Cottonwood Heights City Journal | January 2021

January 2021 | Vol. 18 Iss. 01

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UDOT WEIGHING FIVE ALTERNATIVES FOR LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON TRAFFIC

By Joshua Wood | j.wood@mycityjournals.com

T

he Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has narrowed the list of potential solutions for traffic congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon to five remaining alternatives.

Public input helped add two options to the list, and now UDOT will move forward to evaluate the various impacts of each option to determine the final course of action.

A growing problem for residents, resorts and skiers The problem is well known to most residents in the area, particularly skiers and people who live near the canyons.

Traffic up and down Little Cottonwood Canyon on SR 210 is fraught with congestion. This is especially the case on snow days when thousands of skiers head up the canyon in pursuit of fresh powder.

“The road is the worst when skiing is the best,” said Dave Fields, president and general manager of Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. “It’s super frustrating for locals, destinations and our employees.”

There are many issues that contribute to traffic congestion in the canyon. The two-lane SR 210 can no longer accommodate the sheer volume of vehicles traveling up and down the canyon without significant delays. On days with fresh snowfall, buses have been unable to carry the load at their current capacity. Traffic also gets stopped when ill-equipped cars cannot handle the slick canyon roads.

Five proposed courses of action UDOT has worked on multiple potential solutions to snarled canyon traffic. The process has included town hall meetings, public comment periods and a continually refined list of options. In summer 2020, UDOT opened a public comment period for residents to offer input on a list of three options.

“We got 6,500 public comments,” said Josh Van Jura, UDOT project manager for the Little Cottonwood Canyon SR 210 quickly fills beyond capacity when the snow falls. (Joshua Wood/City Journals) Continued page 4

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January 2021 | Page 3

Continued from front page Environmental Impact Statement. “That shows just how passionate people are about the project.”

Among those 6,500 public comments were suggestions for 19 new alternatives.

From those suggestions, UDOT found two that were mentioned repeatedly. After taking time to analyze the viability of those suggestions, UDOT added the pair to the final list of options. “We thought it was something worth looking at to see if it makes sense,” said John Gleason, public information officer at UDOT. “That’s valuable input that they can provide and introduce ideas we hadn’t considered.”

Following the public comment period, the final five alternatives under consideration are: Enhanced bus services This alternative would add more busing capacity without added road capacity to SR 210. It would involve a total of 24 buses running up the canyons each hour carrying 1,008 people per hour during peak times.

The price tag for enhanced busing would be an estimated $334 million in capital costs and $10.3 million in operating and maintenance costs each winter.

Enhanced bus with roadway widening The second alternative explored by UDOT involved adding roadway capacity along with enhanced bus services. Bus volume would be the same with 24 buses running during peak hours. A shoulder lane would be added for buses, which would cut travel time up the canyon from 46 to 37 minutes. Capital costs would be an estimated $481 million with $8.3 million in operating and maintenance costs each winter.

Gondola The third option presented by UDOT prior to last summer’s public comment period involved a gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon with bus service from area mobility hubs. It would involve 30 gondolas per hour during peak hours carrying 1,050 people per

Journals

UDOT’s screening process takes many factors into account. (Chart courtesy of UDOT)

hour. Capital costs are estimated at $546 million with $8.3 million in annual operating and maintenance costs.

La Caille gondola One of the two transit alternatives added to the final list following the public comment period features a gondola line beginning at a base station on the La Caille property near the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

The capacity would be similar to the other gondola option but would feature more parking at the station. It would carry capital costs of $576 million and $6.9 million in annual operating and maintenance costs.

La Caille cog rail The second alternative added following the public comment period would also originate at the La Caille property but would feature a cog rail, which is a steep grade railway with a toothed rack rail between the rails for added traction and climbing ability. The project would feature cog vehicles running every 15 minutes during peak hours carrying 1,050 people per hour. The project’s capital costs would run an estimated $1.05 billion

with annual operating and maintenance costs of $6.3 million.

Evaluating the impacts of each alternative Now that UDOT has defined its final list of five Little Cottonwood Canyon transit alternatives, it has begun work on a draft environmental impact statement. The report is expected to be completed by the summer of 2021.

“Of course the natural environment is so important,” said Van Jura of UDOT. “We’re looking at water quality impacts, wildlife impacts. We’re talking about a water source for hundreds of thousands of people, plus a scenic byway with a natural environment to consider.”

Former Sandy City Councilman Chris McCandless is a fan of the La Caille gondola alternative. He has invested in the property that would serve as the site of the gondola base station if UDOT selected that gondola option. “I recognized that property as a good base station possibility,” McCandless said.

“You have to look at human driving habits and the ability to get there as fast as they can.

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Page 4 | January 2021

Park at the station, then take the gondola.”

UDOT must balance the many factors that will go into the project. Two of the biggest factors include the environmental impact and the cost of the project. “Both money and impacts will be taken into consideration,” Van Jura said. “As stewards of public money, we have to consider that as well.”

As it prepares the coming environmental impact statement, UDOT will have to consider the impacts of widening the road, building a rail or constructing a gondola line.

From a cost standpoint, the cog rail has the highest estimated price tag at over $1 billion, while enhanced busing without additional roadway capacity has the lowest estimated cost at $334 million.

While enhanced busing has the lowest projected cost, it also has its detractors. “I believe that you could add twice as many buses and you still haven’t come close to moving enough people,” said Fields of Snowbird.

“What we need is a long-term solution that addresses the challenge.”

If the over 6,500 public comments from last summer serve as any indication, the project’s ultimate direction impacts a lot of people who feel strongly about the outcome.

