Special Open Space Bond Meeting Tonight

Let the Voters Decide

by Robin M Johnson

Last week in Midway City Council’s regular meeting, Wednesday, August 9, the city council decided to hold a second meeting on the Open Space Bond for Thursday, August 17. After hearing a presentation from Pure Midway and other concerned citizens (the citizen group), asking questions of a bond attorney, and receiving public input council determined the city needed time for staff to work with a bond lawyer and prepare a resolution to place the bond on the General Election ballot. Part of the resolution must include the actual words of the referendum as it will appear on the ballot.

The citizen group made a presentation to the council and the public. First Ken Mickelson briefly outlined public input from two meetings on Open Space Preservation sponsored by this citizen group. Both meetings were outlined in detail on this blog on the CITIZENbriefings page.

Next the citizen group invited Randy Larsen of Gilmore Bell, a local bond attorney, to answer city council and public questions on bonding. In answer to questions raised some of Larsen’s answers were:  The city could bond for a specific amount and describe the scope of intended projects in the Voter Information pamphlet without identifying specific land or development rights for purchase. Language used in the Voter Information pamphlet is binding; bond can only be used for purpose described in the pamphlet. Voters approve bond, city council decides what projects to fund within parameters described. 

Spending the funds on just one project is not necessary; money could be issued from the bond for individual projects as long as each is within the scope described and used within ten years. The bond will mature and must be paid off in twenty years. Bond money can be used for upkeep and maintenance if an operations and maintenance description is included. The bond cannot be promoted with funds from the bond. Fees associated with bonding such as bond counsel (attorney) and bond advisor costs can be paid from the bond. Attorney fees for preparing the referendum would be $2,500 to $3,000, and attorney fees for the bonding process itself would be from $15,000 to $30,000.

Next, J C Simonsen presented the findings of a survey conducted by the citizen group.  While there were many questions posed the overall result showed about 20 percent of respondents were opposed to a bond, the remaining 80 percent ranged from bonding being somewhat important to very important as a tool for preserving open space. About the same ratio of 20 percent were not willing to pay any amount toward a bond, while a substantial majority was willing to pay enough to support a $6 million bond. Only about 14 percent were willing to pay enough to support a $10 million bond.

Finally, Public Comment was taken regarding a proposal to bond for open space made by Pure Midway and other citizens interested in smart growth and open space preservation. Overwhelmingly public comment approved putting a referendum on the ballot to let the voters decide whether to bond or not. Differences in what open space should look like or be used for were expressed but despite varying views most were willing to put the bond question before voters.

Paul Berg said the only harm in putting it on the ballot is $3,000 and a little staff time. He said if it will only cost $3,000 and staff time to move forward it is worth the price. Berg asked, “Does the city have $3,000? If not I will pay it out of my own pocket” and maybe others would be willing to help. Next he brought up the moratorium and asked, “Does staff have the time to work on this resolution, if not I will offer my firm.”

Photo credit: Frankie Roberto, Flickr, Photo Taken: November 28, 2002, Link to photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/frankieroberto/3066083912/in/photolist-5EWtVJ-dM1hyH-8XQXgM-bixSbH-peRVcs-4VRMBd-8XQXhH-8XQXj4-9EPnXg-9ESjSY-cpFEaC-8XU1zm-nfgtWd-9ESkNs-8XU1Dh-p7CgC6-J1EfkS-7yWuna-q1qzfu-8XQXiD-7z1euw-7z1h8C-6RWVPg-VGZ4rp-nNuKo9-JjQHNb-VGZ4JZ-dM6ReL-9FYNNg-9FYJ9V-p9A5Xh-7yZYu5-5JbQFT-ny3WgQ-7yW6vD-ny3JwD-ny4wcp-oX2qEa-ny3RQr-2JL8X-nNuYSo-7z1f9L-2ta9T-nNuSn9-9G2AyN-enma5W-ny4Dq2-nQtG4S-ny3Tqw-ny4wwT

Only a few spoke against putting a bond on the ballot. Clint Coleman said he represented those who are appalled by the divide in the community over open space issues. He said he knows many who are against the bond and will not attend these meetings because of the contention creating the divide.

Coleman said, “We cannot bond our way out of growth … bonding is a liberal idea, why should all bond for the benefit of the few?” He cautioned against discrediting the county’s effort to preserve the north fields that they have been working on for 20 years. “Hold off until the county comes up with a plan … protecting the north fields is the single most important project, it is significant historically. Why handicap the county and the state in this effort?”

