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In The Middle of Everything
City Hall ā 7505 South Holden Street ā¢ Midvale, UT 84047
Midvale Monthly with Mayor Gettel
Walking Safely in Midvale: A Shared Responsibility
One of my favorite leisure activities is walking around Midvale. Youāve probably seen me at one point or another. I often spend time along the Jordan River Trail, enjoying the open space and connection to nature it provides. I also love walking along our developing canal trail system, watching as these pathways gradually knit our neighborhoods closer together. Walking allows me to see our city on an entirely di erent level. I can greet residents, observe improvements, and appreciate the character that makes Midvale special.
Over the past month, our community has experienced two major autoāpedestrian accidents here in Midvale, one resulting in a heartbreaking fatality and another leaving a resident with life-altering injuries. These incidents have shaken our city and serve as a sobering reminder that pedestrian safety is not an abstract policy discussion; it is about our neighbors, our families, and the simple act of moving through our community safely.
Tragically, Midvale is not alone in facing pedestrian safety challenges. In recent months, there have been fatal and near-fatal pedestrian accidents in nearby communities, including Salt Lake City, Millcreek, West Valley City, and Sandy. These incidents underscore a regional concern: our roadways must safely accommodate everyone, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Crosswalk safety is fundamental to that goal. Crosswalks exist to create predictable, protected spaces for people to cross busy streets. For motorists, that means slowing down, remaining vigilant, and yielding to pedestrians as required by law. For pedestrians, it means
Salt Lake County Animal Services
crossing at designated locations, obeying safety signals, and making themselves as visible as possible.
However, we must also acknowledge a di cult truth: even when a pedestrian has the right of way and a walk signal, they remain physically vulnerable. In any collision between a person and a vehicle, the pedestrian will always lose. That is why situational awareness is critical. As pedestrians, we need to remain alert to our surroundings, even in a marked crosswalk. Look left, right, and left again. Make eye contact with approaching drivers to ensure they see you. Do not assume that because you have the legal right of way, you are seen.
Distraction is one of the greatest risks we face. We must put down our phones and eliminate other distractions not only when we are behind the wheel but also when we are crossing major streets and intersections. A few seconds of diverted attention can have irreversible consequences. Drivers should approach intersections and crosswalks with heightened awareness, scanning for pedestrians and anticipating movement.
As a city, we will continue working to improve infrastructure, evaluate tra c patterns, and prioritize safety enhancements. But infrastructure alone cannot solve this challenge. It requires a shared commitment to attentiveness, courtesy, and care for each other.
On behalf of Midvale City, I want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the two pedestrians recently struck in our community. Letās honor them by recognizing that safety on our streets is a shared responsibility. Whether weāre behind the wheel or on foot, each of us must commit to vigilance, patience, and care every time we approach a crosswalk, enter an intersection, or travel through our community.
March Brings New Beginnings
Spring is almost here, and at the shelter, you can feel it in the air! Longer days, warmer weather, and a little extra sunshine mean fresh
starts ā for our team, our volunteers, and especially the animals waiting for their forever homes.
This time of year is busy. More dogs and cats are coming in, which means more hands are needed to help with care, enrichment, and socialization. Thatās where our amazing volunteers and foster families make all the di erence. Even small moments ā a walk, a play session, a tasty treat, or a cozy foster bed ā can brighten an animalās day in a big way.
Want to help make new beginnings possible? Hereās how:
Foster a pet: fosters@saltlakecounty.gov
Volunteer at the shelter: animalvolunteer@saltlakecounty.gov
Every bit of help matters. By fostering, volunteering, donating, or simply sharing our posts, youāre giving animals a chance to thrive and nd the loving homes they deserve. Thank you for being part of our community and helping create new beginnings ā one paw at a time.
In The Middle of Everything
Midvale City Budget 101: Your Guide to the City Budget Process
Itās budget season! New year, new goals. Are you making plans for the year? So is Midvale City! Except our ( nancial) year doesnāt o cially start until July (called a scal year), so the city starts planning ahead.
Where does the money go?
Midvale City has over 36,000 residents to protect and serve. Our budget pays for:
ā¢ Police
ā¢ Clean Water
ā¢ Sewer and Stormwater
ā¢ Roads and Sidewalks
ā¢ Parks
ā¢ Government Operations
ā¢ Sanitation and Streetlighting
ā¢ Programs and Services
ā¢ Animal Services
ā¢ Events
ā¢ And much more
Wise Choices
Just like your familyās budget, Midvale City has to make careful choices. We focus on the most urgent projects rst. Some things are out of our control, but our main goal is always to take great care of our community.
Who Works on the Budget
ā¢ City Council
ā¢ Mayor
ā¢ City Manager
ā¢ Department Heads and Managers
ā¢ Finance Department
TIMELINE
January and February
The City Manager and people in charge of every department (such as Parks and Finance) sit down to talk. They look at how much money is coming into the City and from where. They look at what the City needs to provide for the residents for the next year.
March
The Mayor and City Council review the budget and help decide what is most important for the next year. This is when the rough draft, called a ātentative budgetā is posted online and discussed in City Council meetings.
May and June
The City Council makes nal decisions about the budget. Unless they plan to make a change to property taxes, they must nish and āadoptā the nal budget by June 30.
Ongoing Updates
Expect the unexpected. The City makes changes, o cially called āamendmentsā, during the year, because the City canāt always predict the future. Each amendment is publicly announced and brought to City Council meetings with time for public comment.
