O:9:"MagpieRSS":23:{s:6:"parser";i:0;s:12:"current_item";a:0:{}s:5:"items";a:25:{i:0;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-1444923746463475469";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:51:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-04-21T18:51:21.396-07:00";}s:5:"title";s:45:"Saratoga residents unite against UDOT project";s:11:"description";s:3182:"Saratoga residents unite against UDOT project    <br />Cathy Allred - Daily Herald    <br />SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Saratoga Springs residents are upset that the Redwood Road Expansion Project could severely impact their homes and safety, and they have organized to fight for changes.<br /><br />Utah Department of Transportation spokesman Geoff Dupaix said they hope to address residents' concerns at an open house today from 6-8 p.m. at Saratoga Shores Elementary.<br />In February, UDOT staff met with nearby Redwood Road residents about the highway widening project. Initially, UDOT planned on constructing a drainage ditch down the side of Redwood Road (State Road 68) where a strip park exists but since the February meeting has changed those plans to place the drain culvert in the highway median, said Doug Graham, chairman of a road expansion committee organized by Saratoga Springs subdivision homeowners association members.<br /><br />"People were concerned about ruining the 10 years of growth trees and grass, and a jogging path that many people use on a daily basis," he said.<br /><br />Now there are more concerns about the expansion project.<br /><br />"Hopefully, we'll be able to resolve some of those concerns at the meeting tomorrow, where those improvements will be, how they will change the rest of the plan and to improve safety," Dupaix said.<br /><br />He said that since February the plans for the highway have been slightly shifted to the west, farther away from the neighboring subdivision.<br /><br />Graham said he isn't holding his breath for improvements.<br /><br />"With that expansion are several considerations, including my home," he said. "There is a safety factor that no one seems to be considering."<br /><br />He said vehicles traveling along Redwood Road have twice veered off the highway slamming through fencing into residents' backyards. Graham said his group is concerned there will be additional risk after the expansion is completed because UDOT wants to raise the road to resolve flooding and drainage issues.<br /><br />"We have the safety factor; it's an obvious big issue," he said. "There is also the aesthetic issue."<br /><br />Residents not bordering S.R. 68 have raised another issue.<br /><br />Pepita Ridgeway lives in the Saratoga Springs planned community near the HOA pool. Her family regularly bikes as an activity with their three young children. With ongoing construction for State Road 73 effectively blocking the Jordan River Parkway bike path and now the addition of the S.R. 68 expansion project, Ridgeway said she's frustrated.<br /><br />"We'll have to just, I don't know, drive up to Provo Canyon, something like that," she said. "There's isn't much else we can go ... unless we just ride on the road, but you know what that's like. Motorists are not very cyclist-aware, I'd say."<br /><br />Dupaix said UDOT's goal is to not take out the trail but to improve the road without significantly impacting the trail.<br /><br />Graham said he and other residents will be at the open house tonight.<br /><br />"I don't think they were expecting the reaction that they got," Graham said. "People are really concerned."";s:4:"link";s:77:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/04/saratoga-residents-unite-against-udot.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:3182:"Saratoga residents unite against UDOT project    <br />Cathy Allred - Daily Herald    <br />SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Saratoga Springs residents are upset that the Redwood Road Expansion Project could severely impact their homes and safety, and they have organized to fight for changes.<br /><br />Utah Department of Transportation spokesman Geoff Dupaix said they hope to address residents' concerns at an open house today from 6-8 p.m. at Saratoga Shores Elementary.<br />In February, UDOT staff met with nearby Redwood Road residents about the highway widening project. Initially, UDOT planned on constructing a drainage ditch down the side of Redwood Road (State Road 68) where a strip park exists but since the February meeting has changed those plans to place the drain culvert in the highway median, said Doug Graham, chairman of a road expansion committee organized by Saratoga Springs subdivision homeowners association members.<br /><br />"People were concerned about ruining the 10 years of growth trees and grass, and a jogging path that many people use on a daily basis," he said.<br /><br />Now there are more concerns about the expansion project.<br /><br />"Hopefully, we'll be able to resolve some of those concerns at the meeting tomorrow, where those improvements will be, how they will change the rest of the plan and to improve safety," Dupaix said.<br /><br />He said that since February the plans for the highway have been slightly shifted to the west, farther away from the neighboring subdivision.<br /><br />Graham said he isn't holding his breath for improvements.<br /><br />"With that expansion are several considerations, including my home," he said. "There is a safety factor that no one seems to be considering."<br /><br />He said vehicles traveling along Redwood Road have twice veered off the highway slamming through fencing into residents' backyards. Graham said his group is concerned there will be additional risk after the expansion is completed because UDOT wants to raise the road to resolve flooding and drainage issues.<br /><br />"We have the safety factor; it's an obvious big issue," he said. "There is also the aesthetic issue."<br /><br />Residents not bordering S.R. 68 have raised another issue.<br /><br />Pepita Ridgeway lives in the Saratoga Springs planned community near the HOA pool. Her family regularly bikes as an activity with their three young children. With ongoing construction for State Road 73 effectively blocking the Jordan River Parkway bike path and now the addition of the S.R. 68 expansion project, Ridgeway said she's frustrated.<br /><br />"We'll have to just, I don't know, drive up to Provo Canyon, something like that," she said. "There's isn't much else we can go ... unless we just ride on the road, but you know what that's like. Motorists are not very cyclist-aware, I'd say."<br /><br />Dupaix said UDOT's goal is to not take out the trail but to improve the road without significantly impacting the trail.<br /><br />Graham said he and other residents will be at the open house tonight.<br /><br />"I don't think they were expecting the reaction that they got," Graham said. "People are really concerned."";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1240365060;}i:1;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-8996115453365203507";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:31:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-04-06T17:32:16.802-07:00";}s:5:"title";s:49:"Eagle Mountain commuters face construction delays";s:11:"description";s:1012:"Eagle Mountain commuters face construction delays<br />April 6th, 2009 @ 1:25pm<br />By Randall Jeppesen<br />SARATOGA SPRINGS - Commuters in Eagle Mountain are facing a double dose of road construction.<br /><br />The intersection known as the four corners in Saratoga Springs is a major route for motorists to and from Eagle Mountain. Redwood Road and State Road 73 in the area both are under construction. Both roads are being widened.<br /><br />"It takes 15 more minutes, 15 to half an hour longer," one motorist said.<br /><br />But Scott Thompson of the Utah Department of Transportation says when it's all completed, today's delays will lead to a much better drive.<br /><br />"(They've) got a new Wal-Mart going in out there. You have a lot more people coming back and forth," he said.<br /><br />Redwood Road is being widened from Bangerter Highway on the north to 400 South in Saratoga Springs on the south. It should be finished by this fall.<br /><br />The S.R. 73 work should be wrapped up in June.";s:4:"link";s:69:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/04/eagle-mountain-commuters-face.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:1012:"Eagle Mountain commuters face construction delays<br />April 6th, 2009 @ 1:25pm<br />By Randall Jeppesen<br />SARATOGA SPRINGS - Commuters in Eagle Mountain are facing a double dose of road construction.<br /><br />The intersection known as the four corners in Saratoga Springs is a major route for motorists to and from Eagle Mountain. Redwood Road and State Road 73 in the area both are under construction. Both roads are being widened.<br /><br />"It takes 15 more minutes, 15 to half an hour longer," one motorist said.<br /><br />But Scott Thompson of the Utah Department of Transportation says when it's all completed, today's delays will lead to a much better drive.<br /><br />"(They've) got a new Wal-Mart going in out there. You have a lot more people coming back and forth," he said.<br /><br />Redwood Road is being widened from Bangerter Highway on the north to 400 South in Saratoga Springs on the south. It should be finished by this fall.<br /><br />The S.R. 73 work should be wrapped up in June.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1239064260;}i:2;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-6901727545587062981";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:30:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-04-06T17:31:03.051-07:00";}s:5:"title";s:51:"UTA buses begin new route on west side of Utah Lake";s:11:"description";s:1025:"UTA buses begin new route on west side of Utah Lake<br />April 6th, 2009 @ 5:44pm<br />By Randall Jeppesen<br />EAGLE MOUNTAIN -- For the tens of thousands living in Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs, there's finally a new way to get to Salt Lake for work. A new express bus route is rolling.<br /><br />"That's good, probably a good idea. If you work uptown or something, that's probably the way to go," one man told us.<br /><br />Some residents are saying anything to reduce traffic, and that will allow them to leave the car at home, is a good thing and needed; others not so happy about the price to ride.<br /><br />UTA says the cost of a one-way express bus fare is $4.50 and a monthly unlimited express bus pass is $162.00. "I don't think it's worth it for the price they're charging," another man said.<br /><br />Right now, there are only two buses that make the trip, but several residents say it's a start. They hope to see more buses added as more people jump aboard. [Click here to see a map of the new route]";s:4:"link";s:78:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/04/uta-buses-begin-new-route-on-west-side.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:1025:"UTA buses begin new route on west side of Utah Lake<br />April 6th, 2009 @ 5:44pm<br />By Randall Jeppesen<br />EAGLE MOUNTAIN -- For the tens of thousands living in Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs, there's finally a new way to get to Salt Lake for work. A new express bus route is rolling.<br /><br />"That's good, probably a good idea. If you work uptown or something, that's probably the way to go," one man told us.<br /><br />Some residents are saying anything to reduce traffic, and that will allow them to leave the car at home, is a good thing and needed; others not so happy about the price to ride.<br /><br />UTA says the cost of a one-way express bus fare is $4.50 and a monthly unlimited express bus pass is $162.00. "I don't think it's worth it for the price they're charging," another man said.<br /><br />Right now, there are only two buses that make the trip, but several residents say it's a start. They hope to see more buses added as more people jump aboard. [Click here to see a map of the new route]";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1239064200;}i:3;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:68:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-765573331685896390";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:45:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-03-21T10:46:07.731-07:00";}s:5:"title";s:32:"Saratoga Springs may get library";s:11:"description";s:3191:"Saratoga Springs may get library    <br />Lance Madigan - Daily Herald    <br />SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Saratoga Springs has taken advantage of the Utah County Bookmobile for about two years now, and according to city officials, the service is heavily utilized.<br /><br />The heavy usage has given the mayor an idea of how to make a full-fledged library happen in the city.<br />The Saratoga Springs Police Department is planning to move in the next few months, as soon as Alpine Pediatrics vacates the first floor of the Saratoga Springs City Offices and proper renovations can be made. Mayor Tim Parker has proposed that the trailer now being used by the police department could be converted to a beginning library.<br /><br />"Right now, we have a small window [with the Bookmobile] of two hours every two weeks," he said, adding that while many people just come out and look at what is on the Bookmobile, the other option is to go online and request the book you want. The problem is, patrons must meet the Bookmobile during the prescribed two-hour block to pick up and drop off their materials.<br /><br />A library facility would work to expand that window.<br /><br />"The idea is, the Bookmobile can deliver and pick up books at a central access," Parker said. "Then six days a week, a person could pick up or drop off for the Bookmobile, rather than just the tiny two-hour window."<br /><br />Parker said additional benefits would be that the library trailer could be a place to start a collection for the city.<br /><br />"We have to discuss it with them," he said. "But it could possibly be a place for the Bookmobile to house part of their collection."<br /><br />The mayor also proposed that it could be a reading room for individuals, as well as a place to set up a small Internet lab and as a way for Saratoga to strengthen its position to join the North County Library Cooperative between Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Eagle Mountain.<br /><br />Ken Leetham, Saratoga Springs city manager, said that if it were organized and manned by volunteers, there would be very little cost for the city.<br /><br />City Councilwoman Denise Kelly said it could be an opportunity for Eagle Scout projects.<br /><br />"It is the beginning of going toward the real thing," Parker said. "We might have to hang a sign on the outside of the trailer, 'Don't laugh, it's paid for,' but it is a way to get the snowball going."<br /><br />All the city council members present were very supportive of the idea.<br /><br />Now, city officials just need to decide if they want to remodel the trailer when the police department leaves, or work with the rooms as they currently exist. Parker said he could see using some of the city staff working on the police department renovation at the main city offices to concurrently make renovations very cheaply.<br /><br />With the projection of the police department moving in June, he said they could hope to have something in place this summer.<br /><br />Residents interested in helping organize the effort through a citizen library committee or providing volunteer hours or donations are encouraged to e-mail the mayor at mayortimparker@yahoo.com.";s:4:"link";s:72:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/03/saratoga-springs-may-get-library.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:3191:"Saratoga Springs may get library    <br />Lance Madigan - Daily Herald    <br />SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Saratoga Springs has taken advantage of the Utah County Bookmobile for about two years now, and according to city officials, the service is heavily utilized.<br /><br />The heavy usage has given the mayor an idea of how to make a full-fledged library happen in the city.<br />The Saratoga Springs Police Department is planning to move in the next few months, as soon as Alpine Pediatrics vacates the first floor of the Saratoga Springs City Offices and proper renovations can be made. Mayor Tim Parker has proposed that the trailer now being used by the police department could be converted to a beginning library.<br /><br />"Right now, we have a small window [with the Bookmobile] of two hours every two weeks," he said, adding that while many people just come out and look at what is on the Bookmobile, the other option is to go online and request the book you want. The problem is, patrons must meet the Bookmobile during the prescribed two-hour block to pick up and drop off their materials.<br /><br />A library facility would work to expand that window.<br /><br />"The idea is, the Bookmobile can deliver and pick up books at a central access," Parker said. "Then six days a week, a person could pick up or drop off for the Bookmobile, rather than just the tiny two-hour window."<br /><br />Parker said additional benefits would be that the library trailer could be a place to start a collection for the city.<br /><br />"We have to discuss it with them," he said. "But it could possibly be a place for the Bookmobile to house part of their collection."<br /><br />The mayor also proposed that it could be a reading room for individuals, as well as a place to set up a small Internet lab and as a way for Saratoga to strengthen its position to join the North County Library Cooperative between Lehi, American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Eagle Mountain.<br /><br />Ken Leetham, Saratoga Springs city manager, said that if it were organized and manned by volunteers, there would be very little cost for the city.<br /><br />City Councilwoman Denise Kelly said it could be an opportunity for Eagle Scout projects.<br /><br />"It is the beginning of going toward the real thing," Parker said. "We might have to hang a sign on the outside of the trailer, 'Don't laugh, it's paid for,' but it is a way to get the snowball going."<br /><br />All the city council members present were very supportive of the idea.<br /><br />Now, city officials just need to decide if they want to remodel the trailer when the police department leaves, or work with the rooms as they currently exist. Parker said he could see using some of the city staff working on the police department renovation at the main city offices to concurrently make renovations very cheaply.<br /><br />With the projection of the police department moving in June, he said they could hope to have something in place this summer.<br /><br />Residents interested in helping organize the effort through a citizen library committee or providing volunteer hours or donations are encouraged to e-mail the mayor at mayortimparker@yahoo.com.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1237657500;}i:4;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-1386602731519621067";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:46:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-03-18T11:47:27.042-07:00";}s:5:"title";s:57:"Saratoga Springs City staff consider administrative court";s:11:"description";s:3761:"Saratoga Springs City staff consider administrative court    <br />Lance Madigan - Daily Herald    <br />Officials are taking steps to open an administrative law court in Saratoga Springs to make things easier on residents while retaining revenue for the city.<br /><br />The Saratoga Springs Justice Court has been open for slightly more than a year, and handles everything from domestic violence to unsightly yards cases. The court is open just one day a week and generally has a pretty full agenda when it is open.<br />Those are some of the main reasons Saratoga is looking at an administrative law court option.<br /><br />"The biggest complaint that I think I received every single week, is that I have people that are coming into here that are being criminalized on behalf of the city for having their dog out," said Lindsay Jarvis, Saratoga Springs city prosecutor. "They are sitting in the audience court with citizens who have received DUIs, who are being investigated for domestic violence. They don't understand why they are sitting in this particular arena. They are sitting around guys who are going to jail."<br /><br />Jarvis said the majority of the court cases have to do with code violations, and the city is losing out on a significant amount of revenue because code violators are being tried in Justice Court.<br /><br />"The state charges us an 85 percent surcharge for every fine we bring in," he said.<br /><br />An administrative court would give the city the power to create its own ordinances and enforce them. At present, Jarvis said this would probably be applied to animal citations, marina harbor violations, Department of Transportation violations and "messy yards."