Taylorsville City Newsletter | February 2023

MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It is always a busy season as the Utah Legislature gets under way for its 45-day session. We are grateful to have the support of our legislators and for their willingness to work closely with us in meeting the needs of our Taylorsville community.

We stay in ready touch with them in several ways each session. First, it has become customary to meet over a meal to discuss legislative priorities. This year, that meeting was held over breakfast at City Hall (see details on Page 6 of this section). In attendance were Rep. Jim Dunnigan, as well as Sen. Wayne Harper and Sen. Karen Kwan, who has served as a Taylorsville representative in the House and recently was appointed to ll Sen. Karen Mayne’s seat following her retirement from the Legislature as she battles cancer.

We are so extremely thankful for Sen. Mayne and for all the work she has done for our city and the westside of the valley. She will be missed — she is already missed. We are grateful we have had her as our champion for so many years, and we wish her all the best.

In addition to our meeting with legislators, I also had the great opportunity this past month to accompany members of the Youth Council to the Utah League of Cities & Towns Local (ULCT) Elected Officials Day. Along with Council Members Meredith Harker and Bob Knudsen (who drove the van!) and our Youth Council Advisor Kristy Heineman, we left for the Capitol at 7 a.m. We had breakfast in the Rotunda and engaged in mock planning exercises and a mock debate about a simulated bill restricting the use of cell phones in public schools. It was a robust debate and amendments were made but in the end, the bill failed.

From there, we went to the Hyatt Regency Hotel where we had lunch and heard from Gov. Spencer Cox and First Lady Abby Cox. We met with our legislators, as we listened, learned and laughed with each other. Any time you’re able to be with the youth, it’s an enlightening, entertaining and learning experience.

Lastly, ChamberWest and the ULCT will be holding their respective caucus and legislative policy meetings each week on Capitol Hill to monitor legislation during the session. So it’s de nitely a time of go, go, go, which makes me appreciate our legislators that much more and all that is accomplished in a very short window of time.

—Mayor Kristie S. Overson

WHAT’S INSIDE – FEBRUARY 2023

Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2 Council Corner, Page 3

TVPD News, Page 4

Heritage Remembrances, Page 7

Environment, Page 8

Year in Review: 2022 Focuses on the Arts, Community Building

Key building block areas of Economic Development, Transportation, Public Safety, Arts Parks and Recreation, and Community Building once again de ned Year 2022 in Taylorsville, but the arts and community building were at the center.

“From our Starry Nights @the Plaza events during the summer to December’s touching Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Taylorsville City Cemetery, we enjoyed gathering together as friends and neighbors throughout 2022,” said Mayor Kristie Overson.

For the past several years, the city has focused both its attention and resources on Economic Development, Transportation, Public Safety, Arts Parks and Recreation, and Community Building. The thinking is that these key building blocks are what de ne a community and that by lending focus to them, the city will grow in strength and success as goals are made and reached in each area.

“We have been focusing on these building block areas because they are the puzzle pieces that make up a community,” Mayor Overson said. “While all important, the arts and community building seemed to take center stage in 2022, which I couldn’t be happier about. After all, it is people who make up our community and by spending time together — with the added bene t of engaging in the arts — it can only make our city even better.”

Some of the projects in each of these areas over the past year follow. Also, watch the 2022 Year in Review video either on social media sites or the city’s YouTube channel to see pictures of the various activities and accomplishments over the past year. The video is also playing in the lobby at City Hall

Arts, Parks & Recreation. The city started its Starry Nights @the Plaza series featuring the Food Truck League food trucks and other activities and entertainment, including live music and movies on the plaza. In all, 16 Starry Nights events were held at Centennial Plaza last summer, and planning is already underway for more Starry Nights on Friday nights this year.

YEAR IN REVIEW

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Mayor Kristie S. Overson

EVENTS FEBRUARY 2023

Feb. 2 – All day

It’s Groundhog Day. Are you ready for spring? Will the groundhog see his shadow?

Feb. 1 & 15 – 6:30 p.m.

City Council Meeting @ City Hall and online. Watch a livestream of the meeting on the city’s website, www.taylorsvilleut.gov

Feb. 14 – 7 p.m. & Feb. 28 – 6 p.m.

Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall.

Feb. 14 – All day

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope your day is lovely.

Feb. 20 – All day

President’s Day. City O ces are closed for the holiday.

