Marriott-Slaterville Monthly History January 2011 A wintry New Year greeted residents of our City. The January 2011 issue of The Pioneer Post featured Mayor Keith Butler's State of the City article. He reported that the community is doing well in an economy that he believes may be even bleaker than 2010. He continues to stress frugality in all City operations. Although the City will not likely increase fees this year, there will be increases for Bona Vista Water and Central Weber Sewer District users. The Sewer District will increase user fee for residents from $15.80 to $18.17, effective July 1, 2011. Sewer rates were planned to increase even higher, but he was able to negotiate lower fees for our residents. This rate increase results from the district being required to meet unfunded federal EPA mandates for sewage treatment. The water rate increase, scheduled to start January 1, 2011, is needed to offset costs from replacement of aging infrastructure. He clarified the issue of pressurized secondary water in the Pioneer Special Service District, which is managed by a Board under the direction of the City Council. Residents are not charged the water assessment on property tax, but are charged a monthly fee on the water bill to cover enhanced services. He reported that a portion of the 400 North project will require the top 2.5 inches of asphalt on at least the south half of the road to be replaced this spring, as it failed a compaction test. Landscaping and finalization of the project will occur as soon as weather permits. The City has requested grant funds in partnership with West Haven and Weber Pathways for bridge installations and trail expansion along the river to 1900 West. The Mayor thanked all volunteers who contribute to the city. Over 160 trees were planted at our parks this past summer by volunteers. The first order of business at the January 20, 2011, City Council Meeting was the election of Council President and Vice-president for the coming year. Dennis Ilium was re-elected President with Scott VanLeeuwen as Vice-president, by acclamation. Ordinance 2011-01, amending and extending the residential solid waste collection and disposal agreement with Waste Management through June 30, 2015, was discussed by the Council. The agreement would continue after that date until a new contract was signed or garbage provider selected. Fee increases are tied to the Consumer Price Index. Waste Management provides dumpsters for the spring and fall clean-up program, at no cost. The City's beautification funds pays the tipping fee at the county waste transfer station. Councilman Kim Slater requested that the use of beautification funds for this purpose be noted in the newsletter. Ordinance 2011-01 was passed unanimously. Megan Hirschi would like to see the city start a recycling program. It costs 95% less to make things out of recycled material. She would be willing to help the City start such a program. City Administrator Bill Morris explained recycling programs in Plain City and Harrisville. Lt. Matt Bell advised that Farr West City is surveying how many residents want recycling. Lance Allen, Waste Management, said that recycling added to the current contract would cost $2.50 per resident. President Ilium asked about a sorting program similar to the one at Metro Waste facility in Salt Lake City. Mr. Alien advised that it is more cost effective to have residents do the sorting, because the sorting facility recovers only 10% of the waste whereas with resident sorting it goes up to about 30%. Concern about increased costs for garbage service, especially for elderly residents on fixed incomes, was expressed by Mayor Butler. President Ilium requested staff to prepare a report detailing the parameters for the garbage committee and bring the draft report to next month's council meeting. The matter was tabled until the next meeting, on a unanimous vote. 153