<br /><br />"There are two main advantages here," said Ken Leetham, city manager. "One is not sharing court revenue. The other is, if we as a city are serious about property management, code enforcement and beautification of neighborhoods, this court and putting a comprehensive code together to address that is really the solution. And we really need to do that early on."<br /><br />"I think the other thing is the better use of certain people's time for certain things," said Councilwoman Mia Love.<br /><br />Enforcement, especially in the yard violation area, is a significant benefit according to Jarvis, because an administrative court would make it easier for city staff to enforce standards.<br /><br />"We give notice of violation, or what we call an administrative citation," Jarvis said. "It gives them a notice of what the violation is, and then says 'You have 10 days to take care of this problem. Should you not take care of this problem in the 10 days, on the 11th day we are going to start charging you $25 a day per violation until it is taken care of.'••"<br /><br />A lien could then be placed on a property, so in the case of unoccupied homes, new buyers would have to address the issue and pay the fine before they could get a certificate of occupancy.<br /><br />The cost for the court would be minimal, according to Jarvis. She and the judge would have only a slight increase to their time since they have to hear these cases anyway.<br /><br />The most expensive portion would be in the support staff for classifying and organizing these cases to be heard. The cost, she is quick to point out, would be quickly recouped in the fines that are not being sent to the state justice system.<br /><br />The City Council was supportive of the idea. Jarvis, with the help of other city staff, will outline what administrative codes will cover in the city.<br /><br />Once that is approved by the City Council, the court will just need to be organized so that it can start hearing cases.<br /><br />"The sooner the better for us," Jarvis said.";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/03/saratoga-springs-city-staff-consider.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:3761:"Saratoga Springs City staff consider administrative court    <br />Lance Madigan - Daily Herald    <br />Officials are taking steps to open an administrative law court in Saratoga Springs to make things easier on residents while retaining revenue for the city.<br /><br />The Saratoga Springs Justice Court has been open for slightly more than a year, and handles everything from domestic violence to unsightly yards cases. The court is open just one day a week and generally has a pretty full agenda when it is open.<br />Those are some of the main reasons Saratoga is looking at an administrative law court option.<br /><br />"The biggest complaint that I think I received every single week, is that I have people that are coming into here that are being criminalized on behalf of the city for having their dog out," said Lindsay Jarvis, Saratoga Springs city prosecutor. "They are sitting in the audience court with citizens who have received DUIs, who are being investigated for domestic violence. They don't understand why they are sitting in this particular arena. They are sitting around guys who are going to jail."<br /><br />Jarvis said the majority of the court cases have to do with code violations, and the city is losing out on a significant amount of revenue because code violators are being tried in Justice Court.<br /><br />"The state charges us an 85 percent surcharge for every fine we bring in," he said.<br /><br />An administrative court would give the city the power to create its own ordinances and enforce them. At present, Jarvis said this would probably be applied to animal citations, marina harbor violations, Department of Transportation violations and "messy yards."<br /><br />"There are two main advantages here," said Ken Leetham, city manager. "One is not sharing court revenue. The other is, if we as a city are serious about property management, code enforcement and beautification of neighborhoods, this court and putting a comprehensive code together to address that is really the solution. And we really need to do that early on."<br /><br />"I think the other thing is the better use of certain people's time for certain things," said Councilwoman Mia Love.<br /><br />Enforcement, especially in the yard violation area, is a significant benefit according to Jarvis, because an administrative court would make it easier for city staff to enforce standards.<br /><br />"We give notice of violation, or what we call an administrative citation," Jarvis said. "It gives them a notice of what the violation is, and then says 'You have 10 days to take care of this problem. Should you not take care of this problem in the 10 days, on the 11th day we are going to start charging you $25 a day per violation until it is taken care of.'••"<br /><br />A lien could then be placed on a property, so in the case of unoccupied homes, new buyers would have to address the issue and pay the fine before they could get a certificate of occupancy.<br /><br />The cost for the court would be minimal, according to Jarvis. She and the judge would have only a slight increase to their time since they have to hear these cases anyway.<br /><br />The most expensive portion would be in the support staff for classifying and organizing these cases to be heard. The cost, she is quick to point out, would be quickly recouped in the fines that are not being sent to the state justice system.<br /><br />The City Council was supportive of the idea. Jarvis, with the help of other city staff, will outline what administrative codes will cover in the city.<br /><br />Once that is approved by the City Council, the court will just need to be organized so that it can start hearing cases.<br /><br />"The sooner the better for us," Jarvis said.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1237401960;}i:5;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-4779769837074172923";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:16:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-03-02T10:16:40.322-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:40:"North Utah County to see sewer fees jump";s:11:"description";s:3431:"North Utah County to see sewer fees jump    <br />Caleb Warnock - DAILY HERALD    <br />North Utah County residents are looking at a 35 percent spike in sewer fees -- a sign that at least sewer officials believe the recession cannot last forever.<br /><br />The increase is necessary because Timpanogos Special Service District must proceed with a $107 million expansion despite the economy -- perhaps even because of the economy, said officials.<br />District officials are shopping three fee-increase scenarios around to city councils in the north end of the valley, each of which would increase rates by a total of 35 percent over two or more years, followed by a small annual increase every year thereafter.<br /><br />The first scenario would increase rates 15 percent on July 1, and another 20 percent on July 1, 2010. Other scenarios might wait another year before the second increase, or vary the type of bond issue.<br /><br />"The board is leaning toward the first scenario," said Alpine Councilman Tracy Wallace, reporting the fee proposal to Alpine. Wallace represents that city on the sewer district board.<br /><br />Costs have gone up but fees have not been regularly increased, Wallace said of the decision to add small automatic annual raises after the larger fee jumps.<br /><br />District Manager Jon Adams said the sewer plant must be expanded to meet the needs of future growth, even if growth has flat-lined now.<br /><br />"You cannot guarantee me that we are not going to expand" the local population, Adams said. "If you are trying to tell me no one is going to have a baby, you are up in the night."<br /><br />Built to treat up to 18 million gallons of human waste a day, the plant processed 15 million gallons a day in 2008, Adams said. That number is just too close to full capacity for comfort.<br /><br />Sewer board members will choose one of the three scenarios at their March 19 meeting, and then a public hearing on the 35 percent increase will be held, likely in April.<br /><br />The increase would allow the district to float a bond for $55 million. That combined with another $29 million the district has already borrowed, impact fees that have already been paid and will be paid, and monthly user fees will make up the cost of the $107 million project.<br /><br />Indeed, economic recession may mean more people moving to Utah not to buy new homes but to move into their parents' basements, Adams said. And there are hundreds, if not more, of homes that sit vacant or approved for construction that have already paid fees for sewer, and the district must be ready at any time to give them service.<br /><br />"We have an unprecedented number of homes where the fees are already paid for but they are vacant," he said.<br /><br />All of this adds up to a need to expand now, despite the economy, but the rough economy may actually help as construction bid prices are dropping sometimes by as much as a quarter or a third of their original cost, he said. The sewer district hopes to take advantage of those savings.<br /><br />"I don't see where we can wait," he said.<br /><br />In addition, it now appears that the state will require sewer treatment plants to begin removing phosphorus from treated sewage before it is dumped into Utah Lake, and perhaps nitrogen too. Both of these mean Timpanogos will need to redesign its facilities. And odor control is part of the $107 million plan, too.";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/03/north-utah-county-to-see-sewer-fees.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:3431:"North Utah County to see sewer fees jump    <br />Caleb Warnock - DAILY HERALD    <br />North Utah County residents are looking at a 35 percent spike in sewer fees -- a sign that at least sewer officials believe the recession cannot last forever.<br /><br />The increase is necessary because Timpanogos Special Service District must proceed with a $107 million expansion despite the economy -- perhaps even because of the economy, said officials.<br />District officials are shopping three fee-increase scenarios around to city councils in the north end of the valley, each of which would increase rates by a total of 35 percent over two or more years, followed by a small annual increase every year thereafter.<br /><br />The first scenario would increase rates 15 percent on July 1, and another 20 percent on July 1, 2010. Other scenarios might wait another year before the second increase, or vary the type of bond issue.<br /><br />"The board is leaning toward the first scenario," said Alpine Councilman Tracy Wallace, reporting the fee proposal to Alpine. Wallace represents that city on the sewer district board.<br /><br />Costs have gone up but fees have not been regularly increased, Wallace said of the decision to add small automatic annual raises after the larger fee jumps.<br /><br />District Manager Jon Adams said the sewer plant must be expanded to meet the needs of future growth, even if growth has flat-lined now.<br /><br />"You cannot guarantee me that we are not going to expand" the local population, Adams said. "If you are trying to tell me no one is going to have a baby, you are up in the night."<br /><br />Built to treat up to 18 million gallons of human waste a day, the plant processed 15 million gallons a day in 2008, Adams said. That number is just too close to full capacity for comfort.<br /><br />Sewer board members will choose one of the three scenarios at their March 19 meeting, and then a public hearing on the 35 percent increase will be held, likely in April.<br /><br />The increase would allow the district to float a bond for $55 million. That combined with another $29 million the district has already borrowed, impact fees that have already been paid and will be paid, and monthly user fees will make up the cost of the $107 million project.<br /><br />Indeed, economic recession may mean more people moving to Utah not to buy new homes but to move into their parents' basements, Adams said. And there are hundreds, if not more, of homes that sit vacant or approved for construction that have already paid fees for sewer, and the district must be ready at any time to give them service.<br /><br />"We have an unprecedented number of homes where the fees are already paid for but they are vacant," he said.<br /><br />All of this adds up to a need to expand now, despite the economy, but the rough economy may actually help as construction bid prices are dropping sometimes by as much as a quarter or a third of their original cost, he said. The sewer district hopes to take advantage of those savings.<br /><br />"I don't see where we can wait," he said.<br /><br />In addition, it now appears that the state will require sewer treatment plants to begin removing phosphorus from treated sewage before it is dumped into Utah Lake, and perhaps nitrogen too. Both of these mean Timpanogos will need to redesign its facilities. And odor control is part of the $107 million plan, too.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1236017760;}i:6;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-3426482485496947952";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:21:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-02-27T10:22:11.556-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:48:"Commission accepts final draft of Utah Lake plan";s:11:"description";s:2670:"Commission accepts final draft of Utah Lake plan<br />By Donald W. Meyers<br />The Salt Lake Tribune<br /><br />Salt Lake Tribune<br />Posted:02/26/2009 02:11:01 PM MST<br />Provo » The final draft of the Utah Lake Master Plan might be done. But the work is just beginning.<br />That's Larry Ellertson's perspective. The vice chairman of the Utah Lake Commission says that before work to restore Utah's largest natural fresh-water lake and expand recreational opportunities, the planning document has to go through a 45-day review at the state level.<br />"This is something that needs to sit on the desk of every planner and anyone who has something to do with the lake," Ellertson said Thursday after the commission's vote to accept the document, in the works for the last 12 months.<br />The plan does not give the commission authority to enforce it. Rather, the commission serves as an advisory board and encourages its member communities and state agencies to follow the plan.<br />Greg Beckstrom, a member of the commission's Technical Committee, said the document represents significant progress at restoring the lake.<br />"Some of us had visions that we would accomplish more than what we have done," Beckstrom said, "but when we look at this document, we are further down the road than we were 12 months ago."<br />The commission approved changes based on recommendations from the technical committee and public comments. One was to clearly state that the commission did not take any stance on building a causeway across the lake to tie together the east shore with the rapidly growing west side.<br />The document said it would consider studies for the feasibility and need for such a project.<br />Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson also suggested that changing public perception of the lake -- one of the plan's goals -- be accomplished through education.<br />dmeyers@sltrib.com<br />What's next<br />The Utah Lake Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Utah Lake Master Plan at 8:30 a.m. March 26 in the Historic Utah County Courthouse, 50 S. University Ave. The state will accept public comments for 45 days, after which the plan will be formally adopted in May or June.<br />The plan<br />» Develop access and use the lake for boating, fishing, windsurfing and canoeing.<br />» Restore beaches.<br />» Establish a bicycle and hiking trail along the shoreline.<br />» Restore the native June sucker fishery, along with other native species, and continue to eliminate invasive carp.<br />» Create a model ordinance for cities to adopt that would govern land use around the lake.<br />The final plan will be available at http://utahlakecommission.org";s:4:"link";s:78:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/02/commission-accepts-final-draft-of-utah.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:2670:"Commission accepts final draft of Utah Lake plan<br />By Donald W. Meyers<br />The Salt Lake Tribune<br /><br />Salt Lake Tribune<br />Posted:02/26/2009 02:11:01 PM MST<br />Provo » The final draft of the Utah Lake Master Plan might be done. But the work is just beginning.<br />That's Larry Ellertson's perspective. The vice chairman of the Utah Lake Commission says that before work to restore Utah's largest natural fresh-water lake and expand recreational opportunities, the planning document has to go through a 45-day review at the state level.<br />"This is something that needs to sit on the desk of every planner and anyone who has something to do with the lake," Ellertson said Thursday after the commission's vote to accept the document, in the works for the last 12 months.<br />The plan does not give the commission authority to enforce it. Rather, the commission serves as an advisory board and encourages its member communities and state agencies to follow the plan.<br />Greg Beckstrom, a member of the commission's Technical Committee, said the document represents significant progress at restoring the lake.<br />"Some of us had visions that we would accomplish more than what we have done," Beckstrom said, "but when we look at this document, we are further down the road than we were 12 months ago."<br />The commission approved changes based on recommendations from the technical committee and public comments. One was to clearly state that the commission did not take any stance on building a causeway across the lake to tie together the east shore with the rapidly growing west side.<br />The document said it would consider studies for the feasibility and need for such a project.<br />Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson also suggested that changing public perception of the lake -- one of the plan's goals -- be accomplished through education.<br />dmeyers@sltrib.com<br />What's next<br />The Utah Lake Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Utah Lake Master Plan at 8:30 a.m. March 26 in the Historic Utah County Courthouse, 50 S. University Ave. The state will accept public comments for 45 days, after which the plan will be formally adopted in May or June.<br />The plan<br />» Develop access and use the lake for boating, fishing, windsurfing and canoeing.<br />» Restore beaches.<br />» Establish a bicycle and hiking trail along the shoreline.<br />» Restore the native June sucker fishery, along with other native species, and continue to eliminate invasive carp.<br />» Create a model ordinance for cities to adopt that would govern land use around the lake.<br />The final plan will be available at http://utahlakecommission.org";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1235758860;}i:7;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-2067054140252404564";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:17:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-02-25T18:18:13.185-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:43:"Panel OKs $214 million in stimulus projects";s:11:"description";s:4168:"Panel OKs $214 million in stimulus projects<br />Transportation » Road projects -- particularly in the Salt Lake Valley -- get the lion's share.<br />By Brandon Loomis<br />The Salt Lake Tribune<br /><br />Salt Lake Tribune<br />Posted:02/25/2009 05:33:02 PM MST<br />The Utah Transportation Commission will funnel about $214 million in federal economic-recovery dollars in coming months to roads, bridges, buses, trains, sidewalks and trails all over the state.<br />So where are all that steel, asphalt and concrete bound?<br />On Wednesday, the commission approved plans for the spending, with most of the money -- $143 million -- going to state highways, as dedicated by Congress.<br />The commission also signed off on $46 million in projects proposed by the Wasatch Front Regional Council and Mountainland Association of Governments for the big urban centers. Another $18 million will flow to smaller population areas, and more than $6 million will go to sidewalk safety and disabled-access improvements.<br />--<br />State highways » The $143 million going to the Utah Department of Transportation will spread across the state -- from $1.3 million to replace the chip seal on U.S. 89 in Box Elder County to $3.8 million to rebuild Washington County's Valley View Bridge several years after flood damage.<br />UDOT's list includes a few $3 million bridge replacements on Interstate 80 in Salt Lake and Summit counties, and several $1.6 million bridges around Payson. Those projects reflect the agency's ability to get fixer-uppers moving faster than new roads or lanes that require more bureaucratic preparation.<br />"Our goal is 90 days" to start most stimulus work, UDOT Assistant Director Carlos Braceras said. In fact, half the state highways portion of the money must be spent within 120 days or Utah will have to give back part of its allotment. The local and metropolitan organizations have the full fiscal year to spend their allotments.