Midvale City Newsletter | December 2021

In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047

The Heart of the Matter

MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall Finance/Utilities Court City Attorney’s Office City Recorder/Human Resources Community Development Public Works Ace Disposal/Recycling Midvale Historical Museum Midvale Senior Center SL County Animal Services Police Dispatch Unified Fire Authority Fire Dispatch Communications

801-567-7200 801-567-7200 801-567-7265 801-567-7250 801-567-7228 801-567-7211 801-567-7235 801-363-9995 801-567-7285 385-468-3350 385-468-7387 801-743-7000 801-743-7200 801-840-4000 801-567-7230

MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYOR Robert Hale Email: Rhale@midvale.com

801-567-7204

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 Ordering A New Trash Can Reserving the Bowery Permits GRAMA requests Court Paying For Traffic School Business Licensing Property Questions Cemetery Water Line Breaks Planning and Zoning Code Enforcement Building inspections Graffiti

801-567-7200 801-567-7202 801-567-7202 801-567-7212 801-567-7207 801-567-7265 801-567-7202 801-567-7213 801-567-7246 801-567-7235 801-256-2575 801-567-7231 801-567-7208 801-567-7228 385-468-9769

EMERGENCY OR DISASTER CONTACT Public Works Fire Dispatch – Unified Fire Authority Midvale Police Precinct or Police Dispatch Unified Police Department EMERGENCY

801-567-7235 801-840-4000 385-468-9350 801-743-7000

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This has been a most surprising November! The latest frost ever in our Valley. I must admit though, that my garden was done a month ago. With leaves falling off trees - finally - (due to lack of sunshine to maintain the chlorophyl), you have no doubt observed the most beautiful fall colors in the trees in recent memory. The gush of rain in the late summer and early autumn really points out how much trees depend on regular and plentiful water. The quaking aspen in front of my house got so bright yellow that its reflection of sunlight back into my front room often tricked me into thinking a room light had been left on. A quick glance dispelled that thought and then I admired the pure and abundant yellow color we have never experienced before until this autumn from that tree.

I hope your Thanksgiving is a great blessing to you this year.

Life during the Holidays has been so sketchy the last two years. It may be for some few of us again this year – which thought brings remorse to me, because Midvale families need socialization to find joy in life. I hope you are taking advantage of influenza and COVID-19 shots. Being around other people, family, friends, neighbors, and workmates is how we do life! Inoculation is so much better than isolation.

Voters of Midvale have spoken! I am going to turn the reins of Midvale’s executive branch of government over to the mayor-elect, Marcus Stevenson, on Tuesday, 4 January 2022, in the City Council Chambers when he will be sworn in as the City’s 22nd mayor.

For sure, our new mayor is going to find the absolutely most devoted and welltrained staff carrying on the lion’s share of the work in the City. I have thoroughly enjoyed the association I have had with every single one of the staff. All share their vast talents to make work both fun and fulfilling.

The City Council brings vast and varied levels of experience to take care of the legislative arm of City government. They have explained and supported the interests and safety of all citizens in their Districts.

I am delighted to have served the citizens of Midvale for the past 35 years – Union Community Council, Midvale Planning and Zoning Commission, Midvale City Council, and Mayor. I have watched and participated in the evolution of Midvale from a tiny three square-mile, less than 13,000 population city with only Center Street, Main Street and State Street commerce areas, to a city of 6 ½ square-miles, more than 36,000 people, a burgeoning commercial area in Fort Union, 7200 South, Bingham Junction, Main Street, with a school for special children, four elementary schools (two are state of

DECEMBER 2021 CITY NEWSLETTER

By Mayor Robert Hale

the art), a new middle school and a new flagship high school. In the world of business, we are now (and soon will be again) the home of unique and valued business headquarters.

We have also welcomed and supported the only center in our State for homeless families with children. This center is a wonderful force for good in the lives of mothers, fathers, and their children during perhaps the most strained time for them and their family resources. Congratulations to the citizens of Midvale who aid in the care of the homeless and immigrants found here. And since we were all at least once in our life homeless and immigrants, we must care for those who find themselves on the same path we or our parents and ancestors were once found. Thanks for all the help and support you have donated to lift those with hanging hands.

