FEBRUARY 2022
MAYOR’S MESSAGE I know how fatigued you must be with Covid! We all thought we were on the back side of the pandemic, then Omicron arrived! We continue to be flooded with data, varying opinions on how it should be managed, masking/ vaccination and the impact to our personal liberties, testing, you name it! We’re all tired, I get it. So I penned this message understanding that it’s January 17th, our environment will have once again evolved when this article hits Holladay homes in early February. I’m sending a simple message of gratitude and encouragement as we continue working through the challenges these times. Regardless of political affiliation and philosophy, in Holladay we have been able to comport ourselves with respect and empathy, not the bitterness and hate that we see through local and national media postings. I’m grateful to be part of a community that recognizes the need to pull together during tough times. Like everyone, I have my own personal political views and opinions. I have encounters, like we all have, with those that harbor a contrary view. But I can say without equivocation, local government officials I come in contact with share a common goal; protecting the health of our community, keeping our kids in school, our business to stay open, social gatherings to continue… nobody sits behind a curtain devising ways to restrict our personal liberties. Unfortunately, the risks have to weighed to the real risks of spreading this virus, the potential impacts to our health care workers, first responders, teachers, and all that do not share the luxury of a remote working option. It’s been a difficult balance, every option has its pros and cons, but I hope we can all appreciate that the directives are coming from a place of compassion. That is what I have witnessed. The information we are receiving is that the current wave of infections will begin a sharp decline in the coming weeks. I’m hopeful this will be the case when this article arrives in your home. In the meantime, lets continue do all we can to support one another and to make the individual sacrifices that best protect our community. Whatever those sacrifices may be, if it moves us toward it, will be worth it.
Holladay 2021 Accomplishments by Gina Chamness, City Manager 2021 was a busy year in Holladay. While the pandemic posed challenges for the City, elected officials and staff continued working hard on behalf of Holladay residents. Significant accomplishments include: Improving Infrastructure in Holladay, including: • Substantial reconstruction of 3900 South, including the addition of sidewalks, curb, gutter, bike lanes, lighting and other improvements in partnership with Millcreek, using a combination of grants from Salt Lake County, including the Transportation Choice program, and Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC)/Federal award from the Surface Transportation Program. • Substantial completion of Highland Drive intersections improvements at Spring Lane, Walker Lane, Lakewood Drive, and Fardown Avenue that added left turns lanes and other safety improvements using a WFRC/Federal Surface Transportation Program grant and a Salt Lake County funding award. • 8 neighborhood streets through chip seal or asphalt resurfacing. • Sections of Highland Drive and 3900 South using an experimental micro surfacing technique, with successful results to date. • Rehabilitation projects on the Kings Row bridge and Cottonwood Lane bridge crossing Big Cottonwood Creek. Assisted local business response to the pandemic, including the development and execution of two new programs: • a small business grant program, designed to help businesses make long term technology improvements. • HollaDollars, which provided each Holladay residence with $40 in gift certificates for participating businesses, designed to be used in $10 increments. Completed a variety of plans and ordinance changes to guide future city development, including: • Mid-Valley Active Transportation Plan with Cottonwood Heights, Midvale, Millcreek, Murray, and Taylorsville to improve biking and walking connections • Changes to allow Accessory Dwelling Units across the city. Improvements at City Park, including • A fantastic new Holladay Skatepark, substantially completed and opened in December 2021. • Resurfaced pickleball courts with a friendlier surface. Improved online services for residents, including: • Park facility and room reservations can now be requested and paid with a credit card online. • Business licenses can now be applied for, renewed and paid online. Applicants can also view status, track progress online. Continued efforts to develop and enhance City’s long-term goals on Sustainability, including: • Adopted sustainability plan and committed to participating with other cities in a Community Renewable Energy Program. • Tri-City Emission Baselining effort including Holladay, Cottonwood Heights and Millcreek to identify short- and long-term changes to improve air quality, reduce emissions, and support sustainability measures using a UCAIR grant. Held a number of Arts Council events, including • the Fine Art Show in March. • Eight summer concerts at Holladay City Park. • A hip-hop dance performance and tutorial. • Plaza Fest and the Plein Air exhibit in October.