Midvale City Newsletter | December 2020

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

I know it is foolish to wish one’s life away, but isn’t that exactly what we have all come to desire: The unfolding of a brighter, less foreboding future, full of enjoyment with family, friends, fellow students, neighbors, work associates, fellow church-members, and, to be frank, perfect strangers.

Have you taken a moment to ask yourself just exactly how you plan to live and act during a future that is not overshadowed by this COVID-19 virus? I have. I think it will compare to my experiences when I first entered a foreign country. (In my seven decades I have entered Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Japan, England, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and France.) If you have also entered a foreign country, you will remember how closely you hung to the known, rather than tackling the unknown right away. That is how my mind imagines it will be after we know this pandemic is behind the vast majority of us. In other words, over this nine-month period, we have developed habits (since habits only take three weeks to form) that we will at first be shy to set aside. As we review the consequences of our actions – or lack of consequences – we will adjust to a new normal again.

This is the point upon which I want to concentrate this article: How will you and I then treat ourselves, our minds and bodies, our family, our neighbors, our work associates, our fellow

DECEMBER 2020 CITY NEWSLETTER

By Mayor Robert Hale

church-members, and yes, perfect strangers? All these relationships have been put to the test! Which ones are the most valued?

Which ones deserve strengthening? Which ones can be set aside because they caused us injury, whether mentally, physically or spiritually? Are we going to just jump backwards to where we were in early 2020?

I believe each of us will come to the realization that we must not jump backwards, but must jump forwards into a new chapter in our lives that is more fulfilling, more service oriented, more neighborly, more full of desire for a healthy self and meaningful family relationships.

Now my fellow residents of Midvale, soon you and I will have an opportunity to visit our doctor’s office, a clinic, or a pharmacy in order to receive an inoculation, a shot, a vaccination, however it will be described, that will have the full blessings of the medical sciences to protect us from, or relieve us from the symptoms of this pandemic virus. Take advantage of this time to choose to become a part of the long-awaited solution against or protection from the COVID-19 virus. This will be a decision when we can assure our family, neighbors, and the perfect stranger, that we were willing to take the brief pain for the greater good of the society we live in. Let’s be wise!

Let’s be thankful! Let’s be helpful beyond ourselves!

Midvale, let’s enjoy this Holiday Season, which is now upon us, and together, over the next few months, have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

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

Season's Greetings from Midvale City

385-468-9350

During this unique holiday season we send you and your loved ones our warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season, and a new year full of health, laughter, and love.

801-743-7000

~ Midvale City Mayor, City Council and Employees

801-840-4000

911

In The Middle of Everything 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.

WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Utility Billing FAQ’s – Water Meter Reading Utility Billing receives many questions each month. Here are answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions about how meters are read and billed: HOW IS MY METER READ? Most water meters are read electronically. City staff drive down a street at very low speeds (usually 15 miles per hour or less). Through radio frequency, the read is transmitted to a data collector. Once collected, the reads are transferred to the Utility Billing software, which then bills the accounts, along with other services (such as garbage, sewer, storm drain, and street light fees).

City staff can also collect a “manual” read from your water meter. This is done by opening the lid on the water meter barrel, opening the lid on the water meter, shining a light on the solar panel, and noting the read.

WHAT IF THE CITY CAN’T COLLECT A READ? If, for some reason, the City is not able to collect a read for a meter, a usage estimate will be used. The estimate is normally the consumption for the same period in the prior year. For example, if an estimate is needed in September 2020, September 2019’s actual consumption would be used. Utility Billing reviews every estimate for reasonableness.

WHY COULDN’T THE CITY COLLECT A READ? There are several reasons why the City can’t collect an actual read. Some of these reasons include: 1) There is an object blocking the meter (such as a vehicle parked over the meter).

2) The City cannot access the meter (such as an HOA changing a private gate code).

3) There are hazards preventing the City from collecting a read (such as construction).

4) The meter has failed.

As with many things, water meters can slow down or fail over time. When a meter completely fails, water is still flowing through the meter, but the meter does not register the usage. This necessitates using an estimated read until the meter can be replaced. The City has invested over $500,000 in a three-year program to replace 3,268 meters (this is over 45 percent of the City’s meters).

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY WATER CONSUMPTION HAS BEEN ESTIMATED? Beginning with your November bill, the verbiage “estimated read” will be next to billed consumption on the bill:

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY METER READING IS ACCURATE? All meters are calibrated and tested at the meter factory before being shipped. The American Water Works Association requires accuracy limits between 98.5% and 101.5%. Much like other mechanical devices, meters slow down with age and can eventually stop registering completely but cannot arbitrarily run faster than they were designed to run. The mechanical parts are not capable of “speeding up” or registering a significantly higher reading than actual.

Although it is very uncommon, it is possible City staff reads the meter incorrectly (if a manual read is recorded) or the meter is set up incorrectly in the utility billing software.

