Some say Utah Lake carp can be sent to Iraq

Some say Utah Lake carp can be sent to Iraq
April 24th, 2008 @ 6:15pm
John Hollenhorst reporting
The government is looking for people to catch fish in Utah Lake -- about a million fish, as a matter of fact. It's quite possible the fish will wind up in, of all places, Iraq.
Here's the problem: carp, the most unloved and perhaps the ugliest resident of Utah Lake. And there are way too many of them.

A coalition of state and federal agencies is soliciting proposals from fishermen who think they can catch them. "They're the No. 1 problem here at the lake. They've basically destroyed the ecosystem, and we need to get rid of them," said Reed Harris, with the June Sucker Recovery Program.
If you're just a guy with a rod and reel and a bunch of worms, forget it. They're looking for fishing on an industrial scale. "If you can't remove a few thousand fish, we're not interested. We're looking at getting at least a million fish out of here," Harris said.
At five pounds apiece, that's 5 million pounds of carp they want to get rid of in one year. A main goal is to help save the endangered June sucker, which was pushed nearly to extinction by carp and bad water quality.
Commercial fishermen as far away as Minnesota have expressed interest, and there are proposals to market the fish as far away as Iraq. "Iraqis eat a lot of carp, and we'd like to get them over there, and they could be used for humanitarian purposes as well for food for the general public," Harris said.

But it all depends on who comes up with the most cost-effective proposal. The carp could be facing other fates less glamorous than an Iraqi dinner table. "Well, they could be used for compost. They could be used as fertilizer, mink food," Harris said.
The carp catching extravaganza will likely begin this summer. Federal and state agencies have a half-million dollars to spend on the project.
Low-levels of PCB's have been detected in the carp, but experts say they're still suitable for human consumption.
E-mail: jhollenhorst@ksl.com

Lehi/ UDOT comprimise on Corridor

LEHI — After three months of working with Lehi city staff, Utah Department of Transportation officials have decided to build the Mountain View Corridor in phases through Lehi.
Lehi officials have griped about the large corridor that will run along 2100 North because it will be close to homes and a school. The city presented a plan to UDOT in August that would place the corridor at 4800 North, an option that both UDOT and the Federal Highway Administration shot down.
The new plan, which was presented to and accepted by the Lehi City Council Tuesday night, would narrow the road and create a three-phase construction.
Phase one will include a four-lane road from Redwood Road to Interstate 15 along 2100 North and will include traffic lights, said Teri Newell, UDOT project manager, in an interview with the Deseret News. Road will be saved in the middle and on the sides for expansions. Phase two would construct express lanes in the median area that wouldn't have to stop at the lights. The express lanes would be like those UDOT plans to put in on state Route 92 from Highland to Lehi, which would be slightly raised above the other four lanes, Newell said.
The third phase would include widening the corridor to six lanes and removing the lights, making the road a freeway. However, Newell said the second and third phases wouldn't be needed until increased traffic demanded them. The third phase probably wouldn't be considered until 2030, Newell said.
So far, UDOT has $130 million allotted for the construction of the corridor in Utah County, which will be used for phase one, Newell said. She said UDOT sees the phased construction implementation as a success, constructing what residents need while working with Lehi's concerns.
"I think the big change or the big success from last night was that we found some point of agreement with the city, and (in a resolution) they showed support of the space concept," she said.
Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson said he thinks the phased construction is a successful choice.
"I think it was a fairly good thing if it continues on to get where we should be," he said.
Johnson also said he hopes they might be able to reconsider the 4800 North option and discuss other options for a larger road. He still maintains that a large road at 2100 North would be detrimental to residents

Saratoga Springs feels pain of the housing slump

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Housing slumps hurt almost everybody. In Saratoga Springs, the slump has hit the city a million times.
Saratoga Springs projects a $1 million shortfall in revenue for this fiscal year because of the slowdown in homebuilding.
Ken Leetham, Saratoga Springs city manager, said the city noticed it might have problems with the budget and slowed spending.
"We've curtailed our spending and we've put off several projects that were scheduled to be built," he said.
They halted road projects and put a hiring freeze on open city positions, but haven't yet had to cut any staff positions, he said. The city is still issuing building permits, but those permits have slowed, Leetham said.
"We're at about a third of the level that we were in 2006, which was our highest growth year," he said.
He added, "It's not that people aren't buying and selling homes, (it's that) there's a lot of homes on the market."
Homebuilding creates economic benefits for cities not only during the developing and building stages, but also during occupancy, said Elliot Eisenberg, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders who has studied Utah County's housing market.
Impact fees for developers to bring electric, water, sewer and cable services to the lot create revenue streams for local governments, as do building fees and money spent by construction workers during the building process, he said.
"That's a tremendous amount of money that comes in on per-house basis, and homebuilding is a base source of local economy," he said.
He added that because construction is such a large part of Utah County's economy, any downturn in the housing market will be noticeable for cities. The markets will eventually come around, but for now local governments are definitely feeling the strain of the downturn, he said.
One problem is the unsold homes on the market, which also causes a slowdown in new homebuilding.
"The builders have some inventory out there and they've got to move their inventory before they start building," said Ron Rydman, community relations director for the Utah Valley Home Builders Association.
Leetham, the city manager, said the market in Saratoga Springs is still strong for the under-$300,000 price range and there is a demand for housing. Although things are tight for the city now, Leetham is optimistic.
"I don't think it will last that long," he said.

