In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
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MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS MAYOR Robert Hale Email: Rhale@midvale.com
801-567-7204
CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Quinn Sperry Email: qsperry@midvale.com District 2 - Paul Glover Email: pglover@midvale.com District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvale.com District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: bbrown@midvale.com District 5 - Dustin Gettel Email: dgettel@midvale.com
I am beginning this article talking about “the elephant in the room” so that I can then migrate to more future oriented subjects: – COVID-19 – Pandemic – Novel coronavirus – Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)”. By whichever name it is known in the medical profession, media broadcasts, or among us common folk, the virus has caused one of the most memorable disruptions in world history. I wish, like you, that we could get a vision of our future on Earth without masks, but it is an unclear picture from this vantage point. With resurgences of the illness in certain unprotected communities and with Central and South America just entering the window of the pandemic, we are sure to have its continuing presence. There are no better prevention practices at this time than (1) wearing masks when six-foot safe distance cannot be maintained in groups, (2) washing hands after coming in contact with unclean surfaces, and (3) keeping fingers and hands away from eyes, nose and mouth, which are the primary entrance points for the virus. Our city residents have been doing well as we apply these practices to our everyday lives. Let me show you our progress thus far: • During the “RED” phase declared by the Governor of Utah (March 26 – April 30), Midvale had 54 cases in those 36 days, with a median of 1 case per day, and a high daily count of 5 reported cases. • During the “ORANGE” phase declared by the Governor of Utah (May 1 – May 15), Midvale had 46 cases in those 15
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EMERGENCY OR DISASTER CONTACT Public Works Fire Dispatch – Unified Fire Authority Midvale Police Precinct or Police Dispatch Unified Police Department EMERGENCY
By Mayor Robert Hale
days, with a median of 3 cases per day, and a high daily count of 9 reported cases. (I was worried that we were going the wrong way!) • But…During the “YELLOW” phase declared by the Governor of Utah (May 16 – May 26, as I write this article), Midvale had 7 cases in the 10 days, with a median of 1 case per day, and a high daily count of 2 reported cases! And the greatest result of our personal care is the fact that NOT ONE PERSON HAS DIED TO DATE as a result of COVID-19! This level of infection can be easily avoided, managed and overcome! We can rein in this pandemic by taking care of ourselves, our loved ones and neighbors and friends, and those we come near in social gatherings. The Midvale Homeless Family Shelter residents and staff have had to take drastic measures to ensure against the spread of the virus. We are happy to report that they did work together to protect our most vulnerable residents of Midvale. The year 2020 will look different to us as we look back on it from 2021 and beyond. Let us choose to help all who are around us to make it through 2020 alive and well. Once we are in the Green Phases, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, pickleball courts, splash pads and skate parks will become available again for our recreational enjoyment. Schools too, will reopen in just a dozen weeks or so. In the meantime, exercise physically, mentally and spiritually to keep growing and preparing for the future. I like what I see in my vision of Midvale in 2021 and beyond!
Complete your 2020 Census Today
WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills Ordering A New Trash Can Reserving the Bowery Permits GRAMA requests Court Paying For Traffic School Business Licensing Property Questions Cemetery Water Line Breaks Planning and Zoning Code Enforcement Building inspections Graffiti
CITY NEWSLETTER
The Heart of the Matter
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JUNE 2020
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Did you know that you can help Midvale and Salt Lake County unlock millions of dollars in federal funding? It’s easy. All you have to do is complete your 2020 Census questionnaire. It will only take about 10 minutes, and you can do it in one of three ways: 1. Go to www.my2020Census.gov 2. Call 844-330-2020 3. Mail your paper census form The U.S. Census Bureau has extended the deadline to August 14, but why wait? If you complete your Census now, you will prevent a knock on the door this summer. So far, 62.5% of Midvale City households have responded. Now, that sounds rather low, but we are close to the state rate (64%) and above the national rate (60.4%), so that’s good news. But we can do better than that! The higher our 2020 Census count, the more federal funding we will receive. And the numbers we provide now will stay with us for the next 10 years! With so much at stake for Midvale City, we need to ensure a complete and accurate census. Each of you plays a crucial role in census outreach. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to participate in Census 2020. You may be concerned about your personal information getting out but rest assured. It’s against the law for the U.S. Census Bureau
to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or your household. You can complete the questionnaire feeling confident that your privacy is protected. Learn more about the Census at www.2020Census.gov. Remember, Midvale City needs you! Only you can ensure that your family is counted. Together, we can shape our future, starting with the 2020 Census.