In an interview on Friday, August 10, Brad Wilson, city recorder, said, “The question is what amount to bond for. We looked at the impact on property owners for a $6 million bond and a $10 million. Those were numbers originally proposed by Pure Midway. Their survey said most would favor a $6 million bond. I put in a call to a representative of Pure Midway and other concerned citizens for their recommendation on the amount to bond for, but have not heard back from them yet.” A good indication of the citizens’ recommendations would be that the city council agenda item states bonding for up to $10 million.

In regards to identifying open space Wilson said the citizens "have not identified any specific pieces of property they would like to preserve.” When asked if the bond would be used for preserving agricultural land and main view corridors in the city Wilson said, “That is one of the biggest unanswered questions; what will the criteria for determining open space be? I think that is probably one of the tasks for the planned open space committee. It would not surprise me if it took many meetings to establish open space criteria. I don’t think you can establish that before the General Election.”

Wilson prepared a timeline including steps the city must take to put an Open Space Bond on the ballot:

Aug 17 – City council approves resolution and ballot language

Aug 24 – Resolution provided to Lt. Governor and Election Officer

Aug 30 – Public Notice of intent to issue bonds, first notice

Sep 03 – Deadline to submit arguments

Sep 06 – Public Notice of intent to issue bonds, second notice

Sep 08 – Deadline for city council to submit argument in favor

Sep 08 – Deadline for city council to submit argument in opposition

Sep 10 – Arguments sent to opposing sides

Sep 13 – City council holds public hearing

Sep 18 – Deadline to submit rebuttal arguments

Voter Information pamphlets prepared

Sep 23 to Oct 23 – Voter Information pamphlet mailed

Oct 04, 11, and 18 – Publish Election Notice

Oct 06 – City council posts arguments

Oct 25 – City council conducts public meeting

Nov 07 – General Election

Nov 21 – City council canvasses ballots

Later in the meeting the council directed Brad Wilson to contact Randy Larson and members of the citizen group in order to prepare a resolution and ballot language for the special meeting on the Open Space bond to be held tonight. 

Trails and Parks, Open Space Preservation, and Other Committees

Midway Boards, Commissions, and Committees Duties

by Robin M Johnson

Running a city is time consuming and hard work. Most people elected to office already hold full time jobs and their service to the city is done after their employment obligations are fulfilled. Connie Tatton, former mayor (Jan 2006 – Jan 2014), was an exception. Tatton was able to spend more than full time hours working on behalf of the city. Colleen Bonner, mayor, owns her business and sets her own part time working hours. Bonner also works significant hours for Midway City.

Responsibility for ordinances, resolutions, budgets, the general plan, the city code, land use, building and infrastructure requirements, infrastructure maintenance (roads, sidewalks, water, sewer, parks, trails), culinary water distribution, secondary water as a share holder in Midway Irrigation Company, sewer connections through the Midway Sanitation Special Service District, and police and fire protection fall on the council’s shoulders. Many boards, commissions, and committees are formed to help the city carry out its duties. Members are appointed by the council. Boards, commissions, and committees are generally recommending bodies and serve in an advisory capacity to the city council. Exceptions are The Board of Adjustments which has power to review administrative actions on land use issues made by the city council and the Building Code Board of Appeals which has power to review decisions made by the City Building Official.

STATE MANDATED BOARDS AND COMMISSION

Three city bodies in addition to the City Council are state mandated; including The Planning Commission, The Board of Adjustments, and The Building Code Board of Appeals. The form each body takes and the tasks assigned to it are outlined in the Utah State code.

The Planning Commission

While the city council serves as the city’s land use authority, the planning commission is the city’s advisory committee on land use issues. All land use issues go through the planning commission before they are seen by the city council. Responsible for review of residential and commercial development, review of zoning code, development code, and all city ordinances relating to land use.

The planning commission generally meets once a month, but is scheduled twice a month. They schedule a second meeting as business requires. The 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays at 7:00 pm are set aside for the planning commission. Members serve three year terms with an option to serve a second term. The planning commission has seven members and two nonvoting alternates, members are Steven Nichols, chairman, James Kohler, co-chairman, Stuart Waldrip, Natalie Streator, William Ream, Nancy O’Toole, Jeff Nicholas, Shauna Kohler, alternate, and Kevin Payne, alternate.

