News Around Town - January 24, 2011

Escalante City Council: City Council Met on January 18^th. During the Personal Comment section of the meeting, in which citizens are invited to share thoughts, ideas and concerns, the gentleman who spoke at the last meeting about initiating a walking trail project in and around town provided an update. He has been contacting private landowners about permission to establish a trail along the river and has received generally positive response.

Planning and Zoning described an upcoming meeting with attorney Justin Fischer regarding legalities of subdivisions. Elaine Lott expressed appreciation to Vicki Schulkoski and Stephanie Steed for their assistance in making up folders for the new ordinances.

The City discussed and passed a motion to raise the filing fees for subdivisions. This action will be referred to Planning and Zoning where an ordinance will be written and referred back to City Council for final approval. It is expected that the cost will increase to $200. Lori Coleman, previously an alternate to Planning and Zoning, will assume a regular position due to the resignation of another member of the board. One building permit was passed for a fence.

Highway 12: John Holland gave his annual Report on National Scenic Byway Highway 12. In the past year, the Highway 12 Committee has been replacing route signs along the road. All 60 new signs are to be replaced again because of a defective adhesive that delaminated under ultraviolet light. The signs were under warranty, so replacement monies are unnecessary. Six additional signs, mostly in the Bryce Canyon area, will be added. Highway 12 Committee has also been replacing the older route guides, typically given away at travel shows or in businesses and visitor’s centers.

Mr. Holland stated that the counties would be funding route guides. A joint grant with the Dixie National Forest to replace the restrooms in Red Canyon and, possibly including interpretive paths and landscaping, may be in the future. Future issues facing the Highway 12 Committee include a decision to extend the existing paved bicycle route or construct a pavilion in Cannonville. Mayor Taylor asked if extension of the bicycle path across the county was being considered. Mr. Holland replied that the Garfield County Commission is interested in paving to Bryce Canyon National Park and possibly through Tropic. Henrieville has not weighed in on this issue. Torrey is enthusiastic about a bike-pedestrian path.

Russian Olive: Representatives from the Escalante River Watershed Partnership provided an information session and a PowerPoint display regarding one of their premier projects. This project involves the removal of Russian Olive, often considered a noxious weed, from the Escalante River. The partnership has spent much of its time in the past two years on planning for and removing Russian Olive from the river.

It is clear that Russian Olive is taking over the river environment, choking out access by animal and man, displacing native plant and animal habitats and disrupting farm and rangeland. Ten years ago, an Escalante resident spearheaded Russian Olive removal in the lower Escalante. During the past two years, Russian Olive removal has been accomplished in parts of Boulder, adjacent to the Escalante-Calf Creek junction and near the Main Canyon turnoff west of Escalante.

As the project evolved, “Best Practices” for the removal of Russian Olive have been developed. Simply cutting the trees down is ineffective because the root system of the plant is massive relative to the visible part of the tree. Once cut the vigorous roots waste no time in sending up new shoots, thus ultimately worsening the problem and increasing the potential for further seed production. Systematic observations of tree removal results have yielded what seem to be the most effective procedures for elimination of the plant.

The partnership now has funding for Russian Olive removal on private land located primarily to the west of town. Landowners in the designated area have been contacted and most, if not all, have agreed to participate in the project. The partnership anticipates hiring local residents as part of this year’s project as well as for the future monitoring that will be needed to insure that the plants have been eliminated.

Mayor Taylor described his involvement in previous Escalante River Watershed Partnership meetings and made clear the fact that the city has influence only over land that lies within city limits. The next meeting of the Partnership will be held on Tuesday, the 25^th of January in the conference room of the Richfield Quality Inn from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

Additional information about the Watershed Partnership will be available in a future edition of the Escalante Newsletter.

Spice: Barry Huntington, Esq. has contacted the city regarding a new manufactured drug called "spice." The drug is a marijuana-like substance and is so new that no laws currently exist regarding manufacture or possession. Mr. Huntington suggests that the city be proactive in establishing ordinances against "spice." A model ordinance has been written which may be adopted. "Spice" will likely be one of the first items to be addressed by the state legislature when it meets in the forthcoming weeks. The City Council approved a motion to adopt the ordinance at the next City Council meeting.

Odds & Ends: Councilman Allen reported that the airport project will be starting back up on the 1^st of March. Councilwoman Torgersen expressed gratitude to those who helped with the seasonal lighting along Main Street.

Christmas Train: There are few places outside of Disneyland and Disneyworld where a person can experience the nighttime magic of a lighted train. The City of Escalante and the Escalante Newsletter would like to thank the Wilson and Shurtz families: Lenza Wilson, Zack Wilson, Dale Wilson, and Susan Shurtz for the wonderful Christmas train. The family put in many hours creating one of the very special aspects of living in Escalante. Thank you.

From the Mayor’s Desk: Mayor Taylor is unavailable this week. Look for his comments in the next edition.

News Around Town - January 4, 2011

Escalante City Council

The City Council met on January 4, 2011 following a month hiatus. The meeting began with personal comments by members of the public.

Walking Path: One gentleman proposed that a walking path or trail be developed, possibly from the Escalante River to the State Park. He volunteered to initiate this project and hopes to obtain funding from grants and possibly from the State Park. He requested that the city provide him with the names of property owners along the river in order to obtain their approval for the project. Property ownership can be obtained from the city offices during regular business hours.

