OCTOBER 2020
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Riverton City Hall Gets Much-Needed Updates By Mayor Trent Staggs Over the last two years, city staff have been hard at work to provide much needed updates and renovations to Riverton City Hall. Major upkeep was needed, and due to a lack of proper signage, I was constantly told by residents and visitors that there was difficulty differentiating City Hall from the Community Center, Police Department and the Old Dome Meeting Hall. With a desire to make progress on our goal of creating a revitalized, pedestrianfriendly downtown destination as outlined in our city’s strategic priorities, I worked alongside the city council to ensure proper funds were put aside each budget cycle
to beautify and enhance this historic building. We were also fortunate enough to be awarded grant funds which were used to offset a good portion of expenses. With this collaboration and years of planning and hard work from city staff, I am pleased to announce that major renovations are now complete. Last month we had the exciting opportunity to hold an open house for the public to come and view the renovations made inside and outside Riverton City Hall. With our council members present, we also had a ceremonial ribbon cutting to commemorate the completion of our remodel. At the forefront of our renovations was the beautification and enhancement to the front of City Hall which included new features such as a water fountain, flag poles, digital sign and waterwise landscaping. Renovations to the inside of City Hall include new
Main Hall
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020
Council Chamber
At the forefront of our renovations was the beautification and enhancement to the front of City Hall which included new features such as a water fountain, flag poles, digital sign and waterwise landscaping.
flooring, paint, signage, artwork and a much-needed remodel to our Council Chamber. In addition, we have revamped our upstairs lobby area within the community center to house historical items. The Historic Preservation Commission has done an outstanding job acquiring artifacts and pictures of our city’s past to fill the displays. Just like with any historic building, there will always be a need to
smartly allocate funds for future maintenance. With these newest renovations, I believe we finally have a distinguishable City Hall that is stately and provides a local meeting place that every Riverton resident can be proud of. For those that could not make it to the open house, I would invite you to visit City Hall to see all the great renovations and to learn more about our city’s history.
Historic Room
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COUNCIL MESSAGE
Make Your Voice Heard by Voting MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129
CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertonutah.gov 801-953-5672 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 801-208-3125
CITY OFFICES
City Hall............................... Cemetery............................ Animal Control.................... Building............................... Code Enforcement.............. Fire Dispatch (UFA)............. Justice Court....................... Parks & Recreation............. Planning & Zoning.............. Police.................................. Public Works....................... Recorder.............................. Utility Billing........................ Water...................................
801-254-0704 801-208-3128 801-208-3108 801-208-3127 801-208-3174 801-743-7200 801-208-3131 801-208-3101 801-208-3138 385-281-2455 801-208-3162 801-208-3128 801-208-3133 801-208-3164
FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2
By Councilmember Sheldon Stewart As a young person, I remember watching my father participate and engage in the political process. I also had neighbors that were actively engaged in elected roles within our local and state government. As a young child, my neighbors and parents would involve me in the political process. I remember hearing that if you want to see change or make a difference, you must vote. As I have grown over the years and become involved in various areas of our community, I have learned and developed a love and understanding of rights vs. duties. In general, a right is an entitlement and a duty is an obligation. When it comes to voting, my understanding of what some would say is a right is that it really is our duty. As citizens of this great country, state, county, and city, we have an obligation to vote for people that understand and represent our communities. All too often, as I listen to many in our country, they make the statement that, “I don’t vote because it doesn’t make a difference.”
I would counter and state that as you vote, you are fulfilling your duty to make your voice known. In the last citywide election where three council members were elected, we had participation that was 29.96%, which was a poorer showing than Salt Lake County overall. Total participation for the county was 33.85% or 155,676 ballots were cast out of 459,924 registered voters. If in Riverton alone we were able to increase voter participation by getting an additional 20% participation, or 49% participation, we could influence and drive any race occurring in this next election with exception of perhaps the presidential race. As elected officials, we have done our best to facilitate the ability to vote. Every resident who is registered to vote receives a ballot at their home and the return requires no stamp, as it is pre-paid. Most people these days have a phone or other device within arm’s reach that can help them research the issues and candidates. Understanding how a candidate’s support or understanding of your concerns and perspectives is critical, and it’s easier than ever before. It’s critical that we all become educated on the candidates and issues prior to casting our votes.
If in Riverton alone we were able to increase voter participation by getting an additional 20% participation, we could influence any race occurring in this next election with exception of perhaps the presidential race.
As a final comment in a presidential year, which is when we typically see higher voter turnout, keep in mind that it is your city, county and state representatives that have the most impact and influence on your daily life. It is the officials at the local level that can impact the roads you drive on either physically or digitally to work, the businesses and restaurants in your community, the location of schools, beautification efforts in your community, and so much more. Remember, the next time you plan to approach an elected official regarding a concern, that the first thing you should do is ask yourself this question, “Did I perform my duty to vote?”
General Election Day | Tuesday, November 3
Ballots will be mailed to active registered voters on Tuesday, October 13. HOW TO VOTE 1) Mail your ballot in. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Monday, November 2. 2) Drop you ballot off at a ballot drop-box or vote center. A drop-box is available at Riverton City Hall. 3) Vote in-person on Election Day or during the early voting period at a designated vote center. For additional election details, visit: slco.org/clerk/elections
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020
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PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
Slow Down and Stay Alert in School Zones By Police Chief Don Hutson The Riverton community is once again bustling with activity as another school year gets 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. This year is even more
“We will have officers conducting traffic enforcement throughout the city to remind the motoring public of our commitment to keep kids safe.” challenging as we adjust to the altered traffic patterns created by the inconsistent schedules as a result of COVID-19. 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
EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS
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 will have 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 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
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TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS
n rivertonutah.gov/alerts 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.
time to pull into the school parking lot to keep the roadway clear and less chaotic during drop off and pick up times. I look forward to another banner school year in Riverton, and I thank you in advance for helping us keep our kids safe.
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. RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020
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UPCOMING OCTOBER EVENTS
October 2 - 30 • 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays Monarch Meadows Park, 13600 S 4800 W Bring the kids or grandkids and come see what kinds of crazy awesome monsters come out after dark in this NEW drive-by display with over 40 different scenes and dozens of cute monsters! $10 per Vehicle. Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Find details or purchase tickets online at:
monstersafterdark.com
Halloween BASH
1st Place: $200 2nd Place: $100 3rd Place: $50 Enter online at rivertonutah.gov/contests
Monday, October 26 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Families are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and come to Riverton City Park to participate in several activities and games for the younger kids and a spook alley for the older kids! There will be chances to win or collect prizes and candy. All activities are free! Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S, Riverton, Utah. Find details at rivertonutah.gov/halloween
Entry Period: October 7-21
NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the children’s carnival, food sales and Search for the Great Pumpkin are canceled.
Riverton City Events With the changing environment due to COVID-19, we recommend you regularly visit rivertonutah.gov to find the most recent event and meeting information. PAGE 4
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2020