<br />UDOT's share also will fund a few highway expansions, notably $15 million each for auxiliary lanes and improved interchanges from 7200 South to 9000 South in Salt Lake County, more lanes on Syracuse Road in Davis County and more lanes on U.S. Highway 6 in east-central Utah.<br />--<br />Metro areas » The Wasatch Front Regional Council has the next-biggest pot of cash. It will buy pavement, buses and train repairs from Salt Lake County to Weber County.<br />The council will put $10.5 million into a new interchange at 6200 South and Interstate 215, possibly using continuous-flow traffic, said council Deputy Director Doug Hattery.<br />"At night," he said, "that really backs up traffic [on I-215]."<br />The council's list also steers $40 million to the Utah Transit Authority to renovate an old Jordan River warehouse south of 2100 South into a light-rail repair center along the new West Valley City TRAX line. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Another $10 million goes to new buses, partly to serve new express routes to Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain.</span><br />The list does not include some of Salt Lake City's priorities, including a downtown streetcar circulator or another streetcar linking Sugar House to TRAX in South Salt Lake. That doesn't mean Mayor Ralph Becker won't get those projects with stimulus dollars, Hattery said, but he will have to vie with other cities for a piece of $1.5 billion in discretionary funds that U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood can dole out.<br />Mountainland, in the Provo area, plans to use more than $5 million on trails -- a historic rail trail in Lehi and one in American Fork -- and $3.6 million to widen the highway out of the mouth of Provo Canyon, among other projects.<br />--<br />Small towns » Coalville will collect more than $1 million for a Main Street project, Tooele will snag the same for State Road 112, and Emery County will get $2.2 million for a long-awaited reconstruction of a road to Goblin Valley State Park.<br />In Cache Valley, the state will tap part of its share to build a $2.8 million road along 100 East from Logan to Providence, and the area's transit agency will get $1.7 million to buy hybrid-electric buses.";s:4:"link";s:73:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/02/panel-oks-214-million-in-stimulus.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:4168:"Panel OKs $214 million in stimulus projects<br />Transportation » Road projects -- particularly in the Salt Lake Valley -- get the lion's share.<br />By Brandon Loomis<br />The Salt Lake Tribune<br /><br />Salt Lake Tribune<br />Posted:02/25/2009 05:33:02 PM MST<br />The Utah Transportation Commission will funnel about $214 million in federal economic-recovery dollars in coming months to roads, bridges, buses, trains, sidewalks and trails all over the state.<br />So where are all that steel, asphalt and concrete bound?<br />On Wednesday, the commission approved plans for the spending, with most of the money -- $143 million -- going to state highways, as dedicated by Congress.<br />The commission also signed off on $46 million in projects proposed by the Wasatch Front Regional Council and Mountainland Association of Governments for the big urban centers. Another $18 million will flow to smaller population areas, and more than $6 million will go to sidewalk safety and disabled-access improvements.<br />--<br />State highways » The $143 million going to the Utah Department of Transportation will spread across the state -- from $1.3 million to replace the chip seal on U.S. 89 in Box Elder County to $3.8 million to rebuild Washington County's Valley View Bridge several years after flood damage.<br />UDOT's list includes a few $3 million bridge replacements on Interstate 80 in Salt Lake and Summit counties, and several $1.6 million bridges around Payson. Those projects reflect the agency's ability to get fixer-uppers moving faster than new roads or lanes that require more bureaucratic preparation.<br />"Our goal is 90 days" to start most stimulus work, UDOT Assistant Director Carlos Braceras said. In fact, half the state highways portion of the money must be spent within 120 days or Utah will have to give back part of its allotment. The local and metropolitan organizations have the full fiscal year to spend their allotments.<br />UDOT's share also will fund a few highway expansions, notably $15 million each for auxiliary lanes and improved interchanges from 7200 South to 9000 South in Salt Lake County, more lanes on Syracuse Road in Davis County and more lanes on U.S. Highway 6 in east-central Utah.<br />--<br />Metro areas » The Wasatch Front Regional Council has the next-biggest pot of cash. It will buy pavement, buses and train repairs from Salt Lake County to Weber County.<br />The council will put $10.5 million into a new interchange at 6200 South and Interstate 215, possibly using continuous-flow traffic, said council Deputy Director Doug Hattery.<br />"At night," he said, "that really backs up traffic [on I-215]."<br />The council's list also steers $40 million to the Utah Transit Authority to renovate an old Jordan River warehouse south of 2100 South into a light-rail repair center along the new West Valley City TRAX line. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Another $10 million goes to new buses, partly to serve new express routes to Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain.</span><br />The list does not include some of Salt Lake City's priorities, including a downtown streetcar circulator or another streetcar linking Sugar House to TRAX in South Salt Lake. That doesn't mean Mayor Ralph Becker won't get those projects with stimulus dollars, Hattery said, but he will have to vie with other cities for a piece of $1.5 billion in discretionary funds that U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood can dole out.<br />Mountainland, in the Provo area, plans to use more than $5 million on trails -- a historic rail trail in Lehi and one in American Fork -- and $3.6 million to widen the highway out of the mouth of Provo Canyon, among other projects.<br />--<br />Small towns » Coalville will collect more than $1 million for a Main Street project, Tooele will snag the same for State Road 112, and Emery County will get $2.2 million for a long-awaited reconstruction of a road to Goblin Valley State Park.<br />In Cache Valley, the state will tap part of its share to build a $2.8 million road along 100 East from Logan to Providence, and the area's transit agency will get $1.7 million to buy hybrid-electric buses.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1235614620;}i:8;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-7553375831899420542";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:38:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-02-24T11:39:32.366-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:62:"75 Utans take polar plunge to raise money for Special Olympics";s:11:"description";s:3489:"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SaRM6_HBpdI/AAAAAAAAAIM/8Mb_E2e4R3k/s1600-h/022109+PolarPlunge_01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SaRM6_HBpdI/AAAAAAAAAIM/8Mb_E2e4R3k/s320/022109+PolarPlunge_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306450837206312402" /></a><br />75 Utans take polar plunge to raise money for Special Olympics    <br />Cathy Allred - Daily Herald    <br />Seventy-five people braved the 30-degree Utah Lake water Saturday afternoon and took the Polar Plunge to raise money for the Utah Special Olympics.<br /><br />There was only one fatality, a digital camera dropped into the frigid water, and everyone made it out of the lake safely.<br /> <br /><br />The hosts of the event, Saratoga Springs police, were able to raise more than $5,000 for the 2009 Special Olympics.<br /><br />"This is our first Saratoga Springs Police Department Polar Plunge," Saratoga Springs Police Chief Gary Hicken said. "We have the perfect facility for it, we really do: six miles of shoreline."<br /><br />SSPD Sgt. Kerry Cole organized the event. His team wore orange shirts with black lettering that spelled out "Cole." They were also able to spell out the world "cold," which they did just before the jump.<br /><br />A chainsaw had to be used in preparation for the Polar Plunge, to cut out 16-inch thick ice blocks from the frozen lake using a loader to clear a 10- by 20-foot area of water at the Pelican Bay public marina unloading ramp.<br /><br />Participants took turns jumping into the 6-foot deep icy water and got out quickly.<br /><br />Police Chief Gary Hicken stood at the shore's edge offering wet jumpers a donut, and another officer wearing a dry thermal suit was standing in the water to help jumpers out of the lake if needed.<br /><br />Utah Valley Desperados, a semi-pro football team based in Orem, took the chilly leap.<br /><br />"We thought it was a great cause," team member Jeremy Williams said. "We thought why not?"<br /><br />Seven team members made the plunge.<br /><br />"It was fun, it really was," said Williams, laughing. "It was not bad, actually."<br /><br />The U.S. Army was represented by SSG Tom Robertson and Sgt. Bryon Lennon of the 142nd Battalion.<br /><br />"We got invited to set up the tent and humvee and stuff," Robertson said. "Well, we're here, we might as well jump in."<br /><br />From T-shirts and ties to a colorful floral swim cap and striped socks, most plungers dressed with a flair for the occasion.<br /><br />Hicken gave out awards for the best costume, most funds raised and for the first jumper. Best costume award went to Kyler Daybeel who dressed up as a blue shark. The first jumper was Frank Morgan, and Fred Reagh was able to raise the most funds, $800, for his jump.<br /><br />"We appreciate [Reagh's] tenacity in getting people to donate," Hicken said.<br /><br />He was awarded a "Super Plunger" jacket with the motto "Freezin' for a reason" printed on it.<br /><br />"Thank you to the hundreds who are fund raising, and don't drown," said Bruce Maples, a global messenger for the Special Olympics events.<br /><br />Polar Plunge winners<br /><br />• Best costume: Kyler Daybell, a blue shark<br /><br />• First jumper: Frank Morgan, Lake Mtn. 2nd Ward bishop<br /><br />• Most donated: Fred Reagh, $800";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/02/75-utans-take-polar-plunge-to-raise.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:3489:"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SaRM6_HBpdI/AAAAAAAAAIM/8Mb_E2e4R3k/s1600-h/022109+PolarPlunge_01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SaRM6_HBpdI/AAAAAAAAAIM/8Mb_E2e4R3k/s320/022109+PolarPlunge_01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306450837206312402" /></a><br />75 Utans take polar plunge to raise money for Special Olympics    <br />Cathy Allred - Daily Herald    <br />Seventy-five people braved the 30-degree Utah Lake water Saturday afternoon and took the Polar Plunge to raise money for the Utah Special Olympics.<br /><br />There was only one fatality, a digital camera dropped into the frigid water, and everyone made it out of the lake safely.<br /> <br /><br />The hosts of the event, Saratoga Springs police, were able to raise more than $5,000 for the 2009 Special Olympics.<br /><br />"This is our first Saratoga Springs Police Department Polar Plunge," Saratoga Springs Police Chief Gary Hicken said. "We have the perfect facility for it, we really do: six miles of shoreline."<br /><br />SSPD Sgt. Kerry Cole organized the event. His team wore orange shirts with black lettering that spelled out "Cole." They were also able to spell out the world "cold," which they did just before the jump.<br /><br />A chainsaw had to be used in preparation for the Polar Plunge, to cut out 16-inch thick ice blocks from the frozen lake using a loader to clear a 10- by 20-foot area of water at the Pelican Bay public marina unloading ramp.<br /><br />Participants took turns jumping into the 6-foot deep icy water and got out quickly.<br /><br />Police Chief Gary Hicken stood at the shore's edge offering wet jumpers a donut, and another officer wearing a dry thermal suit was standing in the water to help jumpers out of the lake if needed.<br /><br />Utah Valley Desperados, a semi-pro football team based in Orem, took the chilly leap.<br /><br />"We thought it was a great cause," team member Jeremy Williams said. "We thought why not?"<br /><br />Seven team members made the plunge.<br /><br />"It was fun, it really was," said Williams, laughing. "It was not bad, actually."<br /><br />The U.S. Army was represented by SSG Tom Robertson and Sgt. Bryon Lennon of the 142nd Battalion.<br /><br />"We got invited to set up the tent and humvee and stuff," Robertson said. "Well, we're here, we might as well jump in."<br /><br />From T-shirts and ties to a colorful floral swim cap and striped socks, most plungers dressed with a flair for the occasion.<br /><br />Hicken gave out awards for the best costume, most funds raised and for the first jumper. Best costume award went to Kyler Daybeel who dressed up as a blue shark. The first jumper was Frank Morgan, and Fred Reagh was able to raise the most funds, $800, for his jump.<br /><br />"We appreciate [Reagh's] tenacity in getting people to donate," Hicken said.<br /><br />He was awarded a "Super Plunger" jacket with the motto "Freezin' for a reason" printed on it.<br /><br />"Thank you to the hundreds who are fund raising, and don't drown," said Bruce Maples, a global messenger for the Special Olympics events.<br /><br />Polar Plunge winners<br /><br />• Best costume: Kyler Daybell, a blue shark<br /><br />• First jumper: Frank Morgan, Lake Mtn. 2nd Ward bishop<br /><br />• Most donated: Fred Reagh, $800";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1235504280;}i:9;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-3868904246579092488";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:42:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-02-14T09:42:52.625-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:44:"Saratoga Springs approves new police station";s:11:"description";s:4395:"Saratoga Springs approves new police station    <br />Lance Madigan - North County staff    <br />Saratoga Springs police officers will have a new office soon, after the City Council approved a plan to purchase the bottom half of the City Hall building and convert the majority of it into a police station.<br /><br />The major concern raised by the City Council was how to pay for the purchase, which will be more than $1 million. Last year, Saratoga Springs struggled to bring the city budget into balance with the economic downturn. Although much better off this year, thanks to cutbacks and planning, city officials don't want to saddle the city with new debt.<br />The police department is now housed in a double-wide trailer at 2015 S. Redwood Road.<br /><br />"Trailers have no cupboards or closets," said Police Chief Gary Hicken. "You don't have any protection or barriers. You don't have the kind of walls or doors to provide for secure evidence rooms. No place to hold something. The lobby as you walk in you immediately walk into people's offices. We have had that [problem] where people walk in on detectives. They can come in on you angry and mad, and they are on top of you before you even know they are there. Those things are big deals."<br /><br />Saratoga Springs city manager Ken Leetham said with the approval, the next step would be to make an offer to the owner.<br /><br />"We have discussed the value of the building, and now the city will make a purchase offer," he said.<br /><br />As negotiations would soon begin, Leetham said he could not discuss the potential value of the building or what the cost might be to the city. Leetham said he hoped to come back to the City Council with a final proposal in the next 30 to 45 days.<br /><br />"We all understand the need for the building, it was just how are we going to pay for it," said Councilman Jefferson Moss. "It is very important that the public know that the biggest concern that the council had was any potential liability to the general fund.<br /><br />"We are looking at scenarios where we are drawing fully from impact fees, a million dollars of which has already been set aside from our public safety impact fees which can only be used for this type of project."<br /><br />He said almost $1 million is already available and any additional amount the city draws down from other impact fee funds would need to be repaid when other impact fees come into the city coffers.<br /><br />"By law, these impact fees can only be spent for the purpose of development of public safety," said Councilman Bud Poduska. "We currently have about two-thirds of the entire cost of the purchase in our Public Safety Impact Fee Fund."<br /><br />He said the third that needs to be borrowed would be paid back with interest into the other city funds.<br /><br />"The impact fee funds are currently large enough, and the amount borrowed is small enough, so the temporary use will not interfere with any projects that will be paid for by these funds. In this way no property taxes, utility revenues, or sales tax revenues will be involved or needed in order to provide the police department with a safer and more efficient facility," Poduska said.<br /><br />The new facility would be about 4,000 square feet. The double-wide trailer, according to Hicken, is just less than 1,200 square feet. Hicken also wanted to assure everyone that they would be good neighbors.<br /><br />"I don't think it will cause as much difficulty for lessees downstairs as some might think," he said. "We will be doing all of our entering and exiting through the north doors. You are not going to be seeing police officers coming in these front doors."<br /><br />The space the city will be negotiating is currently housing medical offices, the Alpine Pediatrics group. The clinic is building a new facility, which opened up a significant portion of the building. That prompted Mayor Timothy Parker to make the initial proposal.<br /><br />Leetham said that once an agreement is reached, the city would then have to wait for Alpine Pediatrics to complete its building and move. Then renovations could begin.<br /><br />"We just have to make some minor changes to the interior," he said. "I would think the actual construction would take a week to two weeks. It may take us about 30 days to finalize construction plans and get a contractor to help us."";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/02/saratoga-springs-approves-new-police.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:4395:"Saratoga Springs approves new police station    <br />Lance Madigan - North County staff    <br />Saratoga Springs police officers will have a new office soon, after the City Council approved a plan to purchase the bottom half of the City Hall building and convert the majority of it into a police station.<br /><br />The major concern raised by the City Council was how to pay for the purchase, which will be more than $1 million. Last year, Saratoga Springs struggled to bring the city budget into balance with the economic downturn. Although much better off this year, thanks to cutbacks and planning, city officials don't want to saddle the city with new debt.<br />The police department is now housed in a double-wide trailer at 2015 S. Redwood Road.<br /><br />"Trailers have no cupboards or closets," said Police Chief Gary Hicken. "You don't have any protection or barriers. You don't have the kind of walls or doors to provide for secure evidence rooms. No place to hold something. The lobby as you walk in you immediately walk into people's offices. We have had that [problem] where people walk in on detectives. They can come in on you angry and mad, and they are on top of you before you even know they are there. Those things are big deals."<br /><br />Saratoga Springs city manager Ken Leetham said with the approval, the next step would be to make an offer to the owner.<br /><br />"We have discussed the value of the building, and now the city will make a purchase offer," he said.<br /><br />As negotiations would soon begin, Leetham said he could not discuss the potential value of the building or what the cost might be to the city. Leetham said he hoped to come back to the City Council with a final proposal in the next 30 to 45 days.<br /><br />"We all understand the need for the building, it was just how are we going to pay for it," said Councilman Jefferson Moss. "It is very important that the public know that the biggest concern that the council had was any potential liability to the general fund.<br /><br />"We are looking at scenarios where we are drawing fully from impact fees, a million dollars of which has already been set aside from our public safety impact fees which can only be used for this type of project."<br /><br />He said almost $1 million is already available and any additional amount the city draws down from other impact fee funds would need to be repaid when other impact fees come into the city coffers.