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08-27-21: MASK MANDATES; MEET THE CANDIDATES; SUMMER JAM CONCERTS; ST MARKS CJANGES; etc. View this email in your browser Announcements PUBLIC MEETINGS Canyon Rim Citizens Assocation Wed., 9/1/21, 7 pm Click HERE to join virtual meeting East Mill Creek Community Council Thurs., 9/2/21, 6:30 pm City Hall, 3330 S 1300 E NEWS OPEN LETTER TO MILLCREEK FROM MAYOR SILVESTRINI REGARDING MASK MANDATE: In the past week, Millcreek Council members and I have been inundated with requests to follow Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s lead to declare a local state of emergency and issue a directive to require masks be worn in schools. I have also received a fair number of requests that I refrain from issuing such a directive. Any decision about this will not please everyone. In conducting due diligence regarding this issue, I have discussed this matter with Mayor Mendenhall’s office and reviewed the legal ---PAGE BREAK--- justification for her action that was prepared by the Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office. I have consulted with Millcreek’s City Attorney and conducted legal research on the parameters of a mayor’s emergency powers as affected by recent legislation, passed as late as the last special session of the Utah Legislature. I have reviewed the Public Health Order of Constraint issued by the Salt Lake County Health Department and listened to the discussion of the Salt Lake County Council when it voted 6-3 (along party lines) to overturn the Salt Lake County Health Department Order. I supported the Salt Lake County Health Department Order and lobbied the Salt Lake County Council not to overturn it. I have reviewed the Health Order issued by the Summit County Health Department, confirmed by the Summit County Council, which adopts a phased approach whereby testing and data collection to a fixed positivity rate precede a mask mandate. I have conferred with several other mayors in Salt Lake County, including mayors whose cities are likewise served by the Granite School District, in the interest of perhaps crafting a uniform policy which would likely be more effective than individual cities acting unilaterally. Finally, I have conferred with the Granite School District Administration and have individually polled the members of the Millcreek City Council respecting their views. The position of the Granite School District is important because Millcreek is only one of several communities served by the District and enforcement of any mask mandate would be impractical without the District’s support. The Millcreek City Council has statutory authority to quash any emergency directive I might issue, or otherwise allow it to expire. My decision also considers the fact that our schools in the Granite District have already been in session without a mask mandate since August 16. Granite School District Administration advised me that the District is carefully monitoring the data and is in close contact with public officials, including members of the County Council about reconsidering their decision should the data indicate worsened conditions. The District is not requesting I issue a mask mandate. A majority of the Millcreek City Council have individually indicated to me that they would not support a mask mandate at this time. Further, every other mayor to whom I have spoken believes that Mayor Mendenhall’s authority ---PAGE BREAK--- is questionable, and they do not intend to follow suit. The advice of our City Attorney, as well as my own research, confirms that while a loophole may possibly exist, certainly it was the intent of the legislature that the decision to invoke an “order of constraint” such as a mask mandate in a public health emergency be the province of county health departments and county legislative bodies, not city mayors. While a case can be made that the exigency of the situation requires drastic measures, city mayors lack health departments and direct access to the best available data for our county and its municipalities. Mayors also do not have jurisdiction over school districts in Utah. It is not a good thing for local officials to stretch the limits of their authority, no matter how much some argue the ends justify the means. I do not take this decision however it is complicated and enforcement of any directive I might issue is problematic. I believe every K-6 school child should be wearing a mask in school to protect their classmates from COVID and particularly the Delta variant. As school children can infect other members of their families and spread the disease to more vulnerable populations, I support the recommendations of our health department. Based upon all the factors described above, I have determined to defer declaring a state of local emergency for now, pending collection of more data and a possible reconsideration of this issue by the Salt Lake County Council should conditions rapidly deteriorate. This is really their decision under the law. This does not change my view that mask wearing by unvaccinated, vulnerable elementary school children is advisable as recommended by our health professionals. I hope that parents take responsibility here. I may reconsider my decision if the Salt Lake County Council fails to react to worsening conditions and both the school district and the city council support a mandate. Jeff Silvestrini, Mayor of Millcreek Meet the Millcreek City ---PAGE BREAK--- Council Candidates MILLCREEK. Residents of City Council Districts 2 and 4 will choose their Council representatives in the upcoming municipal election for four-year terms that will start in January 2022. There are four candidates for each council seat. An (unedited) statement from each of them is set out below (in the order that state law mandates they will appear on the ballot). Millcreek has opted into the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project, or ranked choice voting. Information on ranked choice voting appeared in this newsletter last week. For additional information, visit rankthevote.org. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 CANDIDATES Lynda Bagley-Gibson City Council District 2 [EMAIL REDACTED] lynda4millcreek.com [PHONE REDACTED] I was raised in Millcreek and have spent most of my life living here. I am the mother of six beautiful children that I raised here and one stepson. I believe that our city is an excellent place to raise my children as it was mostly a family environment. ---PAGE BREAK--- I have spent years volunteering in different avenues, most recently on the Millcreek Community Council and working on emergency preparedness, but I'm most proud of my work at Millcreek Elementary creating a drama club. I would love to see Millcreek stay family-oriented and Together with Nature! Thom DeSirant City Council District 2 [EMAIL REDACTED] votethom.com [PHONE REDACTED] Millcreek was my first introduction to Utah and the reason why I chose to move to the state. As our community grows, I want to make sure Millcreek stays a city where we can all live. That's why I am running for City Council District 2. My priorities as your council member will be to maintain our streets and sidewalks, keep the city fiscally responsible, and increase park access. I also have great plans for how the city can better keep residents updated – you can read more about them at my website. Angel Vice City Council District 2 [EMAIL REDACTED] millcreekangel.com [PHONE REDACTED] I am a mother, wife, social worker, artist, friend and activist. Millcreek was more than a group of neighborhoods when we incorporated. We were, and we are a ---PAGE BREAK--- community of people who care about one another and the environment around us. I believe in our Moto “Connected by Nature” and know that we can make it a reality and not just a nice idea. Jeremiah Clark City Council District 2 [EMAIL REDACTED] [PHONE REDACTED] I love Millcreek! My wife and I were raised here and were active citizens in the city’s incorporation. I am keenly interested that its government serves our community well, manages growth carefully with total transparency, and makes itself easily accessible--ensuring that every voice contributes. I’m a professional educator (BS; MA; PhD), mostly in educational administration. I have prudently overseen large budgets and many construction projects, developed master plans, and fostered unity and progress in countless committees and councils. I am fiscally conservative. I resist raising taxes--looking first for no-cost or low- cost solutions. I’ll work to keep Millcreek wonderful. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES Bruce Parker City Council District 4 [EMAIL REDACTED] [PHONE REDACTED] ---PAGE BREAK--- My wife, JaNae, and I have been residents of Millcreek for over 30 years. We raised our family here. As a resident and small business owner, I am committed to following the City’s General Plan. I love our community and know you do too. As the District 4 City Council member, I will listen, work tirelessly and vigorously for you, and inform and communicate regularly with you. Together, we can achieve great things for the City’s present and future generations. I look forward to meeting you in the weeks ahead. Bruce Parker for Millcreek City Council District 4. www.bpfor4.com. Bev Uipi City Council District 4 [EMAIL REDACTED] [PHONE REDACTED] Bev Uipi is seeking re-election November 2021. She’s lead for the Policing in Millcreek matters and serves as Mayor Pro Tem. The Uipi family has lived in Millcreek District 4 for forty years. Bev is a proud, single mom of 17-year old, Xane. Bev is a dynamic leader and brings 20 years of experience in leadership having served as Deputy Director for the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole; led the Millcreek Community Center to accreditation, and Community Relations for Mayor Peter Corroon; with a B.S. degrees from the University of Georgia and Master’s from the University of Utah. ---PAGE BREAK--- Rex Williams City Council District 4 [EMAIL REDACTED] rex4district4.com Being raised in Millcreek, attending Rosecrest Elementary, Evergreen Jr. High, and Olympus High makes Millcreek home. With the honor of raising two children in Millcreek, the opportunity for involvement in our community cannot be squandered. Millcreek is unique as a brand new, but well-established city. It takes care and consideration to incorporate innovation and progress, while maintaining heritage. Millcreek’s history and suburban feel is critical to our culture. Updating open spaces, attracting new businesses, refurbishing or rebuilding homes, and improving infrastructure will help maintain Millcreek’s upward trajectory. This can be accomplished by making decisions using objective data with subjective considerations. Beverly Boyce City Council District 5 [EMAIL REDACTED] Hello, I'm Beverly Boyce, candidate for Millcreek City Council District 4. This bio will inform you about who I am and what I hope to accomplish, if I'm elected. I'm a "young" 71; married, a mom and grandma. I'm retired from the State of Utah. ---PAGE BREAK--- I love our beautiful city