Group clarifies Utah Lake vision

PROVO — Marinas, harbors and boat launches received the most votes. But sandy beaches, a trail system and getting rid of carp are right up there, too.
Members of the Utah Lake Commission met Thursday to discuss their vision for Utah Lake that will be included in the master plan, and many of the discussions focused on what Utah County residents had to say. Public comments taken from several commission open houses were folded into comments and suggestions from officials who attended the meetings.
Recreation, natural resources, land use and transportation were discussed in groups that included members of the governing board as well as members of the commission's subcommittees and facilitated by URS Corp., the company in charge of the master-planning process for the lake commission. About 50 people attended the meeting to discuss the lake, including mayors, city council members, legislators and officials from other state and local agencies involved in the lake commission.
Recreation on the lake could mean more tourism and more money for Utah County. Joel Racker, the executive director of the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he would like to see the lake promoted for wakeboarding and waterskiing competitions in the future. He also said there should be more bird watching, fishing and hunting.
All who attended the meeting agreed there needs to be a balance between development and protecting the wildlife.
Changed perceptions of Utah Lake stood out as one major need. Reed Price, executive director of the Utah Lake Commission, said it's important for people to know that Utah Lake will never be a clear lake, but that doesn't mean that it's a dirty lake or less of a prize.
"We need to let them recognize it as a jewel," he said.
Many people throughout the county think the lake is extremely polluted and is a cesspool or that it has raw sewage in it, said Saratoga Springs Mayor Tim Parker.
Utah Lake is a relatively clean lake even though it is green. Mike Donahue, a member of URS Corp. and the former president and chief executive officer for the Great Lakes Commission, said Lake Eerie had become clear because of an invasive species of mussels.
"Just because it's clear doesn't mean it's healthy," he said.
He added that many of the lakes in Canada that have been contaminated with acid rain are clear lakes, but that's because they are biologically dead.
Although Utah Lake has several invasive species, such as carp and phragmites, which the commission, county and state agencies are trying to get rid of, it is a healthy lake.
The master-planning committee will take the comments from Thursday's meeting along with the public comments, write up a vision statement and present it to the governing board to make sure everything is within boundaries the board agrees upon. A draft of the master plan will also be included in the presentation, which will happen in several weeks.

Land Swaps

Land swaps -- Last week Saratoga Springs City Council approved two land swaps with neighboring cities Lehi and Eagle Mountain. Property owners immediately to the east of the Saratoga city offices asked to be removed from Lehi and come into Saratoga Springs. It was Saratoga city staff's understanding that Lehi would approve the measure, and it was approved by the Saratoga City Council without discussion.
The second property was previously approved to be moved from Saratoga to Eagle Mountain, however due to some legal noticing issues it was felt the City Council had to approve it again after soliciting public comment. Since there was no comment from the public, it was also approved without discussion.

Family Week in Saratoga Springs

Family week -- The City of Saratoga Springs is celebrating its Family Week with several events planned through April 26, a kite flying festival, Arbor Day tree planting and a talent show. The week kicked off with Family Night at the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Tuesday was Farm Country Day at the Thanksgiving Point Farm. Wednesday was an "Explore Saratoga Springs Scavenger Hunt."

Today, residents can bring a picnic lunch to the Marina (200 E. Harbor Parkway) and enjoy a live bird show at noon presented by Hawk Watch International. Drinks and dessert will be provided.
Friday is the Saratoga Idol Contest. Starting 5 p.m. at the Avondale Academy (1417 S. Lake View Terrace Road), contestants will be able to display their instrumental, vocal, dance, visual art, martial arts and poetic talents. There will be professional and amateur categories, along with age group subcategories. Winners receive prizes and will perform or display their talent at the Saratoga Splash in June. Application may be filed online.
Then on Saturday, the city will be holding a special celebration at the city marina. At 7 a.m., Scouts will be cleaning the marina in preparation for a 9 a.m. ceremony. At that time, the mayor will open the ceremony by reading a proclamation with the city's Arbor Day goals.
The first Arbor Day Tree in Saratoga Springs will be planted and a plaque will be unveiled. Scouts and volunteers will then assist in planting other trees in the marina. The public is invited to participate.
Also on Saturday, residents can demonstrate their flying skills at the Saratoga Springs Kite Festival. Residents can fly at their choice of city park (Harvest Hills Regional, Saratoga Hills, Stillwater, Loch Lomond, City Marina, and Eagle Park). Individuals flying your kites between 10 and 11 a.m. could be featured in city photos.
All week, residents are encouraged to help beautify the city for the upcoming Arbor Day events. Large trash bins will be placed throughout the city the week of April 19 to 28 for collection.
For details or registration, contact Mandy Johnson at 766-9550, or visit the city web site at www.saratoga-springs.net and click on "Civic Events."

