Kearns Community Council
Public Meeting // Tuesday February 3, 2009
6:35 Public Meeting Began
Call To Order---Kevin Lundy, Chairman
Swearing In Of Elected & Re-elected Council Members---Vice-Chairman/Secretary Paula Larsen administered the Oath of Office to Kathy Larrabee.
Pledge Of Allegiance---Veronica Barton, Miss Kearns Contestant 2009
Roll Call Of Members---Eight members in attendance, one excused. As listed.
Minutes---Executive minutes for 1/20/2009 and workshop minutes for 1/22/2009 were approved as read.
Chairman’s Report---Chairman Kevin Lundy read the resignation letter from council member Chuck McDowell. His resignation from the council became affective 2/3/2009. Kevin announced that Chuck was an At Large member and applications to fill his seat will be made available. Stated that you must live within the Kearns boundaries and be a registered voter. The council will accept applications up until nominations are closed at the March 3, 2009 meeting. Council will interview applicants at the March 17, 2009 meeting and seat new member at the April 7, 2009 meeting.
Public Reports---Sheriff---Clean Streets Program--Deputy Mike Lee stated they have made approx.1000 contacts regarding cars parked illegally on the roadside. Deputy Lee introduced the new Kearns Oquirrh District Cpt. Faucett. Cpt. Faucett reported on the community gang awareness meeting that took place last night in stating that he thought it went very well and had a good turn out. He stated this was just the beginning. They along with the Mayors office will be forming a committee of community leaders and the council to follow up on the issues presented and other gang related issues. Goal is to have this committee be another tool for the Metro Gang Unit. Mayor’s Office---Megan thanked the council and community members for their positive turn out at the gang awareness meeting last night. She reminded the council the 2008 year end financials still need to be turned into the county. Passed out map showing the area the neighbor to neighbor program will take place. Area listed on map was not the area council had originally asked for. Council responded that they still want the North Kearns (by the Pony League baseball field) area done. Megan will take that request back to the county public works dept. Megan also passed out copy of the rough draft, from Millcreek area, of the Domestic Fowl Ordinance, along with a copy of a resource list that the county has come up with for gang related issues. She stated she will also be emailing the council copies of these. Asked for council to review and give feedback. Westside Representative—Greg Schulz reported that the council’s priority list for 2009 was given to public works to late for them to act on. The 2010 list is do in September of 2009, but would like to have it in May 2009 to insure they can act on it. Greg passed out a legislative watch list stating what is going on at the legislature while they are in session.
Committee Reports--- Treasurer—Reimbursements requested were; Tees & Lees-$56.00, Andrea Boone after school program, and $799.00 Peck Striping, (will be paid upon receiving invoice) cones for sheriff. Marlon stated do to work conflicts he felt he would not have enough time to put into the office of treasurer. He has spoke with council member Brett Helsten, agenda clerk, and they both have agreed to change officer positions. Kevin asked if anyone else on the council would be interested in taking these two officer positions. None requested. Kevin asked if there were any council objections to this taking place. No objections. Therefore the officer position of agenda clerk will be held by Marlon Brennan and as treasurer will be held by Brett Helsten. Community Involvement---Paula stated that the Miss Kearns Pageant for 2009 will be held March 6th at Kearns High School Auditorium. The 2009 contestants were in attendance and asked to stand and introduce themselves. Paula stated she has tried, but not received a response back from Dave Anderson from Pipe & Tube to speak about the council float. Charles stated he would try to contact him as well and perhaps we should look for another place more accessible to store and work on the float. He will also look for a place. Parks & Rec---Marlon gave an updated report on the Lodestone Park Open House. He reported there is about 15 acres this park will encompass, most of it in West Valley. Suggested perhaps the county could combine with West Valley to increase acreage, etc… Other---Marlon stated he would like to change from the council standing committee of Parks & Rec to Public Works standing committee. No objections from the council. He suggested that the person who comes on to fill the vacant at large seat be given the Parks & Rec committee. Until that person is appointed he will hold both standing committees. No objections from council.
