G O OD NE IG HBOR
NEWS
MAY 2022
Paid for by the City of West Jordan
M AYO R ’S M E S S AG E
Garbage Day Changes for SOME Residents this Month
On Wednesday, May 11, I will share my proposed budget for the City’s 202223 fiscal year with the City Council and residents. It will be publicly available for review on the City’s website at www.westjordan.utah.gov/financedepartment/city-budget. Growth throughout the city has driven our population up. The U.S. Census shows that West Jordan is now the third largest city in the State of Utah. I am thrilled that so many people are choosing to build homes, families, and careers in our city. Many assume that an increase in the number of homes is a financial boon for the city. However, West Jordan receives only a small fraction of your property taxes. Most of your tax dollars go to the school district and county. The property tax revenue we receive doesn’t meet the demand on services, particularly public safety. Despite the challenges, we will continue a fiscally conservative path. Minor increases will be dedicated to the following initiatives: • Further stabilizing the budget, in front of evolving changes in local and national economies. • Maintaining critical infrastructure and improving community spaces, including continued development of regional and neighborhood parks. • Continuing to develop customer service and operational efficiencies, utilizing best practices and investments in technology • Retaining a professional and qualified workforce by remaining competitive with the marketplace. I am incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished, given the challenges that have occurred in my short time as mayor. We’ve made vast improvements to the city’s financial outlook, sought and received millions of dollars in outside funding to offset costs, rolled back planned fee increases to residents and vastly improved administrative efficiencies. The future of West Jordan is bright! Sincerely,
Mayor Dirk Burton
WestJordanJournal .com
On May 2nd, garbage day changed for SOME West Jordan Residents. West Jordan has experienced rapid growth over the last several years, causing uneven garbage pick-up distribution days. Pick-up day shifted for some neighborhoods to help even out the number of dumpsters picked up every weekday. You can find more information on our website: westjordan.utah.gov/garbage-day.
West Jordan Activity Guide Coming to your Mailbox soon! We are finishing up the final touches on our 2022 Summer Activity Guide. The guide will be sent to all West Jordan residents and will contain information about all the upcoming summer events in the city. It will feature monthly calendars with activities, council meetings, public meetings, and information about the city. We’re excited to get this information out to our residents and look forward to seeing you at all our city events!
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GOOD NEIGHBOR NEWS: WEST JORDAN NEWSLETTER
PAID FOR BY THE CITY OF WEST JORDAN
Mrs. West Jordan Helps Local Families “Walking around in heels and pretty dresses is great, but really, I’ve gained a greater understanding of what our community is facing… especially the community of West Jordan.” Kimberly Frandsen was crowned Mrs. West Jordan earlier this year and she’s using her new title to spread awareness about a topic near and dear to her heart, postpartum depression. “Sometimes when you become a momma you get lost in a whirlwind of diapers, burping, and late-night feedings. You start to lose a bit of yourself,” explained Frandsen. “What really sparked my interest in the Mrs. Utah Pageant was claiming a part of myself again and with that I also
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discovered a community in which women needed resources.” Frandsen herself has experienced postpartum depression. She is one of more than 3 million women in the U.S. who report feeling mood swings, anxiety, and depression following the birth of their baby. “You can be happy one minute and sad the next. My husband didn’t quite know how to help me, and neither of us knew where to turn,” said Frandsen. “That’s when we discovered that there needs to be more awareness regarding resources that are available to women and men, and families.” In Frandsen’s search to find help for herself, she’s found a way to help others. She now offers free wellness kits that come equipped with resources to help those battling postpartum depression. “Check in on yourself,” Frandsen said. “There have been so many women who have shared their own stories of postpartum depression who have really opened up and shared with me what they’ve gone through. It’s OK to say you’re struggling. Let’s start the conversation surrounding mental health.” If you’d like to learn more about local resources or receive a free wellness kit, email Frandsen at kimfrandsen123@gmail.com
West Jordan City Journal
GOOD NEIGHBOR NEWS: WEST JORDAN NEWSLETTER
PAID FOR BY THE CITY OF WEST JORDAN
Wildfires: Here to stay
COUNCIL CORNER
A MESSAGE FROM WEST JORDAN’S EMERGENCY MANAGER
As the weather warms up, many Utahns will take to the mountains and deserts for night skies, outdoor fun, relaxation, and campfires. May is national Wildfire Awareness month. Unfortunately, wildland fires are all too common these days, and are no longer defined as a season. Two summers ago, I was heading south to White Mountain for an archery hunt. As my hunting buddy and I got close, we could see a lot of smoke. Turned out, our hunt spot was engulfed by the Cowboy Fire (August 2020). Not much hunting got done as we sat on a ridgeline watching trees go up like torches. Sitting there, my thoughts turned to what would I have done if I had to evacuate because of the fire. What steps would I have taken? Evacuation routes? What gear, etc.? As you head out, think about the potential for wildfire in your favorite camping area. If you’re allowed to have a fire, make sure you have a rake, shovel, and five-gallon bucket of water at the fire pit. Also, pre-planning can be valuable. Here are some ideas to help prepare before heading out: 1. If you will have cell service/wifi, make sure you have ways to received alerts. Download the FEMA application to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service. 2. Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which requires no sign up. 3. Take along a NOAA radio. 4. Pay attention to air quality alerts. 5. Make sure everyone in your household knows and understands what to do if you need to evacuate the area. 6. Have digital and paper maps of the area and plan multiple evacuation routes with “what ifs”. 7. Plan several locations where to meet if separated. 8. Consider resources you might need in a wildfire event. Get outdoors, enjoy the wild, and come home safe. For more information on emergency preparedness, call Jeff Mulcahy, City of West Jordan Emergency Manager, 801-834-8502 or jeff.mulcahy@westjordan.utah.gov.
