June 9th Meeting: Public Hearing, RV Park, Discussion on Uintah Border

Hello Friends!

Tuesday has a lot on the agenda that is of interest to many citizens.  So I did a live video on it to catch you all up.  Watch below.

See the Agenda Here.

Participate in public by going here.

Stay Safe South Weber!

Live Video: Upcoming Agenda Item Regarding Property Tax

While this meeting was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this will still be something to discuss for the future of the city at a later time.  I hope that this is informative and helpful to you to better understand the way we should structure the property tax for our city.  

#getinvolved #stayinvolved 

News Worthy Moments

This latest election did something that political experts said would never happen.

A write in candidate not only got voted in, but received the top votes!  And people are noticing.  In fact, we've been in the news quite a bit since our humble beginnings.  

The first major event residents put together was the Park-n-Protest.  Concerns about a new development called The Lofts at Deer Run brought this forward.  This development of 74 units on under 3 acres of ground had only one parking spot per unit.  Residents, realizing this meant that additional cars would defer to parking on 2700 E, had concerns.  South Weber residents have proven they don't sit idly by.  And so we didn't just complain about our concerns.  We demonstrated it.  

The goal was to put 74 cars on the road to show the dangers that would come with on-street parking on 2700 E.  It was very clear even just a handful of cars was a cause for concern.  The road is narrow and the line of site is limited.   But we didn't just put 74 cars on the street.  We put over 130!

Channel 2 News heard about our event.  You can read their news story here, or watch it below:




Residents Paul Sturm and Corinne Johnson pose for a photograph with the Standard Examiner.  News of the Lofts Development came about when Paul noticed some people and activity on the lot and asked what was happening.  What started as 2 concerned citizens turned into a Facebook group of more than 1,000 followers and the formation of a non-profit organization called The South Weber Preservation & Conservation Advocates (SWPCA).

The Standard Examiner also came out to show our story.  You can read their story here.

But it didn't stop there.  A petition went around and received over 1,000 signatures from people who have concerns about the Lofts Project.  In addition to that, because of what was demonstrated at the Park-n-Protest, we were able to meet with the city's public safety committee to address parking concerns.  We were able to talk about 2700 E as well as other areas in the city where on-street parking could become a safety hazard.  It was decided that a recommendation to red stripe the curb on 2700 E and other areas of the city will be done in order to keep our residents and streets safe.  You can read more about that on this blog post here. 

The next big event residents wanted to put on, sponsored by the SWPCA, was to inform citizens about a proposed road called South Bench Drive.  South Bench Drive was confusing for many people, and it was hard to understand it fully.  And so a virtual viewing tour was put together and held at our Family Activity Center.  We had over 150 people attend, many of which had never heard about this road.  The goal here was simply to inform the residents so they could get their comments, concerns and questions back to our city officials.   You can view the South Bench Drive Virtual Tour, including drone footage of our beautiful city and interviews with residents, below.  

Our next big win was when we got final numbers in for the survey results.  In the past it was considered wonderful if the city received 25 comments, this time, we got 489!

The city officials were listening - it was hard to ignore!  Changes were happening as more and more residents got involved.  Our meetings were full, sometimes needing to be changed to other locations in order to fit us all.  Our city officials were getting more emails than they were able to keep up with at times (but they did keep up with them!).  Conversations and discussions were taking place, questions were being answered and concerns were being addressed. 

 Election time got its own set of attention.   The standard examiner, learning of my write-in candidacy and that my mother was also running for office in her city (with the same concerns about over development) decided to do a story about us.   You can read more about that story here.

Election Night was a bit crazy when the Davis County Auditor and Clerk's website went down during the final countdown.  That paired with other websites recording different numbers, many South Weberites were left sitting on the edge of their seat wondering what happened.  In the morning it was determined to be a close race.  KUTV seeing the success a write-in candidate had, and that there were still votes to be counted came and did a story.




Thursday we all waited while the final ballots were counted.  Finally about 3:00 pm, results were posted.  Not only did a write-in candidate get elected, I took first place! 

#SWmorethan1000!

There was much celebration this day!! My phone was immediately blowing up with messages from people who I have worked side by side with over the last few months.  We studied the topics, we read the minutes and listened to the audio.  We asked questions, we attended every single meeting and had many additional meetings in between.  We walked the streets of South Weber to make sure every household knew what was going on and helped get them informed.   It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  We worked so hard.  And life has taught me that sometimes hard work doesn't pay off the way you hope it will.  But this time it did.  One person summarized it perfectly, "I knew it would feel good, but I didn't realize it would feel this good!"

The governor's office heard about my win.  I was asked by State Senator Todd Weiler to have an interview on 860 AM talk radio.  You can hear that interview below.  



