November 2003 The municipal election held on November 4, 2003, at the City Office drew a total of 376 voters. It resulted in Scott Van Leeuwen being elected for the At-large seat on the Council. Incumbents Dennis Ilium, for the East District, and Rob Smout, West District, were the victors in those contests. As usual, the City Council Meeting, held this month on November 20, found the council and staff busy with many matters of governance of our community. A business license for Advanced Doors was approved. The business will construct, sell, install, and service garage doors and openers. Mayor Butler presented Elna Lucas with the Volunteer of the Month Community Service Award for her service as Historian for the city. He also expressed appreciation for the volunteer service she has given with the recent elections. The question of a nuisance ordinance was discussed by the council. Bill Morris explained three different categories of regulation ordinances: (1) zoning, which regulates use, (2) nuisance laws, which regulate aesthetics, and (3) other laws, which prohibit certain behavior, such as speeding, litter, health and sanitation, etc. Various complaints are received concerning zoning, nuisances, junky yards, animals on property, and businesses on residential property. The council has the legislative power to establish complaint procedures and penalties. The discussion then centered on whether the council could handle the complaints with existing ordinances, or if additional ones were needed. Mayor Butler advised that, to date, all complaints were resolved with existing ordinances. President Ilium believes that the city should not be overrun with excessive ordinances. Councilman Orvil Holley suggested that residents be educated through the newsletter on the importance of keeping the city clean and a place of which to be proud. It was decided to obtain information on the way neighboring communities handle the nuisance problem. The council reviewed procedures to address complaints from individuals in the community. A complaint log is kept at the office in which complaints phoned in are entered. Complaints by residents made to a council member should be passed directly to the mayor, for his action. All concerns should be tunneled through the mayor, and then addressed by the council, if necessary. President Ilium complimented the Mayor on his efforts to address all concerns from the community. Several issues were addressed concerning a proposed 40 acre development by Brad Hart and Randy Marriott on 1900 West. Mr. Holley questioned the ability of 250 North, a narrow road, to handle the traffic into the development by its only access, as planned. Scott Van Leeuwen of the Planning Commission, shared this concern, and also that the plan seemed to show dead-end streets with no turn around area. Mr. Norm George, representing the developers at a planning meeting, said that access will be resolved during the development. President Ilium said that an impact fee, passed by the Planning Commission and Council, is needed to help fund these impacts. The curb, gutter, and sidewalk for the subdivision was also a concern. Mr. Morris advised that the roads are to be built to rural road standards, which does not always require curb and gutter. Mr. Martin provided a diagram of the City's Public Works Standards. Councilman Holley felt some areas on Pioneer Road have bad blind spots. Mr. Ilium is aware of the problem and will meet with the UDOT traffic engineer to consider speed issues, striping and signage.