Board of Adjustments

The Board of Adjustments makes binding and final decisions; it acts on appeals regarding land use issues in four areas: review claims of administrative error, grant variances, review the approval of conditional use permits, or determine the existence of nonconforming uses. The Board of Adjustments meets once per month, as business requires, on the first Wednesday of the month. The two board members and one alternate serve five year terms with the option to serve a second term. Members are Judith Griffin, Elizabeth Crittenden, and Rick Tatton as alternate.

Building Code Board of Appeals

The Building Code Board of Appeals also makes binding and final decisions; it acts on appeals regarding city building code orders, determinations, or decisions made by the City Building Official. This board has three members and one alternate who serve five year terms with no limit to the amount of terms served. Members are Garrett Strong, chairman, Robert McDonald, Brent Merrill, and Robert Bouwhuis as alternate.

CITY ENACTED BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

According to Brad Wilson, city recorder, cities may form other committees and boards as needs arise. These bodies can be ad hoc or permanent. Ad hoc committees are temporary committees; members serve on an ‘as needed’ basis. No ordinance is required; committee members serve only as long as it takes to complete their assigned tasks. Wilson said last year, during the general plan revision, ad hoc committees were formed for each of the eleven chapters of the general plan. The committees made advisory recommendations; the final decisions on the general plan were made by the city council.

Wilson said, “Ad hoc committees may meet only a handful of times. Some of the committees on the general plan met more times than others. The committees were made up of two or three residents and representative council members.” Those committees were no longer needed once recommendations for revision of the general plan were passed to the city council.

Permanent committees are intended to function on a regular basis. As such they become part of the city code as an ordinance is enacted to form the committee and assign specific tasks. Appointed members serve one term with the option to serve a second. Length of service is decided by the city council, and the specific number of members is also determined by the city council. A chairman or facilitator and one or two council members are sometimes assigned as nonvoting members.

Midway currently has several permanent advisory committees and boards that help the council carry out its work. Wilson said The Midway Trails Advisory Committee (MTAC) was formed in April, 2002. This committee functioned well for about eight years, and then faded. The Visual and Architectural Committee (VAC), and the Historic Preservation Committee (HPC), were both formed in August, 2006. The Midway Water Advisory Board (MWAB) was formed jointly by Midway City and the Midway Irrigation Company (MIC). The Midway Sanitation District Board (MSDB) is another body that handles Midway City sewer infrastructure.

Each of these committees and boards is briefly outlined below, with the exception of the newly formed Trails and Parks committee and the newly proposed committee on Open Space Preservation. Both of these committees also include an update on current progress toward becoming functional.

Midway Trails and Parks Advisory Committee (June, 2017)
(formerly MTAC, April, 2002)

MTAC was established during the tenure of Bill Probst, former mayor. The council decided earlier this year to reorganize the non functioning MTAC with a new name, Midway Trails and Parks Advisory Committee (MTPAC), and additional tasks in an updated ordinance adopted June 28. 

During their regular meeting, held Wednesday, July 26, the council approved seven of twelve applicants to the newly formed MTPAC on their consent agenda. Seven members, half will serve two year terms and the other half will serve four year terms, all will have the option to serve a second four year term.

Members are, in alphabetical order by last name, Kris Beer, Kristen Bellows, Rob Bouwhuis, Jennifer Clayton, Clint Coleman, Ken Fakler, and Nancy O’Toole. O’Toole is currently serving a four year term on the Midway Planning Commission. In previous meetings recommendations were made for three additional non-voting members. Mayor Bonner previously asked Dennis Poppinga to facilitate the committee. Lisa Christian and Ken Van Wagoner, city council members, will also sit on the committee.

This committee has not held its first meeting. Christian said the day and time are still to be determined. She said the mayor will attend the initial meeting to set the committee up, but after that the mayor will not be involved on the committee. At their first meeting the committee will decide which members will serve two year terms and which will serve four year terms.

Tasks immediately assigned to the committee are to review the city’s master trails plan, make recommendations to the city council regarding development or redevelopment of trails and construction standards for various types of trails, create a Park’s Plan Assessment, review the city’s master parks plan and each individual park’s master plan, review park facilities site conditions, review potential additions to each park master plan, hold charettes and open houses for public comment on park planning, operation, and facilities. Any recommended changes would go to city council and a public hearing would be held before approval or denial of the committee’s recommendation.

Proposed Committee on Open Space Preservation

The question of whether to form an open space committee or not was on the same meeting agenda. The council waited to discuss the matter until after Steve Farrell and Mike Nelson presented Wasatch County’s Inter-local agreement to create the Wasatch Open Lands (WOL) board. Following the county’s presentation the council decided both to participate in the Inter-local agreement by choosing one representative from Midway to sit on the seven member WOL board, and to form their own committee on Open Space Preservation.

