Murray City Newsletter

FEBRUARY 2021

FREQUENTLY REQUESTED NUMBERS

Mayor’s Message

Attorney .................................. 801-264-2640 Business Licensing .................. 801-270-2432 Cemetery ................................ 801-264-2637 City Council ............................. 801-264-2603 Finance Department ............... 801-264-2513 FIRE DEPARTMENT Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2781 Non-Emergency Calls ......... 801-840-4000

Growth: No Easy Answers

General Information................ 801-264-2525 Heritage Center (Sr. Center)..... 801-264-2635 Human Resources.................... 801-264-2656 Library .................................... 801-264-2580 Mayor’s Office.......................... 801-264-2600 Municipal Court....................... 801-284-4280 Museum .................................. 801-264-2589 Murray Park Outdoor Pool ....... 801-266-9321 Murray Parkway Golf Course.... 801-262-4653 PARKS AND RECREATION Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2614 Rain-out Information ......... 801-264-2525 Park Center (indoor pool) ........ 801-284-4200 Passports................................. 801-264-2660 POLICE DEPARTMENT Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2673 Animal Control ................... 801-264-2671 Code Enforcement .............. 801-264-2673 Non-Emergency Calls ......... 801-840-4000 POWER DEPARTMENT Administrative Office .......... 801-264-2730 After Hours Emergency....... 801-264-9669 PUBLIC SERVICES Administrative Office .......... 801-270-2440 Building Inspection ............ 801-270-2431 Green Waste Trailers ........... 801-270-2440 Planning and Zoning .......... 801-270-2420 Solid Waste......................... 801-270-2440 Water, Sewer, Streets.......... 801-270-2440 Zoning Enforcement ........... 801-270-2426 UTILITIES After Hours Emergency....... 801-264-9669 Billing Questions ................ 801-264-2626

murray.utah.gov

The changes we are experiencing in our city, county, and state due to explosive growth are resulting in many challenges to Murray and surrounding cities. One of the most divisive and often controversial issues that we deal with as a city is the development of new multifamily housing communities. This challenge is driven by a housing shortage as more individuals and families move into the area. Murray is a very desirable location for many reasons, not the least is the convenient location to freeways, light rail, shopping, and world-class health care.

In recent years, many of our commercial areas have been rezoned to a “mixed use” zone designation, which allows for housing units to be built in former commercial zones as long as new development includes a combination (or “mix”) of residential and commercial.

This is not unique to Murray. All cities along the Wasatch front are facing similar challenges, particularly those along the TRAX and FrontRunner lines.

According to the Murray City General Plan, which was most recently adopted in 2017, the Mixed-Use (MU) zone “is intended for city center and transit station areas where a mixed-use neighborhood is desired and urban public services, including access to high-capacity transit, very frequent bus service, or BRT/Streetcar service are available or planned. This designation is intended to allow high-density multi-dwelling structures at an urban scale that include a mix of uses, usually in the same building and/or complex.”

Some lament that Murray is not the same as when they were growing up, and they are correct. Open spaces where I rode my bicycle with friends as a kid have been replaced by homes or commercial development. In recent years, high real estate values have enticed many property owners to sell to developers. Home builders are looking for any viable property to develop. In addition, the changing retail environment is causing the owners of big box retail stores to look at other uses for their property. The former K-Mart site at 4700 South 900 East is an example of transforming a big box retail store into a mixed-use development. Construction on that development will begin in the near future.

City leaders across the state are also feeling intense pressure from state lawmakers to allow for more high-density housing, and some lawmakers have even sponsored bills that have attempted to take some of the local control away from cities to make development easier. At the same time, we are hearing loud and clear from our constituents that we need to slow the developments and be judicious in where they are allowed. It is a delicate balance that your elected officials and planning commission members are seeking to achieve.

The rights of individual property owners must also be considered.

There are no easy answers.

Murray has historically done a fairly good job of striking a balance of housing stock. We have attractive single-family neighborhoods

MAYOR’S OFFICE

D. Blair Camp -Mayor mayor@murray.utah.gov 801-264-2600 5025 S. State Street Murray, Utah 84107

with a variety of home and lot sizes. We also have a mix of townhomes, condominiums, medium density housing units, and high-density apartments. Moving into the future, it will be important to carefully plan for additional housing units where appropriate. We will continue to see interest in developing high-density housing in zones near high-capacity transit (as indicated in the General Plan) as more people seek a place to call home.

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of planning ahead. As developers make applications for new housing units, it is the current land use and zoning that is applicable. The planning commission must make decisions on approval or disapproval based on the current ordinances in place and the ability of the applicant to meet the conditions.

I encourage all residents to become familiar with the Murray City General Plan. It can be found on the Murray City website at https://www.murray.utah.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7570/Murray-City-General-Plan-2017-Full?bidId= or by typing “General Plan” in the search bar on the home page.

