Section 2The First Six Months of 2001 Part 1 Marriott-Slaterville City History January 1 -June 30, 2001 Welcome news greeted our citizens with Mayor Keith Butler's State of the City Address as he informed us that the City is financially in the black; there are no outstanding bonds, no indebtedness, budgetary goals were met, and a little reserve has been accumulated for future needs. Again no property tax levy is needed. However, he sounded a note of warning that the situation could change if the economy continues to slow, as we are dependent on sales tax revenue to meet the expenses incurred in running the City. Mayor Butler announced the creation of a new six acre park on 17th Street made possible by a matching grant received from the Utah Quality Growth Commission-LeRay McCallister Critical Lands Conservation Fund. This grant is the first of its kind in Weber County, and our proposal won over proposals of Ogden City, West Haven and Riverdale. The new park is designed to be a nature and wildlife habitat preserve along the Weber River. In his address, Mayor Butler commended elected officials and volunteers for their many hours of service to the City. He also voiced appreciation for the Weber County Sheriff's Department and the Roads Department for the quality services they have provided to the community. A new business license plan, based on a recent state law, was implemented so that the money received for the license will be sufficient to meet the cost of services provided by the City to the business. This is considered more fair to the resident taxpayers as businesses will be paying for the services they require. January saw the beginning of the public hearings held by the Planning Commission and City Council on the annual General Plan update. The hearings allowed community input on the General Plan. The community is doing more than many other localities in providing for moderate income housing within our boundaries (42% of the City's total housing stock meets this standard). Dennis Ilium was elected by the City Council as the 2001 Council President, replacing Orvil Holley who has served as president since July 1999. Kim Slater was reelected as Vice President. Various appointments were made by the Mayor and approved by the Council. Carl Slater, Darren DeVries and Dale Thompson were appointed to the Board of Adjustment. Gerald Bischoff, Sherry Morris and Scott Van Leeuween were appointed to the Planning Commission. Youth Council Advisors will be Barbara Brown and Brenda Holmes. Pam Slater and Darren DeVries were appointed to the Activities Board. James Elmer is serving as the Deputy Recorder. All of our volunteers are greatly appreciated for their efforts. Volunteering involves more citizens in the operation of the City, and also keeps the administrative costs of government much lower. In February the General Plan review sessions were completed. The results can be reviewed at the City office. Only amendments for specific areas in the plan may be filed annually. The next review for the entire General Plan will be in 2006. A Legacy Highway Meeting was held on February 28, 2001, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hooper Elementary School. The transportation corridor alignment and impacts were discussed. No definitive answers came from the meeting, although UDOT still sees the power line corridor as the prime location for the highway. Our City is very much opposed to this route, as it would mean our community would be bisected once again. City residents were encouraged to participate in collecting goods for the Utah Foster Care Foundation, during the first quarter of this year. Items collected are given to children removed from abusive homes and placed into foster care, to insure the children have something of their own to take with them to the new home. An aura of romance permeated the city offices early in March, and visitors could almost hear the wedding bells. City Recorder William M. Morris married Erin Rasmussen on March 10, 2001, in the Manti Temple. Congratulations, Bill, and we wish you much happiness. 27