| Jim Jennings is sworn in as the new city councilman. |
Cleveland Town council met recently and appointed a new council person. Jim Jennings was appointed to fill the vacancy left when Karen Nielsen moved from Cleveland. Jennings is active in the community and is a regular member of the fire department. Mayor Jeff Horrocks has met with Jennings several times concerning the application for the appointment. “I feel he will work for the town and he knows what is required and I recommend his appointment,” said Horrocks.
Councilman Greg Oliver stated, “I think Jim is sincere about wanting to serve. He is my neighbor so I have had some time to talk with him also.” Jennings was approved, sworn in and will serve the remaining year of Nielsen’s term.
The Cleveland council approved a business license for Lexie Rich to open a craft business in her home. The council also addressed the problems with 300 North. Amber Minchey, resident, explained that the road is in very bad shape and when it rains, she can barely get in and out of the street. Another aspect of the road problem is emergency services and garbage collection.
Mayor Horrocks said, “We are aware of the problems with 300 North. We will approach the special service district and have some road base brought in as soon as possible.”
Mayor Horrocks then explained that Steve Taylor has given the city a bid for tile work to be done in the kitchen area of town hall. It was decided that for sanitation and cleanliness reasons the city would need to have this work done. The council approved the action.
The council entered into a discussion concerning the building permit situation that is facing not only Cleveland Town, but the entire county. Mayor Horrocks explained that the commissioners have suggested the adoption of the 1997 state codes. This would raise the cost of building permits in Emery County. Copies of the codes were distributed and the council members will study them and a vote will be taken at the Dec. 16 council meeting.
Community development block grants were then decided on. The council discussed several projects that are of concern. For the short term list, the council decided on the fire station replacement; acquisition of land adjoining the town hall for the fire station; and the acquisition of water shares.
The mid term list will consist of the skate park and a lawn mower for the cemetery. The council was instructed to consider any other projects which can be added to the list at the next meeting.
Mayor Horrocks read a letter from the Utah Department of Transportation concerning Christmas decorations. The letter stated that decorations may not be hung across the highway. There are height requirements and they may only be along the sides of the roadways.
Cleveland Town’s new dump truck has arrived and is being fitted with the special equipment. It will be in Cleveland in two-three weeks.
Councilman Oliver explained the state grant recently received by the fire department. They have purchased wildland firefighting equipment and the computer that was purchased is installed, up and running. He also stated that the fire department had notification that they were successful in obtaining a FEMA grant for the purchase of new radios for the firefighters. The department will also obtain a compressed foam suppression unit.
“Most of the snuffer units in the county are mounted on older, used trucks. At the district meeting, they approved to replace the older trucks. They will replace three in 2005 and three in 2006,” Oliver said.
The fire department is hosting a spaghetti dinner fund raising event on Dec. 9 at town hall. They are also having a raffle to raise funds for Gerald Schade for medical expenses. Schade has been a member of the fire department for 23 years. The drawing for the prizes, which include a custom built cedar chest, two halves of beef, a rifle and many other smaller items, will be held on Jan. 19, 2005. There is also an account set up an Zions Bank to accept donations in Schade’s name.
From Jan. 27 through April 30, 2005, special trainings will be held for the firefighters in Emery County. This training will be in-depth training and will possibly be held in Cleveland. Councilman Oliver will know more of the details soon and will inform the council. He added that the fire department is always recruiting new firefighters and they meet twice a month as a fire department.
Jamie Jensen stated that the town will host its annual Christmas party on Christmas Eve as is the tradition in Cleveland. They will also be doing an Angel Tree again this year.
Cleveland Town is one of 25 communities in the state that have been awarded forestry grants that will be used to plant trees, or establish or develop community forestry programs. They will receive $627 dollars and this is a matching grant.
The next meeting of the Cleveland Town Council will be Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. This meeting date is a change from the Dec. 9 original date.