Saratoga to get new clinic

Saratoga to get new clinic


Lance Madigan - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
The Saratoga Springs Planning Commission approved rezoning 30 acres for a proposed health care facility, following a lengthy discussion last Tuesday with representatives from Intermountain Healthcare. The proposed facility would open just west of the new Wal-Mart site. The submitted changes will go before the City Council on April 21.
Before recommending the zone change by a 3-1 vote, Planning Commissioners said they were concerned about rezoning a piece of property that spanned three different building zones.
Intermountain Healthcare representatives said they would move the facility if the entire property wasn't zoned in a way that they could use it.
The nearly 30-acre property is currently split almost equally between regional commercial (rc), mixed use and low density residential zones. According to Saratoga Springs' building codes, however, hospitals and medical clinics -- like the one proposed by Intermountain Healthcare -- can only be built in RC zones.
Cassie Gross, Planning Commission member, was concerned that future neighbors coming in would want to put in higher density or commercial property.
"If we allow you to do it, how can we deny them? We have seen this time and again," Gross said.
She asked why Intermountain Healthcare couldn't allow the zoning to stay as is, since the first phase is zoned Regional Commercial.
"According to your current zoning, it wouldn't fit," he said, referring to plans for later phases planned for the property. He expressed that Intermountain Healthcare didn't want to start on the property and have to go through the process -- and possible denial -- of changing the zoning later.
Sarah Carroll, Saratoga Springs senior planner, explained to the Commission that Intermountain Healthcare would build the property out in phases. The property would be built out in phases, starting with the current 9,500 square foot facility. Eventually, the property could be home to a community hospital.
"Approximately half of this would function as an InstaCare," said Scott Roberson, Intermountain Healthcare regional manager. "We are just taking what is over there [at the current location] and putting it over here with a little more space. They also have some family practice physicians practicing over there. Not too many, because it is so small over there. We would have some more family practice physicians here."
"Everything that is in the InstaCare right now would come over here," he said. "The radiology, the small lab, those kind of things."
He explained the clinic would operate the same hours as the current InstaCare, but could expand hours in the future if needs demands it.

UDOT puts Lehi Freeway on hold

UDOT puts Lehi freeway on hold


Caleb Warnock - DAILY HERALD
Months of acrimonious confrontation between Lehi and UDOT over the proposed Mountain View freeway ended in a surprising, if uneasy, truce on Tuesday when both sides simply agreed to put the idea of a new freeway in north Utah County away for now. In an afternoon meeting announced at the last minute, the Utah Department of Transportation and Lehi staff presented Lehi City Council members with the results of three months of quiet negotiations over 2100 North. Reviewing what she called UDOT's new preferred design of the road, Teri Newell of UDOT said the state agency, hearing concerns from Lehi, had agreed to cut in half the width of the road, going from 680 feet wide to something closer to 350 feet wide.

That plan will preserve a corridor wide enough to build a freeway if necessary, but beyond that, all bets are essentially off the table.
Newell said that "if" a freeway ever needs to be built -- and that word alone represents a change in tone -- UDOT has now agreed that negotiations must begin again at some future date, with a new review of all possible alternatives, including the 4800 North option advocated by the city, all-new public hearings and a new environmental study. That means the emotional arguments for and against the freeway, which have drawn hundreds of residents to protest rallies and information meetings, will now find a resolution another day, perhaps decades into the future.
Instead of planning for a freeway now, a new east-west connector at 2100 North will be built as soon as possible, with two lanes and traffic signals in each direction, using $130 million of state funding. This could be expanded to a third lane in each direction as traffic demands grow. The east-west lanes will have a 200-foot wide blank median between them, and UDOT will eventually be build express lanes with several local accesses inside that space. The express lanes could come 15 years or more in the future, officials said.
Other major changes include a bridge that will lift railroad tracks over the new road at 2100 North and built-in U-turn lanes before signal lights that will allow faster local access. In addition, when the expressway lanes are built, ramps will allow commuters to exit from southbound I-15 directly onto State Street and also directly onto 2300 West.
Meeting twice a week over the past three months, "has been an arduous process, but we are anxious to share the progress we've made," said city manager Jamie Davidson.
Newell said UDOT and the city have been negotiating "to find something that works for both of us, and for the economic development of the city."
Some details still have to be negotiated, including exact locations for access onto and off of 2100 North, Newell said. Right now, the information, maps and artist renderings presented on Tuesday are not available to the public, but will eventually be made available, likely at a Lehi-sponsored meeting when all negotiations between UDOT and Lehi are finalized.
While they voted unanimously to accept the draft changes and continue negotiating with UDOT, and even complimented the state on being willing to make changes, Lehi officials lost no time in making clear that they have no intention of supporting a freeway along 2100 North, ever.
Councilman Johnny Barnes called the freeway "a Berlin Wall" and said the new plans were not as much win-win as "all right, all right," but he agreed that negotiations were heading in the right direction.
Davidson said the new plans were "not perfect" but represented headway toward the city's goal of minimizing the impact of the road on local residents.
Mayor Howard Johnson said there will be no final solution "until we have a freeway at 4800 North" and said he was grateful UDOT had agreed to not "lock in" the freeway, at least for now.
The new plan does not include the Salt Lake County portion of the proposed Mountain View Corridor.

Home Builders Scaling Back

Home builders scaling back

April 22nd, 2008 @ 8:03am

Randall Jeppesen reporting

The number of brand new homes sitting empty and unsold has started to drop in Utah. But that's not because a lot more people are buying.

The largest number of unsold new homes are in Lehi and Saratoga Springs, followed by South Jordan and St. George. But those numbers are going down mostly because many home builders have scaled back construction.

"The builders are plugging through their inventory," said Jason Eldredge with the real estate research company Newreach.

He says he expects most of the empty homes to be sold by the end of the year, and then builders will start building again, only on a much smaller scale.

"They can carry two or three homes. When you're carrying 30 or 40 it can be a problem," he said.

He says once the unsold homes are gone, the large incentives to buy new homes will go away.

Many Are Eager for East West Connector

LEHI — With thousands of people traveling Lehi's Main Street to and from Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain every day, a new road that directs traffic through Lehi is a welcome development for residents.

