City Meetings are Reported in the September 2003 Edition of The Weber Sentinel Marriott-Slaterville Joyce VanTassell joyce@webersentinel.com Water utility fee change The council voted to add an exemption to the EPA Strom Water Utility fee to cover vacant single dwelling units. Vacant rental units will not be charged this fee if they can meet two conditions: they are actually vacant, and are disconnected from the water utility. This change will more accurately tie the fees to those who are actually using the service. Animal Control costs increase Currently, Weber County is handling Marriott-Slaterville's needs for animal control. Weber County changed its fees due to added costs and expanded services, which will cost the city of Marriott - Slaterville more money. This increase was anticipated last year, and the council has budgeted to meet the change. The council approved paying the County $6,500 as the flat fee, as well as an additional per-animal fee for pick-up and impound costs. After a discussion of other options, the council agreed that the best use of funds was to continue with the county, rather than employ their own animal control person and facility. City residents are reminded to take care of their own animals and are encouraged to spay or neuter pets, rather than producing litters that need to be euthanized later. Responsible ownership means taxpayer dollars are saved, and is more humane for the animals. WACOG The council voted to join the WACOG (Weber Area Council of Governments). This group consists of local mayors, Weber County Commissioners and Ogden City representatives meeting together to discuss and work on matters of interest to the area. Organ donation registry encouraged The council discussed the state legislature's resolution to promote awareness of the great need for organ donations. Mayor Keith Butler spoke about listening to a presentation about organ donation at the WACOG meeting that he attended. He has a personal interest in this issue, having a neighbor who benefited from organ donation 15 years ago. The council adopted Resolution 2003-N, which encourages the residents of Marriott-Slaterville to learn about organ donations. The council will make the city computer available for those who would like to go online (www.yesutah.org) to learn more about the Utah Donor Registry program or to register. Marriott-Slaterville planning commission Kennels Approved Donald Mogensen applied for a conditional use permit for two dog kennels on his property to be used to house German Shepherd dogs that had been rescued from animal shelters. He stated that he would not be using the kennels for business or breeding purposes, but only to temporarily house dogs until a home could be found for them. The planning commission voted to approve the permit for a maximum of eight dogs, with the conditions that the permit terminates if the Mogensens move, and that the kennel be kept clean, in good repair and meet city set-back requirements. Discussion on preliminary Imani-Woolf subdivision approval Mr. Ken Holman, representing Dr Imani and Doug Woolf, presented the initial plans for the planned subdivision (located at 973 S. 1200 W.) which at present will have 34 lots, (including structures already there) containing single family homes. The commission questioned Mr. Olman about plans to meet wetland requirements as well as the availability of water shares for the proposed subdivision. They wondered about whether the plans would meet the city's master plan zoning requirements. Mr. Olman noted that many requirements remained to be met, and hoped the commission would grant preliminary approval based on the efforts that had been made to this point. The subdivision approval was tabled pending the developer meeting all requirements. Discussion regarding wording for state-required 'takings' issues The commission discussed changing the wording of the city's takings ordinance, which provides for the "taking" of private property for public use as part of the eminent domain function of city government. Two models were presented, the presently used "APA" model and the Draper model, which was presented as less cumbersome and easier to understand for the city and for the property owner. There was some discussion about the proposed changes, with a member of the public complaining that changing to the Draper model would deprive property owners of their rights. Bill Morris, the city's administrator, disagreed, saying that the changes are to make it easier for property owners to exercise their rights. After some discussion, the commission agreed to table the motion and have a working session to understand the legal ramifications of the proposed changes.