Because of this, Utility Billing reviews suspected high or low reads before billings are sent out. This review may involve sending City staff out to collect a manual read.

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY BILL? Utility Billing is available to answer any questions. Their phone number is (801) 567-7200 (option # 1) or utilitybilling@midvale.com.

DECEMBER 2020 CITY NEWSLETTER WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG

Virtual Book Buddies

At Salt Lake County Animal Services, we have relaunched and expanded our Book Buddies program virtually! This is the perfect volunteer opportunity for children and a way to sooth a shelter pet.

Children sign up to read to a shelter pet from their home. The program helps them improve their reading skills while helping shelter animals with socialization. Dogs and cats find the rhythmic sounds of a voice very soothing.

This is for beginning level readers and up.

Book Buddies has been a volunteer program for children at Salt Lake County Animal Services since 2016. Due to Covid-19, we have adjusted the program because we want children to have an opportunity to interact with pets at the shelter.

HOW BOOK BUDDIES WORKS: Parents sign their child up for a 10-minute reading session at bit.ly/slco_bookbuddies Upon registration, the participant will receive an email with a Zoom link for the upcoming session.

Parents, please help your child log into the meeting a few minutes before their scheduled time.

Virtual Book Buddies is offered twice a week: Mondays: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Fridays: 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

During Winter Break, stay tuned, we will be offering a variety of FREE Virtual workshops for children while they’re out of school. Follow our Facebook page for more upcoming details.

Salt Lake County Animal Services is located at 511 W 3900 S, SLC. Hours of operation are Mon-Sat, 10 AM – 6 PM. Due to Covid-19, all services are done by appointment. For additional information call 385-468-7387, email animal@slco.org, visit AdoptUtahPets.org.

Winter Weather Response MIDVALE CITY SNOW CREWS ARE READY FOR WINTER!

Midvale City snow crews are dedicated to clearing the streets of snow and ice. They work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nonstop during a storm or ice event to ensure the safety of the traveling public, to provide access to businesses so that commerce is as uninterrupted as possible, to open emergency routes to hospitals, fire stations, to help school buses arrive on time and safely, for trash collection services to be continued, and to allow all of us the freedom to accomplish many other daily activities.

Each winter storm is slightly different and requires different approaches as it relates to snow and ice management. Midvale City’s Public Works has a Snow Plan which can be modified before and during the storm. Basic policies are set forth with approval from staff and council. The snow and ice management process is dependent on the type of precipitation; depth of snow, sleet or ice; temperature of air and pavement; and timing of winter weather events.

Snow and ice control operations are expensive and involve the use of limited personnel and equipment. During a snow event, snow removal becomes a 24/7 operation until all priority streets, collectors, and arterials are cleared. Personnel are divided into crews working alternating 12-hour schedules depending on the shift that they are assigned.

event of continual snowfall, it may take longer than normal for plows to reach third-priority streets as first- and second-priority streets will require additional attention. Be assured that once it snows, Midvale snow crews work around the clock until all the roads are safe and drivable. Please remain patient until our crews can treat and plow your neighborhood.

Winter storms resulting in accumulations of 6 inches or more are not considered normal for this area. This will increase the snow clearing time in these cases. In addition, abandoned vehicles, improperly parked cars, traffic congestion, garbage cans, etc. may limit snow and ice control efforts on some City streets.

PRIORITIES The Public Works snow crews plow top priority and highvolume roadways first, followed by collector streets and residential through streets. Once conditions have been stabilized on first- and second-priority routes, crews will begin to clear City owned parking areas, cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads (there are currently 125 cul-de-sacs/dead-ends in Midvale City). In the

• UDOT is responsible to for 900 E., State St., 7200 S. (from State to Jordan River)

Priority 1: Mains and arterial roads Priority 2: Collector and residential through streets Priority 3: City owned parking areas, cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads* Please note, there are several streets and properties that are maintained by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Salt Lake County (SLCo) or Utah Transit Authority (UTA).

Therefore, Midvale City does not plow or treat the following streets and properties.

• SLCo is responsible for 700 W. (7200 S. to 6800 S.), 6960 S. (County Shop Rd.), northbound Union Park Ave. • UTA is responsible for all public transit parking lots and associated properties

WINTER HOLIDAY MEAL FOR SENIORS Midvale Senior Center will be hosting its annual Winter Holiday Meal on Friday, December 18, for seniors age 60 and over. We will be serving roast beef with horseradish sauce, garlic roasted carrots, cabbage and potatoes, kale salad with cranberries, dinner roll and strawberry poke cake. It will be a drive thru meal this year because of COVID-19. Please call 385-4683350 by Tuesday, December 8, to make a reservation.

Be prepared to let us know if you would like to pick up your meal between 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The staff at Midvale Senior Center & Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services would like to wish you a safe and Happy Holiday Season and best wishes for a Happy New Year.