<br /><br />"By law, these impact fees can only be spent for the purpose of development of public safety," said Councilman Bud Poduska. "We currently have about two-thirds of the entire cost of the purchase in our Public Safety Impact Fee Fund."<br /><br />He said the third that needs to be borrowed would be paid back with interest into the other city funds.<br /><br />"The impact fee funds are currently large enough, and the amount borrowed is small enough, so the temporary use will not interfere with any projects that will be paid for by these funds. In this way no property taxes, utility revenues, or sales tax revenues will be involved or needed in order to provide the police department with a safer and more efficient facility," Poduska said.<br /><br />The new facility would be about 4,000 square feet. The double-wide trailer, according to Hicken, is just less than 1,200 square feet. Hicken also wanted to assure everyone that they would be good neighbors.<br /><br />"I don't think it will cause as much difficulty for lessees downstairs as some might think," he said. "We will be doing all of our entering and exiting through the north doors. You are not going to be seeing police officers coming in these front doors."<br /><br />The space the city will be negotiating is currently housing medical offices, the Alpine Pediatrics group. The clinic is building a new facility, which opened up a significant portion of the building. That prompted Mayor Timothy Parker to make the initial proposal.<br /><br />Leetham said that once an agreement is reached, the city would then have to wait for Alpine Pediatrics to complete its building and move. Then renovations could begin.<br /><br />"We just have to make some minor changes to the interior," he said. "I would think the actual construction would take a week to two weeks. It may take us about 30 days to finalize construction plans and get a contractor to help us."";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1234633320;}i:10;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-8464236076119823685";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:54:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-02-13T15:09:06.039-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:56:"UTA announces express bus route from Cedar Valley to SLC";s:11:"description";s:1319:"UTA announces express bus route from Cedar Valley to SLC    <br />Daily Herald    <br />Daily Herald<br /><br />The Utah Transit Authority has announced the schedule and stops for a new express bus route from Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs to Salt Lake City.<br />UTA Express Bus Route #806 will begin service on April 6. The route will provide direct service from the Cedar Valley area to Downtown Salt Lake City. There will be two northbound buses each morning and two southbound ones in the afternoon.<br /><br />Buses will stop at an LDS meetinghouse in Eagle Mountain, 7746 N. Sparrowhawk Way, and an LDS meetinghouse in Saratoga Springs, 2101 N. Providence Drive. Buses will leave the Eagle Mountain stop at 6:13 a.m. and 6:43 a.m., passing through Saratoga Springs at 6:26 and 6:56 a.m. and arriving in Salt Lake at 7:25 and 7:55 a.m. Return buses leave downtown at 4:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., passing through Saratoga Springs at 5:17 and 5:47 p.m. and arriving in Eagle Mountain at 5:30 and 6 p.m.<br /><br />Beginning April 1, one-way express bus fares may be purchased for $4.50 or a monthly unlimited express bus pass for $162.00.<br /><br />Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs residents voted by large margins in November to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase to become part of UTA's coverage area.";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/02/uta-announces-express-bus-route-from.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:1319:"UTA announces express bus route from Cedar Valley to SLC    <br />Daily Herald    <br />Daily Herald<br /><br />The Utah Transit Authority has announced the schedule and stops for a new express bus route from Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs to Salt Lake City.<br />UTA Express Bus Route #806 will begin service on April 6. The route will provide direct service from the Cedar Valley area to Downtown Salt Lake City. There will be two northbound buses each morning and two southbound ones in the afternoon.<br /><br />Buses will stop at an LDS meetinghouse in Eagle Mountain, 7746 N. Sparrowhawk Way, and an LDS meetinghouse in Saratoga Springs, 2101 N. Providence Drive. Buses will leave the Eagle Mountain stop at 6:13 a.m. and 6:43 a.m., passing through Saratoga Springs at 6:26 and 6:56 a.m. and arriving in Salt Lake at 7:25 and 7:55 a.m. Return buses leave downtown at 4:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., passing through Saratoga Springs at 5:17 and 5:47 p.m. and arriving in Eagle Mountain at 5:30 and 6 p.m.<br /><br />Beginning April 1, one-way express bus fares may be purchased for $4.50 or a monthly unlimited express bus pass for $162.00.<br /><br />Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs residents voted by large margins in November to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase to become part of UTA's coverage area.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1234565640;}i:11;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-1824222786141298189";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:49:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-02-12T07:49:54.015-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:41:"Saratoga Springs congratulates CERT grads";s:11:"description";s:3748:"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SZRFHXiqQmI/AAAAAAAAAIE/cPcgVvOItQ8/s1600-h/PX_0212+SS+CERT+.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SZRFHXiqQmI/AAAAAAAAAIE/cPcgVvOItQ8/s320/PX_0212+SS+CERT+.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301938654202708578" /></a><br />Saratoga Springs congratulates CERT grads    <br />Lance Madigan - North County staff    <br />Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Tim Hay presented the first graduating class of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers in January.¬ <br /><br />¬ Jeanne (Georgina) Anderson, Natasha Call, Kitty Cheney, Jarrah Gerald, Jeri Hansen, Elizabeth Harmer, Alicia Howard, Julie King, Julie Mohler, Allison Schipaanboord, Sabina Suggs and Kelsey Watson went through extensive training to learn about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area.¬ <br />The training included basic disaster responses skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.¬ They were also taught such skills as how to make homes disaster-ready, run basic fire operations equipment such as generators and radios, and how to conduct house-to-house searches.<br /><br />"The Saratoga Springs CERT teams are members of the community," said Rick Scott, fire fighter and CERT program coordinator.¬ He explained that while there were CERT groups set up through LDS wards, this new group has a city-wide focus.<br /><br />The course started last June, with meetings twice a month for six months.¬ The instructors were members of the Fire Department, including Scott, Dawnya DeKarver, Kayli Frazier, Jack Homen, Robb Rowley, Tim Spek, Dan Lincoln and Darren Wright.¬ Funding was first provided by A Plus Benefits, but participants have supplied some materials on their own as well.<br /><br />Kitty Cheney, a recent graduate, said, "I always wanted to learn a little more about how the city runs and how we can prepare for emergencies. I had taken a citizens academy in a previous city that I lived in and it was about the neatest thing I had ever done."<br /><br />¬ When asked what was most interesting, Cheney said, "Triage.¬ That's a fun one, when you have a disaster and you can't help everyone."<br /><br />¬ "The best part (was) gaining confidence in CPR skills and life saving abilities," said Sabina Suggs.¬ "Feeling a little more confident that if an emergency were to happen I would be more prepared as an individual."<br /><br />The graduating CERT members are now going on to start Fire Corp training.¬ "The mission of Fire Corps is to increase the capacity of volunteer, career and combination fire and EMS departments through the use of citizen advocates. Fire Corps provides resources for departments to utilize citizen advocates in non-operational roles so they can develop, implement and sustain programs and services that will help their department meet the needs of their community.<br /><br />"Fire Corp will last for one year.¬ The members will be trained under the standards set by the State of Utah Fire I level and the American Red Cross," Scott said.<br /><br />"We are excited about it and want to utilize them anyway we can," added Hay.<br /><br />"In April 2009, we will open the training up again to the community," Scott said. "The current members will be the instructors and the leadership of the teams.¬ Our goal is to have 50 members by 2010."<br /><br />¬ For more information or to join the next CERT course, please contact Rick Scott at 801-443-1090 or e-mail your query to rscott@saratoga-springs.net.";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/02/saratoga-springs-congratulates-cert.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:3748:"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SZRFHXiqQmI/AAAAAAAAAIE/cPcgVvOItQ8/s1600-h/PX_0212+SS+CERT+.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SZRFHXiqQmI/AAAAAAAAAIE/cPcgVvOItQ8/s320/PX_0212+SS+CERT+.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301938654202708578" /></a><br />Saratoga Springs congratulates CERT grads    <br />Lance Madigan - North County staff    <br />Saratoga Springs Fire Chief Tim Hay presented the first graduating class of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers in January.¬ <br /><br />¬ Jeanne (Georgina) Anderson, Natasha Call, Kitty Cheney, Jarrah Gerald, Jeri Hansen, Elizabeth Harmer, Alicia Howard, Julie King, Julie Mohler, Allison Schipaanboord, Sabina Suggs and Kelsey Watson went through extensive training to learn about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area.¬ <br />The training included basic disaster responses skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.¬ They were also taught such skills as how to make homes disaster-ready, run basic fire operations equipment such as generators and radios, and how to conduct house-to-house searches.<br /><br />"The Saratoga Springs CERT teams are members of the community," said Rick Scott, fire fighter and CERT program coordinator.¬ He explained that while there were CERT groups set up through LDS wards, this new group has a city-wide focus.<br /><br />The course started last June, with meetings twice a month for six months.¬ The instructors were members of the Fire Department, including Scott, Dawnya DeKarver, Kayli Frazier, Jack Homen, Robb Rowley, Tim Spek, Dan Lincoln and Darren Wright.¬ Funding was first provided by A Plus Benefits, but participants have supplied some materials on their own as well.<br /><br />Kitty Cheney, a recent graduate, said, "I always wanted to learn a little more about how the city runs and how we can prepare for emergencies. I had taken a citizens academy in a previous city that I lived in and it was about the neatest thing I had ever done."<br /><br />¬ When asked what was most interesting, Cheney said, "Triage.¬ That's a fun one, when you have a disaster and you can't help everyone."<br /><br />¬ "The best part (was) gaining confidence in CPR skills and life saving abilities," said Sabina Suggs.¬ "Feeling a little more confident that if an emergency were to happen I would be more prepared as an individual."<br /><br />The graduating CERT members are now going on to start Fire Corp training.¬ "The mission of Fire Corps is to increase the capacity of volunteer, career and combination fire and EMS departments through the use of citizen advocates. Fire Corps provides resources for departments to utilize citizen advocates in non-operational roles so they can develop, implement and sustain programs and services that will help their department meet the needs of their community.<br /><br />"Fire Corp will last for one year.¬ The members will be trained under the standards set by the State of Utah Fire I level and the American Red Cross," Scott said.<br /><br />"We are excited about it and want to utilize them anyway we can," added Hay.<br /><br />"In April 2009, we will open the training up again to the community," Scott said. "The current members will be the instructors and the leadership of the teams.¬ Our goal is to have 50 members by 2010."<br /><br />¬ For more information or to join the next CERT course, please contact Rick Scott at 801-443-1090 or e-mail your query to rscott@saratoga-springs.net.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1234453740;}i:12;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-7562767378108243384";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:47:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-02-05T14:47:28.679-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:43:"Finance committee forms in Saratoga Springs";s:11:"description";s:4331:"Finance committee forms in Saratoga Springs    <br />Lance Madigan - North County Staff    <br />Hoping to avoid the financial trouble the city faced last year at budget time, the Saratoga Springs City Council has adopted a new volunteer finance committee, which met for the first time last week.<br /><br />"This committee is expected to make recommendations to the city manager and City Council regarding budgeting policies, practices and any other finance issues," said Ken Leetham, Saratoga Springs city manager.<br /> <br /><br />At the beginning of the year, the City Council was informed Saratoga Springs could be facing as much as a $3.5 million deficient. This was news to the City Council as well as very concerning to them.<br /><br />At that time and ever since, the council and city administration has been working to form a volunteer committee with the express purpose to provide third-party revenue and ideas for city finances.<br /><br />"I am very excited to be getting this finance committee going," said City Council member Jefferson Moss. "I think we have some amazingly talent people willing to help."<br /><br />The mayor and City Council interviewed the applicants and selected the members at the end of last year. The Saratoga Springs Finance Committee members were named and the committee officially formed by city resolution at the end of November.<br /><br />The five regular members include Travis Clegg, Kory Farrer, Jeff Francom, Jeffrey Randall and Stephen Willden. Bill Ennis and David Funk will serve as alternate members.<br /><br />Clegg is a security manager at the Utah Community Credit Union. With 14 years experience at the credit union, as well as a bachelors in business and an MBA, Clegg said, "I thought it was a great opportunity to serve in my community. I believe community service is important to the long-term success of any community."<br /><br />Farrer is an international controller for ACS.<br /><br />"I knew that the city had got in some trouble in some finances -- overspending, projecting more revenue than they were getting, et cetera," Farrer said.<br /><br />Farrer said he works with employees outside the United States to help coordinate budgeting and reporting for the company. He also has experience with tax preparation, and has been counseling clients on budget preparation for more than 20 years.<br /><br />"I am amazed that some people that only make $40,000 [annually] with 20 kids still have invested income," he said. "I have developed some systems of budgeting that I share with clients and members of the community. I hope that I can help the city out. I want my community to be nice and have control of their finances. "<br /><br />Francom has been a financial advisor for 12 years, and currently operates the Edward Jones Investment office in American Fork. He said his goal is to "... make sure every dollar is making an appropriate return on investment."<br /><br />"'Does it make sense?' That applies to whether you are investing or deciding to do something in a public park or a new program in public safety," Francom said.<br /><br />"I felt like I finally could apply my professions skills in a setting which can have a positive effect on my community and neighbors as opposed to shareholders of a large corporation," Willden said. "As a senior auditor for Zions Bancorporation, my primary responsibilities involve reviewing practices and working with executive management to improve, strengthen or streamline current procedures, processes and controls. This requires me to very quickly gain an understanding of processes at both a high and detailed level in order to really understand what changes need to be made or what is working well. I then present my recommendations to Zions Bancorporation Executive management. I expect that I will use my current skill set in the very same manner as directed by the City Council."<br /><br />In explaining the goal's of the committee, Leetham said the committee will provide input on the city's long-range goals and be another set of professionals that will provide balance and input on what best practices should be implemented, set long-range financial goals and provide recommended financial practices and strategies. The committee will also provide the City Council with specific budget recommendations.";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/02/finance-committee-forms-in-saratoga.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:4331:"Finance committee forms in Saratoga Springs    <br />Lance Madigan - North County Staff    <br />Hoping to avoid the financial trouble the city faced last year at budget time, the Saratoga Springs City Council has adopted a new volunteer finance committee, which met for the first time last week.<br /><br />"This committee is expected to make recommendations to the city manager and City Council regarding budgeting policies, practices and any other finance issues," said Ken Leetham, Saratoga Springs city manager.<br /> <br /><br />At the beginning of the year, the City Council was informed Saratoga Springs could be facing as much as a $3.5 million deficient. This was news to the City Council as well as very concerning to them.<br /><br />At that time and ever since, the council and city administration has been working to form a volunteer committee with the express purpose to provide third-party revenue and ideas for city finances.<br /><br />"I am very excited to be getting this finance committee going," said City Council member Jefferson Moss. "I think we have some amazingly talent people willing to help."<br /><br />The mayor and City Council interviewed the applicants and selected the members at the end of last year. The Saratoga Springs Finance Committee members were named and the committee officially formed by city resolution at the end of November.<br /><br />The five regular members include Travis Clegg, Kory Farrer, Jeff Francom, Jeffrey Randall and Stephen Willden. Bill Ennis and David Funk will serve as alternate members.<br /><br />Clegg is a security manager at the Utah Community Credit Union. With 14 years experience at the credit union, as well as a bachelors in business and an MBA, Clegg said, "I thought it was a great opportunity to serve in my community. I believe community service is important to the long-term success of any community."<br /><br />Farrer is an international controller for ACS.<br /><br />"I knew that the city had got in some trouble in some finances -- overspending, projecting more revenue than they were getting, et cetera," Farrer said.<br /><br />Farrer said he works with employees outside the United States to help coordinate budgeting and reporting for the company. He also has experience with tax preparation, and has been counseling clients on budget preparation for more than 20 years.<br /><br />"I am amazed that some people that only make $40,000 [annually] with 20 kids still have invested income," he said. "I have developed some systems of budgeting that I share with clients and members of the community. I hope that I can help the city out. I want my community to be nice and have control of their finances. "<br /><br />Francom has been a financial advisor for 12 years, and currently operates the Edward Jones Investment office in American Fork. He said his goal is to "... make sure every dollar is making an appropriate return on investment."<br /><br />"'Does it make sense?' That applies to whether you are investing or deciding to do something in a public park or a new program in public safety," Francom said.<br /><br />"I felt like I finally could apply my professions skills in a setting which can have a positive effect on my community and neighbors as opposed to shareholders of a large corporation," Willden said. "As a senior auditor for Zions Bancorporation, my primary responsibilities involve reviewing practices and working with executive management to improve, strengthen or streamline current procedures, processes and controls. This requires me to very quickly gain an understanding of processes at both a high and detailed level in order to really understand what changes need to be made or what is working well. I then present my recommendations to Zions Bancorporation Executive management. I expect that I will use my current skill set in the very same manner as directed by the City Council."