OCTOBER 2021
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE
The Inaugural Citizen’s Academy By Mayor Trent Staggs
vocal about his desire to cultivate a police department culture based on community policing principles. Through this model, RPD strives to be service-oriented and focused on meeting the actual needs and concerns of our citizens. Not only do our officers take pride in their day-to-day interactions with the public, they work each and every day to earn the respect and trust of our community.
Prior to 2019, Unified Police Department (UPD) served the law enforcement needs of Riverton City. After a thorough review of future budget forecasts, staffing levels and coverage, it was determined that Riverton City would be better served by selfproviding policing duties. In 2018, Riverton City issued public notice of intent to leave UPD and in July 2019, at a now annual property tax savings of more than $2 million and an addition of 9 officers over what we had with UPD, the Riverton Police Department “In a time of unrest (RPD) officially and distrust in police took over law enforcement services around the duties in country, the Riverton Riverton.
To further community engagement, RPD will be hosting its very first Citizen’s Police Academy beginning this month. This sixPolice Department is a week academy include Two years later, great example of how will educational RPD continues first responders can workshops with to be one of the topics centered great, if not the and should become on community greatest, police an active part of the policing, daily departments operations, in the state community.” school resource of Utah. This officers, drug continued disposal and success comes other topics. The at the hands of our excellent academy will also incorporate a live police chief, Don Hutson, and action scenario as well as firearm his dedicated staff. From the and taser trainings. We anticipate beginning, Chief Hutson has been
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2021
offering the academy on a yearly basis.
Chief Hutson clearly states the overall goal of the academy in a recent conversation with me. He said, “It is my hope, following successful completion of the academy, each participant will gain a better understanding of police services and the types of rigorous trainings each officer must go through to be successful. Ultimately, we want our attendees to become ambassadors and advocate for us in the community with a better understanding of challenges we face.” In a time of unrest and distrust in police services around the country, the Riverton Police Department is a great example of how first responders can and should become an active part of the community. Through the prioritization of hiring experienced officers that have displayed a strong commitment to fair and objective policing, we can ensure our residents continue to receive the very best police services. With the inauguration of the first Riverton City Citizen’s Police Academy, we will continue to engage and build trust within the community. I am proud of RPD and have full trust in their ability to lead, protect and serve Riverton City and ask that you continue to support them in their pursuits.
Monday, October 25
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Riverton City Park 1452 W 12600 S
Families are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and come to Riverton City Park to participate in several free activities and games on the event lawn for the younger kids and a spook alley for the older kids in the rodeo arena! There will be chances to win or collect prizes and candy. Families can start at any station around the event lawn to receive their clue card. The Riverton Rough Riders will be running a carnival and selling concessions in the large pavilion. Tickets for the carnival games will be 4 for $1. Find details at rivertonutah.gov/halloween.
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COUNCIL MESSAGE
Thank You Riverton Residents MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129
CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertonutah.gov 801-953-5672
By Councilmember Tawnee McCay We want to thank all who helped plan, organize and participate in the 9/11 National
Day of Service and Remembrance. It was heartwarming to see hundreds of people gather to provide service to our community, whether that was assembling refugee kits, cleaning up Midas Creek Park and channel, cleaning headstones at Riverton City Cemetery, removing weeds from park strips, making thank you cards for veterans, first
responders, health care workers and senior citizens (Thanks Stampin’ Up!) or a clothing project for Africa. It was an honor to stand with each other and salute the flag of our great country on this Day of Remembrance. We are grateful for the freedoms we are all able to enjoy and the men and women who protect them.
