Midvale City Newsletter | August 2023

MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY

City Hall

In The Middle of Everything

City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047

Marcus’ Message

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

CITY NEWSLETTER

By Mayor Marcus Stevenson

801-567-7200

Finance/Utilities 801-567-7200

Court 801-567-7265

City Attorney’s O ce 801-567-7250

City Recorder/Human Resources 801-567-7228

Community Development 801-567-7211

Public Works 801-567-7235

Ace Disposal/Recycling 801-363-9995

Midvale Historical Museum 801-567-7285

Midvale Senior Center 385-468-3350

SL County Animal Services 385-468-7387

Communications 801-567-7230

MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Marcus Stevenson 801-567-7204

Email: mstevenson@midvale.com

CITY COUNCIL

District 1 - Quinn Sperry

Email: qsperry@midvale.com

District 2 - Paul Glover

Email: pglover@midvale.com

District 3 - Heidi Robinson

Email: Hrobinson@midvale.com

District 4 - Bryant Brown

Email: bbrown@midvale.com

District 5 - Dustin Gettel

Email: dgettel@midvale.com

WHO TO CALL FOR…

Water Bills 801-567-7200

Ordering A New Trash Can 801-567-7202

Permits 801-567-7213

Court 801-567-7265

Paying For Tra c School 801-567-7202

Business Licensing 801-567-7214 Cemetery 801-567-7235

Planning and Zoning 801-567-7231

Code Enforcement 801-567-7208

Building inspections 801-567-7213

Graffiti 385-468-9769

PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS

EMERGENCY 911

UFA Fire/UPD Police

> Non-emergency 801-840-4000

Uni ed Police Department

> Midvale Precinct 385-468-9350

Public Works 801-567-7235

Rocky Mountain Power 877-508-5088

While the term “a ordable housing” gets thrown around a lot, there is often misinformation and confusion about what a ordable housing is, and what it isn’t. I intend to give a quick overview about what is de ned as affordable housing, how a ordable housing gets developed, and what other programs Midvale City o ers to those who may be struggling to a ord housing or maintain their home.

What is A ordable Housing

“A ordable housing” most often means housing where the household income is 80% or less of the area median income (AMI), and the household does not spend more than 30% of their income on housing, including utilities. This de nition is based on research that shows when families spend more than 30% of their income on housing, it becomes challenging for them to meet other essential needs such as food, healthcare, and education.

The “area” within AMI, is Salt Lake County, as Federal law requires municipalities to use the county’s median household income when calculating eligibility for various housing programs. In short, with the household AMI in Salt Lake County being $82,200 per year, a housing unit that costs $19,680 per year would be a ordable for a household making 80% AMI ($65,600).

Midvale’s median household income is only around $66,000 per year, which is signi cantly lower than the county’s, meaning a larger portion of our residents are eligible for housing programs, and are more likely to need them. This is important to note because sometimes “a ordable housing” can create negative assumptions about what type of people live in these units, but according to this, the average Midvale resident could need this assistance. Midvale City recognizes that 80% AMI doesn’t meet the needs of many in our community, so we often focus on incentivizing projects that are reserved for households that earn 60% AMI or below.

How does A ordable Housing get Developed

While there is a signi cant need for more a ordable housing, cities are constrained by state and federal laws in how we can directly a ect housing prices. In short, cities can reduce housing costs by reducing fees or building more densely to meet the demand – we are not allowed to implement rent control or mandate a ordable housing through zoning. Because we cannot mandate a ordability, this means to bring in a ordable housing units, it often happens by incentivizing developers.

While these incentives are an important piece of the a ordable housing puzzle, cities must negotiate with developers on both a monetary amount and the length of time that units remain a ordable. In the simplest terms, the more money that a city invests, the longer the units will remain a ordable. This balance means that many a ordable housing units that are privately built only remain a ordable for 5-20 years.

Last year, Midvale City invested about $1.7 million to bring in new a ordable housing units, and this year we plan to invest at least $1.9 million. These two investments will add 81 new a ordable units, bringing our total number of a ordable units up to almost 1,800. These investments will further help ensure that we meet the needs of all our residents.

