July 8, 1999 MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE Council holds first official meeting Symbolic release of balloons a good sign, people attending say By TANNA BARRY_ Standard-Examiner correspondent MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE - The red, white and blue balloons that served as decorations at their first city council meeting also served as a symbol for many people attending the council's first official meeting on Thursday, July 1. After the newly elected and appointed officials were sworn in, Shirley Nelson, the new city custodian, decided to take the balloons in a bundle and release them outside. Forty people and the new council members watched the balloons. When the balloons stayed in a bundle as they floated higher, many people said that meant the city would stay together forever. The meeting marked the first day that the two cities officially became one. Last November, residents of both townships voted for to incorporate. "It's been a tedious task, but we've got here," said Keith Butler, mayor of the newly incorporated city. "And it's only because of all the hard work and so forth which everyone has done." New council members are: Orvil Holley, council president; Kim Slater, vice-president; and council members Steve Mecham, Bill Morris, Ren Meyerhoffer, Delbert Hodson and Rob Smout. Although the city has been functioning and making decisions for a few months, it wasn't official until Thursday night. So all the decisions previously made and the positions held had to be made legal through this meeting. After the balloons were released as a gesture for the new city council, the city council members and five citizens went back inside to get down to business. Most of the business consisted of approving matters the council had already voted on when they were the council-elect. However, Vice-President Slater said he wasn't happy with the city's plan to charge fees for new developments. Under the proposed ordinance, a person or company who wants to develop land would have to pay a fee that is based on the improvements the city will need to maintain the development. For instance, if a developer wants to put in a new subdivision, before he can sell the lots he needs to have a road in. The fee that the developer is charged will pay for the maintenance on the road. The fee is one of three ways that the city brings in revenue: sales/use tax, franchise tax and community development. Slater said he felt the fee was too high and that people shouldn't be obligated to pay it until after their project was complete. Other council members said the city would lose money if it waited until the project was complete to charge the fee. Besides, they said, the ordinance contains a waiver policy that allows the council to either eliminate or postpone the fee if the council feels it is necessary. The proposal passed, with Slater giving the only dissenting vote. Council meetings will be held the first and third Thursdays of every month at 6 p.m. Until the city can get a new building, the meetings will be held at City Hall, 1195 West 400 North (DDO Bldg. 390). You can reach correspondent Tanna Barry by leaving a message at 625-4223. MARRIOTT-SLATERVILLE City announces meeting times Marriott-Slaterville City will hold its regular council meetings on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Marriott-Slaterville City Hall, 1195 West 400 North. Work sessions will be held at 5:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month at City Hall. If the meeting is a legal holiday, the meeting will be held at the same time and place on the following work day. The planning commission will hold its regular meeting at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at City Hall. 249