Your Voice Matters
Communication and trust between government and residents is very important for a healthy city. The City values what you have to say. Please contact your council member to be involved in the budget process.
ā¢ The City Council starts talking about the budget in public meetings in March. This is the best time to come to meetings and share your thoughts and ideas.
ā¢ Before the budget is made o cial, also known as adopted, there is a public hearing. You can nd the plans online 10 days before the hearing so you can read them rst. The City will also advertise the meeting 7 days before it happens. This is another great time for you to participate.
Artists Wanted for Midvale Main Art House
The Redevelopment Agency of Midvale City (RDA) is inviting talented and community-focused artists to join the waiting list for the Midvale Main Art House, a vibrant creative hub on Midvale Main Street. This unique space o ers artists the opportunity to rent studio space, collaborate with peers, and share their work with the public through a shared gallery and art shop.
Located in the Midvale Main Arts and Culture, the Midvale Main Art House spans approximately 4,791 square feet, providing each artist with a dedicated 8āx8ā studio area. The space comes equipped with security, electricity, internet, onsite restrooms, and cleaning services, with studio access available 24/7. Rent is $200 per month with a minimum six-month commitment. Artists are asked to spend at least 15 hours per week in the studio, including one weekend day per month, and participate in three community-oriented events during their term.
āOur goal is to create a dynamic, welcoming environment where artists can thrive and the community can engage directly with the creative process,ā said Kate Andrus, RDA Director. āJoining the Midvale Main Art House waiting list is the rst step toward being part of this collaborative and inspiring space.ā
The Art House Selection Committee oversees governance of the space, including policies, artist selection, scheduling, and curation of artwork for public display. The committee ensures that the Art House remains vibrant, accessible, and aligned with both artist schedules and public visitation.
Art House Open Hours: TuesdayāSaturday, 11 a.m.ā9 p.m.
Artists interested in being part of this exciting initiative are encouraged to join the waiting list today. Space is limited, and the RDA is seeking artists eager to engage with the community and contribute to a ourishing creative environment.
Learn more at EngageMidvale.com/Art-House.
MARCH 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER
MIDVALE. UTAH. GOV
Midvale Art House: Classes, Events, & Local Art
āThe Art House is here to build inclusive creative spaces where art becomes a tool for connection, healing, belonging, and inviting people of all backgrounds to create and not consume.ā ā J.J. Riggs, founder of the Creative Rebellion and resident artist at the Midvale Main Art House.
The Midvale Main Art House supports ve local artists who share their skills, stories, and passion with the community. Each artist has their own expertise and value to bring to the city and community.
NETWORK
EVENTS
Join in for free at open house events! The artists host events with activities like free art projects, live music, silent auctions, fortune-telling, and time with the artists.
The Art House is also open during Midvale Main Street events. Drop by for special activities!
CLASSES
āArt is really about the journey. Itās about showing up, having the courage to be vulnerable and go on this journey without any expectations.ā ā Riggs
There is a class for everyone! You are invited to enjoy creativity without judgment or boundaries.
Class o erings change regularly. Keep your eye on the website to see what classes are coming next. Classes that have been o ered in the past are: Pysanky egg art, Basquiat lessons, āAnything But a Brushā painting, collage art, and more.
ā¢ Class size: 8 ā 12 people
ā¢ Cost per class: Starting at $25
ā¢ Sign up online: TheCreativeRebellion.org/book-a-class
ART FOR SALE
āWe all do very di erent art. It comes from our heart. Something here is going to appeal to everyone.ā ā Riggs
Come see original art. You can nd original canvas art, prints, Pysanky eggs, handmade wood utensils, stickers, upcycled clothing, and more. There is something for every wallet size, from $5 and up.
Artist J.J. Riggs started Creative Rebellion, a network where artists and businesses connect and grow together.
As part of the Rebellion, the resident artists o er their time and expertise as mentors and connect with other aspiring artists, from their rst sketches to their latest masterpieces. Drop in, or schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss your needs, your hopes and your future.
Their next step is an online database to help businesses and creators nd each other. This software makes it easy for people to hire artists like dancers, musicians, and painters. It is a work in progress, so watch for it to launch soon.
THE ARTISTS IN THE MIDVALE MAIN ART HOUSE
Abel the Artist ā abeltheartist.com | @abeltheartist
Abel is known for his gurative and still life work that spans painting and sculpture art. A longtime contributor to Midvaleās arts scene, he serves on the Midvale Arts Council and the cityās Mural Selection Committee, bringing both artistic rigor and civic perspective to the Art House.
Adrianne Freeman ā @adriannefreeman
Freeman is a multidisciplinary artist working across drawing, collage, photography, and traditional Pysanky egg art. She plays a central role at the Art House as a teaching artist and event lead, helping design and host classes and community gatherings that make art approachable for artists of all experience levels.
Riggs is a multidisciplinary artist whose work centers on emotionally resonant portraiture. Working primarily in oil, her paintings explore identity, vulnerability, and human connection. She is the founder of The Creative Rebellion and serves on the Midvale Redevelopment Public Art Board, where she advocates for accessible, community-centered art.
Shantelle Sommers ā @Tellikinesis
Sommers is a visual artist utilizing upcycled textiles, wearable art, and acrylic paintings. At the Art House, she supports the creative ecosystem through teaching, event execution, and community outreach, helping connect artists and is considered āthe glueā of The Art House artists.
