Green River to Line Ponds

By COREY BLUEMEL Staff Writer

In order to alleviate a problem with the growth of algae during the summer months Green River City is looking at lining the ponds at their water treatment plant. During the April Green River City Council meeting, Conae Black, city recorder, explained the reason for the public hearing. She said according to the Community Block Grant Development guidelines, public hearings must be held throughout the process of a grant application and the actual construction phase of a project. This is to be the final public hearing on this project before implementation.
The reason for algae growth being that part of the ponds are not concrete and this poses a problem for the cleaning of the ponds. During the summer, algae growth proliferates and the parts of the ponds that are not concrete are impossible to clean. The grant has been applied for and secured to rectify the problem and to alleviate any concerns about Green River citizen safety.
During the public hearing, no citizens stepped forward to comment. The hearing was closed and the council proceeded into regular meeting.
Joni Pace of the Green River Community Center named Kiersten Ford and Cheyenne Robinson as the volunteers of the month. The two were given certificates of achievement from the council.
A Green River Chamber of Commerce was recently organized. Connie Copenhaver, secretary of the chamber, explained the chamber’s desire to become involved in the Melon Days Celebration. This group is just getting started and is willing to help in any way the council may need.
Copenhaver suggested several changes the chamber has noted could possibly make the celebration more successful and locally oriented. Some suggestions were to extend the celebration to four days, move several events to the Thursday and expand to encompass the entire town as far as the vendors are concerned. She also suggested one goal would be to expand the parade and offer prizes for the entrants.
Kerry Bigelow, councilman over the celebration was not present, but Blaine Evans, councilman over the pageant, expressed his appreciation for the chamber’s offer to help. A meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible for all parties involved in the preparation of Melon Days.
Mary Wilmarth, of PACT, requested funding from the council for pre-development of the project to construct the Green River Community Life Center. Mayor Glen Dale Johnson explained that a full quorum is not present and this matter was tabled. Wilmarth stated that there is a very narrow window in which to apply for tax credits.
Trent Fluckey informed the council that WW Clyde, the company doing the rotomill project on I-70 has rescinded their offer to place the rotomill material in Green River. The last proposal was that they would unload all the material in the same place outside of town. This will create a problem as Green River has not budgeted any funds for the distribution of the material. The council decided to let out bids for the distribution of the rotomill material and try to find the money in the budget.
In an ongoing request from the Emery County Commissioners for residential water rate consideration for the sheriff’s office building in Green River, Mayor Johnson suggested a workable plan. The existing building uses more water than the allowed 9,000 gallons on a commercial hookup. The bulk of the water is used for outside watering. According to city regulations for water usage over 9,000 gallons, a user is charged the entire base rate for every 9,000 gallons of overage.
As the sheriff’s office building was using upwards of 60,000 gallons per month for lawn watering, their bill was considerable. Mayor Johnson suggested the city give Emery County Sheriff’s Office a residential sewer hookup and a commercial water rate. This would lower that overage charge. The council approved the plan.
The city council did not reach an agreement concerning entering into a contract with Sunrise Engineering for the building inspections in the city.
City employee reports began with Verna Watterson of the JWPRH Museum. She reported that a Joe Venus art show will be at the museum in June and will be open for entries in many divisions for all ages. Heritage Days will be held at the museum from July 22-24. John Wesley Powell Days will be held June 18-19 at the museum.
Christine Monroe, of the Green River Community Center reported on the number of visitors and meals the center had served over the past month. She also reported that the center oversees five VISTA positions. She is looking into one of those positions for the museum. Engaging Community, a conference held in Salt Lake City, was attended by five of the center’s people.
Fluckey reported concerning the airport that AT&T paid Green River to take the building and that there is already a company interested in leasing the building.
Councilman Dan Harrison reported that the repairs on the 650 feet of sewer lines are nearly completed. One portion that remains in the concrete around the manholes.
Mayor Johnson announced that a hearing with the White Sands people will be held on May 18 at 2 p.m. at the Green River City Hall for city and county officials. That same evening at 7 p.m., a public hearing will be held at the JWPRH Museum. He also announced that UTEX has paid the city for the rides and attractions during Green River Melon Days and also paid the tipping fee for their first year at the landfill site.
The next Green River City Council meeting will be held May 11 at 6 p.m. in the city hall building.