By Linda Kor The Snowflake Town Council met on Oct. 6 with a discussion on renovating the town’s pool. Town Manager Brian Richards noted, “We talked about renovating the existing pool at the last meeting and it’s been floundering because it’s such a big job and a high cost. We want to be efficient and get the best job for the least amount of money.” Teresa Harvey with Divina Management was recommended by Richards to head up the planning of the project. He explained that she was recommended by Copperstate Farms and will not charge travel costs since she is coming here for Copperstate Farms anyway, Richards noted that Harvey lowered her hourly rate to $80 per hour. “We’ll distribute the share with the Town of Taylor. She has a lot of connections with qualified contractors that will be a huge benefit to this project.” Vice Mayor Kerry Ballard asked how long the project would take and if it could be done by next summer. “It’s too soon to say for sure how long this project would take,” replied Richards. Mayor Lynn Johnson noted, “The fact that we have Taylor on board is a big step in the right direction.” The board approved the contract with Divina Management for the pool renovation project. In his report to the council, Richards reported that the Temple well pump went out and people were out of water for three to four days. “We credited their bills for the inconvenience,” he noted. He stated that the town was awarded a competitive grant to get sewer down Centennial, which will allow for development along there. Richards also noted that the golf course revenue has doubled in four years but added that the town has invested a lot of money for improvements. Richards also reported that sales tax this year compared to last year is up 51 percent and that construction has been up in town. Librarian Ella McAdams reported to the council that she is seeing an uptick in the use of the library, with 40 new library cards in the last month. Police Chief Bobby Martin provided a report for a year in review of the Snowflake-Taylor Police Department. In other business, the council: * Approved the purchase of property from Taylor Snowflake Development, LLC., that is situated on the border of Snowflake and Taylor. The reason for the purchase is for the well to be used by the town in the future. * Approved the purchase of property from the Silver Creek Flood Control District. Richards noted that this is a political subdivision so the property can’t be given away and will need to be purchased; it can be used for a park or some sort of nature reserve. * Approved abandonment of subdivision plat and town roadways for Juniper Crest Phase I. The owner would like to abandon this plat, which would relinquish the town’s right of ways and it would revert back to a 40-acre parcel. The town has not spent any money on this endeavor. * Approved the rezoning of Parcel No. 202-17-063P from R-1A to R-21, by title only. Scott Allen presented the rezone and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the council to approve the request but were concerned about the size of the easement, and would like a contingency of a 50-foot easement instead of the existing 35-foot easement. Water pressure issues were discussed as well. Allen is planning on putting in wells and septic systems. * Approved a ground lease with Smith Bagley, Inc. The tower that is by the cemetery is owned by Cellular One (owned by Smith Bagley Inc.). The lease would extend to 2045 and pay monthly. * Approved Ordinance 2020-04, Model City Tax Code Amendments. * Approved Resolution 2020-11, 2012-2014 amendments to the tax code.
