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.

Jordan River Commission

The following is a press released issued by West Valley City Office of Public Relations regarding the establishment of the Jordan River Commission:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 30, 2010
Contact: Corey Rushton, Councilmember At-Large, 801-963-3346
West Valley City to Sign Resolution to Join Jordan River Commission
WHAT: West Valley City resolution signing to enter interlocal agreement establishing the Jordan River Commission.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 6, 2010, 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: West Valley City Council Chambers
3600 S. Constitution Blvd.
West Valley City, Utah 84119
WHO: Everyone is invited to attend the event.
WHY: On Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 3:30 p.m., West Valley City Mayor Pro Tem Corey Rushton will sign a resolution entering in to an interlocal agreement to establish the Jordan River Commission. The West Valley City Council approved the resolution on June 22, 2010 during its regular City Council meeting. The Commission will coordinate efforts in developing and implementing a comprehensive vision for the entire river. The Jordan River Commission will consist of local government entities bordering the Jordan River.
“West Valley City has been a leader throughout the region in protecting and promoting the Jordan River,” said Rushton. “West Valley City looks forward to continuing those efforts with the Jordan River Commission.”
The Commission will focus on promoting the protection of the Jordan River; facilitate orderly planning and development while protecting the individual jurisdictions’ ability to govern its own area. The Jordan River Commission will also promote and help establish support for the “Blueprint Jordan River” document created by Envision Utah. The “Blueprint Jordan River” document was created through public hearings and public involvement to set guiding principles and goals for protecting the Jordan River and developing it as a community resource.
# # #

5th Tuesday City Council

City Council meetings are usually only scheduled during the first four Tuesdays of each month. Today was a Fifth Tuesday and as such no meetings today. However, I did participate in a meeting today as a member of the West Valley Monument Review Committee to discuss a proposed Serviceman Memorial. The City Council also took the opportunity of no meetings to participate in a City service project. Myself and two other City Councilmembers assembled at the Harman Senior Center to clean out some of the basement storerooms. We quickly filled a dumpster with trash and reorganized the supplies in the rooms. I feel that it is very positive for our City Council to learn how to work together in and out of City Council Chambers. It was also a good opportunity to get to know a couple of staff members that oversees the operations of this great City facility and learn more about the mission of the Center.

The David and Grace Harman Family Home was the boyhood home of Pete Harman, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, which he donated to the City for use as a senior recreation center. The house was originally built in 1918 and remodeled in 1989 before Harman turned it over to the City.

Today, the Harman Senior Recreation Center provides West Valley City's senior residents with access to community resources and programs that enhance dignity, support independence, encourage community involvement, and stimulate physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The address, phone number and hours are listed below:

4090 South 3600 West
West Valley City, UT 84119

Ph: (801) 965-5822

Hours
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Monday - Friday
Lunch
Monday - Friday at 12:00 pm

WestFest

In my humble estimation this year's WestFest was outstanding. The entertainment and various entries in the talent show was exceptional, the food was just as diverse and tasty, and the parade and fireworks just keep getting better. It was also full of information and offers from local groups and businesses. My sincere thanks goes out to the members of the WestFest committee for their dedication and hard work. They represent our city well and do an excellent job of pulling together all aspects of this celebration. Not to mention that this is West Valley city's 30th anniversary and so their was extra work and increased expectations.

Emily and I also had a memorable time supervising a number of kids as we explored the carnival section of WestFest. The area was open and well maintained for the number of people scurrying between rides and games. Deepest condolences to the friends and family of Carl Nutsch.

I am looking forward to an even bigger and better WestFest 2011. There will be plenty of opportunities to participate and enjoy our community.

National Committee Work Official Release

Here is the official press statement jointly released by the National League of Cities and West Valley City:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 28, 2010
Contact: Corey Rushton, Councilmember At-Large, 801-963-3346
West Valley City Councilmember Corey Rushton Explores Redevelopment Solutions at National League of Cities Meeting
West Valley City – During a recent meeting of the National League of Cities’ (NLC) First Tier Suburbs Council in Garland, Texas, West Valley City Councilmember Corey Rushton explored innovative solutions to redevelopment issues and learned how to translate these ‘best practices’ into reality for West Valley City.
“This committee is very ambitious in identifying and researching innovative solutions to the common challenges that our communities all share” said Rushton.
Local officials from first tier suburban communities struggle with the challenges of redevelopment, including aging housing stock and infrastructure, outdated land use regulations and sprawl.
In response to these challenges, city officials learned about downtown revitalization efforts that spur new growth while retaining community character, as well as efforts to plan and leverage new development around Dallas Area Rapid Transit stations. The cities of Garland, Plano, Duncanville, North Richland Hills and Richardson took advantage of the opportunity to bring new life to their communities by combining deliberate growth patterns, public/private partnerships and community support and participation.
In addition to touring successful redevelopment projects, city officials heard from national experts and discussed challenges and solutions to regionalism; retail revitalization; transit-oriented development; neighborhood vitality; changes in the real estate market; and strategic approaches to economic development attraction.
Chaired by Garland Councilmember Douglas Athas, the First Tier Suburbs Council is comprised of local officials from communities outside of central cities and inside the ring of developing suburbs and rural areas.
The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

Rainwater Harvesting

My agrarian ancestry and experiences with our dry climate has always made water conservation a concept and practice that has long interested me. I have mentioned in earlier posts some practices and water wise vegetation that helps to conserve this precious resource. I wanted to further point a development that I have been following that I know will be of some interest to many of our community's businesses and residents. This year, the Utah Legislature passed Senate Bill 32, which permits the capture and storage of precipitation (i.e., rainwater harvesting). The bill has now been listed in the Utah Code under section 73-3-1.5. Their are limits to the amount you can harvest and another requirement of the new law that just took effect is that a person who wants to harvest rainwater must first register with the Utah Division of Water Rights. The Division now has an online registration form that can be found here:


http://waterrights.utah.gov/forms/rainwater.asp


I took a few minutes and registered and feel good that my small backyard sistern is now legal in the eyes of the State.