<br /><br />In explaining the goal's of the committee, Leetham said the committee will provide input on the city's long-range goals and be another set of professionals that will provide balance and input on what best practices should be implemented, set long-range financial goals and provide recommended financial practices and strategies. The committee will also provide the City Council with specific budget recommendations.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1233874020;}i:13;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-8872902273955840294";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:25:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-22T06:25:27.030-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:34:"Looking ahead for Saratoga Springs";s:11:"description";s:4356:"Looking ahead for Saratoga Springs    <br />Lance Madigan - North County Staff    <br />Each year at this time Americans take a moment to look back at what went right -- and wrong -- and then look ahead to the future hoping to build on things done right and correct shortcomings.<br /><br />This is true for cities as well as individuals. Saratoga Springs is no different.<br />"This (2008) has been the most difficult year in the history of our city, which is somewhat ironic with it being our 10th anniversary," said Jefferson Moss, Saratoga Springs City Council member. "To say that the budget issue was difficult would be putting it lightly. ... But what happened next is what I think makes our city great."<br /><br />He talked about efforts on the part of employees to trim costs and save dollars, as well as efforts by the city to enlist the help of volunteers to meet city needs.<br /><br />"In order to save costs on our parks, we asked for volunteers to help us," Moss said. "We had residents from all over the city step up and put in the parks. This again saved the city thousands of dollars."<br /><br />Another area volunteers are assisting the city is in financial reviews themselves.<br /><br />"As a result of our financial situation, the council felt that it would be a great time to launch a finance committee made up financial experts in our city," Moss said.<br /><br />The new Finance Committee was put in place in December, and will start meeting this month to review the city's revenues and expenses, and make recommendations to the council and administration to help prevent another economic crisis.<br /><br />Bud Poduska, Saratoga Springs City Council member, added that there many new projects also ahead that would help ease financial burdens on homeowners by expanding sales tax revenues, including the opening of Wal-Mart, new Intermountain Healthcare and Alpine Pediatrics facilities, and a number of other smaller businesses and restaurants.<br /><br />"The fall 2009 opening of our new high school and Fox Hollow elementary school will provide education for thousands of our children and job opportunities for hundreds of citizens," Poduska said. "These benefits will be even greater when the new middle school is completed the fall of 2010."<br /><br />Poduska also noted that the Redwood Road expansion is scheduled for completion in the fall, and the east-west Pioneering Crossing from Saratoga to American Fork is expected to start anytime.<br /><br />"These roads will make Saratoga Springs more appealing for residential development, commercial growth, and those looking for a new place to live," Poduska said.<br /><br />Saratoga Springs has also sent out requests for citizens interested in helping plan civic events in the coming year. One position eliminated in last year's budget cuts was the civic events coordinator in the city.<br /><br />Although some council members have tried to pick up the position's duties, they have other responsibilities and can't devote the time they feel it deserves.<br /><br />The Saratoga Springs Web site states, "The city's objective is to continue to have this celebration (Saratoga Splash), but without expending city funds. Volunteers should have an interest in participating and leading events during the celebration. Some of the related tasks will be soliciting volunteers, putting teams of volunteers together for events, leadership of groups of volunteers, event planning, fundraising and generally donating time and energy to the city celebration."<br /><br />The idea, according to Mayor Timothy Parker, is "to form a committee, put out the word, and sign up volunteers and put them to work." Those interested in helping can contact Valerie Christensen at vchrsitensen@saratoga-springs.net, or by visiting the city offices.<br /><br />"We really do have an amazing city," Moss said. "I strongly feel that we will make it through these difficult times stronger and a better city."<br /><br />Other council members made similar conclusions, saying that the strength of the city lies not in the elected officials or administration, but in each and every one of its citizens.<br /><br />"It is not unheard of to have new people moving in talking about how friendly their neighbors are," Poduska said. "Thank you for being who you are, and making this citizen what it is."";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/looking-ahead-for-saratoga-springs.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:4356:"Looking ahead for Saratoga Springs    <br />Lance Madigan - North County Staff    <br />Each year at this time Americans take a moment to look back at what went right -- and wrong -- and then look ahead to the future hoping to build on things done right and correct shortcomings.<br /><br />This is true for cities as well as individuals. Saratoga Springs is no different.<br />"This (2008) has been the most difficult year in the history of our city, which is somewhat ironic with it being our 10th anniversary," said Jefferson Moss, Saratoga Springs City Council member. "To say that the budget issue was difficult would be putting it lightly. ... But what happened next is what I think makes our city great."<br /><br />He talked about efforts on the part of employees to trim costs and save dollars, as well as efforts by the city to enlist the help of volunteers to meet city needs.<br /><br />"In order to save costs on our parks, we asked for volunteers to help us," Moss said. "We had residents from all over the city step up and put in the parks. This again saved the city thousands of dollars."<br /><br />Another area volunteers are assisting the city is in financial reviews themselves.<br /><br />"As a result of our financial situation, the council felt that it would be a great time to launch a finance committee made up financial experts in our city," Moss said.<br /><br />The new Finance Committee was put in place in December, and will start meeting this month to review the city's revenues and expenses, and make recommendations to the council and administration to help prevent another economic crisis.<br /><br />Bud Poduska, Saratoga Springs City Council member, added that there many new projects also ahead that would help ease financial burdens on homeowners by expanding sales tax revenues, including the opening of Wal-Mart, new Intermountain Healthcare and Alpine Pediatrics facilities, and a number of other smaller businesses and restaurants.<br /><br />"The fall 2009 opening of our new high school and Fox Hollow elementary school will provide education for thousands of our children and job opportunities for hundreds of citizens," Poduska said. "These benefits will be even greater when the new middle school is completed the fall of 2010."<br /><br />Poduska also noted that the Redwood Road expansion is scheduled for completion in the fall, and the east-west Pioneering Crossing from Saratoga to American Fork is expected to start anytime.<br /><br />"These roads will make Saratoga Springs more appealing for residential development, commercial growth, and those looking for a new place to live," Poduska said.<br /><br />Saratoga Springs has also sent out requests for citizens interested in helping plan civic events in the coming year. One position eliminated in last year's budget cuts was the civic events coordinator in the city.<br /><br />Although some council members have tried to pick up the position's duties, they have other responsibilities and can't devote the time they feel it deserves.<br /><br />The Saratoga Springs Web site states, "The city's objective is to continue to have this celebration (Saratoga Splash), but without expending city funds. Volunteers should have an interest in participating and leading events during the celebration. Some of the related tasks will be soliciting volunteers, putting teams of volunteers together for events, leadership of groups of volunteers, event planning, fundraising and generally donating time and energy to the city celebration."<br /><br />The idea, according to Mayor Timothy Parker, is "to form a committee, put out the word, and sign up volunteers and put them to work." Those interested in helping can contact Valerie Christensen at vchrsitensen@saratoga-springs.net, or by visiting the city offices.<br /><br />"We really do have an amazing city," Moss said. "I strongly feel that we will make it through these difficult times stronger and a better city."<br /><br />Other council members made similar conclusions, saying that the strength of the city lies not in the elected officials or administration, but in each and every one of its citizens.<br /><br />"It is not unheard of to have new people moving in talking about how friendly their neighbors are," Poduska said. "Thank you for being who you are, and making this citizen what it is."";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1232634300;}i:14;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-3135796613101815379";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:44:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-21T11:45:20.619-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:55:"Eagle Mountain hopes for more help from state snowplows";s:11:"description";s:1049:"Eagle Mountain hopes for more help from state snowplows<br />January 21st, 2009 @ 9:44am<br />By Randall Jeppesen<br />Talks over a lack of Utah Department of Transportation snowplows near Eagle Mountain are improving as the city and state try to find the most efficient way to keep the roads cleared.<br /><br />Highway 73 is the one major road leading in and out of Eagle Mountain. When it gets pounded with snow, UDOT has only two snowplows working the big roads west of Utah Lake.<br /><br />"We don't have any other snowplows to dedicate out to those roads," said UDOT Spokesperson Scott Thompson.<br /><br />He says UDOT is working to find ways to clear the roads quicker. Eagle Mountain Mayor Heather Jackson had asked for a third plow.<br /><br />"We're not getting the third plow," she said, "but it's not that UDOT didn't hear and isn't trying."<br /><br />UDOT is adjusting the snowplow routes. It also has a salt storage area south of Saratoga Springs, which means the plows now don't have to leave the area to refill, which should help.";s:4:"link";s:79:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/eagle-mountain-hopes-for-more-help-from.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:1049:"Eagle Mountain hopes for more help from state snowplows<br />January 21st, 2009 @ 9:44am<br />By Randall Jeppesen<br />Talks over a lack of Utah Department of Transportation snowplows near Eagle Mountain are improving as the city and state try to find the most efficient way to keep the roads cleared.<br /><br />Highway 73 is the one major road leading in and out of Eagle Mountain. When it gets pounded with snow, UDOT has only two snowplows working the big roads west of Utah Lake.<br /><br />"We don't have any other snowplows to dedicate out to those roads," said UDOT Spokesperson Scott Thompson.<br /><br />He says UDOT is working to find ways to clear the roads quicker. Eagle Mountain Mayor Heather Jackson had asked for a third plow.<br /><br />"We're not getting the third plow," she said, "but it's not that UDOT didn't hear and isn't trying."<br /><br />UDOT is adjusting the snowplow routes. It also has a salt storage area south of Saratoga Springs, which means the plows now don't have to leave the area to refill, which should help.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1232567040;}i:15;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-2204855570335320054";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:28:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-21T10:28:48.640-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:50:"Contractor begins construction on Pioneer Crossing";s:11:"description";s:1545:"Contractor begins construction on Pioneer Crossing    <br />Cathy Allred - North County staff    <br /><br />Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs residents can breathe a collective sigh of relief.<br /><br />Work began Tuesday on an alternative east-west route for motorists to get in and out of those cities and to access Interstate 15. Ground-breaking for the Pioneer Crossing project was held Tuesday afternoon.<br />The six-mile-long expressway project has been put on the fast track for completion, with 90 percent of the arterial expected to be finished by November.<br /><br />"They will have this opened up to the Mill Pond Road," said Bryan Adams, Access Utah County director. "So you'll be able to go to the American Fork interchange or the Lehi interchange."<br /><br />The second phase of the project from Lehi's 850 East to I-15 on American Fork's Main Street will be completed by fall 2010.<br /><br />"I think it's great. I think it's long overdue," said American Fork Mayor Heber Thompson. "It helps significantly relieve the congestion on Lehi Main Street which all of us have experienced."<br /><br />The Utah Department of Transportation has contracted Kiewit and W.W. Clyde and Co. for the $260 million project, which includes the I-15 diverging diamond interchange, the first of its kind in Utah. The design involves a major east-west artery that crisscrosses over the freeway with only two signals and a free flow of traffic on and off the freeway. The DDI interchange will replace the American Fork Main Street interchange.";s:4:"link";s:73:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/contractor-begins-construction-on.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:1545:"Contractor begins construction on Pioneer Crossing    <br />Cathy Allred - North County staff    <br /><br />Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs residents can breathe a collective sigh of relief.<br /><br />Work began Tuesday on an alternative east-west route for motorists to get in and out of those cities and to access Interstate 15. Ground-breaking for the Pioneer Crossing project was held Tuesday afternoon.<br />The six-mile-long expressway project has been put on the fast track for completion, with 90 percent of the arterial expected to be finished by November.<br /><br />"They will have this opened up to the Mill Pond Road," said Bryan Adams, Access Utah County director. "So you'll be able to go to the American Fork interchange or the Lehi interchange."<br /><br />The second phase of the project from Lehi's 850 East to I-15 on American Fork's Main Street will be completed by fall 2010.<br /><br />"I think it's great. I think it's long overdue," said American Fork Mayor Heber Thompson. "It helps significantly relieve the congestion on Lehi Main Street which all of us have experienced."<br /><br />The Utah Department of Transportation has contracted Kiewit and W.W. Clyde and Co. for the $260 million project, which includes the I-15 diverging diamond interchange, the first of its kind in Utah. The design involves a major east-west artery that crisscrosses over the freeway with only two signals and a free flow of traffic on and off the freeway. The DDI interchange will replace the American Fork Main Street interchange.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1232562480;}i:16;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-3107602672568577850";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:49:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-20T15:50:16.985-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:41:"Construction underway on Pioneer Crossing";s:11:"description";s:1476:"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SXZjMyD9RzI/AAAAAAAAAH0/OMNWEabBMUI/s1600-h/9043834.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SXZjMyD9RzI/AAAAAAAAAH0/OMNWEabBMUI/s320/9043834.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293527483268548402" /></a><br />Construction underway on Pioneer Crossing<br />January 20th, 2009 @ 4:22pm<br />(KSL News) State leaders broke ground today for the Pioneer Crossing, a new road which will bring new east-west access to northern Utah County.<br /><br />The road will bring much needed relief for those who live in Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain.<br /><br />The highway will connect Highway 68, just south of the crossroads in Saratoga Springs with I-15 at the American Fork Main Street exit.<br /><br />The road will have five lanes; two lanes each direction with a center turn lane. The speed limit will be 40 mph. It will also have six or seven stop lights from Redwood Road to the new American Fork Main Street overpass.<br /><br />The project will also completely rebuild that interchange.<br /><br />The construction project is moving forward, despite other cuts to the Utah Department of Transportation's budget.<br /><br />Work on the road is expected to take just 11 months, and the new connector should be open sometime in late November.";s:4:"link";s:72:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/construction-underway-on-pioneer.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:1476:"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SXZjMyD9RzI/AAAAAAAAAH0/OMNWEabBMUI/s1600-h/9043834.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 133px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H13Fapnyd74/SXZjMyD9RzI/AAAAAAAAAH0/OMNWEabBMUI/s320/9043834.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293527483268548402" /></a><br />Construction underway on Pioneer Crossing<br />January 20th, 2009 @ 4:22pm<br />(KSL News) State leaders broke ground today for the Pioneer Crossing, a new road which will bring new east-west access to northern Utah County.<br /><br />The road will bring much needed relief for those who live in Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain.<br /><br />The highway will connect Highway 68, just south of the crossroads in Saratoga Springs with I-15 at the American Fork Main Street exit.<br /><br />The road will have five lanes; two lanes each direction with a center turn lane. The speed limit will be 40 mph. It will also have six or seven stop lights from Redwood Road to the new American Fork Main Street overpass.<br /><br />The project will also completely rebuild that interchange.<br /><br />The construction project is moving forward, despite other cuts to the Utah Department of Transportation's budget.<br /><br />Work on the road is expected to take just 11 months, and the new connector should be open sometime in late November.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1232495340;}i:17;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-2171178833930452414";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:52:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-15T07:52:20.763-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:35:"Groundbreaking for Pioneer Crossing";s:11:"description";s:746:"The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is ready to begin<br />construction on Pioneer Crossing and invites you to celebrate at a<br />groundbreaking event.<br /><br />DATE: Tuesday, January 20, 2009<br /><br />TIME: 2 p.m.<br /><br />PLACE: The construction site on Redwood Road, one mile south of the<br />Redwood Road/ SR-73 (Lehi Main Street) intersection in Saratoga Springs<br /><br />Pioneer Crossing will be a new east-west road that will run from<br /> Redwood<br />Road in Saratoga Springs through Lehi to I-15's American Fork Main<br />Street interchange. The project will also include reconstruction of the<br />interchange.<br /><br />For more information about the project visit udot.utah.gov/pioneer or<br />call 877-222-3757.";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/groundbreaking-for-pioneer-crossing.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:746:"The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is ready to begin<br />construction on Pioneer Crossing and invites you to celebrate at a<br />groundbreaking event.<br /><br />DATE: Tuesday, January 20, 2009<br /><br />TIME: 2 p.m.<br /><br />PLACE: The construction site on Redwood Road, one mile south of the<br />Redwood Road/ SR-73 (Lehi Main Street) intersection in Saratoga Springs<br /><br />Pioneer Crossing will be a new east-west road that will run from<br /> Redwood<br />Road in Saratoga Springs through Lehi to I-15's American Fork Main<br />Street interchange. The project will also include reconstruction of the<br />interchange.