“A lot of people who are moving here come for the access to recreation,” Fields said.

“More people want to have that experience.”

With more people heading up the canyons of the Wasatch Front, decisions regarding the area’s future infrastructure will have a lasting impact. It will impact the millions of people who visit the canyons each year. It will impact hundreds of thousands of people who depend on water running down the canyons. It will also impact wildlife and habitat already under stress from development.

“At this point, all of the alternatives are on equal ground,” Van Jura said. “There’s no advantage right now. We’ll start to see the advantages and disadvantages with the impacts of each. We’ll look at the whole picture.”l

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Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Local organization raising awareness of radon gas dangers

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

J

an Poulsen was 60 years old when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was confused because she had never smoked a day in her life. After a little research, she learned that her cancer was caused by a chemical in her very own home, one that is invisible, odorless, tasteless and otherwise impossible to detect without a test: Radon.

Poulsen was lucky in that she was able to beat her cancer diagnosis, but only after having undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, including the removal of one of her lungs. But many are not so lucky.

Each year, radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths in the United States alone, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Exposure to radon usually happens in one’s own home.

The gas forms naturally when uranium in soil or rock breaks down, according to the American Lung Association.

It then “enters a home through cracks in walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings.”

Luckily there are relatively inexpensive tests available to measure the level of radon gas in a home. The only problem is that they need to be done regularly.

Poulsen’s home was tested for radon over a decade before her diagnosis and the results showed a radon level of 2.2 pCi/L, much less than the recommended action level of 4.0. However, radon levels can rise over time and home renovations can also lead to increased exposure. Poulsen’s family, for example, added a walk-out basement. Following her diagnosis, they had their home tested again and the result was 24.9 pci/L, more than six times the recommended EPA action level.

“If we had known, we would have had our house tested and remediated immediately after we had it remodeled,” said Poulsen.

Poulsen’s journey led her to help form the Utah Radon Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of this rarely-talked-about issue. They hold regular radon awareness seminars, offer free testing kits to qualified individuals and lobby local lawmakers to adopt reasonable measures related to radon safety.

This month, for example, they’ll be encouraging a number of Utah cities including Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Herriman, Millcreek, Sandy and South Jordan to join the EPA and many others across the country in designating January as Radon Action Month.

Common radon entry points found in homes. (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

National Radon Action Month “provides a fresh opportunity at the beginning of each new year for all Americans to protect their families by becoming more aware of radon, testing their home, and mitigating radon if the test finds a high level of radon,” according to the URC website.

They will also be offering free radon testing for homeowners of those six cities during the month of January.

Residents can request their free test by visiting www.utahradoncoalition.org and clicking on Radon Action Month 2021. l

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January 2021 | Page 5

Best photos of 2020: Cottonwood Heights

Aaron Samms finished runner-up in both the 100-yard butterfly and the 100-yard backstroke to help the Bengals to a second-place finish. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Then-senior Luke Lindquist shoots a free throw against Hillcrest in the final game of the season that clinched the region title, holding the Huskies to seven first-half points.

Brighton defeated Hillcrest 55-33. The Bengals would go on to beat Bonneville in the first round before falling to Orem on the road in the second round. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Butler Middle School Principal Paula Logan leads a parade through the neighborhood March 27, 2020, soon after being named Utah Association for Secondary School’s Middle School Principal of the Year. (Julie Slama/ City Journals)

Ian Mendenhall goes to play in a cross against perennial 6A contender Pleasant Grove, the Bengals won 2-1. The 2020 Brighton Bengals team got a few final games playing in the independently organized Graduation Cup in Farmington. (Justin Adams/City Journals)

Page 6 | January 2021

The Cottonwood Heights Amateur Radio Club, or CHARC, assembled this summer for a 24-hour marathon competition. The object was to contact as many radio operators on the continent as possible. (Josh Wood/City Journals)

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Black Lives Matters and CHPD supporters protest respectively at City Hall after the Mill Hollow protest in early August. (Cassie Goff/City Journals) From the past spring, the view of the football field and campus as seen from the future school restaurant appropriately named The View. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Counter-protesters show support for the local police department while protestors push for police reform. (Cassie Adams/City Journals)

New developments along Wasatch Boulevard have been commonly referred to as the Gravel Pit Developments, named after the gravel operation at the mouth of the canyon that has been in operation since before the city was incorporated. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com

The Bengals took the Region 6 wrestling title with a victory over Olympus on Jan. 15, 2020. Brighton has had a solid season so far, featuring a first-place finish at the Gallegos Memorial Tournament that had four wrestlers go undefeated. (Justin Adams/City Journals)

Over 100 people applied to drive in the Rolling Car Show on Aug. 22, 2020. (Joshua Wood/City Journals)

January 2021 | Page 7

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Schools flip-flop learning methods to keep providing instruction to students

“I

didn’t know what to expect,” recalled a Canyons School District parent after his first child’s school changed to virtual learning after positive COVID-19 cases reached a 1% limit for the school.

“But it hasn’t been too bad,” continued Marc Hone, even as his three oldest children who attend three different schools all were learning online in late November, following health guidelines to temporarily close their schools. “We rely on Canvas (online learning platform), teacher emails and frequently look at the schools’ websites to ensure they’re getting their assignments done.”

This has been a different experience from last spring when all schools were suddenly put on soft closure for the rest of the school year following Gov. Gary Herbert’s mandate in response to the pandemic.

With four of his five kids then in school, it was a scramble to meet with teachers who held Zoom meetings at the same time and having limited devices, he said.

