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(Clearfield staff & elected officials receive award from Lt. Govenor Cox (center): (L-R) JJ Allen, Asst. City Manager; Nike Peterson, Kent Bush, Bruce Young - City Councilmembers; Summer Palmer, Administrative Services Director; Adam Lenhard, City Manager)
City Receives 2016 Utah Governor's Business Friendly Community Award
Clearfield City was recently recognized as one of Utah's Business Friendly Communities by Lt. Governor Spencer J. Cox, leadership of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce at a Utah League of Cities and Towns annual meeting held in September.
According to a press release from the Salt Lake Chamber, "to be eligible for the award, each city reviewed business regulations and made critical changes to help cultivate an environment where businesses can thrive."
To earn this recognition, the Community Development department undertook several steps to gauge the ease of doing business with and in the City. One such step was emailing a survey to 1,300 Clearfield businesses to identify business regulations and processes that could be improved. Once the survey results were in, staff reviewed the results, and identified areas that needed improvement.
"For instance, as a result of the survey we learned that our customers found our business licensing information easily accessible on the city website, and that 73% were happy with the service they received from city staff," explained Spencer Brimley, Clearfield City Development Manager. "We also noted that many business owners had an ongoing concern about the City's sign ordinances, and the 'why' behind the regulations. As a result, this summer the City mailed a letter to all city businesses outlining the sign ordinance with explanatory graphics. We also asked property and business owners to assist in identifying signage that was not in compliance with city code, and we worked to resolve illegal sign issues, and educate the business owners on the requirements."
Brimley went on to say, "This effort was accomplished through honest and open engagement from the City administration and staff. The Community Development staff is the best in the business and has been the keystone in seeing this effort culminate in this award."
In addition to Clearfield City, Cottonwood Heights, Lindon, South Jordan and Park City were also recognized for their business-friendly climate. These cities join 25 other cities that have been honored since the initiative began in 2013. It's these local level efforts that help the overall business climate of Utah.
"Business leaders will certainly look at which local communities are being honored as they look to invest and grow their business," said Lane Beattie, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber.
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Clearfield Aquatic & Fitness Center Facility Upgrades - Temporary Pool Closure
Clearfield City is continuously working to be an efficient member of the community – thereby conserving resources, and saving money. As part of that effort, the City is upgrading some of the building systems at the Clearfield Aquatic and Fitness Center. These upgrades include new LED light fixtures in the pool area and converting the remainder of the building lighting to LEDs. Additionally, there will be a significant upgrade to the heating and cooling (HVAC) system for the pool area. These updates will not only make your visit to the Aquatic & Fitness Center more enjoyable, but will reduce the amount of energy used to operate the facility.
As with all upgrades, there will be some dust, and parts of the facility will need to be intermittently closed for safety as we make these conversions. To minimize the down time, the City is also combining its annual maintenance closure with these system upgrades, so you can get back to your fun and fitness as soon as possible.
There will be limited pool access beginning Monday, October 17. Currently, the pool area is scheduled to be closed after the annual Halloween Boo-nanza on Saturday, October 22 through Halloween on Monday, October 31. For the most up-to-date information on which areas of the center will be open and available for use, please call the front desk at 801-525-2641, or check the City’s webpage, Facebook or Twitter.
Other improvements scheduled throughout the City over the upcoming months are: upgrading the lighting in City Hall to LEDs and converting all of the City’s street lights to LEDs.
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 New Clearfield Business
540 E. Antelope Drive
801.678.7402
Website
Our purpose: to create a space for dancers to learn, grow, create, escape, and become better versions of themselves. We aim to have a positive environment where they can express themselves through movement. Our goal is to be one big family unit together as a studio. We have high expactations for our dancers and want to see them push each other to reach certain goals and dreams. Innovative Dance Company webpage
(Mckena and son, Tayce in the lobby of Innovative Dance Company)
Mckena Thomas was born to dance.
