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Show Marriott-Slaterville City history January 1 - December 31, 2011 Each year seems to pass quickly, and each year brings its unique problems, solutions, worries, satisfactions, and successes to our community, and the gratitude we feel for our homes and the freedoms we have here. This year especially Mother Nature made life interesting with an over-abundance of water. That, in turn, brought to our attention the efficiency of our CERT members, and the concern and helpfulness of our neighbors-some beyond our borders. Its been a year to remember. From the Mayor With the beginning of a new year, Mayor Keith Butler reported on the State of the City, saying that the community was doing well in an economy which he believed might be even bleaker than 2010. He continued to stress frugality in all City operations. Although the City did not increase fees this year, there were increases for Bona Vista Water and Central Weber Sewer District users. The Sewer District increased user fee for residents from $15.80 to $18.17, effective July 1,2011. Sewer rates were planned to increase even higher, but the Mayor was able to negotiate lower fees for our residents. This rate increase results from the district being required to meet unfunded federal EPA mandates for sewage treatment. The water rate increase, scheduled to start January 1, 2011, was needed to offset costs from replacement of aging infrastructure. The pressurized secondary water in the Pioneer Special Service District, is managed by a Board under the direction of the City Council. Residents are not charged the water assessment on property tax, but are charged a monthly fee on the water bill to cover enhanced services. The Floods of 2011 The wintry New Year which greeted residents of our City continued to bring unusual amounts of snow to our mountains, and kept the land in our community saturated. This set the stage for the biggest single problem faced this year in Marriott-Slaterville, and in Weber County-flooding along the Weber River. Fortunately, the cool temperatures slowed the melting and saved worse problems. It came-at least the first serious flooding in our community this year began along the Weber River in early April. An above average snowpack in the mountains, as well as a continued wet and cooler than normal spring, resulted in the predicted flooding problems in several areas of the state. With the Weber River running along our border and through our city, we were a prime candidate for flooding. Water was released from reservoirs on the Ogden and Weber Rivers to allow more of the expected run-off to be stored. The river exceeded its banks, flooding farm land and threatening homes in several sites in our community. And the anticipated big flow was still to come! Trent Meyerhoffer, Ken Martin and Bill Morris, spent long hours and hard work dealing with the flooding situation as it developed. There was a great response from many people, most of whom we didn't know. Weber County responded with needed help. Lt. Matt Bell, Sheriff's deputy, obtained sand and bags when needed. When they ran out of sand from the county, Dave Combe volunteered sand from his tree farm on 17*» Street. The Swanson Foundation donated 40 pallets loaded with filled sandbags to the city. They were stored in the city's back parking lot so residents could pick some up as needed. Bella's Mexican Restaurant brought in food for volunteers during the emergency. Pioneer Road was closed Monday night, April 18*1 for flooding, but was opened up the next morning. |