Castle Dale City Council meeting, held on April 20, began with a public hearing concerning the annexation plan for the city. Mayor Neal Peacock explained, “We are requesting public comment on this plan during this hearing. We want no misconceptions about this plan, we are not annexing any property with this plan. This plan was mandated by the State of Utah and it encompasses the land that surrounds Castle Dale City, that may sometime in the future, be annexed into the city limits.
“The regulations for annexation will remain the same, property owners must be notified and accept the proposals for annexation. Our ordinances do not allow for islands of property to be created in outlying areas. There can be no cherry-stemming either,” said Mayor Peacock.
Several questions were asked and answered, but no comments came from the public, either for or against. During the regular city council meeting, the council approved to adopt the ordinance and approved the map for the annexation policy.
That annexation policy was then put to use as the council opened a second public hearing to annex a one half acre parcel owned by William and May Jorgensen. This one half acre is adjacent to current city limits and all utilities services are available on the property. A residence is proposed to be built, and the council took comments and questions concerning the annexation.
One question was about the owners intentions to continue to sell more pieces of property and may, in the future request other parcels for annexation. Mayor Peacock assured the public that the land owner has no intention of selling any more building lots. Following the closure of the public hearing on this issue, the council tabled the decision on the annexation until the May meeting.
Barbara Moore and Cathy Sitterud, representing the American Cancer Society, spoke about the Relay for Life which is scheduled for July 8-9. The council agreed to have a team and donated $250. Council person Kollette Cologie was appointed to head up Castle Dale’s team.
The Castle Dale City Council heard from Lois Madsen and Mark H Williams concerning the ordinance the city has in place for ATVs on city streets. It was pointed out that the city does not have allowances for residents to access the open routes in the city from their homes.
Madsen stated that when the county opens designated trails and roads, she will be required to trailer her ATV one half block to access an open route in the city. “We acted in good faith on a request by the county to make this ordinance. If our ordinance is inadequate when the county plan is finalized, we will revisit it,” said Mayor Peacock.
The council approved a request from Kerry Lake, planning and zoning administrator, to hold a public hearing about some changes that are necessary. The changes will be in the section of the ordinance regarding signs for businesses. These changes are necessary to comply with state statutes.
A street festival, “Black Top Knights” will be held in Castle Dale on May 27 from 6 p.m.-midnight. Tyrell Jewkes was requesting advertising for the event. There will be food, dancing, entertainment and games.
Councilman Jack Rogers announced that the repairs have been completed at the Mammoth Canal headgate and the secondary water system should be turned on in the next few days. With the new screens in place, the system should work more smoothly this year. The council decided that yard watering by residents should be done between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. The residents will be encouraged not to water between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and no watering on Sunday to allow the pond to refill.
City fire chief Richard Herring reported that the burn season has been good, and there have been no problems. He also reported that the fire department has received a grant to purchase computers and other electronic equipment that is needed. They have also applied for another grant to purchase some needed equipment, and will know soon if they were successful.
Councilman Brad Giles informed the council that the improvement projects that were submitted last year have to be cut back due to the rising construction costs. The actual costs this year are much higher than the engineers estimates from last year. The council must find more funding or cut back the projects.
City clerk Carolyn Jorgensen expressed her appreciation to Councilman Joel Dorsch for his assistance with the installation of the computer equipment in the city offices. Mayor Peacock also expressed his appreciation for the work Dorsch did in making the Easter egg hunt and the high school rodeo successful.
The next Castle Dale City Council meeting is May 12 at 7 p.m. at city hall.
[dfads params='groups=4969&limit=1&orderby=random']
[dfads params='groups=1745&limit=1&orderby=random']