Orangeville City council: Youth visit legislature

By Phil Fauver
Staff Writer

The Orangeville City Council met Feb. 8, to conduct the business of the city. After the opening ceremonies the bills and warrants and the minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
In the audience Boy Scouts came with their parents to learn how city government functions. Mayor Roger Swenson greeted all those attending this meeting and thanked them for coming. Mayor Swenson asked Braxton Butler a scout to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
One of the next items on the agenda was a report from the youth city Council about their experiences at the State Legislature.
The Orangeville Youth City Council recently spent a day at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City observing the legislature and participating in a mock legislative session with other youth from around the state. Jesse Nicholson was the first to report. She said a legislator had reminded them of the accomplishments of some of the presidents of the United States like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
Jesse Nicholson reported that her favorite part was participating in the mock legislature debate.
Mayor Roger Swenson pointed out that our City Council is not a mock legislature it is the real thing.
Sebastian Viera said it was exciting to watch how a legislative debate played out. He said that Sen. David Hinkins is a great man.
Morgan Hughes indicated that she enjoyed being able to talk to Sen. Hinkins again and thinks he is a great man. In the mock legislature they were given various city problems to discuss and had to decide whether to table an issue or give the item a priority.
Morgan also said the Youth City Council needs a project for February. Some items were then suggested. Mayor Swenson said we will let the Youth City Council debate those suggestions and make the decision.
Orangeville resident Danny Curtis of 410 North Driggs Ln. came before the Orangeville City Council to discuss the possibility of hooking his property up to the city sewer system which would require about 720 feet of pipe and trenching. The item was tabled until the next meeting for more research. There is possibly funding for this project available from the (Community Impact Board) CIB and/or the Castle Valley Special Service District.
The 2018 CIB list of five priorities which includes the ball complex, the walking trail, and items discussed in previous meetings was approved.
City Recorder Ruanne Leaflang reported the fax machine was old and not working. It needs to be replaced either with a fax module attached to the copy machine they now have or the other suggestion is to purchase a copy machine that has fax capability, color copies, emailing and all the other capabilities needed for communicating to and from the office. The estimated cost of this new machine is about $3,500. The estimated cost of the fax module is $500. More research will be required.
Councilperson Carol Stilson reported the Youth City Council had a great time at the state legislature. They really enjoyed being at the capitol with Sen. David Hinkins. Sen. Hinkins sat and visited with the youth at lunch. The youth really appreciated the city sending them to the state legislature not all cities do that.
Councilman Kirk McQuivey reported the fire department has recently added three volunteer firemen. He would like some city resident volunteers to join the public safety committee. They meet quarterly to discuss safety problems within the city. A few High School students could join this committee.
Councilperson Janet Tuttle reported she has received complaints about garbage cans being left on the street all week long. Some of the residents have overflowing garbage cans that could be remedied by ordering a second garbage can. Castle Dale has an ordinance that allows garbage cans to be left on the street 24 hours maximum.
Mayor Swenson stated that our ATV ordinances are not the same as the Utah State ordinances regarding ATVs. If we adjust our ordinance to match the state. Then law enforcement will be able to enforce the ATV laws in Orangeville. At present if you are under 16 you can’t be operating an ATV four wheeler on Orangeville City Streets. If you’re over 16 you must have a valid drivers license and observe all the other laws with respect to helmet and speed.
The next Orangeville city Council is scheduled for March 14, 2018.
Some of those attending Orangeville city Council included: Pamela Howard and her son Joshua Howard Mindy Nicholson, Jesse Nicholson, Morgan Hughes, BJ Butler and his son Braxton Butler and Danny Curtis .