South Salt Lake Journal | May 2023

COST OF DOING BUSINESS SET TO INCREASE IN SSL

By Zak Sonntag | z.sonntag@mycityjournals.com

Thecost of doing business in South Salt Lake is set to increase as the city appears poised to raise business fees by a substantial margin.

The move is being prompted by a Zions Public Finance study which showed current licensing fees don’t cover the expense of municipal services utilized by businesses operating in the city.

The decision would mark the first fee change in 12 years.

Yet even as city leaders conceded the need to lift fees, they are delaying a decision over concern that fee hikes will ding the bottom line of local companies and worry that moving ahead without input will damage relationships with the business community—relationships that some councilmembers say are already in poor standing.

“I’m not opposed to increasing the fees. But I’m wondering if this can be part of a larger conversation on what we’re doing [for our business community] because right now those businesses don’t really see support from South Salt Lake,” said at-large Councilmember Natalie Pinkney, speaking during a March South Salt Lake City Council meeting where she offered anecdotes of local entities lamenting a lack of city support during All-Star Weekend.

Completed at the end of 2022, the Zions Public Finance study analyzed SSL’s direct and indirect costs associated with a range of different business classes, finding that current fees fail to cover administrative costs along with what are known as disproportionate fees, namely calls for police and emergency services.

Continued page 20

The city is considering raising business fees for places like Bonwood Bowl, the first fee change in 12 years. (Zak Sonntag/City Journals)

Virtual Study for Asthma

BE A MEDICAL HERO! JOIN A STUDY TODAY.

KANYOS BIO - CELIAC DISEASE:

This is a two-part study is for adults 18 -70 years old. Which part you are put in will determine how long you will be in the study. It can be either 56 days or 58 weeks long. You must have a diagnosis of Celiac Disease either by a positive celiac serology test or a biopsy and have followed a gluten-free diet for at least 12 months to qualify.

HORIZON - UNCONTROLLED GOUT:

This is a four-part study for adults 18 years and older and can be up to 45 weeks long. You will have 18 visits and you will come to the clinic at least 11 times for blood draws. These visits will be 48 hours before you have the infusion, you will have infusions every week for 22 weeks, and they can take up to 2-3 hours. There is one phone call 30 days after your last infusion. You must have uncontrolled gout defined as meeting the following criteria: (a) you must have an elevated level of uric acid (b) you must maintain the serum acid with Allopurinol at the maximum medically appropriate dose of 300 mg, or with intolerable side effects meaning it didn’t work for you based on medical records or the subject informing us the Allopurinol didn’t work. You must also have one of the following symptoms of gout: The presence of at least one tophus (uric acid builds up around your joints) recurrent flares are defined as 2 or more flares in the past 12 months, or the presence of chronic gouty arthritis.

BATURA AVILLION ASTHMA:

The BATURA Study is now enrolling participants 12 years and older for an asthma research study.

You may qualify for this clinical research study if you:

• Are 12 years of age and older*

• Have had a clinical diagnosis of asthma by a healthcare professional

• Are actively using short-acting beta-agonist inhalers (as-needed rescue inhaler, such as albuterol) to control or reduce asthma symptoms, alone or in combination with either low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent® , Pulmicort® , or Asmanex®) or leukotriene inhibitor montelukast (Singulair), zileuton (Zyflo®), or zafirlukast (Accolate®)

This study is for children 12 years and older who have a diagnosis of Asthma from a prescribing healthcare provider. We will need documentation of diagnosis from medical records or a letter from your child’s physician. You must be capable of signing and understanding the eICF (including assent with parental/legal guardian consent for children ages 12 - 17 years old). Your child must be actively using a SABA (short-acting beta antagonist) alone or SABA on a background of either low-dose ICS (inhaled corticosteroids) or a LTRA (Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists such as Accolate, Montelukast, Singulair, and Zafirlukast. This study is 52 weeks long with 8 virtual visits. You will get paid $50 for each completed visit, and you will make a total of $400 for the study. You and or your child will be required to use the Science 37 app, which can be downloaded on your phone.

PFIZER CHILD LYME DISEASE VACCINE: This study is for healthy children or children that have stable pre-existing chronic medical conditions. This is a study for children 5 to 17 years old. Children and their parents must be able to attend all appointments and phone calls. This study is 2 years long; there are 6 clinic visits and you will get paid $116 for each, as well as $116 for any unscheduled visits. There are 2 phone calls, and you will get $25 (parents or guardians will get this money) for each of those phone calls, and there is a weekly ediary that you will get paid $10 for upon completion. Parents will get $87.75 for any TeleHealth visits. This study is a 4-dose series; you will get your first 3 doses at your first appointment, your next dose during month 2 and month 3, and then your last dose at 18 months.

This research study is enrolling. Learn more.

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Wasatch food co-op underway with promising, community-driven future

By Jesse M. Gonzalez | j.gonzalez@mycityjournals.com

Buying “local” is in and thanks to a co-op market in the works, community members will soon be able to purchase food and drink items from area farmers, bakers and food producers.

A co-op by definition is an association of persons who cooperate for their mutual social, economic and cultural benefit. “Salt Lake City doesn’t have a food co-op, so it’s madness that we have a food co-op here,” said Erin Whitelock, one of the leaders in organizing the operations of what will be soon become known as the Wasatch Cooperative Market. “We have a fundraiser going on, a crowd funding campaign where we’re trying to raise $65,000 to help us sign a lease on the grocery store.”

The campaigning event started on the evening of March 18 at Shades Brewing and included live music from local band Lonely Heights and brewery tours, drawings and prizes, and beer and pie pairing which was sponsored by the local shop Pie Fight.

“This is an event we’re hosting to create awareness, to get people together to talk about the food co-op. The co-op is a community-owned grocery store, so the people who shop there and work there are going to be ones who own it, and every owner has a share in that vote,” Whitelock said. “You get an equity share in the business; there’s profit sharing at the end of the year and then you get a vote on the direction and admission on the grocery store and our member ownership.”

Whitelock and the rest of the operations crew are eager to open up the shop and have firm aspirations in sticking by the local people who are often unrecognized. “We want to source as much from local sustainable farmers, ranchers, soap makers, bakers…that’s one of the reasons we brought Pie Fight here

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to do a pairing—it’s a local, small ma and pa bakery—those are the kinds of things we want to support to strengthen our local community,” Whitelock said. “We invest and bring our profits back to the community.”

“Think about the supply chain crisis that has just come up recently. There’s lots of evidence that food cooperatives were able to keep food on their shelves when some of the big box stores couldn’t because they have their local farmers. Cooperatives strengthen local farms. We have secure, healthy, local farmland because they have a consistent place to sell their goods instead of having to go once a week to the farmers market,” Whitelock said. “We’re trying to raise some money for all of the expenses—the legal expenses, the architectural design, hiring a store manager, all of that. We’ve been slowly working to get this store open for over a decade. We’re still not exactly sure when we’re going to sign the lease, but it will be sometime in May.”

Getting the necessary funds needed to open a co-op in South Salt Lake has been a slow progress, but a progress nonetheless.

“What we’re doing is just trying to start a grassroots community owned grocery store. We have a location that we’re negotiating on 900 South and 422 East,” said Stephanie Buranek, one of the board members who is in charge of feasibility and planning. “I serve on a volunteer board with seven other board members and we just make decisions on behalf of the community that owns the grocery store. We’re pretty excited. We’re hoping to have the big announcement and party once the lease is signed.”