While some of us were still trying to get the hang of walking, at the age of 2 Mckena began dancing. She started teaching her first dance classes at 13. A dance studio owner asked Mckena to take over her studio at age 17 (which she turned down, because, hey, she was only a junior in high school). And, now married, with a 15 month old son, she recently took the plunge to open her own dance studio at 23. A mature 23!
“I wanted to start my own dance studio, and I wanted it to be different, new, interesting, fresh,” said Mckena. Having been in the dance world for most of her life, she noted the complaints others expressed about their experiences with various dance studios, and vowed to avoid those pitfalls.
Innovative Dance Company offers clean, age-appropriate music, modest costumes, and promises that students will learn discipline and hard work.
“We are teaching more than dance,” said Mckena, who was on the Syracuse High School drill team for three years (while still teaching at a local dance studio), and received a dance scholarship to Utah Valley University. She was on UVU’s Dance Team/Spirit Squad when she met her future-husband, Trevor. Once they were married, the couple came back to Davis County, and Mckena became an assistant coach for Syracuse High School’s Drill and Dance Company for the past three years. “While in school my dance coach at Syracuse High, Christina Powers, would teach us life lessons – such as, the value of time, and taking responsibility. I felt ready to be an adult when I left high school because of that experience.”
Innovative Dance Company offers a wide variety of classes for ages 3 up to 18, including jazz, contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, ballet and technique. They offer studio dance classes and competitive company team classes. Classes and teams are divided by age; tryouts are not necessary for the studio classes.
McKena explained, “We like to keep classes small so we can give more individual attention to our students. If you choose to come here I promise you will see improvement in your child’s dancing. We have amazing, passionate instructors.”
Innovative Dance Company has six instructors – each specializing in their area of expertise, such as ballet, jazz technique, or hip hop. A class will learn from more than one instructor – Mckena’s belief and experience is that that helps a dancer to grow. A class might have one instructor for an hour that concentrates on jazz technique, and a second instructor teaching ballet for the last half of the class.
“It keeps the class interesting and fun,” said Mckena. “It provides a good balance.”
(Dance instructor, Heidi Boardman, far left, teaches jazz technique, strength and flexibilty to the 9 - 11 year old competitive Company Team).
In addition to all of her dance friends, Mckena has a lot of family support, not only in helping to get the studio doors open, but in the day-to-day operation of the business. Her husband encouraged her to start the studio, telling Mckena that he didn't want them to have any regrets for not having tried. Mckena's mother is a dance teacher (no surprise there!) and helps out with the younger classes. Mckena's father has been an entrepreneur and has been a great help in getting the studio up and running.
Innovative Dance Company also offers one the latest fitness trends, a High Fitness class for those looking for a fun choreographed interval training class with intense cardio and body sculpting. It’s easier to follow than Zumba, promises McKena. The class is offered Tuesdays at 8pm, and Saturdays at 8:30am. It’s $6 per fitness class, or $50 for ten punch passes.
For more information about Innovative Dance Company’s class offerings visit their website or call 801.678.7402.
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City Council Actions
September 2016 Meetings
Council approved:
- Ordinance 2016-05 adopting the Impact Fee Facilities Plan and the Impact Fee Analysis for the culinary water, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems within Clearfield City and approved the Impact Fees as outlined in the Impact Fees Analysis for each of the utilities.
- Ordinance 2016-04 amending the Consolidated Fee Schedule with the following changes: Storm water bonding rate from 3% to 5%, and fire hydrant meters changed for replacement costs.
- the award of bid for the Steed Park Ball Field Electrical Upgrade Project to Hidden Peak Electric for the bid amount of $76,300, with contingency of $10,000 for a total project cost of $86,300.
