MARCH / APRIL 2019

RIVERTON NEWS MAYOR’S MESSAGE

PUTTING THE HOUSING CART BEFORE THE TRANSPORTATION HORSE By Mayor Trent Staggs

Over 160,000 new people, or 70% of the entire population growth of Salt Lake County, have made the southwest communities of West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman, Copperton, and Bluffdale their home since 2000. About half of the increase is now attributed to move-ins from other states – in large part due to successful recruiting efforts by the State to relocate certain businesses and industries to the region. With more than half of the undeveloped acreage left in the county, this quadrant has seen a flurry of housing activity of all types to help accommodate this growth, increasing the amount of multifamily housing to 35% or more of all housing stock. These levels are on par or greater than other areas of the county. To support such rapid expansion, the State is trying to now play “catch up” with the requisite transportation infrastructure. Ask any resident from the area, or drive anywhere in the quadrant during peak hours, and you will know there is a problem.

If the anecdotal evidence isn’t enough to convince you of a transportation crisis in the southwest area, then consider these facts: •

•

•

•

There are 12 driving miles between I-15 and the western parts of Herriman, South Jordan and West Jordan, compared to just 6 miles from I-15 to Wasatch Blvd on the county’s east side. Twice the distance with no adequate east-west connectors, comparable to I-215. Major intersections in the area are in failure status, according to UDOT. Traffic count projections for 2040 are exponentially higher than today. From 2002 to 2016, southwest Salt Lake County communities received only about 23% of all transportation funding spent in the county. 70% of that funding was spent since 2010. Much of this funding has been used for right of way acquisition (buying land, not building roads). Mountain View Corridor, which didn’t even exist in 2010, is projected to have as many cars traveling on it as I-15 did in 2010 (150k+).

Bangerter Highway has the same traffic projections; the equivalent of two, I-15s running through the southwest part of the valley. Affordable housing proponents ignore the current transportation crisis. They are pushing the public and state policymakers to just add more housing, particularly multifamily housing. Moreover, the state legislature is now entertaining

options that would withhold state transportation dollars (your tax monies) to communities that don’t adhere to their top-down planning directives to build higher densities. This is wholly irresponsible, and it would only exacerbate the transportation crisis we are in today. It literally puts the cart before the horse – and then they’ll take away your horse if you don’t add to the cart! Continue reading on Page 2

Get Registered Riverton Half Marathon & 4Life 5K Saturday, March 30 | Half Marathon @ 9 a.m. | 4Life 5K @ 9:15 a.m. Late registration is now underway for the Riverton Half Marathon and 4Life 5K. Cost is $50 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5K.

runnercard.com

Riverton City Newsletter - March / April 2019

Page 1

COUNCIL MESSAGE

WE LOVE OUR RIVERTON YOUTH! By Councilwoman Tawnee McCay

MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertoncity.com (801) 208-3129

CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertoncity.com (801) 953-5672 Tricia Tingey - District 2 ttingey@rivertoncity.com (801) 809-1227

Riverton City and Jordan School District have partnered to educate parents about the mental health needs of our kids. Many of our youth and adults are suffering from depression, anxiety, and substance abuse and from feeling disconnected from others.

ference in a young person’s life. Reach out, befriend and mentor a youth in your neighborhood or extended family. Ask about what is going on in their lives, smile when you see them, and notice their accomplishments. Invite a neighbor over to get to know them better. Turn off the screens and head outdoors. Spend intentional quality time together with your family. Make sure your guns are safely locked up as 86% of firearm deaths in Utah are suicides. Know how to access crisis resources in our area and attend one of the many free training sessions offered to learn how you can identify and respond to a mental health crisis. Together we can improve the mental

health of our community.

Behavioral Health Resources: Primary Children’s Behavioral Health 5770 S 1500 W Taylorsville, Utah 801-313-7770 University of Utah Health Crisis Intervention 801-587-3000 24/7 Crisis Line and Mobile Outreach Team uofuhealth.org/crisis Safe UT App Confidential, 24/7 phone & text support National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255), available 24/7 suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Tawnee McCay - District 3 tmccay@rivertoncity.com (801) 634-7692

It takes a village to raise a child and your unique skills could make the dif-

Tish Buroker - District 4 tburoker@rivertoncity.com (801) 673-6103

PUTTING THE HOUSING CART BEFORE THE TRANSPORTATION HORSE (cont.)