Find more about Wasatch Cooperative Market on their website: Wasatch.coop. l

SOUTHJORDAN JOURNAL.COM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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Salt Lake City based rock band Lonely Heights performs for a crowd at the funding campaign for Wasatch Co-Op. (Jesse M. Gonzalez/City Journals)

Erin Whitelock is nothing but joyous at the campaigning event, ready to sign the lease for a community grocery store nearly 10 years in the making. (Jesse M. Gonzalez/City Journals)

Wasatch Cooperative Market Board member Stephanie Buranek revels in the success and progress that has been made in organizing what will become a staple for local members of South Salt Lake. (Jesse M. Gonzalez/City Journals)

Cirque Ma’Ceo gallops into South Jordan for a unique performance

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

Ifyou’re lucky enough to witness the beauty and spectacle of Cirque Ma’Ceo, you’ll appreciate the rare opportunity to see a performance that blends the strength and grace of horses with the flexibility and bravery of riders and aerialists.

The equestrian-focused show features mesmerizing aerial feats, exotic horses and heart-pumping acts that leave audiences enthralled.

“This show is a blend of traditional circus and contemporary circus. It’s a very up-closeand-personal show where the audience can feel the rhythm of the horse hooves pounding the ground,” said Rachel Gauthier, aerialist and trick rider. “The audience is sitting so close it becomes really intimate. I like the possibility of being connected with the audience and the audience has the same feeling. They feel like they can be part of the story with us.”

Staged under a custom-designed Italian Big Top tent, the theater caters to a smaller crowd in order to provide a more personal experience.

Several horse breeds perform during the show, including a Friesian, an Andalusian, quarter horses, mustangs, a Suffolk Punch and a miniature horse stallion, which is a crowd favorite. The heart-pounding Cossack act brings a rush of adrenaline to the audience, while watching riders doing tricks upside-down with the horses.

Cirque Ma’Ceo was created by Olis-

sio Zoppe, one of the most experienced and well-rounded equestrians to perform on stage. Zoppe has mastered the dangerous art of bareback riding and has performed since he was 4 years old with shows like Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey, Cheval Theatre and Circus Flora.

“There is a bareback act that comes from

Olissio’s family,” Gauthier said. “He’s an eighth and ninth generation of a traditional circus family that came from Italy. His family were equestrians and bareback riders. Olissio has learned from his grandparents and generation after generation. His act is one of the core acts of the show.”

Along with the incredible horse shows, Cirque Ma’Ceo features aerial acts with chandeliers and silks, a tightwire performance, gaucho dancers and more. To learn about the show, or to purchase tickets, visit Cirquemaceo.com.

Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m.

“It’s a small circus, but there’s a lot happening,” Gauthier said. “It’s like a family. In these types of circuses, everyone gets involved. Everyone works together to make this happen.”

The 90-minute show runs May 5-7 at the Bastian Agricultural Center (2100 W. 11400 South) in South Jordan. Tickets are available for

It features dazzling aerial feats and beautiful horses performing under an Italian Big Top tent. (Photos courtesy of Cirque Ma’Ceo)

The Cirque Ma’Ceo equestrian show runs May 5-7 at the Bastian Agricultural Center (2100 W. 11400 South) in South Jordan. (Photos courtesy of Cirque Ma’Ceo)

Mayor talks accomplishments and plans in her 13th State of the City address

By Bill Hardesty | b.hardesty@mycityjournals.com

South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood gave her 13th State of the City speech during a dinner at the Columbus Center on March 13.

Previous to the mayor’s speech, a joint honor guard of SSLFD and SSLPD, under the direction of SSLPD Chief Jack Carruth, presented the colors. Edward Lopez of Promise SSL read the land acknowledgment and, as an accomplished singer, sang “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand,” a song made famous by Diana Ross.

While introducing the mayor, Rick Taggart, the MC for the evening, mentioned that Wood recently celebrated her 30th anniversary of public service with the City of South Salt Lake.

“I was 19 when I started to work for the city,” Wood said. “My first boss was the finance director, and she said just think you can retire in 30 years. So I never thought I would stay working in public service.”

Snowfighters

At the beginning of her speech, Wood thanked groups, partners and employees. She especially pointed out a particular group of Public Works employees.

“I would specifically like to recognize the winter hidden heroes of our community. A group of South Salt Lake employees that we affectionately call snowfighters,” Wood said. “These 11 individuals have truly stepped up to keep our city on the move during this year’s record snowfall. The streets crew has worked more than 1,200 hours over 28 days during active winter storms to ensure that our 77 miles of pavement are safe for residents to get to work,

school, and for our businesses to stay open.” 2022–The year of the big lift Traditionally, the mayor’s speech outlines significant accomplishments from the previous year. However, Wood pointed out the 2022 accomplishments were different.

“South Salt Lake, like many other cities in Utah and all around the country, has aging infrastructure and lagging revenue to fix that infrastructure. I’m talking about essential things like roads, water and sewer systems, and public buildings,” Wood said. “But infrastructure also refers to public safety and essential city staff. For more than 10 years, our city lacked the courage and commitment to make what I’m calling ‘the big lift’—funding these essential items. Instead, we kicked the can down the road.”

Wood expressed pride in the council and city staff, who “made the hard decisions, took courageous actions to address these critical issues, and invested in our city’s future.”

Some of the items that were noted included: Water

• Bonded for a new well which will supply water for the next 50 years

• Instituted a stormwater utility fund that provides funds to keep SSL compliant with local, state and federal stormwater standards

• Established a Public Infrastructure District providing funds for improving sewer infrastructure paid by downtown developers Property purchases

• Secured land along Oakland Avenue to expand the City’s Public Works campus

• Purchased land west of State Street for new parks and amenities

Public Safety

• Instituted a Public Safety tax levy providing a stable funding source for the police and fire departments

“This was a difficult lift,” Wood said.

City Employees

• Conducted an industry salary survey increasing pay for employees along with benefits boosts

Other accomplishments included:

• Community Garden at Fitts Park

• Community Opportunity (Co-Op) Center at the Columbus Center

• Granite Library branch

• Improved playground equipment and shade sails at Fitts Park

• Neighborhood Connect

• Youth cooking competition

• FlashVote, CivicRec, Give Pulse, and a rebuilt website

• Civilian Review Board

• Well-lit streets, including 962 LED street-

lights

• Additional Community Resource pantries at Historic Scott School, Central Park and the Co-Op

• Partnering with Mosaic Interfaith Ministries located at the Historic Scott School

• “Best Friends Designation” for the SSL animal shelter

• New celebrations such as Juneteenth, Nepali New Year, the 1520 Arts Block party, Brazilian Summer Festival, and the Pacific Islander Heritage Fashion Show

2023–Press Play!

“I’m feeling excited and optimistic about 2023. My optimism comes from the support this year’s budget received from the City Council and the community,” Wood said. “With newly approved funding, South Salt Lake can provide the level of services and amenities our community needs and deserves. We are ‘pressing play’ and are off and running.”