“It was a disaster last March, just terrible. We were strapped to devices and it was too much screen time. Some classes, it was hard to get on the livestream,” he said. “Now teachers are better prepared, each student is given a Chromebook from school and we’re OK as long as the internet holds up.”

A Granite School District parent, who only agreed to speak anonymously, said when her two high school students at the same school have flipped to virtual learning, each child has had different experiences.

For her freshman, there has been tears and stress keeping up with a 4.0 grade-point average, but her child has been able to do it.

“She’ll work in front of the computer for six hours, take a break and then, do some more. I asked, ‘Aren’t you done?’

And she said, ‘Well, that was my schoolwork and now, I’m doing my homework.’ And she’ll be there for more hours.

This is too much. I think that the quantity needs to be lessened, but the quality needs to remain,” she said.

Her other high schooler, a 4.0 GPA junior, has seen a total disruption in academics, his mother said.

“There’s been a lack of consistency with live instruction and support from some teachers,” she said. “He’s kind of crushed academically because of the stress and everything that goes with it. He’s not sure now that he wants to go to college; kids are starting to lose sight and lose hope. It’s proving to be really, really difficult.”

Throughout Canyons, Granite, Jordan and Murray school districts, several schools, most commonly secondary schools, had transitioned to remote learning up to three times since school opened in August. Each time, in-person teachers flip-flopped their teaching platforms to online.

Most districts are following Salt Lake County’s health guideline of closing schools for two weeks following an outbreak of 15 positive cases at the schools. Canyons Board of Education set a 1% positive case threshold to trigger a closure.

Many students and family fear the disruptions in education with inconsistent learning when students or teachers are in quarantine or isolation or when entire schools flip-flop.

Alta High senior Coleman Hone, who is also taking classes at Canyons Technical Education Center, said the uncertainty of his schedule has been hard.

“I come home from my morning at CTEC to learn that Alta is online,” he said. “This isn’t what I’ve grown up with all my life. It’s just inconsistent learning and it throws me off.”

Page 10 | January 2021

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

The Murray High commons is unusually quiet during school as students flipped to online learning once the school reached its threshold of positive COVID-19 cases. (Scott Wihongi/Murray High)

His principal, Brian McGill, said it’s been challenging for his school community.

“It’s really, really difficult on teachers and our kids,” he said. “Students need stability. Some kids quarantined one, two and three times in six weeks just by sitting next to kids who tested positive. It’s hard on kids to stay up on studies and hard on our teachers preparing for all eight classes online.”

In the 12 weeks since school opened, Alta has flipped to virtual learning three times.

“School became unmanageable with so many teachers and staff out. It became a challenge to find substitutes and run school,” McGill said, adding 80% of administrators’ time was contact tracing.

Granger High also has flip-flopped three times.

“While we are becoming more efficient in our use of technology in attempting to engage students, it is still difficult,” Principal David Dunn said. “Establishing a set schedule for teaching and having students log on has been much more effective in getting students to engage. We set deadlines, but we work with students individually according to their needs.”

However, he added, “First term, we did see an increase in students getting ‘F’ grades. A support system has been put into place to try and help those students get caught up.”

Cottonwood High flip-flopped twice, sent teams to students’ homes to support students, and has seen improvement in student learning—after implementing ideas from other schools, including a set schedule.

“We found that with our students, and it was toward the end of the first quarter, our participation was terrible,” Principal Terri Roylance said. “Kids just did not follow up at home. I ended up mailing all first quarter report cards home to the families with on the back side a little infographic and letter from me saying why did we fail so many kids and it’s because kids did not engage whatsoever. Not all, but many.”

Brighton, like many schools when they flip, learned online teaching is more effective with a schedule.

“The first time, we didn’t require synchronous learning, but instead, let student set their own pace,” Principal Tom Sherwood said. “We learned that they’d procrastinate through the roof, had other concerns at home which made it hard to focus, had troubles with bandwidth, and other issues.

It sounded great, but it didn’t work out that way.”

At Murray High, Principal Scott Wihongi said that transition to online learning needs to find a balance.

“Teachers continue to explore how much is too much when it comes to fully online learning,” he said, adding that the school flipped to virtual twice before December. “They are finding that they have to scale back work a little more since it takes students longer to do it in the home setting.”

Hillcrest High School math teacher Matt Snyder said that when his school flipped around Thanksgiving, they had a schedule for a sense of accountability.

“Students need a structure to be successful; it improves productivity,” he said, adding that the last Wednesday online, only two of his 95 students during the day were absent—about the same as a winter day in a non-COVID-19 year. “Students learn better with interaction. I usually greet students when they come into my classroom, so I make sure I do that when I see them log on. It adds some personality and helps them from feeling so isolated, but if someone were to come by my classroom and see me just talking without anyone here, they’d think I was crazy. It’s strange to be here all alone teaching.”

The transition to virtual learning was not what Hillcrest sophomore Campbell Hone expected.

“I thought I could sleep in, but there’s a schedule and a procedure to take attendance; I can’t wear PJs and we have to have our (Chromebook) camera on,” he said. “Even so, I don’t feel as connected to other students and my teachers; the class discussions online don’t give off the same intense learning vibe. I don’t want to miss out on my education, but it’s hard to sit in front of a screen.”

While some students are self-motivated and disciplined to learn online, Murray’s Wihongi points out: “In-person

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

learning is much preferable in many areas because of that direct support, connection and structure. Some students are clearly struggling without that.”

Administrators and parents say students are missing education in a social environment.