Community Development Meeting: On a related topic, Mayor Taylor will be exploring the option of having another community development meeting like that held last year. A woman who has been active in the community expressed appreciation for the gestures made by the city and community members during the holidays.

Holiday Festival: During scheduled business, one citizen asked Council permission to develop a holiday festival to be held the Friday and Saturday preceding Thanksgiving. The concept would include a crafts fair, a fully decorated Community Center and a street festival on Friday evening where hot chocolate would be served. In order to insure the best outcome, vendors need to have the dates established well ahead of time. In addition, the planting of an evergreen tree on the Community Center grounds would serve as a focus for decoration in the forthcoming years. The City Council approved this project. Mayor Taylor designated Melani Torgersen as supervising councilperson as festival plans develop.

Airport: The airport lease agreement, as written by the city attorney, was approved.

Lighting: The Potato Valley Lions Club requested that the new entrance signs be lighted at night. The Council discussed of this matter and concern was raised that on the west side of town the sign is located too far from available electricity to light without costly infrastructure. Solar lighting is often used in such situations. Greg Hughes will explore the possibility of solar lighting and will also check with D.O.T. The topic will be put on the agenda at a future date when a more informed decision could be made.

City Employee: Hiring a new city employee will be deferred until later in the year. This decision was made based on cost saving as well as decreased need for city labor in winter.

Landfill Management: The city suggested that citizens might participate in a committee who will be trained in landfill management and be available “on-call” so that the people of Escalante may have more frequent access. Better access will spare employees, allow citizens to avoid illegal dumping in the dumpsters, and presumably save the community money. Folks who are interested in a landfill opportunity may contact Vickie at the city offices (826-4644)

Water Rights: Water, water everywhere… The subject on the agenda was “Water Rights-Irrigation Company.“ The city of Escalante has been asked to "transfer" 260 acre-feet of water to the New Escalante Irrigation Company. The City would undertake this action with the understanding that the transfer would be temporary and revocable at any time. An extensive discussion ensued related to the complicated water laws in the western United States. During the past few years, our city has experienced multiple water crises as the result of an aging culinary water system. Now that our water system has been rebuilt, (with many thanks for the years of effort by Councilman Graham), it is important to monitor and evaluate how we use water. "Unused" water risks loss of the water rights based on the archaic Prior Appropriation Doctrine*.

Hence, unused water attached to empty houses or homes that are used only for short periods of the year, as well as water saving measures such as low-flow fixtures may actually be harmful to the city’s access to water resources. The city will continue consulting with attorneys regarding water law and will proceed to insure our water future. The legal "use" of water by Wide Hollow/New Escalante Irrigation Company will insure that water is used (in a legal sense) and will protect our water from "takings." City employees and councilpersons will be attending conferences/trainings regarding new impact fee laws, well and water system maintenance and EMT training.

* Prior Appropriation Doctrine: state statues regard all water as public property. Rights to use water are based on the quantity, source, priority, nature of use, point of diversion, date and beneficial–physical use of the water. Beneficial use is the basis of all water rights in the state. The “water code” was enacted in 1903, then revised and reenacted in 1919. Much of Utah is closed to new water appropriations. Therefore, new allocations require obtaining existing rights. The Code, Title 73, can be seen at http://www.le.state.ut.us/~code/TiTLE73/TITLE73.htm.

Annexation: Citizens to the east of the city limits are requesting annexation. The council discussed the need for annexation and the challenges of providing services to out-of-city-limits residents but only getting partial compensation from the county. One person in the audience stated that as much annexation as possible would be helpful to the city’s future. The Council appeared to agree.

Saw Mill: Mayor Taylor will be attending meetings (1/26) with Sen. Hatch, Rep. Matheson, the Forest Service and others regarding the revitalization of the Saw Mill.

Emergency Preparedness Committee: Mayor Taylor asked that an Emergency Preparedness Committee be established to involve the Police, Search & Rescue, the EMTs, Fire Department, the Forest Service and the Monument. Councilman Greg Hughes will head the committee.

Welcoming Committee: A volunteer is being sought to head a welcoming committee that would help people moving into town.

Holiday Lights: Councilwoman Torgersen requested that holiday lights be included in the next budget.

Main Street: Councilman Hughes will be sending a letter to all city businesses regarding the previously reported serious problem caused by grease in the sewer lines and to businesses which front on Main Street regarding their obligations to remove snow.

From the Mayor’s Desk
"Happy New Year". I hope each of you had a wonderful holiday season! The year 2010 is behind us now and it's important that we look forward to 2011. Let us use the past to help us shape the future. As your Mayor I'm excited for this New Year and the challenges that it brings.

During the past year we made some great strides in our community. As we look to the future there is much to be done. I ask for your help and enthusiasm in making our community the best place to live. We need to create jobs and opportunities in our city. We need to work to strengthen our schools. This can only be accomplished by working together. Please remember that my door is always open and I am open to great ideas and help. No one person can do it alone.... So let us work together. Remember Escalante is a great place to live.

Escalante Newsletter: the product of a partnership between Escalante City and citizen volunteers. Letters and comments may be left at the City Offices or entered at EscalanteNews.blogspot.com.