The mayor’s top priorities for 2023 are:

• Housing including a Housing Plan that

A combined PD/FD color guard at the 2023 State of the City celebration. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

Community Garden at Fitts Park—a 2022 accomplishment. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

ensures the right mix of housing in the right neighborhoods

• Pamela Atkinson Homeless Resource Center, including setting the bar of care

• Promise SSL expanding to the young adult realm with “wrap-around supports”

• Community Development Department with a new director, Jonathan Weidenhamer

• Light-filled birthday party night to celebrate SSL’s 85th birthday in September

• More street lighting improvements

• Historic Scott School upgrades

• New dog park on Oakland Avenue

• Fire Department will get a new tiller fire truck and three new ambulances

• Police department will conduct Crisis Intervention Team training

• New bridge for Parley’s Trail at 900 West

• Citywide Water Conservation efforts

“If all of this sounds like a lot of fun, I am glad to finally share this moment with you,” Wood concluded. “It has been a lot of work together to get to this point. I think we all deserve a cheer. You can join me in ‘pressing play.’”

State of City Awards

The State of the City awards recognizes the people and businesses that “make South Salt Lake truly a community.” More information about recipients is available on the city’s website.

• Citizen of the Year – Joy Glad

• Legacy Family of the Year – The Dipo Family

• United Way and Promise SSL Partner of the Year – Circles Salt Lake

• Education Partner of the Year – Woodrow Wilson Elementary

• Community Advocate – Hoang Nguyen

• Employee of the Year – Hanna Tuia (Community Development Department)

• City Council Champion – LeAnne Huff

• Equity Champion – South Salt Lake Recreation Department

• Mentor of the Year – Randy Sant (Who received a standing ovation)

• Volunteers of the Year – Wendy and Lisa Miner

• Changemaker Award – Police Chief Jack Carruth (Who also received a standing ovation)

• Community Champion Award – Bill Hardesty

• Best Creative Industry award – Old Cuss Cafe

• Best Lunch Spot – Moochie’s, Meatballs and More!

• Best Small Business – Curly Hair Studio l

Mayor Cherie Wood delivers her State of the City address on March 13. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

Residents, partners, invitees and employees gather for the 2023 State of the City presentation. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

Cherie Wood, Mayor 801-464-6757 mayor@sslc.gov

South Salt Lake City Council Members

LeAnne Huff, District 1 801-440-8510 lhuff@sslc.gov

Corey Thomas, District 2 801-755-8015 cthomas@sslc.gov

Sharla Bynum, District 3 801-803-4127 sbynum@sslc.gov

Portia Mila, District 4 801-792-0912 pmila@sslc.gov

L. Shane Siwik, District 5 801-548-7953 ssiwik@sslc.gov

Natalie Pinkney, At-Large 385-775-4980 npinkney@sslc.gov

Clarissa Williams, At-Large 505-879-2457 cwilliams@sslc.gov

City Offices

8 am to 5 pm 801-483-6000 220 East Morris Ave SSL, UT 84115

Animal Service 801-483-6024

Building Permits 801-483-6005

Business Licensing 801-483-6063

Code Enforcement 801-464-6757

Fire Administration 801-483-6043

Justice Court 801-483-6072

Police Admin 801-412-3606

Promise 801-483-6057

Public Works 801-483-6045

Recreation 801-412-3217

Utility Billing 801-483-6074

Emergencies 911

Police/Fire Dispatch 801-840-4000

CITY NEWSLETTER May 2023 www.sslc.gov

Top of My List: Rising Water and Staying Safe

When it comes to water and the challenges it creates, there are many variables that we can’t control. Drought and its diminishing supply have generally taken the lead in our conversations. However, this year the focus takes another spin, as we face this season’s record-breaking mountain snow and potentially flooding runoff. In preparation, the City is taking high water runoff and how it may affect our community very seriously. City staff and residents alike are all navigating this natural challenge as best we can. Life safety is our #1 priority. Please keep your distance from all moving runoff water this spring - in a creek, on the street, or in your car. The dangers are unexpected and unmarked - don’t become its victim.

Led by our Stormwater and Engineering staff, our whole team is working hard to strategize the best actions to take in the areas that may experience high run-off and flooding. Homes and businesses situated next to waterways, such as the Mill Creek and Jordan River are at a higher risk. Here is an overview of the city’s pre-emptive steps and what we’ve been working on since March.

• Protecting Our Wells. In South Salt Lake, our water comes from naturally occurring groundwater. To protect our well sites, early on we have been fortifying the surrounding areas and building up sandbag barriers to protect our water well sites.

• Stormwater Drains and Waterways. Our stormwater division has been actively clearing debris in city storm drains and waterways to ensure the proper flow of our drainage systems and rivers. We urge the public to clear out their street’s storm drains and gutters.

• Public Outreach. Information and support to our neighbors that will most be impacted by high run-off were distributed, and “Stay Away from Water” signs have been posted at creeks and streams in public areas. We are also asking residents to read up on how to be prepared on both our city website and the County Flood website.

• Monitoring Water Levels. Our city team monitors water levels by watching the weather, measuring flow rates and viewing via livestream webcams 24/7, including the culvert at 650 East and 3300 South. We hope to predict when we need to step into emergency action.

• Sandbags. SSL Public Works as well as our city employees started in early April to fill over 9,000 sandbags. On April 14 the City launched community sandbag-filling volunteer opportunities for the public. A fast-fill sandbag machine arrived Saturday, April 15 allowing us to accelerate our production with the goal of creating 50,000. Sandbags were placed on wrapped pallets to distribute and be ready for use where they are needed most.

I hope you know that protecting homes and keeping the members of our community safe is always at the forefront. South Salt Lake staff members are here to provide support and supply you with the most up-to-date information. To stay informed and receive updates, set up an account at www.sslc.gov to receive alerts, news, and all things related to South Salt Lake.

Mayor Cherie Wood

Go to the County site, which includes ood preparedness tips and the local oodplain map indicating who is at the most risk: www.slco.org/ ood-control/.

Public Meetings

For more info: www.sslc.gov

City Council

Wed, May 10, 7 p.m.

Wed, May 24, 7 p.m.

Planning Commission

Thu, May 4, 7 p.m.

Thu, May 18, 7 p.m.

Civilian Review Board

Mon, May 1, 6:30 p.m.

2023 SSL Municipal Election Notice

The City of South Salt Lake will hold a Municipal General Election on November 7, 2023, to elect the following:

City Council Member District 1 – 4 year term

City Council Member District 4 – 4 year term

City Council Member District 5 – 4 year term

City Council Member District At-Large – 4 year term

Qualifications to Run for Municipal Office:

1. A United States citizen at the time of filing

2. A legal resident of South Salt Lake for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election

3. A registered voter of the municipality

High Water: Tips to Keep You and Your Family Safe

Have a question or concern regarding South Salt Lake? Reach out to the city via our Neighborhood Connect!

Spring 2023

Citywide Curbside Cleanup Program

May 1-12

4. A resident of the council district you are filing for

5. Not be a convicted felon unless the right to hold elective office has been restored.

6. Pay the $25 filing fee.

The City Council has elected to use the Ranked Choice Voting method without a Primary Election. The candidate filing period is Tuesday, August 8, 2023, through Tuesday, August 15, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The candidate filing deadline is Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.

Declaration of Candidacy forms or Nomination Petitions must be filed in person with the South Salt Lake City Recorder’s Office at 220 East Morris Avenue, Suite 200, South Salt Lake, Utah, unless individuals are subject to Section 20A-9-203(3)(b) of the Utah Code. Additional information is available on the Utah Elections website: https://vote.utah.gov/ South Salt Lake City Recorder: Ariel Andrus – aandrus@sslc.gov 801-483-6019

Salt Lake County Clerk: County Clerk - vote@slco.org 385-468-7400

As the snowpack melts and rain continues, here are some important things to keep in mind to keep you and your family safe this spring.

• Do not go near flooded rivers and streams.