In order to make a more live-work climate, we have allowed and welcomed new “to own” and rental apartments, duplexes and condominiums in our city. These have added much joie-devie to our neighborhoods. Of course, along with the joy of life comes the responsibility to add value to life and society.

I want to express again my appreciation for the goodness within our citizens. It has been a grand pleasure serving in elected and appointed positions for the last 30+ years in Midvale. It will never be forgotten by me and my wife and children. These were life-changing years. May you have such years yet in your lives, too.

Thank you!

In The Middle of Everything

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Midvale Art Box

By Erin Dixon Prepare to be surrounded by art. The highly anticipated Midvale Art House is coming spring 2022, along with murals and art all along Main Street.

The city is partnering with ALL CAPS Art Gallery (7706 Union Park Ave, Midvale, UT 84047) to bring art to the inside and outside of the Art House. The new Art House is located inside the old Midvale Museum; The Museum is now in Midvale Park.

“The idea behind the Midvale Art House is to be a place where local artists can have a space to create and display their artwork,” Nate Rockwood, Midvale Community Development Director said. “It is also a place for the community to experience the art making process. When artists are working, the idea is that the Midvale Art House will be open to the public so that they can observe or talk with the artist about the creative process they use. The Midvale Art House will also be used to host shows, instructional classes and small events for the community related to art.”

In anticipation of the spring opening, ALL CAPS joined the city Oct 30 to christen the first Art Box. Four artists, Brigham Stewart, Aelias McHam, Nate Benites, and Jaycie Baird, each painted a Halloween scene on each side of the 8 ft x 8 ft wooden box. Visitors were allowed to watch and talk to the artists during the event. A smaller box outside was painted like a chalkboard and kids covered it in their own art within minutes.

“The Art Box is on display in the window of the Art House while we continue to work towards opening in Spring. After that point it will appear in different places along Main Street,” Rockwood said.

The box will be recovered with new art in events to come.

“The Art Box will be used in some way during each event on Main Street. During the Home for the Holidays Light up Main Street event on the evening of December 3, we will be flipping the panels of the box and having the box decorated by the kids and others as a giant gingerbread house. This will be even more participatory art and, we hope, a fun element for the event.”

ALL CAPS opened spring 2021. Stewart and McHam were consulting with the owners of PresoTea about hanging some art in the tea shop. The landlord of the business complex came in during the meeting and offered the two artists a deal to make a permanent art gallery home right next to PresoTea. Stewart and McHam focus on showcasing local artist work, as well as some of their own, through stickers, street wear, and wall art.

“It’s been a really good incubator for artists, especially those just starting out and alternative than what people are used to,” McHam said. “[One artist paints more] macabre. She

Winter On-Street Parking If there are cars parked on the streets, plows can’t fully clear the roads and run the risk of hitting parked vehicles. Residents are not permitted to park any vehicle on city streets where one inch of snow has accumulated. The parking prohibition shall remain in effect for 24 hours after snow has ceased to fall, or until such time as the snow has been removed from the street. (Midvale Municipal Code Section 10.16.120). Residents should be mindful of the weather and make arrangements to park off the streets when snow is forecasted.

Sidewalks – Property owners are responsible for keeping all sidewalks along their property clear and free of snow and ice.

City crews are responsible for clearing sidewalks at public facilities such as City Hall.

Snow Blowing and Shoveling – State law prohibits residents, business owners, and/or contractors from depositing snow into public roads. Snow removed from sidewalks and driveways should be placed on lawn areas or on private property and NOT on public roads. This practice is dangerous and impedes the City’s snow removal efforts.

Blocked Driveways – Snow accumulated on the plow blade has no place to go but in the road right-of-way, which includes driveway approaches. Many times, snowplowing forms snowdrifts across driveway approaches, which may create hardships for some residents. Unfortunately, the City possesses neither the personnel nor the equipment to clear the thousands of driveway approaches within the City; therefore, snow removal of driveway approaches is the resident’s responsibility.