“Students want to learn in school, have access to teachers and discussions face-toface with their classmates. Learning alone is not the same,” Brighton Principal Sherwood said.

That’s what parent Karla-Ann Whitaker said about her son, Jack, who was learning online while Indian Hills Middle flipped in late November.

“He misses his friends, flirting with girls and seeing his teachers,” she said. “It’s been a pain in the butt. We’ve had tech issues and called the school, we’ve needed different links to have him connect with his classes, his grades have declined. He needs to be self-motivated and stay off his phone, but it’s hard. I know teachers are trying and we need to do what is safe, but it’s a tough adjustment.”

She said that as a single mother who is working and going to school full-time herself, she relies on him to watch his younger siblings, and that isn’t always taken into account with how much longer it takes to do homework online.

Jack supports his mother’s assessment.

“It’s terrible; it’s non-stop Zoom meetings and teachers can only help so much when they’re there and I’m at home on my own,” he said, adding that he has asked for more explanation with math in an email or the next Zoom call, but then he’s also waiting for those to happen. “It’s definitely slowing down the progression of learning.”

Indian Hills seventh-grader Addison Hone agrees: “I can’t stop by after school to ask a question to a teacher. I have to email

CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com

or ask in a Zoom call and hope there’s not a glitch.”

While she appreciates the efforts her teachers have made, Addison said, “It’s a lot harder to be interactive. They can’t see if your hand is up. It seems like there’s a lot more work with less instruction.”

Engagement and a sense of belonging is what is missing this year, administrators said.

“It’s hard when we’re not in-person to engage,” Mountain Creek Middle School Assistant Principal Tim Brooks said. “We are not sure where students are, what they’re doing, what’s going on, and we can’t see their expressions as teachers walk the aisles.

We try to overcome that with having cameras on, but it’s still hard. We don’t have the same assemblies and talent shows; teachers can’t give them high-fives. It’s like giving kids a Snickers and saying eat it, but you can’t take off the wrapper. We’ve all been learning to be more appreciative, become more patient, get creative and have humor during this time.”

Brighton’s Sherwood agrees: “What’s missing is all that makes high school fun and draws kids in—after-school socials and clubs, wearing school colors to football games, belonging to a school community and buying in to that culture.”

At Alta, McGill said keeping students and staff motivated has been challenging.

“The magic and beauty of what a comprehensive high school can bring is taking a hit,” he said. “It is also heartbreaking when students practice and rehearse for upcoming performances, only to find out that they are postponed or canceled.”

Murray’s Wihongi agrees the school year looks different.

“Missing this year is the overall energy and spirit normally associated with our high

Middle school student Jack Whitaker gets on Zoom to follow along with his Indian Hills teacher in what seemed to him as “non-stop Zoom meetings” during his online school day. (Photo courtesy of Karla-Ann Whitaker)

schools. Our classrooms and hallways are less busy; our activities and assemblies can’t move forward as normal, so it definitely takes the wind out of the sails, so to speak,” he said.

Teachers and administrators are finding positive outcomes to the changes of education this year.

In the classroom, Hillcrest’s Snyder said students are communicating better.

“There’s been phenomenal eye contact with me as masks are forcing eye contact— and better communication. They say what they need to say. Students following the health guidelines and mask mandates has exceeded my expectations. They’re treating me

and others around them who may be terrified to be here with care and respect,” he said.

Murray High’s Wihongi looks to the future of education.

“Our method of curriculum delivery and access will be a huge silver lining to this. We’ll have more options for students to access their education and all of our teachers will be able to blend online and in-person instruction much more proficiently,” he said, adding that, “Snow days will become online learning days. But what remains clear, though, is that in-person learning is the most effective method of learning, hands down.”l

January 2021 | Page 11

In 2020, Cottonwood football turned its program around thanks to its seniors

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

T

JADAKISS SIPAI: MAJOR COLLEGE INTEREST

hey had already been in the program for three years, going a combined 1-29, according to head coach Casey Miller. But in 2020, nine seniors turned the Cottonwood Colts football program around, leading the Colts to a 4-5 overall record. It was the most games Cottonwood has won in over a decade.

But the manner in which these nine seniors stepped up will be talked about for a long time. Because instead of going for all the glory at the offensive skill positions, most of these seniors made the decision to fill up the offensive and defensive lines, added Miller.

“I really think their leadership and just grit and toughness to stick it out and their selflessness was key, knowing that the younger kids will get the recognition because they were the ones who score the touchdowns,” Miller said.

Wins over Carbon, Timpanogos, Providence Hall and Judge Memorial set this team apart, but in Miller’s view there was

one game in particular that turned the season in a positive direction.

“I really think it was the Timpanogos game where we finally played well for four full quarters and the kids saw that the can play well for an entire game and that we can get that second win,” added Miller. “We played nothing but good close games the rest of the season. They believed they had a chance from that point forward.”

Jadakiss Sipai (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

Jordan Poteki (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

JJ Mitchell (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

Doug Maughan (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

John Congram (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

Isaiah Marichal (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

Joseph Madrigal (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

Mike Miller (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

Page 12 | January 2021

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST MOMENT?

Miller shared a short story about his team finding it hard to know how to celebrate the win over Timpanogos properly because in his five years of coaching at Cottonwood—three as offensive coordinator— winning games has been so rare.

“It was just them jumping in a huge pile and laughing, and actually being happy about something that has happened on a football field,” he said. “Watching the fireworks from the end zone and just looking

like a group of kids so happy that their work had paid off. Nothing crazy. We haven’t won enough for them to even know how to celebrate.”

