January 1 - December 31, 2005 2006-It arrived with its requisite 365 days, dispersed them quickly, lingered briefly, and was gone. The fleeting days left accomplishments and achievements, problems and solutions, successes and probably some failures, worries and smiles, new lives and deaths, work and relaxation-and their imprint on our city and the residents thereof. Life is good for most of us. Our nation is still embroiled in a war. We have a feeling of safety and peace in our surroundings, in spite of turbulent times. What have we accomplished in Marriott-Slaterville City this year; what has occurred in our lives? We are in our new building--for which plans were announced just a year ago. Elections have come and gone. The new Senior Center is up and operating. Much has happened in a very short time, for us to recall and note. THE NEW OFFICES In looking at events of importance, we should begin here. The staff and city officials are very pleased to be in the new city building good office space, a conference room, council room, senior center, storage space, lots of room for lots of activities. A few items in the building needing attention carried over into 2006. Some of the trim on the walls and base board were changed to the color originally specified by the city. A few doors were replaced with ones of the correct color. Some defects needed to be touched up with paint before final acceptance was made. The building is a source of satisfaction to residents as well as city officials, especially as it is all paid for through frugal expenditures and a federal CDBG grant for the senior center, obtained through the efforts of City Administrator Bill Morris and administered by him. THE CITY BEAUTIFUL A fine municipal building needs more than design, building materials, constructions, and those "final touches." Even before warm weather began (and the weeds popped up), plans were underway for further improvement to the land around the city building. The staff obtained several informal bids on the landscaping for the municipal building. Mayor Keith Butler recommended Combe's Tree Farm as the lowest bid. It included 90' of curbing, 300 square feet of cobble, 125' of planters, 13,000 square feet of sod, 40 five gallon plants, and 10 trees (1 1/2-2" caliper trunk). They would also donate 4 large shade trees to the city. Mayor Butler was authorized to negotiate for this landscaping for an approximate cost of $25,000. Work commenced about one month after the bid was accepted. To passers-by, it seemed it was almost overnight when grass, shrubs and trees were in place and growing, providing a beauty that enhanced the building. All shrubs and trees are guaranteed for one year and any which do not survive will be replaced by the nursery. The Mecham family donated the large engraved rock in front of the city building. It gives the name of the city and the date of first settlements. A plaque will be placed on the rock recognizing this donation. A light was installed with a photo-electric system which turns it on when dark, illuminating the engraved name of our city. Marriott-Slaterville was one of the 44 Utah cities to earn the designation of a 2005 Tree City USA. The award comes from the National Arbor Day Foundation. We thank our community leaders and all citizens who work to beautify our city and keep this important designation.