Feb. 24 & 25 – 7:30 p.m.

“An Evening of Fascinating Rhythm,” featuring music from the Gershwin brothers. @ Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, Studio 5400 Theater. (See ad on Page 7)

Find our calendar of events every month on the city’s website, where you can also submit your own events for possible publication. Go to www.taylorsvilleut.gov

Also, a standing event every Thursday, from 2 to 4 p.m., at City Hall is the “Mayor is In.” During this time, Mayor Kristie Overson has open o ce hours to meet with residents about any issue on their minds. Drop by and meet with the Mayor. All are welcome.

COUNCIL CORNER Things We About Taylorsville | By Council Member Meredith Harker

City Works to Keep Taylorsville Food Pantry Open

The City of Taylorsville is pleased to announce the Taylorsville Food Pantry will remain open inde nitely. For many years, Tri-Park Services (a local nonpro t) has faithfully managed and operated the pantry — with great success and the appreciation by all who have been served. Sadly, late last year, Tri-Park organizers and sta determined they would no longer be able to sustain those e orts.

In response, Taylorsville City administration, in collaboration with Utah Food Bank, began considering options to keep the pantry doors open and, thankfully, identi ed another local organization to manage operations.

Congregation members of the Intermountain Baptist Church, located within Taylorsville, established a nonpro t and began distributing food to others in need at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and have been rendering aid ever since. Their volunteer experience, in conjunction with city support, has allowed the pantry to remain open and to continue to provide food assistance to those in need.

Particulars as to the exact hours of operation (number of days per week and the time of day), reporting needs to stakeholders and ownership transfer of Tri-Park Services will be solidi ed in the coming weeks, but the goal remains the same: Like minds and like hearts working to feed the hungry.

Taylorsville elected o cials and the administration are grateful to all who have dedicated themselves and provided such a great service in the past, and likewise appreciate those who are willing to contribute into the future!

Please feel free to contact Jay Ziolkowski, the city’s community outreach coordinator, at jayz@ taylorsvilleut.gov if you have any comments, questions or suggestions.

The e orts to preserve our history

Hardworking citizen volunteers

Our public safety o cers

Our dedicated Youth Council

Taylorsville Officer Wrangles a Goat, er Sheep

Check this space each month for news about the Taylorsville Police Department (TVPD) and their valuable service to our community.

TVPD O cer Gri th nabbed a goat (that turned out to be a sheep) this past month.

The loose animal was roaming the Barrington Park neighborhood on Sunday morning, Jan. 8. Residents tried for more than an hour to grab it themselves without success before calling Animal Control and the Police Department. O cers initially thought the small, horned animal was a goat, but it was later determined to actually be a black belly sheep.

After some trial and error, O cer Gri th was able to capture the sheep near 1330 West and 4200 South by lassoing it around the neck. The sheep was not harmed and “taken safely into custody.”

Animal Services officials have named the animal Barrington the Black Belly Sheep, after the neighborhood where it was found. The sheep has been residing at the Animal Shelter and as of midJanuary had not yet been claimed.

TVPD EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to O cer Johnson, our TVPD Employee of the Month. O cer Johnson has served in law enforcement for more than four years. He began his career with Salt Lake City Police Department, where he developed a strong foundation that has served him well in Taylorsville.

O cer Johnson has been with TVPD since the beginning of its formation in 2021. He has served as part of a peer support program and has a contagious optimistic demeanor. Prior to departing Salt Lake City PD, O cer Johnson was awarded the Medal of Valor from SLCPD and the Medal of Courage from Salt Lake City Fire Department after he rescued two children from an overturned vehicle that was sinking in a canal. The Medal of Valor is given to individuals who go “above and beyond the call of duty” and involves “risk or imminent danger to their own lives with the purpose of saving or protecting human life.”

O cer Johnson has displayed that same sel essness in Taylorsville as he has served our own community. His main responsibility with TVPD is working as a patrol o cer. In this role, he responds to any type of police call for service that can be imagined. Additionally, O cer Johnson is bilingual. TVPD o cers have several resources available to them to assist in communicating with others who may not speak English or who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, the best resource is always another o cer. This is especially true when investigating a serious violent crime and is why Sgt. Cheshire of our TVPD Violent Crimes Unit nominated O cer Johnson as Employee of the Month.

