of hiring a community artist to come and do caricatures. Orangeville Day is planned for June 21.
Stilson then reported on animal control and public safety. There will be a change to the OHV ordinance. There will be no riding OHVs on the streets of Orangeville without a valid driver’s license. Drivers must be at least 16 years of age. This has come about as a safety issue. Stilson then shared with the council that there will be 27 shares of water going up for auction and asked permission to purchase them for the city. His request was approved. Tuttle then reported on the road work that will be done this year. There will be seven and one half curb and gutter projects, eight asphalt projects and a couple drainage projects. These are city and service district totals combined.
Mayor Cox then discussed the upcoming mid-year conference and road schools. He mentioned that he saw a need to look at street sweepers for the city. He then handed out the district’s Intergovernmental Agreement and asked the council to look them over. The agreement discusses who, of the city or the district, is in charge of what, and will be voted on. It was noted that the agreement didn’t discuss meters at all. It was suggested that it be added under either the maintenance activities for existing meters, or under capital improvements in case new meters need to be added. There is no section for water, sewer and meters. He then showed the council the district’s new curb and gutter plan that has been ADA approved and mentioned that Ferron City will be getting sidewalks this year. Cox then presented a list of attorneys that specialize in dealing with city problems. The process of obtaining an attorney will be: announce a need for an attorney and then let the attorneys bid on the job.
Other business was last on the agenda. Linda Jewkes presented an article to the council suggesting that Orangeville be declared a heritage area. She made a point to clarify that this was not a land management deal. It would make matching funds available to the city for any heritage related projects. It was then motioned to adjourn the meeting. The next Orangeville meeting will be held on April 10.