The Utah Department of Transportation held a public open house last week for the so-called "east-west connector" and its preferred alternative. The road will run at about 1000 South in Lehi from American Fork Main Street to Redwood Road in Saratoga Springs at about 600 North.

Part of the project will be included in the Interstate 15 expansion project, which will reconstruct the American Fork Main Street overpass, said Bryan Adams, UDOT project manager. The project, which is fully funded, will cost $135 million. Part of the $2.6 billion for the I-15 expansion will go to fund the east-west connector from 300 East to the American Fork Main Street overpass, and the $135 million will pay for the road from 300 East to Redwood Road, Adams said. The four-lane road will also have bike lanes and a raised, landscaped median.

So far, the comments UDOT has received from residents concerning the project have been favorable.

"It's been surprising how supportive the community has been with it," Adams said.

The people who are affected by the new road are the same people who travel Lehi Main Street and truly understand the need for another connector, he said.

A corridor exists along 1000 South that allows UDOT to lay a new road without much disruption. Subdivisions have been built on either side of the corridor, and few people will be negatively affected by the project, one reason UDOT picked the alternative, Adams said.

UDOT officials made extra efforts to inform residents about the open houses, handing out 1,000 door hangers in the major residential areas affected in Saratoga Springs and Lehi, encouraging residents to make comments.

Reaching out to residents in another way, UDOT asked the children at Snow Springs Elementary School to name the road. Children from all the classes will submit names to their teachers and on May 19, UDOT and various government officials will choose the new name in an assembly at the school, said Wendy Hansen, UDOT public information specialist.

Several of the residents who attended the meeting said that the road is definitely needed and they were happy to see it come.

Lehi resident David Miller said he felt the road was an important step in meeting the needs of the residents.

"I think they've done a pretty good job with everything they've had to work through," he said.

Although he had thought one of the other alternatives would have been a better choice, he said at the open house he decided they chose the right route.

Residents who attended the open house affirmed Adams' comments about a supportive public.

"Anyone on Lehi Main Street can tell you that something had to change," said Mary Street, a resident and agent for Commerce CRG, a commercial real estate company.

However, worries still remain for some. Kerry Posey, a property owner in Saratoga Springs, said he's worried the road will be adequate for two or three years but will be overcrowded in five or 10.

Vladimir Canro, a developer from South Ogden, said he's worried the connector will force more traffic into his subdivisions and cause traffic problems for homeowners.

UDOT is still accepting public comments, which can be given at www.udot.utah.gov/ewconnector or by calling 753-7344. Construction should begin this fall.

UDOT Set to Widen Redwood Road to 5 Lanes

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Whether trying to avoid traffic on I-15 or Lehi's Main Street — or just getting out of a neighborhood to grocery shop — residents in communities like Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain in Utah County and Herriman and Bluffdale in Salt Lake County, among others, constantly use Redwood Road as a principal thoroughfare.

For the next year-plus they will be inconvenienced by a major construction project, but transportation officials say it will be worth it.

The Utah Department of Transportation is widening Redwood Road from the Bangerter Highway in Bluffdale to 400 South in Saratoga Springs.

Currently a two-lane road, UDOT plans to widen Redwood to five lanes, with bike lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides, said Adan Carrillo, UDOT spokesman.

UDOT will also install underpasses for wildlife to pass through. "It will greatly reduce the amount of collisions people experience out there with wildlife," Carrillo said.

The underpasses will also protect the animals in their migration patterns, he said.

"We're going to build fences that will guide them underneath these passings so they can use them and cross back and forth safely," he said.

Construction has begun on the north side of Camp Williams in Salt Lake County, Carrillo said.

Billed as a "design-build" project, construction starts when the design for a particular area is complete. When construction is finished in one section, workers move on to another phase of the project.

Construction in Utah County hasn't yet started, and with the design-build phasing, UDOT doesn't have a set timetable for when that would begin, Carrillo said.

UDOT has worked with Bluffdale and Saratoga Springs, which are directly affected by the widening.

Ken Leetham, Saratoga Springs city manager, said city officials have had several detailed meetings with UDOT that have kept them informed and their needs met.

"We've had the chance to make requests of UDOT for future utility crossings and things the public needs in the future, (like) storm drains, sewer lines and all those things," Leetham said.

UDOT has also worked with homeowners and business owners that will be affected along the road, though most of the property that will be impacted by the widening in Saratoga Springs is agricultural land.

Leetham said he hadn't received much feedback from residents about the project, but everything he has heard is positive.

"Everybody out here is really happy to see some road widening being done," he said.

During previous public open houses, residents were able to sign up to receive updates every week in a newsletter sent out by UDOT, Carrillo said.

Anyone interested in signing up to receive the e-mail can either call 455-3116 or send an e-mail to sr68info@langdongroupinc.com and ask to be added to the list.

Carrillo said the 10-mile project should be completed in fall 2009.

