By Julie Johansen
District Governor for Lions Club International Rhett Huff addressed the Huntington City Council Wednesday evening at its regularly scheduled November meeting. He was concerned that the Lions Club in this area is fading and he hates to see it leave. He reminded the council that Emery County Lions Club began in 1950. At the time, it was very active.
Lions Club International serves communities. Many of the members have become mature and new members are needed to further the Lions Club. At the beginning of the year there were only seven official members in Emery County. Although there are no territorial limits, the club has been mostly centered in Huntington. Huff requested that the council get the word out that unless there are new members, it will go away.
Permission for Palenque Gourmet Mexican Grill to apply for a beer license from the state was granted. The request for Wildfire Risk Assessment insurance was tabled until council members can have another meeting with the agent. The council meeting schedule for 2017 was approved and will remain on the third Thursday of each month.
Councilman Leonard Norton expressed concerns received from citizens about some of the storm drains in the southeastern section of town. The problems seem to be that that section is patchwork and not an organized system. Norton requested that the city engineer look it over. Mayor Hilary Gordon reported that the Special Service District is aware of the problems but it has not become prioritized. She will bring this up again at the next SSDC meeting.
Bids were reviewed for the cleanup of the McAllister property located between Third and Fourth South and Main and First West. Staker Parsons will be awarded the project as it had the low bid. It was decided to have a public hearing to open the budget to find the funds for this needed project.
An update was given on the SITLA purchase north of the city. The property was appraised for $30,000. As this will have to go before the Public Lands Council at its meeting on Jan. 3, this matter was postponed until January.
A public hearing was conducted on the CIB Bonding, but there were no comments so the hearing was closed.
Councilmen and mayor reports followed the items listed on the agenda. The Gordon reminded all of the Community Christmas Party on Dec. 1. Santa will arrive at 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
She also reported that a company is interested in building a solar farm north of Huntington. This would actually be on property located in the county.
Councilman Mark Justice reported that the maintenance crew is snow ready and Santa is ready to come.
Councilman Lamar Guymon announced the annual Turkey Trot 5K Run Thanksgiving morning. Registration is at 7 a.m. at the Miner’s Memorial Park. The cost is $10 and long sleeved T-shirts will be given to participants. He advised the rest of the council that the city attorney had told them not to sign the County EMS agreement because of liability issues.
Councilman Joe Ward reported that the light at the Veteran’s Memorial is out and he would like to fly the American flag there 24 hours a day. He also hopes citizens will remove their vehicles from the streets so that snow removal can be accomplished when needed.
Councilwoman Laneea Cowley said the Youth City Council is ready and willing to help with the Community Christmas Party. They would also like to include a food drive for the food bank in conjunction with the party. She noted that some of the American flags on main street need to be retired and replaced.
Councilman Norton reported they are working to take care of some illegal dumping at the city dump. The next CERT meeting will be on Dec. 5 The mayor requested that all council members try to be at this training.