The Green River City Council met for their monthly meeting. The city’s requests have been submitted to the Permanent Community Impact Board for the year. The city requested funding for repair of water and sewer lines in the city. Also included in the request was a water pipe line running to the Green River Industrial Park, the site of the Green River Refinery. The city is looking at different options to fund the water line project, CIB funding and tax increment funding through the Emery County School District. Construction on the refinery is expected to begin on March 1. Green River is finishing annexation of the area with the county. The railroad spur will be the first major project of the industrial park. Green River is excited about the refinery.
Kathy Brady from Creating a Healthy Environment and Encouraging Respect (CHEER) Coalition gave the council an update of the organization. The teen center has new windows and the roof has been repaired. A CPR class was held for youth and an adult class will be held next week. CHEER paid for the grades not included in the recent SHARP survey. They wanted a comprehensive look at drug, alcohol use and risky behaviors of the youth in the community. A Question, Persuade and Refer suicide prevention class will be held for Green River High School faculty. It will be offered to the community in March. A gun safety class will also be held in March. The teen center started out with approximately four kids and is now averaging 16 a day. The CHEER program has an employee who speaks Spanish. This is very helpful and a great asset to the program.
Kathy Brady requested the state liquor fund allotment from the city. The funds are used for preventative projects. The council approved the funds be transferred to the CHEER program.
Randy Ford discussed potential improvements to the Green River Airport. The strip at the airport is too narrow and short to accommodate any large airplanes. The runway could be extended to 5,600 feet and 30 feet wide. There is also no fuel at the airport. If the airport improvements are completed it could bring commercial aviation and aviation tourism to Green River. It would be an economic benefit for the city. Ford wrote a letter of inquiry to the Utah National Guard to see if they would be interested in assisting. The national guard would be interested in helping if the proper paperwork was submitted for approval. If the city plans on improving the airport, an airport board should be created. The city could also put in for an Airport Improvement Program grant. An AIP grant was used to improve the St. George Airport. Green River can do nothing, wait until the need arises to improve the airport or start the improvement project. The recommendation from Ford is to complete the improvements to bring in commercial and private air traffic.
The council discussed hiring an events coordinator. It will be a part-time position for no more than 19 hours per week. The events coordinator will be a city employee. In the future it could be a full-time position depending on if the coordinator is able to bring in events and revenue to the city. The council approved to hire a part-time events coordinator. Advertising for the events coordinator will be in the near future.
Animal control was discussed in the meeting. There are many dogs running at large and they are a nuisance. Some of the citizens no longer walk because of the dogs barking and growling at them. They are concerned for their safety. The city may consider increasing the fees for animal violations.
If an animal is picked up it will go to Castle Dale and the owner will have to incur the costs of retrieving the animal. The city does not have an animal control officer right now. Councilman Gary Riches advised the citizens to call local law enforcement. He said the city is doing all they can to control the dog problem in Green River. There have been reports of dogs biting people. If a dog bites someone it will be quarantined and handled as a law enforcement issue. All dogs must be licensed through the city.
The council needs to have someone come out and look at the water system for the museum.
The city will look into purchasing or leasing a backhoe for city use.
Councilman Michael Silliman reported the museum has a new employee. She is the education and programs manager. Her job is to create outreach programs and update programs at the museum.
Councilman Riches said the fire department is doing well. The fire department will host a St. Patricks Day dance in March.
They will be getting a new truck this summer. Julie Zwahlen is planning Melon Days. The Emery County Rec Center will be in charge of the softball tournament this year.
Conae Black reported she has received the to do list from the county attorney. She suggested the possibility of contacting Delynn Fielding to do some consulting for the city. The city needs to consider finding another building inspector. The city audit is complete. The $15,000 from the Emery County Travel Bureau has been put in the museum fund.
Mayor Pat Brady reported the Epicenter hosted a group of Russian development professionals.
The city received a refund from the health insurance company. The money will be divided amongst the city employees. The city will also be receiving a refund from the liability insurance. The council should consider dividing it as well.
The water conference is coming up in St. George.
There is a petition to open a DMV in Green River.
The lighting on Main Street needs to be improved. The city will meet with Deb Dull from Rocky Mountain Power.
Other items discussed and approved were issuing a liquor license to the Good 2 Go Store, hiring Daniel Hales as the school crossing guard, adopting a plan for the development of trails, amending the composition of the planning commission and approving mayoral appointments.
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