| Zina Willard presents volunteer of the month to Andrea Silliman. |
Green River Mayor Ed Bentley welcomed Emery County’s economic development director, Mike McCandless to the recent Green River City Council meeting. “During your planning process, we are requesting that you consider identifying the types of industrial development that you want in Green River,” said McCandless.
He went on to explain that the Utah State Legislature is considering many bills during this session that could impact rural development. The State has contracted with a private company, Economic Development Corporation of Utah, to promote business development in Utah. During the process of making development progress, they are identifying “certified sites.” These certified sites will be used in promotions and presentations to potential business relocation.
A data base of the sites around the state will be prepared, and Green River will probably be in the top 10. There are several parcels of property in and around Green River that can be used for a variety of industrial and manufacturing projects. These parcels are prime for industrial development.
Further down the road, we may need to consider joining the EDCU, if Green River is indeed listed in the top 10 certified sites. “I am willing to put up $300 of the $500 fee to join, and I am asking the city to consider contributing the remaining $200. I also want to bring to the attention of the council two Green River residents who have worked very hard for Green River on the travel council. They are Char Uptain and Connie Copenhaver. We appreciate their involvement on the economic development board too,” said McCandless.
Following McCandless, Copenhaver requested the council consider disposing of a computer and monitor that is currently owned by the city. This computer is being leased by the Chamber of Commerce, and is in need of upgrades, repairs, and new software. The chamber does not wish to put money into a machine that they do not own. It is their hope that if the city puts the computer up for bid, the chamber may win the bid to purchase the machine.
Councilman Dan Harrison told Copenhaver there is a chance someone would out bid the chamber and they would not get the computer during the bidding process. Following a discussion by the council of the needs for the computer, it was decided to put the machine out for bid and advertise the sale in the Green River Currents newsletter.
Copenhaver next explained that in October of 2005, the council agreed to give a $10,000 match of funds if a tourism grant was received. That grant has been applied for and approved, and now the travel council needs the solid commitment of those funds.
“The total grant money will add up to $48,000, and includes matching funds from Green River City, Emery County, and the travel council. This money will be used to promote Green River tourism to out of state audiences. We plan to target specific audiences with advertising videos,” said Copenhaver. The matching funds were approved.
Another item discussed by the council was a water bill adjustment. A Green River resident had a water leak, and because the meters are not read during the winter months, the leak was not discovered until water began to surface in the yard. When the meter was read and the leak repaired, the water bill for the resident was $3,000.
Councilman Philip Engleman stated the resident is renting the property where the leak was discovered, and the property owner has paid for the repairs. The renter has no way to pay the water bill and has requested an adjustment. Following a lengthy discussion by the council, it was approved to abate $2,500 of the bill, and arrange a plan for the resident to pay the remainder of the amount on a monthly basis.
Councilman Harrison made a request to hold a public hearing to consider changes to the city code book concerning how the council and mayor are being paid. As the book now reads, the elected officials are paid a set amount every month. Councilman Harrison is requesting that this be changed to say that the officials get an hourly wage, be required to fill in time cards, and cannot exceed the current amount now being paid. A public hearing will be scheduled.
During the ordinance codifying process, several ordinances were inadvertently omitted, and the council approved two resolutions updating and extending those ordinances into effect. City recorder Conae Black stated that several ordinances have been left out, and a review is being done to ensure that the omitted ordinances are all added into the books.
In another matter of business considered by the council, Robert Smith requested a letter of opposition to Senate Bill 170 now being considered in the Utah State Legislature. This bill deals with land use amendments. Smith stated that the Utah League of Cities and Towns is urging opposition to the bill because several portions of the bill will hurt smaller cities and towns and their rights to zoning issues. The council agreed to submit a letter of opposition.
Zina Willard presented the Volunteer of the Month awards for December and January. Those awards went to Gordon Keele and Andrea Silliman for their contributions to the Green River Community Center.
Mayor Bentley informed the council that many complaints have been received concerning the siren at the fire station. It has recently been set to sound for 20 seconds every day at noon. This is creating some problems with nearby residents. Following an explanation about why the siren was set to sound, and a discussion of the implications of turning it off, the mayor informed the council that he is instructing that the siren be turned off until the completion of the new fire station. The siren will then be moved to that site.
The next Green River City Council meeting will be held March 14 at 7 p.m. in city hall.