But celebrate they did four times in 2020, eclipsing a lot of doubt about a football program that had to play an independent schedule because numbers at one point were so low.

But thanks to these nine seniors, whom the City Journals is proud to spotlight in this unique year of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Colts did more than unmask their expectations—they surpassed them all.

From one who was carted off in an ambulance his junior year and coming back, to two captains who accepted getting less playing time for the betterment of the team, and others who turned their lives around through football, the Colts were a special story. Let’s meet these young men, starting with those who worked hard in the trenches to bring Cottonwood football back.

Coach says: “Very quiet, hard-working kid who has started since his freshman year on both sides of the ball. A 300-pound kid who is hands-down the strongest kid in the program. Takes AP classes, has a 3.4 cumulative GPA and should get a chance to play in college. This lack of recruiting due to COVID is really hurting him.”

On schools recruiting Sipai: “He’s had some interest from the FCS schools from the state and some from the rocky mountain region. Things got shut down before anything got serious. There is an entire class of kids (2021) who are being hosed by the shutdown.

The top 100 kids aren’t being affected, but all the kids who fill 70% of rosters are...

Weber State has been in touch during the few open-periods in the last year. Montana, and some junior colleges in California specifically. The normal recruiting last spring got shut down right as we could have gotten

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

him some interest…I’m really hoping the Coach says: “Doug is the kid who has dead period ends and we can really push to used football to learn about himself and get him a chance.” become a more well-rounded person. He made Academic All-State this year having JORDAN POTEKI: MR. RELIABLE almost a perfect GPA for all four years of Coach says: “Jordan is the comedian high school.” of the group. Always telling jokes and makOn Doug’s future: “He is a National ing everyone laugh. He also has family ties Merit Scholarship finalist, and had never to the program as his older brother played played any football before high school. He back in the days when Cottonwood was has come so far and has been a great examwinning games in the late 2000s or early ple that you can do well in school and be 2010s. He is our other big body.” at all our football requirements if you are On his play: “He really stepped up this willing to work hard.” year and became more consistent with his play, which really helped us out a lot. We JOHN CONGRAM: ROLE MODEL Coach says: “John is a model for the were able to use almost exclusively seniors with a couple of juniors on the line this type of kids we want. He gets good grades, year, which has been much better than the comes to everything, gives kids who don’t last few years with multiple freshman and have access to a car rides to practice, and sophomores up there just getting beat up by just works hard every day. I know he didn’t get as much playing time as he would’ve older kids.”

On his plans after high school: “He has liked, but he always did everything asked some interest, no offers. Mostly junior col- of him for the team and was a senior captain.” leges in California and Kansas.”

On John’s importance to the program: JJ MITCHELL: BIG THINKER “That [characteristic Congram has] is the Coach says: “JJ is a kid who plans on commonality with all the seniors. They being an aeronautical engineer, takes the have meant everything to the program. hardest classes Cottonwood has to offer, Showing the younger kids that if you work and already has his plan for college. He is hard every day like they have, eventually another one who has shown up every single good things will happen.” day and has worked just as hard at football MARICHAL: LEGACY as he does at school and turned himself into ISAIAH a very good center and defensive end for CAPTAIN Coach says: “Isaiah is a kid who’s oldus.”

On his best game: “I can’t think of a er brother played at Cottonwood for us four game where he didn’t play well this entire years ago when we went 0-10. He has come season and was easily the best OL and DL to absolutely everything we have done for we had this season. He knows all the block- the past four years. He is also a wrestler. ing schemes, and exactly what he is sup- He has been a captain the past two years and again is a great example to our youngposed to do on every play.”

On his work habits: “His hard work er kids of how to stick it out, keep coming and his intelligence have allowed him to back and work hard every day.”

On his roles: “He played mostly ofplay OL/DL very well even though some would argue he is ‘undersized.’ He is a kid fense this year and a lot of special teams. who has turned himself into a good football We had some new kids come out who player through hard work and determina- played linebacker and he never complained about playing less defense; he just wanted tion.” to have a successful season. He just outDOUG MAUGHAN: MODEL STU- worked everyone.”

DENT

MIKE MILLER: LEADER

ing but ninth/10th graders at that position

SECONDARY again.”

Coach says: “Mike Miller moved here from California two years ago and his life was a mess…failing all of his classes in California and he was sent here to live with his cousin (JJ) to try and get him away from all the trouble he was getting into back home.”

On his ascension to team leader: “He came to every practice his sophomore year even though he was academically ineligible. He did our study halls, and has done everything we have asked of him.”

On his future: “He will graduate high school and got to play varsity football for the past two seasons and had a few big catches this year and a couple of interceptions. He used football to give himself on opportunity to graduate and not fall back into trouble. He did an amazing job for us the last three years. No [college] offers yet.”

On other contributions: “He also added depth at safety, where we only have three kids who can play that position. Another hard worker who did everything we asked him to and was able to help us jump up to four wins this year.”

ROCKY SARKI: NEW TO FOOTBALL

Coach says: “Rocky joined the team after like week three…never played in his life. Just played soccer, but our weight room coach convinced him to try. He came out and did kickoffs and field goals. Helped us a lot.”

On his duties: “Kicked it deep and made all the field goals we kicked except the one that got blocked because of a missed blocking assignment. Good kid who says he wished he would have played all four years. We are trying to get him to get more soccer kids involved in the football program.”

ETHAN KING: BACK IN FOOT- IN SUM Coach says: “They are a great group BALL

Coach says: “Ethan came out this season after not playing the last three years.

