SEPTEMBER 2021
RIVERTON REVIEW Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government MAYOR’S MESSAGE
Improving Public Infrastructure By Mayor Trent Staggs
A top priority of Riverton City’s strategic plan is to “create a wellconnected community with properly maintained utilities and infrastructure.” This has proven challenging in the midst of such expansive growth; some of which is in our city, but much of it in our neighboring communities that still traffic our roadways.
The Bangerter interchange project is moving quickly, and this month east/west traffic along 12600 S will be restored.
Over approximately the last decade, Riverton City has invested around $40 million in various infrastructure projects between Bangerter Highway and Mountain View Corridor alone. Even with these investments, we have seen unprecedented levels of roadway congestion in recent years related to growth, and recently due to UDOT’s conversion of Bangerter Highway intersections into freeway style interchanges. However, I am excited to announce that the Bangerter interchange project is moving quickly, and this month east/west traffic along 12600 S will be restored. The entire project should be completed by end of year. The 13400 S and Bangerter interchange has been fully funded with HB433 this past session, with construction set to begin in 2023. In addition, you may have noticed new traffic signals arrived in August at the intersection of 4050 W and 13400 S. This roadway, Old Liberty Way, will provide vital, additional connectivity between 12600 S and 13400 S. Lastly, construction of Majestic Rise Way (13200 S) from Mountain View Corridor to Old Liberty Way is also scheduled to be completed in the next few weeks. Together, all three projects will play a significant role in alleviating congestion and cutting down travel time along our major travel corridors. While several of our large-scale infrastructure projects are taking place near Riverton’s western commercial district, our east side has its own projects to be excited
RIVERTON REVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2021
Riverton City has invested around $40 million in various infrastructure projects between Bangerter Highway and Mountain View Corridor alone. These projects will play a significant role in alleviating congestion and cutting down travel time along our major travel corridors.
about. We have the 1300 W “S-Curve” roadway project nearing completion. The 1300 W sidewalk, curb and gutter project from 13100 S to 13200 S will also be finished to provide safer walking routes for students. We are also budgeting about $1 million per year toward the maintenance of existing roadways with overlay, crack and slurry seal projects, improving some 50 roads or more each year. In addition to roadway projects, there are several trail improvements that have been budgeted and being actively worked on this year, to include the Rose Creek Trail and Midas Creek Trail. We are
also in early discussions to create improved pedestrian access across some of the major roadways and canals in our city. As you can tell, there is a lot going on in our fast-growing city; nonetheless, there is always more work to be done. Fortunately, in passing of HB244, our local legislators have secured $700,000 every year for the next fifteen years for infrastructure projects in Riverton. With this money and other resources, we will continue to strategically prioritize and plan future infrastructure projects that will best support the needs of our current and future residents.
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COUNCIL MESSAGE
The Importance of Personal Responsibility 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 dbrickey@rivertonutah.gov 801-208-3129
CITY OFFICES City Hall.................................801-254-0704 Administration.......................801-208-3129 Animal Control......................801-208-3108 Cemetery...............................801-208-3128 Code Enforcement.................801-208-3108 Development Services...........801-208-3138 Fire (UFA)...............................801-743-7200 Justice Court..........................801-208-3131 Recreation & Events..............801-208-3101 Police.....................................385-281-2455 Public Works..........................801-208-3162 Recorder................................801-208-3128 Utility Billing..........................801-208-3133 Water.....................................801-208-3164
By Councilmember Troy McDougal Once again we begin to see and feel the changing of the seasons which gives us a chance to reflect and review on where we have been and where we are going. I want to express my appreciation to the many citizens of Riverton who have heeded the call for water conservation and taken personal action to reduce their water usage this summer. As a community, we individually sacrificed and have largely made it through the hot days of summer without having to have severe water
UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS
restrictions mandated by government. Personal responsibility is the key to creating a great community. Thank you! As we move into the fall, I would invite all citizens to take personal action to be safe and cautious around our schools. Students have returned to classes. This has dramatically increased the number of people walking along our roads and sidewalks. Please follow posted speed limits, be aware of and slow down in school zones, and remind your new drivers to do so too. I would rather we take personal action to protect our youth than have to have it mandated by a car with flashing lights. Both, are designed to keep our children safe, I just prefer the
Please follow posted speed limits, be aware of and slow down in school zones, and remind your new drivers to do so too.
first method. Let’s continue to work together to make Riverton a great place to live!
CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMISSION • Tuesday, September 7 & 21, 7 p.m. • Thursday, September 9 & 23, 7 p.m.
Riverton City Events
Visit rivertonutah.gov to find the most recent Riverton City event and meeting information.