The month if May is wildfire awareness month. Wildfires can be caused by lightning, human carelessness, or arson. “Approximately 99-percent of Utah is in a severe drought condition, which means many water conservancy districts have enacted restrictions on water use,” said Council Member Pamela Bloom. “Putting out wildfires can take valuable water from Utah’s local reservoirs.” For example, suppressing three major fires in Washington County during Summer 2020 drew approximately 765,000 gallons of water from local reservoirs. Preventing wildfires is a surefire way to help conserve water. Here’s what you can do to help. 1. If you start a pit fire, make sure there are no glowing embers, and that the pit fire area is cold to the touch before you leave. 2. Don’t start fires in high winds or areas with lots of dry brush. 3. Abide by local firework ordinances and maps. 4. If you light fireworks, be sure to have water handy, including a hose or bucket of water. 5. Keep vehicles off dry grass, hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires. “Following firework restrictions is essential in reducing fire risk,” said Council Member Kayleen Whitelock. “Restrictions are placed in areas where it is difficult for the fire department to fight a fire—often due to geography, dry vegetation, or water availability.” By keeping fireworks in designated areas, residents help ease the burden of the fire department by greatly reducing the chance of starting a fire. You can find the finalized firework restrictions recommended by the Fire Marshall and approved by the Council on the City website.
COPPE R HILLS BASEBALL
WestJordanJournal .com
It takes a village – that’s not only true when talking about raising the next generation. It also applies to maintaining a community. The Baseball fields at Veterans Memorial Park have remained nearly unused due to the West Jordan Pony league closing. Cue the West Jordan Copper Hills Baseball League. The league currently has limited space available because of growing popularity. While this is great news for the team, it can make it difficult for them to find a place to play. Starting this year, the CH Baseball league is expanding to use the baseball fields at Veterans Memorial Park, giving players on the east side of the city a field a bit closer to home. “We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to baseball and the community,” said Logan Jensen, a senior at West Jordan High School. “And we look forward to helping each year.” The league currently held a joint service project between the West Jordan High School baseball team and the West Jordan Smith and Edwards store. Around 40 high school baseball players and Smith and Edwards employees cleaned, weeded, repaired, and painted the fields at Veterans memorial Park to get them ready for the season. May 2022 | Page 17
GOOD NEIGHBOR NEWS: WEST JORDAN NEWSLETTER
PAID FOR BY THE CITY OF WEST JORDAN
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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PLANNING COMMISSION
E-WASTE & SHRED EVENT
BLOOD DRIVE
View the agenda at westjordan.utah.gov or watch at: bit.ly/WestJordan
West Jordan Public Works 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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WJPD – ABLE Training
Pioneer Hall 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING
WJ FIRE DEPARTMENT OPEN HOUSE
WJ CONCERT BAND: SPRING SHOWCASE
View the agenda at westjordan.utah.gov or watch at: bit.ly/WestJordan 7 – 10:30 p.m.
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Station 53 5 – 8 p.m.
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Viridian Event Center 7 p.m.
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ADULT NIGHT OUT SCAVENGER HUNT
PLANNING COMMISSION
TheCountyLibrary.org/ AdultNightOut
View the agenda at westjordan.utah.gov or watch at: bit.ly/WestJordan
WEST JORDAN SYMPHONY’S SPRING CONCERT Viridian Event Center 7 p.m.
West Jordan Police Officers are receiving first of its kind training in the state of Utah. The “Active Bystander for Law Enforcement”, or “ABLE” Project, is a national program that prepares officers to successfully intervene to prevent their fellow officers from causing harm or making costly mistakes. The project not only teaches why peer intervention is important but also how to intervene successfully. It is especially valuable when use of force and/or physical arrests are involved. To access the training an agency must be “certified” by ABLE. Certification is accomplished through letters of support from the city leaders as well as from community groups. It also requires a commitment, from the agency, that they will accept, and abide by, ten program standards. ABLE goes hand-in-hand with “Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset” training that employees have already received, and it is consistent with one of the department’s core beliefs that “You matter like I matter.” These programs, along with the professionalism and excellent work of our officers and employees, are helping build trust and positive relationships with the good citizens of the City of West Jordan.
6 – 9 p.m.
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MEMORIAL DAY CAR SHOW & TRIBUTE
FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUP
View the agenda at westjordan.utah.gov or watch at: bit.ly/WestJordan
Veterans Memorial Park 12 p.m.
Ron Wood Park 5 – 8 p.m.
7 – 10:30 p.m.
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The City of West Jordan 8000 S. Redwood Rd., West Jordan, UT 84088 Join the conversation! (801) 569-5100 West Jordan – City Hall www.wjordan.com ay
2022
West Jordan Police Dept. 8040 S. Redwood Rd. West Jordan, Utah 84088 801-256-2000 801-840-4000 Dispatch
West Jordan City Journal