Chickens and Crossing the Road

I am pleased to progress on two unrelated items that came out of this weeks West Valley City Council Study session. First off the City Council is poised to adopt Resolution 10-141 which will authorize a crosswalk traffic signal on 4800 West to serve the students of Kennedy Jr High. As a former student of the school I know first hand how treacherous it can be to safely get across 4800, especially during those dark winter mornings. This installation is not only a move towards increased public safety, but a statement by West Valley City officials that walkable communities can lead to a higher standard of living. Increased safety features and the addition of trails and bike lanes will make it easier to utilize alternative modes of transportation and provide more recreation opportunities. Another benefit to a walkable safe community is that it reduces the air pollution that plagues our geographic region. This year West Valley City is promoting the Clear the Air Challenge, which is a program designed to educate and reduce harmful pollution due to excess driving. You can find more information at:

http://cleartheairchallenge.org/

Secondly, we had a presentation and lengthy discussion regarding domestic fowl regulations which is better known in some circles as the 'backyard chicken ordinance'. We have studied this issue for many months and enough consensus emerged from that discussion that a revised ordinance will come through to the City Council agenda for formal debate and action. As there are many things to consider while drafting such regulations I encourage anyone with any interest or knowledge in this hobby to contact City staffer Shane Smith at 801-965-5841. As always please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments.

30th

Last week was West Valley City's 30th anniversary of incorporation. Still fairly young by City standards and a remarkable amount of accomplishment has occurred in those three short decades. The Utah Symphony performed on an absolutely picture perfect summer evening. I enjoyed some food and the variety of musical selections that were played. Earlier in the evening was City Council meetings were the following proclamation was read and I afterward signed as Mayor Pro Tem:

WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH
PROCLAMATION
A PROCLAMATION DECLARING 2010 AS WEST
VALLEY CITY’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF
INCORPORATION AND CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF
“PROGRESS AS PROMISED.”

WHEREAS, in 1977 a determined Community Council of Granger, Hunter, and
Redwood residents wanted to form a new City Government in Utah, and
WHEREAS, those residents, along with State representatives and local leaders pushed forward, winning an incorporation vote; and
WHEREAS, on July 1st, 1980, Judge David K. Winder administered the oath of office to the leaders of the new City; and
WHEREAS, on July 8th, 1980, a subsequent disincorporation vote was defeated, realizing the dream of forming a new city and moving forward with plans for West Valley City; and
WHEREAS, West Valley City has embraced its first-class status with the addition of parks, new roads, independent public safety services, the Maverik Center entertainment venue, the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, the Family Fitness Center, residential and commercial enhancements, a city center and public plaza, and many more accomplishments too numerous to list;
NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby commend those individuals with the dream to build a new city, those elected officials, administrators, and employees both past and present who have worked to turn what was once a dream into Utah’s second largest City, and proclaim 2010 as West Valley City’s 30th anniversary of incorporation, celebrating 30 years of “Progress as Promised.”

Also during that evening Council meetings we convened as the City's Redevelopment Agency and Municipal Building Authority to have public hearing is order to sell the City's surplus land at near the Cultural Center to be developed as part of the Jordan River Marketplace.

The other big news coming out of the City is the naming of the Maverik Center. I am very pleased to have Maverik as the naming sponsor of the arena and excited at the potential for numerous partnerships to help promote the quality entertainment district that West Valley City offers. I have been asked by numerous residents and news agencies about the terms of the deal. I am happy to report that the deal is worth millions of dollars over a number of years. Deals like this are lengthy and complicated, but in the spirit of good government and transparency I hope that those that are seeking further information on this partnership get their questions answered sooner rather than later. I have always taken pride that the community owns the Center and that we will all play a big role in the future of that entertainment district. We'll work to establish as many quality partnerships as we can to keep West Valley City moving forward.