Right off the bat he says 

"Let me tell you I kind of am a nerd on Utah politics.  I don't think this has ever happened before.  In fact, I consider myself pretty knowledgeable, if you would've called me a couple months ago and said I'm thinking of running a write-in campaign what would your advice to me be, I would've said 'don't do it. You will lose.  Write-in candidates always lose."   

I don't write this post to boast about what happened.  I write it because if you look at everything I posted above, we were against unsurmountable odds.  'There is nothing that can be done' and 'it will never work' was something we heard a lot.  But we kept working and we kept trying.  We have been told that we would never make a difference.  Well, we did.  And we will keep making that difference.  

South Weber - please understand that as much thanks as I give to you (which is an infinite amount) I give you that much plea to keep at it.  Don't get complacent, don't get comfortable.  

Get Involved,  Stay Involved. 

I love you South Weber! You are my people!

Election Results! #SWmorethan1000!!

Was this a crazy election or what??  Between the website going down and the counting that took two days, talk about keeping us all holding our breaths!  Results are finally in and I just...guys! I'm speechless!  Thank you ALL so very much!!!  This is nothing short of AMAZING! Thank you!!

I am so honored to be able to serve the citizens of South Weber and represent YOU!  While we have all been working SO hard these last few months, I truly hope that you continue to stay involved.  I promise to do my very best to keep you informed and educated on all the issues that are coming before the city and I hope that you will promise me that you will be reaching out to us and lettings us know your thoughts and concerns.    #GetInvolvedStayInvolved

Mail In Ballots are here!!

How do you write-me in?  How accurate does my name need to be?  It's all in the weird live video below! Sorry for the connectivity issues!

For those who would prefer to vote in person, the Family Activity Center will be a polling location on November 5th.  There will also be a drop box located at city hall.  

Get informed, get involved, VOTE!

South Bench Drive recap and other important info

The South Bench Drive Viewing Party had a great turnout.  Thank you to all who came!

Important info up next.  

Get involved.  Stay Involved.

#SWmorethan20

Youtube Interview with Michael Grant - South Weber Resident

Michael is a citizen here in South Weber who has offered to interview all the candidates on upload them to Youtube for others to view.  I appreciate this proactivity! This is exactly what we need and what make South Weber citizens so great.  We are at a time when we, the citizens, are not be reactive but proactive and I am proud to be a part of it!  Below is my interview with him.  Thanks again Michael!

#SWmorethan20

Meet the Candidate night and other info!

I hope you are able to come to Meet the Candidate Night tomorrow!  Come say hello!

October 1, 2019 at the Family Activity Center
6:30 pm Meet & Greet
7-8:30 Questions & Answers

Other important dates!

October 2nd & 3rd General Plan Open House 

Family Activity Center

6:00-8:00 pm

October 11, 2019

Public comment for 1st draft of General Plan ends!  Make sure to get your comments to the city.

October 22nd

A joint meeting with the city council and planning commission to define mixed use, work on second draft of new general plan.  This is open to the public.  General plan public comment will open again shortly after the first draft is finished.  I will keep everyone posted on what comes next.  

Town Hall Style Meeting with Mayor Jo and David Larsen

The South Weber Preservation & Conservation Advocates (SWPCA) put together a fantastic town hall style meeting with our mayor and city manager.  I was so happy to be able to be a part of this and am very grateful to Mayor Jo and David for coming.

We compiled questions from members of the South Weber Citizen's United group and chose 4 of the most often asked questions.  This was then stream lived on our Facebook page.  Each question was given approximately 15 minutes of discussion.   The questions were submitted to the mayor and the city before hand so they could come prepared and ready.  We had a great discussion.

Realizing we have lots of residents not on the facebook page we recorded it and uploaded it youtube so everyone could watch and view it.  While it is a bit long, it is worth your while.  However, realizing time is not something easy to come by for most, I have broken down the video into minute segments to better help you find what you are looking for.

Scroll down to see video:

First Question starting at minute 2:55 -18:35

1-     We have heard the statement “there is nothing we can do” in reference to The Lofts Developments more than once. We understand the zoning can’t be changed but that sentiment in the wake of so many citizens gathering to express concerns feels like a dismissal of said concerns. Robert Osborne referenced having a conditional use permit specified for any development on these parcels of land back in 2017 when the rezone was approved (see planning commission work meeting minutes for exact details) Has that conditional use been establish with the PC and CC along with city ordinance requirements for green space percentages, parking, setbacks, asthetic requirments, total number of allowable units for the 2.74 acres they have available to build, etc. If yes, please share what the city is doing to ensure this project doesn’t become the blight and eyesore everyone is suspecting. If no, how do we go about getting the conditions for a responsible development established now?  

