| Jeff Adams from the Southeastern Utah Association of Governments presents Orangeville with their gold hockey puck. They are the first community in Emery County to receive all three pucks. |
At the Orangeville City Council meeting on Aug. 14, Jeff Adams, of the SouthEastern Utah Association of Governments, presented Orangeville City’s Mayor Thayne Cox, with the Golden Hockey Puck, representing the 21st Century Community program organized by Governor Leavitt. Orangeville is the first city in Emery County to receive all three pucks: the bronze, the silver and now the gold.
Adams quoted Wayne Gretzky when asked to what he credited his accomplishments, “I skate to where the puck will be.” Adams said that Orangeville has taken the necessary steps to be prepared for where Orangeville will be in the years to come. Orangeville is well on the way to being ready for whatever the future may bring. He also noted that when the city completes the program, they will receive a personal visit from the governor.
In other business discussed at the meeting, a scout from troop 904 presented the council with an idea for an eagle project. He and the young men in troop 904 would like to paint house numbers on the curbs. The council discussed the idea and suggested that the troop get other troops involved from Orangeville, to get enough workers to do the whole city. It was also suggested that he bring in a stencil that will represent the size and design of numbers that will be used to the next meeting.
Danette Waite reported on the Orangeville City Youth Council. She reported that the lamb fry and kids carnival at the county fair had gone well. She also suggested some changes in the way the youth council is chosen for the upcoming year. She does not want to have an election this year, to avoid the “popularity contest.” She had youth that had been elected that didn’t show up to a single meeting this last year. She wants to have only youth that are sincerely interested in the youth council to be on it. She suggested having a form at the high school and at dity hall for interested individuals to fill out and provide information about themselves and ideas for the council, then Waite will choose who will be on the council. She stated that there are people who may not attend public schooling that wouldn’t get elected, that would be a great benefit to the council. She also suggested that the council keep track of the hours and projects that they work and have a cash scholarship of $200-300 for the one who accomplishes the most over the year. She would like to consider seventh graders as well as eighth graders this year, to introduce them to the duties of youth council. The council agreed with her ideas and suggested that there be a contract drafted up of the bylaws of the council that must be signed by all nominees.
Linda Jewkes noted that they are looking to bring in new businesses that are not competitive with existing business to Orangeville, as well as help out current businesses. They would like a councilmember to attend monthly meetings to provide input. All businesses have been asked for information, priorities and ideas on how the economic development committees can help them.
She also mentioned that there has been a new tourism committee organized to help reduce the excess duplication in other committees. Their job will be to help support other committees and reduce duplicate responsibilities between committees.
Dennis Tuttle stressed the importance of contacting the city prior to building anything. He also reported that they are trying to get rid of the skunks. Pat Jones reported a need for a regulation on when residents can plant new lawn and timing on watering new lawns. The council agreed to have a regulation policy in effect for next year.
Randall Stilson reported that there is a new access management subcommittee to take care of opening roads that belong to the county. They will submit them to the sheriff’s office and other hazard patrol to make sure the roads are safe, and then send recommendations to the commissioners. He also noted that the fingerprinting and DNA with the sheriff’s booth during the fair went very well. Stilson also suggested that the council take the Fridays following a Thursday holiday off, and work a different holiday to make up for it. He suggested taking the day after Thanksgiving off and working Columbus Day instead. The council will discuss the idea further.
Jeffery Tuttle said that water conservation has gone very well and Orangeville residents should be commended. Secondary water was shut off as of Sept. 1. If water is misused, there will be no warnings given, water will be shut off immediately.
The next Orangeville City Council meeting will be held on Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m., due to a conflict with the League of Cities and Towns Convention on their regular night.