Midvale City’s funding for a ordable housing primarily comes from the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and its project areas throughout the city: Bingham Junction, Jordan Blu s, and Main Street. I explained RDAs and how they are funded in my December 2022 article,

where I described how our RDA must contribute 20% of its revenue to support a ordable housing projects and initiatives. Our nancial contributions, combined with Salt Lake County, the State of Utah, the Federal government, and private investments combine to fund needed a ordable units in our community.

What Else is the City Doing

In addition to incentivizing a ordable housing through monetary contributions to housing projects, Midvale is in the process of starting new programs for rst-time homebuyers and current homeowners, also funded through our RDA. These new programs should be up and running by the end of 2023.

Down Payment Assistance Program – this program will provide a ordable or forgivable loans for low to moderate income rst-time home buyers in Midvale City. The program seeks to provide equitable access to home buying, provide education to Midvale residents on home ownership, and increase home ownership in Midvale City. The program will provide up to $20,000 per loan for non-Midvale residents and up to $25,000 for Midvale residents or employees of a public entity within Midvale. To qualify, the resident or employee must have lived in Midvale or worked for a public entity located within Midvale for at least one year.

Home Repair Loan Program - is designed to provide funding for improvements to address emergency repairs, eliminate blight, conserve energy, and preserve the housing community within the city limits of Midvale City. Funds are available on a rst-come, rst-served basis for those who are low to moderate income.

The Big Picture

Whether it be our kids looking to stay in the area they’ve grown up, our adults who may be struggling to keep up with the rising housing costs, or our seniors who may be on a xed income, Midvale should be a community, where regardless of your income level, you can nd housing you can a ord. We’ve historically been a welcoming community, and we’ve played our role in providing a ordable housing, and it’s important that we continue to play this role while ensuring that our community is given the support that we deserve.

In The Middle of Everything

E-Waste & Shredding Event for Midvale Residents

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, August 5 Midvale City Park 425 6th Ave.

Schedule

Fun Run

Harvest Days Parade

Sumo Wrestling Tournament

Calle Futbito Court (Soccer)

Kids Activities

FREE Bingo

Carnival Games

Scales & Tails

Laughing Stock Improv

Salsa Dancing with Salsation

One Sound Events

Concert featuring Shuffle

Fireworks

LOADS OF FREE KIDS ACTIVITIES

Carnival Games

Nerf Wars

Mini Golf Bounce Houses

Scales and Tails

Doodle Art Caricatures

Balloon Twisting Futbito Court (Soccer)

ageMidvale.com/harvest-days EngageMidvale.com/harvest-days

Midvale City Hall (7505 S Holden Street)

In an e ort to promote environmental responsibility and sustainable practices, Midvale City is gearing up to host an E-Waste and Shredding Event exclusively for its residents. This event, scheduled for Saturday, September 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Midvale City Hall, aims to provide a safe and convenient way for locals to dispose of their electronic waste and sensitive documents.

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the accumulation of electronic waste (e-waste) becomes a pressing concern for the environment. Often, electronic items are discarded improperly, leading to hazardous substances leaching into the soil and contaminating water sources. To combat this issue, Midvale City has taken a proactive step by organizing this event to ensure that e-waste is recycled responsibly.

The E-Waste and Shredding Event is exclusive to Midvale residents and will only accept residential items. Participants are encouraged to bring items such as documents, cell phones, computers and laptops, keyboards, hard drives, and DVD players. These items will be collected and sent for proper recycling and disposal by authorized e-waste recycling facilities.

However, to maintain e ciency and safety during the event, there are certain items that will not be accepted. Residents should avoid bringing televisions, CRT monitors, cracked LCD screens, and printers. These items are not suitable for the recycling process at this speci c event but can be appropriately disposed of through alternative means or future events designated for their safe disposal.

One of the main highlights of the event is the secure shredding of sensitive documents. Identity theft and data breaches are becoming increasingly common in today’s digital age, making secure document disposal crucial. By o ering free shredding services, Midvale City aims to empower its residents to safeguard their personal information and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

Residents who have any questions or need further information regarding the event can contact Midvale City Public Works at 801-567-7235. Sta will be available to provide assistance and address any concerns related to the types of acceptable items, the recycling process, or any other inquiries about the event.

By participating in the E-Waste and Shredding Event, Midvale residents have the opportunity to play an active role in reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. Proper recycling of electronic waste ensures that valuable resources are recovered and reused while minimizing the potential harm caused to the environment.

