| Ferron City Youth Council get ready for a year of work for Ferron. |
New city council members were sworn in at the Jan. 12 Ferron City Council meeting. Re-elected members were Mayor Gil Bowden and councilman Joe Trenery. Re-appointed members were treasurer Adele Justice and recorder Brenda Bingham. Newly elected councilman Rodney Toomer was also welcomed into the council. Members of the youth city council were also sworn in at the meeting. New positions were given to Mayor Derek Jensen; council members Tiffany Larsen, Kearsten Bennett, Shela Baantjer, Leslie Urie, Jacqueline Hill; recorder, Angie Larsen; and treasurer, Megan Brown.
Fire Chief Randy Nielson gave his report on the fire department. A grant from the Assisting Fire Fighters Program was received in the amount of $47,447. The Emery County Fire Protection District paid the required 10 percent to the city. This grant helped the fire department purchase a new air compressor and exercise equipment for the station. Around $35,000 of the grant was spent on the air compressor, which fills clean air into the tanks the fire fighters wear when encountering a fire. The compressor has filters inside of the machine that filter all toxins out of the air, such as carbon monoxide. The exercise equipment took up around $10,000 of the grant. It is now mandatory that the fire fighters participate in a health and wellness program. This means they must exercise three times a week on their own time. Nielson said, “we have a very active and dedicated fire team. While on the fitness and wellness program we have had four men quit smoking and many have lost weight. It is a great program for the fire fighters.”
The Department of Natural Resource, Forest Fire and State Lands gave a grant that matched the fire station with their work in the amount of $9,495. A new truck from the county was also received. “Randy is a huge reason these additions have been made, Councilman Randy Fox said, “the fire department works really hard and they are greatly appreciated.”
Phil Jones of Phil’s Rock Art came before the council in regards to a business permit. Jones will be expanding his business. All appropriate measures were taken and the motion carried.
A problem with a water line break on a resident’s property was resolved. An adjustment on their bill was made.
A situation of a possible water break arose. The property was studied and no leak was found. After talking with the service district they discussed a possibility of a faulty meter as the reason for the above normal water bill. After consideration, the council decided that an adjustment for a water leak would be made because no proof was found that it was the meter. An adjustment will also be made in the spring in the case of proof of a faulty meter and it will be replaced.
Hans Baantjer and Carol Ediger made a presentation in the interest of funding public schools. A couple key points in their presentation were: If you invest in education, you invest in people; Utah spends less on administrators than anyone; and Utah has the lowest per pupil spending in the nation. They encourage the community to get involved in the Grass Root Education Action Team, in order to help funding of Utah schools.
Council member Joe Sansevero went over the rental policies and procedures of city facilities and property. Sansevero did a survey of rates in the Price, Moab and Castle Dale area. Ferron City is in line with other towns concerning their rates.
A big topic of the fair grounds was brought up while discussing the rates. Problems pertaining to the payment of rent on the horse stalls has become quite an issue with $1,100 lost since December. So many people are just coming and going with no payment of rent that it has become a huge problem. The comment was made that part of the problem could be that the owner is paying the trainer and he is not paying the rent fee. The council talked over some ideas to put the grounds in order. Such as, making signs stating the rules, brand inspections, numbering the stalls and registration. They would rather have customers use it than not but it should not become a detriment to the city.
Planning Commission Chairman, Lou Sansevero raised the topic of having a sexually oriented business ordinance made. As a municipality the city needs an ordinance to define regulations for the business. The law states that such businesses have to be acknowledged and must not be denied. More discussion will be held in the next council meeting.
Mayor Bowden made council assignments for 2006 and old positions were reformed.
A discussion regarding the water lease agreement between Ferron City and the Ferron Canal and Reservoir Company was next. Council members agreed that Ferron City needs to get more involved in the water issues and decisions. As one of their sponsors they want to have a say in what is being done.
Animal control has been an issue in Ferron. Councilman Fox suggested someone he knows who will be retiring soon and is willing to help out. The mayor said that the proposed person would have to have some training, also must be willing to sign waivers and contracts.
The next Ferron City Council meeting will be held on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.