License renewals for 2009 have been completed

An updated version of the Washington Terrace Business Directory can be located at our Business Alliance website www.wtbaonline.org.

Community Christmas Concert

December 1st Bonneville High School hosted the Cities annual Community Christmas Concert. Over 250 people gathered to celebrate the season with signing, socializing, and great performances. The Community Choir, directed by Steve Miller, sang many festive songs and together with the Roosevelt Elementary Children’s Choir who also sang. The tradition of sing the “Twelve days of Christmas” was continued with the audience joining in. It was a fantastic time for all and very entertaining. Thank you to those that performed directed and organized the event. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and look forward to next year’s concert.

2008 RAMP Grant at Wright Park

In 2008 the City of Washington Terrace received a RAMP (Recreation Arts, Museum, and Parks) grant for approximately $33,000. As special thanks to the RAMP Board, the Washington Terrace Youth City Council and all who have worked on this project.

We are making great improvements in our community!

Fire Station Site Selection and Design Concepts

In January 2008 the city completed a study by Emergency Services Consulting Inc. (ESCi) addressing the City’s fire needs. In this study it was confirmed what the City has suspected since 1995, the City needs a new fire station facility. The reasons behind this are many including: the lack of opposite gender facilities and sleeping quarters, the lack of adequate space for our equipment and storage needs, increasing maintenance and rehabilitation costs. The original building was constructed in the 1940’s and is built of unreinforced masonry and does not meet current seismic standards. The time has come to replace this structure.

There are a few options that we have been contemplating including the reconstruction of a facility on the existing site and a mixed use facility located two blocks north of the current fire station at the existing Senior Center site. The mixed use facility seems to have more options that can benefit a larger portion of the community. This would increase the square footage to the Fire station by approximately 6,000 sq ft and rebuild the existing senior station that was also constructed in 1940’s with approximately the same space as they currently have. The proposed fire station will be a walk in basement with the Senior/Community Center on top of the fire station. This works using the natural slope of the site to gain the elevation for the facility.

We currently estimate an addition to the Senior Center and a new Fire station will cost approximately $1.6 million dollars with an additional $400,000 to restore the site were the existing station now stands. The renovated fire station site could include a splash pad (water playground), a skate park, and children’s playground. These are all concepts that were adopted as part of a 2000 Parks Master Plan and will facilitate the City to reuse the infrastructure and parking on the existing fire station site.

The City is also in the process of applying for grants to help fund this project. If all of the grants were approved the cost to the City would be about $1.1 million for all of the improvements $2 million value. The proposed budget is simply an estimation of what this type of project could cost the City. Any changes (increasing or reducing scope) will have implications on the type of costs the City could likely incur. Costs also will fluctuate based on the bids the City receives for this project.

Attached are a few conceptual drawings proposing a mixed use facility at the Senior/Community Center location and a possible site plan for the old fire station proposed park.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts or comments that you would like to incorporate into these conceptual plans.

Open House at the Fire Station

On Saturday November 8th from 2:00-5:00 pm the City will be hosting an open house at the Fire Station 4800 S. 300 West. The open house will include a tour of the station, an up close look at the fire engines, and preliminary drawings and concept plans for a replacement fire station and draft plans for a park at the current site.

Please contact Amy at 801-395-8283 with any questions.

Washington Terrace Football

The 2008 Wasatch Front Football League (WFFL) kicked off on July 28th as youth from Washington Terrace and Riverdale converged on the fields of T.H. Bell Junior High to start practice for the upcoming season.

Four strong teams wore the navy and gold in representing the Titans this season. The Jnr. Mites, mostly first year players and were coached by Val Shupe. The third year team, Junior Pee Wee, was coached by Dan Lopaz. The fourth year team, Pee Wee, was coached by Chad Wright. Our oldest team, Jnr. Midget, was coached by Ken Perkins.

The season started strong as both the Mitey Mite and the Jnr. Pee Wee teams opened their home schedules with wins. The WFFL season continued through September with home games played at Rohmer Park.

All of our teams had great wins, and many learning experiences. The Jnr. Midgets went on to the WFFL playoffs with an undefeated regular season record, however, after a hard fight, they were eliminated. Many of our other teams went on to play on Octoberfest and played well. Great job to everyone that played and a big thank you to all our hard working volunteer coaches (lets not forget you parents too). We look forward to another great season next year!

Good Landlord Program

City Council passed the Good Landlord Program in February 2008. The program was created for landlords who implement effective property management practices that result in safe, clean and attractive places for people to live. In order to qualify as a member of the Good Landlord Program, landlords must complete an 8 hour City approved Property Management Class and sign a binding contract with the City. Members of the Good Landlord Program will receive discounted business license fees. Membership in the Program is not mandatory, but is highly beneficial for effective and responsible landlords.

The schedule for upcoming trainings are as follows:

Oct. 25th : 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Nov 10th: 8:30 AM to 5:30PM

Dec 29th : 8:30AM to 5:30 PM

The City has worked very closely with the Utah's Renters Association in drafting our ordinanace and training program. These types of programs have been very sucessful in helping to change the negative impacts seen in rental properties. By having very well trained landlords that are closely monitoiring their property landlords are better able to protect their investments by insuring the best longterm care and management of their properties. If you have any questions about this program please contact Amy at 801-395-8283.