Sgt. Cheshire pointed to three separate criminal investigations, including child abuse homicide, child abuse and child sexual abuse cases. Sgt. Cheshire said O cer Johnson played a “critical role in all three investigations.” He also noted his ability to “keep the suspects’ focus.” O cers undergo extensive training when it comes to interviewing techniques of both victims and suspects. Our detectives investigating these cases noted how imperative it was to have a translator who was able to understand these techniques.

In his free time, O cer Johnson enjoys camping, shing, swimming, playing and coaching water polo, and spending time with his family. Thank you, O cer Johnson, for your service and dedication to law enforcement and for choosing to be a part of Team Taylorsville!

City Leaders Welcome Cambodia’s Ambassador to Taylorsville

Delegates from Cambodia, including the Cambodian Ambassador to the United States, met with Taylorsville City and Taylorsville Police Department leaders at City Hall this past month.

Ambassador Keo Chhea has been gathering with state and local leaders across the country as a way of maintaining positive international and trade relationships. He was in town for a speaking engagement at Carriage Square's Café Thao Mi on the evening of Jan. 4, following his visit to City Hall. Ambassador Chhea also separately visited with Utah’s Attorney General at the state level.

Mayor Kristie Overson said it was an honor to meet with Ambassador Chhea and the Cambodian delegation and to learn more about their country and goals for their region.

"Truly, it was wonderful to have them here and to connect on issues of mutual importance," she said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 258,000 Cambodian Americans live in the United States, and according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, about 7,000 Cambodians visited the United States in 2019. In 2021, the United States also exported $413 million of goods to Cambodia and imported $8.7 billion of goods from Cambodia.

In an interview with the national non-pro t East-West Center, Ambassador Chhea said these numbers are a good reminder of the importance of partnership between the two countries.

“The most important part of my work is to improve relationships,” he said. “I am going to do all my best to show that we are open, and we are friends so we can work with every country.”

With winter here, snow removal is an important part of keeping our city going and everyone safe. We can all help out and do our part. Snow removal is also outlined in the city’s ordinances. They include:

14.32.100: SNOW REMOVAL; REQUIRED:

It is unlawful for the owner, occupant, lessor or agent of property abutting on a paved sidewalk to fail to remove or cause to be removed from such paved sidewalk and any existing curb ramp all hail, snow or sleet falling thereon, within twenty four (24) hours after the hail, snow or sleet has ceased falling. (Ord. 04-07, 2-4-2004)

14.32.110: SNOW REMOVAL; CLOGGING GUTTER PROHIBITED:

It is unlawful for any person removing snow from a sidewalk or curb ramp to deposit snow, dirt or other material in a gutter so as to clog the same, or prevent the free ow of water therein. (Ord. 96-17, 6-19-1996)

14.20.105: PLACING SNOW UPON HIGHWAY PROHIBITED:

It is unlawful for any person removing snow, ice or other material from a sidewalk or driveway to place or deposit said snow, ice or other material upon any city road or highway in such a manner as to interfere with the proper use of the same or so as to obstruct travel or to endanger property or persons upon the same. (Ord. 96-17, 6-19-1996)

Thank you for keeping these codes in mind and stay safe this winter!

City of Taylorsville

YEAR IN REVIEW CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee was busy with several activities, including its rst laidback “Ride. Run. Float.” triathlon and continuation of its Loving Labrum Park project that saw 300 waterwise plants planted at the park. The Taylorsville Arts Council also put on a number of community productions, including “A Broadway Musical Review,” “Willy Wonka Jr.,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and a crosswalk musical to promote it, “Forever Plaid” and the 2022 Taylorsville Art Show.

In addition, the city’s Plaza +ART program kicked o its second season, bringing 14 beautiful sculptures by local and area artists to Centennial Plaza. Plus, an indoor sculpture was donated to the city and is featured at City Hall.

Community Building. Thousands turned out for Taylorsville Dayzz 2022 and its parade, 5K, carnival, concerts, car show and, of course, the best reworks in the state! The annual Collection Day, sponsored by the Green Committee, was more successful than ever with literally tons of items collected for disposal and recycling, and the city's many star employees were recognized at Taylorsville's 26th annual Awards Gala, where Mayor Overson also delivered the 2022 State of the City address.