Brent Johnson - District 5 bjohnson@rivertoncity.com (385) 434-9253

CITY MANAGER Konrad Hildebrandt khildebrandt@rivertoncity.com (801) 208-3125

CITY OFFICES City Hall...............................(801) 254-0704 Cemetery.............................(801) 208-3128 Animal Control....................(801) 208-3108 Building...............................(801) 208-3127 Code Enforcement..............(801) 208-3104 Fire Dispatch (UFA).............(801) 743-7200 Justice Court.......................(801) 208-3131 Parks & Recreation.............(801) 208-3101 Planning & Zoning..............(801) 208-3138 Police Dispatch (UPD).........(801) 743-7000 Public Works.......................(801) 208-3162 Recorder..............................(801) 208-3126 Utility Billing........................(801) 208-3133 Water...................................(801) 208-3164

Continued from Page 1 The focus right now should be on sustainability – think water, roadway infrastructure and invested citizenry. This is something city planning commissions, planning staff and local elected officials understand in trying to responsibly plan their communities. This is why local land use authority has been historically delegated to municipalities, who coordinate with county and state officials to plan regionally significant roadways. Given the roadway infrastructure provided residents on the east side of I-15, the wide geography of the southwest area that lacks any interstate connectivity, and the critical level of traffic

FIND US ONLINE! @rivertoncityutah @rivertoncity @rivertoncityutah rivertoncity.com Riverton City Newsletter - March / April 2019

counts in this region, the answer here is obvious. The State must invest in the requisite infrastructure for current demand levels first, before forcing higher housing densities that will only exacerbate the transportation crisis we find ourselves in today. As southwest communities, we are working together to understand the collective impact of our planning decisions and are organizing a visioning study for this part of the valley. The study will make recommendations on how to better integrate our networks – roadway, active transportation, and transit. There are however immediate steps the

State can take to alleviate congestion now. We implore them to fully fund and complete the Bangerter Highway conversion to a full freeway (~$500M), finish Mountain View Corridor to connect all the way to I-15 (~$500M) and improve east-west connectivity between the I-215 belt route and Bangerter Highway. The State could appropriate, bond or otherwise invest immediately to complete these projects. With a projected state surplus of $1.3B, and with the state bonding ceiling less than 50%, the State has the means to immediately mitigate this transportation crisis in the southwest area.

Arbor Day Tree Planting Seminar Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. Dr. O Roi Hardy Park 12400 River Vista Drive | Riverton, Utah Learn how to properly plant a tree and what tree varieties do best in Riverton at the annual Arbor Day Tree Planting Seminar. Riverton City’s urban forester and ISA certified arborist will be presenting the seminar and will be available to answer any of your tree related questions. A FREE tree will be given away to one attendee, courtesy of Arbor Day Nursery.

Page 2

CITY & COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS City Council Election Details

Riverton Town Days Parade Entries

A non-partisan, municipal election will be held this year to elect three city council members to serve four-year terms. One council member will be elected from each of three districts: District 1, District 2, and District 5. Each person seeking to become a candidate must file a declaration of candidacy in person with the City Recorder between June 3 and June 7 and pay a $50 filing fee. The general election will be held on Nov. 5 and a primary election will be held on Aug. 13, if necessary. To view a district map, go to rivertoncity.com/council.

Parade entries are now being accepted for the Riverton Town Days Parade. The parade will be held on Wednesday, July 3, at 6:30 p.m. Those wishing to place an entry in the parade must fill out and return an application, available at rivertoncity.com/towndays/parade.php. No fee is charged for Riverton residents, businesses, or organizations. A $20 fee is charged to non-Riverton businesses and organizations. Space is given on a first come, first served basis.

Glass Recycling Begins in Riverton

Sidewalk Snow Removal Reminder

Residents are encouraged to use a new glass recycling collection bin that has been placed behind Riverton City Hall, accessible from Park Avenue. Glass recycling is not accepted in blue recycling bins. Glass should be saved and then deposited in the collection bin as frequently as needed.

Residents, businesses, and other land owners are responsible to clear public sidewalks of snow surrounding their property following snowstorms. Sidewalk accessibility is imperative to the safety of our residents, otherwise pedestrians will be out walking on the street.

Items that should not be placed in the bin include, all non-glass items, as well as: ceramics, light bulbs, mirrors and window frames.

City ordinance 12.05.060 requires that snow fallen between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. be removed before 9 a.m. of the same day.

Miss Riverton Scholarship Competition

Time to Close Your Secondary Water Valve

The Miss Riverton Scholarship Competition will be held on Saturday, Apr. 27. Young women between the ages of 17 and 23 years old are invited to participate. An orientation meeting for participants will be held on Saturday, Mar. 23, at 10 a.m. at the Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and will be invited to participate in the Miss Utah Scholarship Competition. Those wishing to participate should call/text 801-828-8694 or email snswilsons@msn.com for more information.

Riverton City will begin maintenance on the secondary water system on March 1. To ensure your irrigation system is not damaged and that your property is not flooded, secondary water connection valves should be turned off prior to that date. The valves are located in the green secondary water box, most likely in your front yard.