A Community Forum for Dialogue and Engagement

Are you curious about the inner workings of your city’s governance? Then mark your calendars for an exciting monthly event that o ers an opportunity for Midvale residents to connect with their mayor and discuss matters that a ect the community. “Coffee with the Mayor” is an initiative introduced by Mayor Marcus Stevenson to foster an open dialogue and strengthen ties between the city’s leadership and its residents.

When and where? — On the third Friday of every month, Mayor Stevenson welcomes all residents to join him at Tres Gatos Co ee, located at 7567 Main Street, Midvale. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., providing a casual and relaxed atmosphere for participants to share their thoughts, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations with the mayor.

August 18 - Reorganization of the Uni ed Police Depart— For this month’s “Co ee with the Mayor” event on August 18, the focus will be on the reorganization of the Uni ed Police Department (UPD). Mayor Stevenson recognizes the signi cance of law enforcement in ensuring community safety and is committed to providing clarity on the ongoing reorganization e orts. This is an excellent chance for residents to gain insights

2023 Municipal Elections Overview

General Municipal Elections are held in odd numbered years. The elective officers of Midvale City consist of a city council made up of five council members representing Districts 1 through 5 and a mayor, who are elected in a non-partisan election. The mayor and city council are elected to fouryear overlapping terms.

District 1 - Council Member

District 2 - Council Member

District 3 - Council Member (All four-year terms)

Citizens desiring to run for office must file a "Declaration of Candidacy" with the City Recorder between August 8 and 15, 2023, at Midvale City Hall, 7505 S Holden Street, Midvale, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Interested candidates must be a registered voter; resident of Midvale City for at least 12 months immediately prior to the date of the election; and a resident of the district candidate is running for 60 days prior to the date of the election.

2023 Election Dates

N No

Primary

2023 Municipal General Election: November 21, 2023

The Midvale City Council recently voted to use Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) again for the upcoming municipal election. RCV is a voting system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, rather than just selecting one candidate. This system has been gaining popularity in recent years as a way to promote fairness and diversity in elections, and it is seen as a more democratic alternative to traditional voting systems. By using RCV, Midvale City hopes to ensure that the winning candidate has the support of the majority of voters, while also providing voters with more choices and a greater sense of empowerment in the electoral process. Learn more about RCV at www.MidvaleCity.org/RCV.

For more information, visit MidvaleCity.org or email randreason@midvale.com

into the changes being made, voice their opinions, and understand how the restructured UPD will better serve the city.

Engage in Q&A After the UPD Discussion — Following the UPD discussion, Mayor Stevenson will open the oor to questions and answers. This interactive Q&A session will be an excellent opportunity for residents to seek clari cations, express concerns, and share their perspectives on any city-related matters.

Join the Community Gathering — “Co ee with the Mayor” is more than just a gathering; it’s a celebration of community engagement and participation in local governance. It’s a platform where residents can voice their opinions, contribute to discussions, and forge stronger bonds with their neighbors and city o cials.

Mayor Stevenson’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity makes “Co ee with the Mayor” an essential event for residents

Curbside Bulky Waste

2023 Fall

The curbside bulky waste program is available to all Midvale City residents who currently receive City garbage service

Curbside pick up will be provided for approved items that are boxed, bundled or bagged. The intent of this program is to reduce pollution in our streams, rivers and lakes and to keep our City clean. When utilizing curbside collection, residents are reminded that hazardous materials such as oil, batteries, paint, tires and other pollutants will not be collected.

Please follow your regularly scheduled garbage pick up day listed below to determine when your Curbside Bulky Waste pick up day is scheduled. Comply with the Bulky Waste Pick Up Guidelines (listed on back). If you don't comply with these important guidelines your items will not be picked up.

If your regular garbage pick up day is: Your Curbside Bulky Waste pick up day is scheduled for:

Monday Monday, October 2

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Wednesday, October 4

Monday, October 9 Wednesday, October 11

Properly prepared items may be placed curbside up to one week prior to the scheduled pick up dates, no later than 6:30 a.m. on the scheduled Curbside Bulky Waste pick up day. Items placed at the curb must not obstruct sidewalks, gutters, storm drain inlets, water meters, or the free movement of traffic.

Help prevent stormwater pollution. Do not obstruct sidewalks, gutters, or storm drain inlets.

For more information, visit www.MidvaleCity.org/BulkyWaste or call 801-567-7235

Mayor Marcus Stevenson