By Kathryn Summers

HYRUM -- Moving through a lengthy agenda Oct. 7, Hyrum City Council began by considering applying for a grant to fund an after-school family literacy program.

Kevan Kennington, who proposed the idea, said Hyrum should apply for the Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Program for the 2000-2001 year. He suggested asking for $70,000 to $100,000. The money would be used to buy computers and software to teach Spanish-speaking people English, and later to teach Spanish to English speakers in the community who would like to learn a new language.

"There's so many things that [Lincoln Elementary] school should be used for," Kennington said, calling the envisioned program a "community learning center."

A program already is in place where Spanish speakers can learn English at the elementary school. This grant would allow the program to expand so more people could be included. The grant would be a chance for the city and school district to work together.

"We have to be the sponsoring agency," the mayor said of the grant proposal. The money will go to the school, but the city has to be the applicant.

The presentation was just the "first step in a long process," said City Administrator Brent Jensen.

In other business, the council:

€ Recognized Tania Nava for receiving the Governor's Award for Leadership, Community Service, and Artistic Ability. The award is given to outstanding Hispanic students. Nava is in a dance group that performs locally, and she has written several outstanding essays that won awards in area school contests.

€ Heard a report from the Hyrum Saddle Club, represented by President Scott Kendrick and Secretary Geneva Crookston, on its successful July 4th Rodeo. They split the profits, $1573.73, with Hyrum City and repaid the rest of a debt from a previous year.

The council also clarified the city's role in the rodeo. Councilman Douglas Stipes stated for the record that when the Star Spangled Rodeo makes a profit, Hyrum City shares the profits 50-50. In years when the Rodeo fails to make a profit, Hyrum city government will cover the loss but the Saddle Club will pay the city back with profits from following good years. The money the city gets from the Rodeo will be used to make improvements around the Rodeo Grounds.

€ Heard from Sumner Swaner, president of Swaner Design in Salt Lake City, who was hired as a consultant to help with the design of a city-wide system of trails, as he presented his Parks Master Plan Study. The plan is for a series of small neighborhood parks and a few large "destination parks" linked by trails that will unify the city.

"If we get this done all school children will be within two blocks of a paved walkway to school," said Mayor Olson.

Swaner said the plan needs to be revised and presented to the public for discussion. This project is still in the early stages of development.

€ Heard Wayne Crow, an engineer for L. Demar Hansen and Mountain Valley Development, present a plan for two more phases in the Wasatch View Subdivision.

Zoning Administrator Tom LaBau said the Planning Commission liked the multiple lot sizes and the cul-de-sacs in the plan. There was a problem with the location of a second entrance onto the highway. Council Member Stipes also expressed concern about industrial traffic going through a residential area. The issue was tabled until the plans could be reviewed with the Utah Department of Transportation.

€ Voted 5-1 to rebid the 200 North utility extension project after they decided the previously awarded bid was inadequate. Council Member Bruce James voted no to the rebid.

€ Unanimously awarded the bid for sewer line extension on 400 South to Cove Sand and Gravel for $18,060.

€ Awarded the bid for restrooms on City Square to Suvall Construction for $51,931.

€ Appointed Jay Wardle to the Planning Commision.

The City Council meets on the first and third Thursday of every month.

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