City of Taylorsville Newsletter 2600 West Taylorsville Boulevard • 801-963-5400
MAYOR'S MESSAGE Dear Friends and Neighbors, It’s finally here. The beautiful new Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center, right next to City Hall, is now open and it exceeds our greatest expectations. I had the chance to participate in a Ribbon Cutting with other elected officials and representatives of Salt Lake County this past Mayor Kristie S. Overson month and have peeked in on it over time to see how construction has been progressing. We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful facility in our community, right at its center, in combination with Centennial Plaza that is now under construction. The plaza, which will tie the Arts Center and City Hall into one community-centric space, will be a wonderful gathering place for all to enjoy with its walkways, landscaping and public art, a kitchen, stage, restrooms, green space and arbors, and waterwall signage. The campus is particularly lovely at night. I marveled at its beauty during a test performance, also held this past month, that featured performers from our own Arts Council. What a magnificent job they did. The Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center includes two performance spaces — the Main Stage Theatre with 400 seats and Studio 5400 with 200 seats — and the Centennial Room, a rehearsal and event space. Visual art also plays an important role with two prominent public art features and an art gallery in the lobby. The venue is the culmination of years of study, planning, design and finally construction. Salt Lake County’s Arts & Culture Division will operate the Arts Center, along with its other performance venues including Abravanel Hall, Capitol Theatre, Eccles Theater, and the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Event booking is handled through ArtTix. We are fortunate to be a partner in this remarkable endeavor, after our proposal for a regional performing arts facility was selected in 2014 from among those submitted by municipalities in the mid-valley area. For our part, the City of Taylorsville is making a financial contribution toward the venue and has provided the land through a long-term ground lease. It will be a home for both large and small local-arts productions as well as national and regional shows. We have long anticipated rolling out the red carpet and welcoming everyone to our city, so be sure to take in a show. I’ll see you there! –Mayor Kristie S. Overson
WHAT’S INSIDE – JUNE 2021 Frequently Called Numbers, Page 2 Council Corner, Page 3 TVPD Update, Page 6 Heritage Remembrances, Page 7 Environment, Page 8
www.taylorsvilleut.gov
June 2021 Taylorsville Dayzz Birthday Bash is This Month
Taylorsville Dayzz is set for June 24, 25 and 26! This year's celebration will be a Birthday Bash to celebrate Taylorsville's 25th Anniversary. It will be a full Taylorsville Dayzz, complete with parade, petting zoo, carnival rides, food booths, concerts and more. “There is so much to celebrate this year,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “After the challenges we’ve weathered over the past year, we’re ready to get together as friends and neighbors and have some fun. We hope everyone will join us for the party.” It’s a Birthday Bash in commemoration of the city’s incorporation on July 1, 1996 — a quarter of a century ago and 100 years after Utah became a state. To celebrate, the Utah symphony will perform on June 24 at 7 p.m., followed by a Movie in the Park, “The Croods: A New Age.” Fireworks are that Friday and Saturday, and plan on carnival rides and headliner entertainment all three nights, as well as the 5K race, Kids Fun Run and parade Saturday morning. See the full schedule and list of headliners on Pages 4 and 5 of this section. You can also read more about the 5K on Page 3. As in past years, festivities will take place at Valley Regional Park, 5135 S. 2700 West. “We look forward to reconnecting as a community and celebrating our 25th birthday together,” said Taylorsville Dayzz Committee Chair Jim Dunnigan. “You won’t want to miss it!”
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Police Department
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City of Taylorsville Newsletter Youth Council Seniors Recognized for Service, Leadership The four graduating seniors who have served on the 2020-21 Youth Council were honored by Mayor Kristie Overson and the City Council at their meeting on May 19. “We extend our congratulations and sincere thanks,” Mayor Overson said. “They are incredible youth leaders who have contributed so much to our community.” They are:
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Taylorsville Code Enforcement
EVENTS JUNE 2021 June 2 & 16 – 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting @ City Hall and online. Watch a live-stream of the meeting on the city’s website, www.taylorsvilleut.gov
June 8 – 7 p.m. & June 22 – 6 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall.
