February 2006 The February-March issue of the Pioneer Post contained good suggestions about protecting our property from theft. A recent Neighborhood Watch meeting discussed problems of which residents should be aware. Identity theft is a rapidly growing problem throughout the nation, including our own community. Mail theft is a serious problem, as personal checks have been stolen from residents' mail boxes. Mailbox vandalism is another problem. The postal service is very concerned and representatives met with the city staff about these issues. All new subdivisions in the city will have neighborhood mailboxes provided by the postal service which are locked. Other residents are encouraged to join with neighbors to establish neighborhood mail boxes. The postal service will pay for the secured boxes and installation. The city will provide a public right-of-way at a common location. A minimum of eight residents for this type of neighborhood mail boxes is required. The contacts for the program are Jennifer Allen, USPS, at 791-7855, or Ryan Burnett, USPS, at 791-2796. Utility and recreational trailer thefts are on the rise. Thieves back into yards, hook up to the trailer, and drive off in minutes. Neighborhood Watch suggests residents with trailers on their property put them in a garage and use a "tongue lock" or other preventative measure to safeguard their trailer. The tongue lock costs about $50. A multi-week Citizen Emergency Management Team class will start March 8 at the Plain City Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $25, which is reimbursable on completion. Marilyn Huff, State Emergency Management will speak at the Sheriff's Office, 721 W. 12th Street, Training Room A, on March 30, 2006, beginning at 6:30 p.m. CERT members are invited to attend. At the February 16, 2006, City Council Meeting, the operation, maintenance, and budget for the Pioneer Special Service District was discussed. Mr. Ken Martin advised the council that there would be at least 30 homes under construction in the near future in the district. He said that cost of services are rising. For example, three years ago a street light cost about $1,000; now they are over $1,650. City Administrator Bill Morris said that new residents will have to start paying fees for secondary water, parks, and other amenities, such as street lighting, snow removal, animal control, and park maintenance. The district will need to begin collecting maintenance fees. The fee would come on their monthly water bill. Someone who understands how the secondary water system works and who will keep track of the ditch water when it needs to be turned in, etc. will be appointed. Two ditches will feed the retention pond at Spencer Farms and ground water is also present in the pond. A new business license was approved for Temporary Fence, Inc., 812 W. 17th Street, for installation and rental of fencing. A license for Monicos Coffee House and Deli, 1167 W. 12th Street, was approved, subject to approval of the Fire Marshall. The business will serve specialty coffees and deli sandwiches. They have moved into the building formerly occupied by the Blue Coffee Shop Restaurant. A request for a business licence for Stone Castle, LLC, 1259 South 1775 West, which is an electronic recycler, was tabled until a planning review is complete. Mr. Morris said the business may not be in the proper zone, and that they started in business without a license, and that a site plan has not been submitted. The council gave a final acceptance to Big "W" Subdivision as it new meets minimum requirements of the city. Mayor Keith Butler said he is working on amending this years budget and also on the 2006-2007 fiscal year budget. He thanked Mr. Ames Israelson for snow plowing the parking lot for the city at no charge. He reported that the trim on the walls and base board has been changed to the color originally specified by