<br /><br />For more information about the project visit udot.utah.gov/pioneer or<br />call 877-222-3757.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1232034720;}i:18;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-1800883323301418732";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:49:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-15T07:49:14.127-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:62:"UDOT to Eagle Mountain: We cannot do more to clear snowy roads";s:11:"description";s:2865:"UDOT to Eagle Mountain: We cannot do more to clear snowy roads    <br />Caleb Warnock - DAILY HERALD    <br />Concerned that icy roads could trap Eagle Mountain residents who have limited options when getting in and out of town, Eagle Mountain Mayor Heather Jackson has asked UDOT to provide a third plow for the two highways leading to the city.<br /><br />UDOT has turned the city down, citing economic realities and the sheer number of residents on the road, making access for plows difficult.<br />"Right now we don't see that we have a way to put a third plow out there and do everything we have to do," said UDOT spokesman Scott Thompson.<br /><br />Jackson said Eagle Mountain residents have become increasingly vocal in their dissatisfaction about the condition of roads on snowy days. Some residents realize the city has no jurisdiction to plow the highways, and some don't, she said.<br /><br />Jackson said she met with UDOT a week ago to request the third plow, telling UDOT officials that when roads are dangerous, Eagle Mountain residents have few, if any, options.<br /><br />"We feel it is critical to add an extra plow," Jackson said. "Our citizens have to travel both highways 68 and 73, especially if they work in the Salt Lake area. We get a lot of complaints about both of those not being plowed."<br /><br />A third plow would allow UDOT to re-plow more frequently in heavy traffic areas, and especially when snow continues to fall, she said, noting that it now takes UDOT plows three hours to make a loop to clear the highways that are the city's lifeblood.<br /><br />"They go out and finally come back and one side of the road has 6 inches of snow on it and you can barely tell they have been here," Jackson said.<br /><br />The city is also trying to educate its residents about which roads the city has the responsibility to plow, and which are the purview of the state. In its most recent newsletter, the city devoted space to explaining the city's priorities in plowing streets, and which streets the state must care for.<br /><br />UDOT has 11 plows in its Lehi maintenance shed, but the main priority for those machines is to keep clear up to 30 miles of Interstate 15, said Thompson.<br /><br />"It takes seven of the 11 to do that and get all the lanes clear," he said.<br /><br />Another plow has been ordered for the area but won't arrive in time to help with this season's snow clearing, he said.<br /><br />Another reason the roads are so difficult to plow is because the highways leading to Eagle Mountain "are busy and congested on a good day in decent weather," he said. "So if there is a heavy commuter time, we have run into trouble getting our plows through traffic."<br /><br />In the meantime, UDOT will consider whether there are more efficient plowing patterns that can be used as a short-term solution, Thompson said.";s:4:"link";s:75:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/udot-to-eagle-mountain-we-cannot-do.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:2865:"UDOT to Eagle Mountain: We cannot do more to clear snowy roads    <br />Caleb Warnock - DAILY HERALD    <br />Concerned that icy roads could trap Eagle Mountain residents who have limited options when getting in and out of town, Eagle Mountain Mayor Heather Jackson has asked UDOT to provide a third plow for the two highways leading to the city.<br /><br />UDOT has turned the city down, citing economic realities and the sheer number of residents on the road, making access for plows difficult.<br />"Right now we don't see that we have a way to put a third plow out there and do everything we have to do," said UDOT spokesman Scott Thompson.<br /><br />Jackson said Eagle Mountain residents have become increasingly vocal in their dissatisfaction about the condition of roads on snowy days. Some residents realize the city has no jurisdiction to plow the highways, and some don't, she said.<br /><br />Jackson said she met with UDOT a week ago to request the third plow, telling UDOT officials that when roads are dangerous, Eagle Mountain residents have few, if any, options.<br /><br />"We feel it is critical to add an extra plow," Jackson said. "Our citizens have to travel both highways 68 and 73, especially if they work in the Salt Lake area. We get a lot of complaints about both of those not being plowed."<br /><br />A third plow would allow UDOT to re-plow more frequently in heavy traffic areas, and especially when snow continues to fall, she said, noting that it now takes UDOT plows three hours to make a loop to clear the highways that are the city's lifeblood.<br /><br />"They go out and finally come back and one side of the road has 6 inches of snow on it and you can barely tell they have been here," Jackson said.<br /><br />The city is also trying to educate its residents about which roads the city has the responsibility to plow, and which are the purview of the state. In its most recent newsletter, the city devoted space to explaining the city's priorities in plowing streets, and which streets the state must care for.<br /><br />UDOT has 11 plows in its Lehi maintenance shed, but the main priority for those machines is to keep clear up to 30 miles of Interstate 15, said Thompson.<br /><br />"It takes seven of the 11 to do that and get all the lanes clear," he said.<br /><br />Another plow has been ordered for the area but won't arrive in time to help with this season's snow clearing, he said.<br /><br />Another reason the roads are so difficult to plow is because the highways leading to Eagle Mountain "are busy and congested on a good day in decent weather," he said. "So if there is a heavy commuter time, we have run into trouble getting our plows through traffic."<br /><br />In the meantime, UDOT will consider whether there are more efficient plowing patterns that can be used as a short-term solution, Thompson said.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1232034540;}i:19;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-6245776252063832532";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:47:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-15T07:47:47.506-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:41:"Utah County FrontRunner expansion on trac";s:11:"description";s:4407:"Utah County FrontRunner expansion on track    <br />Ace Stryker - Daily Herald    <br /><br />While recessionary concerns threaten to reduce or close government projects across the state, a planned commuter rail extension into Utah County is rolling along just fine.<br /><br />"As far as budget cuts go, that is not an issue," said Carrie Bohnsack-Ware, spokeswoman for Utah Transit Authority, which is heading up the FrontRunner endeavor. "We are plowing ahead at full steam -- pun intended."<br />The FrontRunner South project will connect the new railway from its Salt Lake Central Station to an intermodal center at 600 South in Provo, with stops along the way in Orem, Vineyard, American Fork, Lehi, Draper, Sandy and Murray. It's part of UTA's $2.2 billion FrontLines 2015 program, a series of commuter and light rail projects funded by federal and local authorities. The expansion is well under way and could be open "if everything goes well" in 2012, said project manager Steve Meyer, though it's unclear what the final cost will be.<br /><br />"There isn't an easy answer because of several factors," he said. "There are over 300 individual parcels of right-of-way that we're in the process of acquiring."<br /><br />But it's more than that, Meyer said. Along the way, existing Union Pacific track must be moved, utility lines must be relocated, bridges must be built -- all of which depends on parties outside of UTA's control. He said it's a safe bet the final price tag will be significantly higher than FrontRunner North's, which topped $600 million for an equal length of track -- 44 miles -- between Salt Lake City and Ogden.<br /><br />"That was good practice up north," said Meyer, who also managed the first half of the project. "This is the real deal."<br /><br />The biggest difference between the two legs is the number of structures needed to make the southern route work, he said. The northern segment required just two bridges. The southern part looks to require at least 60 structures, including bridges, boxes and irrigation. Construction is already under way for a bridge over the American Fork River, and brush clearing and grading is being done at other spots along the future line.<br /><br />"This year's going to be a big year for us to get a lot of work done," Meyer said. "We're dependent upon those third parties to get some of that work done to open up the corridor."<br /><br />Utah County's FrontRunner stations will be positioned along the Interstate 15 corridor at high-population nexuses: Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, the new Main Street interchange in American Fork, the old Geneva site in Vineyard, west of Utah Valley University in Orem, and at University Avenue and 600 South in Provo. The Vineyard station won't open with the others, but will be added as the county continues to grow, Meyer said.<br /><br />The Orem and Provo stations will be part of larger "intermodal centers" that will also offer commuters an option to finish their trips on special "bus rapid transit" lines. The buses are designed to move rapidly through city streets to popular stops such as Brigham Young University. It's all part of a larger plan to make it possible for county residents to leave their cars behind and be able to access faraway destinations -- like the Salt Lake International Airport, EnergySolutions Arena or the University of Utah -- using public transportation, said Gary McGinn, Provo's director of community development.<br /><br />"That'll be a major link," he said. "Once we have that backbone of good, reliable bus rapid transit service in our city, then we can have more local bus service branching off that spine into other areas of our city."<br /><br />McGinn said Provo's intermodal center is scheduled to open concurrently with FrontRunner South.<br /><br />When FrontRunner opens, travel from Provo to Ogden -- the line's terminal points -- should take just under two hours, Meyer said. But it may not stop there: There are discussions about extending the line as far south as Nephi, with additional stops in Springville and Payson, and as far north as Brigham City. He said Springville has already picked a site, and Payson has created a transit-oriented zone in preparation for future expansion.<br /><br />"That 120 miles encompasses about 80 percent of the state's population," Meyer said. "That'd be the spine of the Utah transportation corridor."";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/utah-county-frontrunner-expansion-on.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:4407:"Utah County FrontRunner expansion on track    <br />Ace Stryker - Daily Herald    <br /><br />While recessionary concerns threaten to reduce or close government projects across the state, a planned commuter rail extension into Utah County is rolling along just fine.<br /><br />"As far as budget cuts go, that is not an issue," said Carrie Bohnsack-Ware, spokeswoman for Utah Transit Authority, which is heading up the FrontRunner endeavor. "We are plowing ahead at full steam -- pun intended."<br />The FrontRunner South project will connect the new railway from its Salt Lake Central Station to an intermodal center at 600 South in Provo, with stops along the way in Orem, Vineyard, American Fork, Lehi, Draper, Sandy and Murray. It's part of UTA's $2.2 billion FrontLines 2015 program, a series of commuter and light rail projects funded by federal and local authorities. The expansion is well under way and could be open "if everything goes well" in 2012, said project manager Steve Meyer, though it's unclear what the final cost will be.<br /><br />"There isn't an easy answer because of several factors," he said. "There are over 300 individual parcels of right-of-way that we're in the process of acquiring."<br /><br />But it's more than that, Meyer said. Along the way, existing Union Pacific track must be moved, utility lines must be relocated, bridges must be built -- all of which depends on parties outside of UTA's control. He said it's a safe bet the final price tag will be significantly higher than FrontRunner North's, which topped $600 million for an equal length of track -- 44 miles -- between Salt Lake City and Ogden.<br /><br />"That was good practice up north," said Meyer, who also managed the first half of the project. "This is the real deal."<br /><br />The biggest difference between the two legs is the number of structures needed to make the southern route work, he said. The northern segment required just two bridges. The southern part looks to require at least 60 structures, including bridges, boxes and irrigation. Construction is already under way for a bridge over the American Fork River, and brush clearing and grading is being done at other spots along the future line.<br /><br />"This year's going to be a big year for us to get a lot of work done," Meyer said. "We're dependent upon those third parties to get some of that work done to open up the corridor."<br /><br />Utah County's FrontRunner stations will be positioned along the Interstate 15 corridor at high-population nexuses: Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, the new Main Street interchange in American Fork, the old Geneva site in Vineyard, west of Utah Valley University in Orem, and at University Avenue and 600 South in Provo. The Vineyard station won't open with the others, but will be added as the county continues to grow, Meyer said.<br /><br />The Orem and Provo stations will be part of larger "intermodal centers" that will also offer commuters an option to finish their trips on special "bus rapid transit" lines. The buses are designed to move rapidly through city streets to popular stops such as Brigham Young University. It's all part of a larger plan to make it possible for county residents to leave their cars behind and be able to access faraway destinations -- like the Salt Lake International Airport, EnergySolutions Arena or the University of Utah -- using public transportation, said Gary McGinn, Provo's director of community development.<br /><br />"That'll be a major link," he said. "Once we have that backbone of good, reliable bus rapid transit service in our city, then we can have more local bus service branching off that spine into other areas of our city."<br /><br />McGinn said Provo's intermodal center is scheduled to open concurrently with FrontRunner South.<br /><br />When FrontRunner opens, travel from Provo to Ogden -- the line's terminal points -- should take just under two hours, Meyer said. But it may not stop there: There are discussions about extending the line as far south as Nephi, with additional stops in Springville and Payson, and as far north as Brigham City. He said Springville has already picked a site, and Payson has created a transit-oriented zone in preparation for future expansion.<br /><br />"That 120 miles encompasses about 80 percent of the state's population," Meyer said. "That'd be the spine of the Utah transportation corridor."";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1232034420;}i:20;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-4859861929519244907";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:52:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-14T11:53:26.079-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:38:"A new Saratoga police station proposed";s:11:"description";s:6505:"A new Saratoga police station proposed    <br />North County Staff    <br />Lance Madigan<br /><br />Five people using three desks in a 12-by-12-foot office. No permanent storage areas or personal space for staff. Working in a double-wide trailer that you are not only embarrassed to bring your family to but feel is unsafe because there is very little control to keeping potentially dangerous people in controlled areas.<br /><br />These are just a few of the problems that Saratoga Springs Mayor Timothy Parker pointed out to the City Council last week when he expressed his concerns over the city's Police Department building.<br />In the end, the city manager Ken Leetham and his staff were instructed to continue investigation into costs and financing options for the first floor of the city building as well as investigate other potential sites. The City Council is scheduled to meet again Jan. 13 to continue the discussion.<br /><br />With only one door into the facility, Parker explained at the Tuesday meeting that safety was a major concern.<br /><br />"Anyone coming into the police department has to come in through that door," he said. He cited several cases in which victims of domestic violence came in, and were being followed by an abusive spouse. Parker explained that since the trailer is so small, it can be very difficult to keep individuals safely in separated areas. "Individuals come in an angry state, and there is no barrier. The risk there is tremendous."<br /><br />There is also very limited space to secure evidence, creating the need to rent space from the Utah County Sheriff's Office in Spanish Fork. Besides the $8,000 a year to rent the space, someone that is authorized to handle evidence has to travel to Spanish Fork to pick up materials that are needed for investigations or trials. This can take more than three hours.<br /><br />Parker's reason for expressing these concerns over the current police department facility was to propose the city move forward in acquiring new space for the officers.<br /><br />Currently, the Saratoga Springs City offices are located on the second floor of a business building on Commerce Drive. The first floor is operated by medical service offices, including Alpine Pediatrics, which is constructing its own building and hoping to move out in the next few months. The mayor outlined a plan to have the police department occupy that space when Alpine Pediatrics leaves.<br /><br />"Why am I bringing this up at this time? Why am I raising a claim of urgency of this situation? We started our police department a year and a half ago when we decided to go away from contract services. We made quite an investment. We made the decision to go above and beyond the bare necessities," Parker said. Besides startup equipment such as computers, cars, weapons and other tools of the trade, the officers and staff were paid at the high end of the going rate in Utah. With market adjustments, Saratoga police officers are now closer to the middle of the spectrum, he said.<br /><br />Parker said that his concern is that police officers are now in great demand, and other departments are actively recruiting for personnel.<br /><br />"I don't think it is an issue of salary, but the vision that they are given when they come in," Parker said. "Pay is very often not the deciding factor whether you want to work someplace or not. The important thing is in feeling valued, having the opportunity to grow, and your feeling of identity."<br /><br />"The working conditions can be a deciding factor in our ability to recruit officers who will serve at the standard of expectations that we set," Parker said. "For an officer coming in before the (economic) crash, there was an anticipation of city growing. Maybe you had to go to work in trailer for a while, but there was opportunity to grow quickly. You were on the ground floor of something new."<br /><br />"If my vision includes a much better facility, this trailer is tolerable," he said. "If my vision doesn't see a better facility on the horizon, this vision may be a deciding factor if I go here or somewhere else."<br /><br />Parker said that when new city police departments were started in Carbon County and the sheriff started losing staff, the sheriff did a study that showed that it wasn't the people at the bottom or the incapable that left, but it was the best. "They estimated that it cost three years of the departing person's salary to bring the new person up to the skill level that they could fill that person's shoes."<br /><br />"We are going to lose what we have invested in if we don't do something," Parker said.<br /><br />"My biggest concern is finances," said councilman Jefferson Moss. "There is a definite need, but my concern is whether we can afford it. Fiscally, we need to consider if this is the right time."<br /><br />"I just think about the tremendous change in the perception of the City Council and management when we shifted from the trailer to here," said Councilman Bud Poduska. "To me the safety of the city is one of the major concerns and the safety of the police officers."