- Resolution 2016R-20 authorizing an in-kind donation to the Pioneer Adult Rehabilitation Center (PARC)
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News You Can Use
Fall Cleanup Coupon
Instead of dropping off items at the Public Works Shops (the four recycling dumpsters have been removed due to construction), residents are receiving a Davis Landfill voucher in the October city utility bill good for one small load fee ($5). This includes loads in a car, standard pickup or single axle trailer, and can be used between October 13 - 22, 2016. If you have questions about the voucher please call the city's Utility Department at 801.525.2730.
North Davis Fire District Open Houses
Halloween Boo-nanza 2016
Every year the Clearfield Aquatic & Fitness Center never fails to create a truely haunting experience at their annual Halloween Boo-nanza. And, this year will be no different! Heroes and villains, and all sorts of fun activities will be scattered throughout the Center, ensuring our trick or treaters are having the time of their lives!
The festivities begin at 5:30 pm with the Costume Parade, held in the Aquatic Center gymnasium - prizes will be awarded, of course! At 6:00 pm Boo-nanza participants can choose from a wide variety of activities - all for one small admission fee of $7.50/child (does not include food). Discount coupons are available at anytime-deals.com:
-Haunted House
-Princess Pumpkin Patch
-Buccaneer Balloon Blast (balloon drop)
-Train rides
-Spooky canoe rides
-Raft down the slide
-Corn hole toss
-Yummy treats, like Brownie Waffle Sundaes, caramel apples & fairy sandy candy
-Food trucks
-Galactic Warrior Training, and more!
The evening will culminate with a Pirates Pumpkin Launch in Fisher Park!
Noise Complaints
The City has received several complaints about residents playing music from their homes and cars at very loud volumes. Please be considerate of your neighbors and keep the volume at a reasonable level.
Fall Fitness Frenzy
It begins with Thanksgiving…who can resist the pumpkin pie, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes and gravy? Then our workouts dwindle because we’re too busy with holiday activities.
STOP! It doesn’t have to be that way. Let the staff at the Clearfield Aquatic & Fitness Center help you stay motivated to exercise and eat healthfully during the holidays. Join us for the Fall Fitness Frenzy November 1 – 30, 2016. Anyone can participate! Each time you work out at the Aquatic Center, front desk staff will initial your Fall Fitness Frenzy card(s). The more cards you complete the better chance you have to win prizes. A prize drawing will take place the first week of December for free personal training sessions, gift cards and more. You don’t have to be present to win.
To pick up your Fall Fitness Frenzy card visit the Aquatic Center front desk during business hours.
Community Band Halloween Concert
Clearfield Community Choir - Members Wanted!
Instead of just singing in the shower, share your talent with the community! All singing abilities are welcome, and you don't have to be a Clearfield resident to join. Choir rehearsals are held on Wednesdays, 7:30 - 8:30 pm, beginning October 5, 2016, at the Clearfield Community Arts Center, 140 E. Center Street. Clearfield Community Choir director is Carolee Schofield. Questions? Contact Katie at 801.525.2797, or Angie at 801.525.2779.
Register to Vote Today
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Upcoming Events
October 2016
October 5
Planning Commission, 7:00 pm, City Hall
October 8
The Improvables, 8:00 pm, Clearfield Community Arts Center
October 11
City Council meeting, 7:00 pm
October 19
Parks & Recreation Commission meeting, 7:00 pm, City Hall
October 22
Halloween Boo-nanza, Clearfield Aquatic & Fitness Center, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
The Improvables, 8:00 pm, Clearfield Community Arts Center
October 25
City Council meeting, 7:00 pm, City Hall
October 26
Citizen Patrol Meeting, 7:00 pm
CSERG Meeting, 8:00 pm
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Yard of the Year Winners 2016
They say good things come in threes - maybe that's why this year the Parks and Recreation Commission had a three-way tie for Yard of the Year! The final three were chosen from this summer's Yard of the Week winners. Two of the final three have won Yard of the Year in a previous year. The winners will be presented with an engraved yard rock at the October 11 City Council meeting. The winners are:
Richard and Lisa Nielson, 1196 East 1450 South
William and Terri Park, 423 East 1900 South (previous winner)
Robert and LaRue Hawthorn, 1271 South 1200 East (previous winner)
As expected, all three winners love to work in the yard, and they have a wealth of gardening knowledge they are more than happy to share. Pulling weeds weekly and deadheading spent blooms, researching which plants do best in our climate, placement, planning, fertilizing - all three winners were willing to share a tip or two!
