DECEMBER 2023
COUNCIL CORNER Protecting our Evergreens The Holladay Tree Committee recently met to clean up and improve the Olympus Pines Park on Holladay Boulevard and 4500 South. The project was prompted by concern about the majestic pine trees in the park. We cut back sod and mulched new tree rings to help the iconic trees get more water and nutrients. This project was a good reminder about protecting evergreens during the fall and winter months. Do you tend to find dead, reddish-brown foliage on your evergreen tree plants in the spring? This phenomenon, known as winter desiccation or winter burn, can range from brown needle tips to extensive damage on entire trees. The damage typically occurs on the outer portions of branches, and tends to be more severe on the side exposed to strong winds or radiated heat sources like south- or west-facing walls. Other factors make evergreens especially susceptible to winter desiccation, including root damage, soil compaction, stress from insects or diseases, and tree genetics. Winter desiccation can result from a lack of moisture during fall and winter. All trees lose water during
their metabolic processes, even in winter. Evergreens, however, continue to lose water at a higher rate than deciduous trees, mainly through their needles and, to a lesser extent, exposed bark, twigs, and buds. Dry, sunny, and windy conditions exacerbate water loss, while frozen or dry soil prevents roots from taking up enough water. In years with little snow cover and low soil moisture, evergreen trees and shrubs are especially vulnerable. Snow cover insulates roots and provides much-needed moisture when it melts on warm winter days. However, when there’s little snow, frozen soil prevents roots from accessing moisture. To prevent winter desiccation, provide supplemental watering year-round if conditions are dry. Regular
summer and winter watering is crucial to maintaining soil moisture and preventing further injury. Prune dead branches after new growth has emerged. Mulching and relocating susceptible plants can also offer protection from harsh winter conditions. Also, be sure your evergreens (and other plants) get adequate water in the fall until the soil freezes. Best practice is to ensure the soil is slightly moist down to a depth of 18 inches for shrubs and 18 to 24 inches for trees. Water when the air temperature is above freezing and the soil is not frozen. Soaker hoses are effective for slow, targeted watering. Holladay’s impressive urban forest contributes to beauty, health and livability of our community. Protecting our evergreen trees and shrubs from winter desiccation is possible with proper attention and care. Watering, pruning, and providing adequate moisture throughout the year are key to ensuring the health and longevity of your evergreen landscape. By taking these steps, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of your evergreens year-round. —Matt Durham, District 2
Winter Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready for the Chill? Winter in Holladay means snow, ice, and cold temperatures. Being prepared for the season is crucial for safety and wellbeing. Here are some tips and resources for winter emergency preparedness. STAY INFORMED: Stay informed about weather forecasts and storm warnings before winter arrives. Sign up for local alerts and follow official sources of weather updates. This can help you plan and make informed decisions during winter weather events. WINTERIZE YOUR HOME by insulating windows and doors, sealing gaps, and ensuring that your heating system is in good condition. Consider servicing your furnace beforehand to reduce the risk of cold-weather-related issues like frozen pipes. EMERGENCY SUPPLIES: Prepare an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, blankets, warm clothes, a portable phone charger, and a battery-operated weather radio. Keep it handy and easily accessible for any unexpected situations.
VEHICLE PREPAREDNESS: Winterize your car by checking tires, brakes, and heating. Keep a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, blankets, and warm clothes in an emergency kit. Always have at least half a tank of gas to avoid fuel line freezing. Have snow chains if needed. SAFE DRIVING: Drive cautiously in winter. Slow down, keep your distance, and limit travel during storms. Check road conditions on Waze, news, etc. Use snow-rated tires for better traction. COMMUNICATION PLAN: Create a communication plan with loved ones. Make sure everyone knows how to contact each other during an emergency and where to meet if separated. Share plans with neighbors for community support. STAYING WARM DURING AN OUTAGE: Winter storms often cause power outages. To stay warm and safe, make sure you have blankets and layers of clothing on hand. If you have a generator, use it cautiously and follow all safety instructions. CHECK ON VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS: Check on vulnerable neighbors during winter storms to ensure their safety and well-being. Practice Safe Snow Removal: Take breaks, dress warmly, and avoid overexertion while shoveling snow. Use proper techniques to prevent injuries or consider hiring a professional service if needed.
DECEMBER 2023
CITY INFORMATION
Holladay Completes Step #4 in Renewable Energy Program Utah Renewable Communities (URC) is a coalition of Utah cities, towns, and counties in Utah that are working to launch a default net-100% renewable electricity option for Rocky Mountain Power customers within our communities. The City of Holladay is one of the 18 participating communities. The renewable energy program is being designed by the URC in partnership with Rocky Mountain Power and will be subject to approval by the Utah Public Service Commission (PSC).