Discussion/answers for question one:

•Once plans for The Lofts is submitted we will go through city code with a fine tooth comb to ensure the well-being and safety of all resident.

•The difference between about conditional use and permitted use

•Agreement for the Lofts length and when it starts 

Second question starting a minute 18:40-35:45

2-     Canyon Meadows initial investment was $1.5 million and the city currently has itemized improvements of 3 future phases totaling an additional $3.15 Million to be spent on Canyon Meadows (sources received this week from City Manager Larson). While the greatest percentage of citizens currently live in the central and east side of the city, the majority of the other parks are grass only detention basin parks, or several are old and dilapidated in need of significant improvements.  So why has the city budgeted items putting such a huge percentage into one single park impact fees have been used?  

Discussion/answers for question two:

•Impact fees are all we really have for park budget

•Wetland issues for Canyon Meadows

•Impact fees - what are they are and how they are used

•Grants and funding

•Trails

•Dog Park

Third question starting at minute 35:50-1:07:45

3-     Even though South Bench Drive was not formally adopted to the general plan by the public, the city has already begun financial Investments for it including buying property, diverting traffic to it with a median on 475 and starting on phase 1. In light of the 99.9% tax increase to address the desperate need our city has for improvements to our current infastrucutre and our safety why are you spending tax payer dollars speculating on future develpment in our city by funding a Road the public has never approved?   If the public opposes this road in all its phases, what then will be done?

Discussion/answers for question three:

•Road was approved in 2014 general plan but changed in 2018 and renamed South Bench Drive

•New plan for road (South Bench Drive) is a better alignment

•Why they are doing South Bench Drive

•What if the majority oppose it?

•'Sweeping T' on 475 E

•Lack of public involvement/comment

Fourth question starting at minute 1:07:46-1:44:00

4- Water increase, transportation fee, 100% tax increase, The Soccer Complex, The Lofts, Rays HDH Re-Zone, South Bench Drive... So far the public has pushed back on everyone of these issues and our elected reps and their appointees have ignored us every time. What is the most effective way for us as citizens to get our voice heard, and ensure the city government is working toward our goals and making decisions based on our wants and needs without us needing to become a citizen watchdog group?  How can we implement citizen groups who would be able to represent their immediate neighborhood during meetings?

Discussion/answers for question four:

•We are listening - changes have been made

•City needs to be proactive with information

•Discussion on citizen's committee, getting public more involved

•Give us time to prove ourselves.

#SWmorethan20

City Hall 101!

Want to get more involved in city government but not sure we’re to start? Not sure on how to find answers to your questions? Join me a live video today at 3:00 to help you understand how to find minutes, read agendas, and who does what at city hall.  It’s city hall 101.  #SWmorethan20

General Plan Survey Walk Through Video-I'm here to help!

General plan survey!! Ready to do it?? I’m here to walk you through each and every step! Should we change the #swmorethan20 to #morethan750?? Game on!!

Park-n-Protest = SUCCESS!!

We did it!!! You guys!! Thank you thank you for coming up! We had an AMAZING turnout!  I was so happy to meet so many residents tonight and get to have face to face dialogue.  Tonight we proved that we are way more than 20.  And more important than that - we are UNITED! Together we are going to do great things!! More news stories to come! 

Watch the news clip here!

Live video recap here!

Announcement!

Have you ever had lingering nudge that just wouldn’t leave you alone?  Ever had to take a leap that was a little scary and stretched you outside your comfort?  Yep.  That’s happening over here.

Over the last few months as I’ve gotten more involved in the going ons in South Weber City, the more I felt drawn to an empty seat at the city council table.  And then something amazing happened.  All at once an entire community got together to share opinions, thoughts, action items, events - even formed a non-profit organization -and wanted to make a difference.  And that little nudge that was already in the back of my mind wouldn’t leave me alone.  I attended a public meeting and, along with many other concerned citizens, waited 3.5 hours for my chance to make my voice heard.  The meeting ended with an official telling us “we are only 20 people.” We weren’t enough to spark a change.  I felt discouraged.  I felt beaten.  But then I realized...we ARE NOT only 20 people.  We are 700+ and counting all wanting our city officials to hear our voice.

And so I took the leap.  I am an official WRITE-IN for the upcoming election for City Council.  Please stay tuned of what I hope to offer my community.  Over the next few days, weeks and months there is a lot going on in our community.  And I want to keep  YOU up to date and posted on ALL of it.  So follow me if you will.  If you feel this would be helpful to fellow residents and neighbors, please share my name and their option to vote for me.  #SWmorethan20

South weber announcement! 👏🏻🙌🏻👏🏻 #swmorethan20

Posted by Hayley Dixon Alberts on Friday, August 30, 2019