He heard from some of his friends that they are having fun at football and he decided to come out.”

On what stood out: “He really helped us a lot by being good enough to play wide receiver and let us not have to start noth-

of kids and they should be proud of what they accomplished this year. So many kids have quit and not had the guts to stick it out and try to make positive progress with the program. Future teams owe them a lot for what they have started.” l

JOSEPH MADRIGAL: STUD STALWART

Coach says: “Joseph is another fouryear starter. He was our leader on defense.

He’s played the same position for four years and so there was nothing he hadn’t seen. He could get us in and out of the defenses we wanted and was our big bruiser of a running back.”

On his ascension to team leader: “Tough kid who got beat up as a ninth and 10th grader, but was able to make his senior year one to remember.”

On his future: “He is an AMES [engineering and sciences academy] kid, he is already taking several University of Utah classes and I believe he will continue there.”

Ethan King (Photo courtesy Casey Miller)

CottonwoodHeightsJournal .com

January 2021 | Page 13

Skiers ride the chair lift on Opening Day at Solitude after months away. (Photo Credit Eric Schramm and Solitude Mountain Resort)

Ski resorts open with COVID-19 protections in place

A

s Utahns enter a new season during the COVID-19 pandemic, they can turn to the mountains for a safe place to recreate.

Although resorts up Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons were forced to close early during the spring of the 2019-20 season, they have been working tirelessly to provide locals with a safe 2020-21 season.

Ski resorts started planning for this season as soon as they shut down in mid-March but have had to adjust those plans as the COVID-19 epidemic progressed. As the rest of the state adjusted to each new mandate as it came, resorts were charged with predicting how current protocols would affect a season that was still months away.

“We had to wait for so many pieces to fall into place, and there were so many things that we just couldn’t see from that far out. The conversation has been ongoing throughout the year,” said Sara Huey, communications manager for Solitude Mountain Resort.

Utah resorts were tasked with altering their operations to fit this unprecedented sea-

Page 14 | January 2021

By Tavia Dutson | t.dutson@mycityjournals.com son, but they were not without help. Many Utah resorts have ties to ski resorts all over the world. By looking to resorts in Australia and South America, they were able to see how resorts in the Southern hemisphere dealt with their winter season. The southern hemisphere gets the majority of their snowfall from June to December.

“We looked to see what they were doing, what worked for them, what didn’t work,” said Andria Huskinson, communications manager for Alta Ski Resort.

These foreign ties have been helpful in winter planning, but the camaraderie among the resorts in the Cottonwood canyons is what will keep the resorts open with the ever-changing nature of this season.

“Utah is such a unique environment for operating a ski resort because we really do all have each other’s backs,” Huey said. “We work together really closely when it comes to the nitty gritty of day-to-day operations and sharing insight on what’s working, new ideas, and things like that.”

Although there will likely be changes in state mandates and protocols throughout the winter, ski resorts have proven to be flexible.

Resorts with summer operations have already been adjusting throughout the summer while allowing guests.

Changes to expect In accordance with state laws, all four ski resorts in the Cottonwoods (Alta, Brighton, Solitude and Snowbird) will be requiring face coverings inside restaurants and lodges and outside when a distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Although neck gaiters are allowed, skiers are encouraged to fold their gaiters or double up to ensure safety.

Physical distancing will be maintained at resorts in high traffic areas. To keep social distancing in lift lines, Alta Ski Resort has coined a new term.

“In our lift lanes we have what we call ghost lanes. There will be a line for skiers separated by an empty line,” Huskinson said.

“And naturally your skis in front and back keep you separated.”

Many resorts have used the pandemic to update their technology. Upgrades that have been passed over due to budget restraints are suddenly in high demand. Snowbird has added a new app that helps determine wait times on ski lifts and Solitude has added touchless pay for parking.

“We are often limited by budget, which we balance with need. The pandemic shifted that balance and suddenly we anticipated a demand among our guests. In order to mitigate transmission, we needed to prioritize these changes,” Huey said.

Resorts are combining these new technologies with data they have collected through the years. Solitude looked to statistics to determine how to keep their resort at capacity.

Solitude has ended same day lift ticket sales so that they can use their estimates to stay under capacity. The pandemic has demanded these changes, but many of the initiatives will have long-lasting positive effects.

“Ultimately, I think our efforts to address the pinch points through arrival where people

Cottonwood Heights City Journal

are necessarily concentrated will contribute to a more streamlined experience even years down the road,” Huey said.

Although restaurants on the slopes are only operating at half capacity, guests still have many of the same options. Alta Ski Resort has even added two more grab and go food trucks in each of their parking lots to spread out guests while still offering an array of options. Restaurants will be unavailable as “warming spots” this winter and resorts are encouraging skiers to use their cars to warm up and take a break during the day.

As far as travel to and from resorts, the Utah Department of Transportation will be working closely with the resorts and the Unified Police Department to keep roadways safe as they have in years past. For information on road conditions, visit udot.utah.gov.

What looks the same In these unprecedented times, skiers can rest easy knowing their favorite resorts will look largely the same. Resorts are committed to providing the same top-tier experience that Utah skiing is known for. The nature of skiing as a physically distanced sport has allowed ski resorts to make small modifications to their operations that ultimately keep

people doing what they love.

“Passholders should expect an experience that is pretty familiar to them.

They should be able to arrive, park and head to the lift as usual,” Huey said.

Many resorts are still offering lessons to those looking to learn a new skill.