June 14 – all day Flag Day.
June 19 – 8 a.m. to noon
Annual Earth Day Collection @ Taylorsville High School, northwest parking lot. Please enter from 5400 South. See Page 8.
June 19 – 7 p.m.
A Night of Rock — Movies in the Park and live music by De Novo @ Taylorsville City Hall west lawn. Movie is School of Rock. See Page 6.
June 24, 25 & 26
Taylorsville Dayzz @ Valley Regional Park. It’s a Birthday Bash! See Pages 4 and 5 of this section for a full schedule of events. Find our calendar of events every month on the city’s website, where you can also submit your own events for possible publication. Go to www.taylorsvilleut.gov
Ryan Buhler — Ryan loves to run and play soccer. He has been playing competitive soccer for about 11 years. He was the cross-country captain during the fall, and his team came in 8th place overall in the region. He counts among his proudest accomplishments the opportunity to run cross country with his team at state this year. He also took seven AP classes, which he all enjoyed, and participated in student government at Taylorsville High with two of his friends. He will be leaving in August to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Panama City. After he returns, Ryan will go to Southern Utah University for a couple of years to get his associate’s degree and to finish up pre-medical school. He will then attend the University of Utah to study radiology. Merryim Loose — Merryim is currently serving as the school’s Dance Company Senior Director, and is the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Taylorsville Chapter Activities Chair. She is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, National Society of High School Scholars, Taylorsville Youth Council, Allstate Dance Company, Taylorsville High School Dance Company, Taylorsville debate team, and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). Merryim has also accumulated 300-plus hours of community service. She has been recognized with areas of distinction in English, citizenship, dance, FACS and world language. She has also been named an Outstanding Senior from Taylorsville High, as well as the Outstanding Senior Dancer by the State of Utah Dance Department, and is the first student to letter in dance at Taylorsville High in more than nine years. After graduating, Merryim will be attending Snow College with a Scholarship of Achievement and will be a member of the Snow Dance Ensemble. Savannah Medico — Savannah has received academic scholarships from Southern Utah University, Utah State University, SLCC, and Dixie State University. She also received the Regents Scholarship, a scholarship from Chick-fil-A, and continues to apply for scholarships as they become available. She has received letter awards for academics, orchestra, choir, track, cross country, and FACS. Savannah has served on the Youth Council for two years and is currently serving as a Youth Ambassador. She plans to work through the summer at Chick-fil-A in Taylorsville, and then leave to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the fall. When she returns, she will continue to work at Chick fil-A during the summer of 2023. That fall, she will move to Cedar City to attend SUU. She has not made a final decision on what her major will be but Savannah is interested in psychology and sports therapy, as well as travel and hostess education. Madeline VanWagenen — One of Maddie’s proudest achievements is earning her karate black belt in August 2014. She has served on the Taylorsville City Youth Council for all four years of high school, this year serving as the Youth Mayor and a Youth Ambassador. Academically, Maddie has kept a 4.0-grade point average since the seventh grade. This year, she received several honors from Taylorsville High School, including areas of distinction in five categories: mathematics, English, world languages, citizenship and academics. She is a scholastic honoree and will be graduating with the state seal of biliteracy in Spanish. In the fall, Maddie will attend the University of Utah, majoring in political science with an emphasis in international politics and minoring in Spanish. She received the Presidential Scholarship, and hopes to one day become a foreign service officer and work as a diplomat for the United States.
