LeBaronLogic

American Fork: An Eight Year Look Back

                                                           

Naturally as transitions come in ones life an assessment is usually made. Tuesday was my last City Council Meeting as a Council Member in American Fork City. Choosing not to seek a third term; my last day in public office will be December 31. 

I enjoyed my service, the citizens, staff and fellow elected officials. I worked with some dedicated servants; three mayors in Ted Barratt, the late Heber Thompson and  J.H. Hadfield. City Council Members I have had the privilege of sitting and serving with were Juel Belmont, Keith Blake, Rick Storrs, Tom Hunter, the late Jimmy Cates, Dale Gunther, Heidi Rodeback, and Sherrie Kramer. 

Some City accomplishments of which I participated in my first and second terms (not in order of importance). It was an eventful few years: 

• New Library: a significant addition to the fabric of our community 
• Secondary irrigation system: This has assured us of water for many decades. This has made it possible to utilize the irrigation shares and other surface waters we have been collecting over the years without the need to construct a water treatment plant. 
• The Meadows shopping Center and Alpine Valley Centers. These projects have greatly increased our tax revenue and our contribution to make it happen has now been paid in full. 
• The RDA/Recreation and Cultural Project Bond issue which made it possible to add significantly to the City's parks and recreation facilities including:
• The Skate Park 
• Expansion of the Fitness Center with leisure pool 
• Boat Harbor upgrade and new boat docks 
• Amphitheater improvements - lighting, rock walk-way, sound system, flower garden
• Trails, disc golf and Art Dye improvements 
• Renovated beautiful and Historic City Hall with excess and saved funds 
• Historical Buildings ordinance
• Partnered with Amercian Fork HS Marching Band in a Presidential Inaugrual Parade, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and the Parade of Roses in California. 
• Landscape ordinance 
• Sensitive lands (south of freeway) ordinance 
• Construction of 1120 North has commenced, at long last.
• Survived the downturn in the economy without reducing essential services or reduction in workforce as other cities were forced to. 
• Completion of Fire/Rescue Building including new ambulances and new fire truck 
• Implementation of Paramedic Services 
• Update Police Fleet and increased wage package
• Implementation of Double Deep burial policy which conserves land and space 
• Started a recycling program
• Major upgrades, improvements, club house and replacement of 40 year old irrigation system at Fox Hollow Golf Club. Only lighted driving range at a championship golf course south of point of mountain. 
• Reinvigorating the Am. Fork Youth City Council with new Charter
• Main Street visioning Project started 
• Major Hires in City Administrator, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Recreation Director and City Engineer
• Roads maintenance priority and master plan implemented 
• Capital Improvements 5 year plan instituted 
• Adopted Simplifed Rules of Order and Procedure - to help facilitate meeting orderliness and communications. 
• Overhauled the city website (additional tweaking coming) 
• Adopted a new logo and made it uniform throughout the city. 
• Set Strategic Goals and Objectives.
• Began process for a Justice Court in American Fork. 

                                                                              

My e-mail to Fellow Elected American Fork City Officials and Those to Take Office Re Non-Discrimination Ordinances

The following is my edited e-mail to fellow Elected Officials in American Fork (as well as some editorial comments). 

Dear Colleagues,

I have spent some time over the weekend in further study, discussion and contemplation regarding the above. My position and reasons are set forth below.

My Position: I cannot support both Non-Discrimination ordinances as written or amended. Nor will I vote in favor of a non-binding Resolution.

My Reasoning: (In no particular order. It is further non-exclusive. Please excuse repetitive arguments made in previous meetings).

• No demonstrative need. (There has not been a documented case of discrimination in housing or employment in American Fork). Note: This fact was acknowledged in a November Work Meeting. Nothing has been submitted since. As a proponent of limited government; if there is no need, don't legislate.                                                                                                                      
   
• Terms and content of the ordinances are not clearly identified. they are fundamentally flawed. Self defined terms are difficult to interpret and enforce. 
• Privacy issues exist. Transgenderness creates issues among co-workers.
• The ordinances protect an unprotected class; even though it states it is not creating a special class, it does. The class in this ordinance (sexual orientation and transgenders) seek protection, yet does not want to be a protected class.
• The ordinances legislates perception. How do you determine or sort that out? 
• Costs and Administration are undetermined. Costs? Unknown. Who will administer it? The Mayor's Office. Is that a good idea? 
• More and longer Public Process is needed. From Salt Lake City's own Intra Staff Memo dated November 9, 2009 states the following:  SLC spent 2 years studying and researching similar ordinances. American Fork has spent less than 2 months. Many businesses as well as citizens have not heard about the ordinances. In over 2 months, Salt Lake City held 5 "Dialogue on Discrimination Series,"  meetings in different venues and discussed all forms of discrimination. SLC invited the public, stakeholders and business owners. Focus groups were formed after the dialogue and/or presentations. SLC commissioned Westminster College to conduct an exhaustive city wide scientific survey. SLC also had an ongoing Public Comment period. American Fork City has had 2 work sessions, where public input was limited, with little notice. One 20 minute Public Hearing is scheduled Tues 12/13 at 7p. Not enough due process for the public and all stakeholders. 
• Ordinances such as these should have input, if not actual legislation from the 2012-2014 incoming City Council. (Not that we should "punt" or shy away,  but the question here is not "ripe" and is hasty). The incoming City Council will have to enforce the ordinance. 
• The Poll referred to by ordinance supporters regards state legislation not municipal. 
• The LDS Church has not called for statewide adoption of SLC's ordinance. Mr. Otteson from the Church will not be in American Fork on Tuesday night. 
• There are too many unknowns. 

 Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to  call.

 With best regards and yours

 in American Fork City,

 Shirl Don LeBaron

 American Fork City Council Member 

802 e. bamberger dr. ste b                                                                                               american fork, ut 84003                                                                                                               shirl@afcity.net | www.afcity.org                                                                                                 www.lebaronlaw.com | www.twitter.com/shirllebaron

 

       

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