Riverton Review Print Newsletter - September 2023

RIVERTON REVIEW

Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government

MESSAGE

Partnership Saves Money and Our Furry Friends

By Mayor Trent Staggs

Riverton City is proud of our partnerships that provide excellent services and save taxpayer funds. One wellappreciated service is our animal control public-private relationship with Stone Ridge Veterinary Clinic.

For the past four years, Stone Ridge has served as the center for Riverton City’s animal control services. This intra-neighborhood attention has helped us reunite lost pets with their owners and find new homes for others. The outstanding care from these professionals fits well within our “hometown” feel here in Riverton.

I am also pleased that our partnership with Stone Ridge has

saved the city a considerable amount of taxpayer money.

Determining the best way forward for each city expense is important to me as we safeguard your hard-earned money. While other municipalities may not go out of their way to find workable solutions, Riverton City is always willing to partner with specialists who can help save the city money.

We have saved nearly $1.4 million of taxpayer money since we started working together in 2019. These savings have accrued every year since the city has contracted as a client of Stone Ridge instead of having to use the county’s animal control services. Taxpayer needs are fulfilled, and the services are more than satisfactory.

I encourage residents to familiarize themselves with our animal control services. When a lost pet is impounded by a Riverton City Animal Control, they are transferred to Stone Ridge. Owners are given

five days to reclaim their pets before the animals are available for adoption by others. Please call the city animal control at 801-208-3168 if you believe your lost pet may have been impounded.

We have seen an increase in the average number of animals impounded each year. Please ensure your pets are appropriately licensed with the city to ensure a quick reunion. Additionally, more and more lost dogs have never been claimed in recent years by their owners, leaving a number of pets languishing in the pound waiting to be adopted. Sadly, some dogs wait for too long.

We also want to expedite the process for those who would like to adopt one of the many pets available. I encourage you visit rivertonutah.gov/animalcontrol to

Some of the pets available for adoption at Stone Ridge Veterinary Clinic

To adopt any one of these pets contact Riverton Animal Control at 801-208-3168. Available animals subject to change without notice.

see a full list of photos of pets available for adoption. Next, please schedule an appointment by calling Riverton Animal Control at 801-2083168 for an in-person meet-andgreet to decide which animal is best for you.

Our partnership with Stone Ridge is serving Riverton residents well and I look forward to continuing our relationship to provide excellent animal control services.

Tango Cookie Monster Toe Bean Colt Joy Goob

ELECTED OFFICIALS

Trent Staggs - Mayor

Andy Pierucci - District 1

Troy McDougal - District 2

Tawnee McCay - District 3

Tish Buroker - District 4

Claude Wells - District 5

Celebrating Constitution Day

By Councilmember Andy Pierucci

In the month of September, we celebrate Constitution Day on the 17th. It is a day in which

we commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution. Two-hundred-and-thirty-six years after its signing, it continues to be the longest-surviving written charter of government. Our Constitution changed the trajectory of world history for the better and has helped shape the destiny of people around the globe. In 1787, no country in the world had ever allowed its citizens to select their own form of government. What was revolutionary when it was written, and what continues to inspire and empower people today, is that the Constitution put governance in the hands of the people.

At its core, the Constitution enshrines the doctrine of the separation of powers. It also created our

system of checks and balances so that one branch cannot gain too much power over the others. Like the Founders, I firmly believe government decisions should be made as close to the people as possible. The more remote government is from the people, the more out of touch it becomes. Cities and states are where the Founders vision is being realized, and Riverton is a great example of government of the people and for the people.

This Constitution Day, I am grateful for the role cities play in our Republic. Unlike Congress and the unelected bureaucrats in Washington D.C., we pay for necessary city expenses and implement community and family focused policies without burdening our residents with higher taxes. Locally elected officials from

our community are in the best position to respond to the needs of its residents. Who better to guide our city’s road plans than people who sit in traffic on 134th and drive on our roads daily? Who better to make zoning and development decisions than those who desire to see their children and grandchildren grow in our community? The City Council is responsive to the needs and desires of the people of Riverton because we live, work, and raise our families in this community just like you.

