Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses USSD1 memorial moratorium and park irrigation amid water concerns
Summary
City Attorney and USSD1 staff proposed a policy prohibiting new memorials on USSD1-managed properties while grandfathering existing memorials; discussion included fairness, First Amendment questions and visible irrigation at revenue-generating facilities like the golf course.
City Attorney Michael Harrington and USSD1 Director Cheryl Meier presented a policy concept to prohibit new memorials on Uintah Special Service District 1 properties while allowing existing memorials to remain, subject to removal if they become unsafe or create maintenance burdens. Harrington noted the policy is aimed at consistency and fairness and that a formal policy would be brought back for consideration.
Councilmember Randel Mills raised First Amendment concerns and asked how many memorials exist; Meier estimated a limited number across facilities and clarified that USSD1 would generally grandfather existing memorials but could remove them case-by-case when safety or maintenance warranted it. Mayor Foley and others expressed sensitivity to public perception of irrigation during regional water restrictions; Meier said "the golf course serves as a revenue-generating asset, making it difficult to significantly reduce irrigation without long-term impacts," and described steps already taken to reduce irrigation and postpone water‑intensive activities.
