| City Recorder Jimie Dawn Jones swears in Mayor Jackie Wilson and councilpersons, Cathy Cowley and Bob Mills. |
Huntington City Council began their recent meeting with the swearing in of the newly elected officials. Councilperson Cathy Cowley, Councilman Bob T. Mills and Mayor Jackie Wilson were given the oath of office by Jimie Dawn Jones, city recorder. Following the administering of the oath of office, the council reappointed Judy Truman as city treasurer and Jones as city recorder. “I want to thank these two ladies, Jimie Dawn and Judy, and commend them for the terrific job that they do to keep this city rolling,” said Mayor Wilson.
Darlene Erni made a presentation to the council about the services provided by Active Re-entry. Erni is the older blind specialist from Active Re-entry, and she is visiting with each city council and the senior centers in Emery County informing everyone of the services they provide for disabled people.
A portion of Erni’s presentation was showing goggles to the council. These goggles are specially equipped to show a normal sighted person what a person with a sight impairment sees. Several pairs of goggles were passed around showing the vision of diabetics, macular degeneration and other eye ailments. Erni also explained about products available to aid the hearing impaired, along with a demonstation from Stockton, a PAWS dog. These specially trained animals visit and provided companionship to those persons who are homebound. The pets also visit schools in the area to listen to students practice reading.
Huntington resident Sharon Earl presented the council with information concerning the latest rounds of community impact board grants. She stated that Carbon County received $6 million during this period and wanted to alert the council to some of the projects that can be completed with CIB money. Earl also informed the council about the CERT (community emergency response team) training coming up on Feb. 9 at Castle Dale Elementary. CERT is encouraging all cities in Emery County to complete their emergency preparedness plans and implement them as soon as possible. Mayor Wilson stated that Huntington City is working on this project at the present time.
Earl also requested information concerning a recent application by Huntington City for enterprise and recycling zones. Mayor Wilson told Earl the paperwork has been approved and the zones are in place. Earl suggested that the business owners in those areas be notified of the zones so they can get tax credits for the items they are complying with.
Earl also stated that she is representing the Lions Club and is seeking approval for the projects anticipated by the club. The first questions dealt with the Music in the Park, which the club promoted last year. Earl informed the council, that if their wish is to have that program again, the Lions Club is willing to do it again. She suggested that the council consider erecting a sign in the park, such as a marquee, that would note the activities each week. It was discussed that the sign match the design on the Welcome to Huntington signs that are currently in place on the outskirts of Huntington. Earl stated that the Lions Club would volunteer to keep the sign updated.
Among the other projects to be done by the Lions Club in 2006 are the Easter egg hunt, selling concessions at Heritage Days, music in the park, concessions at the Bull Riders Only rodeo, a trunk or treat, and for 2007 they would like to add a Valentine’s Day dinner and dance, and a New Year’s Eve dinner and dance.
Jones explained to the council the need for research and update into the cemetery ordinance concerning monuments. “For monuments that are for a single grave there is not a concern, but for monuments that cover two grave sites, the need for it to be moved at least once is a concern. We have also had several questions in the past concerning the height limit of a monument. In our current ordinance, it states that a headstone can be 36 inches, but that is an unworkable height because of machinery and equipment. If monuments are more than 30 inches, the track hoe and other machinery could not move around without doing damage. I suggest you look at establishing 30 inches as the maximum height of monuments for equipment mobility,” said Jones. Mayor Wilson instructed the council to consider the existing ordinance, and at the February meeting, this will be on the agenda for action.
Mayor Wilson informed the council of their department assignments for the coming year. Each returning councilmember will continue to supervise the appointments they have now, and Councilmember Cowley will oversee parks and recreation, and help Councilmember Hilary Gordon with beautification and celebrations, and sit on the Emery County Recreation Board.
“I want to welcome everyone to a new year and new terms. I have reviewed our purchasing policy, and I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone to follow that policy exactly. There are accompanying forms that must be filled out and on file for the auditors. Every project we do, every decision we make, must follow that policy. At our February meeting we will decide the figures for the smaller projects, so give this some consideration before next month.
“Another thing I want to inform the council is that every project you or your committees do must come through the mayor’s office. In the past some things have happened and I haven’t known about them. We need to work together and keep each other informed. I heard a great quote the other day ‘We need to forget about the politics and get on with the planning.’ Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon made this statement recently in an attempt to encourage his staff and those who work in the county to work together for the good of the county.
“A lot of bad things have been said here in Huntington recently about some good people. We need to get over this hurdle, and we will, and be open, honest, informed, and work together for the good of Huntington City. We have a lot of public relations work to do. We need to be aware of each other and their departments, and their needs. We also need to be very confidential about our responsibilities. I recommend strongly the training for newly elected officials, and encourage each of us to go also. We have signed everyone up to go. I would also like to see us bring extra trainings to Huntington for us as a council as we go along throughout the year. I am excited to begin this new term and move ahead. We have a good council here.
“Another thing I want to announce is the upcoming curb and gutter projects for this season. We have a map here at town hall depicting those projects to be completed this summer. Everyone is welcome to come in and look at the map and have questions answered,” said Mayor Wilson.
The next Huntington City Council meeting will be held Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m.