Huntington City adopts cemetery ordinance

By COREY BLUEMEL Staff Writer

At the recent Huntington City Council meeting a new ordinance concerning the rules and regulations governing the city cemetery was adopted. This ordinance names the city council as the administrator and enforcer of the cemetery and its regulations.
The council will be the regulating body in all matters concerning the cemetery and its operation, and if additions to the rules and regulations are needed in the future, the council will make those changes. In addition to updating the regulations as necessary, the council will oversee subdividing, record maintenance, enclosure, cemetery plat, opening of graves, floral pieces, vaults, grave specifications, headstones or markers, special exemptions, and street permits, for the city cemetery.
This new ordinance addresses burial permit requirements, fees and charges, lot sales, perpetual care lots, indigent sites, and sets the rules for persons who visit the cemetery. Care and maintenance and unlawful acts in the cemetery are also addressed in the new ordinance.
In the ordinance, each of these issues is explained in depth. This ordinance is available for anyone wishing to read it, at the city hall. Councilperson Julie Jones stated that all residents and family members of those buried in the city cemetery should be aware of these regulations. She suggested that when a someone is buried in the cemetery, the family should sign a form stating that the regulations have been read by them.
Councilman Norman Dingman presented a non-action item for the council’s information. He stated that a moratorium on in-home premise occupations in a residential zone is needed. He said that during the time that the planning and zoning administration is reviewing the city ordinances, no new in-home premise occupation business licenses should be given. He stated that this process should be complete is five-six months and at that time the moratorium could be lifted.
Mark Justice, representing the Castle Valley Pageant, informed the council of the date change of the pageant which is held every year in conjunction with the county fair. The pageant has been moved back a week this year, and that move was called for by the church. He encouraged everyone to come out to the pageant and come early to visit the pioneer village before the start of the pageant.
“Huntington City has cooperated with us in the past concerning scout groups and others who come into the pageant by allowing them to stay in the parks. These groups usually have tents to stay in and need a restroom facility. We are requesting that you allow this again this year,” said Justice. The council agreed to allow the groups to use the city’s park facilities.
Justice mentioned the Heritage Days celebration. He said the softball tournament will be held June 2-3. This is a mens and womens tournament. He also requested the basketball tournament which is usually held during Heritage Days be moved to a weeknight before the celebration. Justice suggested the Thursday night prior to July 4. The council agreed and will schedule the park for that purpose.
Caleb Jones, of the Huntington Youth City Council, requested permission from the council to hold an Easter party for the children of Huntington. He said they want it to be on April 5 at 1 p.m., and the youth city council will have games, such as egg/spoon races, Easter egg rolling, egg tosses, and a cake walk. The Easter Bunny will also be there. The council agreed.
TJ Gordon of the youth council informed the city council of their desire to have a community service project. Their idea is to have a city-wide hair cut on June 3. Everyone who is considering cutting their long hair is encouraged to have their hair cut on this day to donate to the Locks of Love program. This program makes wigs and hair pieces for children who have lost their own hair due to an illness or disease. Gordon stated they will have beauticians on hand to do the cuts for those who wish to donate.
Nathan Brower, also of the youth city council informed the council that the youth will again work with the American Legion this year. On Memorial Day, the youth will be at the cemetery to read stories and poems and assist the Legion with their service in the cemetery.
Mayor Jackie Wilson expressed her appreciation for the youth city council. “I think both of these projects are great and I want to remind you that advertising is the key to a successful event. I also recommend that the group starts working on fundraisers.”
Mayor Wilson reported that she had met with the sheriff, the county attorney, the judge and the assistant county attorney, and an agreement was worked out to handle the enforcement of the city’s animal ordinance and the abandoned vehicle ordinance. “We were told the other cities in the county are also working on this issue, and we are ready to begin now. We can’t wait, we have some problems in Huntington that need to be addressed now,” said Mayor Wilson. “There are residents in town who want these ordinances enforced and that agreement has been worked out. Enforcement will begin soon and the court is prepared to deal with the citations,” said Mayor Wilson.