Colleen Bonner, mayor, said, “Two weeks ago … we talked about whether or not we wanted to form a committee. I think the suggestion (was to) put out requests for applications.” The council agreed. Bonner said the application to serve on the open space committee will be similar to the recent application for the trails and parks committee.  (Applications are currently available online or in the city offices.  OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE APPLICATION: ( http://www.midwaycityut.org/  )

Van Wagoner asked, “How many members are we looking at? How many councilmen will be on that?” Bonner suggested five or seven members with two non-voting council members. Christian said, “I think that’s important.” Van Wagoner agreed, “I do, too. I think it’s crucial on both committees that we have two council men, so we know somebody’s there, if one can’t be there, somebody’s there.”

Bonner asked, “What do you think, five or seven members?” Karl Dodge, council member, said, “I’d go with seven.”    Council members Kent Kohler and Bob Probst agreed.  Christian said, “Especially to start with because you are going to have people that come and go, and it doesn’t work for them, and so then you can build it back up.” Van Wagoner said, “Not everybody can be present every time either.”

Brad Wilson, city recorder, asked, “Will this be an ad hoc or a permanent committee?” Van Wagoner said, “I’d say permanent if we are going to be tied in with the county.”  Mayor Bonner agreed. Wilson pointed out an ordinance will need to be adopted creating the committee. Bonner said the same thing was done for MTPAC.

Duties for committee members will be determined by the council and included in the proposed ordinance to create the committee. Examples of items discussed as potential tasks are to assess tools available to preserve open space, define criteria for open space preservation, determine how to use resources collected through grants, bonds, and other means, and identify open space for preservation. The deadline for application to the committee for Open Space Preservation is Friday, September 8, at 12:00 pm (Noon).

Visual and Architectural Committee (August, 2006)

 VAC was established during the tenure of Connie Tatton, former mayor. Five members sit on the committee and serve four year terms, limited to two consecutive terms. Committee members include Connie Tatton, chairman, Elizabeth Crittenden, Natalie Streator, Bob Adams, and Bob Bouwhuis.  This committee is scheduled to meet the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of each month. Wilson said “They generally meet once per month when things are busy. They hold meetings as business requires.”

Wilson said, “This is a very significant committee because they review most of the items that have a ‘Visual Impact’ on Midway, things that give a rural or European or Swiss feel. They review commercial landscape plans, development landscape plans, they determine how buildings and signs will look, and whether a development or project meets the city’s vision as outlined in the general plan.”

VAC determines if a proposed development of six lots or more complies with the city’s Vision Statement, the Swiss-European density bonus, or other architectural requirements; or if a proposed Commercial development complies with the city’s Vision Statement, or other architectural requirements. VAC also oversees approval of sign permits anywhere within the city, and design element guidelines for all projects.

Historic Preservation Committee (August, 2006)

HPC was also established during Tatton’s tenure. This committee formed as a direct result of a local barn being removed. Public outcry led to the city forming a committee that could provide a way for historic buildings to be saved through inclusion in a new project, restoration, or relocation.  Seven members sit on this committee, James Kohler, chairman, Carl Jones, Kim Kimber, Scott Burbaker, Hilma Bellessa, Elizabeth Crittenden, and Athina Koumarela who is at the end of her first term with an option to serve a second. Meetings of the HPC are held on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month.

Wilson said, “This committee is very faithful. They hold every meeting. Carl Jones, former chairman, is very good at obtaining grants. They participate in many projects. They recently put out a booklet on the Historic Review of Homes in Midway. They also assist in relocation, modification, or alteration of historic buildings. They are helping The Hardy Foundation restore the Bonner Barn.”

HPC tasks include issuance of Certificate of Appropriateness for work to be done on any historic building, structure, object, or site; review of standards for historic Rehabilitation and Design; maintain the Midway Historic Register; establish criteria for buildings , structures, objects, or sites to qualify as historic; recommend and facilitate nominations to the local and the National Historic Register; provide information to the public on historic resources and historic events; and review historic buildings, structures, objects, or sites, before demolishing, dismantling, relocating, modifying, or altering.

The Midway Water Advisory Board

While MIC owns the secondary water delivery system, Midway City makes the final determination on the amount of secondary (or outside) water required to support commercial and residential uses. Wilson said both entities decided it was in the city’s best interest for the city and MIC to work together and they jointly created the Midway Water Advisory Board.