Alta Ski Resort is only allowing private lessons, but they will look very similar to past years. Solitude is offering group lessons to ages 7+ and have only omitted the lunchtime gathering to limit time spent inside.

Something that will always stay the same is the terrain. The Cottonwood canyons have near limitless space for skiers and snowboarders to explore. Being out on the mountain will feel just as it always has.

Many resorts doubt they will reach the capacities set this year because of the vast area. Resorts like Solitude and Alta have been limited in past years by their parking ability, so veteran skiers can expect similar resort availability this year.

Check websites for updated information As the ski resorts stay flexible and continue updating to meet state guidelines, they ask that skiers keep an eye on their websites and social media channels.

With all the changes, it is best to stay informed before heading up for a day on the mountain.

“We’re telling people to know before you go. We’re really encouraging people to check the website before they even get in the car to come up,” Huskinson said.

All Utah resort websites have up-todate info on what they are doing to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. For resorts like Alta that limit parking, they will use their website to give estimates on when parking will fill up. Knowing before you go will help skiers stay safe while providing them with more information than ever.

Lastly, ski resorts ask that guests be patient with employees and other skiers.

As this is a new experience for everyone, there will likely be small hiccups along the way.

“We are doing our best to communicate clearly what people can expect,” Huey said.

“We need to be nimble and we need to anticipate that change is likely. We just ask that people be patient with that process.” l

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Cottonwood Heights City Journal

Seven walking tours let locals learn history, enjoy nature

S

even walking tours were recently unveiled in Cottonwood Heights for residents and visitors to explore various neighborhoods throughout the city. Each includes several points of historical interest, vegetation and planting, views of the Wasatch mountain range, and available parking. Under a relatively flat 3 miles a piece, these walks were designed with every fitness level in mind.

The available walking tours are: City Hall/Butlerville Walk (2.5 miles), Bywater Park/Apple Valley Walk (2.7 miles), Big Cottonwood Canyon Creek Trail Walk (2 miles), Top of the World Walk (2.4 miles), Greenfield Way Walk (1.5 miles), Antczak Park Walk (3 miles), and Crestwood Park Walk (1.2 miles).

These walking tours were created “in an effort to help residents explore their neighborhoods and learn more about the local history and natural beauty of our city,” said Cottonwood Heights Senior Planner Andy Hulka.

Creating and publishing these seven walking tours was a collaborative project between residents, city committee members and city staff personnel.

“Ronna Cohen spearheaded the project and worked with other members of the Parks, Trails and Open Space (PTOS) Committee and Historic Committee,” said former PTOS Committee Chair Melissa Fields.

Last year, Cohen was visiting Vernal on a vacation with her husband and noticed a rack full of suggested activities at their hotel.

One of the brochures outlined a walk through the city which led the couple past historical sites and provided detailed information. After that experience, Cohen thought to herself, “If Vernal can have that, why can’t Cottonwood Heights?” She pitched the idea during a PTOS meeting where the rest of the committee became thrilled by the idea.

Cohen reached out to the Cottonwood Heights Historic Committee to ask if they would be interested in collaborating on the project. Historic Committee Member Gay-

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com le Conger and Secretary Carol Woodside were instantly excited. Together, this team of women asked for potential routes of consideration from the PTOS Committee members.

They received many different routes from all over the city as residents submitted their usual jogging and dog-walking paths.

“We were recruiting from everywhere,” Cohen said. She began exploring the city, walking through every suggested route submitted. She even recruited the help of her neighbors to walk through different routes as well.

Once Cohen had narrowed down the potential walking routes, she handed over her hand-drawn maps to Conger and Woodside.

“They ran with it,” Cohen said. “They looked at all the walks and were able to instantly pinpoint locations, explaining that this specific area was so-and-so’s homestead and this was a historic campground.”

Current PTOS Committee Chair Jen Shaw was then able to add contextual in-

formation about the Native American tribes within the city. Cohen’s family was even in on the development process as her mom (age 85) and dad (age 91) provided the first round of editing.

As the walks were being drafted into brochures by Hulka, Cohen and others “did the walks again and took pictures of every point of interest.”

After the routes had been finalized, Cottonwood Heights GIS Specialist Melissa Blue took charge of the photographs, mobile links, mapping, GIS and online access. “(Blue and Hulka) have so much creativity and commitment for this project,” Cohen said.

Thirty brochures for each of the seven walks were published and became available to pick up at the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center (7500 S. 2700 East), City Hall (2277 Bengal Blvd.), and Whitmore Library (2197 E. Fort Union Blvd.). Within the first two weeks, the Rec Center was completely out of brochures and City Hall was about

ready for a restock.

“When life gets back to normal, we plan to put these in the local hotels and more popular restaurants,” Cohen said. “It’s a great way for locals to get to know their neighborhoods a little better, and for people coming into town to have an activity to do.”

All walking tours are accessible primarily through the city’s website. Interested attendees can access the walking tours brochures and guides with their mobile device and GPS, a PDF which can be printed at home, or a brochure found at the locations mentioned above. l

Walking tour participants can view a variety of images while walking through GIS services. (Ronna Cohen/ Parks Trails and Open Space Committee)

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Salt Lake County concludes budget process with no tax increase

Aimee Winder Newton Salt Lake County Council | District 3

With the final approval of the 2021 Salt Lake County budget drawing near, I wanted to share some of the proactive steps we have taken as your County Council to tighten up spending.

In June, because of concerns surrounding revenue impacts from COVID-19, we scoured our budget to find as many cuts as possible – leading to a massive $77 million budget reduction. Because of all the cuts we made in June, and because sales tax revenue did not fall as much as we anticipated, we ultimately had a fairly uneventful budget season.

