January 2003 It seemed we had just become used to writing "2002" when suddenly the new year arrived and 2003 began. There was little time for City officials to reflect on the past year, as new problems and matters of importance were waiting as 2003 arrived. The fear of a fifth year of statewide drought became more real as January proved to be a month of higher than usual temperatures and below normal precipitation. State and City officials cannot bring more rain, but they are encouraging everyone to become more conservation conscious as the water year progresses. New habits and better use of water resources will become a way of life, as no end to the drought appears. In his State of the City Address, Mayor Keith Butler told residents that the state revenue short-fall has impacted the community as the legislature has limited funds received from the gas tax and in other areas. As we have no property tax, this will mean the City must look at all expenditures carefully. Some road improvements may need to be postponed. New development must be checked to ascertain the benefits versus the costs to the community. A big concern was the development and cost of implementing the federal EPA mandate for storm water management. After discussion by the Council, the fee for paying for storm water compliance was set at $3.00 per month for each home, beginning in March 2003. It will appear on the Bona Vista Water bill. The cost of a Storm Water Compliance Permit was set at $20.00. The mayor expressed concern about dangers which our community may experience. Accidents involving hazardous waste on the interstate can happen. The risk of an earthquake along the Wasatch Front is always present. Floods have inundated parts of the city in the past, and can come again. To help our community be prepared, a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is being developed with Gerald Bischoff as the head. The Mayor encouraged support through volunteers who can be trained to assist in emergencies. A new location for the city office must be found by early spring, as the building now in use will be demolished by BDO. Mayor Keith Butler anticipates moving by early May to a building on 1200 West and 12th Street owned by Cape Construction. One of the first matters of business was the election at the January 16, 2003, Council Meeting, of a 2003 Council President and Vice President. Upon the recommendation of Councilman Kim Slater, and by unanimous vote, President Dennis Ilium will remain the President for the coming year. Councilman Rob Smout nominated Delbert Hodson to remain as Vice President. He was elected by acclamation. Mr. Randy Sant, who is proficient in redevelopment projects, met with the Council, at their request, to explain the purpose and requirements of state redevelopment programs. These include redevelopment areas (RDAs), economic development areas (EDAs) and educational housing development projects. He explained each type of project in detail to the Council, with the most emphasis on RDAs. A blight area must exist and be designated. The "50/50 rule" requires that 50% of the parcels in a proposed RDA must have existing buildings, and those buildings must cover at least 50% of the parcels. An RDA is not used to develop vacant land. As the City does not have a property tax, President Ilium questioned how an RDA could be financed. Mr. Sant said that it would have to come from the tax increment financing from all other government entities that charge a property tax, such as the school district and the county. This would require a careful study and plan which would work with those other taxing