MWAB board members include three MIC members: Steve Farrell, Brent Kelly, Grant Kohler; and five Midway City members: Colleen Bonner, mayor, Karl Dodge and Kenny Van Wagoner, city council members, Michael Henke, city planner, and Jennifer Sweat, treasurer/MWAB Secretary. MWAB meets monthly, as needed.

Midway Sanitation District Board (Midway Sanitation Special Service District, 1966)

Responsible for Midway’s sewer infrastructure, MSSSD was established in 1966 and charged with the planning and organization of a sewer collection system for the residents of Midway. The board consists of three members, two elected and one appointed. Don Huggard was elected chairman, Clair Provost was elected vice chairman, and Colleen Bonner was appointed trustee as a representative from city council. The MSD board meets the 1^st Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm in the Midway City Office building.

Wilson said MSD contracts with Midway City for management, inspections, and maintenance. Three city employees spend part of their time working for MSD. Becky Wood is the District Manager, Jason Standifur does most of the inspections on new construction and oversees maintenance of the system, and Cory Lot helps on an as needed basis.

In addition to these boards and committees, council members are assigned to sit on other boards and committees within the city or county.  The Community Development and Renewal Agency, Heber Light and Power Board, the Wasatch County Inter-local Board, and potentially the soon to be formed Wastach Open Lands Board are examples. 

Two Bonds for Open Space?

One for Midway City, One for Wasatch County

by Robin M Johnson

Thirty years of talk about open space in Wasatch County has led to over 14,000 acres of land set aside as open space within developments for the purpose of preserving a rural feeling in Heber Valley. However, much of that open space is hidden within developments, or is on the mountainsides. Some developments have opted to dedicate their open space land to the city for parks, owned and maintained by the city. The first two PUD’s to choose this path in Midway were The Hamlet and The Valais.

These efforts have not necessarily produced the type of open space many are seeking. This article will address both the city and county efforts to retain a rural look and atmosphere by preserving farmland, the possibility of the city and county each placing bond referendums before voters, and the efforts of citizens organizing in Midway to get a bond on the Midway ballot possibly this fall. In fact, Pure Midway is making a presentation to the city council tomorrow night, Wednesday, August 9, requesting the city place a bond referendum on the ballot in the November General Election.

Steve Farrell and Mark Nelson, Wasatch county council members, made a presentation to the Midway City Council on Wednesday, July 27, at their regular meeting. Farrell talked about the county’s plan to create the Wasatch Open Lands Board (WOLB) through an Inter-local Agreement and asked the council if they would be interested in participating on the county level.

Ken Van Wagoner, city council member, said, “I think we’d be foolish not to participate. I think our whole goal for, not only Midway, but county wide, is more open space. More farms, more preservation.”

Farrell said, “I don’t think we need more open space, we need more quality open space. In the last thirty years we have about 14,000 acres, through development agreements, of open space which on the hillside nobody really gets a chance to see.”

Van Wagoner agreed, “Yeah, that isn’t what we’re after.”

Colleen Bonner, mayor, said, “More of farm preservation, conservation type stuff. But I think it’s important that Midway City have a committee that identifies those areas in our general region, we’re not even talking particularly city limits.” Bonner said Midway’s general region would be anything west of the Provo River. The land surrounding Midway on this side of the river that is county land “affects our city boundaries”.

As part of the general plan Midway City has a Future Annexation map, a declaration of intent to annex, which is required by the state of Utah for every city in the state. Midway City boundaries do not extend to the Provo River on its eastern boundary yet, nor to the Wasatch Mountain State Park on the west, however Midway has declared intent to annex to those borders as property owners make requests to the city. Bonner said maybe some of the area Midway might want to preserve as farm land “would still be county land”.

The discussion above between the city and county council leaders is an example of the change in direction talk of open space has taken in recent years. Leaders in Heber Valley are hearing what the majority of residents are asking for when they say open space. The community survey taken last year as Midway updated the general plan supports the idea of preserving not just the rural feel but the actual rural farming lifestyle, pastures and hayfields. 

Van Wagoner said it best, “More of the farm preservation aspect; where we see cows. We want to see cows.”

In response to survey results last year Midway passed a new land use ordinance this spring called the Rural Farm Preservation Ordinance. Several developers have already made application to the city using the new law. Developments brought in under this ordinance require five acres of farm land without a house, six acres with a house.

During the county presentation Farrell explained the county’s rationale for the WOLB board. He said, “The County has been working on this and we are looking at going out and seeing what we can do to preserve some of the open land, the farm land. We thought if we went out county wide we’d have a better chance and a better effort.” In particular he described Heber City, Midway City, and Wasatch County joining their bonding ability for greater purchasing power.