• Please do not allow your kids or pets to play or swim in the flood water.

○ Flood water may contain hazardous waste or raw sewerage.

○ Flood water can also be deeper than it appears, posing a drowning risk for young children.

• Don’t drive through flooded streets. “Turn around don’t drown”

• Flood insurance is not part of your regular homeowner’s insurance, it is a separate policy

• Stay alert, and listen to news and weather alerts

• To learn the real risks of flooding, www.FloodFacts.utah.gov

If you notice an area (street, river, storm drain) that is flooding or gaining water rapidly, please jot down the location, take a picture and send it to South Salt Lake Neighborhood Connect.

South Salt Lake City Council Action Report Summary

The Citywide cleanup program is available to all South Salt Lake City residents receiving City garbage service. The schedule spans the first two full weeks of May. Your pickup schedule will be sent in advance. Pickup will be provided for approved items that are boxed, bundled or bagged. Properly prepared items must be placed curbside by 6:30 am on the scheduled collection day. Hazardous materials such as oil, batteries, paint, tires and other pollutants will not be collected. Please do not place boxed, bundled or bagged items over storm drains or run off areas.

Public Safety

Extending Our Reach: New Tiller Ladder Truck at SSLPD

The fire department has completed its final inspection and will be receiving our new Tiller Ladder

Truck around the first week of May. This new ladder truck will allow the fire department to access places our existing ladder truck cannot. For example, the current ladder truck has a 45-foot wall-to-wall turning radius and the new ladder truck will be half

of that even though the vehicle is 64 feet long. This new ladder truck has a 107-foot ladder and a driver in the back to help maneuver the trailer through the streets and around obstacles. There is a 2000 GPM (gallons-per-minute) pump on the vehicle, a firefighting hose, and numerous storage compartments to house all the firefighting and rescue gear a vehicle like this needs to carry.

Just like our other front-line vehicles, this one also follows the “clean-cab” concept that removes firefighting gear from the crew enclosure to help minimize exposure to cancer-causing agents that can be linked with firefighting. The fire department takes the responsibility of community risk reduction seriously and this new piece of equipment helps us manage emergencies throughout our community.

Once the new ladder truck goes into service it will respond out of Fire Station 42 located at 900 West. Look for information coming shortly about this vehicle including a push-in ceremony, please follow us at sslc.gov or on social media for updates at @sslfd.

Community Meetings

Join us for a community conversation.

Flood Preparation: Actions Residents Can Take

SSL is providing the most accurate and up-to-date local information through its website, www.sslc.gov. Sign up for Emergency Alerts, here: www.sslc.gov/AlertCenter.aspx

• Sandbags may be available for residents and businesses at risk. Contact SSL Neighborhood Connect: 801-4646757, connect@sslc.gov.

• Sandbags can be delivered to those who are unable to fill their own and are in an area of high risk. If you cannot fill and carry sandbags, contact the SSL Neighborhood Connect line. We ask for your patience as the demand is high and are responding as quickly as possible.

• For those who wish to volunteer to sandbag or other flood preparation duties as needed, several shifts are available: https://givepul.se/u118aq

Coffee with a Cop

May 5, 9-10 a.m.

In-Person

Délice Bakery & Café 2747 S State Street

Business and Neighborhood Watch

Businesses are encouraged to participate.

May 7, 7 p.m.

SSLPD Department 2835 S Main Street

Text a Tip to SSLPD

You can now send anonymous text and web tips to the SSLPD.

To send an anonymous text tip:

1. Text your tip to 274-637 (CRIMES).

2. Start your text message with the keyword: SSLPD

3. Within a minute, you will receive a text message with your alias. This confirms that your text message was received. The alias identifier is used by the officer to communicate with you, through text, regarding the tip you submitted.

4. Remember, the officer does not know your identity or location.

Message from SSLFD Chief Terry Addison

Starting in April, City sta and community volunteers joined at the SSL Public Works campus to ll sandbags, both by hand and using a fast- ll sandbag machine.

A very wet and stormy day didn’t stop this group of LDS missionaries from attending a volunteer shift and stacking several pallets with sandbags.

SSL Public Works as well as our city employees started in early April to ll over 15,000 sandbags. On April 14 the City launched community sandbag- lling volunteer opportunities for the public.

www.sslcoop.org

2530 S 500 East

Co-Op supervisor, Abram Sherrod: asherrod@sslc.gov or 801-464-6757

Mon-Thur, 9 am to 8 pm Fri 9 am - 6 pm Central Park

2797 S 200 East

Promise Contact, Patrick Holman-Hart: pholman@sslc.gov or 801-386-4949 Historic

3280 S 540 East

Promise Contact, Maisy Hayes: mhayes@sslc.gov or 801-803-3632

The Women’s Job Fair and Hiring Event

The Promise SSL Jobs and Economic Development Council (JEDI) in partnership with Women of the World and the SSL Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Women’s Job Fair and Hiring Event at the Community Opportunity Center (Co-Op). The Women’s Job Fair and Hiring Event is particularly focused on the needs and addressing potential barriers for women who are seeking jobs. The event is aiming to match potential employers with women who are unemployed or underemployed or are seeking to re-enter the workforce.

Women in the Workplace 2022—the largest study on the state of women in corporate America-- reports that many women experience bias not only because of their gender, but also because of their race, sexual orientation, disability, or other aspects of their identity—and the compounded discrimination can be much greater than the sum of its parts. As a result, these groups of women often face more barriers to advancement. Companies and coworkers must be aware of these dynamics so they can more effectively promote equity and inclusion for all women.

Nationally Noteworthy Congratulations, Ikran!

Three members of Promise SSL presented this year at the National Afterschool Association Convention in Florida.

Last month some members of our team represented us at the National Afterschool Association Convention in Florida. Not only did they get the chance to learn from other afterschool providers from around the US, but three of our staff were selected

to present and highlight our work to them. Having our staff share our work at this level is a great reminder that although South Salt Lake might be small, we are doing big things that are noteworthy.

Tate Grimshaw, Promise C2C Facilitator, gave a presentation called, “Engagement, Exploration, and Empowerment: Developing Career Readiness within Teens.” Attendees were given strategies for developing career soft skills, hard skills, and professional confidence with the youth they serve. Integrating these concepts into teen programming early on gives youth the tools to transition successfully into adulthood and achieve their goals.

Deborah Peel, Promise Center Coordinator, presented “You are More than Your Job.” She shared how caring for our mental health should be a priority for each of us so we can prevent burnout both in our professional and personal lives.

Patrick Holman-Hart, Promise Center Coordinator, presented a session called “Positive Outcomes & Inclusion Through Recreation.” He explored the values of recreation and physical education in out-of-school time programming and provided ways staff and organizations can incorporate these practices into their programs.

Ikran Muktar, a member at the Promise SSL Best Buy Teen Tech Center was awarded a scholarship from UNCF and the Best Buy Scholars Program. Ikran competed against other seniors across the nation for this scholarship. The scholarship is $10,000 for each academic year for a total of $40,000!

Ikran is a senior at Utah International Charter School. She has been accepted to the University of Utah for the fall of the 2023 year and is hoping to study Psychology and other social sciences. Ikran has participated in the Clubhouse to Careers program at the Teen Tech Center this year and says her favorite part has been being able to use new technology at the center. As she looks forward to college Ikran is excited about meeting new friends and joining clubs. She is looking to join the Black Student Union and a STEM-focused club. We’re so proud of Ikran’s accomplishment for this and can not wait to see her successes in the future!

