Marriott-Slaterville City History August 2009 Anticipation of vacations, picnics, and outdoor fun are an important facet of life during the summer months. We look forward to visiting our mountain areas in search of more comfortable temperatures. However, the business of our lives also must go on, and so it is with activities in city government. On the lighter side, the August 2009 issue of The Pioneer Post brought us the good news that the playground at the park at City Hall is complete. Restrooms, lighting and the bowery here are still under construction. A large swing set at Marriott Park was removed by mistake, and a new large swing will replace it. Councilman Scott VanLeeuwen noted the old swing had some sharp metal pieces and exposed hard concrete which could have been hazardous, and a new one will serve better. The city's Music in the Park was held on Saturday, August 15, 2009. Because it rained Friday night and Saturday morning early, it was held in the Senior Center. Lynette Deru led Lucas Deru, Kole and Kembree Fillpot who performed What Do You Do in the Summertime. The Jenson family of Roy, played a number of songs. It is unfortunate that these events are not supported better by the community, as they provide excellent family entertainment. Also in The Pioneer Post, Shauna Meyerhoffer explained the activities currently available at the Senior Center. A Tuesday lunch is offered each week at 11:30 a.m., to seniors age 60 and older. A monthly dinner is provided on the third Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. A nurse comes to the last week lunch to take blood pressure. Other health services are also provided quarterly. Each Thursday at 10:30 am. a Line Dance class is held. Carolyn Deru will start weekly Yoga sessions again on Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m., beginning in September. There is a library with books to check out, and computers to use, with internet access. These are great opportunities for all our senior citizens. On the more serious side, when the filing period for candidates for this year's election closed, only the incumbents had filed as candidates. They are Mayor: Keith H. Butler, East District Councilman: Delbert F. Hodson, West District Councilman: Kim R. Slater. Therefore, a primary election was not necessary. The municipal election will be held on November 3, 2009. At the August 20, 2009, City Council Meeting, business licenses were approved for Destiny's place, 1045 South 1200 West, #43, online sales; Hi-Tech Cars and Trucks, 875 West 1200 South, vehicle sales; Clean Cut Cabinets, 1618 South 1100 West, Suite A, cabinet shop; D. C. Fence, LLC, 927 West 12* street, fencing, and Greenwood Cabinets and Wood Working, 1615 South 1100 West, cabinet shop. The Weber County Property Tax Deputy Assessor, John Ulibarri, gave a slide presentation to the City Council regarding property taxes in the county. He briefly discussed the value of property, how the land tax is assessed, and the appeal process. He answered questions from the council. An important matter, the issue of changing the general plan, was placed on the agenda at the request of President Dennis Ilium. If the council wanted to proceed with the process of reviewing the general plan, it could be started at the council meeting. To change the general plan would cost money and time, but the council must decide if the action was to be taken. Staff explained that the general plan provides the rules for how a zoning change for property can be done. Zoning is designed to separate uses, such as residential from commercial. Zoning changes in the city must comply with the general plan. The city cannot randomly change zoning for certain property to be used as the owner desires, if it is not allowed in the zone. This law makes a strong rule and also prevents favoritism. City Administrator Bill Morris said the general plan is usually in effect for 10 to 20 years. Our general plan was put in place in 2004, so it is still at least five years before a full review is needed. A partial review was under consideration at the meeting. The process provides that the City Council makes a request to the Planning Commission to make a recommendation for any changes in the general plan, and send this recommendation to the City Council. 160