The 7-step process for designing and launching the program is shown in the image below. The remaining steps include: • Step #4 Utility Agreement: Communities sign an agreement with Rocky Mountain Power. • Step #5 Program Application: Rocky Mountain Power submits a program application to the Utah PSC, including projected program rates and proposed termination fees. • Step #6 Program Approval by the Utah PSC: The Utah PSC issues an order to approve, change, or deny the program application and finalizes initial program rates and termination fees. • Step #7 Participation Ordinance: Within 90 days of program approval by the Utah PSC, communities review the approved program and initial program rates and decide whether to finalize participation in the program by adopting an ordinance. The Holladay City Council approved the Utility Agreement on November 2, 2023, completing step #4. The Utility Agreement is a key procedural step for communities to remain eligible for the URC program and addresses elements required by Utah law. It’s important to note that the Utility Agreement does not include projected program rates or termination fees—those will be determined by the PSC in step #6. The agreement also does not finalize a community’s participation in the program—this happens when the community adopts the Participation Ordinance in Step #7. As the program development process moves forward, the Holladay City Council will continue to carefully weigh decisions at each step. Get the latest URC news at utahrenewablecommunities.org and clicking “SUBSCRIBE” to sign-up for the agency’s e-newsletter. You can also follow the URC’s social media accounts – look for links to their Facebook, Instagram and YouTube on the website.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Rob Dahle, Mayor rdahle@cityofholladay.com 801-580-3056 Ty Brewer, District 1 tbrewer@cityofholladay.com 801-550-8747 Matt Durham, District 2 mdurham@cityofholladay.com 801-999-0781 Paul Fotheringham, District 3 pfotheringham@cityofholladay.com 801-424-3058 Drew Quinn, District 4 dquinn@cityofholladay.com 801-272-6526 Dan Gibbons, District 5 dgibbons@cityofholladay.com 385-215-0622 Gina Chamness, City Manager gchamness@cityofholladay.com
PUBLIC MEETINGS: City Council – first and third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Planning Commission – first and third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
CITY OFFICES: Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • 801-272-9450 4580 South 2300 East • Holladay, UT 84117 Community Development Finance Justice Court Code Enforcement
801-527-3890 801-527-2455 801-273-9731 801-527-3890
NUMBERS TO KNOW: Emergency UPD Dispatch (Police) UFA Dispatch (Fire) Animal Control Garbage/Sanitation Holladay Library Holladay Lions Club Mt. Olympus Sr. Center Holladay Post Office Cottonwood Post Office Holliday Water
911 801-840-4000 801-840-4000 385-468-7387 385-468-6325 801-944-7627 385-468-1700 385-468-3130 801-278-9942 801-453-1991 801-277-2893
Curbside Christmas Tree Collection We will be collecting Christmas trees during the month of January. For collection, fill out a Curbside Tree Pick Up Request Form on our website (www.wasatchfrontwaste.org), or call the WFWRD office at (385) 468-6325. Place your undecorated trees on your curb and they will be collected the day after your regular collection day during the month of January. If we don’t get your tree that week, we will be back the following week. Please call our office, or chat with us on our website for additional information. • Please remove all snow off the tree. • We cannot accept trees with decorations, lights, tree stands or flocking. • Do not place the tree in your garbage, recycling, or green waste can. • If the tree is over eight feet tall, please cut it into smaller sections. • We cannot accept artificial trees.
Holiday Fire Safety Tips Here we are!! The holidays have arrived! Like many, it’s one of my favorite times of the year. I work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which my wife has yet to accept haha! But, it’s part of the job that I love. Let’s celebrate while providing for safety first. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. These fires caused an annual average of 4 civilian fire deaths, 33 civilian fire injuries and $14 million in direct property damage. Below are some very sound Tips from the American Red Cross to lessen the impact of accidental fires.
COOKING AND BAKING
No holiday celebration would be complete without a feast but be sure to take precautions against kitchen fires when you’re cooking and baking. That includes keeping children and flammable items such as grocery bags and kitchen towels away from the stove and oven. Clean up greasy spills as you go to remove another fire hazard. I recently responded on a fire which was caused by an accumulation of grease at the bottom of an oven. Luckily, ovens are designed to contain high amounts of heat, so extensive damage was avoided.
CHRISTMAS TREES
Old fashioned Christmas celebrations featured wax candles on live tree branches – inside homes! Today we know better, but risks remain. If your family prefers real trees, be sure to water yours every day because dry needles and wood catch fire more easily. Go ahead and use many strings of light, but don’t plug more than 3 strings into each other (opt for a power strip instead). Discard light strings that are worn or broken. And be sure to always unplug
the lights before leaving the house or going to sleep. If you are tech savvy, you can use a smart plug. I have all my lights on timers and I can also turn them off remotely from my phone.
FIREPLACES
Nothing takes the chill off winter holidays like the light and heat of a fire on your hearth. Just be sure to keep “fuel” – from wrapping paper to rugs to clothing – at least three feet away from the flames. Use a fire screen to keep embers and logs from escaping. Lastly, make sure all embers are fully extinguished before you turn in for the night.
EXHAUST VENTS
Keep water heater and furnace exhaust and intake vents clear of snow. Last year with our record snowfall, I saw more of this than ever before. Know where they are in your home, and clear them if covered by large amounts of snowfall.
CALLING 911
If you or the community needs the assistance of emergency responders. When you call 911, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include: • The location of the emergency, including the street address • The phone number you are calling from • The nature of the emergency • Details about the emergency Remember, the call-taker’s questions are important to get the right kind of help to you quickly. Thanks for reading and Stay Safe, Holladay! As always, feel free to contact me with any questions. —Capt. Dan Brown, Unified Fire Authority dbrown@unifiedfire.org