This scholarship is only open to youth members of the Best Buy Teen Tech Center. If you or someone you know will be a high school senior next year and you are interested in participating in Promise SSL Best Buy Teen Tech Center programming or learning about this and other scholarship opportunities, contact Deborah Peel at dpeel@sslc.gov or 801-455-0994.

6TH ANNUAL MURAL FEST ARTIST MEET & GREET

6TH ANNUAL MURAL FEST ARTIST MEET & GREET

A self-guided walking or bike tour of the new 2023 murals. Come see the murals, meet the artists, and celebrate community.

A self-guided walking or bike tour of the new 2023 murals. Come see the murals, meet the artists, and celebrate community.

Best of SSL

Our favorite part of State of the City is recognizing the incredible people who make SSL truly a community.

Find the complete video of this year’s ceremony or read the awards booklet at www.sslc.gov.

2023 STATE OF THE CITY AWARDS

Mentor of the Year — Randy Sant

As a City, we are fortunate to have Randy Sant on contract for our Economic Development and consulting needs. His vast experience in municipal development strategy spans decades and from multiple counties along the Wasatch Front. His expertise includes serving in the roles of Lobbyist, City Manager and Economic Development Director. He caught Mayor Wood’s vision early on and was committed to seeing Downtown South Salt Lake become a reality. Randy has spent years advising our Redevelopment Agency and many City Council members have voiced their appreciation for his guidance.

This past year, Randy stepped into the role of Interim Community Development Director at a time when there were a lot of changes within the department. While this department is vast, he took the time to meet with each employee one-on-one and get to know them. He encouraged people to grow and develop within their job and was invested in their professional success. His primary goal for the department was to make sure all employees were happy. He frequently followed up to ensure their continued progress and happiness. Randy also took it upon himself to mentor our incoming Finance Director. Serving in a new role can be a daunting task. Even more so when it involves millions of dollars. His calm, assuring words and guidance were just the ticket.

While life threw Randy a curve ball the time he spent with staff prepping them for success became evident. Few and far between are those who share their skills, knowledge and expertise solely for the betterment of others. We are grateful for Randy and his willingness to mentor our SSL staff!

Best Creative Industry — Old Cuss Cafe (2285 S Main St.)

What happens when coffee, good food, and vintage goods mix? “Oh boy howdy!” What you get is Old Cuss Cafe & Market. When it first popped up in the Downtown South Salt Lake Neighborhood at 2285 S Main Street we all said, “A vegan coffee shop? They make bacon out of carrots? But is it good?” The answer is a resounding, yes it is!! Built by two super enthusiastic individuals, Brent’ Lee Williams and Christian Fyffe, Old Cuss is both a delicious and sustainable 100-percent plant-based breakfast and lunch spot. By throwing in a space for vintage clothing and goods, it’s also a hip and fun place to shop & noch. So, heck yeah Old Cuss, we appreciate your love of our community, your desire to inspire and attract other creative small businesses, and that you call South Salt Lake home. Here’s to a breakfast biscuit and a double-shot oat milk latte!

Volunteers of the Year — Wendy and Lisa Miner

A love of South Salt Lake, animals, and baking has moved these next award winners to the top. Wendy and Lisa Miner never miss an opportunity to celebrate South Salt Lake, promote how great it is, or offer a hand to help, which includes our furry friends.

They are regular volunteers at our animal shelter and advocate for the needs and betterment of our pawed critters who need furever homes. When they volunteer at the shelter, Wendy and Lisa are known for doing the nitty-gritty work, the less glamorous but very necessary jobs, such as scrubbing the kennels, scooping the poop, and bathing the animals. Bringing baked treats from Dolly’s to city events or when staff are having an extra “ruff” day is a common occurrence. As parents of two adopted pooches from our shelter, they often come to support and are always extremely inclusive and welcoming to everyone.

We appreciate their selfless acts of service, as they really do care about the animals and our staff members. Thank you Wendy and Lisa for being genuine examples of what community is all about, and that is lifting up others. We are all so happy to have you as part of our South Salt Lake family!

Best Small Business — Curly Hair Studio (242 E 2100 S)

Any curly-haired friend will tell you not all hair studios make the cut when it comes to their corkscrew-do. Curly locks rejoice when they find a stylist who revels in the challenge and knows how to cut, color and style waves. The Curly Hair Studio in South Salt Lake was founded by Rachel Hoang in response to the special and unique needs that curlyhaired folk know all too well. For instance, unlike a traditional stylist, you’d never start with a shampoo and cut and comb it out while your hair is still wet. A dry cut is a novel experience for some, but for curly hair specialists it’s the norm, and beyond the cut, Rachel knows all the tips and styling tricks for whatever curly, wavy, or coily pattern you may hold.

It should be known that Rachel was so dedicated to seeing that her business was located in South Salt Lake that she appealed a variance denial to our Planning Commission. She navigated a city process with grace and prevailed. We love the fact that Rachel chose to open up her studio in South Salt Lake, and are proud to award them this year, as it brings to us another way to celebrate our differences and rock those curls too!

UHSAA’s state tournament stance unfair says Cottonwood’s Athletic Director, calls for more flexibility

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Like many teams across the state, the Cottonwood baseball team is cramming in a slew of games this April due to the snow that blanketed the state earlier this month. But, the Utah High Schools Athletics and Activities Association is adamant that the state tournaments continue as planned and issued a statement in early April.

“The UHSAA spring sports season is proceeding as scheduled, with individual member schools who are affected by weather handling rescheduling issues on a caseby-case basis. The association’s spring state tournaments remain on schedule,” said the UHSAA statement in part.

Cottonwood Athletic Director Greg Southwick read the full statement and stance by the UHSAA, and hopes something can be done. He’s not sure that the way it’s currently set up [just 24 schools in 5A qualify for each state tournament, at present] is fair.

“With spring you’ve got those northern schools [in 5A Region 5], and some of them have only played eight or nine games and others have played 15…which affects the RPI,” said Southwick, in an interview with City Journals on April 20. Southwick also

coaches Cottonwood’s golf teams.

“I don’t know what the state’s gonna do at this point,” he added when asked by City Journals if he or other schools have been given any sort of criteria other than what the USHAA’s statement provided.

Southwick’s solution: since this spring has had such an unusual amount of snow that has either postponed or outright canceled games, let all of the teams participate at their respective state tournaments.

“If you can’t get all of the schools’ games in due to the weather, then I think everyone should go to state,” said Southwick, who lamented that his school’s programs— from the drivers of the school buses to the coaches, staff and players themselves—are getting overworked.

“It’s not fair [to the schools] when the RPI is not going to be true to teams that have played eight or nine games—they’re going to be sitting higher than teams that have played 23 games.”

In the second week of April, when the City Journals first attempted to contact Southwick, for example, he asked to be called back the following day.

The reason was that Southwick was in

the unique position of having to attend to an injury suffered by a player on Cottonwood’s baseball team—because his athletic trainer was halfway across town attending to other injuries suffered by other Cottonwood players in a different sport.

To that end, Southwick said he’s still worried about how the number of games is affecting a Colts baseball team that has played five games in seven days from April 11-18 and will play another four games the following week.

“We’re one of the top teams in our region,” said Southwick of the Colts 3-1 record in Region 7, 6-6 overall. “But you’re still facing the same problem with the schools who aren’t getting the same number of games in [potentially getting some sort of leeway].”