June 2021
COUNCIL CORNER
2600 West Taylorsville Boulevard • 801-963-5400 |
Taylorsville Celebrates 25th Birthday and Many Changes
By Council Member Curt Cochran Happy Birthday, Taylorsville! As you have probably heard, July 1 marks Taylorsville’s 25th year as a city. While it is still a couple weeks away, Taylorsville Dayzz (June 24-26) will be right in front of the official date and will be loaded with birthday celebrations. I am a big fan of history so I thought it would be fun to take a quick look back at where Taylorsville was in 1996 when we became a city. According to Wikipedia, in the 1980s, development of the regional retail center at the intersection at Redwood Road and 5400 South began, including Harmons, a Grand Central, Walmart, Shopko, HomeBase and the Family Center. Taylorsville, Bennion and Kearns continued rapid growth into the early 1990s. Some people felt that the Salt Lake County Commission, which governed the area, was allowing too much growth too fast, especially apartment complexes. The first petitions/votes to become a city failed by a narrow margin. In 1995, voters approved the creation of a new city due in part to perceived rising costs of county services, law enforcement, lack of development, and the seemingly unlimited apartment developments. Many Kearns residents were upset when Taylorsville's proposed boundary extended its western border to 4000 West, which was considered by residents in that area to be part of Kearns. But residents there approved Taylorsville's incorporation by a significant margin, (as they were given large tax breaks) and that is where the border remains.
After incorporation, there was a lively discussion about what the new city should be called; Midvalley City, Oquirrh City, Centennial, and Taylorsville-Bennion were all discussed. Eventually, Taylorsville was chosen, named after John Taylor, a former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Taylorsville's nickname is “Utah’s Centennial City” because it officially came into existence 100 years after Utah became a state.
FUN FACTS I FOUND FROM 1996: • President Bill Clinton, with Al Gore as Vice President • Utah population 2.02 million. Taylorsville population 53,000 estimated. • Average cost of a new home $118,200 • Median Household income $35,492 • Cost of a gallon of gas $1.22 • Minimum hourly wage $5.15 • Popular Toys – Anything Toy Story, Nintendo 64 launched, Sega Genesis • Technology – DVDs launched; Windows NT launched; Internet Explorer NT was the latest operating system, and first mammal (Dolly the sheep) was successfully cloned. • Popular music – Spice Girls, Mariah Carey, Blur, Snoop Dogg, Madonna, Metallica, 2Pac • Popular movies – Independence Day, Twister, Mission: Impossible, Jerry Maquire, The Rock, The English Patient • Popular TV shows – Ally McBeal, The X-Files, Friends, Will and Grace, the Fresh Prince of Bel Aire
5K & Kids Run Promises Fun for Everyone The Taylorsville Dayzz 5K and Kids Run is set for Saturday, June 26, at Valley Regional Park. The 5K begins at 7 a.m. and the kids’ race begins at 7:45 a.m. The annual event promises excitement for the whole family, with chip timing, swag bags and cool locally designed T-shirts and medals (T-shirts and medals included only if signed up by June 13 at midnight). Don't forget our fun finish line with prize money for top finishers, raffles, music and tasty treats. This race is a great way to get out, get active, connect to your community and start off your day of Taylorsville Dayzz activities. For more information and to sign up, go to: www.taylorsvilleut.gov. Also, see the full Taylorsville Dayzz schedule of events on Pages 4 and 5 of this section. Please note the new location for the 5K packet pick-up: • Thursday, June 24 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., in front of Taylorsville City Hall by the flag poles. • Friday, June 25 from noon-3 p.m., in front of Taylorsville City Hall by the flag poles. We hope to see you there!
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LEFT TO RIGHT: Dan Armstrong (District 5), Curt Cochran, Chair (District 2), Meredith Harker (District 4), Anna Barbieri, Vice Chair (District 3), and Ernest Burgess (District 1)
• Sports – Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl; New York Yankees won the World Series, and Chicago Bulls won the NBA Championship. Utah Jazz won the Western Conference championship but lost the conference finals to Seattle. Ella Baker, an American Civil Rights activist, said, “In order to see where we are going, we not only must remember where we have been, but we must understand where we have been.” My wife and I settled in Taylorsville in 1990. She grew up in Taylorsville. While it is fun and important to remember, change is inevitable. Writer Robin Sharma said, “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.” And that’s a good thing to keep in mind as Taylorsville changes over the next 25 years.