The Nielson's home was remodeled a few years ago, which prompted them to add new landscaping in 2014, doing the work themselves. Richard was a developer at one time, and he designed and installed the landscaping, including curbing, rocks, Chantecleer trees (won't cause your sidewalk to buckle), a waterfall, and, his favorite, roses.
"My wife selected the plants and spent a week planting all of them," said Richard. "We were going for a 'country garden' look - not formal, but lots of color. It's pretty much zero maintenance - just weekly mowing the lawn."
(The Nielson's front yard)
 In his side yard, Richard and Lisa grew some ginormous sunflowers (pictured).
"I cut the stem about six inches from the flower head and place them on the fence around the yard. The birds feed on the seeds during the winter," shared Richard.
According to William (Bill) Park, his 'secret' to having a beautiful yard is Miracle Grow. However, don't let him fool you! We all know it takes a lot more work than just Miracle Grow to create a beautiful landscape! Originally inspired by the grounds of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Twin Falls, Idaho temple, the Parks potted over 50 flower pots this year, some of which grace their front yard (the others were for family and a friend).
(The Park's front yard)
Robert (Bob) and LaRue Hawthorn, Clearfield residents for 42 years, keep annual notes about their yard - what worked, what didn't. Bob uses 34-0-0 Ammonium Nitrate and fertilizes twice/month. "You need to know how to use it. You use it sparingly, and water immediately afterwards," said Bob. "It keeps everything green."
(The Hawthorn's front yard)
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Fall/Winter Activity Guide 2016-2017
Registration is going on now for Clearfield City's recreation, aquatics and arts programs. Click on the image above to learn more about the many different programs and events, or pick up a hard-copy of the Fall/Winter Activity Guide 2016-2017 at the Clearfield Aquatic & Fitness Center, or City Hall lobby. Questions? Call the Clearfield Aquatic & Fitness Center at 801.525.2641.
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Code Corner
Don't Work on Your Vehicle on a Public Street or Sidewalk!
Clearfield City Code 7-2-1 (D): (It is unlawful) to park a vehicle and/or trailer on any public street and/or sidewalk for the principal purpose of greasing or repairing such vehicle and/or trailer, except immediate repairs necessitated by an emergency.
If you have any questions or wish to report a possible City Code violation you can complete an online form or call 801.525.2845.
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Ask An Arborist - Tyler Hill
(Pictured above is City Arborist Tyler Hill with his safety gear on - chaps, gloves, ear and eye protection).
Storm Damage Recovery
With the recent storm that blew through our area, many trees, sadly, were damaged. As we clean up, prune, and cut the damaged trees there are a few things to remember. The first is safety safety safety.
If you are doing the work yourself please remember to use all available safety measures, such as personal protective equipment - hard hats if there are overhead hazards, eye and face protection, leg protection (chaps that are made of cut-resistant material), and a good pair of boots for foot protection.
If you are not comfortable with running a chainsaw there are many tree companies that are good and are willing to do the work. Below is a chart that shows the location and frequency of chainsaw injuries:
Another thing to think about is getting your damaged tree assessed so that it may possibly be saved and properly pruned up as needed. As the City Arborist, I am available for some consulting, or you can hire a tree company to do this. Be sure to ask if the company is ISA certified.
Clearfield City is fortunate to have a City Arborist on staff. Simply email your question to tyler.hill@clearfieldcity.org with the words "Ask an Arborist" in the comment line. Tyler will respond to your questions/comments as space allows. If you don't have regular access to a computer you may call your questions/comments in to the city receptionist at 801.525.2700. Questions/comments will remain anonymous.
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