The Cottonwood soccer team has four games scheduled from April 19-26, and according to Southwick, the injuries are piling up across all of the Colts’ teams. Southwick said that it wouldn’t be that difficult for the UHSAA to adopt during this very unique circumstance the same format it used several years ago.

“You can still have the top teams get

the first-round byes,” Southwick said. “But you can give all these kids a chance to see…let them all in.” l

BECAUSE NO TWO ARE ALIKE

Cottonwood’s athletic director is worried about the amount of games the baseball team will have to play making up for weather postponements from earlier in the season. (City Journals)

Civilian Review Board reviewed 101 use of force incidents by SSL police

SouthSalt Lake’s Civilian Review Board, an independent commission created in 2022 to provide additional transparency and accountability of the South Salt Lake Police Department, issued its first report, offering a civilian perspective on over 100 incidents of the use of force by the city’s police officers.

The report makes recommendations for improved policing, including its advisement that the department procure new body cameras and institute improved civilian complaint procedures—while also commending officers for their use of de-escalation tactics.

“Not always does de-escalation work, but at least officers took the time and space to do that,” said Jason Keffer, vice chair of the CRB, who presented the report during a March South Salt Lake City Council meeting.

The CRB is part of a national movement for increased civilian oversight of law enforcement that gained traction in recent years in response to disturbing examples of police misconduct at departments around the country—most notoriously an incident in May 2020 in which a Minneapolis man named George Floyd was murdered by police, setting off nationwide protests, including in cities like SSL.

The council responded to local protests by instituting the CRB, an independent

By Zak Sonntag | z.sonntag@mycityjournals.com

seven-member board charged to enhance accountability and increase trust of law enforcement in the city.

The CRB’s first major report reiterated that body’s earlier findings on the death of Jebb Muir, a SSL resident killed by police officers during a use of force incident on Sept. 26, 2022.

Muir, 44, was “suffering with psychosis, suicidal ideation, and had previously barricaded himself in a house and prepared firearms during an encounter with police leading up to the fatal incident,” according to investigations from South Salt Lake Police Department Internal Affairs and Salt Lake County Officer Involved Critical Incident Response Team.

After reviewing the relevant evidence, including bodycam video and 911 recordings, the CRB concurred with those findings and said the use of force by officers was reasonable.

The September 2022 incident was one of 101 use-of-force incidents by SSL police officers reviewed by the CRB. The board reviewed the written report on all 101 use-offorce cases, and reviewed body-cam footage for 82 of those incidents. They concluded that zero incidents where out of compliance with state statute or city policy.

The report offers a readout of the different modalities of force utilized by officers: Tasers were drawn in 12% of incidents, and discharged in around half of those incidents; around 5% of the incidents resulted in the use of pepper spray; around 2% saw the release of K9s; firearm was displayed in 33.3% of incidents.

The report also offers a demographic snapshot of use of force encounters in SSL: It shows the overwhelming majority of incidents involve males; 64% of incidents involved white civilians; 22% Hispanic; 8% Black; and less than 3% were Native American or other.

However, the review board notes that demographic distinctions are estimates, because verification mechanisms are not scientific. In fact, Keffer told the council that when determining demographic profiles “in some cases it is a best guess by the officers.”

The report also shows that arrest control techniques, which entail non-lethal physical tactics like martial arts, where used in 39.5% of incidents.

Toward the end of smart enforcement policy, the CRB commended the council for its recent creation of the Homeless Resource Officer program, and its decision to hire a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in partnership with the Department of Justice to help

respond to calls involving mental illness, an issue whose implications in law enforcement are of growing concern, the CRB explained.

“Homelessness, substance abuse, and mental illness are significant causes of police intervention in South Salt Lake, and as a result are amongst the leading factors in police use of force,” the report states.

The board also commended the SSL Police Department for its implementation of a new training method for physical confrontations, which elevates arrest control techniques, including “Gracie Survival Tactics” informed by Brazilian ju jitsu. l

South Salt Lake’s Civilian Review Board, an independent commission created in 2022 to provide additional transparency and accountability of the South Salt Lake Police Department, issued its first report. (File photo Bill Hardesty/City Journals)

After a difficult stretch to the an abbreviated preseason thanks in large part to a thing called snow, the Cottonwood boys soccer team has settled into its groove a bit— thanks to a paradigm that head coach Brylee Harvest likes to use.

“Our slogan this year is the same from last year: ‘It’s only crazy until you do it,’” Harvest said.

“Historically, it is well known that this program has struggled across the years and it means a lot to me to go through all those tough years with these boys. Paradigms are powerful and as a fellow alumni of this program, I’ve always heard of what Cottonwood is/isn’t (much of it isn’t pleasant),” added the head coach who is now in his second year at the school.

“We were ranked dead last in the Deseret News coaches preseason rankings last year for our region and many thought we were crazy to believe we could win more than two games. This group thrives off of the negativity and doubters and is a big reason we had a season like last year, things really aren’t so crazy after all when you actually do it,” Harvest said.

Two shutout losses to a highly regarded 4A Green Canyon and Jordan started the

Cottonwood boys soccer goes by a paradigm that gets them through the hardest of times

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

Colts off on the wrong foot from a scoreboard’s perspective.

But Cottonwood [2-2 Region 7, 2-4] came out galloping like a stud racehorse at Stansbury after a sluggish first half, scoring three goals—two from senior midfielder Ulises Alvarado-Morales and another from senior midfielder Jairo Licona-Vera—in a 3-0 win, March 22.

After another weird week of bad weather that forced the Colts to practice indoors in a limited space, they were able to travel to Cedar Valley and play—but lost 4-0, March 29.

After that game at Cedar Valley, the Colts wouldn’t play another game until April 10 due to snow.

That period of inactivity proved costly for Cottonwood, who started slow, giving up two early goals to Tooele. But back came the Colts, getting a goal from senior defender Yusuf Hussein in the second half and nearly grabbing the equalizer in a 2-1 loss, April 10.

From that mantra of positivity, the Colts responded after a good week of preparation and little to no snow, in a 2-0 drubbing of Stansbury, April 14. Senior Riyan Bakrim and senior midfielder Arefa Salih each got their first goals of the season for Cottonwood, who now has six players who have

each scored six of the Colts’ goals. With balance like that across the lineup and the ability to bounce back from a loss, you’d be crazy to not think the Colts could actually do it.

“1985 is a number that has been ingrained in our heads since last year,” Harvest said. “And that is the last region title for boys soccer at Cottonwood and one we are trying to chase this season.” l

MONICA HINZ, DO, JD

Monica Hinz joins Granger Medical Clinic as a recent graduate of the University of Florida, Jacksonville’s pediatric residency. Following residency, she served as a chief resident for one year. As a native Floridian, she and her family have loved moving to Utah this past summer and are enjoying all the natural beauty and outdoor activities the Salt Lake City area has to offer. Dr. Hinz is of Colombian descent and is fluent in Spanish.

Riyan Bakrim cuts back on his defender to provide the assist to Arefa Salih (background) making his run to the middle. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Cottonwood baseball takes on busy season in April

Cramming so many games into such a tight window has taken its toll on the Cottonwood baseball team, said Athletic Director Greg Southwick, but the Colts are beginning to settle into a groove. That said, Southwick, who the City Journals featured in an interview, is adamant that the UHSAA make the process of qualifying for this year’s state tournament equal for all of its member schools.

“With spring you’ve got those northern schools [in 5A Region 5], and some of them have only played eight or nine games and others have played 15…which affects the RPI,” said Southwick, who also coaches Cottonwood’s golf teams.

