FY 2013-2014 Tentative Budget Adopted
The American Fork City Council adopted the FY 2013-2014 Tentative Budget at its reguarly scheduled City Council Meeting on May 14, 2013. The tentative budget includes the purchase of 7 police vehicles and 1 police vehicle lease, purchase of one fire command vehicle, second payment on a TV truck that is used to ensure that sewer lines remain open and clear, sidewalk improvements in both Streets budget and road accural budget, and arts budget eliminated and a new "grant" program established to fund arts programs in the citizen committees budget as "arts board" line-item; fleet budget eliminated, distributed amongst departmental operations, increases made to library/learning center budgets; expenses relative to proposed Road Bond for engineering and associated bonding expenses.
Other budget highlights include: Public Works Secretary moved to full-time, a new Part-time Administration Summer Management intern, a new Part-Time Utility Clerk, new Engineering Interns to assist with new GIS Program, 7 new full-time firefighters and three new part time firefighters due to structural changes in Fire/Rescue Division needed to be more cost effective due to new health care regulations that will take effect January 2014, and moving a part-time swim coach to full-time to best meet program needs and new health care regulations. The tentative budget also includes a higher deductible health plan for full-time employees to help keep costs down in addition to requiring employees to pay if they desire to have a lower deductible health plan.
To view the adopted FY 2013-2014 Budget please click here.
Candidacy Filing Period for Municipal Elections - June 3 to June 7, 2013
American Fork City will hold the 2013 General Election on November 5, 2013 to elect a Mayor and two (2) Council Members to serve four-year terms. If more than two candidates per seat file for office, a Primary Election will be held on August 13, 2013.
If you are interested in becoming a candidate, you must file a Declaration of Candidacy in person with the City Recorder or Deputy Recorder at 51 East Main during regular office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m.
To qualify for candidacy a person needs to meet the following requirements as per Utah State Code 20A-9-203:
- Be a United States Citizen
- Be at least 18 years at the time of the election
- Be a resident of the municiplaity, or a recently annexed area, for a period of 365 consecutive days immediately precind the date of the election
- Be a registered voter of American Fork City
- Additionally, in accordance with Utah Constitution Article IV, Section 6, any mentally incompetent person, any person convicted of a felony, or any person convicted of treason or a crime against the elective franchise may not hold office this state until the right to hold elective office is restored under Section 20A-2-101.3 or 20A-2-101.5.
200 South from S. Mill Pond Road (7350 West) to approximately 7200 West to Close June 3- Aug. 15
Central Utah Water Conservancy District will be installing a 60-inch pipeline (Vineyard Connector Pipeline) -CWP - North Shore Aqueduct - Vineyard Connector Segment. 200 South American Fork from south Mill Pond (7350 West) to approximately 7200 West will close Monday, June 3 through Thursday, August 15, 2013 while crews install the line. General work hours will be between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Work hours could extend if circumstances warrant.
Updates on the pipeline's progress and additional information is available at 801-360-6528 or online at www.vineyardconnector.com, or on facebook.com/vineyardconnector. You can also sign up for email updates at mnstansfield@gmail.com. Click here to download the informational flyer.
American Fork City recently installed concrete barriers in the median at 900 West and State Street for safety reasons to discourage panhandlers.
Please click here to view KSL's coverage regarding the new barriers
Mayor Hadfield Provides Suggestions Relative to Panhandlers in Our Community and Urges Residents to Carefully Evaluate How They Can Best Make A Difference
In Mayor Hadfield's "Guide to Handling Panhandlers," he points out that it does not surprise anyone that panhandlers love American Fork and our retail areas. Prosperoous cities such as American Fork and surrounding areas with generous residents often find themselves targets of people seeking money; it is a sign American Fork is doing well.
Mayor Hadfield also explains that the City cannot prohibit panhandling because people have the inherent right to make "solicitations." The City does, however, have an ordinance prohibiting "aggressive solicitation" (physical contact, following, repeat solicitations, impending fee passage, with obscene or abusive language, etc.).
The guide also identifies community groups that may need assistance or suggests that a better way to help is to donate to: impactfulchange.org. Click here to download the guide.
Mayor Hadfield invites all American Fork residents to carefully evaluate how they can best make a difference.
