Huntington City Discusses Issues

By By

At Huntington’s City Council Meeting on July 23, Jim Gordon, a North Emery EMT, discussed a need to raise money for EMT training. He told the council that there was a new level of certification that could be obtained. He said that previously there had been the Basic level or the IV/Intermediate level available. Now there is an Intermediate/Advanced level. All EMTs have the opportunity to attend this training. However, the county and other cities have declined to help fund the training. This leaves the high cost on the EMTs personally. Gordon noted that the course will be expensive as well as the books. There will also be extensive clinical time at the hospital in the emergency room and the operating rooms. This time will have to be completed on each EMTs own free time. There are approximately 12-15 EMTs serving the Huntington and North Emery area. Most of the EMTs are already at the Intermediate level, with a few that are only at Basic. Gordon stated that all EMTs will go through the intermediate training (again for some of them) and then all will complete the advanced training. He wasn’t sure on the total cost of the program, but mentioned a need of at least $1,000.
The EMTs had raised about $1,000 for uniforms that they now had decided would be better to use to help pay for training. They would like to have both, but if they can only raise enough money for one of the two choices, they want to do the training. He said that they would be happy to do fund raisers, and mentioned that they would like to have fund raisers consistently throughout the year to help with maintenance costs and equipment replacement. Gordon stressed the need to have well trained EMTs in Emery County. With the great distance from anywhere in Emery County to the hospital in Price, they need to have the ability to treat and medicate patients on the way to the hospital. The council discussed the issue and noted that by having the EMTs well trained provides a great service to the citizens of northern Emery County and is well worth the cost. The council agreed to start with a donation of $1,500 to the EMTs and said that they would like to help in any way possible. Julie Jones noted that the Youth Council could help with fund raisers throughout the year.
The council also awarded four business licenses to citizens. The first two licenses awarded were to Malinda Bell and Aretha Sherman who will be working as cosmetologists at the Nail Emporium. They also mentioned that they would like to have a ribbon cutting ceremony sometime in early August. The next license was given to Clegg Anderson who will be the General Manager at Castle Valley Filtration Components and Plant Maintenance Services. He plans to start with two shifts of six to seven employees. They will be building fiberglass filter components and selling them to businesses. Anderson mentioned that the sales are already looking very good. Robert Baker of Robert’s Auto Repair was the last to receive a business license. He has eight years experience as an auto mechanic and is scheduled to open his shop on Main Street on Aug. 1.
Marlin Eldred of the Emery County Economic Development Council came to the meeting to discuss plans to begin a Recycling Market Development Zone in Huntington. This will allow companies who use a large quantity of recyclable materials or who purchase recycled materials to receive a tax credit as an incentive to recycle. Eldred wants to have the Planning and Zoning Committee meet and discuss the plan before the council approves it. He noted that the state is requesting that the cities that participate in the recycling zone help out with the cost as they can. He also noted that the state application has to be approved by Dec. 31 for the tax credits to apply for this year.
The council received a proclamation that Aug. 18 through Sept. 1 will be Utah Fire Fighters for MDA Month. The fire fighters will be doing the “Fill the Boot” campaign to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The Chamber of Commerce has need of help at the Lamb Fry during the Pageant. They need help setting up, cooking and cleaning up. Contact the chamber for days and times if you are interested in helping.
Council reports were given as follows: Hilary Gordon thanked all those who helped with the Heritage Days celebration. She also mentioned that there is a bid out for a sprinkler system at the cemetery and hopes to have the project completed before water is too scarce.
Mar Grange gave a report on water levels. He said that on average they are using about 180 acre feet per month and there is approximately 643 acre feet left. This should carry users through September.
Jones noted that the tree planting workshop was successful. They have scheduled to prepare holes for trees on Aug. 23 and plant the trees on Aug. 30. They are trying to organize a way to have the public or organizations adopt a tree. They will also be meeting with Nielson Construction to discuss getting cement poured. The contest for a logo is going well. The winner will be displayed at the Huntington City booth at the county fair.
Mark Justice commented that the drought and heat have made it hard to keep the grass in the city parks green. They have started to double water at night instead of watering for two four-hour shifts during the day. He mentioned a need to aerate this fall. He is also having red volcanic rock brought in for the baseball field. He said that the rock is almost as fine as sand and it will be tilled into the existing dirt.
In other business, the council approved the Castle Valley Special Services District Interlocal Agreement. They also approved the new personnel policy for new hires, seasonal, full time and temporary employees. They approved the resolution to have a power pole relocated that was missed when the streets were done on 100 West and 400 North. All city claims were approved.
The next Huntington City Council meeting will be held on August 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the city office building.