Castle Dale City Council met in a rescheduled meeting due to the convention of the League of Cities and Towns recently. The convention was during the time of the regular meeting for the council. It was rescheduled to make it possible for the members of the city council to attend the convention in St. George. Mayor Neal Peacock noted the valuable information each had received at the convention.
Rhonda Gardiner, a Castle Dale resident, was at the meeting to inquire about a rezoning issue. She had made a request two months ago to rezone some property from I-1 to RR-1. “We have advertised as requested and we would like to know where the issue stands now,” she said. Mayor Peacock informed her of the recommendation from land use planning board to allow the change. Gardiner informed the council that all fees in connection with the change have been paid, and the council approved the change.
Sam Wilbanks, a Ferron resident, was at the meeting to inquire about a rezoning issued he had requested. “We were asked if we were interested in purchasing the restaurant on SR-10. We found out the frontage is not enough to satisfy the city ordinances. We have proposed a change in the policy to allow us to turn the restaurant into a church,” he said.
Vicki Wilbanks informed the council the planning and zoning are fully aware of the request.
Mayor Peacock said the city’s ordinance require more frontage than the International Building Code, and the city is proposing to change the requirement. A public hearing on this matter will be held prior to the next city council meeting on May 13. The decision will be made during city council meeting following the public hearing.
The council then approved to purchase advertising in the amount of $100 from the Relay for Life event to be held at the Emery High track on June 11-12.
Castle Dale City ordinance enforcement officer Richard Herring told the council he has mailed out letters to those businesses who are late in renewing their business licenses. “We have also sent letters to those residents who have vehicles parked on city streets. It is against city ordinance to use the streets for storage of vehicles and we need them removed,” he said.
Herring asked the mayor and council if water restrictions would be put into place prior to the secondary water being turned on this spring. Mayor Peacock informed him it had been recommended to wait until mid-summer to make that determination.
“The fire department has responded to two structure fires in the last two weeks. One was a mobile home in Ferron, and another structure in Orangeville. Both structures were a total loss,” said Herring. “So far during this spring burn window, we have had no problems. The burn window goes until May 2.”
Mayor Peacock then referred the council to the budget for this fiscal year. Peacock went over each item in the budget so the councilmembers could get an idea of where the city stands. “We cut last years budget by 11 percent to arrive at this budget. We are so close to what we budgeted, we are doing OK. I want to thank you all for the good planning you did to keep to the budget,” Peacock said.
Councilman Joel Dorsch informed the council the roof repair project for the city hall building will begin as soon as this week.
Councilman Brad Gilessaid he has ordered 60 trees to be planted in the new addition to the city’s cemetery.
Giles also said, “Each city in the county is on a nine year rotation for the chip and seal project for their roads. In that year, each city gives the special service district 90 percent of their B&C road funds to pay for the chip and seal. The special service district is proposing that each city give 10-15 percent of their road funds each year to avoid the big payment during their chip and seal.” Each member of the city council thought this idea was a good one and it would be helpful in the budget process. Giles added, “The special service district has a three year plan to replace all cast iron pipe in the culinary system in Castle Dale.”
Councilperson Julie Johansen said the city’s employees and officials have all begun the NIMS training. More training will be offered at another workshop on May 13, prior to the city council meeting. “I also want you to know the land use council will begin to write a general plan for the city. This is required by law,” she said.
Councilman Jeremy Jewkes told the council he has attended a workshop hosted by the Permanent Community Impact Board to learn how to apply for the grants and loans offered by that board.
Mayor Peacock reported a high school project in which students will be cleaning up the high school grounds to prevent trash blowing into neighboring yards. He also said he has met with the Utah Department of Transportation and discussed with them some of the issues concerning the state roads surrounding and through Castle Dale.
The next Castle Dale City Council meeting will be May 13 at 7 p.m. in city hall.
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