Also in this area, the Historic Preservation Committee and Taylorsville Arts Council presented Tombstone Tales, and Taylorsville residents turned out for the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Other new, community-building events were Trick-or-Treating at City Hall, the Wreaths Across America ceremony and the city’s rst holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Centennial Plaza.

Economic Development. New businesses opened across the city and were celebrated with Ribbon Cutting events by city o cials and ChamberWest representatives. ChamberWest also honored Mayor Overson with its 2022 Hall of Fame Award for her strong championship of local businesses, as well as Taylorsville businesses Nothing Bundt Cakes as Best New Business of the Year, Summit Vista as Best Place to Work and Markosian Auto as Business of the Year.

Work also has continued on replacing the old Kmart property with the new mixed-use development Volta, and renovation plans at the Carriage Square shopping center are underway.

Transportation. UDOT wrapped up its State Environmental Study evaluating a potential freeway-style interchange at Bangerter Highway and 4700 South. The intersection at 6200 South and Bangerter Highway also was completed, improving both safety and commute times.

In addition, work continues on the development of the Mid-Valley Connector Bus Rapid Transit line and improvements along 4700 South, and the Taylorsville Active Communities Plan is working to better incorporate bicycles and pedestrians into transportation and recreational planning.

Public Safety. TVPD’s K-9 unit took rst place in patrol in the Utah Peace O cers Association K-9 trials. The honor is especially remarkable considering the unit had only been operating for about a year, since the start-up of the new police department in July 2021. The Taylorsville City Police Department also held its rst Meet & Greet at City Hall, and The Taylorsville Public Safety Committee hosted the city’s 2022 Night Out Against Crime. For its part, the Uni ed Fire Department held a wildly successful pancake breakfast where thousands of pancakes were served to the more than 800 people at Fire Station 118.

“It’s amazing to me that as a city, working together, we accomplished so much this past year,” Mayor Overson said. “I love our Taylorsville home.”

City Leaders, Youth Council Meet with Lawmakers at Start of Legislative Session

Each year, Taylorsville City leaders work closely with legislative representatives to ensure the community’s priorities during the annual session of the Utah Legislature are top of mind, and this year was no exception.

The 2023 General Session of the 65th Utah Legislature began Jan. 17, and the 45-day session concludes March 3.

Prior to its opening, city leaders met with legislators over breakfast at City Hall to talk about primary issues. Among them were housing and community development, school safety and education, transportation, broadband infrastructure, health care, and law enforcement issues including evidence retention requirements and the inclusion of hate crimes training in the Department of Public Safety’s Peace O cer Standards and Training (POST). Go to le.utah.gov for more information, including bill les, hearing schedules and how to reach your representative.

“We are so grateful to our legislative leaders,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “They are wonderful, service-minded people committed to our community.”

Representing the Taylorsville area are Rep. Jim Dunnigan and Sens. Wayne Harper and Karen Kwan, who was appointed this past month to replace Sen. Karen Mayne, following her announced retirement from the Legislature due to a cancer diagnosis. Sen. Kwan had been representing the Taylorsville area in the House prior to her appointment to the Senate, and her replacement there was set to be selected

in the following weeks. The House districts of Reps. Mark Wheatley and Ashlee Matthews also include a portion of Taylorsville this year, after redistricting.

In addition to the legislative breakfast, Mayor Overson joined members of the Taylorsville Youth Council at the Utah League of Cities & Towns (ULCT) Local Elected O cials Day on Jan. 18. City Council Members Meredith Harker and Bob Knudsen and Youth Council Advisor Kristy Heineman also were on hand. It is a yearly tradition for the Youth Council to attend the day, which provides an excellent opportunity for the youth to talk to legislators and see rst-hand how the process works. In addition, the Youth Council plans to participate in the Youth Council Leadership Conference at Utah State University in March.

Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES

Don’t Miss These Library Events

The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of February. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events:

WALKING BOOK CLUB

Thursdays in February, 10 a.m.

Take a short walk along the paths behind the library and then participate in a book discussion. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. Strollers are welcome.

READING SCHEDULE:

“Andy Warhol was a Hoarder”

Feb. 2: Pages 101 - 196

Feb. 9: Pages 197 - end

“The Henna Artist”

Feb. 16: Chapters 1 - 5

Feb. 23: Chapters 6 - 13

March 2: Chapters 14 - end

TEEN PERLER BEAD VALENTINES

Thursday, Feb. 2, 4:30 p.m.