Taylorsville Student is One of Seven Recognized Nationally Bennion Jr. High seventh-grader Joshua Johnson of Taylorsville received the Outstanding Interpretation Award in the National PTA’s Reflections program. Each year, more than 300,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade participate in the Reflections program, and just six other students nationwide along with Joshua received the top award this year. Joshua read his winning poem, titled “The Voice in My Head,” at the Taylorsville City Council meeting on May 5. You can read his poem and watch his reading of it on the city’s website, www. taylorsvilleut.gov The Reflections program provides a venue for students to submit visual, performing and literary art based on a national theme. The student art program's 2020-21 theme was "I Matter Because ..." In addition to Outstanding Interpretation Award winners, more than 200 students have been recognized with Awards of Excellence and Merit. The Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients will each receive an $800 scholarship and their local PTA will be awarded $200. All national award recipients also receive a medallion and certificate and will be honored during the 2021 National PTA Virtual Convention & Expo.
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City of Taylorsville Newsletter
| www.taylorsvilleut.gov
4-11 pm Carnival Bonus Night (10 rides for $10)
7 am
5K Race
7:45 am
Kids Fun Run
9 am
Parade
9:30 pm Movie 'The Croods: A New Age'
11 am
Entertainment, Food & Craft Booths, Carnival, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo
4-11 pm Carnival Rides
7:30 pm
Celine Dion & Neil Diamond tribute
8:30 pm
Skydivers
10 pm
Fireworks Extravaganza!!
11 pm
Carnival Closes
7 pm
6 pm
Utah Symphony 1812 Overture with Cannons nnons
Taylorsville Orchestra
7:30 pm Elvis & Johnny Cash 7: 10 pm
Expanded Fireworks!!
Don't miss the 5K Race at 7 am and Kids Fun Run at 7:45 am on Saturday, June 26. Register and find the route maps and other info at
www.taylorsvilledayzz.com
Jim Dunnigan 801-840-1800
June 2021
2600 West Taylorsville Boulevard • 801-963-5400 |
June 24, 25, 26 y, Symphon h a t U ! 7:00 pm Cannons h it w e r u t r k 1812 Ove in the Par ie v o M 9:30 pm ge' : A New A s d o o r C 'The
7:30 p m Joh nny C ash & Elvis – FREE!
7:30 pm Celine Dion & Neil Diamond tribute – FREE!
We need help with parking, stage, etc. Go to Taylorsvilledayzz.com and click on the volunteer link, or call Jim Dunnigan at 801-840-1800
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City of Taylorsville Newsletter
Taylorsville Resident Says Officer Helped Turn Her Life Around Four years ago, Evilia Cardenas of Taylorsville was high on drugs and facing arrest for driving a stolen truck with a stolen gun in it. It turned out to be one of the best days of her life. Cardenas says she had been running with gangs and doing drugs since she was a young girl. Her life was in turmoil and she knew she was at rock bottom. Then, Taylorsville Unified Police Department Officer Dan Christensen pulled her over that day in 2017. “He saved my life,” Cardenas says. “There’s no other explanation to it. Yes, I made the choice to change but had he not taken me to jail that day, I would still be getting high.” She ended up at the Utah State Prison, sentenced on felony-level charges. She took part in the prison’s Ex-Cell substance abuse treatment program and worked as a cook in the kitchen. After two years behind bars, she was released for good behavior. Now, she credits the interaction with Officer Christensen four years ago, as well as the support of her parole officer and those working in the Ex-Cell program, with turning her life around. To say thank you, Cardenas visited Officer Christensen on April 7 at the Taylorsville police precinct. She brought him a mug with a message, “You can’t fix stupid but you can detain it,” and a T-shirt with another notation, “Not all heroes wear capes, some wear badges.” Officer Christensen was surprised and touched by the gesture. He was working overtime on security detail at the Maverik Center when he was called into the precinct for the surprise visit with Cardenas. When asked if he remembered her, he said that her name didn’t ring a bell. “I’m like, ‘What did I do?” he said. “I don’t remember a lot of details” of her arrest at Atherton and 4700 South, he said. “I remember I stopped her and I remember the car was stolen.” But for Cardenas the incident was life changing. It put her on a better path and gave her a future. “The biggest thing for her is that she changed her whole set of friends and met a new group of people,” Officer Christensen said. “That experience with me she attributes as a change catalyst but at the end of the day, I had nothing to do with it. She is making the change.” Cardenas is now working at an auto parts distribution center where she manages a team of other employees. “I’m working my tail off,” she said. She’s also volunteering her time making hygiene kits, delivering food and engaging in community outreach for the homeless. “Now, I’m able to do positive things. It’s my turn to give back in a positive way,” she said. Officer Christensen noted that like his colleagues, he has received cards and snacks in recognition of the police work he has done but he has never received a thank you from someone he has taken to jail for felonies. “I’ve never had someone say, ‘You were the fire that caused me to change my life.’”
