The Venture Academy which will be built at 400 North 1500 West, in our city, held an informational meeting for parents of prospective students, on January 26, at 7 p.m. at the city offices. Additional meetings were held in February, March and April. The First United Methodist Church building in the city was completed, and in May the church hosted a barbecue for city residents. The first service was held April 26, 2008. An open house was held on April 25, from 2 to 4 p.m., which concluded with a cornerstone-laying ceremony. A formal consecration service was held on May 18, at 4 p.m. PARKS AND OUR WORLD The calendar told us that Spring began this year on March 20, but Mother Nature apparently didn't get the message. We were still experiencing snow storms throughout the month. Crocus bravely pushed their bright yellow blossoms through the snow. Who would really want to wade through snow to begin work on their yards and gardens? So we reminded ourselves, "We need the snow," and waited for Spring to really arrive. A Park Committee was created in 2007 to assess the needs of the Slaterville and Marriott Parks. At the May 22, 2008, Council meeting, Danny Brown, from the park committee, reported their recommendations. They determined that the old bowery in the Slaterville Park had deteriorated to where there were structural hazards. The fireplace at the Slaterville Park was not usable and should be closed off. They recommended the Slaterville Park for the new replacement bowery, and would also like the Marriott Park fenced. Two RAMP grants were allocated to the city. One is for $5,000.00, based upon population, used for the fencing and other projects. The second grant in the amount of $166,000.00 was for a new park bowery. There has been vandalism at the parks. Councilman Delbert Hodson suggested that instead of putting sheet rock back at the Marriott bowery, wafer board be installed to deter further break-ins. Trent Meyerhoffer was responsible for taking care of the work. Steve Mecham worked on tying into the IRS sewer lateral for sewer at the Marriott Park. A motion to approve the park committee recommendations, issue the bid, and locate a new bowery at Slaterville Park, was passed unanimously. The city issued a Request for Proposals for a contractor to demolish and reconstruct the bowery at the Slaterville Park, with the plans provided by the city. It has a kitchen, storage area, ADA restrooms, and other amenities. Six responses were received by the deadline date of July 1, 2008, which were reviewed and ranked by the park committee, based upon certain criteria. The highest ranked contractor, Saunders Construction, was the committee's recommended contractor. The bid was $148,798, with an option of a cedar soffit for an additional $5,627.00. This bid was accepted, and the R.A.M.P. grant was used for the project. The target date for completion was November 1, 2008. A few items remain to be completed. The "Vernal Wardell Bowery" sign from the previous building will be replaced. A sidewalk will also be constructed when better weather returns. Kim Slater helped in moving and storing the tables at the Slaterville Park. Prior to beginning the bowery construction, Councilman Scott VanLeeuwen reported that two trees at the Slaterville Park were taken down, one of which was completely hollowed by decay. A total of four large trees were felled and the stumps removed to enable the construction of the new bowery. There has been a problem with the dumpster at the Slaterville Park, which people have used for personal and construction waste. In June, two residential cans replaced the dumpster, which, it is hoped, will eliminate the problem. There was a graffiti problem at the Marriott Park. Several bids for installing a chain-link fence at the Marriott Park to help avoid the continuing vandalism problems were obtained, with the low bid of approximately $8200.00. A fence was installed at the Marriott Park, which, it is hoped will help reduce vandalism. Residents were asked to contact law enforcement if occurring vandalism is seen. Mayor Butler 10