In The Middle of Everything Zions Bank to Build Technology Campus in Midvale New campus will have a focus on sustainability and cost efficiency
Zions Bancorporation announced that it will build a 400,000-squarefoot technology campus in Midvale, Utah, on the former Sharon Steel Mill Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site. Anticipated to be completed in mid-2022, the sustainably built campus will be the company’s primary technology and operations center, serving Zions’ seven affiliate brands in 11 western states. “We are very excited to welcome Zions Bank to Midvale and are proud to be the home of their new sustainably built technology campus,” said Mayor Robert Hale. “This investment further strengthens our reputation as a business-friendly community and showcases the region as hub for innovative FinTech companies.” Nestled along the Jordan River Parkway, the property will reclaim a previously contaminated former steel mill site and support a regional habitat system through ecologically focused design and landscaping. An estimated 1,500 workers will be employed during the construction project, stimulating continued job and economic growth in the Salt Lake Valley. The project is anticipated to achieve a Platinum LEED-certification with sustainable building features that include the use of low VOC-emitting construction materials, triple pane exterior glass, and ultra-efficient heating and cooling systems. More than 75% of the building’s electricity will be produced from on-site renewable solar energy. The campus will feature electric vehicle charging stations and will offer proximity to the Historic Gardner Village light rail station. “Zions Bancorporation’s Enterprise Technology and Operations division has been making industry-leading investments in its core banking systems while also delivering a variety of state-of-the-art digital banking capabilities. This environment-friendly campus will help us attract the best technology talent in the country while also reducing our overall facilities costs,” said Zions Bancorporation Chairman and CEO Harris H. Simmons. As one of Utah’s largest technology employers, Zions will accommodate more than 2,000 employees at this location. To foster employee health and well-being, the campus will offer outdoor recreation opportunities, locker and shower facilities, shareable bikes, and a large modern café with healthy and diverse menu options. “Zions Bancorporation’s new campus will have a significant economic impact on the city of Midvale, as well as the surrounding cities, the state, and indeed the entire Intermountain West. Investments of this nature are critical to the ongoing growth, innovation and success of our state’s economy and our financial services and technology sectors,” said Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert. “As Utah has gained a significant reputation for being a leader in the intersection of financial services and technology industries, this investment further validates that recognition and our unmatched business climate.”
WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG COVID-19 Forces Cancellation of Harvest Days Events
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the decision has been made to cancel all Midvale Harvest Days events that were scheduled for July 27 through August 1, 2020. The health and safety of our residents and visitors is at the forefront of this decision. For more than 80 years, Midvale City has come together to celebrate the harvest of friendship and community found in the middle of everything. “It is difficult to accept that these cherished events cannot continue this year,” said Mayor Robert Hale. “We look forward to the day when we can all come together once again and celebrate what makes Midvale such a wonderful and connected community.” For questions and more information, contact Laura Magness, Harvest Days Committee Chair, at Lmagness@midvale.com or 801-567-7230.
NOTICE
Monthly Bulky Waste Program Discontinued Effective July 1, 2020 Due to the rising costs of waste-hauling, Midvale City is discontinuing the Monthly Bulky Waste and Annual Leaf Bag Programs. June will be the last month residents can place bulky items curbside on a monthly basis. As of July 1, 2020, the Bi-Annual Bulky Waste Program will be held twice a year (April and October), instead of monthly. Bulky items placed curbside in months other than April and October will NOT be picked up, and violaters will be cited with a code violation. Therefore, it is imperative that residents do NOT put out bulky items except for the months of April and October.
Bi-Annual Bulky Waste Program The Bi-Annual Bulky Waste Program will be held twice a year (April and October). Items will be picked up during a specific week based on your address. To find out which week your items will be picked up, visit the City's website anytime after August 1, 2020.
Bi-Annual Bulky Waste Program Guidelines The Bi-Annual Bulky Waste Program will include new guidelines regarding the type, size, and quantity of items that can be placed curbside. These guidelines will address aesthetic issues related to the Bi-Annual Bulky Waste Program.
Annual Leaf Bag Program The Annual Leaf Bag Program has been discontinued. You may place bagged leaves out with your bulky waste items in April and October.
Residents will continue to have the ability to rent dumpsters for $206.