The Project Management Team Wraps Up, TVPD Ready to Launch Monthly updates on the formation of the Taylorsville City Police Department will be provided through July 2021. It is a pleasure to report that all personnel, necessary equipment, and fleet vehicles are in place with respect to the new police department launch of July 1. On June 14, the officers and detectives will begin their orientation, which will include a review of policies, protocols and other training activities related to standards, expectations and required certifications. The formal swearing-in ceremony is set for June 21. City staff members worked very hard to make this new department a reality – from multiple weekly coordination meetings, long hours (sometimes into the evenings), and behind the scenes ‘box checking’ to ensure nothing was left to chance. While the charter identified many of the elements essential for a successful transition, there were many finite action items that consumed much of a given day. Please visit the city’s website at www.taylorsvilleut.gov/services/tvpd/new-department-timeline for some of the details. At this time, an after-action report is being compiled by the transition team for the city administration and Council. This report will contain the lessons learned over the course of the past year and highlight remaining items to be addressed in the coming months and years ahead – serving as both a historical reference document, as well as a blueprint for continued best practices within law enforcement. Once again, we express gratitude to all who have labored with distinction in this transition process. Our appreciation to all our officers, past and present, who have and will now continue to serve – putting the needs of the community ahead of their own.
ROCK
Sponsored by the Parks & Rec Committee
June 2021
Taylorsville Bennion Heritage REMEMBRANCES
Have you ever thought about the Taylorsville Bennion Improvement District and how it all began? Stan Blake’s work offers some insight on its beginnings. Blake was charged with the preservation and restoration of a piece of an old water line found at 4800 South in Taylorsville on property owned by Don Frame. Blake works well with his hands, and restored this antique water line. He brought it back to the Taylorsville Bennion Heritage Museum. Deluxe and professional in appearance, the line also includes a plaque with the following inscription: “A group of men drilled a big well on top of Bennion Hill (now known as the Redwood Memorial Cemetery). They wanted to get pressure and water flow down the hill using a wooden pipeline which was made out of Redwood. The pipe was wrapped with steel cords. This pipeline ran down to Redwood Road where it split in two lines, one running north, and the other running south. These lines ran into two underground cement tanks that had hand pumps on the top. The North Line ran to Bennion 64 District School, and the South Line ran to the West Jordan Bell Tower Elementary School. This West Side Water System, eventually served Bennion, Taylorsville, and a large part of West Jordan. In 1965, because of poor management, it was dissolved by West Jordan, and then the West Side Water District became the Taylorsville Bennion Improvement District.” This section of one of the old water lines now resides in the Taylorsville Bennion Heritage Museum, thanks to Blake’s hard work. In the accompanying picture, Blake is pointing on a map at the museum to the location of the West Side Water System (WSWS). Larry Brown, who as a youth worked on his stomach to fix the broken wooden pipe, was the son of Cloyd Brown. The elder Brown was called as the Superintendent of the West Side Water System. Rell Swensen was also on the board of the WSWS, and T. John Labrum served as president for a time, as well. Today, the Taylorsville Bennion Improvement District (TBID) serves its residents through 11 wells, and contracts with the county wholesaler, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, for additional water needs. TBID currently maintains 189 miles of sewer lines and 229 miles of water lines.
