Deputy Lowther, at the request of Sheriff Brad Slater for a Citizens Advisory Board, formed a board currently consisting of Larry Leishman, Darrell Mecham, Brian Cutler, Vickie Grant and Kent Meyerhoffer, who will meet on issues that may arise. Our city experienced a "crime wave" during the year. In March the home of June Meyerhoffer was burglarized at midday while she was away briefly. A safe, with documents and stock certificates, was taken, along with personal items, most of which cannot be replaced. A large air compressor was taken from Danny Brown's property. An antique trunk was stolen from Nellie Baird's shed. A drive-by shooting, probably gang related, occurred just east of the L. D. S. Church. Three men were arrested for battering twelve mailboxes on Pioneer Road from 2700 West to 3400 West. Other mailboxes in the southwest part of the city were smashed or overturned in November. Joining the list of crimes is the duck-napping from his front yard of a fowl family belonging to Mayor Keith Butler. It was not his famous world-travelling duck family, but all were close kin. Residents were reminded to keep their homes, property and automobiles locked. Mail boxes have been ransacked, so we were advised to be cautious in mailing checks. Unusual activity noticed in the neighborhood, can be reported to our CRO Mark Lowther, in case it may prove to be of criminal intent. A scam caught several of our compassionate citizens during September. It involved a stranger approaching a resident with a hard luck story, asking for a loan, which they would shortly repay, and disappearing forever with the "loan." After Mayor Butler had an article placed in the Standard Examiner about the scam, it too disappeared. Sales Tax: the life blood of our city government. This year saw special concern by city officials. Mayor Butler reported that the revenue from sales tax was down about 9 or 10% from last year, but the city remained within budget. The sales tax is coded by zip code. Marriott-Slaterville and Ogden share the zip code 84404, and the sales tax is distributed to Ogden. There is a definite time lapse before our city receives its portion. In the November meeting, Councilman Delbert Hodson expressed concern about this zip code method of collecting sales tax. He felt the tax could be more fairly collected using a taxing unit instead of a zip code. Further investigation to see if the method could be changed or improved will be made. Mr. Ken Martin continues to see that local businesses report the collected sales tax properly. The perennial need for road construction, maintenance, along with safety matters, signage, and traffic control, seems to be a constant factor in our lives and our government. This year was no different. Major construction continued on State Road 126 (1900 West). Bridge girders were placed over the Weber River which required this road to be closed from 1350 South in Marriott-Slaterville City to 1555 South in West Haven, for several days in March. Another closure for four days, May 29 through June 1, from 12th Street to 1350 South was necessary to allow concrete work on the new railroad bridge deck. The intersection at 12th Street and 1900 West now has a stop light in place, and all lanes are open, a vast improvement over the past months. Brent D. Young and H. G. Kunzier, representing UDOT, met with the council in May about the status of the I-15 reconstruction scheduled for about 2005. UDOT had received letters from the city concerning the I-15 corridor, and met to answer their questions. UDOT is trying to alleviate congestion, and address important issues such as the capacity, load and safety impacts on the outdated bridges along the corridor. All intersections will be studied and updated as needed. One plan is to widen the road on the outside lanes on the freeway, or possibly expand into the median, although no final decision has been reached. The proposed beginning date is the spring of 2005. The city was promised it would be kept informed of the progress of the project. City representatives met with Mr. Gaylord Gardner, representing Ogden City, concerning possible plans for additional access for the intersection of 400 North and 1200 West so as to alleviate traffic problems. Mr. George Binford, Ogden City Traffic Engineer, indicated that they will work with the city in all ways possible, as the changes take place. In December, Joan Meyerhoffer questioned the planned removal of the traffic light at that intersection because of safety concerns with traffic The light does not meet state regulations and wilt probably be removed when the intersection is reconstructed next spring. A signal light by Pilot Gas Station on 12th Street is scheduled but has not been installed to date. Several road projects were undertaken during the summer. Tomlinson Road (1200 West), from Wahlquist Jr. High School to 12th Street, and 700 South from 1200 West to the end of the asphalt, were chipped and sealed. A small portion of West 17th Street near the Slaterville Diversion Dam was lined with cement barriers. It