Create fun pixel art to give away. There will be a variety of patterns.

VIRTUAL LECTURE: American Sirens: The Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics

Monday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m.

Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries

Author Kevin Hazzard will highlight the extraordinary story of a group of Black men in Pittsburgh who became the rst paramedics in America.

SENIOR BOOK CLUB AT THE TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER

Monday, Feb. 13, 11 a.m.

This month, the club will discuss “The Kingdom of Back” by Marie Lu

Taylorsville Senior Center: 4743 S. Plymouth View Drive

INVENTORS INTERACTIVE ADVENTURE

Wednesday, Feb. 8-Tuesday, Feb. 14

The Taylorsville-Bennion Heritage Center has several family history books on its shelves, including this month’s featured history of the Ted and Defonda Collier family. It was published by their son Robert Collier in 2004.

DeFonda kept journals much of her life except for a few years while living in Taylorsville when life was hectic and the family was often stretched beyond their limits. Their family history book is formatted by chapters, which give a general feel of their lives in the community. The Collier’s home was located at 1166 W. 4800 South.

If this piques your interest, drop by the museum and read through this fabulous book. We’re located at 1488 W. 4800 South.

Celebrate National Inventors' Day. Drop by the Taylorsville Branch to complete this interactive adventure and earn a small prize.

VIRTUAL LECTURE: THE FIRST LOOK WITH JWST

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m.

Register at: thecountylibrary.org/LectureSeries

Dr. Josh Lothringer will explain the science behind the rst images and spectra from NASA's newest and biggest space telescope, JWST, including candidates for the most distant galaxy ever observed.

LIBRARY CLOSURE

Monday, Feb. 20, all day Happy Presidents Day!

Tickets $10

FEBRUARY UPDATES

Subscription Green Waste Program

The Weekly Green Waste Collection Program will resume beginning Thursday, March 16 for Taylorsville residents. Taylorsville currently has 1,414 of the 10,477 districtwide subscribers.

Residents can sign up and help divert green waste from the land ll to be processed into mulch that can be purchased for use from the Salt Lake Valley and Trans-Jordan land lls. There is a onetime startup fee of $70 to pay for the can and at $126 per year, a green waste can is less expensive than an additional black garbage can at $234 per year. For more information on this program, go to the “Services & Requests” tab on the WFWRD website (www.wasatchfrontwaste.org) and select “Additional Subscription Services” to nd the “Green Waste Sign Up” link.

Ideas for Can Placement on Windy Days

Repair Costs Often Depend on ‘Who Owns it’

A question often asked when a water service line is leaking or if there is a blockage in a sewer lateral is: “Whose responsibility is it?”

A water service line is a pipe that conveys water from a large water main to the home. The homeowner and the TaylorsvilleBennion Improvement District have responsibilities for portions of the water service line. The district owns and maintains the water service line from the water main, which is normally located in the road or park strip, into the meter box that services the home. The homeowner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the water service line after it leaves the meter box.

A sewer lateral is a pipe that takes wastewater away from the home. The homeowner owns, maintains, repairs and replaces the sewer lateral and connection to the sewer main as needed. The district maintains the sewer main that receives the wastewater from the homeowners’ sewer lateral. For further nancial protection, it is recommended that homeowners contact their homeowner’s insurance company or consider third-party insurance for coverage on water and sewer laterals.

If you have any questions, please contact Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District by calling 801-968-9081 or visiting www.tbid.org. Follow TBID on Facebook and Twitter.

When the wind is blowing, you may want to turn your can facing sideways to the street. This will help ensure that lightweight items, like plastic bags and loose paper, do not y out and litter your neighborhood.

WFWRD asks that you not place the can with the lid hinge towards the street. That makes it harder for collection trucks to successfully empty your can.

Packaging: Is it Recyclable?

As online shopping and deliveries continue to increase, the district is seeing more and more shipping packaging come through the recycling stream. Remember, bubble wrap, cellophane, Styrofoam and other plastic shipping materials are not recyclable in your curbside recycle cans. If it’s plastic and you can crumple it in your st, then it belongs in the black garbage can. Please throw these items in the garbage or visit WFWRD’s website to nd alternative recycling options.

For more helpful information on recycling, follow the district on Instagram at @WasatchFrontWaste. They post educational graphics and videos to help residents further understand what can and can’t be recycled in your curbside recycle can.