As a city, we will continue to fight to ensure Riverton continues to be a safe and strong community; a place where our children and grandchildren can afford to raise their families. Together we can ensure our city’s future is as bright as its past.

Improvement in Motion

By Chief Wade Watkins

As the Unified Fire Authority serves Riverton City it is important to continually improve the service provided. Riverton’s front line firefighter Paramedics and EMT’s embrace this approach. They as a “Team” and as an “Individual” strive to improve and get better every time they respond on an emergency incident. The tool that is formally and informally in use is called an After-Action Review or (AAR).

An After-Action Review (AAR) is a technique for improving process and execution by analyzing the intended outcome and actual outcome of an action and identifying practices to sustain, and practices to improve or initiate, and then practicing those changes at the next iteration of the action AARs in the formal sense, were originally developed by the U.S. Army.

Applied to Emergency Services this process immediately addresses the challenges that were not considered best practice and focuses on sus-

taining the practices that delivered the outcomes desired. Embracing this process into our culture has been key in effectively serving the community.

Annually, Riverton’s crews respond to over two thousand emergency incidents within Riverton. With every incident being different and having nuanced challenges and problems to overcome, there is always room for improvement.

The below questions to the group/ team create an opportunity to recognize what gaps and shortfalls happened and what can be done on the next incident to improve.

• What was expected to happen?

• What occurred?

• What went well and why?

• What can be improved and how?

On large incidents and fires a more formal process will happen. If the incident is small, the process can be adapted to be a simple conversation of what went well? What can we improve on next time?

Knowing your audience and team is key in facilitating an effective process. Being objective, kind, and open to everyone’s perspective and

lived experience creates an environment to let your respective guard down and improve.

As we all look toward the future, we need to improve. This is a refined way to do it and learn from each other. The next time you see your firefighters circled up after a fire, you’ll now know what they are doing.

If you have any questions or concerns about your UFA services, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Battalion Chief Wade T. Watkins wwatkins@unifiedfire.org

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Utah VW Classic Car Show

Come enjoy Utah’s largest classic VW and early Porsche car show at Riverton City Park! Featuring classic Volkswagens from all years and models. This free event is Saturday, September 16 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Riverton City Park at 1452 W 12600 S in Riverton, Utah.

Sign Up: Community

Christmas Choir

Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament Riverton Quilt Exhibition

Come see dozens of amazing quilts made by local quilters on display at this free, non-juried, exhibition. Opens Tuesday, September 11 and runs through October 25 at the Old Dome Meeting Hall at 1452 W 12600 S in Riverton. Visit rivertonutah.gov/exhibits for more information.

Wreaths Across America

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

Pickleball players love Riverton’s Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament! The tournament features a pool bracket with various divisions. Join us on September 16-17 at Riverton City Park. Register online at rivertonutah.gov/pickleball.

National Preparedness Month

Constitution Day Reading Event

Join the community choir to sing at this year’s Christmas Night of Music Concert on Monday, December 11, 2023. Practices held weekly in November.

• Sign up online today at: rivertonutah.gov/night-of-music

Sponsor a $15 wreath to be placed at a veteran’s grave at Riverton City Cemetery this December.

• Learn more by visiting: rivertonutah.gov/wreaths

• Thursday, September 21, 7 p.m. rivertonutah.gov/qpr

September is National Preparedness Month, an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies.

• For tips and resources visit: beready.utah.gov

School children from our community will take turns in a dramatic reading of the U.S. Constitution at Riverton City Park to celebrate the signing of the Constitution.

• Tuesday, September 19, 5 p.m. Riverton City Park

Attend a free QPR suicide prevention class to learn how to respond to someone in crises. Classes occur monthly, excluding July and December.