<br /><br />The plan, as laid out by Parker, would be to convert the current Alpine Pediatrics offices into a workable space for the police department. "They could be here for 10 years, or 30 years," Parker said.<br /><br />Because the city administration is still in negotiations with the building owners, the council went into a closed session to talk about costs and potential funding methods. Parker and the city manager said options such as leasing the space from the current owners, as well as purchasing the lower floor and renting the other parts of the building to tenants, were being investigated. The city already owns the second floor of the building.<br /><br />Past plans had been to build a completely new City Hall with a space for the police department in the bottom. City Councilwoman Mia Love said she wanted to also investigate building a dedicated structure. "They could actually do all the infrastructure they need," she said. "If it costs a little more to build something that will work for years, that just makes more sense."<br /><br />Parker said that while the owners would be willing to sell to the city, they also had contingency plans for the space. While the council didn't have to make an immediate decision, it was indicated that an intention needed to be made in the coming weeks to put plans into the works when the space became available.";s:4:"link";s:76:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-saratoga-police-station-proposed.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:6505:"A new Saratoga police station proposed    <br />North County Staff    <br />Lance Madigan<br /><br />Five people using three desks in a 12-by-12-foot office. No permanent storage areas or personal space for staff. Working in a double-wide trailer that you are not only embarrassed to bring your family to but feel is unsafe because there is very little control to keeping potentially dangerous people in controlled areas.<br /><br />These are just a few of the problems that Saratoga Springs Mayor Timothy Parker pointed out to the City Council last week when he expressed his concerns over the city's Police Department building.<br />In the end, the city manager Ken Leetham and his staff were instructed to continue investigation into costs and financing options for the first floor of the city building as well as investigate other potential sites. The City Council is scheduled to meet again Jan. 13 to continue the discussion.<br /><br />With only one door into the facility, Parker explained at the Tuesday meeting that safety was a major concern.<br /><br />"Anyone coming into the police department has to come in through that door," he said. He cited several cases in which victims of domestic violence came in, and were being followed by an abusive spouse. Parker explained that since the trailer is so small, it can be very difficult to keep individuals safely in separated areas. "Individuals come in an angry state, and there is no barrier. The risk there is tremendous."<br /><br />There is also very limited space to secure evidence, creating the need to rent space from the Utah County Sheriff's Office in Spanish Fork. Besides the $8,000 a year to rent the space, someone that is authorized to handle evidence has to travel to Spanish Fork to pick up materials that are needed for investigations or trials. This can take more than three hours.<br /><br />Parker's reason for expressing these concerns over the current police department facility was to propose the city move forward in acquiring new space for the officers.<br /><br />Currently, the Saratoga Springs City offices are located on the second floor of a business building on Commerce Drive. The first floor is operated by medical service offices, including Alpine Pediatrics, which is constructing its own building and hoping to move out in the next few months. The mayor outlined a plan to have the police department occupy that space when Alpine Pediatrics leaves.<br /><br />"Why am I bringing this up at this time? Why am I raising a claim of urgency of this situation? We started our police department a year and a half ago when we decided to go away from contract services. We made quite an investment. We made the decision to go above and beyond the bare necessities," Parker said. Besides startup equipment such as computers, cars, weapons and other tools of the trade, the officers and staff were paid at the high end of the going rate in Utah. With market adjustments, Saratoga police officers are now closer to the middle of the spectrum, he said.<br /><br />Parker said that his concern is that police officers are now in great demand, and other departments are actively recruiting for personnel.<br /><br />"I don't think it is an issue of salary, but the vision that they are given when they come in," Parker said. "Pay is very often not the deciding factor whether you want to work someplace or not. The important thing is in feeling valued, having the opportunity to grow, and your feeling of identity."<br /><br />"The working conditions can be a deciding factor in our ability to recruit officers who will serve at the standard of expectations that we set," Parker said. "For an officer coming in before the (economic) crash, there was an anticipation of city growing. Maybe you had to go to work in trailer for a while, but there was opportunity to grow quickly. You were on the ground floor of something new."<br /><br />"If my vision includes a much better facility, this trailer is tolerable," he said. "If my vision doesn't see a better facility on the horizon, this vision may be a deciding factor if I go here or somewhere else."<br /><br />Parker said that when new city police departments were started in Carbon County and the sheriff started losing staff, the sheriff did a study that showed that it wasn't the people at the bottom or the incapable that left, but it was the best. "They estimated that it cost three years of the departing person's salary to bring the new person up to the skill level that they could fill that person's shoes."<br /><br />"We are going to lose what we have invested in if we don't do something," Parker said.<br /><br />"My biggest concern is finances," said councilman Jefferson Moss. "There is a definite need, but my concern is whether we can afford it. Fiscally, we need to consider if this is the right time."<br /><br />"I just think about the tremendous change in the perception of the City Council and management when we shifted from the trailer to here," said Councilman Bud Poduska. "To me the safety of the city is one of the major concerns and the safety of the police officers."<br /><br />The plan, as laid out by Parker, would be to convert the current Alpine Pediatrics offices into a workable space for the police department. "They could be here for 10 years, or 30 years," Parker said.<br /><br />Because the city administration is still in negotiations with the building owners, the council went into a closed session to talk about costs and potential funding methods. Parker and the city manager said options such as leasing the space from the current owners, as well as purchasing the lower floor and renting the other parts of the building to tenants, were being investigated. The city already owns the second floor of the building.<br /><br />Past plans had been to build a completely new City Hall with a space for the police department in the bottom. City Councilwoman Mia Love said she wanted to also investigate building a dedicated structure. "They could actually do all the infrastructure they need," she said. "If it costs a little more to build something that will work for years, that just makes more sense."<br /><br />Parker said that while the owners would be willing to sell to the city, they also had contingency plans for the space. While the council didn't have to make an immediate decision, it was indicated that an intention needed to be made in the coming weeks to put plans into the works when the space became available.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1231962720;}i:21;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-4989592883850133070";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:23:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2009-01-02T07:23:26.001-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:28:"Saratoga scales back in 2007";s:11:"description";s:5809:"Saratoga scales back in 2007    <br />Lance Madigan - North County Staff    <br />The topic that came up most often and dominated everything in Saratoga Springs in 2008 was the budget.<br /><br />It actually began in the months leading up to this year, as the housing marketing started to stall throughout the nation, but particularly in Saratoga Springs.<br />It especially affected Saratoga, as one of the fastest growing cities in Utah. Saratoga Springs also had the double whammy that it relied heavily -- many would argue too heavily -- on revenue from new construction.<br /><br />As early as February, the City Council was being advised by the administration that the city was experiencing a revenue shortfall. Early estimates put it at just over $1.1 million, but as the slump deepened that number more than tripled. And with a total operating budget in 2007-2008 of $8.2 million, that is a significant portion.<br /><br />In an e-mailed interview, Jefferson Moss, Saratoga Springs City Council member, said, "As the fastest growing city on a percentage basis for seven years, we experienced tremendous pressure from our growth to keep up with the services that our city needed. With the housing collapse and credit crunch, our growth almost completely died. This left the city with a drastic shortfall in projected revenues, especially since our city had never raised property taxes once in our history. To say that the budget issue was difficult would be putting it lightly. As a council, we had to make very difficult decisions on what was the best for our city."<br /><br />The City Council and Saratoga Springs administration rallied through the first part of the year -- cutting, trimming and even slashing in order to improve the numbers. Programs were scaled back. Projects were put on hold. Raises and benefits were affected. Staff were let go. Even the city's tenth anniversary Saratoga Splash celebration was slashed way back. By the time the new budget was due in June, the city was still short about $1.4 million.<br /><br />Many felt that reliance on new construction fees and growth were the cause the city's financial woes.<br /><br />"I was quoted in the press that I blamed the previous council for the shortfall. That is incorrect," said Denise Kelly, Council member. "I don't blame anyone. It is unfortunate that we haven't had previous increases, but it is no one's fault."<br /><br />Others expressed concerns over the new police department and court the city had recently opened. As discussed over and over in the City Council, however, the city would have had to pay for public safety efforts regardless.<br /><br />While the Saratoga Springs Police Department might have cost a little more than contracting through the Utah County Sheriff's office, the savings wouldn't have been significant.<br /><br />"And the level of service we receive from Chief Hicken and his staff are far superior for the investment," said Brent Call, Council member.<br /><br />So the City Council and administration hunkered down and reviewed the budget line item by line item.<br /><br />"It was two, three meetings a week, going through every aspect of this budget," said Moss. "There were literally things we were knocking off for $50."<br /><br />"We made significant cuts in the budget by laying off many of our great employees and asked those that stayed to take cuts in benefits," said Moss. "Doing this was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Even with these cuts, we were still significantly in the red."<br /><br />It was then that the City Council started talking about one of the most dreaded words a politician or resident can ever hear -- tax increases.<br /><br />"We determined that any additional cuts would do more long term harm than any short term gain," said Moss. "Going through the Truth in Taxation Process -- especially in this difficult economy -- was tough."<br /><br />In the end, the city imposed a property tax increase of about 116 percent upon its citizens. For a home valued at $200,000, that was projected to be an increase of about $24 a month.<br /><br />"We knew that we weren't doing the popular thing. However, we felt this was needed to ensure the financial stability of our city to provide the necessary services that our residents need. We did receive our fair share of criticism and complaints," said Moss.<br /><br />Saratoga Springs also formed a new volunteer Citizen Finance Committee with the goal of helping the City Council and administration review and plan ahead for such situations in the future. The City Council was recently put in place, and will hold its first official meeting in January.<br /><br />As the city moves into 2009, the Council members and administrative staff say things are looking better. The first quarter financial reports in September showed the city right on track in both income and expenses. The Council and administration still point out that the entire country is facing economic hard times, but are confident they will come out better in the end.<br /><br />City staff and leaders plan to continue to incorporate more volunteer help and assistance. Saratoga Springs recently honored several volunteers that helped to put in two parks at a $22,000 savings.<br /><br />The Council has also put out a call for volunteers to help plan and organize the city's summer festival, the Saratoga Splash. This was originally done by a paid staff person who was let go last year.<br /><br />"We really do have an amazing city. I strongly feel that we will make it through these difficult times stronger and a better city," concluded Moss.<br /><br />For more information about how citizens can contribute, the Council and administration encourage individuals to review the city's Web site at www.saratoga-springs.net.";s:4:"link";s:68:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2009/01/saratoga-scales-back-in-2007.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:5809:"Saratoga scales back in 2007    <br />Lance Madigan - North County Staff    <br />The topic that came up most often and dominated everything in Saratoga Springs in 2008 was the budget.<br /><br />It actually began in the months leading up to this year, as the housing marketing started to stall throughout the nation, but particularly in Saratoga Springs.<br />It especially affected Saratoga, as one of the fastest growing cities in Utah. Saratoga Springs also had the double whammy that it relied heavily -- many would argue too heavily -- on revenue from new construction.<br /><br />As early as February, the City Council was being advised by the administration that the city was experiencing a revenue shortfall. Early estimates put it at just over $1.1 million, but as the slump deepened that number more than tripled. And with a total operating budget in 2007-2008 of $8.2 million, that is a significant portion.<br /><br />In an e-mailed interview, Jefferson Moss, Saratoga Springs City Council member, said, "As the fastest growing city on a percentage basis for seven years, we experienced tremendous pressure from our growth to keep up with the services that our city needed. With the housing collapse and credit crunch, our growth almost completely died. This left the city with a drastic shortfall in projected revenues, especially since our city had never raised property taxes once in our history. To say that the budget issue was difficult would be putting it lightly. As a council, we had to make very difficult decisions on what was the best for our city."<br /><br />The City Council and Saratoga Springs administration rallied through the first part of the year -- cutting, trimming and even slashing in order to improve the numbers. Programs were scaled back. Projects were put on hold. Raises and benefits were affected. Staff were let go. Even the city's tenth anniversary Saratoga Splash celebration was slashed way back. By the time the new budget was due in June, the city was still short about $1.4 million.<br /><br />Many felt that reliance on new construction fees and growth were the cause the city's financial woes.<br /><br />"I was quoted in the press that I blamed the previous council for the shortfall. That is incorrect," said Denise Kelly, Council member. "I don't blame anyone. It is unfortunate that we haven't had previous increases, but it is no one's fault."<br /><br />Others expressed concerns over the new police department and court the city had recently opened. As discussed over and over in the City Council, however, the city would have had to pay for public safety efforts regardless.<br /><br />While the Saratoga Springs Police Department might have cost a little more than contracting through the Utah County Sheriff's office, the savings wouldn't have been significant.<br /><br />"And the level of service we receive from Chief Hicken and his staff are far superior for the investment," said Brent Call, Council member.<br /><br />So the City Council and administration hunkered down and reviewed the budget line item by line item.<br /><br />"It was two, three meetings a week, going through every aspect of this budget," said Moss. "There were literally things we were knocking off for $50."<br /><br />"We made significant cuts in the budget by laying off many of our great employees and asked those that stayed to take cuts in benefits," said Moss. "Doing this was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Even with these cuts, we were still significantly in the red."<br /><br />It was then that the City Council started talking about one of the most dreaded words a politician or resident can ever hear -- tax increases.<br /><br />"We determined that any additional cuts would do more long term harm than any short term gain," said Moss. "Going through the Truth in Taxation Process -- especially in this difficult economy -- was tough."<br /><br />In the end, the city imposed a property tax increase of about 116 percent upon its citizens. For a home valued at $200,000, that was projected to be an increase of about $24 a month.<br /><br />"We knew that we weren't doing the popular thing. However, we felt this was needed to ensure the financial stability of our city to provide the necessary services that our residents need. We did receive our fair share of criticism and complaints," said Moss.<br /><br />Saratoga Springs also formed a new volunteer Citizen Finance Committee with the goal of helping the City Council and administration review and plan ahead for such situations in the future. The City Council was recently put in place, and will hold its first official meeting in January.<br /><br />As the city moves into 2009, the Council members and administrative staff say things are looking better. The first quarter financial reports in September showed the city right on track in both income and expenses. The Council and administration still point out that the entire country is facing economic hard times, but are confident they will come out better in the end.<br /><br />City staff and leaders plan to continue to incorporate more volunteer help and assistance. Saratoga Springs recently honored several volunteers that helped to put in two parks at a $22,000 savings.<br /><br />The Council has also put out a call for volunteers to help plan and organize the city's summer festival, the Saratoga Splash. This was originally done by a paid staff person who was let go last year.<br /><br />"We really do have an amazing city. I strongly feel that we will make it through these difficult times stronger and a better city," concluded Moss.<br /><br />For more information about how citizens can contribute, the Council and administration encourage individuals to review the city's Web site at www.saratoga-springs.net.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1230909780;}i:22;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-5081477423434488210";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:55:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2008-12-27T09:56:32.911-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:27:"Saratoga volunteers honored";s:11:"description";s:3957:"Saratoga volunteers honored    <br />Lance Madigan - North county staff    <br />What can a city do when they have land set aside for a park, but no money for development?<br /><br />Cash-strapped Saratoga Springs faced this problem as residents clamored to have their promised parks finished, yet budget cuts forced completion of the parks to be pushed way down on the priority list.<br />Having had many citizens say they would volunteer to help, the City Council and Mayor Tim Parker asked the administration to investigate the possibility of having a citizen corp do at least some work in the parks.<br /><br />The idea was hardly new, but is often overlooked because of concerns about liability for workers as well as having volunteers with more enthusiasm than skill sets -- thereby causing a city more work and cost when they have to fix something that wasn't put in correctly in the first place.