OCTOBER 2022
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Enhancing Our Sense of Community By Mayor Trent Staggs When we surveyed residents in December of 2021, the number one word used to answer the question “Please describe the best aspects of living in Riverton:” was community. This didn’t come as a surprise, but really confirmed what we’ve known: people love living in Riverton because of our strong sense of community. As a result of this finding, elected officials made “sense of community” a core strategic theme in our work for the years ahead. Over the course of the last year, we have begun and completed a signage project to help us further enhance the sense of community in Riverton. This includes differentiating ourselves from our neighboring cities so both residents and visitors know when they are in Riverton. Though we have much in common with our neighbors, we are a distinct, special community. The project included 1) updated monument signage at major city entrances, 2) city boundary signage and 3) wayfinding signage in the Riverton Town Center. Monument Signage We have replaced four major monument signs at the following locations: 12600 S east entrance,
City Boundary Signage
Monument Signage & Flag
Wayfinding Signage
12600 S west entrance, 13400 S west entrance and on 13400 S near Mountain View Village. We have also installed minor monument signs at three new locations: north and south entrances on Mountain View Corridor and the west entrance of 13200 S. The signs feature the Riverton logo on a light gray background with a distinct slanted edge at the top, brick at the bottom and the word “welcome” in blue on the side. These signs combine a modern, clean look at the top with a classic look at the bottom, a look and feel representative of our community. A special feature at three of the signs is the installation of a flagpole with a large American flag near the sign. The majority of Riverton residents are patriotic
and appreciate the freedom and liberty this country provides us. The installation of the American flag at these locations is a symbol of our community’s patriotism.
small reminder that, regardless of how residents or visitors enter our city, we want them to know they are in Riverton. These signs have a similar look to our monument signs and wayfinding, including a distinct slanted edge at the top.
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2022
City Boundary Signage Differentiating ourselves from our neighboring cities was our priority as we installed basic aluminum signs at entrances to our community. This includes 16 larger signs at major entrances to Riverton and 45 smaller signs at neighborhood entrances. Though very basic, these signs are important. Perhaps too often, along the edges, corners end peninsulas of our city, it’s easy for our community to lose our identity for both residents and neighbors. These signs will be a
Wayfinding Signage Wayfinding signs have been installed in the Riverton Town Center to provide directions to major public facilities and amenities. In total, 20 signs were installed with five of them being double-sided. These signs are found near Riverton City Hall, near Riverton City Park, along Park Avenue, along 1300 W and 12400 S. These signs have a similar look to our new monument signs and boundary signs.
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COUNCIL MESSAGE
Addressing Common Questions and Issues MAYOR Trent Staggs tstaggs@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129
CITY COUNCIL Sheldon Stewart - District 1 sstewart@rivertonutah.gov 801-953-5672 Troy McDougal - District 2 tmcdougal@rivertonutah.gov 801-931-9933 Tawnee McCay - District 3 tmccay@rivertonutah.gov 801-634-7692 Tish Buroker - District 4 tburoker@rivertonutah.gov 801-673-6103 Claude Wells - District 5 cwells@rivertonutah.gov 801-875-0116
CITY MANAGER David R. Brickey citymanager@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129
CITY HALL 801-254-0704
UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday, October 4 & 18, 7 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS Thursday, October 13 & 27, 6:30 p.m
By Councilmember Claude Wells I want to address some common questions or issues we are asked almost every day, whether the questions are directed to Riverton City staff or an email, text or a phone call to the applicable councilmember. With the secondary water being shut down earlier this season, many residents have asked why they pay for secondary water 12 months of the year when we only use the water during spring, summer and early fall. This structure is like the equal pay program offered by utility companies. Riverton City maintains the system year around. A lot of the bigger maintenance occurs during the winter months when the water is turned off so they can rebuild pumps and service the infrastructure while water is not flowing. Many of the issues we work on turn out to be private property issues between neighbors for ordinance violations that are difficult to enforce, especially if it is regarding a back yard where most people don’t see it. Neighbors don’t want to rock the
boat with other neighbors, so they are reluctant to file a formal complaint with a case number. Vehicles that are not registered or are expired should be in driveways, not parked out on the street. That is a state law, but enforcement of a ticket is difficult under our current ordinances on the books. Police don’t like to strictly enforce those ordinances because they often get dismissed by the judge for various reasons. It ties up the courts that are already at capacity. Nobody likes when someone parks in front of their house. Under the law anyone can park on a public street in front of your house since it is a public road. I recommend neighbors be courteous and park within their own property borders to help avoid parking problems. The Riverton City Council will be holding work sessions where we will discuss ordinance enforcement that is more proactive than complaint driven enforcement. This is a staffing issue that will also be addressed for the next budget session. Our goal is to encourage residents to comply and bring properties up to code, which is a benefit to both neighbors and property values. It should not take a complaint to get a neighbor to remove weeds that can become a fire hazard that jeopardiz-
es surrounding properties. Neighbors watching out for neighbors is the best solution. Some people cannot physically take care of their properties without help. Some cannot afford to hire it out. I challenge each resident to take pride in their properties and be better neighbors in their community. Not everyone can or wants a manicured property, but no one wants to live next door to a dilapidated property either. We can all do better and see what we can do to help our neighbors. The idea of enforcement is not to be heavy handed, but to find a balance where we love where we live and can live in harmony with our neighbors. We want to be able to enforce ordinances on properties that are beyond unreasonable. It seems every neighborhood has at least one of those types of properties. Riverton City has an app called Riverton Connect where you can report a problem. You can also report problems online at rivertonutah.gov/report. Reports includes animal control issues, parking, weed enforcement, and other code violations. It is easy to use, and you can attach pictures for the city to see. We encourage residents to use this service to help keep our city beautiful.
