Randy Nielson, Ferron’s fire chief reported that fire prevention week is just ending. The fire department has been very busy promoting fire awareness and safety. They have made a presentation at Ferron Elementary School, checked out the alarms at the school, and sponsored a coloring contest, in which the winner in each grade will receive a ride home from school on the fire truck. To culminate the week’s activities, the fire station hosted an open house with tours of the building, and a movie was shown following the tours.
Mayor Gil Bowden informed the council that Millsite Golf Course is on the plus side this year. “There have been many positive things going on there. Jordan Leonard, the manager at the course, has been asked to sit on a new committee which has been formed. Utah State has set aside funds to promote the state parks. Two counties, one being Emery County, have been selected to be the pilot programs for this project,” said Mayor Bowden. “The committee is in the process of coming up with a list of ideas to sponsor events that will attract visitors to the state parks here in Emery County.”
Mayor Bowden stated that engineers are coming into the golf course to look at and make proposals to correct the sluffage problem on hole number seven. Due to the moisture from the spillway, the hillside which supports the cart path is slipping away. The mens association has purchased a computer for the clubhouse which will be used for Utah Golf Association business.
Emery County is forming a county boundary commission. The council approved the appointment of Randy Fox and Melinda MECCAriello as Ferron’s representatives on that commission. The purpose of the commission is to review disputes surrounding annexation issues.
Lou Sansevero brought several items before the council. The first was the request of permission to send a letter to the Governor’s office of planning and budget, justifying the request for money to fund the formation of Ferron’s general plan. He also requested consideration of a questionnaire which will be sent out to Ferron residents for their input into the items that they would like to see incorporated into the general plan.
Another point for discussion brought by Sansevero was the Ferron City logo and motto. He suggests reinventing Ferron with a more up to date logo displaying the focus of where Ferron is going today. “Our goal is to promote Ferron as a recreation destination. I feel our logo and motto should reflect those ideals,” said Sansevero. The council approved him to hold a contest and solicit ideas from the town.
In yet another matter, Sansevero stated that two of the positions on the land use authority (planning and zoning) have expired. The council approved to renew the appointment of Sansevero as planning and zoning commissioner with Councilman Joe Trenery as the council’s representative on that board. To fill several vacant positions on that board, the council also approved to begin the advertising process to fill the vacancies.
Mayor Bowden announced that Emery County Recreation has passed a no drugs/no alcohol policy. This policy states that no alcohol or drugs will be allowed at any function sponsored or funded by Emery County Recreation. In another matter with the recreation district, Bowden announced that Ferron is the only town that is not involved with the recreation district concerning youth sports.
All of the other soccer teams and little league teams go through the recreation board. Mayor Bowden said he will speak with those involved and encourage them to work with the recreation board.
In place in Emery County, at present, is an ordinance requiring that before a home can be built in unincorporated portions of the county, the property owner must have a 10 acre parcel that the home is to be built upon. Ferron Council members have requested a copy of that ordinance for review.
In another matter for review, with discussion to be held at a later date, is the pay and benefit scale of the mayor and council members. A chart was distributed to the council members showing the salary scale of the other towns in Emery County. At the next Ferron City Council meeting, the members will discuss and decide if salaries should be raised for those who are serving. Another item will be whether to allow salary to be used to pay for benefits.
The next Ferron City Council meeting will be Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in Ferron City Hall.
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