Citizen Input---Matthew Frank, 5014 Moon Flower Circle-Kearns, wanted to know how the council will be going forward on ideas that were presented at last nights Gang Awareness Town Meeting? Kevin stated that the council is working with the sheriff and other organizations to put forth plans. Cpt. Fassett stated that the sheriff office if forming a steering committee of community leaders to address these issues as well. Mathew suggested that some private citizens be allowed on this committee. Paula stated that the sheriff office has a committee formed called the OG’s that is giving input to Metro Gang Unit. We have a council member, Kent Markus, on that committee already. Dave Taylor, 5985 So. Park Wood Dr.-Kearns, reported that the white vinyl fence by the youth center was tagged again last night. He had just come from there where he was cleaning it off. He questioned the council use of funds for Robo Dials because it was used at the last Kearns Master Plan Meeting and there were only approx. 10-15 people who showed up.
Unfinished Business---Printer—Kathy reported she is still looking into getting another printer. She gave council members a fact sheet on a Kodak ES3. Charles stated he will help her with this project and they will follow up further by email to members. Treasurer---The previous robo dial for the Kearns Master Plan Meeting went over the allotted amount so ***Motion by Kent to pay the $144.73 that was over the original amount. 2nd by Marlon. Vote called for. 7 yes, 0 no. Motion passed. Newsletter---Kevin reported they have received some articles, but rest are do ASAP. Email them to him or Tawna Pippin.
New Business---PISA---Megan introduced a group of young men who have formed a group dedicated to the gang awareness issue. They reported they goal is to help curb the gang violence and assist other organizations who are working to do the same. They want to focus on the youth as mentors, advocates, with programs, positive role models, etc… Thanked the council for their involvement in this issue and look forward to working with them. 2009 Budget---Tabled.
Announcements---As read and on agenda.
8:00 PM Public Meeting Adjourn
2/2/2009
To All Our Friends And Neighbors In Kearns:
It is with great sadness that the McDowell Family announces that we have decided to move from Kearns. This will require my personal resignation from the Kearns Community Council and affect my public service to the community of Kearns and to Salt Lake County in several ways.
Perhaps more importantly; it will take us away from the many friends and relationships we have built during the last 20 years we have lived at our home on Buster Street.
It came as quite a surprise when we received a viable offer on our home in early December 2008. We had that property listed for a solid year without a legitimate offer and we were just about to pull it off the market for the second time. That offer resulted in a signed contract and just recently; the final sale of our home in Kearns.
The size of our family has grown in the last 18 months and we were forced to recognize that we needed a larger home. As we looked around we found a limited number of homes in Kearns that met our needs but there was one that seemed perfect and we have kept our eye on it during the past year. Unfortunately, when the time came to put in an offer on that property it was in such poor condition thanks to the actions of its owner that we decided not to purchase it. Recognizing the realities and opportunities existing in the real estate market we also looked outside the community as well.
The search for the right home in Kearns was a diligent one but as fortune would have it we found what we, as a family agreed was the perfect home for our family in Riverton, Utah.
The decision to move has been an incredibly emotional one for me personally given my heavy involvement in many local and countywide projects and causes. All I can say is that it has been an incredible honor to serve you in several capacities the last few years.
We are now only 10 miles away so we will stay in close contact with our friends in Kearns. It is in our hope and prayer that the many projects that are underway to change the face of Kearns for the better will come to successful completion very soon. We will always be available to assist even if we don’t live within the boundaries of Kearns itself.
We have much love for our friends and neighbors in Kearns and wish you ……..not goodbye……… but simply farewell for the time being. We hope to see you all from time to time and as mentioned and continue to assist with ongoing projects until completion.
Best regards,
Chuck McDowell and Family
Chuck McDowell
801.446.3964
801.201.5185 (c)