Steel Days 2013 - July 13-20th - "Celebrating Life in American Fork"
Steel Days will be held July 13-20, 2013. There are many fun and exciting events planned such as a concert and fireworks show featuring, Little River Band (who claimed their place as one of the great vocal bands of the '70s and the '80s. Chart successes include: It's a Long Way There, Help is on its Way, Happy Anniversary, Reminiscing, Lady, Cool Change, Lonesome Loser, The Night Owls, Take It Easy on Me, Man on Your Mind, We Two, and The Other Guy); a grand parade, carshow, a 5K run and children's face, soap box derby and many, many more activities and events. There is something for everyone!
Tickets for the Steel Days Big Show are now on sale at the American Fork City Administrative Offices, 51 East Main (M-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and online at www.smithstix.com. Ticket prices are: In-Advance: Adults: $15.00, Kids (9-16): $10.00. Kids 8 and under are free. Day of Show: Adults: $20.00, Kids (9-16): $15.00. Kids 8 and under are freee.
Youth Council Fundraiser for the American Fork Library to be held on May 18
Do you have any unwanted items that have been cluttering your home? Put those items to good use and donate them to the yard sale that will benefit the Library! Just think of how those clothes, couches and other items can be put to good use and help the library buy the books they need.
Show your support for the library and donate items today! Call Gentry Tolton (Youth Mayor) at 801-874-4028 or Rob Shelton at 801-855-6640 to arrange a time to pick up your items.
Murdock Canal Trail: Connecting Communities Grand Opening Celebration - May 18th
On May 18th, grand opening celebrations will take place for the Murdock Canal Trail, which will provide many new areas for walking and biking. Celebrations will begin in Orem at 8:00 a.m. and end in Lehi at 2:00 p.m. American Fork's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Highland Glen Trailhead, approximately 9800 North 5200 West, Highland, Utah. Celebration activities will also take place at Art Dye Park (550 East 1000 North, American Fork) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. More information may be found online at www.murdockcanaltrail.com/project-status/.
City Offices Closed on Monday 27, 2013 in Observance of Memorial Day
Memorial Day Program - Monday, May 27, 2013
The public is invited to attend the annual Memorial Day Program, Monday, May 27, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Alpine Tabernacle, 110 East Main, American Fork. The program, "United We Stand," features guest speaker Army Major Toby Adamson. There will also be performances by the American Fork High School Marching Band, as well as the reading of the Honor Roll and placing Memorial Flags for those who have given their lives to preserve our freedom.
Memorial Day Breakfast - Monday, May 27, 2013
Annual Memorial Day Breakfast, Monday, May 27 at the American Fork Fire Station, 96 North Center, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Adults: $5.00 Children: $3.00 (12 yrs old and under) Pre-sale tickets are available at the American Fork Fire Station.
Open Burn Period Begins April 1 - Burn Permits Now Available
American Fork has set April 1-May 30 as this year's open burn period. A burn permit is required to burn within American Fork City limits during this period. Burn permits are now available at the American Fork/Fire Rescue Station, 96 North Center from 8:00 a.m, to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. The cost is $20 per permit. Only cash of check will be accepted.
In addition to obtaining a burn permit from the Fire Department, those who wish to burn must also access the web link www.airquality.utah.gov/compliance/openburning/index.htm to fill out the State of Utah Burn Permit prior to any burning done in American Fork. Please note that there are penalties for burning without a permit per American Fork CIty Code.
If you have any questions regarding the open burn period or obtaining a burn permit, please call 801-763-3045.
City Officials Excited About Utah County's Announcement to Contribute Funds to Assist with Completing Art Dye Park
City officials presented a proposal to Utah County Commissioners on February 20, 2013, seeking funding to help complete Art Dye Park. At the February 26, 2013, City Council Meeting, County Commissioner announced that Utah County will partner with American Fork City by contributing substantial funds to help improve Art Dye Park as a regional park for northern Utah County. To view the article published in the Daily Herald regarding this announcement, please click here.
City officials are working very hard to complete Art Dye Park located at 550 East 1000 North. American Fork City acquired the property where the current Art Dye Park is located in the mid 1980s and has been gradually making improvements to the park since then. The Parks and Recreation Committee has spent several months discussing various park improvements. Details on the proposed improvements will be shared with the public soon.