Orangeville City Council discusses range of issues during meeting

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The Orangeville City Council held its monthly meeting on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Orangeville City Hall. Mayor Thayne Cox presided and welcomed all present to the meeting. After the Pledge of Allegiance and the prayer, the first agenda item was the water use proclamation. Mayor Cox stated that all changes that need to be made to an ordinance, must be made by a proclamation. This action was taken in the Water Use proclamation to change the number of days from five to three and to raise the cost of usage over 12,000 gallons. The action passed unanimously.
Building permits were the next item on the agenda and the council voted to issue a permit to Terry Lofthouse for some work he is doing on the Luanne Justesen home.
Two candidates for the Emery County Commission were then introduced. Boyd Wilson from Huntington was the first to speak. Wilson addressed the council and introduced himself. He expressed his views for running for commissioner. Wilson stated that his main concern is the economy of Emery County with water conservation as another concern. He also spoke of the need for more unity between the city and the county governments. When asked what he would do about the monument issue, Wilson replied that he would wait until the citizens of Emery County spoke with their votes in November.
Gary Kofford was the next candidate to speak. Kofford spoke of his life in Emery County and that he had worked for Mountain Fuel around the state before moving back home in 1995. His main concerns are the land use problems, taxes, and the mill levy. Kofford also stated that growing the businesses that are here presently is a priority and also to bring in new ones. He also spoke of the need to have commission meeting and Public Land Council meetings held at a time of day that most of the citizens could attend.
Janna Burdick, a resident of Orangeville addressed the council on a matter of safety. Burdick states that there are two big Cottonwood trees on city property, in front of her house, and when the wind blows, limbs break out and fall to the ground. She expressed her concern for the safety of not only her own children, but anyone else who would happen to be in the neighborhood.
The city council then voted to accept the audit by the CPA’s Kimball and Roberts. It was stated that there were no problems with the ways the bookkeeping and finances are handled for Orangeville City. Motion passed unanimously.
Dennis Tuttle, the zoning administrator and animal control officer presented his report to the board. Tuttle said that skunks have been a problem this year and several have been caught. He also stated that keeping dogs under control is an ongoing problem. Tuttle then addressed two zoning issues, one is a homeowners gazebo that does not meet the set back requirement in which the property owner will need to move the gazebo, and the next is a fence on a lot that is zoned partially residential, partially commercial. This item will be decided when the decision has been made to zone the whole lot either residential or commercial.
Murleen Bean, the Orangeville City Recorder, was next to give her report. Bean stated that those council members who will be attending the Utah League of Cities and Towns conference will need to have their credentials faxed. Bean also stated that she will be attending a mandatory Community Development Block Grant meeting in Price on Sept. 18 where she will obtain the necessary papers to apply for a grant for the year 2003-2004. The last item Bean discussed was the Christmas decorations for the fire station. It was decided that Pat Jones would check into getting some similar ones from Modern Display.
The Orangeville Treasurer, Cindy Nielsen, was next, and she requested permission to attend the Treasurer’s Institute in Provo. It was moved and seconded to allow her to go and the motion passed, unanimously.
Councilman Patrick Jones addressed the donation of Talma Peacock and Clyde Luke of the Rastas Curtis home, which was the first home on Cottonwood Creek. Jones stated that the family has sold the piece of property and that it is urgent to get the Curtis home moved as soon as possible. Carol Ware and Howard Shorthill will be looking into the details of moving the building and where best to put it for the preservation of Orangeville history.
Councilwoman Carol Ware then stated that Van and Georgia Gardner are willing to donate the old post office building to the Orangeville history, and that a suitable location needs to be selected for both items to be placed permanently.
Jones then addressed the city’s need for a larger tank to haul water to the trees around the cemetery, the city hall building, and the park. It was mentioned that the Mulberry tree in the park is mostly dead and needs to be removed. Mayor Cox stated he promised the Olsen family to preserve the tree if at all possible. The next item addressed by Jones was the debris behind some houses. Although it is behind one house, it belongs to a neighbor. Carol Ware will speak to the resident and ask him to clear it out. Cemetery funding was the last item Jones addressed. He said that he would like to see a resolution passed to always keep $100,000 in the cemetery perpetual care to insure future funds will be available for the care of the cemetery.
Councilman Howard Shorthill was next with his report. Shorthill stated that hedges, fences and retaining walls are the biggest issue before the Planning and Zoning Commission at this time. He said they have been looking into changing the code to allow citizens to build fences, retaining walls and hedges up to the sidewalk instead of leaving this area open for weed growth. There are a few concerns with this idea and Shorthill and Dennis Tuttle will confer with other cities and report back with their findings. There is one citizen who wants to build his retaining wall now and is waiting for a ruling.
Shorthill stated the necessity to pull a meter at a residence for nonpayment. Also, residents along Draper Lane have requested a sign stating, Slow�Children at Play because the slow speed limit signs are ignored. The council expressed the need for residents to write down license plate numbers of speeders and report them to the Sheriff’s Office.
Councilwoman Carol Ware reported that there will be a Youth Council meeting on Sept. 19 with advisor Danette Waite and the youth to elect council member positions. A letter will be going out this week to all the youth in the city with this information.
Next to report was Councilman Randall Stilson, who stated that he has been receiving a lot of complaints about the number of stray cats. Stilson also stated that he has been questioned about the ordinance for the two dog per household limit. He stated that most of the citizens feel the council is doing a real good job of keeping these issues under control. The council agreed that something needs to be done about the cat population.
Jeffrey Tuttle, the last councilman to report, stated during the month of August the city used 114 acre feet of water compared to 122 acre feet for the same period last year. Tuttle reported that the water level in Joe’s Valley Reservoir is very low. He also addressed the issue of numerous tree limbs growing out into the street around the city. They are obstructing motorists views and blocking street signs. These need to be trimmed.
The last to report was Mayor Cox, who told of the progress of the Special Service District construction projects. The drainage projects are all done, as are the curb and gutter projects, although the asphalt projects are way behind schedule. Cox said he hopes they will get to Orangeville before the weather gets too cold to lay asphalt. The Orangeville City Council will meet again on Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m.