When clearing driveways, snow should be placed on the lawn or park strips, (do not cover fire hydrants). This will minimize snow accumulation in drive approach areas during snowplowing operations. Putting snow in the street can cause delays in snow removal as well as damage to personal property.

did a piece with a rhino with its horn stuck inside it’s head to talk about all the stuff that’s going on with rhinos and horns and the endangered species. She said, ‘People usually have a hard time with my art’. We said, ‘That’s the point, you’re trying to pack a punch’.”

When her art was displayed in the ALL CAPS gallery, “That was a big moment for her.”

Many artists coming to ALL CAPS have only displayed their art in their own bedrooms, and are, for the first time, exposing the art to the rest of the world.

“They hang it up in here, we talk with them about how much to sell it for (often $100 more than the artist expected), we help them be more legitimate. It helps people feel like ‘wow, my art is actually really good’,” McHam said.

The gallery hosts weekly artist nights on Thursdays, all artists are welcome to set up next to each other, talk, collaborate, and teach each other. “[By yourself, art] can be isolating,” Stewart said. “The reason why I’m very adamant about building a community is because there wasn’t one when I was trying. It was just me alone in my room, looking up online how to paint a mural and get jobs. When the gallery idea came up it was a no brainer.”

ALL CAPS and Midvale will partner in many projects to come, from the spring opening of the art house in 2022, to murals throughout the city. Both sides are planting ideas of beauty and community, and, together, are watching them grow.

It may sound cheesy, but separately, Rockwood and Stewart said that bringing art to the community is a longtime vision coming to reality.

Stewart said, “If you want to live your wildest dreams, help others live their wildest dreams.”

Rockwood said that seeing art come to Main Street is “A dream for me to see.”

DECEMBER 2021 CITY NEWSLETTER WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Senior Holiday Gift Idea & Holiday Meal Looking for a warm and wonderful holiday gift for a senior age 60 and over? Give the gift of nutrition. Midvale Senior Center has meal punch cards available for purchase. A five-meal punch card is a suggested donation of twenty dollars and a ten-meal punch card is a suggested donation of forty dollars. The punch cards can be used at the senior center café which makes their meals on site daily using fresh ingredients.

Midvale Senior Center will be holding their December Holiday Meal on Wednesday, December 15. They will be serving roast beef, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, fruit, green salad, and apple spice cobbler. Lunch will be served in two seatings (11:30 am & 12:30 pm) or you can pick a lunch up to go. To make a reservation, call 385-468-3350 by Thursday, December 9.

Light Up Main Street The holiday season is just around the corner! Midvale City and the Midvale Main Street Business Alliance are excited to invite the community to the official Home for the Holidays kick-off, Light Up Main Street! Join your family, friends, and neighbors for an evening of entertainment and holiday cheer on historic Main Street on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is no better way to ring in the season than enjoying holiday music, festive caroling, shopping, making smores, sipping on hot coco, and free pictures with Santa.

Residents can enjoy this festive event centering around the momentous lighting of our Christmas tree that will be located on top of the Midvale Performing Arts Theatre. The official tree lighting will take place promptly at 7:30 p.m. on Main Street, just north of Center Street.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take photos with Santa Claus, decorate a large Gingerbread House, make smores, write letters to Santa, and much more. Be sure to visit local vendors who will be selling one-of-a-kind gifts for the holiday season.

Residents are asked to be mindful of the road closure that will be in effect for the Light Up Main Street event. Main Street will be closed between Center Street and 1st Avenue. The road closure will begin at 4:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m. Free public parking is available at Midvale City Hall, as well as on Main Street and behind the Main Street businesses.

C ONGR ATUL ATIONS

TO MIDVALE CITY’S NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR AND REELECTED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS On November 2, 2021, Midvale City held an election for the mayor and city council members in District No. 4 and District No. 5. The following candidates were successful: • Mayor, at-large (4 Year Term) — Marcus Stevenson • Council District No. 3 (4 Year Term) — Bryant Brown • Council District No. 4 (4 Year Term) — Dustin Gettel A swearing in ceremony/reception will be held in honor of the newly elected mayor and reelected council members on Tuesday, January 4, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 7505 South Holden Street. The public is invited to attend.