2600 West Taylorsville Boulevard • 801-963-5400 |
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TAYLORSVILLE SENIOR CENTER 4743 S. Plymouth View Drive
Taylorsville Senior Center to Hold In-Person Activities You may have heard the good news! Salt Lake County Senior Centers have reopened as of April 19. Taylorsville Senior Center, 4743 S. Plymouth View Drive, is transitioning to having in-person activities. Pre-registration is required for all in-person activities and a mask is required to enter the building. The drive-thru lunches are being served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and these meals are first come, first serve. In-person dining is held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and requires a reservation. Please call 385-468-3370 to register for a class and/or make a lunch reservation. All activities are subject to adjustments as regulations change. Please follow the Senior Center on Facebook and sign up for their email blast to receive current updates: www. slco.org/taylorsville-senior-center
Don’t Miss These Library Events The Taylorsville Library has planned several programs during the month of May. You’ll want to mark your calendar for these events: Summer Reading Challenge | Tails & Tales Tuesday, June 1 to Saturday, July 31 Tails and tales keeps you and your furry, fishy and feathered friends entertained this summer as you read, create, learn, play and connect your way to prizes and discounted activities. You can participate in the Summer Reading Challenge one of two ways: Pick up a reading record in person at a branch, or register online. Visit the library’s website for more details: thecountylibrary.org/summer
Virtual Adult Lecture | Dinosaurs of Utah Tuesday, June 15, 7 p.m. You must register for this event to receive the link to the WebEx Virtual Lecture. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/hsp3479j James Kirkland, State Paleontologist of Utah, will highlight his discoveries, including the Utahraptor. He has discovered, named and described numerous dinosaurs and other species. Digital Activities Online activities are available for you to do at any time. Challenge yourself with digital escape rooms, STEM activities, and arts and crafts tutorials for kids, teens and adults. http://thecountylibrary.org/events/digital-activities Spotify The County Library has Spotify. Follow the library’s page for fun playlists. https://tinyurl.com/3j8vvcpk
ANNUAL COLLECTION DAY PAGE 8
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City of Taylorsville Newsletter
ANNUAL COLLECTION DAY
Gain Water Insights with Consumer Confidence Report
The purpose of the Consumer Confidence Report is to provide you with information on the quality of your drinking water. In addition to water quality the report also gives information on conservation resources, potential contamination sources, and where your water comes from. Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District distributes culinary water that meets all federal and state quality requirements. The report can be found on the district’s website: https://tbid.org/ccr.html or you may contact TBID at 801-968-9081 and a copy will be mailed to your home. If you have any questions, please contact the Taylorsville-Bennion Improvement District office at 801-968-9081.
JUNE WFWRD UPDATES NO GREEN WASTE IN BLUE RECYCLE CAN
NEW MOBILE APPLICATION FOR WFWRD CUSTOMERS
Please remember that grass clippings and other organic and yard waste never go in the blue recycle can. If these materials get collected, it will contaminate the entire recycle load in the collection truck. If you have a lot of yard waste, consider a Green Waste can or a home composting program. More information about the WFWRD Green Waste Program can be found at https://wasatchfrontwaste.org/ green-waste-collection.
WFWRD has launched a free mobile app for its residents. It can be found by searching for “Wasatch Front Waste” on the Apple or Android app stores, and it is available in both English and Spanish. The app includes a “Recycle Right” lookup tool to find out if a material can be reused, recycled, composted or landfilled. It also provides a scheduling tool for residents to confirm their collection day, and it provides an option for customized reminders for pick-up days.
TRAILER RENTAL PROGRAM Spring is here, which means we think about spring cleaning. Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District has both bulk trailers and green waste trailers that you can rent to help with your household clean-up tasks. These trailers are reserved on a first-come, firstserved basis. Rental fees, and other details, are available on the WFWRD website at https:// wasatchfrontwaste.org/trailer-rental. You can also reserve your trailer online, or call the district to make your reservation. Sign up early to ensure you get the trailer on the date you need.