Laurie Markham, a volunteer at the Green River Community Center was named volunteer of the month from the center. Joni Pace awarded Markham a certificate and gifts at the recent city council meeting. Pace informed the council that since the inception of the center, they have not had a repeat volunteer award winner due to the large number of volunteers in Green River. She commended the city and its residents for the volunteer spirit and commitment to the center.
Mayor Glen Dale Johnson explained that the city’s water and sewer master plan was written in 1998, seven years ago. It is recommended to update the plans every five years to ensure all aspects of change are addressed.
Mayor Johnson then introduced John Chartier, of Sunrise Engineering. Chartier has been asked to give an estimate of the cost of a new master plan and explain the issues to be addressed by a master plan.
“It’s been seven years since we last did a water and sewer master plan for Green River, and when rising costs and new developments are considered, an upgrade at this time would be appropriate,” said Chartier. “We will take a look at the old plan and consider new technology, update mapping, and do a computer analysis.”
“Any upgrades that we recommend will be accompanied with cost estimates of those upgrades. We will also consider the fees charged by the city and proposed growth, and make recommendations for new fee structures. This new master plan will be the city’s guideline for the next five years,” added Chartier.
Mayor Johnson said that with the expected expansions and additions to the town, a new strategy is needed now. He also explained to Chartier some of the problems that Green River is experiencing at the present time. Chartier assured the council that these needs will also be considered. The council approved spending the funds for a new master plan study.
The Emery County IT department, was at the meeting to request Green River City sign an interlocal agreement with Emery County concerning the addressing system. The county IT department has been working to make addressing in every city in the county more uniform. This is being done as a safety issue foremost, and to keep in line with new GPS technologies.
A power point presentation outlining the process of creating the uniform addressing system and how it would affect the City of Green River and its residents was presented. Following a discussion concerning the safety issues surrounding the problems of incorrect and duplicate addresses, the council approved for the IT department to continue work on this project, and the city will follow up with a public hearing.
In another matter, Mayor Johnson read two letters requesting a memorial for Patrick Bailey, who was killed recently in an accident. Bailey was instrumental in the building of the Green River Shooting Sports Park. One letter requested that the park be renamed for Bailey. The other letter requested naming the building which will house the education center at the park for Bailey.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Pat Bailey. Green River has lost a great friend,” said Mayor Johnson. The council decided to name the building which will be the education center, the Patrick F. Bailey Education Center, in his honor.
The council revisited the nuisance ordinance. Two former council members were on hand to give their views of the ordinance which has been adopted. Both views agreed that the ordinance, as it exists, does not address the needs of Green River and lacks the “teeth” to appropriately punish violators.
Following discussion of the ordinance and the process by which the city has arrived at the current statute, Councilman Blaine Evans suggested tabling any action on this issue until further review can be done. He also suggested that the city focus on the three most important facets of the ordinance, which are inoperable cars, weeds, and abandoned, unsafe buildings. The council agreed.
Other business conducted by the council was to give approval of installing a drain pipe from Long Street between Mecham’s and Cassingham’s houses. This project will be done in accordance to the engineer’s recommendations.
The council gave approval for Mayor Johnson to investigate the cost of having crack sealing work done at the medical center. Some of the cracks are beginning to be quite large. Mayor Johnson stated that a company is coming to Green River for another project and the medical center project should be completed as soon as possible.
Brother-in-law water connections was also discussed. These are connections that have more than one single family dwelling hooked to one water meter. City Recorder Conae Black stated that there are six such hookups in Green River. Most are rental units and at the present time the landowners are being charged a second or third minimum if the units are occupied.
In the past, landlords have not been promptly informing the city if the units have been rented. The council approved to notify these landowners of the problem and give them two choices. One of which would be to install a meter for each unit that is currently running from one meter. The second choice would be to pay the city’s minimum water charge for each unit using the same meter.
Three bid projects were opened. The first was the sale of a flag pole for which Kathy Ryan entered the winning bid. Green River City’s website operation was second for opening. Robert Smith’s bid was accepted for that project. In the final bid opening, A & E Electric, of Moab, won the bid to complete the electrical upgrade at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum.
Councilman Tom Burr reported that the Utah Museum of Natural History is building several traveling exhibits concerning Range Creek and the artifacts being discovered in that area. These exhibits will be visiting local museums, including JWP Museum, the Museum of the San Rafael and the College of Eastern Utah museum.
On March 16, the JWP Museum will host a grand opening celebration to receive the exhibit for its year long stay in Green River. Local school students are being welcomed, along with all the residents of Green River, to come out and see the Range Creek exhibit. Waldo Wilcox will be present on that day to visit with people and answer all questions.
The next meeting of the Green River City Council will be March 8 at 6 p.m. in the Green River City Hall.
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