Greater Avenues Community Council

Council Meeting Minutes, January 3, 2007

Board Members Attending: Michael Hughes; Wayne Green; John Sittner; Trina Smith; Steve Mecham; Jaynie Brown; Phil Carroll; Thella Mae Christensen; Weston Clark; Jim Jenkin; Wynn Johnson; Walter Jones; Dave Jonsson; Judith Locke; Trish Orlando; Lon Richardson III; Ann Tillson; Jill Van Langeveld

7:00 PM Welcome and Announcements by Michael Hughes, 2007 GACC Chair, followed by GACC Committee Reports:

Housing Committee – Lon Richardson briefly mentioned some of the issues the housing committee is addressing. Chiefly, the issues of subdividing homes and how far homes should be set back from the street were mentioned. Michael also mentioned housing issues could be reviewed from the GACC webpage.

CERT Committee – Carleton DeTar was absent, but requested we announce the quarterly meeting on January 17th, as highlighted in the GACC Newsletter.

Traffic Committee – Jim Jenkins mentioned the West Bench General Plan, which consists of the 75,000 acres of land that Kennecott Land plans to develop over the next 25 – 50 years and deals with issues ranging from transportation to green space. Also mentioned was the Mountain View Corridor and the recently announced preferred route along 5800 West. Funding is still an issue that has not been addressed. We were also reminded to please slow down at crosswalks and that a painted white line is not required for a crosswalk to exist at all intersections.

City Council – Eric Jergensen reminded us that not stopping for pedestrians is a criminal and not a civil offense. He mentioned the Human Rights Commission article in the newsletter and encouraged interested people to apply. He brought the Kennecott Land Proposal up again and reviewed issues such as environmental & wildlife integrity, elevation & slope restrictions, its impact on the Northwest Master Plan, modes of transportation, the “Talings Pond Center”, etc. and has suggests to have Kennecott Land and the County report on this issue in greater detail at a future GACC meeting.

He noted his objectives for the coming year 1) 4th Avenue Stairs, 2) Emergency Basics in every home, 3) Traffic Issues, 4) SR1-A Zone Updates, and 5) Absentee Landlords Legislation.

Sweet Library – Alveeda Lausher mentioned the new sound system with a better microphone and a longer cord for those who like to talk and travel with the mic. She briefly highlighted the city library newsletter, and invited us to attend the Gala Celebration at the main library on February 10th.

Police – Matthew Evans announced that he was being reassigned and praised our crime prevention efforts in the Avenues. His replacement will be introduced at the February GACC meeting.

Utah State Senator – Scott McCoy excused Ralph Becker (House of Representatives) who was at another meeting that night. Brought up the 45 day session that begins January 15th, and petitioned that we let him know what issues are of interest to us. He noted his committee assignments: Gov’t Operations & Political Subdivisions; Health & Human Services; Judiciary, Law Enf. & Criminal Justice. He mentioned 3 bills he is proposing: a Manufacture Take Back Bill for recycling; a right to health care bill; a smoking ban in cars when children are present.

Mayor’s Office Liaison – Gwen Springmeyer passed out the January/February calendar. She emphasized their push that Martin Luther King Jr. Day be a day of service starting with a food drive at 1025 S 700 W at 9AM, the 16th being Mayor Anderson’s State of the City address, and the 17th Community Conference meeting being a great opportunity to address the Mayor with questions or concerns you might have from the state of the city address. She also mentioned the need to volunteers to serve of 36 different City boards. She stayed after the meeting with a list of those boards and applications for residents to take.

She also emphasized the power the council has when we send in our own recommendations. Lastly, she mentioned the reorganization of the CAT detective team, and offered to have Terry Fritz come and present the changes to the team at our Feb GACC meeting.

7:45 PM Phil Carroll announced the beginning of work by the Memory Grove Clean Up Committee to plan this year’s Memory Grove Cleanup on the 2nd Saturday of May. He asked anyone interested in helping to plan the event to send him an email at AltaPac@aol.com. Jim Jenkin put a big plug in to Gwen that we would love to see the Mayor at this year’s memory Grove Cleanup since we had City Council and County Mayors attend in previous years. Gwen will recommend to Mayor. Cleanup to be held 2nd Saturday of May.

7:50 PM Steve Mecham presented his review of the GACC 2006 calendar year. He highlighted the Council’s efforts through the work of the board, committees and residents, to get 501c(3) status for the GACC, the expansion of the newsletter from four to six pages which provides more information and revenues, the GACC meeting held at the salt storage pavilion on Bonneville Drive in August, our very successful Memory Grove Cleanup in May, the stellar Street Fair in September, and the GACC’s efforts to help one of our neighbors in trouble with the City by organizing a service project. He highlighted that he wanted service to become a GACC tradition and encouraged us to look around and see who needed help that was beyond our own abilities. The crowning achievement of the year was the Housing Compliance Infill Ordinance and credited the success of that ordinance to the diligent work of the GACC Housing Compatibility Committee members.

8:00 PM Michael Hughes recognized 2006 GACC officers and committee chairs, including Jim Jenkin, Phil Carroll, Walter Jones, Lester Aoki and Lon Richardson for their efforts on their respective committees. He highlighted some of his priorities for the coming year, including a continuation of the 4th Avenue stairs project, traffic calming, starting an Avenues Community Garden, and emergency preparedness.

8:10 PM Avenues Community Gardens: Michael Hughes discussed the potential location at the trailhead to Lindsey Gardens on approximately 10th Ave & M Street. This location will accommodate 30-32 garden plots, and a gazebo picnic spot. Other sites were considered in the Avenues, but a three- year commitment could not be obtained for those properties. After debate and deliberation, the council voted unanimously to pursue grant money from the Utah Dept. of Health that would help cover start-up costs for the gardens. Grant application is due Jan. 15. Michael will complete and turn in the application. There is no cost to apply. In the meantime a formal Community Gardens committee will be established.

8:20 PM Marilyn “The Earthquake Lady” Hoff, Utah Earthquake and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, gave a presentation to residents about disaster planning. In particular, she focused on what items should go in your emergency kits at home, in your car, at school, etc.

8:50 PM Adjournment. Michael Hughes mentioned that on the calendar for our next meeting would be a presentation by Eric Jergensen and City traffic managers about creating a turn lane at 2nd & A Street or preventing left turns at that corner.