Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Orem City Council Held in the Orem City Hall July 10

July 10, 1946

Minutes of a regular meeting of the Orem City Council held in the Orem City Hall July 10, 1946 at 8:15 PM. Members present were as follows: Mayor J. W. Gillman, Councilmen Ephraim E. Twitchell, Woodruff Jensen, Roy H. Gappmayer, Vern Williams, and Clerk Orland E. Pyne. Councilman James G. Stratton was absent. Mayor J. W. Gillman was in charge of the meeting.

Mr. Stephen Novakovich and Mr., & Mrs. Ray Gilligan presented the completed petition asked for by the Council last meeting in connection with the Farnsworth case. The petition represented approximately fifty homes in Christeele Acres. Mr. Novakovich again presented his views on the case stating that he felt that he could speak for all those people contacted within Christeele acres in that the change in Zoning was not wanted.

Howard Farnsworth was called in again. After studying the petitions he stated that he felt that he still would like to go ahead with the store if allowed to do so. Inasmuch as two members of the council were not present at the beginning of the meeting it was impossible to give Mr. Farnsworth a definite answer on the case.

Dr. Vance met with the council in regard to operating a Veterinary business on 14th South State Street. As far as the council was concerned there were no objections inasmuch as the business would be located within the legal 400 foot business sections.

Mayor Gillman read a letter from Mayor Glade of Salt Lake City concerning the Municipal Convention in Cedar City. He also reported on conversation with Lauren Gibbs of Salt Lake City regarding the purchase of Orem City Bonds and etc. Mr. Gibbs stating, that he was interested in loaning up to $150,000.

Attorney H. V. Wentz gave his opinion on increasing of the Budget. He stated that the law reads a third class city does not have the authority to increase the budget set up by the former council.

The Alpine School District through Board Member A. H. Christensen declined to let the grandstand be moved to the city Park. Mr. Christensen stated that the School Board was going to seed, the area back of the Spencer School and that the grandstand may be needed there later.

It was reported that two lots belonging to Neils Jacobsen on the corner of 1st North and State St. were being set aside for a building site for a new Federal Building and would not be sold to anyone.

Mayor Gillman reported on the repair of the switch at the Booster Pump house on 8th East and 8th North St.

A letter from the Union Pacific Railroad was read to the Council, the letter asking that the Council agree to the closing of a crossing near the Geneva Steel Plant. After discussing it with Councilman Vern Williams who lives near to the crossing in question it was decided that the council should give their permission to the closing as is shown by the following resolution:

R E S O L U T I O N

BE IT RESOLVED, that inasmuch as that crossing in question has been physically closed for some time and is of no further use, THEREFORE, let it be moved by Councilman Vern Williams that the city of Orem agree to the formal closing of the crossing as asked for by the Union Pacific Railroad, seconded by Councilman Roy H. Gappmayer and passed unanimously.

The letter received from Federal Public Housing Authority giving release of the City Park Property was discussed by the Council. It was moved by Councilman Ephraim E. Twitchell that the Mayor be authorized to write a letter to Federal Public Housing Authority asking for another years taxes on the Park Area formerly held by them, also that the letter releasing the area in question be made a part of the minutes, seconded by Councilman Vern Williams and passed unanimously. The letter reads as follows:

"To: Mayor J. W. Gillman; Subject Project #Utah 42061: "We are pleased to announce that our Washington Office has approved the disposition of Project # Utah 42061 in line with the agreements for termination of Lease dated January 23, 1943. You are hereby authorized to take charge of the project site and consider same returned to the City of Orem as the Original leaser of the project". Signed; M. A. Crabtree, Field Representative for J. G. Melville, Assistant Director for Real Estate and Disposition.

The duties of the caretaker of the City Park were discussed by the Council. Frank Thorne reported that if the job required full time he would not be able to take care of it and that the city should hire someone else to do it. It was agreed that Councilman Twitchell be authorized to contact Frank and Jenny Thorne and discuss the above situation.

Mr. Decker and Mr. Anderson presented a request for the skating rink to be allowed to remain open until twelve midnight on the night of July 18th to accommodate a group from the Timpanogos Ward Sunday School.

It was moved by Councilman Vern Williams, seconded by Councilman Woodruff Jensen that Decker and Anderson be allowed to remain open until midnight on the night of July 18th, 1946. The motion was carried.

Councilman Twitchell presented a tentative plan for the construction of a race track and grandstand on the city park property. The area covered by the proposed track would extend over half of the city park from the east end.

It was moved by Councilman Woodruff Jensen, seconded by Councilman Roy H. Gappmayer and passed unanimously that Frank B. Woffinden be paid $500.00 on his account, that Utah Valley Publishing Co. be paid the balance of their account which amounts to $206.50, and that Fred Fielding be paid for work done on city park property amounting to $44.80.

Mayor Gillman reported on contact with A. H. Christensen of the School Board in regard to, repair or replacement of Plumbing fixtures in the Lincoln High School.

It was decided to meet Friday evening July 12, and make a decision on the Farnsworth case.

Meeting was adjourned on motion of Councilman Woodruff Jensen, seconded by Councilman Vern Williams and passed.