City Council Agenda April 22, 2008

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
WORK SESSION – Commencing at 6:30 p.m.
1. Reports:
a. Mayor
b. City Council Members
c. Staff
2. Adjourn to Policy Session
POLICY SESSION – Commencing at 7:00 p.m.
• Call to Order.
• Roll Call.
• Invocation / Reverence.
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Public Input, Awards or Recognitions – Time has been set aside for any person to express ideas, concerns, comments, questions or
issues that are not listed on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes.
POLICY ITEMS
1. A proclamation establishing “Silver Star Day” on May 1, 2008 in honor of wounded and disabled military personnel.
2. Presentation by the Utah Department of Transportation regarding proposed road improvements on S.R.73.
3. Public Hearing: Proposed General Plan Amendment, Rezone, Master Development Plan and Conditional Use for the
Intermountain Health Care located at approximately 350 West State Road 73; IHC Health Services, Inc., applicant.
4. Ordinance #08-14 (4-22-08): An ordinance amending the City’s General Plan designation from Regional Commercial (RC),
Mixed Use (MU) and Low Density Residential (LDR) to Regional Commercial (RC); rezoning from Agricultural (A) to
Regional Commercial (C); and approving a master development plan agreement for Intermountain Health Care located at
approximately 350 West State Road 73; IHC Health Services, Inc., applicant.
5. Proposed Site Plan for the Intermountain Saratoga Springs Clinic located at approximately 350 West State Road 73; IHC
Health Services, Inc., applicant.
6. Proposed Conditional Use for the Coram Deo church located at 24 Sergeant Court Drive, Suite 201; Sergeant Properties,
LLC, owner; David Nicholson, applicant.
7. Proposed Conditional Use for a temporary TNT Fireworks tent located at 1320 North Redwood Road; Smith’s Food and
Drug Store, owners; Tyler Talbot, TNT Fireworks, applicant.
8. Proposed Preliminary Plat for Alpine Pediatrics located at the southeast corner of Redwood Road and Commerce Drive;
Westridge Property Management, LLC, owners; Garrett Seely, applicant.
9. Proposed Site Plan for Alpine Pediatrics located at the southeast corner of Redwood Road and Commerce Drive; Westridge
Property Management, LLC, owners; Garrett Seely, applicant.
10. Public Hearing on Ordinance #08-15 (4-22-08): Proposed Revisions to the Land Development Code.
11. Ordinance #08-16 (4-22-08): An ordinance amending the City’s requirements for water connections where culinary water
is intended to be used to comply with the City’s secondary water requirements.
12. Resolution #08-13 (4-22-08): A resolution adopting a surplus property policy for the City of Saratoga Springs.
13. Ordinance #08-17 (4-22-08): An ordinance authorizing the sale of personal property owned by the City of Saratoga
Springs.
14. Resolution #08-14 (4-22-08): A resolution indicating the City’s support of the establishment of County-wide emergency
dispatch services.
15. Proposed Agreement: Multi Jurisdictional Mutual Aid Fire And Emergency Medical Services Agreement
16. Proposed Agreement: Utah County Fire Service Interlocal Cooperation Agreement.
17. Resolution #08-15 (4-22-08) A resolution amending the City’s health insurance benefit for retirees.
18. Consent Calendar:
a. Warrant Register.
b. Final Plat and Development Agreement for Fox Hollow Neighborhood 5 Phases 1-4, Fred Swain, applicant.
c. Resolution #08-16 (4-22-08): Addendum to resolution of the City of Saratoga Springs creating street lighting
special improvement district to include additional subdivision lots. (Fox Hollow Neighborhood 5 Phases 1-4)
19. Motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussion litigation matters, acquisition of real property or
authorized personnel matters.
20. Proposed approval for the acquisition of an easement for storm drainage from the Saratoga Springs Owner’s Association.
21. Adjournment.

Arbor Day Clean-Up

Arbor Day clean-up -- The City of Saratoga Springs will be encouraging residents to celebrate Arbor Day this year by participating in neighborhood clean-up. Large trash bins will be placed throughout the city the week of April 19 to 28 for collection.

Then on Saturday, April 26th, the city will be holding a special celebration at the city marina. At 7 a.m., scouts will be cleaning the marina in preparation for a 9 a.m. ceremony. At that time, the mayor will open the ceremony by reading a proclamation with the city's Arbor Day goals. The first Arbor Day Tree in Saratoga Springs will be planted and a plaque will be unveiled. Scouts and volunteers will then assist in planting other trees in the marina. The public is invited to participate in both activities. For details, contact the city offices at 766-9793.

Secondary System Pressurized This Week

Secondary System Pressurized this week -- Saratoga Springs will start pressurizing the city's secondary water system the week of April 14th. They say it can take up to two weeks for the system to build to full pressure, and residents need to keep secondary water values closed during this time. Maintenance crews will be working to identify any leaks that occurred during the winter. If a leak is discovered at the service connection or meter, residents are asked to call the Saratoga Springs Public Works emergency number, 404-2468, so crews can be notified. Any leaks on the residential side of the meter and service connection are the responsibility of the property owner.

City officials also want to remind residents that in order to conserve our precious resource, watering should be done between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. Failure to do so is a violation of City ordinance and may lead to a citation.

Culinary and secondary water system should never be cross connected. Saratoga's culinary water source is deep well water. City officials say this source is so pure chlorination is not necessary, however the city must take great care to prevent any sources of contamination. When culinary or secondary water systems are cross connected, even with a back-flow prevention device, the risk of contamination is increased. This season, Public Works personnel will be working to see all such potential sources of contamination are removed. If you have a previously approved crossed system, you will be asked to disconnect it. Questions about such systems can be directed to Bree Thomas at 766-6509.

East- West Connector Construction Starts Fall 2008

UDOT hosted what is probably the last public open house regarding the East-West Connector last week with construction tentatively set to begin fall 2008.¬

The four-lane arterial will run from Redwood Road in Saratoga Springs at approximately 600 North, to the American Fork Main Street I-15 interchange.¬ The much needed roadway is planned to ease traffic congestion on the heavily used SR-73, also known as Lehi's Main Street.