FIND US ONLINE! @rivertonutahgov www.rivertonutah.gov PAGE 2
RIVERTON REVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2021
PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE
The Value of Operational Response Data By Chief Wade Watkins Today’s firefighters are “all-hazards” responders, providing emergency medical response, fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, response to active shooter/hostile events, fire inspections, public education, investigation, community training and more. That “more” captures many of the things that are non-emergent in nature by definition. The firefighter community enjoys all aspects of the job. However, when it comes to responding to the community’s emergency needs, firefighters are all business. In public you may notice that most, if not all, carry a mobile radio. This radio is a key piece of equipment not only to support communication but to give them situational awareness. This situational awareness is gained through monitoring what is happening throughout the Salt Lake Valley and elsewhere. Multiple channels are scanned and monitored. This ensures ensure that if there is a developing incident, the firefighters can anticipate the need to respond as early as possible. The best way to capture this continual readiness from my perspective is describing it as “leaning forward.” Leaning forward and monitoring the
Firefighters have data related performance measures that they continually try to improve. The most important, by virtue of being able to control it, is turnout time.
many incidents happening throughout the community is fatiguing to say the least. However, the value is lessening delay in response and getting emergency care and fire suppression where it needed. This is native in the first responder mindset as they understand seconds and even parts of seconds make a difference in outcomes. Firefighters have data related performance measures that they continually try to improve. The most important, by virtue of being able to control it, is turnout time. Turnout time measures the time elapsed from when the emergency dispatcher informs the fire unit of an emergency to when the unit leaves the fire station. Often firefighters will be listening to the radio and/or visually monitoring the computer-aided
dispatch (CAD) system to increase their respective effectiveness and efficiency. These habits support the other areas they try to control, which include quick zip boots, snapped shirts vs normal buttons, and every other efficiency they can come up with. If all the firefighters are not on the response unit, it can’t leave the station. So, you can imagine the social pressure there is to have a team approach to improving this time. As the Riverton City liaison for Unified Fire Authority, I enjoy monitoring the response data to ensure that we’re responding to the community’s needs as effectively as possible. I am continually impressed with the firefighters with positive attitudes and desire to improve on each and every response who serve in Riverton City.
Flag Rememberance Displays Riverton residents and neighbors are invited to visit Riverton City Park from Thursday, September 2 to Sunday, September 13 to remember the fateful events that took place on September 11, 2001. 911 flags will be displayed at Riverton City Park in remembrance of those who died in the terrorist attack. Educational displays will be presented around the park with sobering facts about that tragic day 20 years ago. • City Park | 1452 W 12600 S
Riverton Quilt E X H I B I T I O N
Calling all quilters! The Riverton Quilt Exhibition will be held November 15 - December 22 at the Old Dome Meeting Hall. If you’ve got a quilt you’d like to display, be sure to keep this on your radar! The quilt entry period will be held November 1-8. Free to enter. Open to all.
RIVERTON REVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2021
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UPCOMING EVENTS
RIVERTON REVIEW
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Sign Up: Community Christmas Choir
Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament
Hamilton Effects Exhibit
Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. Join Healthy Riverton for a FREE QPR class to learn how to respond to someone in crises.
Join the community choir to sing at this year’s Christmas Night of Music Concert on Monday, December 6! Practices held weekly in November.
Pickleball players love Riverton’s Fall Classic Pickleball Tournament! The tournament features a pool bracket with various divisions. Register online.
Renowned artist Brett Hamilton will be featuring his hauntingly beautiful special effects works, along with additional pieces.
• Thursday, September 16, 7 p.m., CR Hamilton Indoor Pavilion
• Sign up online at rivertonutah.gov/night-of-music
• September 17-18, Riverton City Park
• September 27 - November 3, Old Dome Meeting Hall
For details or registration information, visit rivertonutah.gov/recreation
Trailblazing Women of Utah Exhibition
Historical Display Tours at City Hall
Wreaths Across America
Come see powerful photos and read inspiring stories about trailblazing women from our city and state. Monday - Wednesday, Noon - 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, by appointment only. Group and school tours are also welcome by appointment by calling 385-237-3421.
The Riverton City Historical Preservation Commission will be hosting self-guided tours of the new historical display located at the Sandra N. Lloyd Community Center from 5-8 p.m. on September 7, October 5, November 16 and December 7. Those interested in seeing the historical display can visit at any time during the open hours. Enter through the 2nd Floor of Riverton City Hall. Refreshments will be served.
Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 1,600 locations nationwide including the Riverton City Cemetery.
July 20 - September 22 Old Dome Meeting Hall
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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.
RIVERTON REVIEW | SEPTEMBER 2021