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Residents praise senior center and raise neighborhood safety and contractor-complaint during public comment
Summary
During citizens' comments on July 1 residents praised the Murray Senior Recreation Center, learned about a county property-tax notice tool, and raised safety concerns at Hidden Village Park and an alleged contractor threat; council acknowledged receipt and staff follow-up was requested.
Multiple residents spoke during the council’s public comment period on July 1, offering praise for city senior services and reporting neighborhood safety concerns that they asked the city to address.
Taffy Burton told council she has used the Murray Senior Recreation Center since retiring and praised its classes, trips and affordable lunches, noting membership and volunteer participation have grown. "The staff was warm and friendly," Burton said, thanking the city for maintaining the program.
Salt Lake County Auditor Chris Harding briefed the council on an enhanced electronic property-tax notice, a QR link for residents to access additional details, and a planned "pizza tracker" to show the status of property-tax appeals. Harding also publicized a county fraud-hotline QR for residents to submit referrals.
Several public commenters raised safety concerns. Robin Simper alleged that a contractor with a city contract, identified as "Doug Bench," threatened her while she was outside and asked council to cancel his contract; Simper quoted the alleged threat as, "move your *** or I will run you down." The comment was entered into the public record as an allegation and council did not take immediate contract action in the meeting.
Resident Michael Lavety described escalating problems near Hidden Village Park — including open drug use, trespassing, stalking and an incident he said involved someone he identified as "William Clyde Shepherd, the convicted kidnapper" near the park — and asked police and council to coordinate and encourage neighbors to report incidents on the nonemergency line. Lavety said he has opened a case number and is organizing neighbors to document occurrences.
Council and staff acknowledged the public comments and requested follow-up where appropriate; city staff were asked to review contract and public-safety follow-up options for the alleged contractor threat.