Residents were shown maps of the mostly likely path of the road way.¬

"There is no existing road," said Scott Thompson, UDOT Region 3 public information manager. "The nice thing is that Lehi had some foresight in laying this out. They allowed for some open area and right of way to build a corridor like this. There is very little displacement of people having to be moved or relocated."

Thompson said that after a few last environmental study details, UDOT hoped to go out to bid on the project this summer.¬ ¬ ¬

"You probably won't see any construction until fall of 2008," said Thompson. "That will give us time, because when that road [E-W connector] is completed, then the I-15 rebuild is really going to get going in 2010."

Residents, for the most part, seemed pleased. Lehi resident Jennie Dudley said, "They have certainly done a wonderful job of presenting it.¬ It is good to have something like this that you can just go from person-to-person and find out different aspects of it."

The only real complaint seemed to be that the road is long overdue.¬

Springville resident and Saratoga Springs landowner Kerry Posey has had family in Saratoga Springs for 24 years. She said they haven't moved fast enough to get the traffic problem solved.

"I just about lost a son on SR-73 at the Jordan River," said Posey. "It was very, very close to being a death. One car got rear ended and knocked over into the oncoming lane. It happened just as he was coming by, so it was a head-on collision at 55 miles per hour. The roads are way too narrow, the speeds are way too fast and people don't want to slow down."

While UDOT officials didn't have an exact estimate of how many cars might be served by the East-West Connector, they did say it met with the Mountainlands Association of Government's transportation plans for the area.

"We could make a larger roadway, but then we would have to displace more homes and properties," said Thompson.

Thompson said that no homes would have to be relocated due to the roadway, although 30 properties would be affected.¬ Most, he said, would have strips taken from property for the right of way.¬ Only 3.7 acres of wet lands will be affected. Estimates place the cost of construction around $100 million.

Thompson said that public comment would still be taken on the UDOT web site (www.udot.utah.gov/ewconnector) or by calling 801-753-7344.

Neighborhood Clean Up

Neighborhood Clean-up -- The City of Saratoga Springs is inviting residents to participate in the city-wide neighborhood clean-up. Dumpsters will be placed throughout the city beginning Saturday, April 19, and will be picked up on Monday, April 28th. Yard waste and other items can be placed in the dumpsters free of charge.
Dumpsters will be located at the Public Works Building, Saratoga Hills-Grandview Blvd. and Lucas Lane, Pelican Bay-Marina, Saratoga Springs Development-Marina, Eagle Park, Sunrise Meadows-800 West, Loch Lomond Pond, Harvest Hills Condos-Harvest Moon Drive, Harvest Hills Park, Lake Mountain Estates-Jamaica Way and Mountain Moon Drive.
For questions, please contact the Saratoga Springs Public Works Department at 766-9793.

Comments Sought on Utah Lake Issues

PROVO — From adding sandy beaches to eliminating carp, most people in Utah County want a positive change to Utah Lake.

The Utah Lake Commission held open houses Wednesday and Thursday to educate county residents and receive their comments on how they envision Utah Lake. So far, the commission has heard suggestions to add private marinas for lakefront homes in the future or build a bridge across it for better transportation. Some people have even said leave the lake as it is.

Price said there have been several conflicting ideas, but the commission will look at all the comments. Currently in the early planning stages, the lake commission's board will have a meeting in which they will decide the direction of the master plan and which comments to include. Board members consist of representatives from most cities in Utah County, state agencies and the Legislature.

Although the commission doesn't have authority to create law, those who can make the decisions do listen to the commission, Price said.

"They are a member of the commission and we hope they would listen (to what the commission says)," he said.

He added that the mayors and representatives speak with the other members of the commission about ideas for the lake and what they believe is important for the lake.

"They influence one another, and they're able to bolster others," he said.

About 150 people attended the two meetings held in Lehi and at Utah Lake State Park to learn about the nuances of lake management and provide their ideas to the commission. Price and commission members hoped people would attend the open houses to help them take the lake in a direction the residents of Utah County want it to go.

The commission provided maps with the lake and some surrounding area. Each map was designated to explore different issues with the lake, such as nearby wetlands, proposed transportation projects, property owners around the lake, endangered species as well as many others.

Bruce and Susan Bankhead of Lehi said they were concerned with what happens to the lake and want it to be improved. They were surprised at how much property around the lake is privately owned and were concerned about whether that would affect the lake's future.

Lehi resident Paul Jensen said he learned quite a bit about the lake during the open house and how it affects the county.

"It has connections to all our cities," he said.

Price said he was pleased at the turnout and the wide variety of comments received.

"We recognize there's some tough things to work through," he said.

Maps from the open house will be available on the commission's Web site, utahlakecommission.org, next week. Anyone unable to attend the open houses can e-mail comments to Price at rprice@utahlakecommission.org.

