Hyrum
deals with telecom tax, animal waste, 'floating' holidays
By Heather Williams
November 20, 2004 | HYRUM -- An ordinance
officially adding the increase of the telecommunications
tax unanimously passed at City Council Thursday night.
Mayor Gordon Olson said even though the council passed
the increase of the tax last city council meeting, it
was important that the council officially votes to change
the ordinance to add the increase.
"This is the paperwork," Councilman Doug Stipes said.
He said the increase being added to the ordinance allows
the telecommunication companies to collect the tax,
and makes sure the city gets a check back.
Another ordinance that the council voted to change
was one that requires the removal of animal waste. Olson
said this ordinance will authorize animal control officers
to issue warnings and tickets if they have to.
"We're not interested in issuing tickets and making
money, we're interested in cleaning up the city," Olson
said.
A resolution that makes a floating holiday into a
permanent holiday for city workers passed unanimously.
"We have for years had a floating holiday for employees
of Hyrum City. Employees have made a desire to make
the floating holiday a permanent holiday for the Friday
after Thanksgiving," Olson said.
"That's when I used it anyway," Deputy Recorder Garnett
James said.
Stipes clarified that if the council made the holiday
a permanent holiday, then anyone who works on the Friday
after Thanksgiving receives their regular pay plus holiday
pay.
In other council business the approval of a lease
agreement with Cache County Emergency Medical Service
(CCEMS) was tabled until the city council meeting in
December. Brent Jensen, city administrator, said the
original agreement was brief. It has since bounced between
Hyrum city's attorney and the attorney of CCEMS. The
agreement is not ready at present to accept as is, he
said.
"We're not trying to sabotage this in any way. We
want it to happen," Olson said of postponing acceptance
of the agreement.
Discussion of what action to take against homeowners
who build their fence on city property also took place.
Jensen said, "We're finding that as people build homes,
they landscape and put up a fence. Sometimes they put
up fences before we see what's happening. They're setting
posts right next to the sidewalk, typically they should
be a foot off of the sidewalk."
He said there are two main problems with building
a fence right next to the sidewalk. One is if a section
of a sidewalk fails, and the city has to replace it,
it's impossible to do that without damaging the fence.
The city is not liable for the damaged fence, he said.
The other problem is if a child is riding their bike,
and they get so close to one side that their handlebars
hit the fence, it could result in an injury.
"I'm in favor for letting them know that they are
in violation, and if we have to rip out their fence
to do repairs then we will," Councilman Tom Labau said.
"I'm for sending a letter," Olson said.
The council tabled the decision of what action the
city should take until the second meeting in January;
to allow council members to come up with solutions individually.
Also discussed was the city's sidewalk policy. The
council made no decision Thursday night about what changes
to make to the policy.
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