The secondary water system will be up and running for use by May 1.

Pre-school Tennis Lessons

Start Smart Baseball & Soccer Registration Begins March 2

Thursdays, March 7-28 OR April 4-25 Cost: $40

Children Age 3-5 Years

Participants must be 4-5 years old. Our pre-school tennis instructor has small class sizes so each student gets the necessary one-on-one time they to learn skills and have fun!

Leagues Begin April 23 Clinics Begin April 25

rivertoncity.com/register

rivertoncity.com/register

Riverton City Newsletter - March / April 2019

$30 fee per four-week session. Fee includes award, t-shirt and snacks. This excellent program teaches children the basics.

rivertoncity.com/register Page 3

Upcoming Riverton Events March

April

March 1 – Utah’s Fastest General Registration Begins – runnercard.com March 1 – Half Marathon & 4Life 5K Late Registration Begins – runnercard.com March 2 – Start Smart Soccer & Baseball Registration Begins March 5 – KnewMeJournaling Community Class Begins March 5 – City Council Meeting – 7 p.m. – City Hall March 7 – Preschool Tennis Community Class Begins March 10 – Daylight Savings Begins March 14 – Planning Commission Meeting – City Hall – 6:30 p.m. March 15 – “Urinetown” The Musical – 7 p.m. – Community Center March 16 – “Urinetown” The Musical – 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Community Center March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day March 18 – Not Your Parents Art Show Begins – Old Dome Meeting Hall March 18 – “Urinetown” The Musical – 7 p.m. – Community Center March 19 – City Council Meeting – 7 p.m. – City Hall March 19 – “Urinetown” The Musical – 7 p.m. – Community Center March 20 – “Urinetown” The Musical – 7 p.m. – Community Center March 21 – Suicide Prevention QPR Training – 7 p.m. – Fire Station #124 March 22 – “Urinetown” The Musical – 7 p.m. – Community Center March 22 – Half Marathon & 4Life 5K In-Person Registration Ends March 23 – “Urinetown” The Musical – 7 p.m. – Community Center March 23 – Miss Riverton Scholarship Competition Orientation – 10 a.m. March 25 – Not Your Parents Art Show Open House – 6-8 p.m. – Old Dome Meeting Hall March 28 – Planning Commission Meeting – 6:30 p.m. – City Hall March 29 – Half Marathon & 4Life 5K Late Registration Ends – runnercard.com March 30 – Riverton Half Marathon & 4Life 5K – 9 a.m. – Riverton City Park

April 1 – Mommy & Me Royal Tea Registration Begins April 1 – Country Mile General Registration Begins – runnercard.com April 2 – City Council Meeting – 7 p.m. – City Hall April 4 – Preschool Tennis Community Class Begins April 11 – Planning Commission Meeting – 6:30 p.m. April 16 – City Council Meeting – 7 p.m. – City Hall April 18 – Suicide Prevention QPR Training – 7 pm. – Fire Station #124 April 19 – Teen Easter Egg Hunt – 9 p.m. – Riverton Rodeo Arena April 20 – Children’s Easter Egg Hunt – 10 a.m. – Riverton City Park April 21 – Easter April 23 – Start Smart Soccer & Baseball Late Registration Begins – rivertoncity.com/register April 23 – Pickleball Leagues Begin April 24 – Not Your Parents Art Show Ends – Old Dome Meeting Hall April 25 – Pickleball Clinics Begin April 25 – Planning Commission Meeting – 6:30 p.m. – City Hall April 26 – Arbor Day April 27 – Arbor Day Tree Planting Seminar – 9 a.m. – Dr. O. Roi Hardy Park April 27 – Miss Riverton Scholarship Competition – 7 p.m. – Community Center April 29 – Spring Into Family Fitness – 7 p.m. – Riverton City Park April 30 – Utah’s Fastest General Registration Ends & Late Registration Begins - runnercard.com

Find full event and registration details at rivertoncity.com/calendar!

Friday, April 19 @ 9 p.m. Sharp

Saturday, April 20 @ 10 a.m. Sharp

Riverton Rodeo Arena 12800 S 1300 W, Riverton, Utah

Riverton City Park 1452 W 12600 S, Riverton, Utah

Participants must be 13-18 years old. Bring your flashlights and bags for an Easter egg hunt in the dark at the rodeo arena. We’ll have plenty of candy, prizes, and cash-filled eggs to find! Be sure to dress warm.

Participants must be 12 years old and younger. Bring your bags or baskets for children to fill with candy and prizes at Riverton City’s annual Easter egg hunt! The hunt is organized into zones by age. Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny will be on-hand to greet the kids.

Riverton City Newsletter - March / April 2019

Page 4