News Around Town - November 18, 2010

Escalante City Council: The Escalante City Council devoted the beginning of the November 16th meeting to a public hearing on the new Planning and Zoning Ordinances. A formal Planning and Zoning Hearing was held on September 28th. The purpose of last Tuesday’s meeting was to adopt the new ordinances. The public was invited to address the council and express concerns.

One citizen pointed out that, in order to get a water meter, one must have a building permit in hand. Property buyers are reluctant to purchase land without available water. In other communities, a significant deposit on a water meter is required with a two-year build-out interval allowed for design, permitting and construction. If the project is not completed within that window of time, the deposit is forfeited.

Another citizen discussed the irregularity of many city lots and suggested that, “Required minimum lot widths are not compatible with required minimum acreage as they relate to the typical Escalante lot.” He made a suggestion as to how this inherent conflict might be remedied: a simple change in the minimum frontage.

Councilman Dunn stated that he spent much time reviewing the ordinances. “What we have before us is a good representation of what we want to see.” He made a motion that the ordinances be passed. The Council went on to describe the ordinances as a working document, amenable to revision at any time. Indeed, further changes are anticipated, as Justin Fischer will be meeting again with P & Z in January to further review the complex issues surrounding subdivision. The ordinances were passed and thanks were expressed to the tireless work done by the Planning & Zoning group. In addition, the many citizens who attended the Planning and Zoning meeting were acknowledged.

A citizen made personal comments to the Council regarding potholes, particularly on Center Street. This issue was discussed at length at two points in the meeting. The City will work to fill the more severe potholes in the near future; however, filling many of the holes will be more cost effective if the projects can be done in the spring.

The City Council tabled three items on the agenda. The City Holiday Party was scheduled. One of the Councilpersons and one of the City workers will be attending pesticide workshops in order to keep pesticide certification current. The old Clinic propane heater, new at the time a fire destroyed the building, will be recycled into one of the City shops in order to keep the diesel sewer truck from freezing. Funding will come from the sewer fund.

Heard Around Town: “Body searches ahead of time may prevent body searches afterward.”

From the Community: Skyhoopi Thrift Store is readying for Christmas. Decorations abound and a sale will begin on Saturday, November 26th. As usual, donations are always welcome.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is an award that honors those who have demonstrated a commitment to helping individuals or community. The award was established during the recent Bush administration and is being continued by the Obama administration. Six Escalante citizens have been honored for exemplary volunteer service:

• Arnold Alvey
• Dana Waggoner
• Deon Alvey
• Karen Rangitsch
• Pat Sorensen
• Susan Nelson

Guest Editorial: “A democratic government is a privilege and a responsibility. Our system is currently dysfunctional in part because we see ourselves as consumers, not citizens. That is, we expect service. We don’t feel compelled to participate in the well-being of our community or our country.

We, as citizens, like the private and public sectors, have mostly lost the sense of what it means to work towards the common good. Imagine if [we] had been asked to serve our country as caring citizens instead of asking us to go shopping soon after 9-11.

Let’s change that. Can we work together as citizens for the common good? We can be the model for others – including congress – to follow.” (The Coffee Party, an Internet group that strives to promote civil political discourse.)

Bountiful Baskets is a food co-op serving several western states including Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. From Aurora to Willard, approximately 225 monthly deliveries are made in Utah alone. Escalante receives deliveries two Saturdays per month. Remarkably fresh produce, the mainstay of the organization, arrives and is separated into baskets by local volunteers. Indeed, volunteers alone operate the whole organization. Prices are remarkably low. In addition, fresh bread, special selections and cases of seasonal produce are offered. Sign up and ordering are done online on an individual basis. Some people, especially those with small families, choose to split an order. People who are interested in participating may contact Brenda Lyman at 826-4459.

Stylin’: Salt Lake City fashionistas have been observed wearing skinny jeans tucked into knee-high boots. A matching long, knit scarf and beret, completes the ensemble.

From the Mayor’s Desk: Thanksgiving is just a few days away and overall we have a lot to be thankful for. We live in a wonderful place with great friends and neighbors. Having said this, though, let us be aware of those around us. We have been fortunate with some good jobs in town this year but there may be some people who are still in need. It is my hope that we could all be good neighbors and lend a helping hand when we can.

Speaking of good neighbors I had one person approach me and talk to me about growth in town. They would like to build a place but felt that our impact fees are a little high. She felt that it’s important that we should help young couples and families get started here. So I’m asking you, what do you think? How do you feel about growth, about impact fees, about water meters? What should be the criteria to get a water meter? Should we allow meters outside city limits? As your mayor I want to hear from you, as does the city council. Growth is important to the survival of this community, but what kind of growth would you like to see? It means a great deal to me when we work hard and stick together as a community. Being able to do this will help us meet the challenges that occur during change. Remember Escalante is a great place to live and raise a family.