and state. I'm interested in helping to manage our growing city, and all that entails. I have an active interest in water conservation, clean air, and global warming. I want to learn about the issues important to you, voters and residents. I'll represent all views accurately, and help where I can. MONDAY! SUMMER JAM CONCERT SERIES WRAPS UP MILLCREEK. Don't miss the finale of the Millcreek Summer Jam Concert Series presented by the Millcreek Arts Council. Enjoy the free live music in the shaded open-air amphitheater in Canyon Rim Park at 3100 S 2900 E on Monday, August 30th, starting at 7 pm. Sponsored by Salt City Homes, the city of Millcreek, and Venture Outdoors. Please visit www.millcreekartscouncil.org for more on these and other artistic events in our community August 30: Jeff Crosby & The Refugees (Rock) The Millcreek Summer Jam Concert Series wraps up 2021 with touring band, Jeff Crosby & The Refugees. Combining rock & roll, blues and country, this group creates a compelling sound elevated by equally compelling lyrics. Emotion- laden, heartfelt songwriting by master storyteller Jeff Crosby evokes feelings of love, heartbreak, loss and longing. The instrumentation of guitars, bass, drums & pedal steel hints at the tasty bluesy, Americana sounds associated with the likes of Gov’t Mule and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. Don’t miss the summer’s season finale; your ears will thank you for it! www.jeffcrosbymusic.com ---PAGE BREAK--- IMPORTANT NOTICE - St. Mark's Hospital Entrance Has Moved MILLCREEK. To accommodate construction, the new main entrance to St. Mark's Hospital is now located on the south, that is, the backside of the hospital, near the café/courtyard. The entrance to the North Medical Office Building is now located on the west side of that building. The hospital is encouraging all patients and visitors to use their free valet service, located in YELLOW on the map above. Patient and visitor parking is highlighted in GREEN. A FREE shuttle service is offered weekdays, 7am - 4:30pm. Patients and visitors can either wave down a driver or locate one of the blue “SHUTTLE" flags in the parking lot. Patients and visitors can also call the shuttle phone at [PHONE REDACTED] to request a ride to or from their car. The ER remains open 24/7. For more info, visit: www.TheNewStMarks.com. ---PAGE BREAK--- What is your favorite Millcreek restaurant, Millcreek non-restaurant retail business, and Millcreek service business? Send your nominations for each category to [EMAIL REDACTED] by August 31 for consideration for the Millcreek Business Council’s annual awards. (One nomination in each category per person/email address) CONSTRUCTION NOTICES Please watch for construction zones. Slow down and drive carefully! ---PAGE BREAK--- Salt Lake City Public Utilities Water Main Work Excavation and replacement of a water main pipe on eastbound 3900 South from 1100 E to 1300 E began on August 23rd. The work will continue for approximately 90-120 days. There will be modified traffic patterns and lane closures during this project. Please use alternate routes when possible and stay alert when driving through the area. There will also be potential sidewalk closures, temporary water outages, and modified ---PAGE BREAK--- access to St. Mark's Hospital from 3900 S. For further information or questions, please contact the contractor Dry Creek Structures at [PHONE REDACTED]. 3300 South Sidewalk As early as Tuesday, Sept. 7, construction will begin on the north sidewalk on 3300 South between 2600 East and 2700 East. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware of workers, equipment and traffic control devices in the area and use caution while traveling through the work zone. If you have any questions about construction activities, please reach out to the project team at [PHONE REDACTED]. A Call for Millcreek Artists The Millcreek Arts Council is working in collaboration with the Millcreek Library to resume the community visual art display. If selected, your artwork will be displayed at the library for a month. There will also be a reception, open to the public, with refreshments and music. The Arts Council and Library are looking for: Local Millcreek City visual artists About 6-10 pieces to be placed on public display (2D & 3D art welcome) Artwork that is ready for display by this fall/winter ---PAGE BREAK--- If interested, please fill out the Getting Visual at The Library form on the Millcreek Art Council's website: millcreekartscouncil.org. ---PAGE BREAK--- Millcreek is looking to fill two positions: Development Review Engineer Grant/CDBG Manager ---PAGE BREAK--- HOW IS COVID IMPACTING MILLCREEK? Case Counts through yesterday (8/26/21)*: Millcreek (surrounding cities) cumulative and current cases by zip code: 84106: 3870 total cases (108 current cases) 84107: 4804 total cases (127 current cases) 84109: 2764 total cases (62 current cases) 84117: 2879 total cases (66 current cases) 84123: 5285 total cases (131 current cases) 84124: 2449 total cases (57 current cases) TOTAL: 22,051 (increase of 312 since 8/26/2021, our last reported data). * Click here for the County's most recent information. ---PAGE BREAK--- Meetings with the Mayor Fridays from 2-4pm have been set aside for citizens to meet with Mayor Silvestrini (virtually for now). Please call [PHONE REDACTED] to schedule a slot. VISIT us at Click here to subscribe to this weekly newsletter Copyright © 2021 Millcreek, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Click here to subscribe to this weekly newsletter Forward Share Tweet