Troy McDougal - District 2 tmcdougal@rivertonutah.gov 801-931-9933 Tawnee McCay - District 3 tmccay@rivertonutah.gov 801-634-7692 Tish Buroker - District 4 tburoker@rivertonutah.gov 801-673-6103 Claude Wells - District 5 cwells@rivertonutah.gov 801-875-0116
CITY MANAGER David R. Brickey dbrickey@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129
CITY OFFICES City Hall ................................801-254-0704 Administration ......................801-208-3129 Animal Control......................801-208-3108 Cemetery ..............................801-208-3128 Code Enforcement ................801-208-3108 Development Services ..........801-208-3138 Fire (UFA) ..............................801-743-7200 Justice Court .........................801-208-3131 Recreation & Events .............801-208-3101 Police ....................................385-281-2455 Public Works .........................801-208-3162 Recorder ...............................801-208-3128 Utility Billing .........................801-208-3133 Water....................................801-208-3164
FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2021
PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
RPD Enforcing School Zone Laws By Chief Don Hutson The Riverton community is once again bustling with activity as another school year is well underway. This dramatic change in traffic patterns and pedestrian activity causes all of us concern about the well-being of our children as they travel to and from school. I believe we would all agree that obedience to the reduced speed limit in school zones is of critical importance to ensure the safety of children crossing streets near our schools. I would add it would be prudent to reduce our speed on all roadways in the city as children have been known to cross the streets, even outside of designated school zones. We have had officers conducting traffic enforcement throughout the city to remind the motoring public of our commitment to keep kids safe. Another area of concern is the area immediately surrounding crosswalks throughout our city. The practice of parents pulling over to the side of the road near a crosswalk and letting their child out to walk the short distance in order to avoid traffic in the school parking lot can cause visibility issues at our crosswalks. Parking, stopping, or standing, even if you are only stopped momentarily
UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS
Children safely cross the street on 2700 W near Southland Elementary with the help of a Riverton City crossing guard.
to pick up or drop off, is illegal and can create an unnecessary risk for the children crossing the street. It is critically important to keep the crosswalk area clear to allow cars traveling down the road the visibility to see children as they are leaving the sidewalk toward the roadway, rather than as they are entering the roadway. Please be aware of this issue as you are dropping off or picking up your children from school. Try to find a spot to pull off the road away from any crosswalks or take the time to pull into the school parking lot to keep the roadway clear and less
CITY COUNCIL • Tuesday, October 5 & 19, 7 p.m.
Riverton City Events
chaotic during drop off and pick up times. Lastly, our crossing guards are dedicated professionals who are passionate about keeping our children safe as they are walking to school. Please be extra-vigilant as you approach crosswalks monitored by crossing guards, especially those in vehicles making turns as they often approach the crosswalks from a different angle. I look forward to another banner school year in Riverton and I thank you in advance for helping us keep our kids safe.
PLANNING COMMISSION
• Thursday, October 14 & 28, 7 p.m.
Secondary Water Shut-Off Reminder The anticipated shut-off date for Riverton City’s secondary water system is October 15. The date is dependent on if canal companies end up shutting off canals sooner than that date. Sprinkler systems should be winterized to protect them from cold temperatures by the end of November.
OPEN BALL VALVE
Please ensure your ball valve is OPEN after water is shut off to drain your lines.
Visit rivertonutah.gov to find the most recent Riverton City event and meeting information.
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2021
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UPCOMING EVENTS
RIVERTON REVIEW
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Sign Up: Community Christmas Choir
Utah Hunter Education Classes
Hamilton Effects Exhibit
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. Join Healthy Riverton for a FREE QPR class to learn how to respond to someone in crisis.
Join the community choir to sing at this year’s Christmas Night of Music Concert on Monday, December 6! Practices held weekly in November.
Completion of a basic hunter education course and shooting exam is required to obtain a hunting license in Utah. Class limited to 25 people total.
Renowned artist Brett Hamilton will be featuring his hauntingly beautiful special effects works, along with additional pieces.
• Thursday, October 21, 7 p.m., CR Hamilton Indoor Pavilion
• Sign up online at rivertonutah.gov/night-of-music
• September 27 - November 3, • November 3,4,10,12 (Wed & Fri) Register at rivertonutah.gov/hunter-ed Old Dome Meeting Hall
Riverton Quilt Exhibition
Historical Display Tours at City Hall
Wreaths Across America
Calling All Quilters!
The Riverton City Historical Preservation Commission will be hosting self-guided tours of the new historical display located at the Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center from 5-8 p.m. on October 5, November 16 and December 7. Those interested in seeing the historical display can visit at any time during the open hours. Enter through the 2nd Floor of Riverton City Hall.
Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 1,600 locations nationwide, including Riverton City Cemetery.
The Riverton Quilt Exhibition will be held November 15 - December 22 at the Old Dome Meeting Hall. If you’ve got a quilt you’d like to display, be sure to keep this on your radar! The quilt entry period will be held November 1-8. Free to enter and open to all. For more informtion, visit rivertonutah.gov/exhibits.
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Sponsor a $15 wreath to be placed at a veteran’s grave at Riverton City Cemetery in December. Learn more by visiting rivertonutah.gov/wreaths.
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2021