Escalante Newsletter is the product of a partnership between Escalante City and citizen volunteers. Letters and comments may be left at the City Offices. Respectful letters of 250 words or less may be published, anonymously if requested.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

News Around Town - November 6, 2010

Escalante City Council met on Wednesday, November 3, 2010. The meeting began with enthusiastic “thank yous” from citizens who were pleased with the recent maintenance of city lighting. The light at the front of the city office building was rehabilitated and old light bulbs were replaced on Main Street. City Council thanked the employees and Lenza Wilson for the recent work on various projects.

Planning & Zoning announced that next Tuesday Justin Fisher will attend its meeting to help complete the new set of ordinances providing advice on the legalities surrounding subdivisions. A conditional use permit was authorized in order to allow visiting family members to use water in, and install temporary skirting around, a recreational vehicle that is driven to Escalante seasonally. A business license was granted, as was a building permit for a garage. Lori Coleman was designated as the new alternate for the Planning and Zoning committee.

Among the scheduled items on the agenda, water rights with the New Escalante Irrigation district, airport business and Fire Department sign were all tabled due to absence of key persons or need for additional information. The city will no longer offer online billing to water customers and has sent letters to those who have previously used this service. The service is no longer cost-effective. Clarification of the city’s obligation to maintain the planting on Main Street has been clarified. A city worker will contact a potential source for the use of an air compressor in order to clear the drip irrigation system. The annual city Christmas party was discussed.

Mayor Taylor described a number of community issues that need to be addressed. Citizens who need to report a concern, particularly a nuisance issue such as barking dogs, should contact Police Dispatch at 676-1134. If an individual is experiencing an emergency, then 911 should be called. 911 should be used for emergencies only. (Ed. Note by Jean Bramble: Some communities levy fines for non-emergency use of 911. Abuse of 911 has the potential to invite fines, and therefore, more intrusive government, into our independent lives!) Calls to dispatch are automatically compiled as important data that helps determine deployment of police personnel around the county. On another subject, Mayor Taylor emphasized that, contrary to current rumor, he has not spent, nor has he authorized, $6000 for windows on the new fire station doors. Donny Porter discussed the $600 that is presently in a donation fund for the Fire Department. A vacuum cleaner is needed for the building. Taylor and Porter will review this operating expense in the near future, making the suggestion that the vacuum may not need to come from donated funds. Future discussions at City Council and in more informal situations are expected to center around growth in Escalante. A consideration of decreasing impact fees and attracting young families is anticipated. Finally, Mr. Taylor expressed gratitude to those who have been helping with the recent difficulties with the sewer system (see below).

Volunteers are needed to put up Christmas lights in the city. Melani Torgersen and others announced that volunteers are needed to place lights along a designated portion of Main Street. In addition, the city is requesting that each business decorate for the holidays.

Sewage and the City: A ten- to fifteen-yard-long grease plug was found in the city sewer lines. According to Blaine Porter, city employee, without the recently purchased sewer tool, the plug would have remained fixed in position. The mess caused by the plug unpleasantly affected South Central Communications. A number of citizens and council members engaged with one another and the mayor regarding this repeated difficulty. A suggestion was made to pour a grease-eating chemical into the sewer system. Some citizens voiced concerns regarding the use of potentially toxic chemicals and possible impact on animals. The city may consider use of the sewer camera to ascertain the source(s) of the grease. Once determined, a hefty fine could be levied. All establishments that cook and serve the public are required by law to have grease filters. The city is legally liable for any untoward effects from dangerous sewer build-up (Ed. Note by Jean Bramble: Think: methane explosion, disease). Used grease is to be put in containers and disposed of in those containers. Commercially used grease is to be put in special containers. The toxic waste specialist who services Ruby’s Inn has signaled willingness to come to Escalante and pick up locally generated commercial grease on the same trips. His name is available from the city: 826-4644.

Daylight Savings Time Ends this Saturday night. Clocks should be turned-back one hour. (Fall back!)

From the Mayor’s Desk: it seems to me that we didn’t have a summer; it came and went so quickly. Now we are into fall and our Thanksgiving time. Before you know it winter will be upon us! The work on the reservoir is moving along, our airport is being paved at this very moment. We planted lawn at our park and things are looking good there. What’s next? Have you ever thought about starting some community education classes for the winter? Maybe we could have some around the world cooking classes, or cake decorating, music, woodshop, or maybe even woodcarving, or a painting class or two. The sky is the limit. We have a lot of talent in this little community! Now what else can we do as a community? We need to look for job opportunities; we need to get our support behind our sawmill. What about an assisted living center? I’m sure many of you have some GREAT ideas; don’t be afraid to share them with our city council and me. You never know where the next idea will come from. I appreciate all of you, and all that you are doing. Let’s work together to make Escalante the Best Community ever. Remember Escalante is a great place to live.