Cottonwood [3-1 Region 7, 6-6] has had to play an unusual number of games [eight] in a very tight 10-day timeframe in mid-April.

The Colts are hardly alone in that regard, but to give you an idea on how unique this season has been, Cottonwood had to play an all-day double-header at Cedar Valley to open the Region 7 season—rather than host one of those games due to the snow on April 7.

That worked in the Colts favor in a 12-2 victory in game one. Junior Hayden Hudman went the distance and allowed two hits while striking out eight. It was the first time the Colts had played a game since March 18.

It probably also gave Cedar Valley an unfair advantage in game two of that April 7 double-header, because instead of having a home game two days apart Cottonwood had to play back-to-back on enemy turf the same day, resulting in a more difficult 6-5 slugfest win. For the series, junior Keaton Stinson hit two home runs and drove in 7 RBI for Cottonwood.

Against Uintah, however, the Colts had a home game but were forced to travel the three-and-a-half hours by bus in the middle of a school week. Cottonwood won at home in a 7-6 squeaker April 11 but lost at Uintah 6-2 after that long bus ride on April 13.

In order to beef up that RPI that Southwick talked about, the Colts hosted Orem on April 14 and lost 15-4 in just five innings.

Not even 24 hours later the Colts were welcoming in Woods Cross in another effort to boost that RPI on April 15. They lost 15-13 in a slugfest that lasted 11 innings and saw 24 hits and 10 errors by both teams.

Cottonwood got back to Region 7 play on April 18 at Tooele. The Colts won 7-6 in another game that went to extra innings, and ended when Cottonwood scored a run in the top of the ninth.

For the Colts, SLCC-bound senior Avery Doezie has led the way [12 RBI]

By Brian Shaw | b.shaw@mycityjournals.com

EVENING SERIES

Season Tickets: $49 Adult, $45 Senior, $29 Child Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South Ticket Info: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov

Amphitheater Parking: 495 East 5300 South

Ticket Information: 801-264-2614 or www.murray.utah.gov/1959/Tickets

MAY

May 26 The Alapa Family and the Kulturang Pilipino Ensemble of Utah

May 27 Aladdin, Movie Sing-Along

JUNE

June 3 Murray Concert Band

June 9-10, Disney’s High School Musical 12, 15-17

June 24 Murray Symphony Pops

JULY

July 7-8, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 10, 13-15

July 21 Peter Breinholt

July 28-29, Seussical the Musical 31, Aug 3-5

AUGUST

Aug 12 Thurl Bailey with Marvin Goldstein

Aug 18-19 A Celtic Summer’s Night

Aug 25 Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband

Aug 26 Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four

SEPTEMBER

along with fellow SLCC-bound senior Jaxon Pfeil [7 doubles] for Cottonwood. Doezie is tied with Stinson for the most home runs with two.

Cottonwood is led by Chris Shelton, who is in his third year as head coach.

By order of their jersey numbers, the 2023 Cottonwood baseball team is: John Pipe, Moises Gutierrez, Austin Carver, Robbie Jensen, Cam -

eron Nielson, Payton Burk, Brighton Young, Avery Doezie, Hayden Hudman, Landon Wells, Oliver Wayman, Jordan Fallis, Angel Mavarez-Gonzalez, Ethan Wayment, Sam Clements, Vincent Smith, Easton Petitta, Logan Hunick, Easton Smith, Jaxon Pfeil, Daxton Sorensen, Keaton Stinson, Julian Sanderson and Hudson Burbank. l

Sept 1 4 HIMS

Sept 9 Trio Los Charros

This program has received funding support from residents of Salt Lake County, SL County Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP), Utah Division of Arts & Museums, Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement, Utah Humanities, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Senior Jaxon Pfeil throws a pitch against Woods Cross. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Avery Doezie slides back to first. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Continued from front page

The city was surprised to discover that five specific business classes—including grocery and convenience stores, bowling alleys and movie theaters—have driven up city expenses significantly.

For example, the current annual fee exacted on a bowling alley under city ordinance is $1,354, but Zions identified a disproportionate cost of $8,852, expenses that stem mostly from the alley’s calls for emergency services.

Todd White, general manager of Bonwood Bowl, explained the alley often relies on paramedic support from nearby fire authority.

“We have a lot of senior citizens that bowl here during the day. It’s nice having a fire department a block away. If someone has trouble paramedics are here usually within two minutes,” he said. “The paramedics are here seems like at least twice a month. And they do a great job.”

White, whose grandparents opened Bonwood in 1957, says the alley has developed a good relationship with the city through programs like “Bowl with a Cop” where police officers bowl with community members and that he’s pleased with the level of service received from the city.

He said he is not looking forward to a fee hike, but says the business is doing well and can weather the added expense.

“I guess it’s kind of understandable. But obviously no one likes their rates going up,” he said, adding that it is tougher to swallow for coming on the heels of recent property tax hikes.

The disproportionate costs are even higher for city’s largest grocery store, Win Co, where calls for police service cost the city a whopping $140,000 in a recent fiscal year.

‘Cost of being a city’

The Economic Development Department drafted a proposal that recoups costs overtime: the plan would double the current fee rates and include a built-in 3% annual increase for consumer price index adjustments.

During an April meeting, the council agreed with the proposal in principal, but hesitated to move forward with a vote fearing businesses would react poorly.

“If we pass this tonight I think we’re jumping the gun,” said Councilmember Corey Thomas, who represents District 2 on the city’s west side. “We’re a very business oriented city and I would hate to pass something so quickly that effects small businesses. I would like to see more outreach and let our businesses have an opportunity to tell us their thoughts.”

The body agreed with Thomas’ statements, but District 4’s Portia Mila offered a counterpoint and said representatives should not be naive about what to expect from outreach.

“I’m not opposed to talking about this more, but if we’re doing outreach nobody is going to say, ‘I’m totally for it.’ Everyone is

going to say no, especially after having their property taxes raised,” Mila said. “So that’s not a good gauge. I don’t know what the answer is, but I don’t know that outreach is it.”

Councilmember Pinkney responded by emphasizing her concern for small business owners who are people of color.

“No one is going to agree with this, but my question is will it devastate your business. And what percentages of business will it devastate and will those be disproportionately people of color?” Pinkney said. “We don’t have that information yet.”

The discussion also invited broader points on the city’s pro-business philosophy.

Councilmember Shane Siwik, who in March called some of the fee increases “exorbitant,” was cagey about protecting the city’s pro-business reputation, and suggested there may be justification to absorb losses in order to maintain a vibrant community.

“We talk about the cost of doing busi-

ness, but I think part of this is the cost of being a city if we want some of these facilities,” Siwik said, referencing the Parker Theater and Edison Theater. “I think we’re blessed to have an entity in the city that does plays.”

Siwik recapitulated the point again during the April meeting.

“No one’s going to up and leave over a couple hundred dollars, but what’s the message we’re sending out to recruit new businesses,” Siwik said.

As an example, the current annual business fee for a restaurant is $432; the proposal would see that raise to $829 with a renewal of $720.

Longtime coming

In either case the mathematics don’t go away, as councilmember LeAnne Huff mentioned, saying that if the fees where not increased the council would need to start asking, “What are we going to cut from other

budgets.”

The Community and Economic Development Department say the fee increases are reasonable.

Economic Development Director Jonathan Weidenhamer told the council the proposed fees are unlikely to push business away in part because they are comparable to those in sister cities like Midvale and North Salt Lake.