City Council Agenda April 8, 2008

WORK SESSION – Commencing at 6:30 p.m.
1. Reports:
a. Mayor
b. City Council Members
c. Staff
2. Adjourn to Policy Session
POLICY SESSION – Commencing at 7:00 p.m.
• Call to Order.
• Roll Call.
• Invocation / Reverence.
• Pledge of Allegiance.
• Public Input, Awards or Recognitions – Time has been set aside for any person to express ideas, concerns, comments, questions or
issues that are not listed on the agenda. Comments are limited to three minutes.
POLICY ITEMS
1. Proposed Signage Plan for the Wal-Mart development located at 136 West State Road 73.
2. Proposed Site Plan and Conditional Use for Powerhouse Gym located at the north east corner of 1140 North and Redwood
Road within the Riverbend development; Powerhouse Properties, LLC, owner; Ken Coleman and Marc Roberts, applicants.
3. Proposed Preliminary Plat for Cozy Acres located south of Aspen Hills Boulevard at approximately 675 West; Ron and
Marsha Paskett, owners and applicants.
4. Ordinance #08-13 (4-8-08): An ordinance adopting amendments to the City’s General Plan related to housing goals and
policies.
5. Consent Calendar:
a. Warrant Register.
b. Final Plat and Development Agreement for The Cove at Jordan River Phase 3, Travis Taylor, applicant.
c. Resolution #08-12 (4-8-08): Addendum to resolution of the City of Saratoga Springs creating street lighting
special improvement district to include additional subdivision lots. (The Cove at Jordan River Phase 3)
d. Proposed revisions to the final development agreement for Bank of American Fork.
e. Final Plat extension request for Harbor Bay Phase 4.
f. Final Warranty Release for the Jacobs Ranch Palamino Drive water line.
g. Storm drain reimbursement agreement with Buckeye Properties.
h. Warranty Extension for Sunset Haven Plat A.
i. Minutes:
1. January 15, 2008.
2. January 22, 2008.
j. Discussion Items:
1. Sign Code Update.
2. Commercial Land-Use Matrix.
6. Motion to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussion litigation matters, acquisition of real property or
authorized personnel matters.
7. Action from closed session, if any.
8. Adjournment.

Residents Weigh in on Utah Lake's Future

Local cities are asking residents to weigh in on the future of Utah Lake, but if Thursday evening was any indication, consensus will be elusive.

Local opinion lined up for and against a Utah Lake causeway, and remained equally divided on dredging the lake, the fate of the June sucker and even development of the shoreline.

Everyone, however, seemed to agree that planning for the lake's future was important and long overdue, no matter how difficult that task might be.

Reed Price, director of the Utah Lake Commission, which is composed of representatives from local cities and agencies, said that about 150 people total attended Thursday's meeting and another on Wednesday. Public comment will be used to form a master plan for the lake's future.

"I think this plan will be able do great things for Utah Lake," he said. "By creating a master plan, we will be able to have a document that helps us move in a focused direction to make Utah Lake a better place."

Brigham Young University student David Holden said he came to represent family property near the lake. His family would like to see commercial development of the lake, which "is notorious for being a cesspool," he said.

To solve that problem, the lake's future should be drastic: drain it, dredge it, stock it anew with native fish, creating an island in the middle with dredgings, he said.

"Ban fishing for three years, and after that, it has a fish population," he said.

He would be willing to pay more taxes to see it happen, he said.

Seventy-year-old Wayne Beesley of Provo said he does not want the lake touched.

"I'm happy the muddiness has kept a lot of people off," he said. "I don't want to see homes or buildings encroaching on the shore. I want all the shore open to the public as public land."

Any development should be kept 1,000 yards away, he said.

Dredging is a bad idea: a boat vacuum to suck up the muck is needed instead, he said.

"Some kind of sucking system to suck up the muck that has been washed in here for years," he said. "They could take it down to a harder surface."

A "couple of pennies' " increase in statewide sales tax should do the job, he said.

Rex Infanger of Pleasant Grove said he regularly fishes at the lake and would like to see a causeway built linking east and west populations of the county. Dredging should also be done to create some areas for cold-water fish species, dug deeply enough to be protected from the constant sifting of the wind.

"I probably won't be very popular, but I think we are wasting our money on the June sucker," he said. The June sucker is one of the most endangered species in the world, and native only to Utah Lake. "We have so few left and we are not even positive they are the same genetic strain."

Instead, the lake should be managed to bring back the cold-water trout that thrived here a century ago -- returning the lake to a condition to support those trout would automatically rejuvenate June sucker habitat too, he said.

Merrill Webb, one of Utah Valley's leading bird watchers, said he was grateful a Utah Lake Commission was created by the state this year.

"Because of all the different entities that have interest in this lake, there has to be some management," he said. "There has to be a philosophy."

That philosophy should begin by conserving all existing wetlands, he said. Lakeside cities should enact laws to protect the wetlands from development such as those that already exist in Saratoga Springs.

"Why not have unified zoning laws around the lake?" he said.

Next, there needs to be a concerted effort to rid the lake of phragmites -- a big, sharp, invasive reed that puts homes at risk as a fire hazard, displaces native flora and fauna, allows mosquitoes to thrive and is very difficult to get rid of.

And if anything should go extinct, he said, it should be the idea of a Utah Lake causeway.

"I don't like the idea of dividing the lake into two," he said. "It is an ecosystem. How do you divide it without negative impacts?"

Dredging would likely only stir up more muck, damaging the lake's already damaged ecosystem, he said.

And Provo Bay must be preserved because of the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of birds that rely on it in their global travels, he said.

"I don't want to see Provo Bay mucked with at all," he said.

Utah County and local cities should invest in a large, interactive, interpretive center to be built at the lake shore, to educate children on how birds, wetlands and the lake work together, he said.

"There is no place for them to go to get organized presentations on wetlands or waterfowl," he said, noting that similar centers at other lakes in Utah have been successes.