Another issue addressed by Mayor Wilson was the limb and branch pickup. The council discussed the issue and decided Councilperson Julie Jones stated that all residents and family members of those buried in the city cemetery should be aware of these regulations. She suggested that when a someone is buried in the cemetery, the family should sign a form stating that the regulations have been read by them.
Councilman Norman Dingman presented a non-action item for the council’s information. He stated that a moratorium on in-home premise occupations in a residential zone is needed. He said that during the time that the planning and zoning administration is reviewing the city ordinances, no new in-home premise occupation business licenses should be given. He stated that this process should be complete is five-six months and at that time the moratorium could be lifted.
Mark Justice, representing the Castle Valley Pageant, informed the council of the date change of the pageant which is held every year in conjunction with the county fair. The pageant has been moved back a week this year, and that move was called for by the church. He encouraged everyone to come out to the pageant and come early to visit the pioneer village before the start of the pageant.
“Huntington City has cooperated with us in the past concerning scout groups and others who come into the pageant by allowing them to stay in the parks. These groups usually have tents to stay in and need a restroom facility. We are requesting that you allow this again this year,” said Justice. The council agreed to allow the groups to use the city’s park facilities.
Justice mentioned the Heritage Days celebration. He said the softball tournament will be held June 2-3. This is a mens and womens tournament. He also requested the basketball tournament which is usually held during Heritage Days be moved to a weeknight before the celebration. Justice suggested the Thursday night prior to July 4. The council agreed and will schedule the park for that purpose.
Caleb Jones, of the Huntington Youth City Council, requested permission from the council to hold an Easter party for the children of Huntington. He said they want it to be on April 5 at 1 p.m., and the youth city council will have games, such as egg/spoon races, Easter egg rolling, egg tosses, and a cake walk. The Easter Bunny will also be there. The council agreed.
TJ Gordon of the youth council informed the city council of their desire to have a community service project. Their idea is to have a city-wide hair cut on June 3. Everyone who is considering cutting their long hair is encouraged to have their hair cut on this day to donate to the Locks of Love program. This program makes wigs and hair pieces for children who have lost their own hair due to an illness or disease. Gordon stated they will have beauticians on hand to do the cuts for those who wish to donate.
Nathan Brower, also of the youth city council informed the council that the youth will again work with the American Legion this year. On Memorial Day, the youth will be at the cemetery to read stories and poems and assist the Legion with their service in the cemetery.
Mayor Jackie Wilson expressed her appreciation for the youth city council. “I think both of these projects are great and I want to remind you that advertising is the key to a successful event. I also recommend that the group starts working on fundraisers.”
Mayor Wilson reported that she had met with the sheriff, the county attorney, the judge and the assistant county attorney, and an agreement was worked out to handle the enforcement of the city’s animal ordinance and the abandoned vehicle ordinance. “We were told the other cities in the county are also working on this issue, and we are ready to begin now. We can’t wait, we have some problems in Huntington that need to be addressed now,” said Mayor Wilson. “There are residents in town who want these ordinances enforced and that agreement has been worked out. Enforcement will begin soon and the court is prepared to deal with the citations,” said Mayor Wilson.
Another issue addressed by Mayor Wilson was the limb and branch pickup. The council discussed the issue and decided to pick up the limbs only during the spring and fall cleanup times. During the remainder of the summer months, each resident will need to dispose of their own limbs and branches.
Councilperson Hilary Gordon announced that she and the Mayor had attended the CIB meeting in Moab recently and the city was awarded nearly $350,000 to complete the Main Street lighting project. She said that in addition to the two blocks on Main Street that have been completed, two blocks on one side and three blocks on the other side will be completed some time this summer. This money was given as a total grant to Huntington City.
Councilman Bob Mills noted that there are 17 residences on the water shut off list. “One of the overdue water bills is $400,” said Mills. The council agreed to pursue this matter with a letter, and if the bills are not paid, the water will be shut off to those residences.
The next Huntington City Council meeting will be held April 19 at 6:30 p.m. Beginning at the April meeting the council will have a work meeting prior to the council meeting at 6 p.m.