GACC Community Council Meeting
5 December 2007

GACC Board members in attendance: Michael Hughes, Phil Carroll, John Sittner, Charla Allen, Jim Jenkin, Jaynie Brown, Dave Jonsson, Wayne Green, Shane Carlson, Judith Locke, Steve Mecham, Matthew Burnett, Walter Jones, Ruth Morgan

Meeting started approximately 7:00 pm

Announcements

• General reminder that the GACC Food Drive for Utah Food Bank, in conjunction with the Sweet Library, will run through December 20th. Tubs available inside front entrance of Library.

Reports

• Housing (Shane Carlson)

  • Next Housing Committee meeting will be held on Monday, December 10th, 2007 at the Sweet Library, 7:00 p.m.

  • Reviewed case at 423 G Street—City imposed a stop-work order on home builders because City approved something that shouldn’t have been approved, Housing Committee had nothing to do with the stop-work order. We asked City what height had been approved, and what approval process was used to grant the excess height. City did the rest.

  • Housing Committee is trying to create a predictable environment so people know what to expect when building/renovating within the Avenues; Housing Committee will not stop a project, will just ask the City to follow their own guidelines and ordinances they’ve put in place, Housing Committee can only ask questions, cannot order anything to be done.

• City Council (Eric Jergensen)

  • Expressed appreciation for Michael Hughes as outgoing GACC Chair, thank you to Michael for all the work he has done as GACC Chair.

  • Earthquake Table Top exercise was held earlier in the month—the exercise showed that city-wide emergency organization is ok, but neighborhood organization is under-prepared, and we are currently working on plan to improve neighborhood communication in the event of a major disaster/emergency

  • Reported on property at 619 5th Avenue—drug property, analysis currently being done for meth, landlord has not responded and has a history of not responding to City’s request for cooperation, units have been boarded up, will try to force demolition, property owner has 15 other properties throughout the city in the same condition

• Police (Det. Roger Williams)

  • Serial vandalism taking place in Sugar House area—have clear photos of suspect car, let Det. Williams know if you have any information.

  • Crime is Avenues was down in November, although car prowls continue to be the biggest problem.

  • Had free smoke detectors available at meeting, can get more from City Fire Department.

• Sweet Branch Library (Alveeda Lauscher, Library Manager)

  • Introduced Peter Jones as New Assistant Manager

  • New art exhibit running, price list available at front desk

  • Library Newsletter available

  • Giving Tree up in Children’s area, will benefit the Children’s Justice Center, House of Hope, and Ronald McDonald House

  • Flier available for Youth City Art Ways (art classes)

  • Working with Salt Lake Family Heath Department to recycle light bulbs—will be a bin at the Sweet Library were families can dispose of light bulbs

• Michael Hughes noted that for those who were concerned about time, the Preservation Plan presentation had been postponed from tonight’s agenda.

• School Board (Dave Jensen)

  • Have good reports from all schools, Open Classroom school has 300+ students and will have over 400 next year

  • Three equalization bills were considered by the Education Committee this week, only one (the most neutral) made it past the committee

  • Salt Lake Center for Science Education will be opening Fall 2008 (grades 6-8, will add grade 9 in 2009), located at 1400 West 1145 South (Old North West Middle School in Rose Park), open house on Thursday, January 3, 2008 from 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, January 5, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., fliers available

• Transportation (Jim Jenkin)

  • Deadline for public comment on Mountain View Corridor is the end of December, can go to www.mountainviewcorridor.org for more information and to give input

• Salt Lake Emergency Prepardness (Rich Foster)

  • Info available for how to prepare emergency preparedness kits, fliers available as well as contact information

  • Reviewed the Utah Special Needs Registry program—state-wide database for people that would need special care during emergency situations (elderly, people with disabilities, etc.), call 211 to register

  • Will continue working with community council, cert, City office of emergency management to prepare for a major disaster.

• Mayor’s Office (Gwen Springmeyer)

  • Passed out City calendar

  • Reminder for the Holiday Craft Sale at the Art Barn (community artists)

  • First Night festivities on December 31st at Gallivan Center

  • City Offices will be closed on January 21st for MLK Day

  • Expressed her thanks and appreciation for being able to work with the GACC (in case she is not invited to work with Mayor Becker)

Agenda Items

• Youth City—Presentation of program and services offered

• After-school program for kids ages 9-14, offers pick-up services from area schools and provides art and recreation classes

• Classes help with self-esteem, confidence, etc.

• Two, one-hour classes; kids get to pick what they’re interested in

• City-wide program started by Mayor Anderson

• Located at 233 N Canyon Road

• Registration brochures available, fees on sliding scale, also have scholarships available and Summer programs

• Carrie Palfreyman—U of U Taxpayer Clinic

• Carrie explained the U of U Taxpayer Clinic—what it is, how people can use the services provided

• Applies to both IRS and Utah State taxes

• Brochures and other information available

• Jim French—Citizenre, Residential Solar Power start-up company

• Jim explained what Citizenre is: start-up company designed to “bring solar power to the masses” by providing a rental service for residential solar power

• Residents pay a security deposit and monthly rental fee

• Solar-electric to start, eventually will move to solar-hot water as well

• Rental rate does not change as long as keep contract with Citizenre

• Passed around sign-up list for people interested in finding out more

• Brochures and other information available as well

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:50 p.m.