2003 State of the City Address Page 2 based upon a fee study which was conducted by a civil engineer who examined the impervious surface area in the community. The amount is at or below what many other communities are charging for their particular storm water program. Also, it is my understanding after my conversations with the county storm water official, that Weber County may also impose its fee at $3 for residents and businesses in the unincorporated areas. The program created by the federal storm water mandate is quite complicated and expensive to handle. However, the city must comply with the law or face steep fines and penalties from the federal government. In order to facilitate the implementation of this new program, the city has hired a new employee to manage storm water and development issues. I welcome Ken Martin, to our administrative team. Ken will lead the Community Development Department which is responsible for the storm water program, zoning administration, building and inspections, and oversees development and public works. Ken has 32 years of experience as a building inspector with North Ogden. As a community, our most important asset is the public we serve. Living on the Wasatch Front has dangers and liabilities that many in our community may not realize. The interstate through our community poses a great risk of accidents involving hazardous waste or materials. Also, the risk of an earthquake on the Wasatch Fault is another threat to our homes and families. The soil in our area has a high potential for liquefaction in the event of an earthquake which could result in catastrophic property damage. Another threat is the flood plain that covers nearly one-third of our city. Although we are presently in a drought cycle, that cycle could change again in a few years to a flood cycle. Not so long ago, in 1983, there were many areas of this community under water because the Great Salt Lake rose high enough that the river backed up, submerging much land in this community. This event seems to happen every 20-30 years according to historical records. In order to be prepared for such disasters the Weber Fire District and the city are working to develop a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). I have asked Gerald Bischoff to lead this team, but he needs your support and volunteer assistance. I welcome anyone interested in serving in the CERT program to contact Mr. Bischoff or myself. Volunteers will be trained by emergency officials about the CERT program. Then, if needed, they can be called upon in cases of emergency. Finally, as spring approaches, the city office is preparing to move to its new location on the lower level of the Cape Complex on 1200 West near 12th Street. The building where the city office is presently located is being demolished as part of the redevelopment of Defense Depot Ogden, forcing the office to move. I expect that by early May 2003, the office will be moved to the new location, so prepare to conduct municipal business at that new location. I look forward to the challenges that 2003 brings. I hope each of us will meet the challenges that the future brings with courage and understanding.