Another resource to help residents become informed as to what is happening in the entire region regarding growth and transportation is the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) website. The WFRC is a Metropolitan Planning Organization that includes Salt Lake, Davis, and western Weber counties. WFRC has been instrumental in obtaining funding for Murray City for transportation projects and small area planning. Their website can be found at wfrc.org.

The reality is that we cannot stop the growth occurring in Murray and along the Wasatch Front, but appropriate planning and careful implementation of our plan will help assure that we have quality projects where appropriate.

Ronald Reagan once said, “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers.” In addressing the future of Murray City and the certain growth, I hope we have the wisdom to know the difference.

Message from the Council Just do your best. That’s all anyone can ask of us. Let’s just keep on keepin on and love one another. I promise you there are great days ahead. We can move forward with hope or we can move forward with despair. Either way we will move forward.

I am hopeful that 2021 will be a wonderful and prosperous year for everyone.

In February, there are some annual events that we can always look forward to...

Brett Hales The 2021 Legislative Session begins on January 19, 2021, consumes us all in District 5 February, and runs through March 5, 2021.

Some of the issues the Legislature will be discussing during the 45 day session this year include: outdoor advertising, emergency management, local government building regulation, and metro townships. There are already over 70 bill files on public safety, so keep an eye on that important issue. Your legislators want to hear from you. To find out who your representatives are, visit the Utah State Legislatures webpage at www.le.utah.gov.

There are two other days in February that are special to me and are definitely more fun than the legislature. This year, they happen to be one right after the other.

Valentine’s Day! Yea, sweethearts and candy! We will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14. Valentine’s Day is also known as St. Valentine’s Day. I was doing some research on this “love-filled” holiday when I came across some fascinating Valentine’s Day facts.

For instance, did you know there was more than one St. Valentine?

There were at least two men named Valentine that could have inspired the holiday. I also learned that the first valentine was sent in 1415 by a French medieval duke named Charles to his wife. And what about those conversation hearts? Those were invented by a pharmacist named Oliver Chase who invented a machine to simplify the way medical lozenges were made. He then switched his focus

to making candy and founded the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO), and voila, wafer hearts were born. In 1866, his brother, Daniel Chase, started printing sentimental messages on the conversation hearts. The first messages were long phrases such as, “How long shall I have to wait?” Also, would you believe that more than eight billion conversation hearts are manufactured each year?

Well, it’s true.

Council District 1 Kat Martinez 801-264-2624

kat.martinez@murray.utah.gov Council District 2 Dale M. Cox 801-264-2624

dale.cox@murray.utah.gov Council District 3 Rosalba Dominguez 801-264-2624

rosalba.dominguez@murray.utah.gov

The other holiday that is celebrated in February is President’s Day. The federal holiday was established in 1885 in recognition of George Washington. In 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill was passed by Congress. During the debate on that bill, a proposal came forth to change the name of the holiday from Washington’s Birthday to President’s Day so it could honor both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. When the bill went into effect in 1971, the holiday became commonly known and President’s Day and is intended to honor all American presidents. President’s Day is always celebrated on the third Monday in February, which falls on February 15th this year.

While there are many views on the current situation at hand, my hope is that you will again, do your best. It’s all any of us can do.

Murray Library FEBRUARY IS LIBRARY LOVER’S MONTH

CITY COUNCIL

If you’re a Murray Library Lover we hope you continue to love your library and consider expressing your library love to those around you. Use #NationalLibraryLoversDay to share on social media. If you don’t have a library card, it’s never too late! Call Murray Library to get one!

Libraries provide a place for us to enjoy great novels or to discover amazing adventures and untold history. Yes, they help us ace our research papers and provide a quiet space to study, but they do so much more.

For preschoolers, libraries entertain them with theater and hands-on activities exposing them to music, art and their first friendships. Many communities rely on their libraries for meeting space for public forums, socials, fundraisers and classes.

Libraries lend not only books but music and movies.

Rotating art displays give local artists exposure to the community. Larger libraries provide preservation services, preserving some of the most treasured books, periodicals and documents for future generations.

Brett Hales District 5

Council District 4 Diane Turner 801-264-2624

diane.turner@murray.utah.gov Council District 5 Brett A. Hales 801-264-2624

brett.hales@murray.utah.gov Executive Director Jennifer Kennedy Office: 801-264-2622

jkennedy@murray.utah.gov Telephone Agenda Information 801-264-2525

166 East 5300 South • Murray, UT 84107 DIY VALENTINE CARD KIT

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and it’s time to spread the love! Register starting February 3rd for your DIY Valentine card kits! Have fun making two of your own Valentines with our Take & Make kits. We provide the supplies; you provide the creativity.

One kit per child / limit four per family. Supplies are limited. Instructions for picking up your kit(s) will be provided after registering.