JUNE 2020 CITY NEWSLETTER WWW . MIDVALECITY . ORG
Midvale Arts Council is Making Changes in the Midst of COVID-19 With the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic and Utah’s “Stay Safe, Stay Home” order in effect, the Midvale Arts Council has had to make some significant changes to their scheduled offerings. The Arts Council continues its mission of “making the arts and culture available to every citizen of Midvale”, but this year things will be a little different – and, hopefully, just as enjoyable. “The arts, like everything else, have been hard hit by this pandemic. It’s tough to have to change things up last minute,” said Arts Council Chairman Wade Walker. “We were really looking forward to this summer’s traditional activities. But the Council has come up with some fun alternative ideas, and I think it’s really shaping up to be a great offering to the community.” The planned performances of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” and the popular Missoula Children’s Theatre production have been canceled, but that doesn’t mean there will be no theatrical performances to be had. The Art Council’s Facebook page (facebook.com/MidvaleArts) will continue to post about artistic events around the world and is also striving to create its own digital events. One such event is a community-sourced production of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. This production features scenes recorded by residents and then edited together. It’s sure to be a Macbeth like never before and might actually reverse the curse of the show. Midvale Performing Arts Center’s resident improv troupe, “Quick Wits” is also doing shows that they call, “Quarantine Wits” on their Facebook
page (facebook.com/quickwits). These “Zoom Meeting” versions of their popular improv show can be seen every Saturday night at 9 PM. The traditional Free Friday Concerts in the Park series also had to be canceled, but the concerts team isn’t giving up on things. Four virtual concerts are being planned for the summer, including “Midvale’s Got Talent” and “A Midvale Patriotic Celebration”. Residents can submit video entries to be part of these virtual concerts. More information can be found on the Facebook page and the Arts Council’s website (midvalearts.com). “We’re so disappointed that we can’t do the concert series that we’d put so much time into,” said Melanie Beardall, an Arts Council Member in charge of concerts. “But I’m really excited to see what our residents are going to send us. This could become a whole new tradition.” The Council has also decided to postpone the annual Hall of Honors presentation until large gatherings can occur again. “We feel that an honor like this shouldn’t be done virtually,” said Walker. “We want to be able to give the inductee the recognition they deserve.” With this decision, the Art Show held in conjunction with the Hall of Honors reception will be postponed. The literary portion of the Art Show will be transitioned into a separate, new event. More information will be announced soon. Although the coronavirus has caused a lot of change in Midvale and the world, “the show must go on!”
Virtual Celebration!
In The Middle of Everything
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Government is Most Effective when the Public is Engaged The Midvale City Council and Planning Commission values community input. In an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19, while still allowing the public to provide comments, we have created several ways to make sure your voice can be heard. The public is encouraged to watch public meetings remotely while practicing social distancing. Live streaming meetings may be accessed from computers, laptops, or mobile devices on Facebook and YouTube.
Public comment can be submitted several ways: Email Lmagness@midvale.com Post public comments on the livestream Facebook or YouTube posts Visit www.midvalecity.org/how-do-i/listen-to-public-meetings to learn more. If you have any questions please contact Laura Magness, Communications Director, at 801-567-7230 or Lmagness@midvale.com.
Hiking with Your Pup Salt Lake County Animal Services The beautiful scenery of Utah is calling your name and you must go, and you want to take your dog. Here’s a few tips from Salt Lake County Animal Services on how to make sure you and your pup have a successful adventure. BEFORE YOU GO: • Can your dog hike in the area you want to go explore? Many areas in Utah are declared a watershed, which means dogs are not allowed, such as Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Most national parks or monuments do not allow pets on trails. • Prepare your dog for long hikes, they need to build up physical endurance, if not your dog could collapse on the trail or injure themselves. • Trail manners! Make sure your dog is accustomed to having strangers or other dogs approach while on a trail. You will likely pass others on your trek; aggressive behavior could put a quick end to your adventure. Be aware other hikers or dogs, may not be dog friendly either. If they yell to ask you to put your dog on leash, please respect their request, it’s often for both your safety. • Wildlife & Vegetation. Respect the animals that live in the forest and recognize the dangers that your dog may encounter: moose, rattlesnakes, open range cattle, poisonous vegetation, or stagnant water. HIKING SUPPLIES: • Poop bags • A collar with ID tags and a sturdy 6-foot leash • A water supply and a portable water bowl • Dog food and/or snacks • A pet first aid kit. • Pet-safe insect repellent • Dog booties for hiking in rough terrain