Weidenhamer also noted updating fee schedules will allow the city to lower license renewal fees for some entities.

Officials admit that unique neighborhood factors and external variables mean specific business fees will never perfectly match a city’s expense for services and that sometimes determining rates can “be more art than science,” one official said.

Albeit the Zions’ study gives decisionmakers a sense of how to determine fees in a more targeted way.

The council for now will push the decision off as it determines how to allay the business community.

Councilmember Sharla Bynum reminded the body it has a tendency to stall hard decisions, but that doesn’t make them go away.

“The last time we looked at our licensing fees was over 10 years ago, so again we find ourselves in this situation where…we’re very behind,” Bynum said. “Staff salaries have gone up, we’ve hired new staff, but this is not reflected in our old fee schedule.” l

The iconic Bonwood Bowl welcomes weekend bowlers. (Zak Sonntag/City Journals)

If we pass this tonight I think we’re jumping the gun. We’re a very business oriented city and I would hate to pass something so quickly that effects small businesses. I would like to see more outreach and let our businesses have an opportunity to tell us their thoughts.

Corey Thomas

SBOs from Granite District high schools create an anti-slur campaign

Student body officers from the eight Granite District high schools came together to create an anti-slur campaign, sharing the message that words have power. With help from district leaders, SBOs from Taylorsville, Cyprus, Olympus, Granger, Skyline, Kearns, Hunter and Cottonwood high schools created and launched the video “Stand Together, Speak Out, Make a Difference.”

The video invites viewers to walk in someone else’s shoes to see how slurs, derogatory language and hurtful words have an impact on individuals.

During the April 11 Granite District school board meeting, the SBOs were recognized for their work on the video and the efforts they have made at their schools to bring about inclusion, acceptance and change.

“It was so fun to have the district reach out to us. We had a big part in coming up with a lot of the script, which was super cool,” said Skyline Student Body President Max Stewart. “We thought this was such a fantastic idea and a message that really needed to be heard.”

Student leaders shared their own experiences being targeted because of their culture, heritage or skin color. They thanked the district for its action in bringing attention to the

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

problem and hope the video starts conversations to foster respect and understanding.

The campaign inspired the SBOs to create programs in their own schools to further the message. Olympus High introduced Kindness Week, where students were encouraged to demonstrate acts of kindness to the school community. Cottonwood High SBOs started the “Acceptance Starts with U” campaign to encourage empathy and kindness.

“Obviously, Cottonwood is one of the more diverse schools and due to that there’s also more racism, which is kind of hard to say, but it’s a reality,” said Cottonwood High Student Body President Jario Licona.

While many slurs and comments can be obviously hurtful, many microaggressions often go unaddressed. The Harvard Business Review defines microaggression as “When someone says or does something that feels hostile or offensive to some aspect of our identity, and the person doesn’t even realize it.”

Microaggression includes phrases like, “What country are you really from?” or “Don’t be so sensitive” or “I don’t see color.” The anti-slur video encourages students to take responsibility for their actions and words and understand the importance of

speaking up when hearing or witnessing derogatory comments. It also demonstrates the importance of developing empathy by showing kindness and compassion.

The Stand Together, Speak Out, Make a Difference video is available on YouTube.

“I want to express how proud I am of this group,” said Granite School District Su-

perintendent Rich Nye. “When we meet with our SBOs, we are talking about those issues of importance for our students as they’re occurring in our schools, and then they leverage their leadership to make that effective change. When we think of bullying and harassment and discrimination in our schools, there’s simply no place for it.” l

Student body officers from Taylorsville, Cyprus, Olympus, Granger, Skyline, Kearns, Hunter and Cottonwood high schools created a video to address slurs and derogatory language at school. Several SBOs attended a Granite District board meeting to present the video to board members. (Photo courtesy of Granite School District)

DO

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM

to Honor Military Veterans for Their Service to Our Country.

Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10:00 am.

Monday, May 29, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

At Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery

1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy

FEATURED SPEAKER: Jennie Taylor

Gold Star Wife, Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army

The featured speaker is Congressman Chris Stewart. Program will include: Hill Air Force Base Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet and Refreshments Courtesy of Cedarwood at Sandy.

PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE: Hill Air Force Base, Honor Guard, Utah Firefighters Emerald Society bagpipes, Patriotic Music by Brian Stucki and the Minuteman Brass Quintet

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

“ Robert and Mark were great! We had pipes burst at night and they were right there to help us get the water shut off and to help us get all the water out and dried. They were both professional, communication was great and they were thorough.I would recommend them to anyone!

Polish your teapots, iron your doilies and butter your crumpets. For the first time in 70 years, an English monarch will be crowned and the whole world will tune in to see if King Charles III, Prince William and Prince Harry bust each other up at Westminster Abbey.

Whether or not the coronation turns into a fistfight, there will be plenty of spectacle, pomp, circumstance, tradition, snobbery and a reminder that England adores fluffy hats.

King Charles will be 74 on the day of his coronation, code-named Operation Golden Orb (not even kidding). He’s much older than his mother was when she was enthroned. Queen Elizabeth was crowned at the age of 27 and reigned for 156 years.

The coronation is based on traditions going back centuries. In fact, for nearly 1,000 years, the Archbishop of Canterbury has conducted the ceremony. You’d think, at some point, people would start asking how he’s been alive for so long.

Our country has a bit of history with England, but we're still infatuated with royalty. American royalty just isn’t the same. It’s either the Kardashians or the Kennedys, depending on who you ask. When we elect a new president, we don’t

The Royal Treatment

coronation. King Charles and Queen Camilla will leave Buckingham Palace in a four-ton Gold State Coach that’s been used in coronations since 1830 and is notoriously uncomfortable. It’s covered in gilded statues and painted panels and will be pulled by eight dragons through the streets of London.

The procession travels from the palace, past Isengard at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, along Trafalgar Square, through Hogwarts to Westminster Abbey where the king will be anointed with holy oil using the Coronation Spoon. I don’t know if there’s a knife and fork. Wikipedia didn’t mention any other coronation utensils.

King Charles will then stand next to a really old chair (and it’s not even made out of swords pulled from the hands of his dead enemies), and given things to hold like the Royal Orb, a couple of scepters, gold spurs, a jeweled sword, gold bracelets and a ring. No wonder it’s hard to be king. That’s a lot to carry.

follow centuries of history and tradition. We do a swearing-in ceremony followed by four years of smack talk on social media.

But England knows how to stage a

Then the Archbishop (who HAS to be a vampire, I mean come on!) places the five-pound crown on the king’s head. Saint Edwards Crown has a solid gold frame and is bedazzled with rubies, ame-

thysts, sapphires and other jewels, making the crown worth more than my entire lifetime income.

Everyone yells, “God save the king!” and trumpets blare and, Bob’s your uncle, England has a new king.

Then the fun starts. Concerts will feature new musical pieces commissioned by the king himself, including an anthem written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and I can only hope it’s performed by the cast of “Cats.” A refugee choir and an LGBTQ+ ensemble will perform, because we all know how much the royal family loves diversity.

There’s even a Coronation Quiche consisting of spinach, broad beans, cheese, tarragon and lard, to celebrate the country’s devotion to bland food. You can get the recipe online and make it for your family as you watch the celebration.

Leaders from around the world will attend the coronation, except some countries who are afraid if they send leaders to the event, England will colonize them while they’re gone. But this is a historical moment you won’t want to miss, especially if the royal family starts throwing the crown jewels at each other.