Farrell said the county proposes there should be no development between Midway and Heber City. The WOLB board was created to preserve farm fields between the two cities in several ways. First, to do the research for ways to fund farm land preservation, second, to help promote the preservation effort and third, to educate the voters on bonding and other potential funding methods the board identifies to protect the farm fields.

Farrell said, “I think as a combined effort we can probably go out for a pretty sizable bond and do some good. Probably there’d be no bond for 2017, but probably 2018. I don’t think there’s ample time to do it justice” for this year.

Bonner said, “But there are other resources out there, too, that you talked about two weeks ago and so I think part of the education is what other resources are available because a bond isn’t always the top thing we have to go after.”

Farrell said, “Yes, get the committee up and running so they can do that kind of research and make recommendations.”

Both Farrell and Nelson met with Bonner and the city planner, Michael Henke, in the afternoon prior to the council’s regular meeting. Farrell said they were discussing ways to make the idea of Midway participating in the county wide open space plan more amenable. One idea was particularly attractive to the group and Farrell presented it to the city council.

“If a community wanted to have their own open space committee,” Farrell said, “and they work under the same criteria as the county, then there might be a way we could allocate a percentage of the bonds to the city to help with this. If they had a project that met the criteria so all the money wouldn’t be spent in the north fields or someplace else. Now that’s something we will have to take back (to the county council), but that’s a good suggestion.”

Photo Taken: Fall 2013 (c) Robin Johnson, 2013, 2017

If Midway participates on the county level they would select one person as a representative of Midway to serve on the seven member WOLB board. In addition there would be one representative from Heber City, one from the Heber Valley Chamber of Commerce Tourism, two from Wasatch County, and two at large. Each body would select their own representatives. The Wasatch County Council would select the two at large members from a pool of candidates who each fill out an application for the position.

Bonner asked, “Are we interested in being a part of that group as well, because I think there’s some real value to farm preservation of county land, as well as farm preservation in Midway City. I think we need to kind of look at all of it.”

Karl Dodge, council member, asked if the county resolution before the city council was in its final form. When he learned it was a draft resolution he asked if city council would see the final resolution. Ferrell said the county would return with a final resolution for Midway’s approval.

Bonner said according to the draft resolution the county would like to have Midway pick their board representative by the first of October. The council agreed and decided to wait until the county returns with the final resolution.

The next item on the council agenda was discussion on forming an Open Space committee for Midway. Two weeks previous the council decided to postpone their decision of whether Midway should have an Open Space committee of its own until after hearing the county presentation to create the WOLB board in order to best determine what course the city should take.  

During the county presentation Van Wagoner asked, “Would Midway have their own open space board and they would go through and ... look at the areas that they would like to see as open space, and then that would be taken, for example, to the county’s board which would include a (Midway) representative?”

Farrell confirmed, “It could work that way.” He suggested having the committee work out their goals, then give that information to the Midway representative who would then take the information to the county board. “That would be your purgative,” Farrell concluded.

After hearing the county’s proposal the council went ahead with their decision to form an Open Space committee. Henke was directed to prepare an application and have it available online and for pick up at the city offices by Monday, July 31. For application click here: http://www.midwaycityut.org/

The city is looking for seven citizen members and will assign two non-voting council members to the committee, the same format used by the city to create the newly formed Midway Trails and Parks Committee (MTPC). The application will also be similar to the one recently filled out by candidates who applied for MTPC.

Finally, Pure Midway and other citizens for smart growth and open space preservation held two community meetings on Open Space in July. They have asked to be on tomorrow night’s council agenda to present information on growth management, rural preservation, and open space. Pure Midway hopes to meet the mid August deadline for a bond referendum on this fall’s General Election ballot.

According to a post on Pure Midway’s facebook page, “Pure Midway believes a bond would be a critical toolbox item to help Midway manage growth. We support a bond if the citizens want that, and we believe that the citizens definitely deserve a chance to vote on it.”

Midway City has scheduled a 45 minute public hearing following Pure Midway’s presentation for citizen comment. According to Pure Midway the city will not vote on bonding tomorrow night. They will decide tomorrow night whether or not to hold a special meeting where a possible vote could happen because the city is required by state code to hold two meetings on the bond before the council votes on the matter.

Special Note:  Here is a link to Pure Midway’s blog with an article on the Pro’s and Con’s of Bonding for Open Space:  https://puremidway.org/bondqanda/