Help Keep Creeks and Rivers Clean and Prevent Flooding
FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2
Falling leaves are often trapped by roadway curbs and end up blocking gutters flow and storm drains, increasing the likelihood of flooding. Excessive amounts of Leaves
also end up draining into canals, creeks and the Jordan River, often resulting in smelly water and depleting the oxygen level in the water, making it harmful to fish. Help
us to prevent flooding and to keep our creeks and rivers clean by removing leaves from your property, sidewalk and gutters by regularly mulching or bagging.
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2022
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PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
Street Parking Ordinances By Chief Don Hutson Parking on public roadways has been a recent topic of discussion as Riverton City has investigated several complaints of residents upset by the number and type of vehicles parked on the road in their neighborhood. These complaints are sometimes directed toward our code enforcement personnel when it is believed the parked cars are associated with other code violations, such as running a business from a residential dwelling or other nuisance type complaints. Other times, the complaint may simply be reported to the police department as a traffic problem and investigated by our traffic units. Regardless of how the investigation is initiated, the city will attempt to address the situation by responding to the area and gathering facts before taking any action. It is important to know even a parking violator is afforded the same constitutional protections as any other person who has been accused of a crime. In other words, we can’t simply issue a citation or impound a vehicle based on a complaint which is not corroborated by our own investigation. We must independently confirm the illegality of the act and ensure we are issuing the citation to the correct person or impounding
WAYS TO CONNECT WITH RIVERTON
EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS
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The parking ordinances most frequently violated in our city are parking or leaving any vehicle for 48 or more consecutive hours on any street, and parking from November 1 to March 1 during a snowstorm, or when snow has accumulated in lanes of travel on a city street.
based on sound legal justification. The parking ordinances most frequently violated in our city are the following: 10.10.010 (6) (a) It shall be an infraction for any person to park or leave standing on any public road, street, alley or city property any motor vehicle for 48 or more consecutive hours, and any vehicle so parked or left standing may be impounded or removed by law enforcement. 10.10.050 (1) It shall be unlawful for any person or owner of any vehicle to park a motor vehicle, travel trailer, horse trailer, utility trailer, or other
like vehicle on any street in Riverton City from the date of November 1st of each year until the date of March 1st of the following year during a snowstorm, or when snow has accumulated in lanes of travel on a city street. Violations of these ordinances occur in our city every day, and we will continue to investigate and enforce these laws when appropriate. That said, it is my hope we can all be a bit more attentive to the disruption parking violations can have on a neighborhood and voluntarily comply without government intervention. It will make our streets safer and increase our quality of life.
Build an Emergency Kit Be ready when an emergency hits by building an emergency kit with essential items. See details on how to build a kit at
rivertonutah.gov/preparedness
RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2022
TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS
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Get emergency alerts and notifications on important city updates on your cell phone 3-4 times per month.
RIVERTON CONNECT APP
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Report a problem, see the city calendar, get directions to parks and city facilities, and find city information right from your mobile device.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Connect with Riverton City to get quick updates, essential information, event details and more on the platforms you use.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
RIVERTON REVIEW
October 1 - 29 evenings Mondays, Fridays, & Saturdays Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S
rivertonutah.gov/monsters
Bring the kiddos and come see what kinds of crazy awesome monsters come out after dark in this drive-by display with many different scenes and dozens of cute monsters! $10 per Vehicle.
Monday, October 24 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Riverton City Park, 1452 W 12600 S Families are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and come to Riverton City Park to participate in several activities and games for the younger kids and a spook alley for the older kids! There will be chances to win or collect prizes and candy. Find details at rivertonutah.gov/halloween
Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 1,600 locations nationwide, including Riverton City Cemetery. Sponsor a $15 wreath to be placed at a veteran’s grave at Riverton City Cemetery in December. Learn more by visiting rivertonutah.gov/wreaths.
Join the Community Christmas Choir
Wreaths Across America
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Trans-Jordan Landfill Disposal Vouchers
Utah Hunter Education
Join the community choir to sing at this year’s Christmas Night of Music Concert on Monday, December 12, 2022. Practices held weekly in November.
Sponsor a $15 wreath to be placed at a veteran’s grave at Riverton City Cemetery this December.
Attend a free QPR suicide prevention class to learn how to respond to someone in crises. Classes occur monthly, excluding July and December.
Pick up a free voucher to the Trans-Jordan Landfill at the Utility Billing Office at Riverton City Hall when you begin your fall cleaning.
Sign up to take Utah Hunter Education. Fall classes will be held on November 2, 4, 5, 9 and 16 from 6-8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 20, 7 p.m. rivertonutah.gov/qpr
• Limit of two vouchers per household per year.
• Register at rivertonutah.gov/ hunter-ed
• Sign up online today at: • Learn more by visiting: rivertonutah.gov/night-of-music rivertonutah.gov/wreaths
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RIVERTON REVIEW | OCTOBER 2022