<br /><br />However, with some careful management and creativity, Mark Edwards, Saratoga Springs public works director, reported to the City Council on Dec. 9 that both the Saratoga Hills and Dalmore Meadows parks were completed this year.<br /><br />"Lot of residents came together to help with Saratoga Hills and Dalmore Meadows parks," Edwards said. "Three Eagle Scouts were very instrumental in this, along with the [Harvest Hills Fourth Ward] Young Women's group and lots of unnamed people that come out. All together hundreds of volunteers helped out."<br /><br />The three Eagle Scouts included Joshua Anderson and Parker Jones (Troop 1059) and Derek Bayles (Troop 180). Each of these boys worked with Edwards and another volunteer, Cecil Tuley, to get volunteers out and coordinate their efforts.<br /><br />"So the city didn't have the money to finish the parks, but said that if they had volunteers that they would supply the materials," said Jones, age 15. "So I volunteered to do the trees because I live near the park."<br /><br />Jones said his group put in 48 trees of different varieties throughout the Saratoga Hills Park. It took the more than 60 volunteers about four hours, but everyone was excited by the results.<br /><br />"I organized laying of sod for Saratoga Hills," said Anderson, age 16. Anderson said they laid more than 82,000 square feet of sod. "I coordinated with Mark Edwards and Cecil Tuley, planning and getting out fliers. We had about 150 volunteers -- not all at once, but over time during the day."<br /><br />Bayles, age 16, said his group planted 21 trees throughout the Dalmore Meadows. "We had over 40 people there," Bayles said. "There were from around my neighborhoods, some friends, and some from Dalmore Meadows. We also had a few from the city, like the Fire Department and the parks guys."<br /><br />In all, Edwards explained that the volunteers saved the city more than $22,000. "It is a pity we can't honor everyone that showed up."<br /><br />The mayor and City Council, however, were suitably impressed. "I think it is very commendable that people want to get out and contribute to their city," said Jefferson Moss, council member.<br /><br />"We often hear nothing but the negative of qualities of the youth in this county," said Brent Call, council member. "And then I see you."<br /><br />"It is neat to see during difficult budget times people contribute," added Denise Kelly, council member. "It builds a sense of community. You helped build something, all of you that contributed. You have buy-in to your community and to our city."<br /><br />Mia Love, a council member that lives in the area of the park, said, "I would like to publicly thank the City Council members that spearheaded this, and wanted to get as many volunteers as possible. The council is so incredibly diverse, and come up with things you wouldn't normally think about."<br /><br />Everyone expressed their appreciation to the volunteers and city staff for working together to accomplish these great benefits for the city.";s:4:"link";s:67:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2008/12/saratoga-volunteers-honored.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:3957:"Saratoga volunteers honored    <br />Lance Madigan - North county staff    <br />What can a city do when they have land set aside for a park, but no money for development?<br /><br />Cash-strapped Saratoga Springs faced this problem as residents clamored to have their promised parks finished, yet budget cuts forced completion of the parks to be pushed way down on the priority list.<br />Having had many citizens say they would volunteer to help, the City Council and Mayor Tim Parker asked the administration to investigate the possibility of having a citizen corp do at least some work in the parks.<br /><br />The idea was hardly new, but is often overlooked because of concerns about liability for workers as well as having volunteers with more enthusiasm than skill sets -- thereby causing a city more work and cost when they have to fix something that wasn't put in correctly in the first place.<br /><br />However, with some careful management and creativity, Mark Edwards, Saratoga Springs public works director, reported to the City Council on Dec. 9 that both the Saratoga Hills and Dalmore Meadows parks were completed this year.<br /><br />"Lot of residents came together to help with Saratoga Hills and Dalmore Meadows parks," Edwards said. "Three Eagle Scouts were very instrumental in this, along with the [Harvest Hills Fourth Ward] Young Women's group and lots of unnamed people that come out. All together hundreds of volunteers helped out."<br /><br />The three Eagle Scouts included Joshua Anderson and Parker Jones (Troop 1059) and Derek Bayles (Troop 180). Each of these boys worked with Edwards and another volunteer, Cecil Tuley, to get volunteers out and coordinate their efforts.<br /><br />"So the city didn't have the money to finish the parks, but said that if they had volunteers that they would supply the materials," said Jones, age 15. "So I volunteered to do the trees because I live near the park."<br /><br />Jones said his group put in 48 trees of different varieties throughout the Saratoga Hills Park. It took the more than 60 volunteers about four hours, but everyone was excited by the results.<br /><br />"I organized laying of sod for Saratoga Hills," said Anderson, age 16. Anderson said they laid more than 82,000 square feet of sod. "I coordinated with Mark Edwards and Cecil Tuley, planning and getting out fliers. We had about 150 volunteers -- not all at once, but over time during the day."<br /><br />Bayles, age 16, said his group planted 21 trees throughout the Dalmore Meadows. "We had over 40 people there," Bayles said. "There were from around my neighborhoods, some friends, and some from Dalmore Meadows. We also had a few from the city, like the Fire Department and the parks guys."<br /><br />In all, Edwards explained that the volunteers saved the city more than $22,000. "It is a pity we can't honor everyone that showed up."<br /><br />The mayor and City Council, however, were suitably impressed. "I think it is very commendable that people want to get out and contribute to their city," said Jefferson Moss, council member.<br /><br />"We often hear nothing but the negative of qualities of the youth in this county," said Brent Call, council member. "And then I see you."<br /><br />"It is neat to see during difficult budget times people contribute," added Denise Kelly, council member. "It builds a sense of community. You helped build something, all of you that contributed. You have buy-in to your community and to our city."<br /><br />Mia Love, a council member that lives in the area of the park, said, "I would like to publicly thank the City Council members that spearheaded this, and wanted to get as many volunteers as possible. The council is so incredibly diverse, and come up with things you wouldn't normally think about."<br /><br />Everyone expressed their appreciation to the volunteers and city staff for working together to accomplish these great benefits for the city.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1230400500;}i:23;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-9206913484927233242";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:30:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2008-12-17T11:30:58.555-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:66:"Community service, not jail, for mother in negligent homicide case";s:11:"description";s:2931:"Community service, not jail, for mother in negligent homicide case<br /><br />By Sara Israelsen-Hartley<br />Deseret News<br />Published: December 17, 2008<br />PROVO — Inside her Saratoga Springs home, mother Regina Tausinga told the judge she has two pictures of 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich to remind herself and her son to make better decisions.<br /><br />"I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends and to the Mardesich family for the decisions I made that led up to this," Tausinga said through her tears. "Ted and Sharon (Mardesich) gave us a gift we can never repay. They forgave my son. I will try every day to be worthy of that gift."<br /><br />Tausinga, 40, pleaded no contest Wednesday to a class A misdemeanor of negligent homicide and guilty to a class C misdemeanor of allowing her unlicensed 15-year-old son to drive — a decision that cost Cooper his life.<br /><br />Cooper had been riding his bike in his Saratoga Springs neighborhood with his mother, Sharon, on Aug. 21, as they dropped another sibling off at the bus stop.<br /><br />Tausinga's son, who was driving the family van, failed to see Cooper after the bus pulled away and struck him with the vehicle.<br /><br />Cooper was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center where he later died.<br /><br />The agreement was that Tausinga would serve no time in jail, but give 185 hours of community service and spend one year on court probation.<br /><br />That was agreeable to the Mardesich family, who said they did not want their neighbor to go to jail, deputy Utah County attorney Guy Probert said.<br /><br />"It had been such a tragedy for both families, enough harm had been done," Probert said. "(They knew) nobody would benefit from her going to jail."<br /><br />Tausinga's son previously pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and was ordered by a juvenile court judge to also perform 185 hours of community service.<br /><br />The story, though tragic, has developed an incredible overtone of forgiveness.<br /><br />"Since this, the Tausinga and Mardesich families have become quite close," said defense attorney Stephen Frazier. "I haven't seen this before (where families) have come together over a tragedy like this."<br /><br />Frazier said the families' bonding has helped with both of their healing processes.<br /><br />"They are our friends," Ted Mardesich told Judge Lynn Davis, and called the accident an "error" and nothing malicious.<br /><br />Rather than send Tausinga's case for a pre-sentence review, as is common with most class A misdemeanors, especially where a death is involved, both sides wanted the sentencing immediately.<br /><br />Restitution will be settled within the next 60 days, as the Mardesich's are still receiving hospital bills related to Cooper's stay, Probert said.<br /><br />"This is another amazing story, in my estimation, as it relates to the gift of forgiveness," Davis said.";s:4:"link";s:77:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2008/12/community-service-not-jail-for-mother.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:2931:"Community service, not jail, for mother in negligent homicide case<br /><br />By Sara Israelsen-Hartley<br />Deseret News<br />Published: December 17, 2008<br />PROVO — Inside her Saratoga Springs home, mother Regina Tausinga told the judge she has two pictures of 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich to remind herself and her son to make better decisions.<br /><br />"I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends and to the Mardesich family for the decisions I made that led up to this," Tausinga said through her tears. "Ted and Sharon (Mardesich) gave us a gift we can never repay. They forgave my son. I will try every day to be worthy of that gift."<br /><br />Tausinga, 40, pleaded no contest Wednesday to a class A misdemeanor of negligent homicide and guilty to a class C misdemeanor of allowing her unlicensed 15-year-old son to drive — a decision that cost Cooper his life.<br /><br />Cooper had been riding his bike in his Saratoga Springs neighborhood with his mother, Sharon, on Aug. 21, as they dropped another sibling off at the bus stop.<br /><br />Tausinga's son, who was driving the family van, failed to see Cooper after the bus pulled away and struck him with the vehicle.<br /><br />Cooper was flown to Primary Children's Medical Center where he later died.<br /><br />The agreement was that Tausinga would serve no time in jail, but give 185 hours of community service and spend one year on court probation.<br /><br />That was agreeable to the Mardesich family, who said they did not want their neighbor to go to jail, deputy Utah County attorney Guy Probert said.<br /><br />"It had been such a tragedy for both families, enough harm had been done," Probert said. "(They knew) nobody would benefit from her going to jail."<br /><br />Tausinga's son previously pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and was ordered by a juvenile court judge to also perform 185 hours of community service.<br /><br />The story, though tragic, has developed an incredible overtone of forgiveness.<br /><br />"Since this, the Tausinga and Mardesich families have become quite close," said defense attorney Stephen Frazier. "I haven't seen this before (where families) have come together over a tragedy like this."<br /><br />Frazier said the families' bonding has helped with both of their healing processes.<br /><br />"They are our friends," Ted Mardesich told Judge Lynn Davis, and called the accident an "error" and nothing malicious.<br /><br />Rather than send Tausinga's case for a pre-sentence review, as is common with most class A misdemeanors, especially where a death is involved, both sides wanted the sentencing immediately.<br /><br />Restitution will be settled within the next 60 days, as the Mardesich's are still receiving hospital bills related to Cooper's stay, Probert said.<br /><br />"This is another amazing story, in my estimation, as it relates to the gift of forgiveness," Davis said.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1229542200;}i:24;a:9:{s:4:"guid";s:69:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248.post-7162813654366541903";s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:29:00 +0000";s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:7:"updated";s:29:"2008-12-17T11:29:58.846-08:00";}s:5:"title";s:50:"S.S. woman pleads no contest to negligent homicide";s:11:"description";s:2756:"S.S. woman pleads no contest to negligent homicide    <br />Janice Peterson - Daily Herald    <br />A Saratoga Springs woman charged in the accidental death of a 4-year-old boy entered a plea agreement Wednesday in which she will not be required to serve jail time.<br />Regina Tausinga’s misdemeanor charges, which include negligent homicide, not having insurance and permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, stem from an August accident in which her unlicensed teenage son struck and killed 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich.<br />Tausinga pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and guilty to permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, while the charge of not having insurance was dismissed. She was also sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and 185 hours of community service.<br />“I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends, the Mardesich family, for the decisions I made that led up to this,” Tausinga said.<br />Tausinga told the court she now keeps two pictures of Cooper Mardesich in her home as a reminder to make good decisions and to be good people. The Mardesich family has given her a gift she can never repay - their forgiveness for her son. Every day, Tausinga said, she tries to earn their gift of forgiveness.<br />“We’ll be sorry forever,” she said.<br />The Mardesich family was in court to support Tausinga and was a part of the process, attorneys said. They spoke before Judge Lynn Davis, saying they are friends with the Tausinga family and do not wish to punish them for the accident.<br />“We don’t seek any kind of restitution,” said Ted Mardesich. “That’s really not necessary in our eyes.”<br />Judge Davis said he would reluctantly accept the motions from both sides to continue with sentencing Wednesday as well. Davis said he felt he had been left out of the loop, as he did not know the boy’s name, age or the circumstances in the case.<br />“I know nothing as it relates to the death of the small boy,” he said.<br />Davis also questioned the assertion that Tausinga had taken responsibility for the crime and should not serve jail time. A no contest plea, he said, was not the same as taking responsibility. However, prosecutor Guy Probert said Tausinga had pleaded guilty to the charge of allowing her son to drive the car, which was the catalyst in the event.<br />Defense attorney Stephen Frazier said Tausinga was not the one driving the car, and he believes the case could be defended well in court. However, he said his client feels horribly about the incident and wanted to resolve the case in order to help both families heal.<br />“It’s been difficult on both families, certainly the Mardesich family also,” he said.";s:4:"link";s:79:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/2008/12/ss-woman-pleads-no-contest-to-negligent.html";s:6:"author";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:7:"summary";s:2756:"S.S. woman pleads no contest to negligent homicide    <br />Janice Peterson - Daily Herald    <br />A Saratoga Springs woman charged in the accidental death of a 4-year-old boy entered a plea agreement Wednesday in which she will not be required to serve jail time.<br />Regina Tausinga’s misdemeanor charges, which include negligent homicide, not having insurance and permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, stem from an August accident in which her unlicensed teenage son struck and killed 4-year-old Cooper Mardesich.<br />Tausinga pleaded no contest to negligent homicide and guilty to permitting an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle, while the charge of not having insurance was dismissed. She was also sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and 185 hours of community service.<br />“I just want to apologize to the court, my family and friends, the Mardesich family, for the decisions I made that led up to this,” Tausinga said.<br />Tausinga told the court she now keeps two pictures of Cooper Mardesich in her home as a reminder to make good decisions and to be good people. The Mardesich family has given her a gift she can never repay - their forgiveness for her son. Every day, Tausinga said, she tries to earn their gift of forgiveness.<br />“We’ll be sorry forever,” she said.<br />The Mardesich family was in court to support Tausinga and was a part of the process, attorneys said. They spoke before Judge Lynn Davis, saying they are friends with the Tausinga family and do not wish to punish them for the accident.<br />“We don’t seek any kind of restitution,” said Ted Mardesich. “That’s really not necessary in our eyes.”<br />Judge Davis said he would reluctantly accept the motions from both sides to continue with sentencing Wednesday as well. Davis said he felt he had been left out of the loop, as he did not know the boy’s name, age or the circumstances in the case.<br />“I know nothing as it relates to the death of the small boy,” he said.<br />Davis also questioned the assertion that Tausinga had taken responsibility for the crime and should not serve jail time. A no contest plea, he said, was not the same as taking responsibility. However, prosecutor Guy Probert said Tausinga had pleaded guilty to the charge of allowing her son to drive the car, which was the catalyst in the event.<br />Defense attorney Stephen Frazier said Tausinga was not the one driving the car, and he believes the case could be defended well in court. However, he said his client feels horribly about the incident and wanted to resolve the case in order to help both families heal.<br />“It’s been difficult on both families, certainly the Mardesich family also,” he said.";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1229542140;}}s:7:"channel";a:9:{s:4:"atom";a:1:{s:2:"id";s:44:"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-293086147952467248";}s:13:"lastbuilddate";s:31:"Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:50:50 +0000";s:5:"title";s:22:"Saratoga Springs, Utah";s:11:"description";s:80:"A collection of articles relating to what's happening in Saratoga Springs, Utah.";s:4:"link";s:27:"http://ssutah.blogspot.com/";s:14:"managingeditor";s:36:"noreply@blogger.com (Jefferson Moss)";s:9:"generator";s:7:"Blogger";s:10:"opensearch";a:3:{s:12:"totalresults";s:3:"430";s:10:"startindex";s:1:"1";s:12:"itemsperpage";s:2:"25";}s:7:"tagline";s:80:"A collection of articles relating to what's happening in Saratoga Springs, Utah.";}s:9:"textinput";a:0:{}s:5:"image";a:0:{}s:9:"feed_type";s:3:"RSS";s:12:"feed_version";s:3:"2.0";s:8:"encoding";s:5:"UTF-8";s:16:"_source_encoding";s:0:"";s:5:"ERROR";s:0:"";s:7:"WARNING";s:0:"";s:19:"_CONTENT_CONSTRUCTS";a:6:{i:0;s:7:"content";i:1;s:7:"summary";i:2;s:4:"info";i:3;s:5:"title";i:4;s:7:"tagline";i:5;s:9:"copyright";}s:16:"_KNOWN_ENCODINGS";a:3:{i:0;s:5:"UTF-8";i:1;s:8:"US-ASCII";i:2;s:10:"ISO-8859-1";}s:5:"stack";a:0:{}s:9:"inchannel";b:0;s:6:"initem";b:0;s:9:"incontent";b:0;s:11:"intextinput";b:0;s:7:"inimage";b:0;s:17:"current_namespace";b:0;s:13:"last_modified";s:31:"Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:50:50 GMT
";s:4:"etag";s:30:"W/"C0cBQX4-fCl7ImA9WhFUFkg."
";}