as there is no court involvement, were aii debated before acceptance. Some members expressed concern about weeds as defined in the ordinance. Staff suggested that the council vote on amending the ordinance by removing that part as it relates to weeds. Section 8.15.140, exempting agricultural operations or family food production was also added. The ordinance, thus amended was passed. And then there is GARBAGE The city had not been involved in the garbage collection business, until the matter was brought before the City Council by resident Jerry Stanger in May. He reported that our city residents are paying more than neighboring communities pay for garbage pickup. Residents of Marriott-Slaterville pay $15.00 per month, with Plain City residents paying $7.00, Farr West, $7.50, and Harrisville $11.00 per month. He suggested the city obtain a similar contract and perhaps add an additional 50 cents for its parks. This would reduce residents' cost and give the city additional income for parks. City Administrator Bill Morris obtained copies of garbage collection contracts from other cities for the council to review. An ad hoc committee, consisting of President Dennis Ilium, Carolyn Deru, Gerald Bischoff and Jerry Stanger, was formed to gather information and make recommendations to the council within the time frame of 120 days. At the August 18, 2006, council meeting, Jerry Stanger gave an overhead presentation on information his committee had gathered. He showed the costs of neighboring communities for garbage pick-up as well as the rates of several garbage haulers with whom the committee met. In some cities there is a tipping fee involved, while cities who own their cans do not have to pay this fee. A resident would not be required to use the service, but could rent a dumpster or take their own garbage to the dump. Residents would have the option of purchasing one can for garbage and another can for recycling. Another option would be if the city paid for a can for each resident. He suggested that the city send out a Request for Proposals (RFP), so that the garbage companies could bid the job. An RFP on solid waste collection services and disposal was published at a cost of $450.00, and was sent to contractors for bids. The results will be brought before the council in January. An additional $75.00 was paid to publish a notice in the newspaper for a public hearing. CONSTRUCTIONS (or oh, those orange cones) One sure sign of spring is the appearance of bright orange cones along our highways. Our community saw many of them this year and will for an extended period of time. The lane expansion on I-15 will probably feature the most cones, and for the longest time. Construction work along this freeway will occur throughout its entire length within our city, in February the Mayor and Mr. Morris attended the ground breaking in Marriott-Slaterville for the widening of I-15. Several representatives from UDOT attended the March 16, 2006, City Council Meeting. Dave Asay, UDOT Project Information Manager, made a power point presentation regarding aesthetics for the I-15 project. He was assisted by Cyndi Keller, Randy Jeffries and Jason Branch. The proposed murals on the 12th Street interchange, along with the possibilities of upgrading landscaping and street lighting were explained. Our community would like the street lights to be dark sky friendly, which Mr. Asay sard could be accomplished through shielding. Betterments reflecting community history could be added to the concrete walls, with the cost being borne by the city. UDOT was requested to provide a cost breakdown of such betterments. Our city will not get any sound walls. No I-15 murals or betterments have been approved this year. Ken Martin is on the citizens advisory committee on the I-15 project, and reported weather delays, Jane closures and restrictions on the freeway, passing on information from UDOT as it was received. Funding exists for the expansion to go to North Ogden City, but it will require an extended period. UDOT officials continue to urge highway users to be alert in construction zones and reduce speed. Areas where we would find those seemingly ever-present orange cones were listed in the Standard Examiner.