EPHRAIM— The Ephraim City Council discussed a couple of new construction projects on the northeast end of the town that have been drawing a lot of attention.
One project is being put in east of Verizon by Simon Properties LLC and will have five commercial properties on lower floors and 30 units for apartments in a multi-use zoned area.
The other project—owned by Swagg Properties LLC—is being built east of Papa Murphy’s and is a commercial mall with office spaces and nine units with large bay doors so people can pull in with semis and other large machinery and equipment.
Earlier in the meeting, Ephraim Mayor John Scott made a presentation to LeMar Hanson, honoring him for “countless hours of service” to the community of Ephraim at the council’s regular meeting last Wednesday.
“LeMar served for over 25 years on the planning and zoning committee, and his kind, loving nature is evident in the many years he has served our community,” Scott said. He showed the council the award, which will be presented to Hanson, who was unable to attend the meeting due to health problems.
Andy Adamson of the Manti Trail Builders gave a report on the recent bike race held near Gunnison Reservoir, to which Ephraim and other communities had made donations. “Our event impressed a lot of people in Utah, and we believe next year we will be able to have at least two events, maybe more,” Adamson said. He also thanked Ephraim City for their financial and volunteer support of the event.
Police Chief Aaron Broomhead reported on the council’s directive to change the city’s traffic code provisions to facilitate removal of vehicles that could block snow removal efforts. “We have stepped up enforcement of road access,” Broomhead said. “We are focusing on 5th wheel trailers and abandoned cars at first. It will be a big effort to have the streets cleared before snow arrives.”
Ephraim City Power Director Cory Daniels then reported on revisions suggested by the utility board to change the city’s ordinance regarding outside water connections. The city has been in a moratorium on connections, which expires soon. Before the moratorium, the city council policy was to consider requests on a case-by-case basis.
The utility board suggested, and the council accepted, the ordinance changes which basically states there will be no water connections outside Ephraim City limits, period.
The single exception is for facilities owned by Ephraim City itself outside the city boundaries that may require water. An example would be the city’s power plant in the canyon, which may need a fire hydrant to prevent fires, and which is technically outside the city boundaries.
“We need to reserve the water we have for our current city residents,” the council said. Anyone building adjacent to Ephraim will have to go through the annexation process to get water.
Next, Fire Chief Jeff Hermansen said he is continuing fire inspections throughout the city in apartments and businesses, with plans to inspect at least 200 sites. “Any fire we prevent is well worth the time for these inspections,” he said.
Finally, Mayor Scott reported that the city has been having extensive meetings with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding the new temple. “There are just a lot of details to work out,” Scott said.
