May 12, 2010 – Meeting Minutes

Officers and Board Members present: Jeff Bair, Holly Christmas, Jim Fisher, Chris Herrmann, Wayne Howcroft, Devin Howells, Steve Hunt, Marilyn Oblad, Chuck Robbins, Don Roylance, DeWitt Smith: Quorum present

Due to technical problems, not enough copies for review were available. Jim Fisher motioned to suspend the review of minutes to the next meeting, Wayne Howcroft seconded the motion. Motion passed

Jennifer P., a resident in the area, was able to attend the Community Council meeting for the first time this month. She lives in the area of the council south of 1700 South.

The Mobile Market is looking for locations to hold its market. The markets are held year-round, once a month, and each lasts about 2 hours. Ideal locations are near their target audience – people that may not be able to go to a Farmer’s Market in the City, but would benefit from access to fresh, local food. Locations would need truck access and parking. Indoor and outdoor space is preferred, and needed during inclement weather.

The market is also in need of partners to provide volunteers, distribute information and help increase awareness to potential customers. Student housing groups, retirement communities are some of the ideas. Please contact them if you have other ideas they could pursue.

Next market will be held at Rowland Hall on Guardsman Way on June 11.

Contact Information: For more information on the Market, or to share ideas, you can contact the co-op at community@crossroads-u-c.org or (801) 746-7878. Their web site is: https://foodco-op.net/

The Aviary is on the historic site of the original zoo in Salt Lake City. A historically magnificent site, there infrastructure is suffering from deferred maintenance. Thanks to a bond that passed in 2008, that maintenance can now be undertaken. Additionally, the Aviary is adding exhibits (inside and outside) and renovating the North Entrance that faces the interior of Liberty Park with the bond funds.

Construction already under way and will continue for at least another 2 years.

Phase A of the project includes new exhibits outside and adding some indoor exhibits for the first time. This phase is almost complete.

Phase B involves renovating the North entrance and adding space for classrooms. The team to design and build this phase has just been selected and the public input process is starting. The Historic Landmark Commission is the overseer for this location and there will be a presentation made for them in July or August.

There are 4 more projects after Phase B: An indoor exhibit of Panama, and indoor exhibit on Mexico, a new amphitheater and a complete reworking of the infrastructure (sewer, water, gas, etc.)

Reasoning behind proposed rate increase: Some SLC water infrastructure is over 100 years old. The water infrastructure done in a period after the 1950s used a concrete that is not holding up well to some of the chemicals in the system and these lines have been failing. Since Salt Lake City has been proactive and used statistics on lines and leaks to predict future problems so that they can be taken care of, we have not suffered from poor water quality, but the City feels that now is the time to replace a large part of the current, aging infrastructure to keep that level of quality and prevent future costs.

For the average household in Salt Lake the increase would be about $1.25 per month, depending on your water usage. Additionally, there would be a fourth tier added to the drinking water price tiers for those using the most water – currently about 3% of the users. The fourth tier may also server as an incentive for water preservation.

The City received $6.3 million for the replacement of digester covers from the federal stimulus grants. The new covers will increase the energy production from waste and allow these facilities to be off the power grid. The current digesters allow them to be 50% off-line for power.

The rate increase will not go into effect unless it is approved by the City Council. There will be a hearing at the May 18 City Council meeting and the Council will vote on June 22. If you have questions about the need for the rate increase or about the project in general, you can reach Stephanie Duer at 801.483.6860

Stephanie also talked about the Utility Departments efforts to improve the mapping of water and sewer lines, public and private as well as provide residents with more information on how to keep their lines in good shape. In regard to grey water, Stephanie is discouraging it for our area since the studies on its use were done in the eastern U.S. where the soil is very acidic, there is greater moisture for decomposition and the environment is better able to break down the matter. In our area, the situation is about the opposite and extensive use of grey water could kill the soil, making it impossible to grow plant life without replacing the soil completely – it would not be possible to amend the soil back to health.

Utah Heritage Foundation Award: The core neighbors from the Liberty Wells area who participated in the efforts to prevent the expansion of Institutional zoning and loss of historically contributing homes received an aware from the Utah Heritage Foundation on April 30. Jeff Bair and Garo Topdjian, two of these neighbors, were present at the ceremony to accept the award.

Celebrate the City to be held May 15 at the Fisher Mansion at 1206 West and 200 South. There will be family activities from 1-4 PM. The Beer Garden opens at 5:00 PM with entertainment from the School of Rock.

The Council is knee-deep in the budget currently. The mayor’s budget proposes the elimination of 65 positions in the City, 25 of those are currently occupied. If you wish to address them on other issues, it is best to wait until after June 22 so that they can give you their full attention.

The curbside waste program is being reworked. In the future, all residents will get a green-waste bin as well. If you do not want a green-waste bin, you can reject receiving it, but it will not lower your monthly cost. The City is also adding glass recycling locations. A list of these locations can be found at http://www.slcgov.com/slcgreen/recycle/glass.htm

Det Potter was unable to attend this meeting.

Don announced a new award for neighbors with nice yards. If you have a neighbor you feel keeps up a great yard, send the address to Don Roylance at roylanced@gmail.com

200 feet of SLCC’s parking lot is zoned as an alley. They would like to have it rezoned as parking lot and have asked if the Community Council has any objections. No objections to the change were expressed and DeWitt will write a letter indicating that for the College.

Chair Nominations

DeWitt Smith (nominated at April 14 meeting). He accepted this nomination.

No additional nominations were made – nominations closed

Vice Chair Nominations

Don Roylance (nominated at April 14 meeting). He accepted this nomination.

No additional nominations were made – nominations closed

Secretary Nominations

Holly Christmas (nominated at April 14 meeting; she was not in attendance). She is not able to accept this nomination.

No additional nominations were made – the nominations for this position remain open

Treasurer Nominations

Steve Hunt (nominated at April 14 meeting). He accepted this nomination.

No additional nominations were made – nominations closed

Parliamentarian Nominations

Old Wayne Howcroft (nominated at April 14 meeting). He accepted this nomination.

No additional nominations were made – nominations closed

Board Nominations

The following people were nominated and accepted their nominations at the April 14 Meeting:
Jeff Bair, Jim Fisher, Devin Howells, Bryant Larsen, Chris Herrmann, Charles Robbins, Marilyn Oblad, Young Wayne Howcroft, Matt Fields, Melissa Madden, Larry Simpson

Holly Christmas was nominated for the Board, she accepted.

No additional nominations were made – nominations closed

A motion was made to accept the officer nominations in their entirety by acclamation. Motion seconded. Oral vote on officers with all accepted into office.

A motion was made to accept the board member nominations in their entirety by acclamation. Motion seconded. Oral vote on board members with all accepted into office.