MURRAY LIBRARY ESCAPE ROOM

You are at the Library, snapping some photos with everyone’s favorite mascot, Murray the Dragon.

Suddenly, the lights go out and everything is pitch black.

People are trying to find their way around in the dark, when the lights come back on. You feel relief until you look around and notice that Murray is missing! He was standing right there with you, but now he is gone. In his place, you see a note.

Solve the mystery of Missing Murray at: murraylibrary.org/escaperoom

FEBRUARY 2021 Murray Senior Recreation Center Stay informed.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Although the Murray Senior Recreation Center remains closed for the protection of its vulnerable participants, we are looking at and implementing ways to serve the 55+ population in a fun and safe manner.

We are trying to get INFORMATION out about our Center via Facebook posts, listing on our webpage, or sending out email blasts. Please be sure to check these at least once a week for more information. If you have questions, please call our main number 801-264-2635 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

murray.utah.gov

MURRAY

murray.utah.gov/140/Murray-Senior-Recreation-Center

LUNCH We are serving box lunches for those 55+ Monday through Friday. Please call us at 801-264-2635 between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. the day prior to order your box lunch. Payment can be made over the phone with your credit/debit card. We need prior notification so the kitchen can adequately prepare your order. The box lunch will be delivered to your car in front of our building (north entrance) between 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Option #1: $4 sandwich (choice of white or wheat bread and a choice of ham or turkey), bag of chips, pickle, fruit cup, and cookie. If you want a hot sandwich, ask for panini style.

Option #2: $2 for a cup of soup or $4 for a bowl of soup (includes saltines, roll, and cookie) Option #3: $4 hot main entrée (includes fruit cup, roll, cookie) – choice of chicken pot pie, lasagna, or meatloaf and mashed potatoes

VIRTUAL SENIOR CENTER We have been hard at work planning virtual classes. Please call us between 8 a.m.4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to register for a class. You may also register for our virtual classes at mcreg.com. Virtual classes are marked with (ZOOM).

Murray Power Department Park Strip Trees Starting Feb. 1 through March 31, 2021, Murray City Power will be selling Park Strip trees to Murray City residents. For $125 per tree, a certified arborist will deliver and plant the tree in your park strip. Maintenance of the tree is also provided.

Limited availabilities for the following trees: • Sargent Cherry-Pink Flair • Canadian Chokecherry • Pin Oak • Red Oak • Lacebark Elm To order come into Murray City Power (Monday-Friday 7:00 am -3:30 pm) or call (801) 264-2729. As a reminder, if you do come in, please wear a mask.

Please provide us with a current email address when registering for a class. We will email out the Zoom meeting links a few days prior to the class. Only those registered will be able to access the class. Virtual classes are marked with (ZOOM) To participate, you must have access to the internet, a personal computer, tablet, or mobile device which includes video and audio. If you do not have access to a computer, the Center has purchased 25 iPad’s that you can checkout to use. Call the Center for more information on this program and to register for the ZOOM classes.

For a full listing of available ZOOM classes and to register, please visit us online at: mcreg.com AARP /VITA TAX HELP AARP and VITA Volunteer Tax Preparers are finalizing plans to assist seniors with their tax preparation. They will also be taking reservations for this service. Details will be available in February.

SENIOR GOLF LEAGUE The Murray Senior Golf League, a series of golf tournaments played at different courses on Mondays, will begin in May. Look for more information in future issues.

#10 East 6150 South (one block west of State Street) For information on these and other programs call 801-264-2635

For additional information, contact Murray Power Department at 801-264-2730

RESIDENT ON DISPLAY Original artwork by Murray resident artists are displayed in the central display case at City Hall. Brian Allen will be showcasing his artwork throughout February and March.

Brian Allen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in painting from Kent State University and a BFA in graphic design from the University of Akron. In 2013, he moved from Cuyahoga Falls, OH to Salt Lake City and currently resides in Murray. Brian is a painter of paradox – he uses art as a conduit to merge conflicting emotions.

Feelings of tension and tranquility are evoked, by blurring the line between the chaotic and serene. His works represent the multi-faceted complexities of everyday life.

Brian’s interest in the conver“When Serenity Collides” gence of polar opposites began in Brian Allen art school. His inspiration was psychological androgyny and how it’s proven to be cognitively and sociologically beneficial. He found that he could create something entirely new and unexpected by combing dichotomous subjects. Brian’s work has since evolved into pure abstract form. His work still maintains the underlying principal of paradoxical emotions, commonly associated with femininity and masculinity.

“The question then remains, how do we embrace contrasting aspects of our own individuality to become more adept in our everyday lives?”

For those interested in showcasing their talent and becoming a Resident on Display – please contact murraymuseum@murray.utah.gov

Lori Edmunds: 801-264-2620