Regina Bixler of Provo said she came to the meeting after moving here from Lake Erie two years ago, thinking her experience there might be useful.

The meeting taught her otherwise, she said.

"This is totally different," she said of Utah Lake. "I would like to see them clean it up if it is as dirty as they say it is."

Rather than a causeway, perhaps a ferry system should be considered, she said.

Natural resource conservation of the lake should be the valley's top priority, she said.

Residents who missed both meetings can still offer their view of the lake's future. For information, call the Utah Lake Commission at 851-2900.

UDOT Initiates East-West Connector Plans

Few residents are down in the mouth about UDOT East-West Connector plans to build a limited access boulevard from American Fork's Main Street to Saratoga Springs' 600 North on Redwood Road. As a matter of fact, most people from the affected communities of American Fork, Lehi and Saratoga Springs see the state agency's plans as exciting according to UDOT representatives.
"I think the public has been pretty happy with it," said program manager Bryan Adams. "We've heard 'We need this, let's get this done.'"
Three points make the East-West Connector plan stand out more positively than other transportation projects in the north Utah County area: first, it has already been funded by state money; second, it doesn't relocate homes; and third, construction on the thoroughfare to alleviate Lehi Main Street traffic can begin in a few months.
Part of the ease in planning began more than five years ago with Lehi City's master transportation plan. Rural undeveloped land in the pathway has also facilitated easier planning. Flow of traffic from Eagle Mountain additionally effected the design.
Saratoga Springs's 600 North was chosen for the East-West Corridor stub end because it is the mid point between SR 73 and Saratoga Springs' Center Street (where the west bench high school opening in 2009 is located).
UDOT is hosting an open house April 10 from 5-7 p.m. at Snow Springs Elementary School, 850 S. 1700 West, Lehi, showcasing the preliminary design of the East-West Connector and has invited the public to comment on their impression of the project.
Construction will begin once the Corps approves the plans which show a fairly straight path through the three cities, jogging around wetlands to minimize impact.
Cost for the boulevard is $100 million from 600 North in Saratoga Springs to 300 East in Lehi. Cost for the section that is part of the I-15 project is yet to be determined.
They [the state] realize the importance of this," Adams said. "They realize they can alleviate a lot of congestion on Lehi's Main Street."
The East-West Corridor will impact 3.7 acres of wetlands, affect 30 parcels of property with no relocations, will temporarily impact the Jordan River Trail users during its construction, and potentially impact 95 parcels with noise.
UDOT expects to begin construction on the connector in September and be completed before I-15 construction begins in fall 2010.
UDOT open houseEast-West Connector Environmental StudyDate: April 10Time: 5-7 p.m.Place: Saratoga Springs Elementary, 850 S. 1700 West, LehiWeb site: www.udot.utah.gov/ewconnector

Benefit in Saratoga Springs for Hser Nay Moo's family

What:  Car Wash to benefit Hser Nay Moo's family
Where:  It will be held at my kids' school: Lakeview Academy Charter
School,
at 527 W. 400 N. in Saratoga Springs.  Come through either drive-way,
on
east or west side of school.
When:  THIS Friday, April 4th, from 1pm - 5 pm.

Details:  Sponsored by Lakeview Academy's Sports Program.
All proceeds will go to the family of Hser Nay Moo, the 7-year old girl
from
South Salt Lake that tragically passed away earlier this week.  Cost is
$5
per car.  Donations are gladly accepted.  If anyone would like to
donate any
carwash supplies, please contact Tina Rivera at 427-0917, or at
riverapicapica@hotmail.com

Utah County Mayors Lobby for Road Funds

OREM — When it comes to funding east-west roads through cities on the west side of Utah County, some mayors don't want to depend on the state.
Eagle Mountain Mayor Heather Jackson, Saratoga Springs Mayor Tim Parker and Lehi Mayor Howard Johnson flew to Washington, D.C., to lobby for funds for several roads. Many cities and counties throughout the country lobby their congressmen in March for funding.
Anyone who drives on Lehi Main Street during rush hour can attest that more roads are needed to address the east-west congestion problem through Lehi. And although the Utah Department of Transportation is developing roads to help, those cities' officials don't want to be completely dependent on the state to provide the roads.
Eagle Mountain's main concern for roads is to extend Pony Express Parkway to Redwood Road in Saratoga Springs to provide an alternate route for residents traveling to the city, as well as to Fairfield and Cedar Fort, another option besides state Route 73 and 400 North in Saratoga Springs.
"It (would) alleviate congestion on our city streets," Parker said. "It's sure going to make commuting east and west a lot easier for Eagle Mountain folks."
Smaller cities like Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs don't have numerous businesses that expand the tax base and generate the funds that help build larger roads and therefore, smaller cities need some extra help for those roads. Eagle Mountain employs a lobbyist in Washington to help them receive those funds.
All the mayors said they felt well-received and hope some funding will come through for them.
"Each office, when we went in, said, 'You have a transportation problem, what can we do to help?"' Jackson said.
All three cities sent letters in support of each other and the Mountainland Association of Governments also sent letters of support, she said.
"We presented something they hadn't seen before, and (we're) a region working together to accomplish something," she said.
She added that she believes it's "highly possible" that the city will receive funds for the road.
Lehi asked for funding for roads it needs and although the cities have yet to hear about possible funds, Johnson is sure the meetings did some good.
"We built some bridges that will help somewhere down the line," he said.