As we strive to be as fiscally prudent as possible, one of our top priorities is maintaining our AAA bond rating. We are one of only 27 counties in the entire nation with this highest-achievable bond rating. Keeping this bond rating results in much lower interest rates on bonds and loans.

Here are some key principles I have always prioritized during the budget process, this year included.

First and foremost, tax dollars don’t “belong” to the county. The funds are yours. Taxpayers entrust the county, or any government for that matter, with a portion of their hard-earned money because they expect that entity to pro-

vide essential services for society to function. There is no amount of tax dollars that is too small to be scrutinized.

That is why I push back aggressively anytime I hear someone flippantly say, “It’s only x dollars… so we shouldn’t worry about it.”

Any expenditure, whether it is $10 or $10 million, should be reviewed, and if it can’t be fully justified to the taxpayers, it should be cut.

Second, I believe that all government functions should be viewed in two different categories: “need to have” and “nice to have.”

The “need to have” list obviously includes things that are statutorily required of the county to perform, think constitutionally mandated services such as criminal justice and election administration. I also consider public safety to be in the “need to have” category, since keeping our residents safe is a core function of government. However, just because they are essential does not mean they are above scrutiny, because efficiencies can still be found.

The “nice to have” list includes quality of life services the county provides, as well as any other program or initiative that can easily be described as a benefit to county residents, but

not necessarily considered essential.

Libraries and open space some of the things in this category.

The separation of these two categories demonstrates the same principle that every family in our county goes through in their annual budgets. They strive to live within their means and focus on essential family expenditures sometimes at the expense of luxuries.

Lastly, I review each aspect of our budget and ask, “Is this the proper role of county government?” I’ve said many times that government can’t and shouldn’t be all things to all people.

There are many programs or services that are better suited to other government entities, nonprofits, or the private sector. Particularly in a tight budget year, it’s important to review each program, service, or expenditure and ask that question again and again.

I’m confident that these principles are the essence of good budgeting and fiscal discipline, and I will always advocate for this approach any time government is entrusted with taxpayer dollars. You can rest assured that for 2021, Salt Lake County has a balanced budget with no tax increase.

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Making the grade When my kids were little, I did a bit of substitute teaching.

After I accidentally threw an encyclopedia and flipped a desk over, I realized teaching elementary school probably wasn’t for me.

Teachers are comprised of strong stuff. The molten lava that flows through their veins gives them courage and an unbreakable gaze. A skeleton made of graphene (200 times stronger than steel) keeps them steady and protects their hearts. And those hearts beat a consistent tempo that opens doors to new worlds and encourages students to find their own rhythm.

But teachers are exhausted.

I attended Viewmont Elementary during the 1900s, where teachers were the top of the food chain. I worshiped the good ones, feared the difficult ones, and loathed the mean ones.

I remember the “trip” our kindergarten class took to Hawaii where we ate coconut and learned the hula. And the teacher who caught us eating snowballs, so she melted snow to show us the dirt and grime. (I haven’t eaten a snowball in more than 45 years.)

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strating unprecedented resilience.

Many kids are failing this year, but are they really? Can you fail when a global pandemic changes the rules? When teachers adapt daily to shifting conditions?

Can you fail when parents work full-time jobs at home while staying on top of online assignments and hybrid schedules?

Teachers are a mighty mix of educator/guidance counselor/ cheerleader/cruise director, and this year their creativity and patience has been tested. It brings to mind my husband’s favorite quote, “Looks like I picked the wrong [year] to stop sniffing glue.”

This is a thank you to the teachers who work with my grandchildren. The teachers who are innovative and kind. The teachers who show up like a boss and get to work. This is also a thank you to the students who have proven to be flexible and strong. They’re all doing the best they can as they watch adults try to figure everything out.

Maybe we write this school year off; maybe it’s not the year to learn geometry or teach Latin. Perhaps it’s the year we value kindness, connection, and self-care for everyone involved. I promise, there’ll be much less encyclopedia throwing and desk flipping.

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By Joshua Wood | j.wood@mycityjournals.com

T

he Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has narrowed the list of potential solutions for traffic congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon to five remaining alternatives.

Public input helped add two options to the list, and now UDOT will move forward to evaluate the various impacts of each option to determine the final course of action.

A growing problem for residents, resorts and skiers The problem is well known to most residents in the area, particularly skiers and people who live near the canyons.

Traffic up and down Little Cottonwood Canyon on SR 210 is fraught with congestion. This is especially the case on snow days when thousands of skiers head up the canyon in pursuit of fresh powder.

“The road is the worst when skiing is the best,” said Dave Fields, president and general manager of Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. “It’s super frustrating for locals, destinations and our employees.”

There are many issues that contribute to traffic congestion in the canyon. The two-lane SR 210 can no longer accommodate the sheer volume of vehicles traveling up and down the canyon without significant delays. On days with fresh snowfall, buses have been unable to carry the load at their current capacity. Traffic also gets stopped when ill-equipped cars cannot handle the slick canyon roads.

Five proposed courses of action UDOT has worked on multiple potential solutions to snarled canyon traffic. The process has included town hall meetings, public comment periods and a continually refined list of options. In summer 2020, UDOT opened a public comment period for residents to offer input on a list of three options.

“We got 6,500 public comments,” said Josh Van Jura, UDOT project manager for the Little Cottonwood Canyon SR 210 quickly fills beyond capacity when the snow falls. (Joshua Wood/City Journals) Continued page 4

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